TIBBS was a very independent black and white girl who we had with us for about thirteen years. She wasn't a lap cat, and she didn't like to be touched at all, but sometimes, when she was content, she would lie close by and purr like a motor boat! Sadly we have no idea what ultimately became of Tibbs, as she disappeared one day and we were never able to find her again, no matter how far and wide we searched. The last thing I remember of her was hearing a soft thud, as she jumped down from the window sill to go out in the small hours of the morning.

PATCH was a wonderful companion cat, a tortoiseshell and white girl who lived with us for fourteen years. Patch loved to be with people and was a great favourite with anyone who visited. We originally got her from the RSPCA and when we went to choose a cat from a foster home containing literally dozens of cats, Patch 'chose' us by jumping up on my lap and kneading me furiously. In her old age, Patch had some health problems, principally cancer which developed in the tip of one of her white ears. However, she had a successful operation to amputate the ear, and recovered well from that. Her appearance was quite shocking just after the surgery, but the shaved fur on her head grew, and she looked quite pretty again, if a bit lopsided. In the end, Patch succumbed to kidney failure, as so many cats do, and she is now buried under a tree in our garden.

LITTLE CHUTCH was a small black and white girl who lived with us for a long while, during the time we had Tibbs and Patch and for quite a time afterwards. Chutch was a bit of a terror, really, as she loved to stalk and tease the other cats, but in general she had a sweet and affectionate nature. She was always a very tiny thing, but she had the heart of a lion, and was an active, lively cat right up to the end of her life. Another victim of kidney failure, her coffin is buried in the same grave as that of Patch.

ROSIE was an adorably beautiful tabby and white girl who we unfortunately had for only a relatively short time. Rosie had previously lived with some people a few streets away from us, but for some reason best known to her, she didn't want to stay there, and she moved in with us. She had a lovely personality, and was very tolerant of other cats. She also had the lushest and softest fur you could imagine. Sadly though, Rosie was a wanderer, and she too disappeared from our home one day. We searched extensively for her, but couldn't find her, and eventually heard reports of a cat fitting her description being seen dead by the side of the road. To my great regret we were never able to retrieve her body to bury her with Patch and Chutch.