Muffin

Hi my name is Muffin.  I am a gorgeous tortie lady (black and ginger with a ginger tip on my tail and a ginger bib).  I have no white bits.  I was born in July when I will be 16 years young. 

My story begins when as a kitten, together with my brother Harry, who was jet black all over, were visited by the lady who became our mummy.  She had been asked to come and see us by the owner of our real furry mummy as we were approaching 8 weeks of age.  When Sue (who was to become our lifelong mummy) arrived, Harry was all over her.  I was much more shy and hid away.  Sue decided that Harry had said he wanted to live with her, and as she already had lots of cats she said regrettably she could only take one of us.  It was arranged that she would collect Harry a few days later.

Before Sue (I shall call her mummy from now on) arrived she got a call from our then owner saying that she could not wean me, and I would not eat proper food.  She was very concerned but felt that if anyone could help it would be mummy.  Mummy agreed that she would then take both Harry and me, but if she could not get me to eat within the week then I would have to be returned or I would starve to death.  So the time came for both Harry and me to move in with mummy.

We felt very small and there were lots of large cats in the house.  We were very frightened for a few days and hid away, but mummy gave us lots of cuddles and kisses and gradually we realised that the big cats were really only curious and would not hurt us. 

I still would not eat.  Mummy was tearing her hair out.  She tried scrambled egg to no avail.  I would eat Weetabix, but mummy was worried about the vitamin and minerals I should be getting.  She went to the supermarket and looked at the baby food.  In desperation she bought some tins of Heinz baby food. I loved the Fisherman's Pie and lived on this for a few days whilst mummy thought of what to do next.  She bought tins of Hi Life Fish dinners which contained nothing but fish, but had all the right vitamins and minerals for cats.  Gradually she introduced me to this, and I loved it.  Mummy breathed a sigh of relief.  The only problem is the other cats love it too, so they all want some, but mummy makes sure I get my fair share.  To this day I will not eat any form of meat type cat food, although I eat Science Diet biscuits.  I also love real chicken, and shout very loudly for this when mummy goes to the fridge.  She always gives in, saying at my age I am entitled to some treats.  Mummy is a vegetarian, but she buys chicken especially for us cats, which is rather nice of her. 

I was now gaining weight and Harry and I had great games together.  He was always more outgoing and adventurous than I.  I am much more of a "home girl".  I don't go out in winter, but come nice warm days I will wander out into the garden for a while.  I have to have my toilet facilities indoors though.

Unfortunately my brother, Harry, died from cancer four years ago.  The vet found a large tumour which could not be operated on.  Mummy will tell his story at a later stage.

About six years ago mummy discovered that I had a very small lump on my spine.  We went to see the vet, who advised just keeping an eye on it and if it got bigger to go back.  It stayed as it was for over a year and then mummy was convinced it was getting bigger.  Alarmed she took me back to the vet.  It was decided to operate.  Mummy was, I am told, in a right state all day until I was safely out of the operating theatre.  Fortunately the lump was not actually growing on my spine, and the vet was able to remove it fairly easily.  Luckily I have not had any problems since and have remained "lump" free.

As I have got older, I have had to have several teeth removed.  Mummy does say it is partly my fault as I will not have my teeth cleaned.  I had one of my "fangs" removed last year, which makes my breathing now sound a bit loud.  Otherwise I am in good health.  I do like to have lots of naps which mummy says is fine. 

Unlike the others here (there are 10 of us in all), I am not a lap cat.  I love it when mummy brushes me.  I have had problems with my coat this year.  It has become greasy, and I am not able to clean it as well as I used to.  Mummy brushes me every day, but the brush she used did not get through the thick hair and it caused me to have some matting, which she had to cut out.  I did not like that.  Recently mummy has found a different brush which gets right through my coat.  I now have a nice shining matt free coat again.  Sometimes I protest and mummy has to brush me very thoroughly to make sure all the fur is brushed.  She tries to be gentle, but my skin is more sensitive than it used to be, and I do lash out at her.  I would not really like to hurt her though. 

Although I am not a lap cat, I do love my cuddles and strokes.  I like to sit beside mummy and be made a fuss of that way.  I keep dignified not like the others who roll over and beg for tummy tickles. 

Even though there are more of us here than in the average cat household, mummy loves us all very much and worries about us all the time. So all in all I am having a happy life.  The central heating is left on 24/7 during winter, even when mummy is at work to make sure that we do not get cold, so life is not bad.  I must end my story now as I think I hear mummy going to the fridge.  Perhaps she will give me some chicken.

Love

Muffin xxxxxx

Sadly Muffin passed away on 22nd September 2010. Click here to read her tribute.

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