My story

Gilbert came in to Mary as a very sickly cat, and our wonderful vets, West Bar at Woodford Halse, gave the sad news that he was unlikely to recover from his various conditions, and that life expectancy was short. We were not hopeful of finding a home for him at all, but then Lizz came along. Here are a few words from Lizz: ‘’Bertie "found" me, by meowing his head off, while I was at dropping off some rabbit food with another volunteer. You see I am (or at least was) the mad rabbit lady. I have kept bunnies for the past 20 years. My last 3 were from Barks. Stroopwafel, a very spoilt and feisty red rex, we still have, having her best life, with an indoor and outdoor residence! Anyway, popped over to Mary, dropped off the food, and initially to look at another rabbit companion or the recently widowed feisty female, and while we were having a natter, heard this "yoo hoo, I'm over here" noise. "You have cats now"? I said "Only this one. It's Gilbert, come and have a look" said Mary A very handsome ginger and white male, very friendly, does not like dogs, terminally ill. With tumours - oesophagus, chest and liver, hyperthyroidism and on medication twice a day, and at 15, it was unlikely he would see 16, or get rehomed, but ever hopeful for a foster home. Went home, and when my husband came home, I told him about Gilbert, eventually finishing the story, a tad weepy. "Do you want to bring him home"? He said.... "Lizz" ??? I was already out the door! So Gilbert came home, is now answers (when it suits!) To Bertie, and is, 2 years later still going strong. He still has all his ailments, had to have his teeth taken out last year due to additional complications, still has his bloods taken every 3 months, still on meds. He was terrified of the outdoors but eventually got bolder. Due to this we now have a tracker on him, just in case, God forbid, he should collapse while out and about. He has a lovely life and is a very happy and content catkin. He has more followers, gets more likes and loves than we do, especially over the tracker maps of his wanderings, and is adorable - never been a lap cat, prefers to lean, and is such a character. He is a little deaf now, eyesight failing, but lives his life to the full, in the 3 hours a day he is awake, and we love him very much! He's 17 now, and other than my husband, the rabbits and motorbikes is the most brilliant thing to come into my life!