Right at the start of June I saw a facebook post about a cat who had been badly injured on the road. She had given birth to four kittens just two weeks earlier so I contacted her people to offer advice or any other assistance that could help as the kittens would now have to be fed with a bottle every two hours. The four babies came to me that day but when their mother was released home following her surgery she was very anxious and calling for her kittens. There was no way she could cope with all four, though, so it was decided to give her one back and monitor how well that went. That did the trick and she settled well with that baby and I kept the other three here with me. I named them Sheldon, Penny and Amy. When the kittens were seven weeks old and eating and using a litter tray they went back to their mother and I offered to help find the right homes for them but the owners said they already had homes lined up with friends and relatives. However, a couple of weeks later I received a message asking if I could take Penny as the person who was intending to take her along with her brother Sheldon had decided to take only one. By this time Penny was nine weeks old and her vaccinations could be started but a mild infection delayed that for a couple of weeks until she had completed a course of antibiotics, even although she was well again after just two days. Given that the initial vaccinations are given over a period of three weeks I decided to delay homing Penny until she was heavy enough to to be spayed. That weight is only two kg as so the time will come soon for the op to be done and for Penny to find her Forever home. I have, of course, fallen totally in love with this adorable wee girl and she has only ever known me as 'mummy'.It's always difficult to see foster cats and kittens go on to their new homes but even more so with the hand-reared ones. Expect tears.

Well, that's the background story of Penny's short life so far so now let me tell you about the girl herself. Although her profile here describes her colouring as being grey and white she's actually more of a grey tortoiseshell as her beautiful coat has cream and light ginger markings rather than white ones, all set off by her lovely amber eyes. I think she's just beautiful but don't be thinking I'm in the least bit besotted or prejudiced in her favour.....She just loves to help me make the bed or brush the floor (doesn't like the vacuum cleaner though), or turn her paw to anything really if she thinks I'm just not managing. If you're the sort of person who would just hate to have a furry wee person cuddled into your arms or around your neck, doing her best to break the purr sound barrier, then she's not the girl for you. Standoffishness just isn't on Penny's radar although initial confusion in a new environment with new people is to be expected. A home with another cat, a gentle cat-friendly dog, or children aged 5+ would be fine for Penny. Our usual policy is not to home young kittens with very young children as, let's face it, both lots can be a handful with neither understanding the vulnerability of the other! A garden to explore would be very welcome too once she's well settled. You may have to take me with her.