The Babies

Hendrix [DOB 22 Sep 2007] (named after, well, take a guess!) joined our clan on the 9th February 2008 at around 4 and a half months old after we decided it might be a good idea to get another kitty to keep Layla company while we were out at work and such. There’s not much to Hendrix – he’s also a Devon Rex, seal tabby point in colour (think Siamese markings). He is a very beautiful cat, like Layla. They’re just my babies! Layla, needless to say, wasn’t too impressed when we brought him home, but she since warmed to him and became more motherly towards him.

Hendrix’s favourite activities are running around the house like a springbok, snuggling to his daddy or his mummy for warmth, and getting up on the kitchen counter (which mummy and daddy do not approve of!). He also loves to play with string, pieces of plastic, bottletops, anything he can find really.

Delilah [DOB Unkn - given DOB of 22 May 2008] came into our lives on the 22nd May 2010 (hence the birthday we’ve given her). We had decided that after 12 months of Hendrix being the ‘lone wolf’, we should get him some company. Delilah was one of six Turkish Van cats that my friend Jess rescued from a breeder’s husband’s house, after the breeder up-and-left him and all the animals. She was left in an outdoor enclosure with no water, no kitty litter and no suitable food. Jess rescued all six cats (at first having only the intention of buying one!) after seeing their situation, and promptly gave them shelter and food. Most of the cats were emaciated. Anyway, a few weeks in I offered to adopt one, and I picked the one who’s name was Thorn. Jess was so excited to have ‘homed’ one of her rescues, and on Saturday May 22nd, she brought Thorn, now Delilah, through to our new home. Hendrix and Delilah didn’t get along too well to start with, but after about 5 days he warmed to her and now they happily snuggle up on the couch together.

Sadie [DOB Unkn - given DOB of 5th August 2010] is a boxer-hound cross who joined our family on the 29th October 2010, at the age of approximately 12 weeks. We estimate her birthday as the 5th August, being exactly 12 weeks prior to our adopting her. Michael’s work colleague told him that his cousin had a boxer cross puppy and was looking for another home for her because the cousin’s wife was allergic. We saw a photo and fell in love. We agreed to meet her and just fell for her straight away. She’s a beautiful little puppy, and at the time of writing this, she’s only been with us for three days but we love her! She’s a lot of fun, and it will be interesting to see how big she grows!!!

In Loving Memory of…

Layla [DOB 6 Dec 2002] (named after the song by Eric Clapton) came into our lives on the 26th May 2007, as a 4-and-a-half year old. She is a black smoke coloured Devon Rex, which is the reason for her kitten-(and almost pixie-)like looks. Before coming to us, Layla had two litters of kittens whilst in the care of one breeder. That breeder then, unfortunately, was diagnosed with cancer, at which time she just couldn’t take care of the cats.

Michael’s mother and stepfather had a Devon Rex named Merlin, who they bought from another breeder when he was a kitten. We called this particular breeder because we had moved into our own place and were after a pet. She said she wouldn’t have any kittens available until the end of July/start of August 2007, which we were a little upset about. But then she told us that she had a 4-year-old Devon Rex who had had two litters but wasn’t producing any more babies, so she had had her spayed, therefore being no good for her in terms of breeding. We said we’d come out and take a look at her.

On the morning of Saturday 26th May, we went out to the breeder’s place and met Layla for the first time. She was more beautiful than I ever could imagine and fell in love with her straight away. She had been spayed, vaccinated, fully-house trained and was an indoor cat – everything we wanted and more. And what’s more, she was 1/5th of the price of a new kitten, which was perfect for us because we just didn’t have the money to buy a new kitten.

However, Layla unfortunately lost a battle with illness and she was put to sleep on the 15th February 2009. We miss you, sweetheart – you are one of the most beautiful cats in the entire world, and we know you’re sitting in a place of eternal sunlight and warmth. We love and miss you, Mama-puss. _{- Mummy, Daddy and Hendrix xxx}