Introductions

Black Cat - I first saw Rosie when I had been living in Lincolnshire for a couple of weeks. I had already met her brother Coco, who was a permanent fixture at Woolsthorpe Manor.  When exploring my new garden I saw this little cheeky face peering at me, she had a red collar on but looked like Coco.  I spoke to my friend Marg who confirmed it wasn't Coco but his sister Rosie, she was very timid and didn't come to the Manor as per Coco. 

Coco and Rosie had a family in the village, but both spent a lot of time outdoors.  I think as Rosies' family was very busy with two big dogs, small children and other cats, and knowing her like I do now I think she felt lost - Marg confirmed as much.  The picture on the right shows how timid she was, she would not come in the house, looked very thin and would not let me touch her for long if at all!  Think she was enjoying some tuna I had put out for her in this photo!

I have always wanted a cat, but unfortunately being allergic to them it was never an option - I used to get my cat fix by feeding our neighbours cats - Wilhelmina and Tatiana - yes Willy and Titty for short!  When I was very young we lived next door to a beautiful cat called Elsa, and she would sometimes come in to visit us which was great.  However on the occasions I would pet any cat too much it resulted me wheezing, sneezing and with scratchy eyes.

Anyway cut to several months later, in 2010, Rosie was a full time fixture of my life, she followed me to work, waited for me to finish, attempted to encroach on Coco's  Manor - literally  - with limited success, they had severe sibling rivalry.  I had been at Woolsthorpe nearly a year when my partner who lived in Nottingham and I decided it was time to live together.  I took the painful decision to leave Woolsthorpe.  WHAT was I going to do with Rosie? She still had a family up the road - even though I was now her dad!  I spoke to her owner who said straight away "take her with you"  her owner felt she was mine anyway, and thought it was funny she had moved out to live with me.   So Rosie swapped rural Lincolnshire for Nottingham.  That whole cats picking their owner is very true for me.

Rosie in the orchard with the Manor behind, before city life.

 

 

Why am I blogging about Rosie? Well since owning a cat it has opened up a whole new interest in cat behaviour, learning about them and actually becoming a bit of a hobby on the side.

 Rosie really helped me when I was in Lincolnshire,  I was very lonely at times, but by taking Rosie under my wing we helped each other and she blossomed into a more confident, sociable and characterful cat. It was real joy to have Rosie waiting for me at the manor back door and walking across the orchard with her, or a friendly face at my bedroom window - she is an expert climber!

Rosie loves gardening, she helps me out if I am digging, weeding and planting.  She has her own bed in the greenhouse, spends hours in there and really makes our garden come alive.  I can't imagine a garden without her, she patrols the plot, takes us on walks around it and generally has laid claim to it.

Rosie in one of her favourite garden spots,  in the greenhouse keeping the aubergines warm, and taking some shade under the outdoor tomatos - on the rare occasion of sunshine.