Missing - presumed dead

Monday night Tabatha was curled up by the wood burner along with Lucy. A sight that had become quite familiar recently. Although the two cats were brought up together from kittens, more than 15 years ago, they were never really friends, but old age and the cold winter brought about an uneasy alliance.


Tabatha hasn't been seen since and the possibility of her never returning is a reality.

We re homed her from a cat rescue centre when she was 12 weeks old. She had been brought in after being involved in a road accident, her leg had been broken and needed pinning. She recovered well but her leg was always a little stiff especially in the cold weather and she would sit with it at an angle.




Never a lap cat she only accepted attention and affection on her terms. Much to my embarrassment she was well known in the neighbourhood for jumping in the windows of neighbouring houses. Not that it was ever discouraged by any of them I hasten to add, in fact she was actively encouraged by a few !

She was a great hunter and at this time of year would often return home with half grown rabbits. Her downfall and most likely the cause of her disappearance was her taste for poison. She was quite young, when one day she arrived home very poorly. The vet diagnosed poisoning most likely anti freeze or slug pellets. She was giving an antidote and we played the waiting game, she recovered but it became a regular occurrence, at the start of winter and at this time of year when gardeners are planting out young plants she regularly came home 'spaced out'. Other than keeping her indoors as a house cat there was nothing we could do other than accept that one day she may not come home.