Stanley and Tilly were born at PussyCat Lodge on 4th March 2004. I took them home 7 weeks later along with their Mummy who is now happily living with my parents.
Shortly after taking them home, Stanley became very unwell. He refused to eat or play and would just sit quietly with his head down. Despite all my frantic efforts I could not tempt him with anything. After a worried phone call to Jennie, I took him to see my vet who could find nothing obvious wrong and suggested he had "fading kitten syndrome", giving him a 50/50 chance of survival. I took him back to the vet the next day as he was no better and he offered to put him to sleep.
Stanley & Tilly at 8 weeks old
I was back on the phone immediately to Jennie who was so kind and supportive to me. I had already had my beloved cat Tabitha put to sleep in January after 16 happy years and the thought of losing Stanley as well was so upsetting. Jennie offered to take him and sister Tilly back to see if she could help. Eventually, they both ended up going to Jane's. Each night I phoned up to see how he was doing and gradually, thanks to Jane's expertise and tender loving care, he began to pick up. Within a week he was back home with me again, a different kitten who, although still small, was eating everything on offer and playing energetically with sister Tilly!
Stanley & Tilly at 1 year old
He has now, as you can see from the 2nd photo, grown into a magnificent cat who is full of mischief and fun. Whenever I come home from work to find him stuck in my new voile curtains, sitting among my treasured possessions on the mantelpiece or with another strip of the landing wallpaper hanging out of his mouth, he looks at me as if to say: "But Mummy, I could have died!" and I forgive him everything!!
Kim Lake
