When Monty Met Molly

It was the photo which did it: a small, cross-eyed ginger cat in a cage stole our hearts, looking quizzically up in the air as Michelle took his picture. He'd been rescued from the Sheng Shui AFCD wearing a collar, but apart from that, Montgomery's story remains a mystery. We suspect, however, that he was a ninja in a previous life -- there is nothing he enjoys more than a good ambush (our legs and arms still bear the scars) and playing 'hunter'. This is when you hide and he hides and you peer round the corner and he peers round the corner then you hide again... until one of you cracks. So far, even when Monty loses, he wins -- there is little more terrifying than a ginger ninja hurtling towards you at full throttle!

Monty has made our lives a little crazier and a lot more fun; it took him nearly six months before he would snuggle up on our laps for a cuddle... but when he did, it was a glorious moment. As happy as he was to have a forever family and a safe, warm place to live that was full of love, we knew something was missing. The look of utter distress in his eyes when we left for work in the mornings, knowing he'd have a long day of lonely hours before we got back home to cuddle and play with him, broke our hearts.

Then, a little miracle was born. Well, five little miracles -- Indiana, a pregnant cat who Michelle had taken in, gave birth to five glorious little bundles of fluff in late November 09. Through Michelle's photos on Facebook, we saw the wonderful moment they entered the world, watched them grow from blind, nubby little things into gorgeous little heartbreakers, and we knew that one of them was destined to be Monty's BFF (best friend forever).

http://hkalleycatwatch.blogspot.com/2009/11/indiana-and-her-little-indians.html

And that is how Molly came into our lives. We brought her home on Saturday, January 16, 2010.

She was petrified and shivering all the way back; it was her first time outside Michelle's place, where she was born and where she had her mum and all her sisters and brother for company and comfort.But she settled down after a few hours of love and attention from four humans... and Monty! He hissed a couple of times to ensure she knew he was boss, and then all was well. By bedtime, they were playing catch; Molly all boofed up and hopping sideways at him, Monty all flirty and chirupping at her to chase him.

Now, they truly adore each other, and our little family is complete.