Kool Kat

I have lived with a selection of cats for over a decade now, having moved in with my girlfriend and four cats eleven years ago. In that time our population has gone from four to six and unfortunately due to ill health, our pride now numbers just three...

Although extremely allergic to cats, I have learned to live with them and their fur, in fact I often wonder how it is possible to live without a feline presence. Of course, my kids have always known a house full of pets, previous occupants have also included goldfish, rabbits and hamsters... to me it is essential that children grow up with a respect towards animals which seems in decline.

My childhood was pretty pet free until I was a teenager, then a rather large hamster took centre stage for some time. But after another hamster, it was only when I moved out of the family home that I would share my life with other animals. Of course, not long afterwards, my younger sister managed to badger a kitten (Nixie pictured, although she is now the ripe old age of ten).

And now my girlfriend is badgering me about getting a puppy, although she does hint that it is for the kids.... yeah right!