Introducing Sophie le Soyeux

Every farm must have a farm cat.  Fact.

My two boys are too spoilt to ever be true farm cats. Seriously, can you imagine Eric having to chase a mouse across the terrain.... he can't walk on grass without nearly having hysterics.  Guy maybe, but only if I am there alongside him.  Yep, really not farm cat material.

So last friday night we were having a cuddle puddle on the lounge (cuddle puddle is where everyone is draped over everyone else) watching a dvd, when there was the most pitiful howling coming from outside the loungeroom windows.  I got up to investigate, and there was this little grey face pressed to the glass, begging for help.

I went to the back door and made entreating noises, and she bounded across to meet me.  A poor, starved and pathetic looking grey cat.  I was impressed with how affectionate she was for a cat in such a condition.  She just wanted - no demanded - pats and attention.  I gave her some cat food, which she woolfed down so fast it was distressing to watch. 

She was so deprived of nurishment and love that she was on the downhill slide to dying a lonely death in a hedge somewhere.


So I gave her some more food and Wayne and I agreed that we would check her out fully in the morning.  She was too full of parasites and too ill to bring in to the house with our boys.

Morning came and she was gone.

Later we were driving home from shopping and I saw her in the garden of a house in our village.  I jumped out to speak to the owner and see if it was their cat.  The elderly lady told me that no it wasn't her cat, it was a stray and it was a horrible cat ... all the while the cat was desperately trying to smooge against her legs and get some affection..... ironic hey.

So what else could I do... of course I called to her and she followed me home.  Yes, I know I am a complete sucker.  But how hard is it to give a small amount of your time to look after an animal whom is so obviously in need.  Don't even get me started......

We had a rdv with the vet that afternoon for Guy's vaccinations, so I spoke to them and they gave me worming treatments and flea and tick treatments.  The poor little thing was covered in ticks!  She has also come off second best in a confrontation with a dog or someone's shoe.  Nothing too serious, but unpleasant and uncomfortable for her.

Arriving home, I thought she would be gone again, but no, she was sitting waiting for us.  I made her a bed in the outbuilding, and gave her food and water and her treatments.  She purred the whole time.

In the past week, she has turned from a scruffy bedraggled facsimile of a cat, to a worn, but pretty, and real cat.  Still a way to go before she is in perfect health and condition, but she is getting there quicker than I hoped.

Her nature is incredible.  The best little personality and super affectionate.  Loves to talk to us, even though she has a meow like a rusty gate, and a purr like a tractor.  She has not left the fermette since I brought her in, and each night when I check on her before locking up she knows it is bedtime and goes to her bed when I tell her.  Clever little girl.

I know she is appreciative of the care and love, as she brought me a half eaten bird...... 'nuff said.

Wayne wanted to call her Gandalph the Grey (Lord of the Rings) but as it is a girl, I refused and said we had to find a girls name.  So she is now Sophie le Soyeux (the soft/silky).  In one week she has learnt her name and comes running when I call her.

So finally I have a little girl.... but now I have to change the tag on my emails.  No more "and the boys"...lol.  The balance of the household is slowly changing and equalling out!