Several years ago the aforementioned Beatrice died an early death. She had been briefly ill and the vet confirmed tumours and likely cancer. Before we knew it she was gone. She was the sweetest of cats and the bride was crushed. Even the dogs seemed to mourn the loss.

Then came George, feisty and abrasive one moment, cute and cuddly the next. He hunts, and prowls around the house and seems happiest when he's left to his own devices. A couple of my musician friends are deathly afraid of him as he likes to bite toes.

One cat at a time.