Rosie is the eldest at thirteen years old, and a typical tortie. Grumpy, antisocial and short-tempered with the other cats, but very affectionate with people. She can often be seen stomping out of a room, muttering under her breath at what she is expected to put up with from the youngsters.

New additions to the family are greeted with resignation, but soon learn not to take any liberties !

She is very adept at convincing me to open several tins of food before deigning to accept a few morsels. She has me well-trained ! This is a rare photo of her outside in the cat-run, as she generally prefers her home comforts.

Molly is eleven and Top Cat. Right from being a tiny kitten she refused to be submissive, and although not usually a bully, she will always remember any lack of respect shown to her, and ambush the offender later. Ted is usually the victim, being far too brainless to recognise any hierarchy !

Seb is ten, and a very handsome grey and white bi-colour.

He is a real softy, and loves to cuddle up with one of the other cats, or on someone's knee.

At mealtimes though, he shows his macho side and strides around defending his place in the queue against anyone within range. Fortunately it is all show, and he can easily be pushed off his ergonomic feeder by the latest kitten, before they are taught some manners. It can be quite comical to see this large muscular cat slinking away, while the kitten has to sit up on its back legs like a meercat to reach Seb's food.

He has developed a very effective habit of licking himself very loudly, guaranteed to get me out of bed to dole out breakfast !

Katie is nine, and Seb's best friend.

Her kitten nickname was 'dragster' due to her short front legs giving her the characteristic shape, and her habit of zooming around the house.

However, she has grown into a very lovely fluffy tabby.

Katie can always be relied upon to greet visitors, and even accompany them to the toilet if they are very honoured. However, she is far less obliging if anyone tries to cuddle her or mess her about, as our vet can testify !

Ted, another tabby, is the trouble-maker of the family, partly down to his lack of brain cells. He has all the symptoms of senility at eight years old !

He will wander around the house, calling loudly, and staring into mirrors, pausing only to aggravate Molly.

She is disgusted at his lack of respect for her status, and will save up any sleights and ambush him later. Ted, of course, never learns !

To date he has used up several lives. He has fallen down the stairs wrapped up in clothes that were drying on the bannister; become trapped down the side of the fridge-freezer; and most dramatically managed to open an upstairs window, shut it behind him, and leap into space, breaking his fall through a patio table. All with barely a scratch !

Rosie

Seb

Molly

Ted