Princess Leia

My wife and I adopted our little kitten at only six months old, from the charity Cats Protection. We recently moved into our first place and felt that it was a little quiet, we loved it, but wanted to share it with someone, so off to the sanctuary, we went!

When we got there, we were met by the beautiful faces of dozens of cats; old, young, fluffy and trimmed, all looking for love. It was heartbreaking to think that anyone could hand over such adorable animals. Our minds were open to anyone so long as we felt a connection with them. So we played with a few, one hissed at us and scared me, another simply curled up and played with a ball. They were both deserving of a loving home that would suit their needs, but we didn't think ours was that home, then we saw her.

One kennel - is that right? - held a small kitten, more fur than feline, playing with one of the carers. They were rolling a ball to one another and the kitten barely seemed to know where her toy was rolling to, then we noticed her eyes, she'd been blind from birth. The carer pulled this bundle of fluff from her kennel and told us her name, Leia, the cat with jet black eyes, a big pale beard and a black moustache! It didn't take us long to see that she was perfect, because when the carer delicately placed Leia in my arms, she reached hers up - one on each shoulder - and hugged me, with her face pressed flat against my chest. She was clearly nervous and it didn't take long before she wiggled her way to freedom, but with that hug, she was the one.

We were told that her former owners had her from a litter and, due to her disability, simply chose not to keep her. To have been abandoned at barely half a year old was unthinkable, so we set in motion her adoption there and then. We quickly cat-proofed the house, making sure windows and doors would stay shut, so she wouldn’t run the risk of getting out and getting hurt. We brought her a bunch of toys and a lovely bed of her own.

When she arrived home with us, she was clearly terrified. She darted up the stairs and straight to the back of our wardrobe. How she found it, gods only know, but there she stayed. We considered taking her out and showing her to the toys we’d gotten her, but it would probably only have spooked her more. We left her in there, delivering bowls of cat milk and treats to keep her comfy.

Eventually, a night later, while we were watching the television, we saw her little face poking around the top of the stairs. It took her an hour to make it down the stairs and explore the living room, during which we left her entirely alone, but enjoyed seeing her adventure! Seeing her tiny head arching around the corner was the sweetest thing I have seen before or after that night.

Now I’ve looked after her for five years, and I’ve loved every one of them. She sticks next to me at all times, following me up and downstairs, sleeping beside me, convincing me to play with her at all hours. Despite her disability, she is no less commanding and capable than any other cat, though she’ll occasionally run into a door or fall off of the edge of the bed when she’s excited! She can be a little terror, marching through the house, meowing, jumping on everyone’s beds, biting and running around. But I love her and wouldn’t change her for the world!

My wife and I adopted our little kitten at only six months old, from the charity Cats Protection. We recently moved into our first place and felt that it was a little quiet, we loved it, but wanted to share it with someone, so off to the sanctuary we went!