In 2005 my husband and I went to the Cat Protection Society for my husband to choose a tabby kitten. It was a lifetime commitment for him and birthday present from me.

I came along to enjoy playing with all the kitties while he chose a lifetime mate. When we got up to leave a little black and white kitten was sitting on my thigh, hidden under my arm and the moment we locked eyes I knew we were soul mates and he was coming home with me. I spent a portion of our rent buying two kittens from the Cat Protection Society and those little guys gave us two decades of love, laughter and friendship.

Wilbur was Ben’s tabby boy who behaved like a dog and Freddie was my dramatic black and white baby aka furry little dictator.

They became beloved members of unit block community, guarded the gardens and garnered pats, treats and love from every resident, coming in and out via a tree trained along our balcony which they would lay in like little leopards. Coming in at night for food and cuddles like they hadn’t been loved and fed all day by the neighbours.

The only time they were a menace to wildlife was one time – when we found out we couldn’t have kids and I took to the bed sad for two days – Wilbur laid with me – guarding me and by the afternoon of the second day he went out and came home with a baby brush turkey that he had ever so gently carried by the feathers into the unit and placed in front of my face on the bed. It worked – I got up and looked after it for three days until I found out they are born self-supporting and let it go in the bush with the help of a local ranger – much to Wilbur’s chagrin.

Wilbur, our cat-dog passed away aged 17 from a rare form of cancer – quite fittingly – usually only ever in seen dogs. He went to sleep, being told how loved and important he was.

Freddie passed away this past week aged 21 and a half – his indominable spirit let down by his aging body and failing spine, his brain and breath kept on after his heart stopped and it took two needles to help the tiny, larger than life cat to cross the rainbow bridge. He left this world how he came into my life – with eye contact, purrs and pure love.

While we feel like a piece of our souls have died with them like our own personal Horcruxes – we are so thankful for the Cat Protection Society saving these two litter mates and giving us a lifetime of love.

Advice from our broken hearts to your joyful one – if you want value for money – don’t buy a pure breed – adopt a rescue cat from Cat Protection Society and enjoy a long happy life with your furry mate. The love is worth the heartache and loss.

From Candice & Ben