There’s being a mum of a human child and then there’s being a mum of a cat.

We decided to bring a cat into our lives for a few different reasons. I thought it would be great for my daughter to have a furry friend to confide in, to take on a new responsibility and love with unconditional love returned.  It would also give my daughter some comfort that when she was away from me, I wouldn’t be alone because I’m with “Mindy”.

So we welcomed a tiny black kitten, cute as can be and guaranteed female by the Seller.  Mindy snuggled in my daughters’ hands all the way home and I couldn’t be more elated at this new chapter in our lives.  Mindy can be described as a cute fluffy bundle of teeth and claws. I relished in her sleepy moments when she curled up on me to sleep and tip toed around the house during her waking hours to avoid the ambushes lurking around every corner.

Mindy was a reliable cat, she came when called and seemed content to lay around outside the back door all day and come in at night. However one day I started to find holes dug under the fence and shockingly realised my cat was a dog! So after securing the fence line I booked her in to be sterilised to avoid any surprise ‘Mini Mindys’. It was then I discovered that Miss Mindy was a Mr Mindy all this time.

I was devestated as male cats in my mind were stinking wanderers and Life with a spraying meowing menace was not in the plans. I was torn because we loved him but I also knew I couldn’t live with a cat-wee smelling house. The Vet offered no guarantee that sterilisation would bring him into line, but there was hope.

Wow what a change, within 2 weeks he became a smooching lap cat. He also became a wingeing toddler. To this day he is at the door when I come home meowing his head off, following me around until I sit down with him. He answers me when I say “good morning” or “time for bed” or anything actually.

He is still called Mindy as we couldn’t decide on a boys name and it suited him however he is still referred to as she and her out of habit. We might be continually confused, but Mindy is just doing his thing, he knows his family and who’s his mum and is more than happy to let me know about it…