Mum's Wisdom: Tiddlywinks, Pushkin And Blackie

Tiddlywinks, Pushkin And Blackie - Three Cats Mum Loved

We've always had cats come around to us - we think they must know they would be safe with us, if only for a little while, or perhaps just to scrounge a good dinner! - and some of them have stayed with us to the very end.

When we first met Tiddlywinks, she was definitely unloved and unsociable, Pushkin a little more amenable to friendship, but Mum took them both in and fed and watered them. Tiddlywinks was not accustomed to being touched, and therefore not keen on being stroked, and I remember remarking on this to Mum; I was happily surprised when she said, "Oh, I can stroke Tiddlywinks now - from the top of her head and all the way down her back!"

It was clear both pussy cats were unwell, so we had a home visit from our lovely vet, who quickly realised they were both suffering from cat 'flu' and needed treatment in hospital. Pushkin would allow us to pick her up - but not so Tiddlywinks; she became an outraged spitting ball of feline fur, and it would be a brave person who would try to get her into a cat carrier and go to the surgery!

Our vet said it was really no problem; he had brought a veterinary nurse with him, and together they draped a large, but very light, towel over Tiddlywinks and she immediately calmed down and they were able to pick her up and put her into a transport carrier.

Tiddlywinks and Pushkin were taken into hospital, where they stayed for some days; happily, the treatment was very effective, and they both made complete recoveries. Tiddlywinks required further medication; to my amazement, she was quite amenable to being given the tablet in a little piece of rolled up ham, and would take it quite delicately from my fingers - with no nipping!

Mum had many happy years with them both - and of course, Blackie, who was our third, and very well-behaved cat. Blackie would spend hours with Mum in her bedroom, sitting on a dining chair next to Mum's comfy armchair, putting his paw on the arm of the chair, and generally being such a good companion.

When we had our evening sing-song with me on piano and Mum joining in with all the Music Hall songs her Mum, my Grandma, had taught us, and all the war-time songs, Blackie would be there as well, keeping us all company.

There was one memorable evening when I launched in to the intro for "Now Is The Hour," and just as we started to sing, Blackie walked in and, with perfect timing, joined in with the song. For ever afterwards, it was known as "Meow Is The Hour!"

All our cats are known as Railway Cats, and the attached photo shows Tiddlywinks and Pushkin on one of the "sit astride" coaches we use on the BobAlex Railway. In this picture, Tiddlywinks may look a bit belligerent, and although in later life she began to remain outdoors, she knew Mum loved her.