This portrait of Fluffy, Tipsy, ET and Mitzy is still in pride of place in the living room where I firmly believe it will stay forever.  My Mam passed away on 15 March 2001 aged 49, the portrait gave her so much pleasure in her final months. 

Fluffy (the tabby in the bottom right hand corner) was the first cat we had. My brother (who died aged 16 in 1987) found him as a 6 week old kitten whilst fishing and rescued him from a hole in the river bank.  Fluffy was the softest most loving cat but refused to jump up onto anyone's knee!  Whenever he wanted a cuddle he used to purr around Mams ankles until she picked him up, where he would lie on her upside down for hours.  Fluffy died in 1999 aged 14 of kidney disease.

Tipsy(the other tabby, top right) came a few years after Fluffy.  She literally turned up on the doorstep.   Mam used to go for walks in the wood opposite our house and Tipsy would walk with her - we used to joke that she thought she was a dog!  Tipsy also used to give Mam the most beautiful cuddles first thing in a morning when she managed to catch Mam still in bed.  She would cuddle affectionately for ages then she would spot a toe moving under the duvet or something and then play like she was possessed.  Tipsy is now aged 16.

Next came Mitzy (the black and white cat in the left bottom corner) - another one who turned up on the doorstep.  He was aged 16 when he arrived and lived with us until he died aged 22.  Although he was old he was extremely loving and playful and used to be our alarm clock in a morning, meowing madly at 6.30 every morning until one of us got up. 

E.T. (the grey cat at the very top) was the final cat to arrive - once again he just turned up on the doorstep.  When he first came he was about 6 years old and in bad condition and extremely wild.  It was Mam who used to sit with him for hours on end every day to try and tame him.  He began by living in the shed and it was her perseverance that has led to us gaining his trust.  He is now aged 11 and a beautiful cat who lives in the house and is unbelievably soft now (with a hint of a wild streak when it suits him)! 

She loved those cats - they were her babies and they brought her so much pleasure in return. This is why the portrait meant so much.