Aunties Isha and Gigi's Cat Corner

As October draws to a close, there’s one iconic furry friend who takes centre stage in my heart today: the glorious black cat. With their glossy coats, bright, gleaming eyes, and total mini-panther charm, they bring so much warmth to these crisp autumn days. While October is Black Cat Awareness Month, today—the 27th of October—is the main event! It’s the perfect moment to celebrate these gorgeous house panthers, especially the wonderful ones I’ve had the privilege of looking after over the years. Some Very Special Mini-Panthers Over my 12 years of cat sitting, I’ve had the absolute joy of caring for so many brilliant black cats. Every single photo in the collage for this post features some of my incredible clients from over the years—from sweet seniors to playful characters like Billie and Tic Tac, and all the lovely souls from 2014 right up to the sweethearts I still sit for today. Each one has left a permanent mark on my heart. Watch this space, as I’ll be sharing individual stories...

Meet the Squad Mietzi Age & Vibe: 21 years young 👑 | Resident grand dame who values her peace. Personality : Petite, slightly deaf, and protective of her personal space. She will hiss or scream if Ziggy ambushes her. Priority: keeping her warm, cozy, and well-fed. Ziggy Age & Vibe: 2 years old ⚡ | Goofy tuxedo boy with zero personal boundaries. Personality: Obsessed with Mietzi and loves chaotic ninja ambushes. He's terrified of the neighbour’s fluffy cat, needs feather-toy distractions when fixated on Queen Mietzi, and recently added foot-nibbling to his repertoire! The Stay Ahead Fully settled in this evening with this iconic duo! I'm on high-priority duty keeping Mietzi warm and well-fed, while dodging Ziggy's ninja ambush tactics (and protecting my own toes). My main mission tonight? Ensure Queen Mietzi gets all the peaceful, uninterrupted rest she rightfully demands, while actively wearing out Ziggy with interactive play until he finally flops down...

Hello and welcome back to the Cat Corner! It's Black Cat Awareness Month, so there's no better time to introduce a very special houseguest from last month: Andor ! An Emergency Arrival Andor stayed with me for a whirlwind week. He was my first unofficial foster, arriving as an emergency placement after a truly horrible start. Through my volunteer work, I know how long black cats can wait in rescue care, partly because of outdated superstitions. Having this sweet kitten around, even for a week, gave me the cat company I needed and renewed my purpose. Some humans, frankly, don't deserve cats. Seven Days of Andor I set up a cosy transition space to help him decompress, and Andor wasted no time making himself at home. In just seven days, he went from nervous new arrival to absolute shadow, following me from room to room. He was very vocal when it came to feeding time and with his opinions, a massive fan of chin scratches and snuggles, and, surprisingly, a huge ball of playful k...

So, today kicked off another round of twice-daily visits, and these two are keeping me thoroughly entertained! Meet my latest sitting duo: Millie & Hobbes! 🐾 🐾 Millie The Vibe: Chatty, dramatic, and very punctual. Personality: She screams with such theatrical intensity when she’s hangry, I’m half-convinced the RSPCA will bang the door down thinking a cat is in dire distress! Needless to say, late dinners are not an option! Hobbes The Vibe: Chilled, unpredictable, and a cheeky food thief. Personality: He loves to keep me guessing—one minute he is all in for cosy lap cuddles, and the next he prefers some independent quiet time. He also firmly believes that "sharing is caring"—especially when it comes to sneaking extra bites from Millie’s bowl! Balancing these two is always an absolute treat. Does your cat get dramatic when dinner is late, or are they a serial food stealer? Let me know in the comments! Thank you for stopping by for the very first Sitter’s Corner. I ...

Hello and welcome back to the Cat Corner! Last time, I shared how hard it was to say goodbye to my 17-year-old soul cat. Today, I'd like to go back to the beginning. Long before she was the senior lady who ruled my house, Madame Gigi arrived in my life as a hilarious, fiery little plot twist. A Happy Accident Gigi was never the plan. I'd travelled to collect a different kitten, only to find she and her bonded sister had been sold right out from under me. Disappointed, I went back to Gumtree and spotted Gigi, who was up for collection because her previous buyer had let the owner down, too. When I arrived, her mum and siblings all trotted out to greet me. But where was my kitten? Out hunting in the bushes. The Punch Our first night together was a rude awakening. I went in for a loving cuddle and she promptly punched me in the left eye. The next punch came with claws. OMG, I thought, who have I adopted? Turns out, a strong-willed, fiery little softy. The proof came after a terrif...