Twinkle
LULU had been coming to the kitchen window at Bear Cottage for food for some time.
One morning she brought a friend with her – a beautiful brindled tortie. She was very nervous and didn’t eat the food we put out for her but she came back when everything was quiet to enjoy her meal.
It became a daily routine – they would come for food, eat it and disappear over the roof tops. TWINKLE, as we called her, soon became more confident than LULU coming into the kitchen to ask for a second breakfast !!
She has become a real madam and now will only eat certain flavours beef being her favourite. It is amazing how soon strays overcome their initial fear !
Beverley began to worry how they would survive the harsh winter weather so purchased two sturdy "kennels” which were attached to the flat roof over the utility room at the back of the cottage. Their addresses are 1A and 1B Bear Cottage ! They were filled with cosy blankets and we put some treats in them too to encourage the girls to take up residence.
It didn’t take long before they had established themselves in their new quarters and repulsed forays by Elvis and Toby to oust them.
Over the years TWINKLE has spent more and more time indoors until one cold winter morning Beverley came down to see her curled up in one of the cat beds.
For some time her favourite place to sleep was in her bed on the microwave but as she has became braver she sleeps in her bed on the kitchen table.
She loves treats but her favourite eating place changes almost daily. On the stove (it is, of course, switched off), on the top of the washing machine or on the kitchen table.
She has been accepted by the rest of the Bear Cottage gang with the exception of Toby who occasionally "has a go” at her so we keep an eye open so we can head him off as he is about twice her size. As her confidence has grown she sometimes gives as good as she gets and you see the two of them disappearing through the kitchen window and up and over the fence.
There is lots of growling and hissing but it isn’t long before they return and all is well.
