Well it does look as though winter is going to come after all this year, thank goodness.

As our regulars may remember I don’t like the cold and will complain ceaselessly about how cold my pink gumboots are but even I am pleased to see the rain – such as it has been.

Since last month things at The Great Urban Ark have become somewhat – well manic.

Yes we have the pitter patter of little….paws. I was approached about ten weeks ago and asked if I would home a pair of black kittens that had been born that week.

They and the mother had been abandoned and the rescue people wanted to home the babies together once they were old enough.

Now I would like to say right now, right here that despite what you may think I’m usually quite tough when it comes to animals.

I know I can’t rescue every abandoned kitten and puppy and that sometimes the best thing to do is the hardest one of all.

I have consistently refused The Offspring’s plea’s for puppies and kittens and rabbits and mice over the years on the grounds that we have two dogs, two cats, two Indian Runner ducks, two doves, and four hens…and that was quite enough.

This particular day though I must have been distracted or something because suddenly the idea of two tiny baby creatures being destroyed because some human couldn’t get their act together enough to spey their cat was more than I could bear.

Besides all of our animals have come to us as grown animals – and The Offspring have never had the responsibility or the enjoyment of caring for a baby creature.

Well there were the ducks – but they don’t really curl up on your bed at night do they?

I had to put this argument to The Man of The House who was not as enthusiastic as I was with the idea – but who in fairness let himself be persuaded quite easily that we were doing the right thing.

I decided to not tell The Offspring and to surprise them once the kittens were ready to come to us.

This meant I wasn’t being bombarded with the never ending “when will they be ready?” and if something went horribly wrong – well they would be none the wiser.

Because they came through a rescue programme, the kittens were desexed on weight rather than age which in my opinion is a fantastic idea.

For a start this means there will be no incestuous accidents between them because I or TMoTH get our dates muddled.

It also means our new charges will never be very large – making them easier to care for and handle, especially for The Offspring.

Anyway, four weeks ago we got the call – they were ready.

With cryptic hints about adventures I piled The Offspring in the car and off we went. Upon our arrival at Raewyn’s home their usual noise died away to a silent curiosity. What on earth was going on?

The look on Master 11 and Miss 9’s faces when they were each given a  small, sleek bundle of glossy black fur was priceless and I think it was the quietest trip home I have ever had. 

Even big brother, Master 17, was under the spell of these two wee cats.

It took five minutes for the heavy metal loving boys of the house to dub the little boy Ozzie but it was Sunday afternoon before Zeena finally got her name.

The Slobradogs are divided on the newcomers – Fitzy is black and has decided these must be his since they too are black.

Barney, who is yellow, treats them with as much disdain as a Labrador can muster – which I have to say isn’t much since the minute he hears a can opener he forgets he doesn’t want to be in the same room as them.

HQ our 18 year old black and white moggie spent a day or two looking very puzzled and has now become a patient, if occasionally grumpy old man with them, whomping them with a paw if they get too boisterous.

Rosie our younger cat, who had up until now been the resident royal in attitude if not reality, has her nose well and truly out of joint.

No amount of fussing and special treatment is thawing her and I suspect nothing will until she decides to forgive us – which given her nature could be in several years.

As for the kittens themselves – they are endearing if somewhat exhausting.

Ozzie is a simple scamp and can get dirty just snoozing in the sun.

Zeena, aloof until she is in the mood for affection at which point she is all smooches and purrs.

At any given time of the day – and night – they can be found galloping up and down the hallway sounding more like a herd of elephants than a pair of 12 week old kittens.

We’ve already had to rescue one from behind the fireplace (it wasn’t lit) and both have inadvertently fallen in bath tubs full of water, only to come tearing back down the hallway indignant and dripping to be towelled off and start again. I think they’re going to fit right in.