Daphne – An Aristocratic Cat

This is my article published this week in the Sol Times. It is about Lucia, the last cat to be re-homed from the rocks in Almerimar.

Last weeks I had FANTASTIC news about Lucia, the last cat from the rocks in Almerimar to travel to Germany. She is happy at last!!! I am SO relieved because she has been on my conscience for almost a year. Why? Because I have worried every time I thought about her, that we had done the wrong thing in rescuing her, and that we should have put her back. I made the decision to stick with her and send her to Germany, so I felt very responsible for her plight.

Lucia had been fed outside for over a year before we rescued her, and both Pam and George could stroke her easily. I myself had picked her up when we initially took her to the vet for sterilisation. Slowly as we caught and re-homed all the other rock cats she became a little more nervous, which is why we left her until last. We believed however that once inside she would blossom and become more affectionate.

It was therefore a BIG surprise that at foster Mum Erika’s noone could touch her, not even her friends of nearly 2 years! She hid most of the time and would not even socialise with the other cats. I discussed this with the girls in Germany and we debated long over the best course of action. In the end, as a place was free at one of their most experienced foster homes, we decided to go ahead with the original plan, and on 13/03, after 2 months at Erika’s, Lucia travelled to Germany.

Monica her foster Mum there had helped ‘nervous’ cats before, and was amazed at the lack of response from Lucia. Finally she did make friends with some of the her cats and seemed a little less unhappy, but still Monica could not really touch her after over 8 months! I meanwhile continued to feel guilty that I had made the wrong decision, and to worry about her.

Then a few weeks ago amazing news came that somebody was interested in her. Even then, after she had gone to her new home, we were waiting in suspense, thinking there was a high chance she would be back, but a miracle happened. She is happy and relaxed. On the second night she slept with the home’s little dog in his bed, and by the 3rd day her new parents could stroke her. Later there is a garden to explore, and now I believe Lucia will have the happy life she so deserves. I and the girls in Germany are SO relieved. A big weight has been lifted!

Lovely Lucia