My cat rejected her former mum 😮

[Nonstopbuttmachine]

I live abroad and my friends had to return to the UK just before Christmas due to the husband's very poor health. I adopted their beautiful little girl who fitted in very easily with my two and became a very much-loved part of the family.

My friend has been over for a holiday (not staying with me) and came over on Sunday, really looking forward to seeing the cat. It did NOT go well!! The cat saw her, fled and refused to come back to the house 😧 (this is a very affectionate cat who's usually all over visitors). She sat at the end of the garden glaring at my friend for two hours and even refused to come in when it started raining.

I guess she was punishing my friend for 'abandoning' her or terrified she was going to be taken away again? It was the weirdest thing ever but in a way comforting as I know the cat feels settled and secure with me. I felt so sorry for my friend though, I think she thought the cat would jump straight onto her lap for cuddles. They break your heart, don't they?

We adopted our lovely cat a few years ago direct from a family whose changed circumstances meant she wasn’t very happy - boisterous and noisy toddler, new baby on the way. I keep in touch with the mum, send her photos and updates, but she has always said no to visiting. She thinks it might upset the cat, but more that it might upset her!

She (cat) has such a good life here, trees to climb, sheds to sit on, a big garden to roam in, and a doting family with no noisy children, where she is essentially the boss. In her old house she was pretty much indoors, and she REALLY doesn’t like loud noises, but it must be so hard! I have so much respect for her former family for recognising she wasn’t very happy, and wanting to give her a better home, even though it was heartbreaking. She was three when she came to us, and they had had her since she was a tiny kitten.

Just to be clear, she had a really super home before, and was so loved, just that their growing family meant it wasn’t a great fit for her like it was initially.

Cheddar was rehomed as her owner worked away a lot and didn't have the time to give her the attention she needed. She's such a character that it must have been heartbreaking for her. I wanted the rescue to pass on how happy and how much loved she is but I don't think they will.

The cat wasn't punishing her or scared of being taken away, she just forgot the woman. Was she being too full on? Trying to pick her up? Cats don't have the same complexity of emotions that we do!

My childhood cat used to huff when we came home from holiday. Wouldn't look at us for weeks and would sit in the corner of the room with her back to us and her nose pressed up against the wall😂.

Villanelle no, my friend wasn't being pushy, she just called her name when she saw her.

My friend accepts that the cat is loved and cherished in my home but what a kick in the teeth!