Pet Pics Competition 2016: Pickles the Neighbour's Tabby

The Second Prize for the ProtectaPet 2016 Pet Pics Competition went to a rather unconventional entry because Pickles himself is a free-roaming tabby cat. Nevertheless, the photographs of him using our cat mesh as a hammock and watch-point to spy on his unsuspecting neighbours made us all chuckle. Today we speak to Jenny, owner of Winnie the black and white moggie and another four cats, and neighbour to Pickles.

Thank you so much for your fabulous entries into the competition Jenny: they’re sure to bring a smile to the faces of everyone opening their inboxes today. Can you tell us a little bit about Pickles’ character? He is incredibly sweet and squishy and I’ve taught him to sit on command!

That is quite impressive! Have you always been a cat person? When I was four years old I felt as if something was missing in my life. I desperately wanted a cat. I constantly pestered my Mum and Dad because I so desperately wanted a cat. Finally, my parents succumbed and I was taken to choose a kitten for my fifth birthday. Of course, Jenny being Jenny, I chose the runt of the litter, I clearly remember my parents taking me to one side and saying “Darling are you really sure? he looks quite poorly”. My mission had begun, I had to save Mr Kipps, the best present EVER, we were inseparable. And so my lifelong love affair with cats began.

What a lovely story. How did you get your 5 current cats? After the death of my Siamese half black-and-white Alfie, I was feeling heartbroken. I saw our girls on the Internet and travelled to Devon from London to get them. Winnie Weeze and Archie Bella Rockefeller are sisters. Obi-Wan Kenobi belonged to my mum, when I sadly lost her for years ago we became Obi’s guardians. Mr Milo and Mickey Mouse O’ Riley were strays I rescued from our gardens.

Why did you choose ProtectaPet cat proofing? Two doors away used to be a post office sorting office. It was sold and demolished to become 16 apartments. The once protected gardens where my cats were safe suddenly had a gaping hole three buildings wide. After witnessing Winnie nearly been hit by bus on the main road and as she (and the others) were now able to get out of the gardens, my husband and I decided that night to bring in ProtectaPet to construct a cat barrier. I cannot thank them enough for the wonderful job they did, which has now kept our cats safe and sound within their own 50 foot garden.

Thanks so much for enlightening us about Pickles’ adventures, Jenny. I’m sure we can all relate to a mischievous cat in the neighbourhood reminiscent of Pickles.