Mum has kept cats for as long as I can remember. Our first, Tibbs, we got when I was 2. Up until recently she had 3 - Cally, Bramble and Taz. Cally was 22 when she died in 2002, Bramble went on until 2004 (17) and Taz is still rambunctious at the age of 10 in 2006.

Named after the cartoon character, Taz is a delinquent. He tormented gentle old Cally, terrorised Bram and is death incarnate to the local wildlife.

Cally. A darling, if rather vague old lady.

Sometimes, even the most patient and well mannered lady can be driven to distraction...