NINE LIVES

Melanie Woodward, 38, from Bristol, thought her kitty was playing-only she was in a spot of trouble...

Waking up to the feeling of fluffy fur on my toes, I knew someone had W come to say hello.

'Good morning, Oreo,' I smiled, getting a little meow.

We didn't need an alarm clock in our household, Oreo made it clear that it was her mission to wake everyone up.

After visiting me and my hubby James in bed, she'd quickly wander off to give Michael, 11, Layla, 14, and Holly, 15, some love, too.

Coming into our lives in late September 2021, I'd rescued our black and white kitty from her first owner who wasn't able to give her the care and attention she deserved.

'She looks like an Oreo biscuit, Mum,' the kids giggled, so after that the name stuck.

Never having a pet before, we knew it was a big responsibility.

Only, we quickly realised that Oreo was everything we had ever wanted.

Being an indoor cat, Oreo would leave us in hysterics, playing hide and seek in the kitchen cupboards, and nestling down to sit on our laps in the evening.

Heading off to bed, ready for my Oreo wake up call, in July 2022, our four-storey high flat was a suntrap.

During the summer heatwave, we made sure to keep the windows ajar in the day, before closing them at night to keep our kitty safe.

Only, the following morning, I didn't hear a meow, a purr, or fur against my toes-nothing.