Feeling very guilty, as I wasn't completely honest...

Not if you've called him SID, you're not!

No, he's still Sprout, but I did dally with the name "Oliver".

Phew! Thank goodness it was only a dalliance!

L A L !!

Sorry, phoenix, I sounded like a proper bossy-boots there - I just feel strongly that Sprout looks like a Sprout (if you know what I mean!)

He doesn't look exactly like his photo, I think that may have caught him at a particular angle, and (dare I say) made him look slightly gormless) He's a lot taller and looks a bit more intelligent in real life.

Well done phoenix! I just had a suspicion that your visit to the Cats Protection had involved more than a look round. I am still thinking of going to our nearest one myself as I am feeling in need of a furry friend again.

I had a feeling that you couldn't resist Sprout. How does Digby get on with him or is he so laid back that he doesn't care?

I just couldn't get used to a 1 cat household, and Digby was looking a bit morose.

Gagagran I do recommend looking on their website first. You can put in your postcode, and it will then show some (not all) of the available cats in your area. Mine covered Holsworthy & Bideford Branch, (which is actually my nearest), Okehampton, Barnstaple (which is where we got Digby from 2 years ago) and Launceston, where I found Sprout.

It might sound silly, but when I was looking 2 years ago none of the ones at my nearest branch sort of struck a chord, but the minute I saw Digby's photo I felt that he was the one for us. The same thing happened with Sprout. When I got there, there were literally dozens of cats and kittens. I looked at some others, but went with my first instinct and came back with Sprout.

anno there is a bit of a story to be told re. Digby and Sprout, but as it is still unfolding I may keep that for another day! Suffice to say there has been swearing, but no fisticuffs pawsicuffs.

To be honest, I think it's not so much Digby being laid back, as bone bloody idle! Sprout is unbelievably laid back, and so far hasn't put a paw wrong.

I am so pleased to hear that Digby has company because he has lost 2 friends this year already. I must admit I loathe the name but I assume that he is now stuck with it. Oliver is a lovely name for a cat.

Mr P must come home each weekend wondering what on earth will be living in his home. It does take a hard heart to leave cats behind at the CPL but Tara would pack her bags and leave if another cat moved in.

ahhhh many, many years of happiness to Sprout and his adopters- and of course Digby.

Congratulatons on your new friend Phoenix. I still look on the local Cats Protection website, although I don't intend to get another.

Well done phoenix I would have been very surprised if you had come away empty handed he looked a sweetheart on the website,really landed on all four paws I think.

Digby and Sprout sound like a comedy act.

Great names!

Good on yer Phoenix, hopefully you will have a peaceful household when they get used to each other. The only times we`ve had more than one cat were the couple of times we kept a kitten from a litter, I don`t think that Mia would take kindly to another feline in the house.

Thank you all!

Until Maurice, I have always had 2 litter sibling kittens. In fact Maurice was supposed to be plus another, but it went a bit awry and we ended up with just the one, and a very special one he was, bless him, there will never be another like him.

Although Sprout has only been here since Wednesday afternoon, he has settled in extremely well, and although I didn't exactly consult Mr P, he is rather smitten!

Charleygirl you are so right about this years losses, although Digby and Lily were never close chums, unlike Digby and Maurice. Strictly entre nous, both Mr P and I got a bit maudlin about the fact that all three of the cats that we moved into the house with, are now buried in the garden

It is a sad fact that it is the price that we often have to pay for having them as such wonderful additions to our lives.

Sprout's a lucky cat, Phoenix He'll have a lovely time with you, MrP and Digby

The name may grow on you! Remember Prefab Sprout? When our DD was 3 she fell over outside, and came in crying 'I fell on my sprout!' We never did find out which bit of her was hurt, although she was rubbing her head a bit.

I think you would have felt much more guilty if you hadn't taken him!

Phoenix I am not at all surprised he is a handsome little stripey tiger.
I saw his poicture m on the other thread and as I said I don't see a problem with his name. Enjoy!

Sprout is a lovely name for a cat. Is he from Brussels, maybe?

I think it's a super name. In fact, if I dared go to a cat rescue place and saw a cat called Sprout, I would have to take it home for it's name alone.

If a neighbour hears either yourself or Mr.P calling him in at night and shouting his name, they may think that you are encouraging the grass or plants to grow and have lost it mentally. If he is striped, maybe Tiger? As long as he is happy and healthy and eventually gets on with Digby, all will be well.