Cat – Jovial info you need to know about 1 Winston

A Day in the Life of Winston the Cat

My Mummy’s Work in Cambodia

By Winston the Cat

Hello, dear humans. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I’m Winston, a rather dashing ginger cat (or should I say orange? The semantics are baffling). You may have guessed by now that I’m not the one running this website—that’s my mummy’s job. She’s all about helping people heal, find balance, and rediscover their strength. As for me? Well, I’m just borrowing her platform to share my thoughts, because, let’s face it, I’m a cat, and I do what I want.

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: my name. Winston. Yes, like Churchill. No, not the cigarettes (though I’ve heard that one before). My grandmother, a great admirer of Sir Winston Churchill, suggested the name when my mummy was struggling to decide what to call me. So, here I am, Winston the Cat, named after a man who once said, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” Quite fitting, really, because I like to think I embody courage—even if it’s mostly pretend.

You see, I’m not the bravest cat. In fact, I’m rather anxious. I blame my upbringing. When I was a kitten, a group of children thought it was great fun to dangle me upside down by my tail and bash my head against a brick wall. Thankfully, my mummy swooped in like a superhero, rescued me, and gave those children a stern talking-to (though I’m not sure they listened). Ever since, I’ve been putting on a brave face, especially around my siblings. I don’t want them to think I’m weak.

Speaking of siblings, let me introduce you to the motley crew that makes up our little family.

Harry

The Cat Named After Harry Potter

First, there’s Harry, my older sister. Yes, Harry is a girl. My mummy named her after Harry Potter because, as a kitten, she had a white zig-zag stripe on her head that resembled a lightning bolt. Harry was found under a food tuk-tuk in Cambodia after falling from a very high tree. Her cat mummy never returned, so my mummy stepped in, mixing baby powder with water to make makeshift milk (cat milk is hard to come by in Cambodia). Harry has been with us for 12 years now, and she’s like a second mum to me. She even cleans my ears and reminds me to be strong. “You’re Winston the Cat,” she says. “Remember that.”

Issey

The Rubbish Bin Survivor

Next is Issey, short for Isabella (named after Isabella Rossellini, because my mummy’s ex-partner was a fan). Issey was found in a garbage bin in Koh Kong, covered in ticks and fleas, and starving. She and her sister were rescued by my mummy’s friends, who brought them to our home. Sadly, Issey’s sister disappeared one day and never returned. My mummy thinks it might have been because we never gave her a proper name (lesson learned: always name your pets). Issey, however, thrived and is now a permanent member of our family.

Zeno

The Stoic German Shepherd

Then there’s Zeno, my dog sister, named after the founder of Stoic philosophy. Zeno had a rough start in life—she was tied up outside, beaten, and starved. Two kind Russian men rescued her, but when they had to return to Russia, they asked my mummy to take her in. Despite already having Harry and me, my mummy couldn’t say no. Zeno is now nine years old and still acts like a puppy. She’s a bit naughty and sometimes tries to chase me, but I stand my ground and remind myself, “I am Winston the Cat. I am strong.”

Eric

The Half-a-Bee

Eric is my younger dog brother, named after Eric the Half-a-Bee from Monty Python (my daddy’s idea—he’s a big fan). Eric was born on Christmas Day on Koh Rong Sanloem, an island in Cambodia. He was given to a man who later abandoned him, and after a year of living on the streets, he found his way back to my mummy. She couldn’t bear to let him go, so he became part of the family. Eric is gentle and loves to sniff my nose, which I tolerate because, well, he’s family.

Molly

The Architect’s Namesake

Finally, there’s Molly, named after the Cambodian architect Vann Molyvann. Molly’s story is a sad one. Her mother, Mao, was a sweet dog who lived next door and spent most of her time in our garden. When Mao was tragically killed and eaten by our neighbours, her puppies were left orphaned. My mummy couldn’t bear to see them suffer, so she took in Molly, the weaker of the two surviving puppies. Molly is now a permanent member of our family, though she’s more scared of me than I am of her.

Map

The Survivor Next Door

Map is Molly’s brother, and while he didn’t stay with us permanently, he’s still very much part of our lives. After Mao’s tragic death, Map was taken in by relatives of the family who live just around the corner. He’s a strong and resilient dog, and he still visits us often. My mummy keeps a close eye on him to make sure he’s safe and well cared for. Map’s a friendly chap, and I must admit, I don’t mind his visits—he’s much less intimidating than Zeno!

Why My Mummy Does What She Does

As you can see, my mummy has a big heart. She rescues animals, teaches the local community about animal welfare, and even grows fruit and vegetables to barter for the safety of animals like Molly. It’s not easy—Cambodia doesn’t have the same understanding of animal care as some other countries, and resources are limited. But my mummy keeps going, because she believes every life matters.

A Final Word from Winston the Cat

So, there you have it—a glimpse into my life and the incredible work my mummy does in Cambodia. If you’d like to support her efforts, you can donate to help street dogs and cats in our little village in Kampot. Every bit helps, and I promise to keep being Winston the Cat: strong, brave, and occasionally anxious.

Hugs and small paw prints,
Winston 🐾

You Can Help Pay It Forward

If you’ve been moved by the stories of my furry siblings and the work my mummy does to help animals in Cambodia, you can make a difference too. By donating, you’re supporting her efforts to rescue, care for, and protect street dogs and cats in our little village in Kampot. Your contribution also helps educate the local community about animal welfare, creating a kinder world for all creatures, big and small.

If you’d like to help, simply click the Donate Now button below. Every penny goes directly towards helping animals in need and spreading compassion in Cambodia.