Omaze and Cats Protection: Fareham widower reveals how adopting new pet helped after death of his wife
Chris was left heartbroken after his wife’s death - but adopting a new pet has given him a brighter outlook on life
A widower says a stray cat that he adopted helped him get over the death of his wife.
Laboratory manager Chris Lilley, 60, was devastated when his wife Helen died after a long illness. And later that year his last remaining cat Lennon, the last of the three cats the couple had called their 'little family', died too, leaving Chris completely alone.
Chris, of Fareham, said: "When Helen passed away at the age of 56, Lennon and I adjusted to life as a duo. He would curl up in the crook of my arm and go to sleep. It was nice to have each other.
“When Lennon became unwell and needed to be put to sleep, I found it surprisingly difficult when the final member of my family went. No longer hearing the pitter patter of tiny paws or having Lennon to talk to was very tough."
Chris confided in his neighbour, Kate Stapleford, a volunteer and co-ordinator with Cats Protection Gosport. She knew of a stray ginger tom in the branch's care who had been living on the streets, unneutered and fending for himself.
Chris said: "My heart was set on welcoming Ringo, but it depended on how he reacted when he met me. I had tears in my eyes when he walked over, took a treat from my hand and rubbed his face on me. I knew he had accepted me. It was like my Christmas wish had come true."
Ringo quickly made himself at home, exploring the house and choosing Chris's saxophone case as one of his favourite sleeping spots. The pair now play a game in which Ringo hides behind a curtain and reaches out a paw to push a small ball back to Chris.
Chris said: "He's a great character and really makes me laugh. A cat is so much more than nobody, and my home is so much more than a house now I have Ringo to share it with. He saved me.
"He saw me through a very lonely time. Now I have a feeling of belonging and someone to look after. He's a wonderful companion and has made a huge difference to my life."
Kate said: "It was heartbreaking to hear how alone Chris felt without Helen and Lennon. When I told him about Ringo, it was a joy to see him hope for a new companion, and when they met the bond seemed instant.
"They were a perfect match. Ringo had experienced life outside with nobody to care for him, while Chris could offer him a home of his own with plenty of love and affection. I'm so delighted they found each other."
Cats Protection is now partnering with Omaze on the Million Pound House Draw, helping to fund a new Cat Centre where more cats can receive veterinary care, emergency support, fostering and help to find homes of their own.
The £1m raised through the partnership will help fund the new East London Cat Centre. It will bring veterinary care, emergency support, fostering, rehoming, neutering and education together in one place, helping more cats receive timely support and creating more opportunities for life-changing matches like Chris and Ringo's.
Every entry into the Omaze Million Pound House Draw helps support Cats Protection's work to create a better future for cats and the people who care for them. The winner will receive a six-bedroom home near Cirencester in Gloucestershire, mortgage-free, with stamp duty and legal fees covered, more than £165,000 of furnishings and £250,000 in cash.
Online entries close on Sunday, November 22. To enter, visit www.omaze.co.uk/pages/cotswolds-vii
To find out more about Cats Protection Gosport, visit www.cats.org.uk/gosport