Feline fanatics

We were interested to see the photograph of Buddy the cat on board Thea (Magic Isles of Scilly, PBO August 2018). Is this the same Buddy who appeared as Seacat of the Month in PBO August 2009? We have actually had a photo of Buddy on our fridge ever since! What a beautiful cat! We are both ex-Royal Navy and we think that Buddy is reminiscent of Nelson in his smart white breeches! Margaret & Matthew Heaton (RNSA) Chobham, Surrey Lorraine Owen responds It is indeed the same Buddy. He is a very statesmanlike ‘Nelson’ now, being 14 years of age, but still a lively lad and still enjoying his time on the water. He must have been about five years old in the original seacat photo.

Buddy has done about 7,000 miles over the sea, including two trips to Ireland. He seems to have no difficulty making the transition between our country cottage in the winter to life on board during the summer, but I suppose it is something he has always been used to.

We found him as a week-old abandoned and injured kitten and hand-reared him. I suspect he really doesn’t think he is a cat.