It was a very strange day when Doorkins, the Southwark Cathedral cat died. We had been talking for a while about whether or not we should have another cat. On a practical level we needed help with keeping the number of mice and rats down. Situated where we are, between the river and the market you can imagine that at times the place resembles Hamelin rather than London! But on an emotional level we all missed having a little cat about the place. But where would we get a cat from? Doorkins had just arrived and that was part of her charm and part of the power of her story that worked on so many levels for so many people.
One of the things that Doorkins had managed to do whilst she was with us was support Catcuddles Sanctuary. They are a local charity who say of themselves
Catcuddles is a registered charity that is all about promoting and strengthening the feline-human bond and helping pair up unwanted cats with loving forever homes and humans.
You can find out more about them here.
Lots of people very generously brought loads of food and treats in for Doorkins, more than she could reasonably eat. So she shared the surplus with Catcuddles. It was to them that we therefore turned to help us find a rescue cat that was looking for a ‘loving forever home’.
They came back to us eventually with a suggestion, a little boy cat, just two years old and looking for love and a place of safety. It was agreed that he should see if he liked us and we should see if we liked him. So the arrangement was made and the trial date set. It turned out to be the very day that Doorkins died that Hodge arrived into our lives – and we love him and he loves us.
This is the story of Hodge that Catcuddles wrote about him
In July, a local woman was beginning her daily commute to work when she encountered a cat with an obvious facial deformity. She approached and was able to snap a picture of the friendly black and white cat, who had a large, bulbous growth of some kind protruding from his bottom jaw. It being a busy urban area, the cat was then startled by some passers-by and she lost sight of him. Nevertheless, she was extremely worried about his condition and initiated help straight away, posting on local groups, and contacting CatCuddles. We were immediately concerned by the description of the growth, as the causes of such a swelling are numerous and potentially serious. Despite being at capacity in terms of fostering space at that time, we agreed to accept the cat into the charity’s care ASAP and treat him at our new North London vet clinic. Unfortunately, initial searches for the cat, by both the original finder and by CatCuddles volunteers, were unsuccessful, but in the ensuing day or so more was discovered about him. He belonged to a local business.
Unfortunately, in this particular area, we have previously encountered issues with businesses obtaining cats as a means of vermin control for their premises, but then failing to adequately meet their cats’ needs or neuter them. In such instances, we have no legal powers to intervene, and can only offer advice, assistance with vet care, the option of rehoming, or otherwise pass details onto the RSPCA, who have marginally better legal recourse. Thankfully, in the case of this sociable black and white boy, the owners agreed to surrender him to the charity so that he could receive full veterinary treatment for his facial swelling, and then go on to be rehomed.
At CatCuddles, the cat was given a new name – Hodge – and investigations were immediately made into the cause of his large growth. More good news followed when a biopsy revealed no cancerous cells – the worse-case scenario that our team had been dreading. Instead, it was discovered that the swelling was the result of a severe infection, caused by aggressive, deeply entrenched bacteria. He was immediately placed on antibiotics and surgery was scheduled to excise the lump, in hopes of banishing the nasty infection for good. Hodge immediately became a hit with the CatCuddles’ volunteer team. He is, quite simply, an incredibly lovely cat; sociable, outgoing and gentle. He also has a ferocious appetite and would keep eating as long as our volunteers continued to feed him! In the ensuing weeks, Hodge’s growth began to shrink daily as a result of the antibiotics, until all that remained was a small swelling. It soon became clear that the surgery would not be necessary – more good news for this sweet, gentle boy.
For the past couple of months Hodge has been getting acquainted with us and his new home. He has a voracious appetite both for food and love. He is either waiting for more food or rolling on to his back inviting tickles on his tummy. Leave the brocade vestments uncovered and he is immediately onto them enjoying the feel of expensive fabric! Everyone who comes in is immediately smitten; he is adorable.
So today, the Feast of St Nicholas, the giver of good gifts, he is making his debut and being introduced to the congregation. Let’s hope he likes them as much as likes the vergers.
One of the features of this pandemic is the increasing number of people who have had to escape abusive, destructive, damaging relationships and situations. Places of refuge, sanctuaries are vital as are those forever homes where you know you can be loved and where you can be safe. The church prides itself on being a sanctuary but too often we have not been a safe place. Whether in terms of safeguarding, whether as places where homophobic attitudes, where sexism and elitism are allowed to flourish, where abuse can sometimes go unrecognised, challenged or unchecked, I hope that Hodge will help us to tell a better story.
The text I return to so often are those verses from St Matthew’s Gospel, so familiar and so powerful.
‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ (Matthew 11.28-30)
We open our hearts, we open our homes, we create places of love and safety for cats and humans! God has opened the divine, gentle, humble heart of love to us.
Loving God, embrace us, hold us, in your place of safety, in your love, that your house may be our forever home. Amen.
You can watch a short film about Hodge here.
LIVING GOD 
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