But Tigger the orphaned kitten has found an unlikely surrogate mum
in Harley the bulldog.
The grumpy two year-old is keeping a close eye on her tiny ginger
charge - and has even started producing milk to feed him.
Their unlikely bond developed when Tigger - who is just two weeks
old - was found alone and abandoned in a church.
He was handed in to Arvonia Vets in Cheltenham, where trainee nurse
Clare Evans instantly fell for him.
She took him home and was amazed when her pet Harley, who is unable
to have pups herself because of a tumour on her spine, adopted the
role of surrogate mum.
Clare, 37, who has three sons, said: “From the moment I took Tigger
back to mine Harley completely tried to take over the care of
him.
“She washes him and lets him cuddle up, and now she’s producing
milk and feeding him.
“She can be quite a moody so-and-so and I never thought she would
be this way with him.” Whenever Harley is around Tigger buries
himself into her flaps of skin to keep warm.
In return her new mum stands in the way of curious approaches from
Clare’s other dogs - a male mastiff called Yogi and Kya, a female
German shepherd.
Yogi, however, is also getting parental and has started giving
Tigger a protective lick to keep him clean.
Clare added: “Yogi has given him a few baths, but even then Harley
will stand very close.
“Yogi sort of acts like a father towards Tigger, so I’m pretty sure
that kitten will grow up rather confused.
“Kya meanwhile can’t get anywhere near Tigger at all.” Harley and
Tigger are set to keep their bond for life, even after Tigger
leaves for a new home.
Clare’s parents Christine and Alan have agreed to take him in - and
they live right next door.
Clare said: “We thought it would be too distressing to separate
them completely and my boys were quite taken and didn’t want to
lose him either.
“They are thrilled nan and granddad have decided to take him
in.”
