Benji is a winner

[Shirazmataz]

Im everso chuffed and so pleased to share that my 6 yr old ginger tom who had been a stray for most of his life, just won an RSPCA competition to be painted for their Christmas card this year. I rescued him last year from them. He is a stunner and a very happy well fed cat now. Nothing to do with our lungs, but just some lovely news xx Sally

[sassy59]

A gorgeous cat Sally and thank you for sharing your lovely news with us. Benji looks very happy indeed. Xxx👍❤️😽

[Shirazmataz in reply to sassy59]

Thankyou sassy59, he is a very happy cat x

[leo60]

He's lovely! You can see his character coming through in that picture, he looks truly contented. How wonderful you found each other 😽😊😽😊😽 xx

[Shirazmataz in reply to leo60]

Thankyou Leo, we had a ginger when we were children, so gingers tend to rule in my family ever since 😽😺

[leo60 in reply to Shirazmataz]

I agree! I had a creamy ginger chap called Porridge 💕 xx

[Shirazmataz in reply to leo60]

What a lovely affectionate name Porridge, love it 😁

[leo60 in reply to Shirazmataz]

💕

[helenlw7]

He’s gorgeous. He landed on his feet (or his back) finding you!

[Turnipgirl in reply to helenlw7]

Yes those markings are gorgeous aren't they?

[helenlw7 in reply to Turnipgirl]

They are

[Shirazmataz in reply to helenlw7]

Hehe yes very happy on his back showing off his tum 😁

[Donald_1931]

Congratulations Benji!

[Shirazmataz in reply to Donald_1931]

Thankyou Don, he is a much loved boy😁

[Turnipgirl]

He's a handsome gentleman!

[Shirazmataz in reply to Turnipgirl]

Thankyou Turnipgirl, his head will be spinning with compliments 😁

[Thepainterswife]

no wonder he’s been chosen - he’s beautiful 😍

[Shirazmataz in reply to Thepainterswife]

Awww thanks, it was a voting system on FB and he got 72 votes, with a lot of pestering by me for friends and family to vote!!

[HungryHufflepuff]

congratulations! That’s amazing. What a beautiful cat 🐈 Thank you for sharing such happy news.

[Shirazmataz in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Thankyou Hungry HP, he is a ray of sunshine 😺

[Karenanne61]

Lovely news and beautiful cat!

[Shirazmataz in reply to Karenanne61]

Thankyou, we are dead chuffed and cant wait to see the artist impression of him for the Christmas card. Couple of months yet i should think 😊

[leo60 in reply to Shirazmataz]

Please share on here, I think we would all like to see it! Xx

[Dottie11]

He looks wonderful. Amazing coat and his face saying it all. "I am very relaxed, happy and content." Wonderful when a stray is given a safe loving home. Well done. Hope he lives a long and comfortable life. xx

[Shirazmataz in reply to Dottie11]

Thankyou, he settled in so well. He still shows occasional stray behaviour like guzzling his food very fast as if he was stealing it, well he does pinch my other cats food, but in the year he has relaxed a lot more and comes smooching around my legs wanting a cuddle 😁

[Dottie11 in reply to Shirazmataz]

Oh bless him. I think once they have had to look for food they always have that in built guzzling. But to want a cuddle is amazing progress. x

[Swizzy]

That's so good to hear. What a beautiful cat and how luckt to have come to live with you. I will look out for the Christmas card.

[Shirazmataz in reply to Swizzy]

Thank you Swizzy, there will also be a dog winner and a bunny Christmas card, they will be from the Leeds RSPCA. But i will post here when they are ready 😁

[peege]

He's a beaut for sure (and I'm a dog person)! Well done you and Benji 👏 👏 👏

[Shirazmataz in reply to peege]

Thanks Peege, there was a dog winner too and a bunny 😁

[Bingofox007]

he’s gorgeous. I love ginger cats. They are so full of character and he is ooozing character. Send a link to purchasing the Christmas cards when it’s all sorted. You must be so proud, so deserving. Take care 🦊x

[Shirazmataz in reply to Bingofox007]

I will post here when the cards are ready Bingofox. He is a lovely boy and funny and naughty too 😽

[Ern007]

We always had ginger toms,, now we have Black and Black and white. All are very good and yours has given a good post for camera. Contrats you both won the RSPCA comp.

[Shirazmataz in reply to Ern007]

Stunning black and white cats Ern and black cats too. Benji took the vacancy in this household from the lovely black and white cat in my little picture. Holly, a lovely 15 yr old lady when she passed on to her next life.

[Alberta56]

Ah lovely. Good news is always welcome here. I hope I can buy some Benji cards next Christmas. xxx

[Shirazmataz in reply to Alberta56]

Yes thankyou Alberta56 i will post here about them when they are ready, i think.it will be a while yet 😽

[Alberta56 in reply to Shirazmataz]

Thank you. 😸😸😸

[Nicholatracy]

he’s a handsome moggy 🐞

[Shirazmataz in reply to Nicholatracy]

thankyou - he is and he knows it 😀

[MoosterMoo]

Congratulations Benji! What a gorgeous ginger Tom he is too x

[Shirazmataz in reply to MoosterMoo]

thankyou - he is having his early morning sleep at the mo to let his breakfast go down, and then he will be off out to patrol his territory 😀

[Caspiana]

Oh wow Sally how wonderful. I shall be sure to tell my family in the U.K. so they buy the card. I hope you will post a picture of the Christmas card, I would really like to see it!! Well done Benji. So pleased for you although Chom wants to know why he wasn't chosen. xx 😅

[Shirazmataz in reply to Caspiana]

Hi Cas and Chom, it will be from the Leeds branch of the RSPCA, where i found him just over a year ago. He has grown into a handsome hunk since he has been getting regular meals and a loving home. I will post here when the cards are ready - maybe October time. I hope they make a good job of my handsome Yorkshire lad 😸😸😻x

[rosco59]

What a beautiful cat! Congratulations, to you both.

[Shirazmataz in reply to rosco59]

thankyou rosco59, he is a stunner 😀😸

[garshe]

Congratulations thanks for sharing Great to hear happy news

Can't wait to see the finished product at Christmas time. Bet you are very proud and so you should be.. have a lovely day with your beautiful cat..xx.Sheila 🐯🐯❤️❤️

[MoyB]

What a beautiful cat you have there! Our Socks is a ginger female. We took her in last October as her owner went into a care home. She's returned our love in spades - although the 'love bite' she gave me yesterday was a bit too hard!How great to know that Benji will be gracing many mantelpieces this Christmas!

Lovely boy! Lovely news to start the day with . Xx Moy

[Shirazmataz in reply to MoyB]

Thankyou MoyB - quite unusual to have a ginger girl - it is lovely that you were able to provide a home for her, her previous owner must have been relieved to know she was safe, if she got to know. Less enthusiasm at love bites Socks! xx

[MoyB in reply to Shirazmataz]

Her owner was told she has a good home. His son arranged the move with us so came to ours with his wife and had coffee and biscuits with us while Socks showed off her new bed and paraded as though she already owned the place. They were pleased to see her but she totally ignored them! Little wotsit!Sent them photos and videos to show her ex-Dad but think he had gone a bit too far down the dementia road to know it was Socks. Sad, isn't it. Xx

[Shirazmataz in reply to MoyB]

Aww, that has worked out very well for Socks and previous family know she is fine. I think that is something many of us are concerned about if we peg out suddenly. I have my two registered with cat guardian service, but even that doesnt sound totally dependable as all rescue places sound chockablock. Just got to keep fit to keep them in the life they are accustomed to😁xx

[Izb1]

He looks a lovely cat and think you must be bursting with pride to have him on a christmas card x

[Shirazmataz in reply to Izb1]

Yes looking forward to seeing them when they have been painted and printed. 😁

[Shirazmataz]

Benji and a favourite pastime 🥰

Ginger cat Benji sitting on half done jigsaw

[Welshcatlady in reply to Shirazmataz]

He is gorgeous and looks so contented in the first photo. As to this one, typical cat behaviour😸😸😸!

[Shirazmataz in reply to Welshcatlady]

Yes he loves to help with jigsaws haha, like so many of them do 😁

[OOB_Tigger in reply to Shirazmataz]

Benji really is a very handsome cat. He's probably looking at the jigsaw wondering whether his photo might be made into a jigsaw - well, he is becoming famous! What next, t-shirts, mugs and of course, the ultimate, a mouse mat!! 🐈🐹 😂😂Well done Benji, the camera loves you ❤️

[Germantara]

He looks fantastic

[Shirazmataz in reply to Germantara]

Weighing in at 6.6 kilos thismorning 😁

[Oreopepper]

Awww, a lovely cat , im sure he gives you and your family a lot of pleasure. He deserves to be on a Christmas card.

[Shirazmataz in reply to Oreopepper]

Thankyou Oreopepper, he is a lovely boy 😊

[Ilovedogs12]

What a beautiful cat! He's twice a winner - winning the competition and finding a loving home with you ❤️.

[winabago]

What a great looking cat.

[Shirazmataz in reply to winabago]

Thankyou winabago , he is a handsome Yorkshire lad 😁

[watergazer]

That's wonderful. He looks very handsome x

[Shirazmataz in reply to watergazer]

Thakyou watergazer, he is a great cat 😁

[Mavary]

my cat is just like him. My cat is fifteen now and has CKD or Kidney disease. I love him to bits and dread the day he won’t be around.

[Shirazmataz in reply to Mavary]

Keep on loving the dear old fellow Mavery, he is a lucky boy to have such a wonderful mum.😻x

[Cb1963]

Who doesn't love a ginger cat 😍 I follow " George " the station cat on twitter or X as its called now, wonderful picture 😀 thanks for sharing 👍

[Shirazmataz in reply to Cb1963]

thankyou Cb1963, will have to take a look at George!

[dunnellon]

He's a beauty! Such pretty colors and a sweet kitty face! Lucky him to have you!

[Shirazmataz in reply to dunnellon]

thankyou dunnellon, he is quite a hunk 😸

[Tilly2402]

Gorgeous cat.

[Shirazmataz in reply to Tilly2402]

Thankyou Tilly, he is a lovely Yorkshire lad 😁