The famous Joey, my cat of 12 years, has left us for another family – Hayley Matthews

I'd mentioned a few months back about my cat Joey being a bit weird and how he was wandering off for weeks at a time.

Joey, Hayley Matthews' cat, appears to have left home to live with someone else (Picture: Hayley Matthews)

It was very worrying and I knew something was up. Everyone knows Joey – he's the Hugh Jackman of cats in the area. He’s hung out with the supermarket nightshift team, had a part-time job in the local library and has even taken up residence at Holyrood Palace for a day before being handed in to Lothian Cat Rescue.

So yeah, he's kind of a big deal. A friend’s neighbor down in Newhaven once said to me "well, I was impressed when you said you worked on the telly, but I'm even more impressed that you've just told me you're Joey’s mum!"

He’s lived with us for 12 years and I've often thanked him for staying with us (it's a crazy cat lady thing) as I felt the day would come when he'd decide to move on, and he has.

He's now chosen a lovely couple a few streets away who adore him and I can see why he enjoys it there.

The lovely lady took him to the vets, who contacted me and we managed to meet up. We went round and Joey looked very happy with a cosy plush bed in their living room.

He's clearly getting very spoiled and I get why he likes his new mum. It's quiet, cosy and peaceful compared to our flat with two boys screaming at each other all day.

So Joey, the door’s always open for you to come back. However, as they say "a cat chooses their owner".

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