Sailing Through Grief, How Two Cats and Their Mom Find Comfort at Sea

Meet the adorable duo of feline sailors, Flores and Nutmeg, who call a boat their home.

Until recently, they were part of a trio, sailing the seas with their experienced brother, Ledo.

Sadly, Ledo, the most seasoned sailor among them, has passed away.

Although Flores and Nutmeg are still grieving, they find comfort in each other and their devoted mom, Joyce.

Joyce is truly a guardian angel for kitties, dedicating herself to rescuing, fostering, and rehoming kittens regularly.

Her journey with Flores began during a routine provisioning trip in an Indonesian village. 

There, she stumbled upon a tiny calico kitten who was suffering from painful sores that were probably caused by flea bites. Immediately she decided to help the poor thing. 

After taking Flores to the vet for necessary treatment, Joyce made the loving decision to welcome her into the family.

"We took her to the vet immediately for an examination and decided to include her in our family," shared Joyce with We Love Cats and Kittens.

"At that time, we felt Ledo needed a buddy! It took a week for Ledo to warm up to Flores and they were inseparable ever since!" She added. 

Ledo, initially hesitant, took about a week to warm up to his new companion.

But once he did, he embraced his role in helping Flores adapt to life on the boat. 

Their bond grew strong, and they became inseparable friends.

Though Flores still mourns the loss of Ledo, she finds solace in the presence of Nutmeg, whom she adored from the start.

Nutmeg's story began in the Philippines, where he was found abandoned alongside a freeway with his sibling.

Joyce, ever the compassionate rescuer, nursed the two ginger furballs back to health and named them Nutmeg and Marmalade. 

While Marmalade found a loving home elsewhere, Nutmeg stayed with Joyce, becoming a permanent member of the boat family.

"Flores took a huge liking to him and was being extremely motherly and protective of Nutmeg. So I decided that he should become part of our sailing family."

Joyce's dedication to these cats and many others has provided them with a loving and adventurous life.

Her feline companions have grown up on the boat, becoming accustomed to its gentle swaying. 

As soon as the boat sets sail, their instincts guide them to their cozy cubbies in the cabin for a peaceful catnap.

When the boat is anchored, their instincts tell them it's safe and they eagerly emerge onto the deck to check out their new surroundings.

"Their favourite activities are coming out to the deck to check out the beautiful anchorage, catch sunsets, catch bugs, and look at fishes in the water," shared Joyce. 

"They get extremely excited whenever I catch a fish too!" She added with laughter.

While it's true that many cats go on wonderful adventures with their humans, it's quite rare indeed to find cats living full time on a boat experiencing daily nautical adventures. 

Joyce's boat is not just a vessel; it's a home for her and her beloved cats, where they live a life full love, and an ever-changing horizon!

"I never imagined myself being a cat mom on a boat," she explains.

"It has changed my life for the better and showed me the meaning of love."

"There's never a dull day with them in my life because they bring me so much joy!" 

Her commitment to rescuing and nurturing these cats has created a unique and heartwarming family that sails the seas together, cherishing each moment and each other.

Check out the video below:

A big thank you to Joyce for sharing her incredible story with us at this difficult time.

                                                               🙏 RIP LEDO 🙏

Related story: This Maine Coon Becomes Deaf Sailor’s ‘Ears’ To Help Navigate The Seas

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