"We've rescued cats, never adopted one!"

I spent my summer working for The AA in Bordeaux, in the south of France. I lived on a campsite while I was there, where there were quite a few wild cats, and a few made their home under my caravan.

One night I heard some crying outside. When I went to investigate, I found a small kitten alone in the dark, without its mum. Then, sadly, on my way to work in the morning I saw its mum dead on the road.

Without its mum the kitten had gotten weak and unwell, with signs of feline flu. So I took her to the vets. It was lovely seeing her getting better and stronger over the next few days. Then when she was feeling better, she started to wait for me outside my caravan to get back from work!

I became really fond of her, and I soon decided I wanted to keep her. I think that might be a first for an AA Patrol. I mean, we've rescued a few cats, but no one's ever gone on to adopt one of them, that I know of!

I called her BlueBlue, because she has the most amazing sky blue eyes. Eventually when the time came for me to come back to England, I couldn't bear to leave her behind. So I got BlueBlue a pet passport and brought her back with me.

Unfortunately when I got home, my dog didn't take too kindly to having a cat about the house! So in the end I had to find her a new home.

I miss her terribly - she really did get into my heart. But she's doing well in her new home, and I feel good that I saved her life. I'd definitely do it all again.

Paul Thompson, AA Patrol