Like many, I woke early last Sunday morning excited to find snow had fallen, turning Oxfordshire into a magical winter wonderland.

But my delight was short lived: after taking some snaps of the beautiful un-touched snow, my thoughts soon turned to how on earth I was going to reach my pet care clients that morning.

Luckily, the dog walk bookings I had for the day were soon cancelled – the owners too were snowed-in at home, so walkies with Rambles were no longer required. However, it was the two lovely cats, that I was looking after in Great Shefford that I was increasingly anxious about.

Neo and Jezzabell’s owner had gone to Wales for the weekend and booked our two-visit-per-day cat care service for her home-alone kitties. I’d been to them the previous evening where they gobbled up their food and had lots of cuddles and play, especially with Neo, the hugely affectionate Oriental breed who acts more like a puppy than a cat. I’d said my goodbyes and promised I’d be back in the morning to serve brekkie.

From Wantage, Great Shefford is a nine-mile journey, uphill and along a winding country road. I knew they’d be hungry and waiting for me, so I was determined to get over to them. I set off in the car but soon realised there was no way I was going to make it up hill and all the way there in such dangerous conditions. I reluctantly pulled over and called my client to let her know the situation. She kindly understood and agreed it wasn’t safe to continue, but I could tell she, too, was worried about her cats at home.

I eventually arrived back home and felt a wave of guilt thinking of the two hungry cats watching out the window for me to arrive. I racked my brain for any solutions, at one point even considering how plausible it would be in a helicopter.

I thought all hope was lost, until my sister-in-law mentioned she had a friend in a neighbouring village who may be able to help. Hurrah!

With the key still with me, access to the house wouldn’t be possible, but remarkably the friend managed to trek through the snow to the next village with a dish full of tasty cat food, which she left by the cat flap for hungry Neo and Jezzabell to enjoy until I could reach them.

A huge thank you to my sister Lisa, and her friend Hayley for saving the day!