Pets are powerful. They can provide love and comfort in the darkest of times – even in the aftermath of a death.

Jeffree the cat is so much more than just a pet. When Finn’s dad died suddenly after an unexpected cancer diagnosis, Jeffree prevented Finn from spinning off the rails.

13-year-old Finn has Asperger’s Syndrome, so dealing with bereavement was extra difficult. But Finn’s mum Gayle says that Jeffree provided a lifeline for the teenager.

‘In a nutshell Jeffree is not only the most handsome cat in the world ever, he’s the most patient, loving, friendly and gentle cat. He never stops purring,’ Gayle tells Metro.co.uk.

‘Jeffree has helped Finn to focus on something positive.

‘Finn now has a purpose; to look after Jeffree. Jeffree is also non-judgemental – an issue that Finn struggles with on a daily basis.

‘Being a 13-year-old who has Asperger’s Syndrome is not easy and unfortunately a lot of Finn’s peers do not have the emotional maturity and understanding to empathise with him.

‘Jeffree seems to understand when to be close to Finn, especially when he is having a meltdown or is a bit low. When Finn is struggling, Jeffree makes a beeline for him and doesn’t leave his side.’

Jeffree seems like an incredibly intuitive cat, and he really understands Finn’s needs. This was incredibly important when tragedy struck the family.

‘Unfortunately, we all had very little time to get used to Finn’s father’s cancer diagnosis and to prepare for what would happen next,’ explains Gayle.

‘One key factor when parenting a child with Asperger’s is to prepare them for everything in order to help them to cope. Preparing Finn for the death of his father is the most difficult thing that I have faced as a parent.

‘Although Finn’s father and I had been separated for a while, we both agreed that sharing custody of Finn would be the best thing for him, so he lived with me for half of the week and with his father for the other half; it was his partner Donna who called me to explain that he’d been taken ill.

‘None of us expected what would come next.

‘He was taken ill in February 2018 and died on the 4th June 2018.

‘During his stay in hospital, I took Finn out of school so that he could spend as much time with his father as possible.

‘After Finn’s fathers death, Finn moved in with me full time. This meant that he also had to move schools. Unfortunately, all of the upheaval, coupled with bereavement took its toll on Finn’s mental health.

‘He left me many notes saying that he wanted to die. Although Finn had (and still has) regular counselling sessions, he simply couldn’t shake the darkness that he felt and his depression spiralled.’

Things were really bad for Gayle and Finn in the immediate aftermath of their loss. Finn had been desperate to get another pet since his last cat Simon died in 2017, but with Gayle living on a busy road she thought it was out of the question.

That is until she checked out the Coventry Cats protection website.

‘I saw an advert for a house cat. Jeffree can’t go outside as he is FIV positive (although he loves a stroll in the garden on his leash).

‘I knew that owning a cat would make a huge difference to Finn.

‘When Finn got home from school on the 6th December 2018, Jeffree was waiting for him.

‘At first, Finn thought that I had borrowed him – it took a long time to sink in that he was his.

‘From that day to this, Finn has been a different person. He now has something to live for. Jeffree loves Finn and Finn absolutely loves Jeffree to the stars and back.

‘I strongly believe that they have saved each other. After all, an older black cat with FIV hadn’t got much going for him in terms of finding a forever home. Most people want to adopt cute kittens.’

They are a match made in heaven and the pair are now totally inseparable. Gayle is certain that animals can have a hugely beneficial effect on children like Finn.

‘I think that pets are the perfect companion for not only children with Asperger’s but adults too,’ she says.

‘Finn struggles massively interacting with humans. Not everyone with Asperger’s does, but it’s a common trait.

‘Finn’s counsellor explained that people with Asperger’s are very much like cats; they like being on their own, they like being touched but on their terms, they are picky with their food, they are loving and warm to the people that they trust – she says that neurotypical people are more like dogs; sociable, friendly to strangers and will eat anything.

‘An animal will never judge you – will never call you names, will never talk about you negatively to others, will never assume that you’re an “Emo” just because you look sad, will never push into you because your friends think it’s funny to pick on the quirky kid, will never shout things at you when they are in a pack and you’re on your own.

‘Finn deals with this daily and then he comes home to Jeffree and everything is safe and OK.’

We are so happy that they found each other.

Jeffree is one of 15 finalists in Cats Protection’s National Cat Awards, which is taking place at London’s Savoy, on the 8th August.

Cats Protection is the UK’s largest cat charity, helping around 200,000 cats every year through a network of 36 centres and more than 250 volunteer-run branches.

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It’s a sad truth that black cats take longer to be adopted – despite them being so beautiful.

Currently, Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare has 10 black cats waiting to be adopted, including some elderly moggies.

Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare is situated in East Sussex. They rehome, rescue and rehabilitate 1,000 animals each year, primarily dogs, cats, hens, rabbits, guinea pigs and small rodents.

They also provide life-long sanctuary to a large number of animals ranging from parrots to horses, and even tortoises and terrapins.

Rehoming Supervisor at the rescue, Rosie Jones, tells Metro.co.uk they struggle to get people wanting to adopt black cats for various reasons.

She said: ‘We find many adopters prefer the more “exciting” coat colours such as tabby, ginger and tortoiseshell and actively ask against being matched with black or black and white cats.

‘Also, there is a traditional view that black cats are associated with witches which still remains, particularly with older generations.

‘More recently though, the difficulty of photographing black cats for social media has become apparent and is deterring many adopters.

‘Whilst we appreciate people have colour preferences, when choosing to adopt a cat, their temperament and suitability for your home is the most important thing to consider.’

The rescue centre has some beautiful cats ready to find their new forever home, and we’ve collated a few who are desperately looking to find a place in a new owner’s hearts.

It’s difficult not to fall in love with them.

Jessie is 12 years old, and is very gentle and sweet

Jessie is a 12-year-old female. She is very gentle and sweet, though can be quite shy at first – but once she gets to know you, she is very affectionate and enjoys a fuss.

She’s not keen on loud noises so a quiet home would suit her best, ideally with a lady as she doesn’t really like men – or other dogs or cats.

She also needs a garden, but she doesn’t go off far, she just likes to roam.

She’s a beautiful little thing, and needs someone who has space in both their home and their heart for her.

Timmy is a handsome 13-year-old boy

Timmy is an older boy who’s looking for a new forever home after not finding quite the right fit in the past. He’s very affectionate and confident, and is friendly with everyone – he’s also a very chatty boy!

He’s looking for a quiet home, preferably with a retired couple where he can get lots of attention and live out the rest of his life in peace.

He previously lived with a female cat but was a bit bossy with her, so he’d probably be best placed in a home where he is the only cat.

He’s not keen on dogs and will chase them, and loves to go outside – but he’s been known to follow his owner to the shops so needs to be kept away from busy roads.

Timmy has limited sight in his right eye due to previously getting a grass seed stuck in it, but it doesn’t affect him at all.

He’s been on some medication for cystitis that he developed in his previous home, but he feels much better now!

He’s just looking for a lovely home with someone who will accept him just the way he is. He’s a gorgeous boy with lots of love to give.

Tiggy is 11 years young and is very loving

Tiggy is a very affectionate girl who loves to sit on laps – but will let you know when she’s had enough attention. She loves going outside and likes to spend much for the day out and about, so she would need somewhere with a nice garden.

She can live with children and may be okay to live with dogs. Do you have the purrfect home for her?

Rosie is a very sweet six-year-old female

Rosie is a loving cat who loves to sits on laps for a fuss. She’s a little nervous of hands, and this may be a result of being smacked – so she really needs to learn to trust again.

She has always been an indoor cat, but is looking for a home with a garden as she is a very active girl and loves exploring.

She loves to play and while she doesn’t always like to be touched, she loves company.

Rosie needs someone who has the patience to let her have her own space at first, as she can sometimes be a little spikey – but this behaviour should improve once she starts to go outside and has a little more freedom.

You will need to give Rosie space, play with her and let her approach you in her own time.

She loves sitting on laps, but may not always want to be stroked.

She’s looking for a nice home that will allow access to a nice garden that is away from any busy roads – she also asks for no children, dogs or cats in her new home, please!

Gemma Croker, Cats Protection’s Social Media Manager, adds that more than 40% of the cats given up to its centres are either black or black and white – and that they take longer to find new homes than cats of other colours.

She said: ‘We think this is because black is a more common colour so we want to highlight just how individual each one is and hopefully find them new homes more quickly.’

Cats Protection also has lots of black cats looking for forever homes at a variety of their rescues.

Bert is three years old

Three-year-old Bert is a handsome long-haired boy who came to Cats Protection after his owners had to move.

He can be very nervous at first, but once he knows you he enjoys playing and enjoys a fuss. Bert likes to spend time outside so would need a home where he can explore the outside world.

Anyone interested in adopting Bert can contact Cats Protection’s Wrexham Adoption Centre on 03000 12 02 69 or email wrexham@cats.org.uk.

Bunny is a sweet and friendly cat

Bunny is a sweet and friendly cat who has a tendency to forget to put her tongue away! She is two years old and is seeking a home with a garden for her to explore.

Anyone interested in adopting Bunny can call Cats Protection’s National Cat Adoption Centre on 01825 741 330 or email cattery.reception@cats.org.uk

Charlie is a gorgeous long-haired cat

Charlie is a gorgeous long-haired older black and white chap.

He can by shy to start with but enjoys a fuss once he gets to know you.

He needs to be the only cat in the household and would love his new home to have a garden.

Anyone interested in adopting Charlie can call Cats Protection’s National Cat Adoption Centre on 01825 741 330 or email cattery.reception@cats.org.uk.

Cheeko is seven years old

When seven-year-old Cheeko came in as a stray he was very sad and didn’t have much confidence.

With the help of volunteers, staff and some much-needed love Cheeko has grown into a loving affectionate cat.

Anybody wishing to adopt Cheeko should call Cats Protection’s Isle of Wight Centre on 03000 120 251 or email IsleOfWight@cats.org.uk.

Ebony is a mature lady

Ebony is thirteen years old, but still has plenty of love to give.

She needs to be the only cat in the household but gets on well with children and would love a garden.

Anyone interested in adopting Ebony can call Cats Protection’s National Cat Adoption Centre on 01825 741 330 or email cattery.reception@cats.org.uk.

Faust is stunning

Stunning Faust is a sociable and friendly three-year-old cat who has lived with a baby and a small dog before.

This gentle lad is easy-going and chilled out.

He enjoys exploring the outdoors but would need a garden away from busy roads.

Anybody wishing to adopt Faust should call Cats Protection’s Isle of Wight Centre on 03000 120 251 or email IsleOfWight@cats.org.uk.

Kins came into care when her owner was ill

Sadly three-year-old Kins had to come into care as her owner was ill.

This sweet little cat is very friendly, enjoys a fuss and she will definitely enjoy a warm lap to snuggle on.

Kins arrived in a pretty poor state, having lost quite a bit of her fur, but after a bit of TLC her beautiful black coat has really recovered.

She’s also gained confidence and is a lovely affectionate kitty.

Kins would love a garden of her own to explore, away from busy roads.

Anybody wishing to adopt Kins should call Cats Protection’s Isle of Wight Centre on 03000 120 251 or email IsleOfWight@cats.org.uk.

Luna is very sweet but also very shy

Luna is a very sweet but also shy young lady so will need a quiet home with owners who are happy to let her come out of her shell in her own time.

She is two years old and would benefit from a home with a garden for her to explore.

Anyone interested in adopting Luna can call Cats Protection’s National Cat Adoption Centre on 01825 741 330 or email cattery.reception@cats.org.uk.

Midnight is a gorgeous boy

Two-year-old Midnight is a gorgeous boy who may be a bit wary at first but is very sweet once you have gained his trust.

He particularly enjoys a good next scratch and will flop over to show his appreciation!

He needs a home with a garden to allow him to expend his energy.

Anyone interested in adopting Midnight can call Cats Protection’s National Cat Adoption Centre on 01825 741 330 or email cattery.reception@cats.org.uk.

Olly is a lovely three-year-old boy

Lovely three-year-old Olly was a much loved cat but had to come to the centre since he didn’t get on with the dog in his house.

He’s a friendly cat and ticks all the boxes for making a great companion to share your home with.

He’s playful, loving and enjoys a good head rub!

Anybody wishing to adopt Olly should call Cats Protection’s Isle of Wight Centre on 03000 120 251 or email IsleOfWight@cats.org.uk.

Rudi is a very handsome boy

Nine-year-old Rudi is a handsome long-haired chap. He is very friendly and enjoys a good chat! He may be OKin a home with children and other pets and would love a garden to explore.

Anyone interested in adopting Rudi can call Cats Protection’s National Cat Adoption Centre on 01825 741 330 or email cattery.reception@cats.org.uk.

Tinker is an elderly cat who has been overlooked

16-year-old Tinker is being overlooked as would-be owners are searching for younger cats. Shy at first, Tinker is an independent cat who enjoys fuss.

She’ll let you know when she’s had enough, though, by taking herself off to another area. She’s such a pretty cat who deserves a new start to life in a home where she can be the only pet, with no young children and some outside space to explore.

Anyone interested in adopting Tinker can call Cats Protection’s Mitcham Homing Centre on 03000 120 285 or email mitcham@cats.org.uk.

These cats are all seeking homes in their local area. To see cats in need of homes in your area, visit http://www.cats.org.uk/find-a-cat.

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Studying can be stressful.

Thankfully, an animal charity in north London has launched a new initiative to help students soothe their senses while revising for exams.

From today until next Wednesday (26 June), exam candidates can book a two-hour slot at Wood Green – The Animals Charity to sit in a special room which has been optimally designed for studying – it’s soundproof and will intentionally be kept free from distractions.

Most importantly, they will be surrounded by lots of rescue cats and kittens.

Research has shown that being around animals can not only help reduce stress but also makes you happier, as well as boosts your energy levels. So it makes perfect sense for students can curl up with gorgeous tabbies while they work.

Those who book a session will get the pleasure of meeting many cats, including a two-month-old kitten named Raven, who the charity describes as a ‘young playful kitten with piercing amber eyes’, as well as Harry, also two months old, and a ginger male with ‘nice big paws’.

Apparently, he also ‘loves to be gently stroked and shown affection’.

However, the purpose of the ‘revise-with-cats’ project is two-fold; the aim is for it to help humans, but also to highlight kittens that are in need of fostering and adoption during summer.

The charity also hopes that some of the students will get inspired to become volunteers.

‘A growing body of research shows that contact with pets has a positive effect on anxiety and stress levels,’ said Jane Harrup, the charity’s centre manager.

‘At Wood Green, we see first-hand the impact that rehoming rescue cats can have on those who are able to provide a positive environment and we’re pleased to offer this experience to students in need of a furry friend during this busy time.’

The charity has partnered with Quizlet, a web-based service that offers learning tools and games, and students can book a slot through its system.

If you’re interested, we recommend doing it soon, as it’s likely they will fill up very quickly.

Suddenly we want to be students again.

Although, let’s face it – we probably wouldn’t be doing much revising.

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Aldi is trialling a loose vegetables initiative in England and Scotland.

The supermarket has started selling savoy cabbage, red cabbage, white cabbage, pointed cabbage and cauliflower without plastic wrapping.

The project first launched in Scotland earlier this year, and over the next few months will be rolled out across parts of the north east and south east of England, and in all stores across the UK by the end of the year.

According to Aldi, the trial in Scotland has already saved more than three tonnes of plastic.

It’s anticipated that once extended all of the supermarket’s 830 UK stories, this figure will rise to 100 tonnes per year.

‘The trial of so-called ‘naked’ vegetables has had a very positive reception in Scotland and, as a result, we’re now looking to extend this trial into two of our regions in England,’ said Fritz Walleczek, Aldi managing director of corporate responsibility.

‘Where we can, our aim is to remove unnecessary plastic entirely without leading to unnecessary food waste.

‘Where we can’t do that, we are committed to ensuring that packaging doesn’t end up as waste by ensuring that all ours is recyclable, reusable or compostable.’

Aldi isn’t the only supermarket offering loose vegetables.

Morrisons has also introduced both plastic free fruit and vegetables in its stores.

Customers are now able to pick up the fruit and veg loose and put them in their own bags or use recyclable paper ones.

The move follows a ten-month trial in three Morrisons stores in Skipton, Guiseley and St Ives. In those stores, the amount of loose fruit and veg bought by customers increased by an average of 40%.

The supermarket hopes to see similar results across other stores, which could save an estimated three tonnes of plastic a week.

‘Many of our customers would like the option of buying their fruit and veg loose. So we’re creating an area of our greengrocery with no plastic where they can pick as much or as little as they like,’ said Drew Kirk, fruit and veg director at Morrisons.

‘We’re going back to using traditional greengrocery and we hope customers appreciate the choice.’

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Last Saturday, we investigated what happens to a man’s penis as he ages.

Naturally, vaginas and vulvas are the next step.

Firstly, there is no such thing as bad, ugly or strange when it comes to genitals.

What’s more, despite brands feeding women products to detox, clean, douche or otherwise mess with their vagina, you do not need to ‘improve’ any aspect of it. We all look, smell and taste differently, and there is no such thing as a perfect vagina (because they are all glorious).

That being said, if you’re concerned about a funky odour or unusual colour in your vaginal discharge, do chat to a doctor about it.

Meanwhile, here’s what you can expect to happen once you get older.

Your pubic hair will thin out and turn grey

Women spend hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds every year on trimming, waxing and shaving their genital region.

As it turns out, we needn’t bother because it will eventually disappear on its own.

When exactly this will happen is completely individual, though the process will likely begin in your 40s or 50s. Your pubic hair will thin out, as well as turn grey.

Some women will lose all of their public hair, others may not.

Your vulva and vagina will shrink

You’ll see very little changes in the appearance of your vulva and vagina during the first few decades of your life.

However, once your body starts producing less oestrogen, it’s possible that your vaginal opening, as well as the length of your vagina will shrink.

You will experience menopausual changes

Once menopause hits, a lot of things will happen to your body.

This includes symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, difficulty sleeping, low mood, anxiety, concentration problems and more.

During this time, you can also develop vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA), a genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM).

It sounds scary, but all it means is that your body is producing less oestrogen, and so your vaginal walls get thinner, drier and can get inflamed. The vaginal canal can also shorten and become tighter.

Other symptoms include burning when urinating, having to wee more often and not being able to hold it for very long.

Some women also find that intercourse becomes painful, as they see a reduction in vaginal lubrication.

It sounds like a nightmare, but don’t worry – there are simple treatments available to help you.

There is a stigma attached to GSM and many women avoid telling their doctor about the issues for fear of what they might say or because they feel ashamed. If you’re in pain or have any questions or concerns about your vaginal area, talk to a medical professional.

There’s nothing you can show them that they haven’t already seen.

You may get frequent yeast infections and UTIs

The culprit in this scenario is, once again, oestrogen (or rather, a lack of it).

As the vaginal tissue changes, you could become more prone to yeast infections and UTIs, though it’s not guaranteed this will happen to every woman.

Your pelvic floor will lose its strength

As we age, our pelvic floor loses its strength, which can bring all kinds of trouble to your genitals.

These muscles support the bladder, uterus and bowel, and when your pelvic floor weakens it could cause these organs to slip out of place – a condition known as prolapse.

It gets worse; you can also develop urinary incontinence (which also often happen after you’ve given birth).

Keep your precious cargo intact by regularly doing kegel exercises.

Your vulva will lose elasticity, fat and colour

During their 30s, some women will begin to lose some of the fat and elasticity of their vulva, and it may also become paler.

As a result, some women experience irritation, as well as pain during sex.

You should watch out for STIs

Anyone at any age can get a sexually transmitted infection.

After menopause or while you’re going through GSM, the vaginal tissue that surrounds the uretha will thin out, as will the vaginal epithelium (think of this as a bunch of cells).

This means that it will become easier for your body to catch STIs.

There’s an easy solution – use condoms or ask your partner to take an STI test before you sleep together.

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Aldi has released a new range of tinned ciders – and their fruity flavours will get you through summer.

The budget supermarket has launched the products as part of its own Alaska brand.

Customers can choose from rhubarb and pink grapefruit – which is said to have a striking taste – or peach, mango and lime, which is sweet and subtle.

Both options are suitable for vegans and are gluten free.

They’re also very cheap at just 99p per each 330ml can, with a 4% ABV.

According to people who have tried the ciders, they taste ‘gorgeous’.

One person even said the rhubarb can has been so popular that their local store is constantly selling out of it, so, you may want to act fast.

The ciders aren’t the only recent Aldi release.

Just yesterday, we announced that the supermarket has launched a new chicken kiev, that comes stuffed with mac and cheese.

The normal butter filling has been replaced with the cheesy pasta in a chicken fillet which is then coated in breadcrumbs.

You can get it for £1.59 for a pack of two.

‘A fusion of classic comfort foods, the Mac & Cheese Chicken Kiev combines two of the nation’s favourite dishes,’ said Aldi.

‘The Kiev is made with 100% British chicken, scrumptious macaroni and cheese and coated in crunchy golden breadcrumbs.’

So, chicken kiev and fruity cider for dinner?

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Most of us have a love-hate relationship with Monopoly.

It’s amazing when you’re doing well, owning all the properties and are absolutely balling, but it’s horrible when the game seems to last hours on end and you haven’t even managed to pass GO.

Another annoying thing? The fact you can’t trust anyone, because there are sneaky folk out there who steal money from the bank (OK, we’re a little guilty).

Hasbro has released a new addition which features a voice-controlled AI banker, making it impossible to cheat.

In the voice-controlled game, an electronic black top hat in the middle of the board will manage your money, sort out the real estate transactions, pay the rent and draw the Chance cards all through voice commands.

And no, there’s absolutely no way to cheat, because the game doesn’t involve any physical cash.

On the upside, the game aims to be ‘faster’ to play – so you won’t be up until 1am getting angry at your siblings because they got to the property you wanted first.

The product description reads: ‘The Monopoly voice banking game features lights and sounds, and comes with an interactive Mr Monopoly banking unit.

‘The iconic Monopoly top hat is voice-activated and the personality of Mr Monopoly really shines as he handles all of the transactions. He keeps tabs on players’ money and properties so there’s no cash or cards to think about.

‘Talk to Mr. Monopoly and he responds.

‘For instance, press your TOKEN’s button and say, “Buy St. James place” Mr Monopoly will track the transaction, keeping the game moving.

‘With the Monopoly voice game, players travel around the board aiming to be the person with the most money and highest property value to win!’

The game is currently only available in the US from 8 July and costs £23.50.

If you do want to give it a go, you’ll probably have to pay a fair amount in shipping – and no, Monopoly money doesn’t count.

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The contraceptive pill was launched in 1961.

Initially it was only available to married women through the NHS and for older women who already had kids (and didn’t want to get pregnant again), however public pressure forced the government to allow family planning clinics to prescribe it to single women as well.

At the moment, there is still no contraceptive method for men (barring condoms), however scientists are trialling male contraceptive pills, which – depending on the results – could soon become available.

But there’s another option on the horizon: male contraception gel.

As part of a new clinical trial, which starts today, 450 couples will test the gel for a year, including James Owers, 29, and Diana Bardsley, 27.

The pair live in Edinburgh, where he works as a PhD student and she is a social researcher.

‘Men need more options,’ James told The Guardian.

‘Right now it’s very easy for men to say “it’s not really on me”.

‘If the gel becomes widely available, it’s much more stark that by not taking that option, you actively made the decision to not take responsibility.’

The product will need to be applied on a daily basis, to the chest, shoulders and upper arms. It contains two main compounds; progesterone, which shuts down sperm production, and testosterone.

Scientists have added testosterone because it functions as a boosting mechanism if there is a drop in the hormone, as otherwise men could experience side effects including low mood, weight gain and a reduced sex drive.

This is one of the areas where the male contraceptive pill hasn’t been as successful; testosterone metabolises quickly in the liver, and the pills don’t work fast enough.

Diana has high hopes for the gel and believes it could encourage men to be more responsible in doing their part.

‘I think it’s a massive deal,’ she said.

‘It gives the chance for men to have this great combination of autonomy and more responsibility as well. That can only have a positive impact on the relationship between men and women in society.’

The hope is that the gel, which is being tested in the UK, Sweden, Chile and Kenya, will demonstrate fewer side effects.

There is however one issue that some couples may find somewhat annoying; the female partner can’t touch the part of the body where the gel is administered.

If she does, the woman could be affected by the hormone. It’s recommended that the man shower before bed or wear a t-shirt at night.

‘Before the pill came into existence we couldn’t have predicted the effects it would have in society,’ said John Reynolds-Wright, a clinical research fellow who is leading the trial in Edinburgh.

‘In the same way, I don’t think we can really accurately predict the effect this will have.

‘But like the pill, I think it will be largely for the positive.’

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Drinking on a train is having a bit moment right now, after Diane Abbott was spotted with a cheeky tin of Mojito on the Overground, and another icon (who we don’t know the identity of) was seen having a refreshing pink gin in a wine glass.

Although drinking on TfL trains is strictly prohibited, well behaved women rarely make history (at least that’s what the Tonight Josephine sign tells us) and we all love a little pre-drink on the way to a night out. Plus, other rail networks allow drinking, so you don’t have to break the rules to enjoy.

Where train boozing used to mean a warm can of beer from the corner shop, you can now get yourself all manner of tinned tipples.

Pink gin, in particular, is a perfect mix of classy and trashy, and you don’t need to bring a glass when it’s in a tin – but you can for added ‘extra’ points.

If you’d like to emulate our pink gin hero, here are the best options on the UK high street right now.

Gordon’s

Gordon’s have really become the name in pink gin recently, with their readily-available and tasty offering.

Theirs has notes of raspberry and redcurrant, making it nice and sweet, while the tonic adds an extra sharpness.

These tins are currently on offer at Tesco, so you can get four for the price of three. They’re £1.80 each.

Marks & Spencer

https://www.instagram.com/p/BHVLxkOjxfi/

M&S have made a name for themselves with their tinned cocktails over the years, given their prominence at train stations.

Their original gin in a tin was featured in Fleabag, and they saw a huge rise in sales as a result.

These tins combine the brand’s Think Pink gin – which is infused with cranberry – and tonic, and is available in store.

Bosford

At just £1 each, you really can’t beat the price of these (although you do need to buy them online, and therefore ahead of your hometime sesh).

Bosford’s Rosé gin (made with juniper, coriander, angelica, lemon and orange peel alongside natural strawberry and raspberry flavors) is added to tonic, for a stunning English-made bevvy.

Pick them up at The Drinks Basket now.

Alfie

Another that comes in at £1 is Alfie’s, which is available at Morrisons.

According to reviewers, these have a distinct hint of strawberry, and we can’t knock the fact they’re made with natural colours and flavours.

Sainsbury’s

If you look closely at Madame Pink Gin of the Tube, it appears that this is the one she’s drinking from her glass.

This actually isn’t a pink gin, rather a gin and rose lemonade, but it does sound delicious.

If you’re new to the gin game, this could be an option, as the rose lemonade takes some of the bitterness out. It costs £1.25.

Greenall’s

Greenall’s is one of the more established gin brands out there, and their pink grapefruit premixed can is a stunner.

Despite being from boujee Waitrose, you can grab three for £5, so it isn’t TOO steep.

Edinburgh Gin

Noki

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx2sVqeC70I/

This isn’t actually gin, and it isn’t actually in a tin.

Sober people need fun drinks too, though, and Noki have a 0.0% abv solution.

It’s only 60 calories per bottle, and also has the same flavours and botanicals as pink gin, so you can have all the enjoyment with no guilt.

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A bride-to-be has finally managed to hunt down the kind-hearted photographer who captured her proposal on camera.

Rachel Remmy from Pennsylvania, USA, tweeted a request looking for the unknown photographer, who was wearing orange shoes, and had captured her fiancé Christian’s surprise engagement at the top of the Rockefeller Center, in New York.

She shared a video of the engagement along with the caption: ‘Please RT and help me find the guy with the orange shoes!

‘We got engaged 6/15 on Top of the Rock, NYC! We have the perfect video but no actual photos of it happening and he was taking pictures with his camera and I had no idea!’

The tweet was shared by more than 61,000 people, and the photographer actually ended up being found.

Lloyd Merrick, of Black Bear Photography, replied 18 hours later to congratulate the pair on their engagement – and said he would upload the photos for them.

Rachel also updated the tweet after Lloyd was found and wrote: ‘We are overwhelmed by the well wishes we’ve felt from all over the world in the last two days.

‘Finding @Lloyd_Merrick39 so fast wouldn’t have been possible w/out [sic] the help of people sharing the video. Photos are a huge part of my life and having these will be something I cherish forever.’

Lloyd said the whole thing has been very surreal.

‘I was amazed by the positive response and just thrilled to be a part of such a special moment and have the honour of sharing my photos with them,’ he said.

‘I was so impressed and amazed at the power of social media to be able to connect us and in such a relatively short period of time!’

Not one to let down her new followers, Rachel also posted: ‘If you want to continue following @ChristianHour and my journey to our wedding, you can find us at EverAfterEisenhour on Instagram, Always, the Future Eisenhours’.

Let’s hope Lloyd gets an invite to the wedding – we’re sure he’d make the perfect wedding photographer.

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I always start the day with two cups of coffee.

But by the end of work this number skyrockets to around 250 cups. Before you panic, I only taste these in a process called cupping.

It requires you to slurp the coffee and then spit it out into a spittoon, a bit like wine tasting.

Doing this helps to prevent me from over caffeinating myself and ensures that I sleep at night.

I work on the coffee buying team of Taylors of Harrogate and have been working her for 15 years. My job involves overseeing coffee quality and signing off the flavour profile for all new products.

The flavour profile is a combination of the taste and aroma of the coffee. The sign off process involves a panel of people from within the company coming together many times throughout the duration of any new product development to refine and approve the final product.

Coffee actually contains more aromas than wine. As a qualified Coffee Q grader – professional coffee taster – I’m able to recognise and name hundreds of different aromas that can be detected in coffees from all over the world.

It takes lots of intense training and practice to become a Q grader. The process involves passing around 20 predominantly sensory exams.

I never get tired of discovering new coffees and it’s certainly one of my favourite parts of the job, but I do have to limit my intake.

My job isn’t just tasting coffee, however. When I’m not in the office, I’m usually travelling abroad.

My first trips to coffee-growing countries took me to Nicaragua, El Salvador, Brazil and Kenya where I spent a few months training.

I’ve also visited Colombia, Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Panama, Costa Rica, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and I’m due to travel to Indonesia later this year.

A typical origin trip can involve anything from visiting remote farms and processing facilities to tasting lots of coffee to calibrate with our suppliers.

My trips overseas have led me to appreciate the complexity of growing and processing coffee. I also often discover new words and ways to describe coffee when I’m tasting with people from other countries, which I love.

When it comes to what coffee takes my fancy, it can really depend what mood I’m in. It’s really subjective.

Coffee is also a seasonal product so its taste can vary throughout the year.

I’m particularly drawn to coffee from Colombia, Central America and East Africa because coffees from these countries tend to feature a good level of sweetness, balance and acidity.

I don’t like to use the word ‘snob’ but I’m definitely very particular about my coffee. Thankfully, I have easy access to some amazing flavours on a daily basis.

There are two main species of coffee: arabica and robusta. Arabica is a more species, which tends to be grown at higher altitudes and in cooler than climates. It’s sweeter, more aromatic and finer in flavour.

Robusta is a hardier species, which tends to grow at lower attitudes and warmer weather. Its flavour is stronger, more intense and can be bitter and sometimes harsh.

Personally, I prefer a lighter roast with delicately-nuanced flavour. Lighter roasts showcase the inherent characteristics of the beans and can result in a more unique flavour. I go for coffees with fruity (citrus or berry), floral (jasmine) and sweet, caramel notes.

If I’m drinking coffee out of the home or work, I like to hunt out the best coffee shops in town.  

I take my coffee black or with milk but never sugar. It’s purely a personal preference, but I just feel that it overwhelms the actual flavour of the coffee.

One of the most common coffee mistakes people make is drinking stale coffee. They’ll open a bag of coffee but then leave it open for weeks before finishing it – and once the coffee is exposed to oxygen, it starts to go stale.

My recommendation would be to store your coffee in an air tight container and try to drink it within two to three weeks.

The national obsession with coffee has developed alongside the rise of high street coffee shops, and has been closely followed by the rise of independent coffee shops.

When I was growing up, you never went out for a coffee but now you do. It’s a social drink that brings people together.

Although we’re certainly not turning our backs on tea, we’re definitely becoming a coffee-drinking nation in the UK. It’s a way of life.

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We need to be more aware of invisible illnesses.

Thousands of people have conditions that you can’t see but they still have a huge impact on their day to day lives.

You Don’t Look Sick is a series talking about those conditions and what it’s like living with one.

Almara Abgarian, 29, from London, has gastroparesis -a long-term condition where the stomach can’t empty itself in the normal way.

Because food passes through the stomach more slowly, it causes bloating, stomach pain and vomiting.

Almara is often sick throughout the day and people don’t always understand that it is because of a long-term condition.

She tells Metro.co.uk: ‘In the past, some managers have raised an eyebrow when I explain I’ve been sick – because they think it’s because I’ve been out drinking.

‘I’m always terrified someone will come knocking on the disabled toilets telling me to get out. I only use it at work if I know I’m going to vomit, as I like the privacy and don’t feel like I have to rush out.’

Explaining the condition is also hard as most people have never heard of gastroparesis.

‘Generally, people are mostly just curious about my condition because very few have heard of it,’ Almara adds.

‘I don’t always like telling them the ins and outs though – mainly because there’s a look of pity from some, which I don’t want or need.’

She was diagnosed last year after years of dealing with symptoms with no explanation.

‘I had been suffering with stomach issues and regurgitating most (if not all) of my meals for almost two years, as well as feeling nauseous on a daily basis,’ she says.

‘Eventually, the doctor scheduled an endoscopy – which is a fairly simple, albeit complicated procedure where a camera is passed through my throat down to my stomach – and which indicated that I have a slow gastric emptying system.

‘It was stressful, because I wasn’t given much information afterwards beyond a quick chat with the nurse to discuss my results.

‘To confirm the diagnosis I was sent off to have a nuclear medicine test a few weeks later. You have to eat a pretty gross porridge that contains very small amounts of radioactive material, and undergo a series of scans every 10 minutes, then 15 minutes, then every half hour etc.

‘I was also unlucky in that the person who did my nuclear medicine test left the hospital shortly after and no one delivered the promised call to explain my results.

‘I called the hospital around 40 times over two weeks trying to get through but with no luck. Eventually I was so angry and upset – all I wanted was to know what was wrong with me – that I went into the hospital and demanded that someone call me back that same day.’

Finally receiving a diagnosis was upsetting for Almara but she says it was also a relief to know that there was something.

‘It’s hard to describe,’ she says.

‘In one way, it was nice to finally have an answer to what was wrong with me, but gastroparesis is a very rare, chronic condition that is incredibly difficult to treat.

‘Part of me was also angry that it had taken the doctors so long to diagnose it; they had fobbed me off with pills over and over, which never worked, and only took me seriously when I sat in the clinic and cried because I wasn’t able to keep anything down and was living with debilitating nausea.’

Gatroparesis is a rare condition and there is little research into why it happens or how to treat it, which Almara feels led to a delay in diagnosis as many of the doctors she saw did not pick up on her symptoms.

It’s also led to a delay in getting treatment because there are so few specialists available.

She says: ‘Doctors aren’t sure why gastroparesis occurs and there are only two specialists in London who deal with the condition. I’m currently on a waiting list and have no idea when I’ll receive a call.’

Almara has been able to learn more about it and how to manage it but it still can have a huge impact on her life.

‘Imagine your stomach as a water glass. After a normal meal, most people’s stomachs will empty the contents into their intestines (and eventually, poo it out) after a few hours.

‘During my first endoscopy, doctors found that despite not eating or drinking anything for over 12 hours, I still had one litre of liquid in my stomach.

‘Just imagine if I had eaten – my ‘glass’ doesn’t empty but overflows, which leaves me bloated and in pain if I ‘over-eat’ (and by that I mean a normal amount of food, not cramming down a buffet),’ she says.

People with gastroparesis are told to eat smaller portions and to eat around six times a day. This gives the stomach more time to empty.

Almara says: ‘I know how to manage my condition somewhat now, but some days you just don’t want to manage it – you just want to have a nice three-course meal with mates or eat some festival food without having to worry about what will happen.

‘It can be quite upsetting, as some days I walk through the supermarket and think “OK, so what food will make it less likely that I’ll throw up?”.

‘I also come from a family of chefs (having been one myself) and have lots of ‘foodie’ friends.

‘Going for big brunches or dinners is part of our social routine, but it also means spending a fair bit of money on a fancy meal with the likelihood that I will – you guessed it – be sick afterwards.

‘On a bad day, I’ll spend an entire day throwing up. It’s because I’m hungry so I’ll eat to satiate my appetite, but because there is no space left in my stomach, I’ll get sick.

‘I’ll either regurgitate small amounts in my mouth (which is oh-so-fun to swallow back down when I’m not somewhere where I can spit it out) or be properly bent over my toilet vomiting all of it up.’

She adds that there are times where she doesn’t notice it but the long-term effects mean that she needs to take medication.

She says: ‘On a good day, when I eat foods that are easy on my stomach and stick to smaller portions over a longer period – people with gastroparesis are recommended to eat six times per day – I might not even notice my gastroparesis much.

‘The condition is known for coming and going in waves; meaning you could have weeks, months or years where it’s fairly stable – or the complete opposite.

‘However, as a result of the constant vomiting, I’ve also developed Grade A Esophagitis (irritation/inflammation to my throat) and have to take pills every day to reduce the level of acid in my stomach.

‘Unfortunately, this doesn’t always help – some mornings I’ll throw up a mixture of stomach acid and water before I’ve even ingested anything. It’s sexy, I know.’

She’s had to make some lifestyle changes to deal with the condition but says that she has learnt to accept it.

‘I’m a fairly positive person and I’ve decided that this is just something that has happened to me – I can’t control it, so I just do my best to live with it.

‘Although, I’ve found that staying away from certain products like dairy, fried foods and vegetables or fruits with ‘skin’ makes things a little easier. Going to the gym and generally trying to stay healthy also helps – but more from a mindset point of view than anything else.

‘I also don’t drink very often anymore as alcohol irritates my stomach and my hangovers have become much more intense because I already feel nauseous to begin with.’

With a lack of awareness around gastroparesis and other invisible illnesses, Almara wants to see people discuss them but in an understanding and respectful way.

She says: ‘My condition doesn’t define me – I’ve just been dealt a bad hand, but I don’t want pity. Just be kind and understanding and please don’t ask lots of questions unless I bring it up myself.

‘As an example, my best friend knows me so well that she notices me subtly swallowing down food that comes back up – but she doesn’t make a big deal out of it. Sometimes she’ll even joke it off, which helps.

‘As a final note, there should be more training for managers in workplaces, especially with freelancers.

‘Thankfully, my own bosses are very kind and don’t bat an eyelid when I tell them I need a day off for doctor’s appointments or would like to pop outside for some air because I feel nauseous – but I know a lot of people who aren’t as lucky.’

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It’s a very sad truth that elderly rescue cats struggle to find homes.

This is often because people either don’t know how to care for them, worry about the costs of taking them in and because many prefer to rescue a fluffy new kitten.

Alison Richards, central veterinary officer at Cats Protection, tells Metro.co.uk that sadly, elderly cats are frequently overlooked at their rescue centres.

‘We do sadly find that older cats are frequently overlooked in favour of younger felines at our branches and centres, and this becomes even more prevalent during kitten season when people often prefer to adopt a cute, fluffy kitten,’ she said.

Though kittens are obviously very cute, there are a lot of perks to adopting an older cat compared to adopting a baby.

Alison said: ‘Older cats have a lot to offer – they tend to stay closer to home so make great companions, their characters are fully formed so you know what sort of cat you’re getting and they’re less likely to scale the curtains or knock your ornaments off the shelf!

‘Improvements in cat care have also greatly raised the life expectancy and quality of life for cats across the UK, with many household moggies now living into their late teens and early 20s in remarkably good health.’

Alison adds that the longer homing time for elderly cats can also put a huge strain on charities like Cats Protection – as older cats can be at the rescue centres for months, leaving charities unable to help other cats or kittens in need until the older ones are found new homes.

She said: ‘While our staff and volunteers look after all the cats in its care very well, being in a pen is no substitute for a permanent home so I would urge people to consider adopting an older cat.’

Of course, there’s no disputing that as cats age, their health can deteriorate.

When cats age, lots of things can change – such as their activity levels, their appetite, their vision, their bowel and urinary habits, their sleeping routine and their coat condition.

This doesn’t mean they aren’t worthy of a loving home with an owner who dotes on them.

You can make an elderly cat happy and comfortable in your home by making just a few small changes, according to Cats Protection.

This includes getting a bed that is suitable for them – such as cosy, well-padded beds in safe, warm places. If they like to sleep up high, you could provide them with a ramp or stool so that they can easily get up there.

Hammock-style radiator beds are especially warm, which older cats may appreciate.

Gently grooming your cat can help keep their skin healthy and provides bonding time, as well as health benefits; stroking a cat is known to reduce stress levels and may even lower your blood pressure.

Even if your elderly cat usually goes to the toilet outside, you should place several litter trays around the house at all times, specifically large trays with low sides to make it easy for them to get in and out.

It may also be worth changing the litter to a softer kind so that it feels comfortable under their paws.

‘Older cats are less able to defend themselves and their territory, so they can become more anxious and more dependent on their owners. By going outside with your cat, you may help them to feel protected against neighbouring cats,’ said Cats Protection.

‘Older cats may get lost or go missing – so microchipping your cat will improve your chances of being reunited with your pet if they wander off.

‘Older cats can still be playful. And a little exercise is beneficial for their mental and physical health.

‘Use toys that are unlikely to intimidate them, such as a feather attached to a string that you slowly move past them. Experiment with different toys to see what captures their attention. Any interaction – even just watching – provides useful stimulation.’

As any cat owner knows, our four-legged friends love routines – and this is even more true when they are older. So feed them at the same time, avoid moving furniture and make sure your home remains familiar and easy to navigate.

It’s also important that you stay in close contact with your vet as older cats can struggle with their health. But many conditions are treatable, and your vet may even be able to help your cat get more enjoyment from its older years.

We’re not saying visit your vet every single week – but do go if you have any concerns about your cat’s health, and don’t overlook anything.

This may sound like a lot, but really it’s very similar to how you would look after a kitten, with just a few extra cautions.

Kittens may be cute and fluffy but older cats make great companions and deserve all the love and care in the world.

Will you take a chance on one?

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This Cat Week, Metro.co.uk is the most wholesome place on the internet as we profile some of the best and cutest kitties.

Oreo is an adorable kitten who loves playing table football.

The six-month-old domestic short-haired cat, who was born on Christmas day, was given to owner Lisa as a gift.

Lisa, a 40-year-old teacher who lives in Ratby, Leicester, says her ‘bonkers’ cat loves nothing than a game of footy, kicking a ball about by himself.

Mischievous Oreo doesn’t just enjoy the sport, he also loves being active and messing around the house, including going through the bins.

‘He’s bonkers, he loves the table football, he’s mad, he’s always climbing up my curtains too,’ said Lisa.

‘He also likes to sit on my daughter’s head and pull her hair, he empties my rubbish bin and brings me things he’s pulled out of there, it’s disgusting!

‘He also plays hide and seek under the mat, but he’s terrible at hiding. Or he’ll just sit nibbling my toes.’

Lisa added that her other cats are named after food too, including Crunchie and Dorito.

She got Oreo when her cousin’s cat had babies. Now, Lisa’a nine-year-old daughter Olivia Mae can’t get enough of Oreo.

‘He’s a real character, full of mischief.

‘When I’m trying to make the bed, he’ll get inside the duvet cover. I have to put him outside the room when I’m making the bed now.

‘Olivia Mae loves Oreo to bits, he’s her baby.

‘He’s absolutely mad. I took this video in March, but he’s been doing this his whole life.’

He must be a footy pro by now then.

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18 months ago I turned vegetarian, so you can understand my surprise in finding myself walk into KFC last week.

Even in the queue, I had plenty of time to change my mind. I could have simply waved the Colonel goodbye and left like nothing had ever happened.

But I didn’t. Instead, I ate chicken in the street, shamefully burying my head deep inside the brown bag.

I know I’m not alone in falling off the plant-based wagon. Surveys suggest as many as one in three vegetarians eat meat when drunk. But with a moral compass unaffected by drink, what I did felt worse than that. I had gone against my principles that eating animals is both cruel and needless.

Yet I’ve now had time to come to terms with my mistake, and you know what? Maybe it’s OK.

Being a former meat-eating vegetarian is not always easy. Taking time away from something can increase the temptation for it – absence making the heart taste fonder. It’s important that no one feels anxiety from denying themselves.

Food anxiety takes many forms. It might be obsessively counting calories – recording tablespoons of salad dressing with NASA worthy precision. It might be a consuming fixation with buying as naturally as possible. Or it might be constant resentment if you feel you’re denying yourself what you really want.

Whatever form it takes, piling pressure on yourself every mealtime is only going to make you less likely to stick to a plan, especially one including a drastic change like vegetarianism or veganism.

Even The Rock, whose body is visibly a temple [the size of actual temples], allows himself legendary cheat days. Days bringing about global pizza shortages. Days where he wolfs down enough brownies to give entire nation states diabetes. If The Rock, the unquestionable pinnacle of intensely curated human physique, recognises a need to blow off dietary steam, then you can too.

Piling pressure on yourself every mealtime is only going to make you less likely to stick to a plan, especially one including a drastic change like vegetarianism or veganism.

That release might be the occasional bacon-based indiscretion, even if you follow a strict vegetarian diet the rest of the time. For that reason, many have embraced ‘flexitarian’ or ‘reducetarian’ movements.

It might seem a cop-out to some, but any reduction of meat intake is still contributing to the cause. After all, if it takes a sporadic steak nights to motivate you into staying honest for the rest of the month that’s still better than nothing.

For many, these flexi-movements inevitably lead to full vegetarianism as habits change over time. But not resenting anyone for eating occasional meat-and-two-veg meal is only going to encourage people to stick with it; especially as we’re seeing such advancements in vegetarian and vegan alternatives.

I’m not quite sure what led me back to meat. I think maybe I was chasing a half-remembered burst of dopamine that accompanied a food that had brought me comfort so often.

Yet since eating it again that internal conflict’s gone. It’s like a weight’s been lifted.

Confronting my actions after that fateful KFC has helped me remember that the combination of moral, environmental, and health reasons that drew me to vegetarianism in the first place.

I feel reconnected with the choice again: thinking more about my food and how I can do more to reduce my impact, rather than simply going through the motions and eating Quorn nuggets for every meal.

In the end, if you do feel bad for eating meat again, it’s important not to dwell on it. You can’t change that you did it, in the same way you can’t un-drink those six-to-eight pints that always make you DM your ex… the only thing you can do is move on.

And if you need extra help getting back on track, speak to other vegetarians and you’ll be surprised how many of them have similar experiences before bouncing back. We all make mistakes, but Google a nice daal recipe, and start again.

What the experience made most clear is that I won’t be returning to meat again. I think I needed to stray from the path to realise that. Individual relationships with food are complicated at the best of times, but this lightning bolt of clarity has helped ease mine no end.

Unfortunately, I can’t change what I’ve done but I am now going to use it to make sure I think about my consumption and try and make amends.

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Your plants might bring you joy but if you have a cat, it’s important to be aware that some of them can be harmful to your feline friends.

Just a nibble on the leaves of some plants can end up making your pet very ill.

When it comes to keeping them safe, you can choose plants that are safe as well as taking measures to keep them away from certain areas of the garden.

Even if the plants are safe, it’s best to discourage them from digging and disturbing your shrubs before they’ve even had a chance to bloom.

Cat urine can also disturb the pH of the soil and kill your plants, so basically, it’s a good idea to keep cats and plants apart for everyone’s safety.

Freddie Blackett, Co-Founder of Patch, has some easy tips for keeping plants and cats separate: ‘There are no hard-and-fast rules to which outdoor plants are harmful and those that are not, so always, always check the details of each plant either online, or with the seller. You may also have some product information on the plant label. So, check, check, check.

‘Thankfully there are any number of DIY methods out there to keep animals, both wild and domestic, away from your urban garden. Here are a few of our favourites.

‘Outdoor plants often have to put up with lots of pets or wild animals bothering them. A super easy, and very popular, method for keeping many different animals away is sprinkling spices around your plants. Cayenne pepper is a great all-rounder, helping to deter cats, squirrels, dogs and certain bugs. You can sprinkle it around your plants, or mix it with water to spray them with.

‘Cats don’t like walking on uncomfortable surfaces, so covering your soil in slate pieces, gravel,  or pushing twigs into the soil at small intervals, can help keep them at bay. Cats tend to hate citrus smells too, so putting some lemon peel around your plants may deter them.’

There are certain plants that are completely safe for any pets or children who might not understand that the leaves aren’t for eating.

You can stick to these for your garden and remember to check in others to see if you need to take precautions to keep pets away.

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Good sis Rihanna can do no wrong when it comes to her coveted brand Fenty.

After launching the eponymous fashion line earlier this year, Rihanna’s collection has proved to be a hit. And now even the mannequins showing it off are getting some love.

Curvy, size-inclusive mannequins have been used to show off the latest designs and users on social media have praised them for showing off ‘real bodies’.

The mannequins come with stomach pouches and hip dips, making some women feel seen.

‘This is what bodies look like. So happy Fenty is using mannequins that look like real people!!!’ gushed one person.

Meanwhile, someone else advocated for Rihanna to rule all businesses.

The Fenty line was shown off in a pop-up store in New York after Nike caused a stir with its plus-size mannequins in London recently.

People claimed that the brand was ‘promoting obesity’ or pushing an ‘unhealthy’ message.

However, others felt it was embracing body positivity.

The concept of diversity has been central to Rihanna’s line as she wanted a brand that caters to different body types.

The 31-year-old actress and singer’s line goes up to size 18 and she said that her own fluctuating body inspired the range.

‘Whether it’s through fashion, lingerie, music, make-up, we try to get everybody involved and included in our brand,’ Rihanna told E!

‘We have our fit models, which is the standard size from factories, you just get your samples made in one size.

‘But then, I want to see it on my body, I want to see it on a curvy girl with thighs and a little bit of booty and hips.’

I can’t even express how good these @FentyOfficial Manniquins make me feel at this pop up. Thank you @rihanna for always representing. pic.twitter.com/IEdnT627Gf

— RAVEN B. (@RAVIEB) June 18, 2019

‘Fenty mannequins got curves and hips whew I’m in love with Rih,’ raved another person on Twitter.

Others thanked the brand for giving black women’s bodies visibility. ‘This is what black mannequins look like,’ wrote one person.

Meanwhile someone else said: ”Rihanna does such a phenomenal job of making us [black women] feel seen.’

Kudos, Rihanna.

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Airbnb is offering a once-in-a-lifetime trip that boasts 18 countries in six continents in under 12 weeks.

The brand’s ‘around the world in 80 days’ trip promises to take keen travellers from London to coveted destinations, paying for accomodation, transport and meals.

And all that for just £4,041. That’s £50 per night if you divide by 80.

Included in the jam-packed itinerary are England, Romania, Uzbekistan, Egypt, Jordan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, China, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, USA, Ecuador, Chile and Iceland.

So naturally, the action-packed adventure has attracted lots of attention online.

People can’t wait to sign up for the ultimate journey which begins in September.

‘All you have to do is make sure you have enough empty pages in your passport, buy a round trip ticket to and from London, and get on that first flight,’ the Airbnb website says.

‘When you land, the first chapter of your around the world adventure begins.’

To get a place on the exciting trip, you’ll have to try to book a place on selected days. 20 June was the first day the tickets went on sale. The next time it opens will be 26 June at 2pm and then again on 1 July at the same time.

You’ll have to hurry though as the brand is only allocating two spots on each day.

Twitter users couldn’t believe the package deal and expressed their hopes of getting on the trip.

‘Thinking of quitting my job to travel the world with Airbnb for 80 days,’ wrote one person.

One user who describes herself a ‘solo travel queen’ wrote: ‘I literally don’t think you could beat this deal if you tried. Not on your own or with a tour group.

‘Oh, and drinks are included. Yes, WINE! And this ain’t no basic tour. They’re going to places like Uzbekistan, Jordan, Ethiopia, Bhutan, New Zealand, Chile. Wtf’

Airbnb’s around the world in 80 days trip sounding like a motivvvveeeee #dreaming

— sarah el (@sarah_el0) June 18, 2019

‘I seriously want to drop everything and do this. This is incredible,’ wrote another.

However, some claimed that it may just be a gimmick by Airbnb ‘to boost traffic’ and not a real trip.

But Airbnb has reassured followers that the trip is going ahead and has allocated the first few seats.

Lucky buggers.

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All cats are worthy of a loving home.

Unfortunately many budding pet owners often opt for buying or adopting a kitten and while there is nothing wrong with wanting to raise a cat from a young age, there are many older ones that are in dire need of someone to love them.

According to Cats Protection, older cats can end up waiting twice as long to be adopted.

There are some obvious downsides to taking in an elderly cat including that they might be more prone to illness and likely only have a few years left – but that doesn’t mean that they don’t deserve our attention.

This could also be your chance to give them the best years of their life.

Elderly cats are also great companions, especially for older people, and most prefer a relaxing afternoon nap with their owner, rather than a yarn-chasing session.

If you’re in the market for a new pet, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home has five superb furry pals just waiting to be snapped up.

Can you give them a home?

Dexter, 11 years and six months old

Dexter prefers the company of humans.

The older gentleman is looking for someone who can offer him a calm environment with a garden (a retirement home would be ideal), where he can indulge in his daily activities: eating snacks and sunbathing.

While like most cats he likes his independence, Dexter loves having his head and face stroked, and curling up for a nap in the vicinity of his favourite people.

Jo Jo, 13 years and one month old

Like Dexter, Jo Jo isn’t keen on living with other cats or dogs and wants your attention all to herself.

She might be over 13 years old, but Jo Jo is still as sassy as they come. If you win her over, she’ll reward you with the pleasure of her company, as well as cosy naps and cuddles.

Jo Jo is also an adventurous soul and needs a home with a private garden and a cat flap, so she can head outside when you’re not home.

Currently in a foster home, she’s just waiting for you to come and get her. Bring a present to get on her good side straight away.

PJ, 10 years old

PJ has kept his youthful looks, but is a bit on the chubby side.

He is looking for an owner who is up for helping him lose his excess weight through regular playtime sessions.

A garden is also ideal, so that he can stay energised when you’re not home.

PJ is a little sensitive but be patient and give him lots of love, and he will love you right back.

Foster, 10 years and 10 months old

Foster has a big personality.

The soon-to-be 11-year-old is very social and friendly, and will win you over instantly with his soft purring and high-pitched meow.

If you have a private garden with a cat flap and have a big heart, Foster is the one you need to meet.

He can live pretty much anywhere, but isn’t particularly keen on having any pet housemates.

Elsa, 10 years and three months old

Elsa has had a difficult life.

She’s been used for breeding since she was born and has never had a home of her own.

Though she is over a decade old, Elsa is a very active feline and will require her own private garden.

Can you give her a safe, stable home where she can finally get the love she’s been looking for?

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When Arthur Patel was born, he already had a full head of thick hair.

Now 21 months old, it’s just kept growing and growing.

While most babies are at least one before they have their first hair cut, Arthur had to have his cut at 12 weeks old – and he’s had eight more haircuts since, despite not even being two.

His mum, Anna Barnard, 33, a teaching assistant, says that even the midwives were surprised when he was born and people still stop her on the street to comment on her son’s stunning hair.

She said: ‘He was born with a full head of hair.

‘When I was pushing for hours, all the midwives and doctors just kept telling me: “we can see his hair!”‘

Normally newborns need to wear a hat but Anna, from Stevenage, Herts, says she was told not to worry because Arthur already had so much insulation.

‘I was more surprised on how other people reacted, like “oh my God, look at his hair”- everyone at the hospital, the midwives, anyone I came across was like “wow”.

‘It was then when I thought it’s probably unusual.

‘I took him to the hairdresser when he was only a few months old, maybe three or four.

‘The hairdressers were so surprised- now he goes to the barbers that my husband goes to because he needs a proper haircut.

Anna gets asked if the old wive’s tale about having heartburn during pregnancy means a hairy baby – but she says she didn’t have any at all.

She adds :’When he was younger people thought he was a girl, purely because of the hair.

‘I get stopped in the street all the time and people are always commenting on his hair.’

It seems like the ‘hairy’ gene runs in the family, as Arthur, who was born in September 2017, has the same hair as his dad, Richard Patel, 34, a monitoring officer.

And even though as he gets older, he doesn’t enjoy the barbers appointment, his mum has found a trick to make it easier for him.

She added: ‘We know it’s time to have his haircut when my mother -in- law puts a clip in his hair- it means it gets in his eyes.

‘He doesn’t really like going to the hairdresser- we’ve found that letting him watch Peppa Pig on my phone is the only thing that works, otherwise it’s quite traumatic for him.

‘His hair is quite hard to tame; we put gel and try to style it.

‘It’s getting to that point when it starts to go in his eyes and then goes really long at the back, like a mullet.’

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