When Adam Henson arrived home with his wife Charlie and their two children, he feared he had made a mistake.
Countryfile’s Adam Henson, 59, was concerned he might be inviting “heartache” into his household when he introduced a new member to the family. Adam and his wife Charlie are parents to grown-up children Alfie and Ella.
In his book, Christmas on the Farm, Adam reminisces about a year when he was grappling with finding the ideal gift for Charlie. His search led him to a farm where the owner was attempting to sell a litter of kittens.
Adam reveals that the family had vowed never to adopt another cat following the loss of their cherished pet Percy. “Desperate as I was for a present for an idea for Charlie’s present, these kittens seemed a good idea,” Adam shared.
Adam was given a cat by the farmer with the promise to “catch one.” The kittens “weren’t about to allow themselves to be caught,” so he eventually succeeded in capturing one despite some initial difficulties.
However, Adam soon realized why this particular kitten couldn’t fend off capture. He wrote, “She was a sad spectacle, and her little tummy was bloated.”
The farmer even expressed concern that the tiny feline “doesn’t look like it’s going to survive,” according to the television personality. Despite this, Adam made a pit stop for supplies in the process to bring the kitten home.
When Adam arrived home, he made the decision to give his wife the kitten, stating that he would “never have managed to keep her hidden” and that it needed “TLC.” He later admitted that Charlie had “mixed feelings.”
She worried about this depressing, clumsy little creature because I might have caused her and the kids a lot of heartache.
Adam admits to starting to regret his decision when the farm veterinarian called the family later that day. Although the kitten initially experienced “uncertain” life beginnings, Adam reveals that she developed into a gorgeous, fluffy cat, which the family gave the name Twiglet.
Adam claims Twiglet became his family’s “favorite Christmas present” despite his early doubts and the fact that he describes himself as a “dog person.”
Alfie was six years old at the time, and Ella was 10 at the time. He believes it was the “right time” for a new family addition. While Adam himself would “choose a dog over a cat,” he claims that the young people adored her and applauded the animal for settling into life on his Gloucestershire farm.
One of the two litters, named Frank, remained with the family after Twiglet’s production. After conducting a nationwide search, Adam, who runs Cotswold Farm Park, gained a leading role on Countryfile and became a television host.
