Homeless man and cat who saved him both find love after living on streets

A homeless man and a cat who both supported each other on the road to recovery have another reason to celebrate, after both found love.

James Bowen and his cat Bob, became world famous after James penned a story about how the animal rescued him from a life of homelessness and addiction.

While James fell in love with Monika and got engaged earlier this month, MailOnline also revealed that Bob found a soulmate too, in a pretty tortoiseshell cat which belonged to Monika.

They now live together in James’ four-bedroom home in Surrey where, as expected, the rooms are overflowing with cat treats, feathery toys and scratching posts.

‘We can’t believe our luck,’ said James, who turned 40 in March and still cannot believe how his life has transformed.

His eight books, including the first, A Street Cat Named Bob, have sold nine million copies in more than 40 languages.

A film based on James and Bob’s relationship, won best British film at the National Film Awards in 2017. A sequel is due to begin filming later this year.

James still recalls the day the injured, stray cat turned up in the hallway outside his one-bedroom assisted-housing flat in Tottenham in spring 2007.

After he failed to trace the owner, James spent his last £30 on a visit to the vet to treat the cat’s injured leg.

He decided to name him after the Twin Peaks character Killer Bob.

‘I would never have turned my life around if it hadn’t been for him,’ he says.

‘I had to be responsible as he needed me to look after him. Everything positive in my life can be traced back to that.

‘His influence on my life has been extraordinary. He’s my best friend.’

The incredibly close bond between James and Bob seemed unbreakable and any woman hoping to steal James’ heart had to overcome the toughest hurdle of all, getting Bob’s approval.

‘Love me, love my cat,’ has always been James’s mantra.

‘It was unthinkable that I could be with someone who didn’t love Bob as much as I do,’ he said.

Fortunately for Monika Hertes, who describes herself as a ‘self-confessed crazy cat lady’, Bob gave her his instant blessing.

The 36-year-old, who met James via mutual Facebook friends, says she and Bob are now so close, that he runs to her first thing in the morning when he wants breakfast.

Bob not only welcomed Monika with open paws, but also her cat Pom Pom.

‘They took their time to get to know each other,’ says Monika.

‘Cats tend to be wary with each other, but soon they were playing and running around the house and curling up together to sleep. They really love each other.’

Neither of the cats were present earlier this month when James got down on one knee and asked Monika to marry him while on holiday in Tenerife.

‘When you know, you know,’ James says. ‘I’ve waited a long time to meet the right woman. Monika and I just couldn’t stay away from each other. We connected on so many levels.’