By Richard Stubbs · September 17, 2026
It was a breezy autumn afternoon in Ashford. Nine-year-old Jordyn and seven-year-old Tyler were helping Mum Michaela and Dad Warren tidy up the back garden. Leaves were falling, and there was plenty of sweeping to do.
Joining via video call from his office at Waterfall Kennels and Cattery in Fourways, South Africa — sipping morning tea and watching the family work.
Granddad proudly reminded them that Waterfall Kennels, established by the Stubbs family in 1959, is the oldest pet boarding facility in South Africa — so he knew a thing or two about keeping animals entertained!
The black-and-white cat was busy stalking a butterfly near the fence — far too important a mission to bother with garden chores.
The sleek ginger tabby had found the perfect napping spot — curled up inside an empty wooden planting barrel lying on its side at the top of the grassy slope.
"Just let sleeping cats lie." — Granddad Richard
A few minutes later, Tyler ran across the lawn to grab a rake. As he zipped past the flowerbeds, his foot accidentally caught the edge of the wooden barrel.
The barrel shifted. Then, slowly, it began to roll — with Jack still fast asleep inside.
The barrel picked up speed, rolling down the gentle grassy hill. Inside, Jack was tumbling head over paws — thoroughly confused about how his cozy bed had suddenly turned into a carnival ride.
Drops her broom and sprints after the runaway barrel.
Abandons the butterfly and chases the barrel like a giant mouse.
"Catch that cat! He's going for a record!"
Down the hill the barrel went, bumping over a small molehill and doing a little hop in the air. Finally, with a soft thud, it bumped into the soft dirt of Mum Michaela's vegetable patch and stopped.
Jordyn, Tyler, and Joey rushed over, peering inside. For a moment, there was silence. Then a very dizzy Jack poked his head out. He shook his ears, gave a wobbly meow, and stepped onto the grass — looking at everyone as if to say, "I meant to do that."
"I think someone needs a more stable bed."
He walked over laughing, scooping up the ginger cat with a grin.
"We get a lot of adventurous cats at Waterfall Kennels, but I don't think I've ever seen one take a rolling safari quite like that!"
He wiped a tear of laughter from his eye through the video call.
And so, on a breezy afternoon at 7 Stichwort Lane, Jack the ginger tabby became the first cat in Stubbs family history to take a rolling safari — watched by his family, his brother Joey, and a very amused Granddad all the way from Waterfall Kennels, South Africa.
The Great Garden Barrel Roll