Memorials

Stephie

My lovely old girlie, Stephie, passed away on September 17th 2012 whilst my husband and I were on holiday in Mallorca. The owner of the cattery telephoned us at the start of our second week's holiday. It seemed that she died peacefully in her comfy bed, probably of a heart attack. The shock was immense and I still haven't really come to terms with losing her in this way and not being with her at the end. She was a farm kitten who was going to be drowned, along with her litter mates, at the age of 4 weeks. Thankfully a kind young lad saved all the kittens and the son of a work colleague of mine took Stephie and kept her in a bedsit, in London, for the first 6 months of her life. She was on her own all day whilst he was at work. Once the novelty of owning a cat wore off, he took her to his mum and I saw her for the first time on Boxing Day 1998. I immediately fell in love with her and said I'd have her, as they were trying to find another home for her. She had never been inoculated so I had this done, together with microchipping and spaying. Because she had had such a poor start in life and also because she was not inoculated at the right time when she was a kitten, she became a chronically sick cat. She was a carrier of the Herpes virus and the Calici virus, which affected her upper respiratory tract and her mouth. She developed a corneal ulcer on her left eye but my vet managed to save this eye, although the scarring caused her to have a blind spot. A few years later she developed a corneal ulcer on her right eye but, sadly, my vet was unable to save this eye and she had to have it removed. She had a polyp removed from her nostril and my vet also tried to unblock one of her tear ducts but this is a very delicate operation and, unfortunately, was not a success. She was very prone to chest infections and twice stopped breathing under anaesthetic but fortunately, on both occasions, the vets were able to resuscitate her. She was also very arthritic, which is why she ended up being a bit of a roly poly, and she was a proper foodie, too. I often used to call her "Pud"for this reason. I knew, in my heart, that she was living on borrowed time and I dreaded the day I would lose her. I felt so guilty that I wasn't with her as she passed away. I still can't forgive myself for going on holiday. When I first had her, after she had just been spayed, she was sprawled across my chest with her paws on my chin, really looking into my eyes and I promised her that I would never, ever let her down. I know it is silly, but I feel that I let her down by not being with her at the end of her life. She was so much a part of my life, as she was on quite a lot of medication and supplements twice a day and she also used to get me up in the night, quite a lot, during the last year or so of her life. I think she just needed some reassurance and comforting cuddles which, of course, I was happy to give, even if sometimes I was half asleep! She has left such a huge void in my life and my heart feels so heavy. I have two other lovely cats (sisters aged 10 and a half) who give me a great deal of affection and comfort and two rescue dogs (collie/shepherd crosses) who are both very loving and full of fun, so I am very lucky. I adore all of them and I dread the day that I may lose them. Sadly this is the price we all pay for loving our pets as we do. Stephie, you were such a special cat and I shall never, ever forget you. Your paw prints are forever etched on my heart. Have lots of fun at Rainbow Bridge with all those pussycats who have gone before you. You will probably be with Burglar, Foxy, Susie and Max. Give them all my love. If you see my mum (your gran) who only knew you for a year but loved you until her dying day, give her all my love, too. Loving you forever, until we meet again...........

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Stitch

Stitch was the most adorable boy ever created, he was more of a baby than a pet who loved his paw pads to be tickled when he was lounging on his back in the sun, he loved his cuddles and we loved receiving them. To my Stitchy, I will remember you always, and no other cat will ever replace you my boypants. We will love you always, you really did steal our hearts, and we're honoured to have spent 5 years of our lives with you... and I am so glad I followed you everywhere with my camera as I have hundreds of pictures to remember you by, my boy xx

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Stone

Goodbye, Stone. My friend and companion of nearly 22 years. To me, you represent a tortoiseshell-coloured thread that has run, strong and constant, through the tapestry of my life since I was just 19 years old. In virtually my entire adult life, and Gareth’s too, every decision we’ve made has included you, every holiday, every night or weekend away has been with you at the forefront of our minds. You are embedded in our routine, your well-being completely essential to our peace of mind. You have been ever present in Gareth and I’s relationship, a member of our family from day one. When other people look at you, you are just a cat leaving a cat-shaped hole, but, for us, you leave a gaping chasm. Oh, Stone, the happy hours we’ve had together. When I think of you, I see the cat who used to jump up on the work surfaces to be greeted by cries of ‘bad cat!’ from Niki! The cat who scaled the Christmas tree and curtains year after year. Who, more dog than cat, followed us to the shops or pub and sat loyally outside waiting for our return and then trotted home at our ankles, full of fun and mischief now that we had returned. I see the clever cat who conned the vegetarian neighbours who kept a vegetarian dog to feed her roast chicken every day or who would steal poppadoms to crunch under the table when we ordered a curry. The cat who would wee over the plug hole of the bath if she couldn’t get outside; who used to like being stroked as she ate and would only ever drink water from a pint glass. I see the stalwart companion who Gareth knew even following his worst seizures, who soothed him back to reality when no-one else could, sitting faithfully by his side or on his lap until his surroundings made sense again, a fixed compass point to navigate towards. I see the cat who leapt through the windows at Hawton Crescent and gave her signature meow " surely ‘hello’ in cat speak " every time she came home. I also see how old you’ve become and how tired. For 20 years of your life, you slept tucked against my side every night we shared the same roof, your gentle, contented purrs lulling me to sleep. The last two years have been strange without you as your deteriorating health has kept you downstairs. All these years you warmed my lap, my most constant and enduring friend. And what a friend you’ve been to the boys. I think you knew I was pregnant before I did, both times, and when they were born, you used to fret about them when they cried. As they grew, you, with your kind soul and infinite patience, taught Jake and Charlie how to love an animal " a lesson they will carry with them forever. You went to them when they were hurt and snuggled up with them when they were sad. They have loved you so much " you’ve been a constant source of love and security for them, the first friend of many. And for me too. In nearly 22 years, you have never left me to cry alone. With your feline sixth sense, you could tell if I was sad and crying, even if you were out having an adventure, and would seek me out to lean your head against mine and dry my tears with your fur. Even as the vet and I talked about letting you go for the first time, you pushed yourself against me and nuzzled your face into my tears. I wish I could hold you now. I can hardly comprehend the world without you in it and yet that is where I find myself. I’m not sure I know how to be a grown up without you! People tell me that I should be grateful for your long life and, trust me, I am, and yet I could have been given another 22 years with you and it still wouldn’t have been enough. So goodbye, my little love. The best girl in all the world. And thank you, for every moment. Sleep tight, Stone. You are much loved. xxx

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Storm

Storm 29.05.2005 " 12.04.2012 I look up to the night skies And I see your green sparkling eyes Winking and twinkling and shining so bright. I’ll miss you most in bed by my side Your fur in my face and your purr vibrating loud In the crook of my arm and beside my face You slept all night in my embrace I’ll miss you most when I’m lying asleep The dribbles from your purr running down my cheek I’ll miss you most turning over in bed When one of us turned, the other did too I’ll miss you most when I’m sound asleep on my own You’d leap on the bed and prod my eyes with your paws Till I’d turn over and cuddle you close I’ll miss you most when you’re kneading my neck My face, my ears, my chest, my back I’ll miss you most with my bedside water I won’t now wake to the sound of your lapping I’ll miss you most when foster kitties lodged Mr Count Dracula - you were a frightening force Who’s now going to teach them about grumpy cats? I’ll miss you most on a warm sunny day In the open boot of my car there you would lay I’ll miss you most when we sunbathed on the lawn Holding mitts, we would lie there for hours I’ll miss you most with the wildlife extremes Through the cat flap you brought in mice, birds, pigeons, Frogs, toads and even squirrel supreme I’ll never forget you decimated the rats You proudly brought home your bedraggled kills More triumphantly for you the live rats too came in the house The screeching rats that attacked you back were totally terrifying A total of seventeen dead and alive rats in two weeks - impressive I’ll miss you most when the oven was on And the bottle of wine open too This was your cue, you girded your loins You jumped on the table and meowed for your prawns But you weren’t fooled by any brand Connoisseur Storm you knew your stuff Anything less than Waitrose was not good enough I’ll miss you most when your prawns were cooking You knew exactly when to tell me the second they were ready I’ll always remember the twelve skewered prawns prepared for the oven That magically jumped to the floor in the tray That magically disappeared into your tum On more than one occasion I’ll miss you most when you’re just not there at all To hug me, hold me and be there for me when I fall I’ll miss you most when I need a hug You were always there my darling love Prawny Storm I’ll love you always I always will Forever and ever I’ll love you still.

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Storm

To our gorgeous 'Big Man' Storm, i still can't believe you have gone, you've left a great big space in our lives not to mention a house thats way to quiet without you!!! We lost you suddenly through a tumer in your abdamon that had ruptured, apparently its common in German Shepards, The vet thinks it must have ruptured after you was chasing that poor cat in the street a couple of days earlier...goodness even i couldn't catch up with you, you little devil!! I'm so glad you had your last visit with 'your girls' at the groomers the week before as you enjoyed going for your pamper and you was out in the snow a few days before you left us! I'm so glad i was able to spend the last 3 hours of your life with you, before we sadly had to let you go. We will never forget you Stormyboy, we had 6 crazy years with you. Love you forever but miss you so much!!...your broken hearted Momma xxxxx

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Storm

On the 14th September 2013,we have had to put our lovely Belgian Shepherd dog, Storm, to sleep. At 14 we hope that he had a fantastic life. He will be severely missed by all our family. R.I.P, my old fella xxx

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Storm

Storm was a lovely cat and a valuable member of our family.He is very much missed by us all and the other cats too.x

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Storm

Its been 1 year since we had to say goodbye but you are forever in our hearts.Run free at Rainbow bridge my darling

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Strider

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Stubby

My dear, sweet boy. You will be remembered and loved forever. xo

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