14.11.09

20 years ago, I took a phone call from the RSPCA* saying .... 'that stray cat we picked up - we've no space for her - she will have to be put down'......


I walked through to the back of the surgery to tell the veterinary that the cat in the kennels was a PTS**.
Part of my job - sad part, but part all along.

There was no one available to take the message so I went into the kennels to leave a tag on the stray cat's cage -
'This animal is to be PTS'

And there, in the cage was an RTA*** cat, curled up with a battered and bloodied face.
She looked up at me............and purred.

I took her home.

20 years later, she still lives with us.
But now she is elderly and falls asleep anywhere and at any time.
She has become dotty - my youngest says she has ....Feline dementia.....
She is much loved, and I carefully drop gentle hints to the boys that she is nearing the end of her life, but I think the hints are as much for me as they are for her.

I have had my cat longer that I have had my boys - even with their ages put together, it will be hard saying goodbye.

*RSPCA = Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
**PTS = Put to sleep (humane distruction)
***RTA = Road Traffic Accident