RIP Thomas, Prince among cats.

[bobbys girl]

My darling boy, Thomas passed to The Bridge just over an hour ago. It was sudden, and not the way I wished for him, but his suffering is over, my dear, sweet boy is at peace.

He was quite down all day and didn't even struggle when we gave him his meds. But he sat with me on the sofa and let me brush him. Then he wanted to go out. As I opened the door he looked up and meowed at me and wobbled out. In my mind I knew we would have to take him to the vets tomorrow.

Fate stepped in. Half an hour later I went to look for him and found him just outside the gate. A car had hit him with a glancing blow and he was gone.

He is in the caravan, wrapped up dry and clean. Purdy has been in to see him. I will bury him tomorrow alongside his good friend Rosie dog.

I have felt strangely calm and resigned until now.

It is strange how things come in threes. Last Sunday a little boy was killed on the road not far from here. On Monday an old friend here lost her 28 year old son in an accident. I remember him as a little boy. It has been a very sad Christmas in these parts and no one wants to hear about a cat.

But I know you guys understand and that gives me some comfort.

Rest in Peace my dear, darling boy, until we meet again. xx

[Mayday21]

I'm so sorry about Thomas & I'm having a few tears - for Thomas, Dora, The Cat & Mayday. I still have waves of grief. Life is so fragile & our furry babes give us so much . My thoughts are with you. I'm still lighting a candle every night. Hugs to you & yours. Vivian

[bobbys girl]

Thank you Vivian. I think I will light a candle too.

[Lilith]

Oh no.

So very very sorry to hear. Lots of love and hugs, Lil x

[Wanda6688]

So very sorry to hear this - how sad, all of our thoughts are with you x

[Mayday21]

I find lighting a candle at night & sitting watching it flicker helps & I'm not so 'down' when I go to bed. Hugs to all!

[Crewella]

Oh Sue, I'm so very sorry. I know you were worried and I know you felt his days were numbered, but nobody expected it to be like this. (((hugs)))

My heart goes out to you, and your OH. I will light a candle too, for him and for the other pusses loved and lost.

And I doubt I will ever be able to buy a chicken for my gang without remembering your Tommy and how he loved his chicken.

Rest in peace lovely Thomas, a prince indeed. xx

[bobbys girl]

That's very kind of you all, thank you.

Helen, we have bowls full of chicken, turkey, the jelly from a tin of butchers and a satchet of Coshida, all dotted around in case he fancied something, ANYTHING. In some ways it is a relief, he is not suffering any more. I just wish SO much that he had gone in his sleep.

[Kay]

It's as if he wanted to spare both of you that dreaded last ljourney, so he chose his own way out

A final act of love, perhaps - and one I hope will bring you comfort

[Crewella]

Trust me, Sue, that even going in their sleep leaves you with 'what ifs' and worries that they might have suffered or that you might have missed something. By the sound of it, what did happen was quick, and you found him soon after, which is a mercy. It's just such a dreadful shock for you this way. (((hugs)))

Kay, that's a lovely thought. xx

[bobbys girl]

It's as if he wanted to spare both of you that dreaded last ljourney, so he chose his own way out

A final act of love, perhaps - and one I hope will bring you comfort

That's what Dave said. It was like he was saying 'goodbye', God bless him.

[bobbys girl]

I have a picture of him I want to post but it is telling me it is too big!? 246KB too big? Never had this problem before

[Crewella]

Send it to me, Sue, and I'll post it for you. xx

[HRHFluffy]

Sue I really am so sorry to hear about your lovely Thomas. I've shed many tears since reading your post and tried several times to post a reply but just couldn't find the words. You did all you possibly could to look after Thomas and help manage his ckd. The manner in which you lost him must have been such a shock and not what you expected. It is always our wish that they leave us peacefully in their sleep, all curled up in their beds. But that is so very rare and as Helen so rightly said you would still have had all the 'what ifs'. I don't post much on here nowadays but I had been following Thomas' story with much interest and hoping he would continue as long as possible and defy the odds against this awful disease.

He was without doubt a much loved and treasured boy. And he knew it!!!

Sending you a massive hug!! Thinking of you all.

Sleep tight lovely Thomas.

Carol Xx

p.s. I've just seen his picture. What a gorgeous boy! So very handsome and I can just imagine his tractor purr.

[bobbys girl]

Carol - thank you that is very kind. He was one in a million and will be much missed.

Helen - could you post the photo I sent you? I don't know why I can't do it, it has never done that before. I am going to get a 'proper' portrait photo done from this picture as it is just so Tommy.

Dave returned some unopened Semintra to the vets today, got a credit note and a big hug from the receptionist. One of the nurses must have told the practice manager and she came down to say how sorry she was to hear the news. They all loved our Tom.

[Crewella]

Here is the gorgeous Tommy. A lovely pic too. xx

rsz_p1010046.jpg (123.07 KiB) Viewed 11106 times

[bobbys girl]

Thanks for that, Helen.

[Wanda6688]

Beautiful boy - yes a prince among cats xx

[MarkB]

Hi Sue,

Sorry to hear about Thomas. I know it wasn't the way you wanted him to go, but you can take some comfort in the fact that he didn't have to suffer increasing discomfort.

[Mayday21]

Sue very regal! Gorgeous. Hugs. Vivian

[bobbys girl]

I have been looking for a plant for Tommy's grave and think I have found the perfect one! There is a nursery that specialises in Heucheras. I have bought from them before. They have a beautiful, hardy, evergreen heuchera called 'Tommy'! It will go very well with Rosie's rose 'Rosa Mundi'.

[Crewella]

That sounds beautiful, Sue, and very fitting. The leaves on heucheras can be so pretty - is it one that changes with the weather (I'm no great shakes at gardening!)?

[bobbys girl]

It is green with red veins and has quite large flowers (for a heuchera). It is ground hugging so ideal for growing under a rose and it is evergreen. I have a number of these plants and on a dull winter's day there is nothing more cheering. A fitting tribute to my lovely boy.

[Crewella]

It does sound perfect. xx

[Mayday21]

Hi Sue I just googled heuchera plant pic - look lovely. And with the name 'Tommy' meant to be. How are you feeling? No doubt still fragile. ((Hugs)) Vivian

[bobbys girl]

Thanks for that Vivian. We are not doing too bad. Just gets me know and again.

It's bin day tomorrow, OH put the bin outside the gate early. I went to put something in it and then I remembered seeing Tommy across the road. A terrible wave of sadness hit me. I have to keep telling myself he is no longer suffering and is well now.

Heaven would be a miserable place without our friends and I don't believe God is that mean!

[Mayday21]

Hi Sue yes understand about the waves of sadness... Memories. My friend who I went camping with commented that they could see I was still a bit raw.

Haven't posted this but I volunteer for a vet every 2nd Sat - been doing this since 11/07. I was over at the clinic Tue to keep busy. He called me yesterday while I was helping with Little Paws & asked if I'd like to go to their place for dinner tonight. They kinda treat me like family. When I lost mum last year they said I was welcome to stay with them if I got too down. Interesting marriage Reza from Iran & Sandy Taiwanese! Hope 2016 is a better year. Hugs Vivian

[bobbys girl]

That's very nice of them. I feel I can't say much because of two tragic deaths in the community over Christmas.

Are you going to take them up on their offer? Whatever you decide, have a good New Year.

Sue xx

[Mayday21]

Yes Sue I'm going for dinner.'I don't think it will be an all nighters & probably won't see NY in. Vivian

[bobbys girl]

Yes I know. We are normally to be found, glass in hand, waiting for the chimes, saying'oh come on I want to go to bed!' Then it's 'Happy New Year, goodnight'. Boring old fxxxs or what?

This year we will raise a glass to absent friends.