Penny Young   Consultant
My pet tabby cat is almost twenty years old.

She was born to a stray under the building where my first husband worked.  By the time they were found, the mother had gone, and the kittens were starving.  They all found a home. That night, we visited my mum on the way home from work, and put the tiny kitten on the bricked in balcony with a saucer of milk.  To our horror, we looked up to see her actually climbing the bricks up to the floor above.  My husband rushed outside, and in the flurry, the cat let go and fell ... seven floors to the concrete below.  Incredibly she survived.

We called her "Tuffi", pronounced "tough-ee".  It was a joke because she was so timid.  However, she was a terrific mouser, which would have been wonderful if she didn't bring them still alive into the house.

When my first marriage fell apart, Tuffi came with me.  I moved into a unit, but pets were officially Not Allowed.  So the cat lived secretly inside, with me.  She was so shy that no-one ever saw her, or knew she was there.  The only worry was when the unit below mine went up for sale.  I was passing a real estate agency, and saw a picture of the unit.  In the window above I could clearly see Tuffi's little face peering out!

Ten years ago I moved to a townhouse bordering bushland.  Tuffi had a back yard again to enjoy.  She loved finding her freedom again, and I had to buy her a collar with five bells to stop her hunting any of the beautiful wildlife.

She was always terrified of people, but took to one boyfriend and followed him everywhere.  I married him.

One year we had major bush fires rage past behind our home.  Tuffi was too frightened to come out of the bush even though I called and called.  I had to sit and watch the brigade light the bush to control burn, knowing that my little cat was trapped in the flames.  That was a long, long, teary evening, which turned to joy when late at night Tuffi limped home - feet burnt, exhausted, but alive!

Three years ago, Tuffi's life was turned upside down when we brought home our new baby.  I was expecting jealousy and trouble, but there was none.  The cat was fascinated by our little girl, and could not have been more gentle.  Even as the baby became a tail pulling, fur lifting, ear pulling toddler, Tuffi took it all with never a single scratch.  Occasionally I heard a tiny wail for help, and needed to untangle the two of them, but nothing more.  My two "babies" love each other dearly.

That little cat has been with me for almost half my life.  She has experienced my joys and my lowest moments, and everything in between.   She rarely leaves the yard now, and her body is tired and often aches.  I do not want her to suffer.

I know that our days together will very soon come to an end, and it will be hard to say good-bye to my small friend.  Every day now is precious.  I will miss her so very much, but it brings me peace to know that she has had such a happy love-filled life.
Nov 1st 2007 01:27