Catch up

Monday, 28th April, 2008

OK, it’s been a while, but with good reason. I’ve had a few things to contend with: being ill, being very busy with work, and dealing with one of the biggest decisions I’ve ever made.

I decided a few weeks ago that it would be better for my cat if he went and lived somewhere else. I’ve had him for about three and a half years, and he was the best thing in my life. He was affectionate, he was fun, he was a reason to get up when I was feeling hungover, or just like I couldn’t be bothered – he could always be bothered eating, so miaowed you into a guilt trip that got you out of bed.

We’ve been through a lot together; he only ever got outside when I was at home, so that when he came back I was there in case he needed to be rushed off to the vet – which happened on a few occasions! His last vet trip was because he appeared to have been knocked down – he came limping in one night, with his front right paw pouring with blood, and in a lot of pain. Unfortunately for him, this incident meant he was kept indoors for around ten weeks. He was at the vet every couple of days to get his cast off the leg (which was broken) and to get his wounds cleaned and dressed. When he seemed well enough to get back outside (which in him mind was about ten minutes after he’d come back from the first vet visit…), I let him out.

As it had been quite a few weeks, it seemed that in that time a new tom cat had appeared on the scene around where I live. And even though Treacle had been here for over three years, this new tom thought that this was his territory. He and Treacle didn’t really get on (fighting viciously whenever I let him out), to the point that I started to keep him in again.

With no reason to be kept in, he wasn’t very happy. He wanted to be out there, even if it meant getting into fights all the time. But I figured he’d had enough of the vet for a while, so didn’t want him getting injured, and so he was housebound again.

Every morning I’d go to work, and eventually I’d come home, and he’d be there. Sitting by the door, waiting on me coming in. But I knew, he was desperate to get back outside.

I eventually took the decision to see about getting him re-homed. I made some enquiries about this, and after a few weeks Treacle was fostered, while they tried to find him a new permanent home. It took a week for someone to come and see him and immediately decide they wanted him, and I’m glad to say that he now lives in a house with nothing but fields out the back, and has a cat-flap that will allow him to come and go as he pleases.

I miss him a lot. The house is so quiet without him padding about, and I definitely miss the company; the affection; his personality. But I know I did the right thing…for him. This was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, and I didn’t do it for me, I did it for him.

I’m sure he’ll be happy where he is – in reality all he needs is love, care, attention, food, and to get outside to play. He’ll get all of these things where he is now. As much as I loved him, I wasn’t able to give him all of these things any more.

Thanks for everything Treacle, you will be missed.

Great. I’m crying. Again.

28

Apr

Catch up

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