To my gorgeous ginger cat, Ollie who was sadly put to sleep on the 23rd June, 2008.
The way Oliver came to be my cat was unique. When I first saw him I thought he was beautiful, he looked very well looked after, complete with a blue collar and his white fur was so clean. He didn’t look the type of stray cat, looking for a new home. He turned up at the house 10 years ago although he wasn’t a stray, he had a home and he was looked after very well but he wasn’t happy there.
Although we started to fed him because he was hungry and invite him into the house we did call his owners who came and picked him up and took him back on several occasions, but Ollie kept coming back to us. I remember one time getting ready to leave the house for school, when as soon as I opened the door, Ollie shot in, as if to say “I’m back!”. He has made the journey a total of 3 times back to live with us. Since that day I claimed Ollie as my cat or he claimed us as his owners. I had no intention to call his previous owners and tell them he was here again. When the previous owners were looking on our street for him again, I refused to answer the door to them. Knowing full well that Ollie was curled up asleep inside my house, Ollie had chosen who he wanted to live with and nothing was going to change that.
Oliver went by by many names, and he always answered to them all, even if he was in a deep sleep, his ears would raise and he would wake up. In particular he preferred “Ollie” but he also answered to Oils, Oils-jaffer, Jaffs, Oli’s jaf-farre! I liked to call him Oli’s jaffer because his fur was a bright ginger, like the orange part of a jaffer cake. Me and Ollie shared a very special bond, and we were unbreakable. He offered constant unconditional love. He would always want to be where I was, he would often sleep under my bed, when I went to bed at night, or I would often find him on my bed, stretched out, asleep.
He had a number of favourite places where he liked to sleep…the white chair in the living room which he claimed as his own, his sheep blanket and his cat bed, not forgetting under the radiators. Ollie was the type of cat that was very trusting, because we live near a very busy road, Ollie seemed to understand this and avoided the road completely. ;e never left our back garden, he loved the flowers and the pond, the grass and the different paths. He was just happy to explore our garden. His favourite spots were under the landing pad, by the pond, and in very hot weather he would shelter under the spider plant on the balcony. I always knew where he would be, if I couldn’t find him I would call his name, he would either appear from a brush or he would shake his collar so I could hear his bell and it was up to me to find him.
Oliver’s death has completely devastated me. I can’t imagine my life without him. I will never forget how much you touched my life. I am so proud that you shared your life with me and that you were mine. You were my best friend, my companion, my life, I will miss you forever. I will miss your beautiful bright green eyes the most, the way you would shake your collar bell just so I knew where you were, the times you spent in the garden under the flowers just sleeping the afternoon away. The soft eyes blinks you gave me just to tell me that you loved me. The brushing of your tail against my legs at 3 in the morning! The sound of your purring and grooming yourself and the way you would tuck your paws into your body and pretend to be asleep. The times when you would wait for me to come home by the gate at the same time everyday. The times where you would let your wet nose touch my nose and when you use to sniff my hair and lick it.
I can’t believe you have left my life, but not forever this will only ever be temporary we will meet again gorgeous fella. You’re at the Rainbow Bridge now, in cat heaven playing in the fields with all the other cats. The cancer has gone now, the pain is no longer there; you are finally free. Sleep well my precious little fella. I will always love you. You will be forever in my heart. Thank you for touching my life in the way that you did. I’m so proud to have called you mine. You will be forever missed, but never forgotten.
Until we meet again my little fella.
With love forever,
| Oliver |
| 23, June 2008 |
| Lisa |