Lost another kitty today. Brambles. My sweet old boy.
Brambles had been here many many years. He came from a horrendous situation on a street off Knox Butte Road. I called it the HTN colony, for Hate Thy Neighbor. Everyone along those two streets seemed to hate one another. I also called it the street of nightmares colony, because I had nightmares about the horrors cats faced on those streets for years.
An old man who kept his property pristine on an otherwise junked out street took care of the hordes of tossed out, ignored and neglected or left behind cats. I got about 90 fixed, for him and a couple others on the one street, and many more on the connected street. I don't even like to think about it. I kept Brambles and Mickey, because both had bad eyes from long standing herpes and the vet said "don't take them back". Mickey went on to have an eye removed and become my first international adoption (Canada). Brambie remained here all these years.
His former caretaker has long since passed away.
Brambles loved everybody and was well loved here in return. He had many many friends and was one of those boys who loved kittens and wanted to mother them. He never lost that desire.
He would try so hard to sneak into the bathroom when I had kittens in there. And once they were done with quarantine, he was the first to make friends and reassure them.
This will likely be a dreadful year here. I've already lost Stiletto (kidney failure), Cougie (cancer), Mops (cardiac or stroke), and Raindrop (severe anemia). Mop's sister, Buffy, will likely not make it through the year, nor their colony mate, Shady. Soloman and Panda have been here 14 years too, making them at least 15 and Panda has lived all that time with a heart murmur. Comet came here with me and is 16. Sam is nearly that old. Brambles suffered from both kidney failure and hyperthyroidism.
So long sweet boy. Rest in Peace now.
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| Brambles was an adult when I trapped him clear back in 2007, almost 14 years ago. |
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| Brambles loved the sun! |
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| See ya round the rainbow bridge, Brambie, my dear. |
My eyes are leaking.
ReplyDeleteRIP indeed. And thank you for giving him and so many others lots of good years.
Thanks EC
DeleteAll the sadder to lose a favourite. All of your cats are of a similar age. I hope a couple at least are really long livers.
ReplyDeleteMe too, Andrew, on a couple who live beyond the usual. Yes, I could lose a lot more of my friends this year. Brambles was one I never thought would live to be 15 or so, that's for sure, with his very shaky sickly start. I also thought he'd lose his infected sunken eye, but he never did, with long term daily treatment, like three times a day for months.
DeleteWhat a good life you gave Brambles after you rescued him. The fact that you have so many geriatric cats is a testament to your work and care. All of them got a second chance at life with you--a good life. Don't every doubt that you make a tremendous difference in this world.
ReplyDeleteThank you L and L. I'm surprised myself they've lived to be so elderly. I attribute it to them all having a lot of friends and the cats runs, which give them a lot of exercise, plus unlimited catnip and a lot of play.
DeleteAnother lovely tribute to your lost friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kathy.
DeleteI’m so sorry for your loss 😞
ReplyDeleteYou've given these beauties such a wonderful life. ~hugs~ I'm sorry they are aging out all at once. Take care, my dear.
ReplyDeleteThey have had a great time here and all old now. Yes, its hard on me but I have a satisfaction about it and don't regret giving any one of them their long fun loved lives.
DeleteWhat a handsome boy ! Off on your next adventure Brambles !
ReplyDeleteI sent him off with a little help from my friends at Heartland Humane, who are making paw prints for me.
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