Goodbye Dear Tigger

Very sad news this afternoon. Our neighbour's cat, Tigger had to be put to sleep at the vet's today, aged about 16.

Tiggy, as he was affectionately known, did not belong to us. He and his brother Gus were our neighbours two cat's, who were bought as kittens about a year or so after they moved in. Tigger was always the more sociable of the two, while Gus was quite timid and not very fond of busy children! Over the years they quickly became part of the family- roaming the cul-de-sac most days, and taking up their favourite spots in the garden, soaking up the patches of sun. Tiggy was far braver than Gus, and he was happy to follow us inside, and up to the bedrooms etc, until after many years he was practically living here!

My dad was allergic to cats, and while he was happy enough to tolerate Tigs's presence in the garden, he was much less enthused to find him invading his home. Not that this stopped him! We lured Tigs in with the whiskers Cat Treats, and he was ours :-) He used to start miaowing on the pato outside our bedroom windows, and we used to sneak down while dad was getting ready for work, and smuggle him upstairs to a nice warm bed :-)

We hadn't seen him much over the last couple of years, as he had gotten older, but mainly since the arrival of "THAT DOG"! Tigs and Gus relinquished their hidey-holes in the garden once Little B arrived, but occasionally we would see them happening by.

Poor Tigs went to the vet last week as he had lost weight, but although it looked hopeful, we found out he had stomach cancer.

He had a very good innings, and I think he led a very happy and active life. He was well loved by all, and he was there for us all during the bad times. I think he intuitively knew when we were upset, and would rub up against you while the tears fell.

Lots of happy memories of Tigger, he really was the best cat you could have ever almost-owned ;-)!

Goodnight Tiggy Tip-Toes, I hope you are resting peacefully up there in Kitty-Kat heaven.

xxxx