Reggie was an old stray found in an awful state: flea-ridden, thin and partially blind; he had been living under a car. In 2004, he was rescued by my local Cats Protection and nursed back to health. However, because of his advancing years (estimated age 13+), the vet advised against having the cataracts - which limited his vision - removed.
In January 2005, my boyfriend and I lost my beloved cat, Smudge, to cancer. We were devastated and despite still having the comfort of his two girls, we decided to offer a home to another elderly boy, with so many unwanted cats needing help, it seemed the right thing to do... and so it was our paths crossed.
We were privileged to adopt 'Reg' with his Friesian cow-like coat, big nose and muddy eyes; he wasn't what most folks would call beautiful, but inside he was a big softie and had the loudest purr I ever heard in a cat. Reg liked his home comforts, sunbathing in the garden and food, especially cheese. His eyesight may not have been up to much, but his hearing was acute, he never failed to appear when the fridge door was opened and he could sniff cheddar a mile off.
He probably thought he had it made until the day I started fostering kittens for the CP, and the inevitable happened - along came a mini-looking Reg into the household... But Reg took it all in his stride, even the day when he came plodding into the kitchen with a small bundle of fur attached to his face - sorry Reg. He eventually got his own back, when he sat on her after she refused to budge from his cushion, it was his cushion after all! However, despite the odd incident, they soon became the best of friends.
In 2006, I noticed Reg drinking more; he was diagnosed with an over-active thyroid gland, which was controlled by medication. Then, just before Christmas, I noticed he was losing weight and had an inkling it would be his last. The New Year brought bad news, which confirmed my fears; he was in the late stages of kidney failure. The rest is too painful to dwell on.
Reg was put to sleep in my arms, at home, on 16th January 2007.
I sang to him whilst he slipped away.
We miss you Reg, you were a wonderful boy, who brightened our lives for almost two years.
Here are a few pictures of Reg and a link to some video clips taken on my mobile. I played one of these a little while ago and Wilkie (kitten above) perked up her tail, made a little chirruping noise and went trotting into the kitchen looking for her friend. Happy memories.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlxYD5gnP14http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i-d4fj-Ov4http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hqNVXZeNaIhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3733OF8fGYhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axuegCNb19A[attachment deleted by admin]
