Almost 14 years ago, you and your brother Dante chose to come & live with me. Sadly, Dante went to the Bridge 18 months later aged 15. Then we had 2 new friends come to stay - Marli (still here!!) and D'arcy (at the bridge). We were all happy together (once you got control of the other 2) and you were always beside me, even sleeping on the pillow beside mine. We moved to our new house in April 2007. Shortly after that we lost D'arcy to HCM (aged 6). Then Teddy joined us and you soon put him in his place. You remained beside me. Then we accidentally acquired Cooper. You weren't fussed on him, but he obeyed the house rules until he disappeared in Sept 2011. And then the tiny tangerine terror came along and you looked on whilst she drove Marmalade crazy!! (this has not changed 4 years later!!!) Crystal too acknowledged your position in the household, but occasionally needed putting in her place. During 2012 - 2014, I went through a tough time with work and health and you must have sensed how bad I felt and you never left my side.
2014, you really started to show your age (15 by now) and you had a 'funny turn' in December. We have no idea what it was, but you rallied. You turned 16 in August 2015 (along with your birthday sister Marmalade). In November, you weren't feeling great, but again you rallied and throughout, you were by my side.
On December 21st, you told me you weren't well, so we went to the vets. They ran some tests that came back clear and so I went to Belfast for Christmas. Your Aunties Jess & Liz were taking care of you. Auntie Liz, loved you like one of her own.
But you started to feel very poorly indeed on Boxing Day and on Sunday, Aunty Liz and Aunty Jess took you to the out of hours vet - Ciara. You were popped on a drip and given antibiotics and "speshul fuds". And again, you rallied. I flew back to England on NY Eve and brought you home. We saw in 2016 together and I was by your side. On Saturday Jan 2nd, you wouldn't have any food, even your favourites tuna or butter and you were suddenly drinking loads of water. So with a very heavy heart we went to see Ciara. You had lost .3 kg in a week and you didn't have that to lose. Now Aunty Ciara could feel a lump where your kidney stopped. She hadn't been able to feel that even the few days before.
So I had to make the most awful decision to let you rest. So off you went to the Bridge and I'm so grateful I was by your side.
I will miss you forever. You were my shadow, always by my side and I miss you desperately. You'll hopefully have met my dad & nanny by now and all of your fur brothers & sisters.
I couldn't bear to have your ashes (not withstanding the fact that the tiny tangerine terror would knock them over!!) so instead I will be having a tattoo (my first one!!) to celebrate your life & love.
So, until we meet again, run free with your fur friends old & new.
RIP my angel, there's a gap by my side now.
