Some time ago I had a really emotional day at work, I took one of my favourite and long standing clients to the vets to be put to sleep. Millie was 16 and suffering from kidney failure, it was her time to go. Millie was a feisty tortoiseshell if ever there was and hated the car but she was very calm, she knew it was her last journey. I had known and looked after Millie for 10 years and she was a lovely cat, preferring to stay indoors in the company of her owners and watching the fish in their tanks.
18 months ago, Millie’s owner a young man lost his fight from a long illness, Millie never left his side when he was at home and missed him greatly when he died, and she was a great comfort to her owner’s widow in the months that followed. Her owner asked me to go with her to the vets as it would be very emotional to say goodbye to one of her last connections with her late husband. It was a sad day for us both as I had loved Millie like one of my own cats and I was touched to be asked. We both agreed afterwards that Millie and her husband were together again, I hope so.
The next day was better , I went to visit a lady who had rescued 6 kittens, and I went to see them to take her some cat food and to try to find homes for them. I feel happy and lucky that I can help people and their pets and make a living as well. It’s not just about feeding people’s cats when they go away but helping people find new pets, rehoming some cats and helping them to say goodbye when the time comes.
It never ceases to amaze me the connection people have with their cats, the people who tell me their cats are a reason to get up in the mornings and others who say having a cat has broken down barriers for them to meet new people. Many urban streets have cats that no one really knows where they live and people bond over them and all care for them, these cats often have many homes and lots of meals, such a beneficial relationship for all concerned.
For Millie. RIP little friend xxx
