Departed pets;

artvanderlay wrote: »

My best friend Bábóg the cat passed away today. He was run over on a road near our house. I had him in my life for the past two years. He came to me when I was going through the toughest time of my life. Bábóg kept me going when times were tough.



When I first met him, he had no collar on, so I thought he was just a stray cat, but I eventually found out he was owned by a neighbouring family. We pretty much shared custody of him. I let him sleep in my kitchen, and nap in the bedrooms upstairs. He loved his food, he loved to play and he loved being loved by my wife and I. He was very happy and loved by everybody in our part of the estate. I used to get so happy when I would see him in my rear view mirror, running after me, following my car into the drive when I would return home. He used to sit on my pillar at night waiting for me to spot him. He would come to the glass door in the kitchen, and stand upright like a meerkat to get my attention. He'd keep staring at me until I noticed him and let him in. I thought he was safe because we are not that near a main road, but he got out to it last night, probably being chased by another cat, I don't know. I have many regrets, but he wasn't technically my cat, and also he loved going outside, so I didn't feel I could imprison him in our house. It's bittersweet: what I loved about him was that he didn't seem like a pet, he was like a cool friend. I used to joke to my wife that he reminded of Kramer in Seinfeld, popping in to use our facilities and visit with us. He was a real little character



I was awoken this morning by my neighbour at 7am with the bad news. I'm already struggling with depression, and this feels like a hammer blow, but I will keep going, and I will honour his memory. I also have 4 ferals cats that I look after (I got them neutered/spayed, feed them and take them for vet visits when I can get them into the trap), and they will help get me through. We also told his owners what happened (they are a Syrian family with two daughters, that loved him very much), and they came to visit and see his body. They were very devastated too, and it was actually nice to share the grief and see how loved he was by others. A lot of tears have been shed in the neighbourhood for this cat today. I also feel that even nature feels his loss: the rain has been torrential all day, with strong winds.



I just miss the little guy so much. He was here this time last night, he wanted to go out, I said goodnight to him, and now he's gone. If he had been my pet, I would probably have turned him into a house cat only, but he was a free spirit and spread his love in many places. I was lucky to know him for the couple of years that I did. I'm completed devasted, but I am grateful for the joy, fun, laughter, friendship, and silliness that he brought to our life. He was a dear friend, and I hope he rests in peace. I'm not particularly religious but I hope that I will be reunited with him one day, in another life.



R.I.P. Babog (aka Tom). We will treasure our memories of you. Until we meet again buddy



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