Peg

I'm so sorry about Ziggy. I too have lost more than my fair share of loved pets. The one that hurts the most though was my lovely Whisky, who I had for a long time. I had him from when I was five years old. He died when I was 25 years old. At 20 years old he was an old man, and had been my puddy tat for 20 years. He was a grumpy old git, but at the same time he was lovely and sweet.

I was on my own with him when he died and in a way I think that was worse. My mum and dad were on hols in Canada and I woke up one morning to see him fitting on the floor. I stayed with him stroking him and petting him and trying to calm him down. I knew what was happening. He was in his final throes - there was nothing I could do. I have never ever been so hysterical over an animal before. I was unconsolable.

Peg I know what it feels like. Don't do the what ifs.... you enjoyed your cats company and let that be enough to comfort you.

I miss my one eyed, scraggy eared worn out old battle cat, the scourge of the neighbourhood and the preditor of all things furry/feathery or watery and small children and unwary men whom he seemed to dislike (most except my dad).

And since then I've lost 2 more little boy cats, due to genetic problems we didn't know they had. Theirs was heart breaking too - they died very young from blood clots on their legs, paralysing them and leaving the front half the normal cat, and the back half unable and painful. We had to do the less painless option for them as the vet could do no more for them. I miss them too. It never gets easier, but if we never had our furry friends we'd be missing out on lots of fun and comfort.

I've just taken in a little female cat I rescued - and when she settles in completely and affirms the house as her own, I'm going to go out and rescue her a little pal to keep her company.

So, don't dispare... remember the lovely cat you had and not the what ifs!

Regards

Ella