I'm not here anymore. I passed away in October last year after my work here was finished. Work? you wonder. Yes, I was sent to Jenny for a very special and important reason.
I arrived in February 2008 after Jenny answered an advertisement saying that I had limited time to find a new home otherwise I would have to be put down. She didn't really want a second cat, but couldn't bear the thought of what might happen to me. As I was 11 years old at the time, it was always going to be difficult for me to find a new home - but that was the plan. I had to end up with Jenny! and I did.
I was very different to her other cat Elsie who is quite aloof and likes to do her own thing. I liked to sleep in the bed with Jenny and sit in her lap when ever I could. Jenny and I formed a very strong bond, and as this story unfolds you'll see why this was so important.
Two months after my arrival Jenny was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a mastectomy almost immediately and then began chemotherapy. I sat with her every day and provided endless comfort. Then when her hair fell out I would sleep on the pillow above her head to keep her warm at night. It was winter and she had to keep her head warm but found it difficult to sleep with a beanie on, so that's where I took over.
Later that year Jenny developed a DVT in her arm and was hospitalised for two weeks. She had to have blood tests twice a day and due to the state of her veins they were trying to take blood from her feet which is excruciatingly painful. Two relax and help endure these sessions, she would stroke her stomach as if I was there, thinking of me. This was a great help to her and when she explained what she was doing the nurses thought it was such a wonderful way of coping they said they would see if it would help children undergoing the same experience.
By October last year Jenny was ready to have reconstruction surgery and I knew the tought battles were over for her and my work was finished. I was tired and had always battled with urinary tract infections because I never drank enough. This last one was serious and I was very ill. Jenny did everything she could to help me and even made a special place on her bed for me to sleep. I'd become a bit incontinent so special arrangements were needed. Eventually she had to make that very hard decision because there was nothing left that could be done for me. I was ready. We'd only had a short time together but it was an important time for us both and I knew I'd played a vital role in her coping and recovery.
Jenny decided that my legacy would be a new home for another cat - a ginger one, just like me. She looked on the RSPCA website and there were two little fellows, Eddie and Fozzy. I'll let them tell their own story, but as you can guess they are both now part of the cat clan at Jenny's house.
As for me, well I'm happy, pain free and content. I'm still Jenny's guardian angel and watch over her and the other cats. I had a wonderful life and still encourage Jenny to do what ever she can to give other cats the same opportunity that she gave me. All cats have a purpose, even if sometimes it's not obvious to their humans.
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