Hello All - I'm as sad as I've been in years. This morning I got the news that my beloved Rudi, the world's best farm cat, the stray-who-stayed and basically my big buddy was killed in an RTA last week.
I'm currently on holiday in the States. Back in England, my sister-in-law housesat for a couple of days and mentioned not seeing him at all, but I wasn't unduly worried as she brought her dog and Rudi's not a canine fan. About 24 hours ago I checked in with my neighbours. They had also been away for a week and their eldest son had popped by the farm to feed their indoor cats and make sure things were left for Rudi on the days my sister-in-law wasn't about. I asked the neighbours if they'd had any sightings but they hadn't. Starting to worry I had a quick look at the local vets lost and found and saw a worrying description. Anyway, the neighbours called the vet, a few photos were swapped and, long story short, it seems he passed last Wednesday.
I am in bits. Some would say it's mean of the neighbours to tell me whilst on hols, but the fact is that I asked and, moreover, if the cat hadn't been identified, there's a chance that I wouldn't have been able to go and pick him up on Saturday when I return. He will be buried in his favourite spot in the garden and I will plant something beautiful in his memory. This was a magnificent companion and I feel so bad that I didn't take the decision to make him an indoor cat full-time. But it's clear he was always an outdoor boy - he was so unhappy when he felt locked in. I suspect he'd gone looking for me - for a long while he'd stuck really close to the farmhouse.
It compounds an awful few months: brother and friend having a nervous breakdown (although recovering), LC disappearing, a specialist diagnosis for myself a few weeks back that suggests major and risky surgery needed before long and, to top it all, my first love walking back into my life after about 20 years and turning me upside-down emotionally in a different way (we'd always sent Xmas cards as we live in different countries, but meeting up was something entirely different and reawakened deeply buried feelings - most good, some bad).
But this is the not the place for Agony Aunts! This is a place to rejoice the life of a wonderful, loving cat who will need replacing from a practical perspective but who is utterly irreplacable otherwise.
Sweet dreams, big lad. Whoever let you stray has no idea how much we loved you.
I'm currently on holiday in the States. Back in England, my sister-in-law housesat for a couple of days and mentioned not seeing him at all, but I wasn't unduly worried as she brought her dog and Rudi's not a canine fan. About 24 hours ago I checked in with my neighbours. They had also been away for a week and their eldest son had popped by the farm to feed their indoor cats and make sure things were left for Rudi on the days my sister-in-law wasn't about. I asked the neighbours if they'd had any sightings but they hadn't. Starting to worry I had a quick look at the local vets lost and found and saw a worrying description. Anyway, the neighbours called the vet, a few photos were swapped and, long story short, it seems he passed last Wednesday.
I am in bits. Some would say it's mean of the neighbours to tell me whilst on hols, but the fact is that I asked and, moreover, if the cat hadn't been identified, there's a chance that I wouldn't have been able to go and pick him up on Saturday when I return. He will be buried in his favourite spot in the garden and I will plant something beautiful in his memory. This was a magnificent companion and I feel so bad that I didn't take the decision to make him an indoor cat full-time. But it's clear he was always an outdoor boy - he was so unhappy when he felt locked in. I suspect he'd gone looking for me - for a long while he'd stuck really close to the farmhouse.
It compounds an awful few months: brother and friend having a nervous breakdown (although recovering), LC disappearing, a specialist diagnosis for myself a few weeks back that suggests major and risky surgery needed before long and, to top it all, my first love walking back into my life after about 20 years and turning me upside-down emotionally in a different way (we'd always sent Xmas cards as we live in different countries, but meeting up was something entirely different and reawakened deeply buried feelings - most good, some bad).
But this is the not the place for Agony Aunts! This is a place to rejoice the life of a wonderful, loving cat who will need replacing from a practical perspective but who is utterly irreplacable otherwise.
Sweet dreams, big lad. Whoever let you stray has no idea how much we loved you.
He was a good friend to you and more importantly, you were his friend first and with your loving gestures, he made his way into your heart, and you his. My deepest sympathies....... 
