We lost our ginger boy, Toby, the other day. He'd been with us for almost nine years.
I don't know where he came from. Someone obviously noticed that I was taking care of the neighbourhood cats and left him on my door step. He was tiny, but very friendly and let me pick him up and take him indoors. At first I tried to find a new home for him, but no one suitable came along and we were soon totally in love with him. He fitted in with the rest of the family right away.
Shortly after I found Toby we moved to our new house with all of our colony cats, so Toby spent almost his whole life up here. He had a great time playing in the enclosure with all of his friends.
He soon grew very large too. He weighed around 7 kilos and regularly used to climb over the enclosure fence and take off into the woods. He used to torment me by bringing home mice and birds and devouring them in front of me. Often when I was out on a walk I'd see him sun bathing on the decks of the empty houses around here. Sometimes he'd spot me first and start meowing at me, then walk home with me, purring all the way. He ruled his little patch of woodland and patrolled it with perfect confidence. He was such a character.
He had some good friends. He and Albert used to hang out together all the time.
And he was very gentle with Happy, one of our other rescue cats who passed away from FIV a few years ago.
He was always such a big, strong, healthy cat that I never imagined anything could go wrong for him.
On Saturday afternoon I saw Toby, heading out for his walk at the same time I was heading out for mine. He didn't come home that night. The next morning one of my neighbours came to tell me she'd found a cat lying in the footpath behind her house. She thought it must be one of mine, could I come and check?
It was Toby.
I carried him home and cleaned him up, checking all over for any signs of injury. There wasn't a mark on him. His eyes and mouth were closed. It looked as if he'd just laid down for a nap and then never got up again.
Toby, I guess there was something wrong and I just never noticed. I wish there had been more warning, or something that I could have done. It looked as if you passed without too much suffering. I hope it was quick, my love, and that you weren't in any pain.
I'm glad that you got to spend your life in these lovely woods with us.
I don't know where he came from. Someone obviously noticed that I was taking care of the neighbourhood cats and left him on my door step. He was tiny, but very friendly and let me pick him up and take him indoors. At first I tried to find a new home for him, but no one suitable came along and we were soon totally in love with him. He fitted in with the rest of the family right away.
Shortly after I found Toby we moved to our new house with all of our colony cats, so Toby spent almost his whole life up here. He had a great time playing in the enclosure with all of his friends.
He soon grew very large too. He weighed around 7 kilos and regularly used to climb over the enclosure fence and take off into the woods. He used to torment me by bringing home mice and birds and devouring them in front of me. Often when I was out on a walk I'd see him sun bathing on the decks of the empty houses around here. Sometimes he'd spot me first and start meowing at me, then walk home with me, purring all the way. He ruled his little patch of woodland and patrolled it with perfect confidence. He was such a character.
He had some good friends. He and Albert used to hang out together all the time.
And he was very gentle with Happy, one of our other rescue cats who passed away from FIV a few years ago.
He was always such a big, strong, healthy cat that I never imagined anything could go wrong for him.
On Saturday afternoon I saw Toby, heading out for his walk at the same time I was heading out for mine. He didn't come home that night. The next morning one of my neighbours came to tell me she'd found a cat lying in the footpath behind her house. She thought it must be one of mine, could I come and check?
It was Toby.
I carried him home and cleaned him up, checking all over for any signs of injury. There wasn't a mark on him. His eyes and mouth were closed. It looked as if he'd just laid down for a nap and then never got up again.
Toby, I guess there was something wrong and I just never noticed. I wish there had been more warning, or something that I could have done. It looked as if you passed without too much suffering. I hope it was quick, my love, and that you weren't in any pain.
I'm glad that you got to spend your life in these lovely woods with us.
I'm so sorry, Laura. 
