Today my Fred passed away suddenly. He had slept with me for the night, and left the cottage at around 7am to go exploring. At 9am we heard him meowing strangely outside the window and we rushed out to find him in distress. The Bean carried him inside and lay him on my bed while we rushed to dress and take him to the vet. The vet diagnosed epilepsy, gave him Valium and Atropine and sent us home with pills for epilepsy. She said he would be groggy and we must let him sleep it off. He would not settle when we got home and he started vomiting and gasping for breath. He died in my arms not 30 minutes after we got home.
I am thankful that he had a happy life, that he did not suffer a long illness. However I am still in shock – it was so sudden and unexpected.
He was a very special boy, knowing instinctively when we were sad or ill. He would distract us with his antics or sit and purr on me for hours when I had a migraine. He purred by my side every night to put me to sleep, slipping under the covers himself if it was chilly. He was my companion through some very tough times and we had a special language, I understood him and he understood me.
He is buried under a big marula tree just outside my cottage. The Bean and I dug his grave and buried him scooping the sand with our hands while tears ran down our faces.
Fred, tonight we lit a candle for you in the window so that you would not feel alone, you can see it from your resting place.
Rest in peace my angel
I don’t know how I am going to sleep without you tonight.
