R.I.P. Billy
It was nearly eighteen years ago at the end of January 1998 when a small, long-haired cat turned up at our back door. He was cold and hungry and desperate. We already had two cats. My husband said, ‘if you let that cat in, he’ll be here for good.’ And he was.
He wasn’t small for long, but grew into a large handsome cat. A lot has happened in those eighteen years. Our older children were teenagers when he showed up. They are now in their mid-thirties. He was there when we brought our younger daughter home. He slept on my bed when I was recovering from an unpleasant operation and was waiting to hear if a worse one was in store (it wasn’t, thank God). He sat on my knee and I dripped tears on him when I was grieving after my mother’s death. He slept in my study while I wrote. I even used him in my novels: he was Cassandra’s cat, Bill Bailey, in my Cassandra James series. He was pretty much a one-woman cat, and I was the woman.
Billy died yesterday and we have buried him in the garden where he loved to roam. The photograph is of Billy nine or ten years ago, when he was in his glorious, fluffy prime.
R.I.P. Billy. You are sorely missed.
10 Comments
Helen
January 5, 2016So sorry to hear this news. All pet lovers can tell the same story and that it never gets easier no matter how often you have to say goodbye.
However, somewhere there’s another fluffy one making plans…
Hope he/she arrives soon!
Christine Poulson
January 5, 2016Thank you, Helen. Of course, no cat could take Billy’s place, but still, maybe one day . . .
tracybham
January 5, 2016I am so sorry, Christine. We lost our cat of 14 years two years ago and I still remember how much of a loss it was.
Christine Poulson
January 5, 2016Thank you, Tracy. Yes, it is a wrench, isn’t it? I know I’ll keep on thinking that he must be somewhere in the house for a long time to come.
Lyn
January 5, 2016So sorry to hear this, Christine. It’s always hard to lose a member of the family, I can imagine how much you’ll miss him.
Christine Poulson
January 6, 2016Thank you, Lyn. Yes, it is sad. As he got older, he spent more and more time in my study sleeping near me, while I was writing. I shall miss him so much.
Peggy
January 6, 2016Christine,
So sorry to read about your loss of such a good buddy, Billy. They are part of the family. They take a piece of our heart with them. Our sincere sympathies to you and your family.
Christine Poulson
January 6, 2016Thank you, Peggy. Yes, this is just how it is.
Sue
January 11, 2016I have always felt that cats choose their owners and Billy chose well. What a handsome cat – and what great company and love you shared.
Christine Poulson
January 12, 2016Thank you, Sue. Yes, Billy was a lovely cat in character as well as looks, easy-going and good-natured. I do miss him, and keep expecting to find him asleep in my study.