They Break Ones Heart

You will remember from some time ago, I mentioned we had four cats and one dog. We had them all vaccinated ready to return to England, but had to wait six months for the quarantine period, seemed stupid to us as we had obviously had them vaccinated in England before going to France. So they were covered, but DEFRA rules apply and one had to wait six months again after their injections before we could return them to UK.

Poppy our eldest Persian Cat, Mother of the other three, did not make it to England, several months before returning home she became very sick – due to old age and her organs were not working properly, so the French Vet advised us to put her to sleep, there was no cure and we could not see her suffer anymore, so we had to let her go.

We returned home with our three other Cats; Muffin, our eldest, Sammy, next eldest, and our youngest Panther. Of course Sasha our Dog was with us as well and still is, although slowing up now and getting on in years.

Muffin arrived home and within a few weeks, became ill, blood pouring out of his mouth, and he looked so ill, we obviously rushed him to the Vets to be told that he was not going to make it, he was not a young cat, he was 18 years, so not wanting him to suffer anymore, asked the Vet to put him to sleep.

Well, then next came Sammy, she lived for Muffin, they were always cuddled together to sleep, and were extremely close, and Sammy took Muffins disappearance extremely hard, she slowly stopped eating and became very lifeless. Now Sammy enjoyed her walks around the orchard in France, I have some photos on a previous blog, anyhow, she was nearly 18 years, so again, getting on in years. She was so lost that she even tried to get into the dogs bed and cuddle up to her. Of course, Sasha was having none of it, and just used to sit up and look at her, as if to say, you’re in my bed again. Unfortunately, we woke up one day and she was wet all over, her bed was soaking and she could not move around, she had no life in her, so another trip to the vets, and we lost another cat.

Panther, our youngest is still with us, she has always been a loner, I think due to her being the runt of the litter, mind you, she is now over 18 years also, so she is very slow, cannot jump too well, and sits and cries for us to pick her up onto our bed. (Although she doesn’t stay long now as we have to put her down on the floor before falling to sleep as we are afraid she will hurt herself trying to jump down). She can only just make it onto the settee, after psyching herself up several times. She does demand a lot of attention now. Spoilt to high heaven is our Panther.

Sasha is doing ok, she is getting on now, but doesn’t really give us any problems apart from being a really fussy eater. Provided she gets her morning walk, she seems quite happy to sleep the afternoon, then play up till dinner time and once fed, settles again. Unless of course, there is some action in the garden during the day and she has to be in and out, in and out, and be the centre of attention. People only visit to see her !! (so she thinks). One other thing about Sasha is she always knows when one has the biscuits out with a cup of tea, she has a very good nose, even if her eyesight is not 100% now.

When it seems our animals have been with us forever, its so hard to loose them, as many animal owners will know, we just will not now have any further additions to our family. They breaks ones heart.