A Tribute to a Furry Friend
I got "Grumpy" when he was only weeks old (I think it was in 97) some people who lived in the same unit/apartment complex I was staying in got 2 Kittens, they kept one, I got the other, when I got him he was thin, covered in Flea's and had some other Medical problems, so I took him straight to the vet, thankfully none were to serious, and a regular flea bath and some other pills and Potions he was well and truly on the path to recovery. While he was sick I called him Grumpy, he was not a happy little Camper, but he was recovering but every now and then he would remind you with a bite or a scratch that he was not 100% well, the name quickly stuck.
After about a month he was fine and growing fast.
I got him when I first moved out of home, I was in a new town, no friends (apart from a few workmates) a crappy little one bedroom Apartment, Grumpy and I quickly became best of Friends, I used to come home from work at Lunch time to spend time with him, he loved it when I came home after work, we used to play a game under the back door, he would put his Paw under the door and try to catch my Fingers, and when I did open the door he would yell at me until I picked him up and gave him a cuddle. I had undiagnosed case of Depression and I still think to this day Grumpy got me through some really dark times, I always knew I had someone to go home to who wanted you around, someone to talk to, and not judge you. My Furry Mate.
When I moved back Home after 12 Months I stayed with my Mum for a few months until I found a new Job and some new accommodation, Grumpy stayed with my mother during that time (Mum had another Cat called "Mummy Cat" and she was Queen of the Household) but when it came time for me to take him with me when I got a Job and a place of my own, He had decided he liked his current living arrangements, and decided to stay! I was dumped....By a Cat!
He had her wrapped around his little Paw, he was given the best food, the Choice of the best Living room Chair, he could come and go as he pleased, he got to sit out the back every morning and watch the Birds get fed (He never chased them, he was just wanted to watch them) a number of years later, Mummy Cat sadly passed away (Age gets us all in the end)
Grumpy was now King of the Castle.
Mum and Grumpy became the best of friends, when she came home from work he was there waiting, He used to sit on Her Paper or Magazine she was trying to read, He used to Dribble when you gave him a Pat, He was a Gentle Giant. My Mum's brother John used to come up and visit for a week or 2 every now and then, and as much as he used to put on the big toughie routine, " I don't like Cats" Grumpy used to follow him around like a lost Child, John and Grumpy were inseparable, where ever John was, Grumpy was beside him. In fact when John went home, grumpy would collapse and sleep for a couple of days, he was exhausted from following John around so much! As much as John used to put on the big toughie routine, you always knew, somewhere deep down inside, he secretly loved that Cat!
I was always regularly going around home to Visit Mum and Grumpy, He would always want to picked up for his Cuddle, He was always such a quiet cat, but everyone knew when it was Chow time, that was about the only time he got Vocal.
And now he is Gone, Age finally caught up with him, Mum had to put him to sleep Yesterday.
Mum sent me an Email yesterday afternoon, the opening line was Heart Breaking. :'(
"I have just buried my best mate"
It hurts when we lose a Family member, a Friend or Acquaintance, But we adjust, we Grieve and we move on, but having loved and lost a few "Furry Friends" over the years I always find it's hurts that little bit more and that little bit longer, I have always said I often have more Respect for my Furry companions than a lot of Humans I know, Animals love you for who you are.
Goodbye Grumpy, we will miss you. you will never be forgotten
