In memory of Iggy

'Runt of the litter' Iggy came to us at the tender age of 2 weeks old, as friend of a friend people (who'd said he was female) whose cat had, yet another litter, wanted him out of their house ASAP! Originally meant to be a replacement companion for our, normally gentle, then 15 year old peach tabby, Sebastian, tiny Iggy's appearance was, initially, greeted with hisses from our knowing elder and he was promptly 'quarantined' from him until the day when he grew big enough to hold his own. In the meantime, however, Sebastian, sadly passed away and Iggy became our only boy, a boy who was to mean so much more to us than any cat before him, with his loving, intuitive ways, even down to comforting me whenever I fell ill, by laying on the 'boo-boo' or weak spot, (how did he know where it was?) and reaching up to ring a small bell in the kitchen when he wanted to eat! Sharing our bed each night, as he had from the time he first came to us, Iggy was known to burrow down into the covers to warm himself on cold nights and stay there! Totally trusting, he wouldn't budge from his comfy place on the floor, even if you stepped right over him and also, curious and, seemingly encouraging, he'd watch, as you hung up Halloween or Christmas decorations, cooked and stirred a meal, or took photographs, which is why we have so many lovely pictures of him! He even looked up at my husband's past artworks and meowed loudly one day (something he rarely did) as if to ask, 'why haven't you been making art lately'? Iggy is sorely missed by me, his grieving human mother as well as his dad John and his feline companion of 10 years, Sheena, who, along with my aching heart, continues to look for him everyday. I miss Iggy the most morning and night, the earlier time of which he used to follow me everywhere, even into the bathroom, where he'd politely wait for me to finish, then together with Sheena, walk ahead of me into the kitchen to get his breakfast, then come and join me afterwards, wherever I was, to share affection in one of many ways, including, putting his paw in my hand, and leaving it there, as if we were holding hands, as John had taught him to do as a kitten! At night, in recent years, Iggy had a special pillow all his own above mine, though he'd often drift down to lay between us by morning. Though born on December 21, (2006) that year, the winter solstice, Iggy was the picture of warm and unconditional love. Thank you Iggy for all the love, warmth, humour and sorrow, yes sorrow, as it meant we fully shared our lives together... You will be in our hearts forever, Iggy and you will always be a part of everything John and I and Sheena do and everything we are because of being blessed with your company. You've left a huge pair of empty boots no puss on earth could ever hope to fill. Rest in peace until we all meet again, beloved baby. xxx

by Mary Couzens