In memory of THOMAS

I knew Thomas from a kitten. He belonged to my friend Margaret and he looked after her when she was poorly. When he first lived with her, he'd hide in the top of the curtains or under the sideboard, but then settled into being a cheeky and loving cat his whole life. He'd go around in Margaret's dressing gown pocket. The n as he grew, would tuck himself behind her in her office chair or take up the whole bed, even when her dog Milly came along. He loved sitting in a window and surveying his kingdom. A few years ago, Margaret had to move to a much smaller home, through circumstances beyond her control and couldn't take Thomas with her so he came to me. A huge character, chatting all the time and loved giving and getting cuddles. He'd get into bed with me and snuggle up. He had lots of treats and toys and would tell me when he'd done a poo (being mainly a house cat). He was very sociable and even with today's restrictions, he'd join in my zoom calls and was a huge comfort when my mum died last June (2020) from cancer. He didn't like being called sweet, but was very soppy. He'd usually be at the door telling me off when I got in from work, or shouting from upstairs. Thomas went very suddenly. He was under the weather so I took him to the vet who gave an injection in case it was an infection and I was to take him back the next day. He perked up; ate a dish of salmon, plus treats, snuggled into bed as usual. Next day at the vets he said he had perked up and gave him a course of antibiotics. He didn't like taking his medicine but we managed it. The next day he was off his food again and then jumped down from the bed but it was like he was drunk. I scooped him into one of his towels and rushed him back to the vet. Sadly they said he was gone and I couldn't have done anymore. It was a huge shock. He was more than a cat, he was an amazing companion, like a little person. RIP my dear little Thomas.

by Elizabeth Saul