Pumpsey,
I want to write this in a way that reflects your real life with us.
I met you in July 2011, when I was living with Betsy in our two‑bed flat near Wood Green station in London. It was a time when I felt a kind of loneliness I couldn’t explain, even though I wasn’t technically alone but I was lonely, scared more than the usual, I was anxious I was a mess...I needed a gentle presence. I went to the Woodgreen rescue shelter looking for something I didn’t have words for, and there you were ,age uncertain, maybe three, maybe five ... but already exactly the cat I needed my tuxedo kitty my own. You were already cuddly, purring...and you knew me for just few minutes. You chooses me I am certain. You gave me a purpose to live,
You came home with me a few days later and immediately became the quiet anchor of my days. The softest rare meow, almost silent. The gentlest nature. The cuddliest boy. You loved food, warmth, and being close. You made that flat feel like a place I belonged.
In early 2012 I met Chris, and six months later we moved in together. Suddenly we were a family of three. You accepted him instantly, and he loved you just as much. Then came New Cross Gate, then Crystal Palace, the three of us building a life, one small routine at a time.
2017 we moved to Banbury living the old smoke city behind, and for the first time you had your own garden. You were older, but still curious, still following us from room to room, still quietly present. Evenings on the sofa became your ritual. You always chose me first, but you had your moments with Chris too, especially in the mornings with his tea and porridge while he s watching the news. And on weekends you’d come back to bed with me for extra cuddles and a slow start to the day those moments were always the best you were the gentle cuddly start of every weekends.
Our family grew. Emeline arrived in February 2017. Peanut joined us in January 2025. Through every change, you stayed steady, calm, gentle, always there.
We sang about you we had few made up songs but we decided to keep carry on singing them even so you are no longer here, it feel important to carry on remembering you always.
We had to let you go on 20 June 2026, your last breath was at 10am minutes before you gave us a strong purr let us know we'll be ok, your last gift to us... your own little goodbye, This moment will never fade. It will always stay with me until it is my time to follow a life in other time in another dimension... after fifteen years of being part of our everyday life. Fifteen years of habits, routines, and quiet comfort. The sofa still holds the shape of your favourite nap spot, and I can’t bring myself to smooth it out. It feels like erasing something important. The scent kitty marks you left on some corners of our house I won't erase them either they are there they are a part of you. You are part of our life part of it all I cant let go I can't...
You were exceptional in the way that matters, real, steady, constant. The best cat I’ve ever known. You fit into our life so naturally that it’s hard to understand how to move through the house without you following behind. I miss the gentle little tap as you climb up the stairs to join me in bed, I miss not seing you all cuddle up at the top of the stairs one ,of your fav spots too, stepping over you without waking you up ...without disturbing you. Your favorite sun spot in the garden are missing you, the bird bath no longer see your reflection, the back gate no longer make that squiky noise when you jump over it and I will miss the time coming back home seing you sitting by the front garden, too lazy to go around knowing the back door is open for you, no you had to enter via the front with me...it almost felt like you were waiting for me...but we both know you were just my lazy boy.
We miss you more than words can express. You were ours. And we were yours.
And even though I don’t believe in 'gods' or heavens, I do believe this: connections like ours don’t just disappear. They continue somewhere ...in another dimension, another version of existence, another place another space in time where we’ll cross paths again. I don’t know how or when, but I know it isn’t the end.
Rest now, my beautiful calm and gentle boy. No more discomfort. Just peace. Just a long nap until we meet again.
I’ll find you, in whatever world comes next.
We love you Pumpsey. Always.
Post a Comment