My very elderly Mum fell and broke her hip two weeks ago and is in hospital in the UK and so I am unexpectedly back, staying in her strangely empty house and looking after her lovely 16-year-old cat Chloe. We had cat sitters come in every day until I could get here and one of them, Robina, mentioned that it might be an idea to rehome Chloe.
This is a bit of a bombshell, but I know it is best for the cat. I thought I would have a bit of time to think, but fate has taken a hand and Robina phoned within a day saying that through a conversation with a friend of a friend she had discovered an older lady in her seventies whose own cat had just died. She was desperate for another cat and didn't mind if it had three legs or one ear. The Cat Protection League considered her 'too old' and so her plea to give a good home to an older cat fell on deaf ears. She would be perfect for Chloe, who has discovered a new lease of life now my Mum's Yorkie Max is not in the house. (He too is being looked after by a fantastic dog sitter called Jenny.)
Chloe was an older cat when my Mum got her a few years ago, having been chucked out after nine years with a family who had a new baby. She was totally bewildered at her change of circumstances and it took some time for her to settle. But things change whether you like it or not, don't they?
So tomorrow at 11.30 Robina will come for Chloe. I know it is the right thing to do and I know it will make the new owner and Chloe herself happy. My Mum doesn't mind as she admits she can't manage at the moment. So it's just me whose heart is breaking at the thought of saying goodbye to this little tabby who is nothing special to look at but has been part of my life for the past seven years. Silly I know. I have so much more to worry about, but that's animals for you isn't it? They find their way into your heart and they stay there.
I will probably not see Chloe again after tomorrow, but I just wanted to put this very ordinary but equally special cat on record here in this blog. Chloe – you are a lovely cat. Thank you for your love and for helping my Mum. I'll miss you.