It is with deep sadness that I have to tell you we lost our beloved cat, Chico today. He was the grand old age of 22.
Chico walked into our lives in the summer of 2000 not long after we'd moved into our house. He was approximately 10 weeks old. He immediately attached himself to my then 13 year old son. Attempts to find an owner proved fruitless and this was before Facebook and social media was a thing. What we did notice, and found unusual was Chico had a small piece missing from the top of one of his years. It was a perfect semi-circle. We found out later how he came to have that and who his original owner was.
She was a woman who lived in our street. Let's just say she had severe mental health issues both drink and drug fuelled and was known for being violent. One of my son's friends came over one evening to tell us his mother had found out who Chico's original owner was - and how he came to have the piece missing from his ear. Apparently, the "owner" cut the tip of his ear with a pair of scissors "so she could identify him". Suffice to say, Chico was never going to be returned for his own safety and I reported her to the RSPCA. They paid her a visit a couple of days later - I saw their van outside her door. When I spoke to them on the phone they wanted to know where he was and who we were. I told them simply that I would not divulge that information but that the cat was safe with us. A couple of months later that ghastly woman moved out of the area never to be seen again.
Two years later my son suffered kidney failure. He was born with a genetic hereditary condition called Alports Syndrome. He spent years on dialysis, was in and out of hospital for so many operations, I've lost count. He had the dialysis machine (peritoneal dialysis) at home. In all this, Chico never left his side. When my son had his first kidney transplant in 2008, Chico wouldn't sit or lie on him like he usually did but instead, curl up next to the operation site and purr. When all was healed up, he would be back in his favourite place. He did the same when my son got his second transplant in 2018.
Even though Chico was very old, he was still fairly active until 2 days ago. He still groomed himself, used the litter box (but did sometimes miss because he'd gone blind with age) and was always first at the food bowl.
We knew he didn't have long for this earth and discussed whether to have him PTS or let him pass naturally. We chose the latter so long as he wasn't suffering as we felt taking him to the vets would have been more distressing for him. We also felt that Chico would prefer to pass with those he loved and who loved him.
My son awoke today to find Chico had passed peacefully in his sleep, curled up in his favourite spot, tucked behind my son's knees.
Chico was so loved by my son from the day he walked into his life till the day he left to go to Rainbow Bridge. He joins our other old cat who we lost a few weeks ago very suddenly (she was at least 17 that we know of). My ex-husband (Ian's father) passed on the 21st March. I know he will look after them until we can all meet again as despite our differences and divorce nearly 30 years ago, he was also a great cat lover.
Chico was unique, a one-off. I know my son will never get another cat like him.
Rest easy Chico. You were a true fur angel
Chico walked into our lives in the summer of 2000 not long after we'd moved into our house. He was approximately 10 weeks old. He immediately attached himself to my then 13 year old son. Attempts to find an owner proved fruitless and this was before Facebook and social media was a thing. What we did notice, and found unusual was Chico had a small piece missing from the top of one of his years. It was a perfect semi-circle. We found out later how he came to have that and who his original owner was.
She was a woman who lived in our street. Let's just say she had severe mental health issues both drink and drug fuelled and was known for being violent. One of my son's friends came over one evening to tell us his mother had found out who Chico's original owner was - and how he came to have the piece missing from his ear. Apparently, the "owner" cut the tip of his ear with a pair of scissors "so she could identify him". Suffice to say, Chico was never going to be returned for his own safety and I reported her to the RSPCA. They paid her a visit a couple of days later - I saw their van outside her door. When I spoke to them on the phone they wanted to know where he was and who we were. I told them simply that I would not divulge that information but that the cat was safe with us. A couple of months later that ghastly woman moved out of the area never to be seen again.
Two years later my son suffered kidney failure. He was born with a genetic hereditary condition called Alports Syndrome. He spent years on dialysis, was in and out of hospital for so many operations, I've lost count. He had the dialysis machine (peritoneal dialysis) at home. In all this, Chico never left his side. When my son had his first kidney transplant in 2008, Chico wouldn't sit or lie on him like he usually did but instead, curl up next to the operation site and purr. When all was healed up, he would be back in his favourite place. He did the same when my son got his second transplant in 2018.
Even though Chico was very old, he was still fairly active until 2 days ago. He still groomed himself, used the litter box (but did sometimes miss because he'd gone blind with age) and was always first at the food bowl.
We knew he didn't have long for this earth and discussed whether to have him PTS or let him pass naturally. We chose the latter so long as he wasn't suffering as we felt taking him to the vets would have been more distressing for him. We also felt that Chico would prefer to pass with those he loved and who loved him.
My son awoke today to find Chico had passed peacefully in his sleep, curled up in his favourite spot, tucked behind my son's knees.
Chico was so loved by my son from the day he walked into his life till the day he left to go to Rainbow Bridge. He joins our other old cat who we lost a few weeks ago very suddenly (she was at least 17 that we know of). My ex-husband (Ian's father) passed on the 21st March. I know he will look after them until we can all meet again as despite our differences and divorce nearly 30 years ago, he was also a great cat lover.
Chico was unique, a one-off. I know my son will never get another cat like him.
Rest easy Chico. You were a true fur angel
True partners in life. Chico may not be physically present to continue his calling, but he is doing so anyway, and your son will know that in heart and mind. 
We're here for you. 
