IN MEMORY OF CLAUDE

Claude had a difficult life as a stray for 8 years in the district around our house.
Two years ago he used to sit on the table in the garden in the sun and my other cats used to accept him. He was too wild to pick up but gradually we enticed him nearer and nearer the house with food. One day he appeared in the doorway, obviously unwell, and I put him in the cat basket and took him to the vets. He was there for 10 days with a bad infection due to a cat bite. The vets cured the infection, stitched up his wounds (he was always in a fight) , castrated him and took some bad teeth out. We then took him on as our cat. He turned out to be a gentle, loving cat who enjoyed his home comforts. A few weeks ago he wasn't well, so I took him to the vets again - they thought it was an infection that could be cured by antibiotics. He didn't improve so I took him back to the vets again this week. The vet said he was badly dehydrated and took him in to put him on a drip and check his blood. The vet rang me later that day to say that Claude had a serious infection that was untreatable. She recommended that he be put to sleep. So I said yes as I didn't want him to suffer another day. I brought him home and we buried him in the garden that he loved. We sang 'All things bright and beautiful' and did a little prayer hoping that he was playing in cat's heaven. The other cats in the house have been quiet since he has gone. Bless you Claude for the joy and love you gave us while you were here.