A Cat of Cats – Woody – Adored Life

A fine cat indeed.

She found us just before J was born and although we took her home Woody just kept returning, crossing the dangerous bypass and making the 2 mile jaunt across open country.

She was so named because very early on she scaled the horse chestnut tree and put a wood pigeon to flight. But she also became 'our stork' a harbinger of good news and despite being a feral cat her home loyalties grew. So much so that she slotted in with the challenging domestic duties with 2 babies who grew into high energy children without ever being fearful. She just adapted and became a dutiful 5th member of the family.

The last time we saw her was 31st January. She vanished overnight with no sightings -  a possible pitch battle in the darkness was heard early am, but as far as we can surmise after intensive searches,  no death by road traffic just a telling absence. We have searched far and wide - posted posters - all to no avail - nothing.

This was a tabby with real personality - a plaintive meow and a constant habit of waiting at the gate in the darkness for your return; or creating a persistant cacophony late at night so to be escorted downstairs for a night-time adventure; as well an ability to create a thumping-drilling but comforting purr in the darkness at the foot of the bed; or climbing almost vertical loft ladders and then unable to scale down; a feline who could wound and spat when 'locked up’ in her holiday hotel for a short stay but who was as nice as pie on your return. A cat with oddles of character who adored life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7ZpPsaMNMM

I cry out into a howling wind. "Wood………….dy"….tonight and where once I might have received an expectant meow and trot to the light & door nothing is returned.

I miss the constant - the daily rhythm - the affectionate nudge. My family life has been abruptly stopped and I feel profoundly sad. A milestone passing without understanding why.

 

Saturday 6th Feb 2016