Thursday 30 June 2016

The End of the Journey for Traveller


 #1 here. Having not seen Trav for a week, I was beginning to get very worried. On Tuesday night, I took his meal out to the garage late evening, as I always do. I noticed an unpleasant smell. I looked around and couldn't see anything. Then something made me feel under an old armchair that sits in a corner, covered in a sheet and old throw. There was a miaow. I got on my knees and lifted up the sheet, and there was my poor Trav. He looked awful. Filthy, smelling bad and clearly either injured or ill. For the first time ever, I was able to pat his head a bit, and then he crawled further back. There was nothing much I could do at that time of night, but I put food and water under the chair, within easy reach, and a soft chamois cloth on the ground. I went to bed, determined to get him whatever help he needed in the morning. But on waking up on Wednesday, he was gone and none of the food had been eaten.

I searched for him but did not find him again until around 4pm yesterday afternoon. He had crawled into the winter shelter I had made for him. He looked and smelled absolutely terrible and was covered in maggots. It was the saddest sight I have ever seen. He hissed at me. I went and got a carrier which I could open from the top, put on my big thick leather gloves and proceeded to get him out of there and into the carrier. He managed to bite through the gloves in a couple of places. I immediately went to disinfect and then took him to the vet clinic in town. There was no point in taking him all the way to Dr. C's. It was clear that there was nothing to do other than put him to sleep. The vet thought he had either been run over or had a saddle thrombus. They were very nice there, and first just made him sleep before they euthanised him. Such a sad end for a kitty who had such a tough life but it was one final gift I could give him. Given the maggots, he had obviously been in this state for several days already.

What touched me most deeply was that, despite the awful state he was in, he had managed to come back home, the only home he had ever known. Maybe he wanted to say a final thank you, and I think he knew I would do what I could for him. He is being cremated and I shall get his ashes back in a few weeks, and scatter them over all the places he loved.

Here are some of my favourite photos of him:





 




Run Free, Sweet Trav. In the last year and a half of your life, you did have a home and people who loved you and cared about you, and you will be remembered.

48 comments:

  1. We're so sorry for Trav ! We got leaky eyes reading your post. We're glad he knew he had a home and someone who loved him. Fly free, buddy. Purrs

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  2. I'm SO sorry! Poor guy, he had such a rough life. I'm so glad you were there for him, for the past year and a half, and then when he needed you most.

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  3. He felt safe with you. Now he knows more than ever how much you loved him. Run free dear Trav in Heaven. Love is waiting there. <3

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  4. He couldn't have had a more loving home with you and the Gang including Undercarriage... xx

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  5. Sami-Chan, Sama-Chan and their Mom30 June 2016 at 11:26

    Mixed emotions from across the pond.
    It is a good thing that Trav had the best possible time for the past year and a half. It is a good thing that he could be relieved of his pain. It is so sad that any living thing should have to suffer.
    Makes all of us appreciate what is good is our life and want to make things good for others when it is in the power of our hand.
    Leaky eye syndrome has spread to PEI. Sending snuggles to you all.

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  6. We are so sorry -

    Time for Traveller's tail to move along fur more tales -

    Perhaps's he'll end up with a Siberian Angel North of The Rainbow Bridge -

    Merci fur showing him love!

    Hugz&Khysses,
    Khyra and Holly

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  7. Fly High Trav with the angels. You will always be missed.

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  8. Virginia, we are all so sorry about this news and we know you are heartbroken. Trav was so fortunate to be loved and cared for and in the end, you gave him the gift he most needed. Thinking about you.

    Love,
    Lara, Selina and all The Small Furry Creatures From Alpha Centauri

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  9. So sorry to hear about Trav. He was fortunate to know love and care from you for his last year and a half. Our eyes are leaking here. Fly free, Trav.

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  10. We're so sorry to read the sad news about Trav - Mum's eyes are leaking and tears are running down her cheeks. Thank you for taking care of him while he was able to rest in the grass and eat the food you put out for him. At least he is at peace and we'd like to thank you for caring for him #1.

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  11. I am so sorry. Thank you for caring for him during his time with you, and for showing him the love that he never had until his travels brought him to you.

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  12. We're so sorry to hear about Trav. He knew he had a home and someone who would take care of him as much as he would allow. You gave him a humane and peaceful end. Now as he has crossed the Rainbow Bridge he is making friends with your Angel kitties.

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  13. I am so sorry. I am crying as I write this, I always looked forward to seeing his photos in your posts. Take comfort in knowing you showed him what love is. XO

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  14. I have tears running down my face and I will have them for some time when I think of that precious boy. Thank you Virginia for caring for him as well as the other fur family of course. I trust you implicitly to have done always the very best for your animal family. I am sorry that Traveller is gone. I will miss him so much.

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  15. We have leaky eyes! No words can describe how sad we are. Trav had a home and love. We are sharing in your sadness and sending yous our love and strength.
    much love
    Nellie and Mommy

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  16. Oh we are so sorry. I am so glad you were able to get him to the vet so he could go to his next home. He was a very lucky boy to have found you. It must have been quite an effort for him to get himself back to your house. So glad he did find you.

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  17. I'm so very sorry. He came home to where he knew he'd be cared for - I'm glad he did.

    Monty, Harlow and Ramble

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  18. I am so sorry. I agree that he came home knowing you would take care of him and to say goodbye. Thank you #1.

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  19. We are so, so sorry to hear about dear Trav. He was an extra special boy and we know how deeply you cared for him. Thanks for giving him a place to call home and for letting him know he was loved. We’ll truly miss seeing him. Hugs and love from all of us.

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  20. There are not enough words to convey our love and sorrow. May good Karma visit you for loving and caring for Trav. Namaste.

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  21. Crushing, heartbreaking news. I am in tears so I can only imagine how you feel. Trav didn't deserve to end a life of deprivation with even more suffering and pain. At least you got to t stroke him. I only can pray that in that brief moment, he felt a lifetime of love conveyed by your gentle touch. You were able to relieve his final suffering and allow him to finally find peace. We'll miss him so much.
    Goodbye dear one. We loved you so. We will light the special candle as soon as she finishes this post.

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  22. I am typing thru my tears Number #1. I adored Traveller...we all did!!! You gave him such a good Life for that1 1/2 yrs. And I believe he came 'home' because he knew you would help him at the 'end'. He was a noble cat & will always be remembered by all of us in the blogging world.
    Run free Traveller...look for Nylablue an Mingflower in Summerland; they will run with you.....
    (((Hugs))) to you Number #1 & ***paw patsss***
    Sherri-Ellen & Purrince Siddhartha Henry xxxx

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  23. oh no.....we are so very very sorry. we however are glad he had you in his life and to help him cross the Bridge....

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  24. We have tears in our eyes. Thank you for looking out for Traveller and giving him a home. Lots of comforting purrs and hugs from us.

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  25. I'm so sorry about Traveller. I was very fond of that cat. I just cried all day and whenever he "popped into my head". You did an awesome thing taking Traveller "under your wing" and giving him a home. You fed him and looked after him as much as he would allow. I'm sending you big hugs from Southern California, USA.

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  26. Oh no, that is making our Mom cry.. We really loved seeing Traveler and seeing all the wonderful and loving things you did for him We missed him this manly Monday and were going to ask you about it. We are so sorry for your loss, but oh what a wonderful year and a half you gave him - soft woos and gentle hugs.

    Woos - Ciara and Lightning

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  27. We did not have the honor of knowing you Traveler; but we wanted to stop bye and wish you Godspeed, on your journey to heaven. We know your mom and family and friends will miss you very very much; we send our sincerest sympathies. You are, and always will be one handsome kitty. ♥♥♥♥♥ hugs from; boomer, dai$y, tuna, dude & sauce ~~~~~~~

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  28. I am so sorry about Traveler! I always loved seeing his photos and knowing that he had a warm bed and good food and a safe place to rest. He knew you loved him even if he couldn't let you get too close. The same thing happened to me many years ago -- a feral kitty who was a friend of my cat and who she'd share her food (with my blessing) came back to my yard when he knew it was the end. Rest in peace, Traveler. You have a lot of friends waiting for you and a lot of humans on this side with leaky eyes today.

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  29. My heart grows heavy reading this. I really loved Trav though I never met him. His face was unique and beautiful to me. Virginia, I am so glad he had a home with you for the last year and a half of his life. It must have been difficult for him to make his way back there after what happened to him but he DID find his way back! Doesn't that say everything?!
    You did so much for him and you set him free of his pain in the end. That in of itself, is a lot already.
    Rest in peace Sweet Trav. You were loved by us even from afar and we will miss you. Virginia, we are sending you our love and support.

    Sophie and the critters in the cottage xo

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  30. So, so sorry to hear of your kitty having to leave you. I'm glad he had you for the time he did.

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  31. Mum is all leaky eyed again. She read this earlier at work (maybe not the best thing), now again to read it with me. Trav may not have had the easiest life, but he was loved by many. You made a difference in his live, that is what matters. The gang at The Bridge welcomed him with open paws. Farewell sweet boy.

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  32. Very sad that Traveller has gone, but grateful that you helped him at the end. I hope you are ok. Cat bites and scratches can get infected quickly. Please be sure to continue disinfecting you wounds.

    You made Traveller memorable, and that is a fine gift for him and you readers.

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  33. Dear Trav was very special to me for some reason. I loved his little face from the first time I saw his photo. I am so thankful to you for giving him a good home and all the love you could for as long as you could. That he can back to you at such a time really does tell you how much he trusted and loved you, too.
    Yes, run free and so very well, dear Trav. I will miss hearing of you so much.
    My heart sends love and support to you, Virginia,
    Lily

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  34. We are so sad to read this.
    Poor Trav.
    We thank you for caring for him and helping him cross over.
    From the time he found you, he had a good life.
    Thank you for caring for him.Purrs for your loss.
    Purrs Georgia and Julie,
    Treasure and JJ

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  35. We are so very sorry to hear about Traveller, how heartbreaking for you. Purrs of comfort and paws of sympathy for your loss, how amazing that he came home for his journeys end.

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  36. Farewell, dear Traveller. You crept into my heart and I'll miss you. Thank you #1 for caring for him and for helping to set him free from suffering at the end.

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  37. Je suis passée lire ce billet hier matin. Je ne pouvais pas laisser de commenter. Tellement triste. J'en ai pleuré.
    J'ai toujours du mal ce soir à voir les photos ses photos sans que les larmes ne viennent.
    J'ai la haine contre ceux qui abandonnent leurs chats, ceux qui ne les font pas stériliser.
    Il aura eu la chance de trouver un havre de paix ces derniers mois.
    Maintenant il a commencé un nouveau voyage, vers là où la souffrance n'existe pas.
    Au revoir gentil Voyageur. Bon voyage vers les étoiles.
    Virginia je partage ta peine.
    Douce soirée
    Nat à Chat

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  38. Dear Trav, RIP. You lived life on your terms, but we know #1 was looking out for you all along.

    Mindy & Mike

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  39. It is a difficult life out in the wild and we are sorry for the loss of dearest Trav. Fly free dear friend until that day we all meet again

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  40. Run free Trav over the Bridge,hugs and snuggles to you all,xx Speedy

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  41. I am so sorry to hear about your loss..your precious Traveller. He knew he had a home and loving family. Thank you for caring him...I'm glad he found you. Run free, Traveller.

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  42. Sally and Nikko3 July 2016 at 21:16

    i only just now had a chance to catch up on some posts and found this terrible news. Virginia, please know that you made a huge difference in this little soul's life. He was as you so aptly named him, a traveler, yet he chose to adopt you as his family even if he was a bit aloof. When it got to the end he went home. The home you gave him, where he felt warm and dry and had good food and a loving woman who made everything better. We all loved reading about him and as I write this the tears are streaming. How lucky he was, and how lucky we were to share in his journey.

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  43. We feel so sad for you, but happy that Trav came back home, so you didn't have to worry anymore. He chosed to leave his soul with you. Soft Pawkisses to comfort you. RIP sweet Traveller <3 <3 <3

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  44. Have been away a few days and just found this post about Trav. How very sad we are but know it's harder for all of you. Thanks so much for keeping him warm and fed and as safe as he'd permit these many months. Thanks for seeing over the bridge. We're glad you will bring his ashes back to his home.

    Lizzie, Max and Tuck

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  45. We have been a bit off line fur a few days, and we were sent here by Siddhartha Henry...
    Sorry you lost your dear feral kitty Traveller. What a handsome dude he was.
    We send our mighty meezer purrs and meowmy adds her hugs and sympathy.
    Fly free, and use those beautiful strong wings, Trav!

    Pipo, Minko, MrJackFreckles and their Petcretary Ingrid

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  46. So very sorry to read about the loss of your dear friend Trav. We are sending you luvs, soft purrs and gentle woofs from all of us.
    Marty and the Gang

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  47. Ohhhhh poor Trav, we are so very sorry ...

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  48. We save Traveller's graphic over at Nellie's and came by. We remember coming by at the time and leaving a message but it's disappeared somehow so we'll leave another. We are so glad Traveller returned home where you could find him and help. It's terrible to worry and wonder. By now his ashes have been scattered, but you won't forget him.

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