Wednesday 28 June 2017

Remembering The Traveller - Our Trav


#1 here. Today marks a whole year since we said goodbye to our sweet boy Trav (The Traveller). He was not with us for long, and he did not mingle with the other Gang members, with the exception of Tommy, but he was very much part of our world for 15 months, and we miss him more than we can say.

He showed up one day at the beginning of March 2015, and started to nap on the neighbour's old tractor in the hangar. This is the first photo I took of him:


He looked pretty rough, dirty and unkempt, and very hungry. I started by putting out some dry food for him near where he slept.


He was completely feral and absolutely did not trust people. He had clearly never been in a home or known any kindness. Strangely, he looked very similar to Manoush, a long-haired kitten who had turned up at the neighbours' back in 2007 and who had died recently from a saddle thrombus. I suspect the two were brothers and one found a home and the other not.

TRAV
 MANOUSH

As  the weeks and months passed, I got into a routine of feeding Trav regularly, and he became part of our little community. He quickly understood that Tommy meant him no harm, and he became good friends with Grisette, one of the neighbour cats.


He was an uncut male but, after consulting with my vet, I decided to let him be on that score. He was too feral to catch without causing major trauma. The only medication he had was good food and wormers.

He grew fat, and began to love lounging in the sun, and exploring the fields on a sunny day.



He also discovered the back of my garage and the boxes filled with hay  that provided comfortable bedding.



As winter approached, I made him a comfortable and insulated shelter at the back of the garage although he always preferred his hay boxes! He was often asleep in one when I would come to give him breakfast.  I put the dishes on top of his shelter:

 
 I was never able to pet him, but I could get closer and closer to him without him running away . Ultimately, the only thing that mattered was that he was safe and had a full tummy.



He suddenly disappeared towards the end of June last year. I wasn't worried at first as he would go walkabout occasionally but after a week, I was really concerned. And then one day, I found him at the back of my garage, in his shelter. He was in terrible shape, badly wounded and covered in maggots. He had probably been run over. I was incredibly touched that he somehow managed to come back to the only home he had ever known. I had no choice but to take him to the vet and help him over the Bridge. I still look for him every day when I go out with Tommy. I had him cremated and his ashes are partly home and partly scattered over the field he loved.

THE TRAVELLER - FOREVER LOVED
Thank you for sharing a little time with us



In order to celebrate The Traveler, we are running a little commenthaton, and will make a donation to Winnie's Wish in his name.

26 comments:

  1. You took SUCH good care of this sweet but very feral boy. I know he really appreciated it, and knew he was loved.

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  2. Thank you for your kindness. RIP Traveller.

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  3. It doesn't seem possible that a year has passed already. He lived life under his terms, but you gave him shelter and food and he knew he was safe and loved.

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  4. Such a nice tribute to a sweet cat.
    He was lucky to have found you and we are sure
    he greatly enjoyed the latter part of his life.
    Purrs Georgia,Julie and JJ

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  5. Lorine and the Island Chans28 June 2017 at 12:31

    In a world with some horrible atrocities in the news, it is truly refreshing to read of your kindness, expecting nothing in return, save the well-being of other creatures.
    Well done #1!

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  6. I loved how he felt safe with the Poupounette gang, and knew he was cared for and valued. Thank you #1 for giving him that place.

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  7. So sad, but so sweet that he found some comfort with you.

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  8. The Traveling touched my heart deeply. You took such great care of this lovely boy. I have missed him.
    Love
    Barb

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  9. We remember Trav fondly and are glad we can help by adding a comment to raise funds for Winnie's Wish.

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  10. RIP Angel Trav! I know how a feral cat can take a piece of your heart when they die. I helped Sammy to The Rainbow Bridge too; his mouth was too infected when I finally caught him. Sammy allowed me to pet him, and he was with us for several years. I was going to sprinkle his ashes in his favorite garden, but somehow I'm still not ready to do that.

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  11. What a beautiful tribute. We can't believe it's been a year
    Lily & Edward

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  12. lovely tribute....we are so glad he found you both times he needed help.

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  13. Yes Trav, you did not go through this life without being loved. In the short time you were with #1, she filled your heart with a lifetime of love. And you came home at the end to show her you loved her in the only way you could. We loved you too and you will always be remembered. Rest In Peace, sweet boy.
    Those who live in our hearts never really die.

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  14. He may not have been around for long, but he left a great impression on us. We always loved seeing him and loved that #1 treated him so well. He had such a sweet and soulful face.

    Woos - Lightning and Misty

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  15. I'm so sorry that you had not more time together... but even in this 5 months he won your heart... my tears are running for your Trav...hugs to you such days are very special and bittersweet...

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    1. fifteen months not 5, sorry... Phenny ruined the key with the one :o(

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  16. Oh Trav - you were so loved - on your own terms. I hope you are flying free and still watching over your friends.

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  17. We loved that sweet guy too and couldn't help but get all weepy reading your wonderful tribute. He touched many a heart. We miss you dear Trav.

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  18. A wonderful tribute on a tough anniversary.

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  19. Beautiful tribute to this handsome boy.

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  20. Thank you for sharing The Traveler's story. The love and care you extended to him was wonderful to behold. Rest in peace, dear boy.

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  21. Trav was lucky to have you looking out for him...even though it was only for a short time. Purrs to you as you remember him this day.

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  22. Trav knew he was loved and came to you in his time of need. He is well at The Bridge with the rest of the kitties.

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  23. Trav and MANOUSH did look a lot alike. We are so sorry Trav didn't have an easier life but we think he knew you loved him and he had a home with you and we think in his own way he loved you.

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  24. La vie des chats errants est tellement compliquée. Et il est hélas tellement difficile de leur faire comprendre qu'il faudrait qu'ils cessent leur vie d'errance lorsqu'ils ont trouvé un havre de paix.
    Tellement triste qu'il soit parti.
    Il faut essayer de se souvenir les bons moments et ces moments de paix qu'il a pu vivre, au chaud et le ventre plain.
    Repose en paix petit ange.

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