Wonderful thing about Tigger… – Graeme Ing, Author

Wonderful thing about Tigger…

TiggerSmallThis is the special story of Tigger. I have shared most of my life with cats, typically 3-6 of them at any time. Though Pippin is my current favourite, Tigger remains the most dear to me. Let me tell you why.

When I was a young teen, living in rural Oxfordshire in England, my parents promised me a new cat. We drove a ways to an animal shelter (we always adopt cats). Naturally, I wanted a kitten and there were hundreds walking around in a huge indoor space. I had my heart set on this tiny, cute silver kitten, but it was yet too young to leave its mother. I kept looking at all the other kittens, but all the while this adorable little orange cat kept following me everywhere I went. He adopted me! Well I had to take him with me then, so that was the cat I chose – Tigger.

He didn't even need a cat carrier. He was so enamoured with me (and I with him) that he just curled up on my lap in the car and went to sleep. Incidentally, the only cat I have ever lived with that didn't mind being in the car.

Tigger was a red tabby, Maine Coon cross and wasn't he handsome? He was the friendliest cat, often too much so. As he grew up, he had a fondness for sitting in the middle of the road. House cats are not a common thing in England as they are in America. Most cats roamed free, coming into the house through their own kitty door. Luckily, the road in our residential area was curvy and no one seemed to speed. It was not uncommon for a driver to have to stop, get out of his car and lift Tigger to the sidewalk. Oh yes, Tigger adored the attention! He was a real character.

His favourite spot to sleep was on the back of our TV, one of those huge CRT kinds from the 70's and 80's. The vent at the back made a toasty spot for him to sprawl out. A common source of amusement was when he relaxed too much and we'd hear this frantic scrabbling sound as he rolled off the back of the TV. It never stopped him, however.

This is where the story turns sad but becomes most special. Tissues at the ready folks. We lived in a two-floor house and as Tigger reached a grand old age (incredible that he never got run over!) he lost interest in climbing the steep stairs to the second-floor. One weekend afternoon, I was sitting on my bedroom floor (I don't remember what I was doing) when in walked Tigger. My mother later told me that it had taken him ages to clamber up one stair after the other, taking several rests. Surprised to see him, I of course made a huge fuss of him. Purring, he curled up in a ball next to me on the floor… and died.

Whenever I feel down, I think of my special Tigger.

Whenever I feel that things are getting tough, I remember that my cat Tigger climbed agonizingly up the stairs to share his final moments with me.

I hope that pet heaven has plenty of warm TV grilles and no stairs.

 

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7 comments
Angela Brown says January 25, 2015

Thank you for the warning of needing the tissue. It got used as I pictured Tigger making his last moments matter most with the one he adored dearly.

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Julie Flanders says January 25, 2015

This went right to my heart! I used to have my own Tigger and he died about 7 years ago. He was one of a kind and I will always miss him. What a beautiful story about your special guy. <3

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Dan Jeffries says January 25, 2015

Ouch. Beautiful and heartbreaking. I have a soft spot for kitties, as you know. Unlike children who parents are hopefully lucky enough to outlive, when we take a cat into our lives we know we will likely see the beginning, middle and end of their lives. Thanks for sharing.

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Gwen Gardner says January 25, 2015

awww, a sad yet lovely story. My daughter’s cat was like that. No matter how much she tried to dress him up in doll clothes during the day, he still wanted to sleep with her at night. Thanks for sharing, Graeme.

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Halliday says January 28, 2015

Hi. I am glad of the tissue warning. It’s very true, that there is always, seems at any rate, that one special one amongst all of the well loved ones. It’s a fact, in America most indoor cats are indoors. I prefer it that way. Along with many vets, our vet also have said that they would live longer that way. I am aware, however, that the philosophy on that differ in England, and elsewhere. I, along with my family, is/are animal lover and we couldn’t live without one. We have recently lost two fur kids, and a cat. The remaining ones; one fur kid dog, and two fur kitty kids. They are old, like the ones who have gone. As you said, that special one was my pup baby who was 12 years old. He has had a heart attack and we were caring for him for the past 6months. All had to be done for him, including bathroom stuffs indoors. At first, he would just refuse to, but with repeated reassurances and necessity, he did finally on those special pads meant for the purpose. On his final morning, he knew, he just knew, and gave me that deep, thoughtful look. Even now I am shaking with emotion. Tears always come when I think of that moment when he had said his goodbye to me, his mom. I miss him so, so much my heart hurts. He was one special child to me. He was often teased for being the “mama’s boy.” I have all three’ s ashes to be hurried with me. All six will be. Have yet to figure out who will go with daddy, and who will go with mom though. 🙂 As you have said, he was that special one: a wonderful, giant, gentle Labrador mixed baby. Who was also my forever child, and my heart. Not lessening any of my other fur children, of course, but he was that special one as you spoke of. I do empathize with you whole heartedly, thus. Thank you for sharing your story, and permitting me to share too. Good luck to you.
Sincerely.
PS – posting my book review on the book site.

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    Graeme says February 3, 2015

    Do you have a link to that, Halliday? Thanks 🙂

    Reply
Graeme says February 3, 2015

Thanks everyone for your comments about your own beloved pets. They definitely enrich our lives.

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