Remembering Lewis, a true gentleman cat

In the last couple of weeks, Lewis had a lump growing on his lip which we thought was maybe an abscess but sadly this was not so. Äiti has many photos of it, but this was his better side. The lump was a tumour, growing from the bone and an operation would not have been successful. Yesterday Äiti made the hardest but kindest decision. Lewis had been eating well - demanding his smoked salmon and enjoying scritches, but the lump was growing daily, and was beginning to bleed and bother him, so  ystävämme eläinlääkäri guided him gently beyond this life. 

 

 Äiti had not realised it, but it was six years to the day that his brother Harris (litter brother) made that journey too, and she took comfort from that. The Big C got them both.
This is one of the first photos Äiti took of them in June 2005 when she bought them home, after they had spent 18 months at a rescue centre in Bristol where they had been given up when they were about 4 years old. They were very shy and hid for a long time. Harris never let Äiti handle him and Lewis only did so in the last year or so. By Äiti's reeckoning he was about 20 years old. With Lewis now gone, Aila is the only Britcat. Äiti feels a huge part of her life has gone now.

Lewis was a true English gentleman. We all respected him and we will miss him dearly.  We hope Harris and Stran are there to welcome him and we will see you in the stars.

Mourning the Mightiest of Hunters

Loyal Readers, this was a shock to us all;  our majestic panther Ruska left to join Those Who Have Gone Before.   He spent the day in the sunshine on the Catio, and feasted on muikku and treats, but it was clear that he was suffering and ready to move on. None of us wishes to end our lives with a long struggle and Äiti decided the hardest decision was the right one. We will know the results from his bloodwork later today, but ystävämme eläinlääkäri had told us on Friday his blood didn't look right, and that sounded very bad indeed.*

Ruska joined us in 2010 when his  beloved human passed away; he was part of the Muhos Gang (with Rilli, Risto-Reipasand Roosa). His human had rised him from being a tiny feral kitten, and he never lost that wildness and would not allow touching for many years but he was always a fair member of the felocracy, especially loving being with Pekka and Mirsku.  And indeed he was allowed in to Roosa's room and could share meals with her. He was responsible for many mousewatch successes and Äiti will never forget the way he sucked down a squirrel tail like it was spaghetti. His life was too short, but he lived it fully as a true Finncat, out in the snow and midnight sun alike.

Ruska, we are proud to have had you in perheemme, and we tip our tails to you as a much respected and love Felocrat. We will see your tail dancing in the stars.
                                         

*we've now heard it was his liver that failed.