This morning I got up and went looking for Nigel. He wasn’t around, which was unusual since he loves his food and doesn’t miss out on a morning feeding. I went to the front door and called his special call. Nothing. I went out back and called. Nothing. Dread set in as I pulled on my shoes to check the main road. I didn’t have to look very far because he was there. Dead. There wasn’t any suffering.
He was my favorite of all our cats and we have so many fond memories with the big guy. He loved our dogs, especially Mocha, our first pointer. When Moby came into our life, he resumed his long lost pointer friendship with him. I was looking forward to spending lots of quality time with him this winter, cuddled on my lap. He had been with us for over 11 years and outlived both of his siblings.
I really won’t miss all the mice, voles, rabbits, birds, flying squirrels, and other critters he would bring in our house (as I smell a dead one right now, location yet to be determined).
I was going to write about honoring my mother’s spirit today, since it would have been her 85th birthday and we did tons of work out at her coast house this weekend. But I’ll save that for another day. One loss at a time.
Sticks, Stones, and Paper Stew Blog 
So sorry to hear! I’m glad he didn’t suffer.
Thank you! He was such a good cat, even when he pissed us off with all the critters he introduced into the house. He really liked to share everything with us. Sigh…
Gale,
Very sorry to hear this news. My heart goes out to you and Dave. Thank you for posting the beautiful photo of him.
Mary
Thank you Mary. He was one in, well, at least 100 cats. We were so lucky to have had him for so long.
Oh Gale I am so sorry for the loss of one of your family members and I will miss Nigel through your blog. Such a sad time for you, the loss of a pet leaves such a hole in your life. Virtual hugs. Karen x
Thank you Karen. Yes, he certainly had a presence on the blog. I was always complaining about all the dead/alive critters he would bring us. I won’t miss that about him, but I do miss everything else. 🙂
Awww… so sorry. Not an easy thing ever, but glad he didn’t suffer. Shit.
No more free roaming cats for our house, well, once MeMe leaves. She happens to be a major homebody and only roams across the street. Probably no chance of her getting hit….
The end of an era.
Awe, so sad, thinking of you….the love they let us experience is so hard to let go
Thanks Rebecca. He was our most favorite cat. Even our dog misses him. Sigh. So goes life/ death with pets we allow to roam free. Next set of cats will be indoor only.
Oh Gale, I am so very sorry. Such sad news. I too send you virtual hugs.
Thank you Cathe! Such a horrible way to lose a friend. It will take months to not expect him to come walking into the house.
So sad to lose your buddy. They are often our greatest comfort.
So true Kathy. It will take a few months to get used to not having him around. I keep expecting him to come meowing in from the backyard. He was a vocal one with a big presence.
I’m so sorry to hear this Gale, I felt I knew Nigel through your blog. He was a beautiful cat, clearly with lots of character. Your house will feel emptier without him. Hugs from me too x
Thanks Anna. Yes, our household is feeling the void. They can never be replaced.
I am so sorry to hear this Gale. I know how hard it is to lose a friend. You are in my thoughts. Hugs to you.
Thanks Tracie. It’s always a bummer to lose a long term friend. Sigh
I am so very sorry for your loss, Gale.
Thanks Nancy. The house is very quiet now.