My little boy Tigger

by Anthony Lem
(Australia)

Tigger Lem -/-/2001 – 24/7/2009 RIP my little boy.


I can't remember the exact date when the decision was made, but one day it was decided that it was time for a cat in the house. So off we went down to the Animal Welfare to find a little bundle of fur to adopt.

I'd had a cat as a child, but wasn't sure I really wanted one at that time. Going from cage to cage, playing with all the cute little kittens as well as the gorgeous adult cats, I soon realised that getting a cat was definitely the right decision.

We'd spent some time there, trying to create a bond, find a spark between us and them. Then it happened, there he was, a tiny little ginger with big and beautiful yellow and brown eyes. It was love at first sight, as I held him close to my face to examine him, he kept on reaching out and pulling my sunglasses down from top of my head to my nose. He had big ears and scruffy fur, could barely walk and a meow that was only just audible.

After some more bonding, it was decided that we adopt this little bundle of orange fur. Packed in a cardboard carry box, my newly adopted boy was about to take his first car ride. His quiet meow turned into a constant run of high pitched squeals of panic and confusion. Finally we made it home.

I opened the box to see a pink little nose bright wide eyes come pouncing out. Watching the curiosity of this kitten getting to know his surroundings filled my heart with a warmth that will never fade, “I think we should call you Tigger” as I said it, he looked me right in the eyes and I could sense that he thought it was the right name for him, “Tigger Lem.”

From then on, Tigger decided that he would follow me everywhere I went in the house, jumping on my lap whenever he got the chance, or in what I called the 'Garfield position', on the arm of a chair next to me, watching my every move and waiting for some loving attention, If I didn't give it to him soon enough, he would follow my hand with his head, chasing that ever enjoyable scratch which always led to a cuddle. When I say follow me, I mean really follow me, from scratching on the the toilet door to sitting at the shower waiting for me to finish.

We kept him inside for the first year, which Tigger didn't agree with whenever I went outside. He would find a window where I could see him and meow until I came back inside. Then finally, his first real day of exploring the great outdoors, the look of amazement and excitement at the site of a butterfly hovering above him, just high enough that Tigger couldn't quite reach. You could see him really lapping up all the sights and smells of an amazing new world, it made me realise to myself just how beautiful life really was.

A short time later, Tiggers mother at the time, decided it was time to move on, leaving just me and my boy to live our lives together. As time went on, Tigger grew into a handsome cat, whom was always there for me. There to listen to me ramble on about my day, ready to play during the times of laughter, and happy to cuddle at the times of sadness and despair. No matter what was happening, Tigger was always there with the unconditional Love that he showed for me.

Then one day after work, I pulled up my driveway, got out of the car only to find that Tigger hadn't come to give me his usual “Hello Daddy welcome home” leg rub and occasional ankle bite. I looked towards the windows, if he wasn't outside, then usually he'd be at the window meowing for me to come in and say hello. A sudden empty feeling grumbled in the pit of my stomach, as went searching for my boy. I walked around the house calling his name but with no reply, so I went out the back, there he was, limping towards me and crying out in pain with every step.

After my own rough and pointless examination, I decided to take him down to the local vet. After the examination including an x-ray it was concluded that Tigger had suffered ligament and cartilage damage, How? I do not know. Our choices were, wait and see if he gets with medication or an operation. My first decision was to take him home and see how he felt by the next morning, it didn't take me long to realise that the better option would be to operate.

Following large amounts of stress and worry, the operation was a success, it was so good to get Tigger home again. He was so cute, they had shaved the fur off on the area of operation around his right thigh area, I was amazed to see that his skin had the same stripes as his furry coat. He was also made to wear a plastic cone around his neck so that he wouldn't lick at the wound. It was so funny to watch him bump and crash that cone into things as he moved around. Tigger made a full recovery, although he walked and stood funny, he could still run and jump as he could before.

Life went on, people came into and left the lives of both me and Tigger, but we always had each other. We moved into a new house together, Tigger was just as excited as I was about this new adventure. It took a bit of time, but we finally adjusted to the new life style and surroundings, our new house had become, our new home.

Then, in a fast paced crazy world, where money is so important and time can never be bought back, I met Carly, the love of my life and new mum to Tigger.

Tigger accepted her as quick as I did and it wasn't too long before Carly moved in to our home and our family. Along with Carly came Zack, a gentle happy go lucky Staffy, this part Tigger was not impressed with. It was pretty obvious that the two step brothers would never get along. Shortly after the move in, Tigger became an inside only cat.

We lived together very happily, as I watched my little Tigger put on a bit of weight, I always spoiled my little boy. Things really could not get any better than this.

One morning, as I got into my regular routine before work, I could hear Tigger go to his litter box at least 3 times, I thought to myself that he must be constipated, anyway, I checked he had water and biscuits in his bowl and started to leave for work, when I left, I saw Tigger was quietly sleeping in the bathroom on his mothers robe which she had left on the floor upon leaving for work. Tigger enjoyed sleeping on her robe, it was obviously soft and warm.

When I got home that afternoon, Tigger hadn't moved from the spot that he was in when I left, although this was not that unusual, something definitely was wrong. His belly was all blown up like a balloon and he really did not want to move, his body contracted like he wanted to throw up but nothing was coming out. He finally got up, moved into the hallway where he let it all out. He seemed happier after this and drank some water. I monitored him and decided to wait and see how he was the next morning. That night Tigger slept with me in his usual spot next to my chest on my left side, this is the spot he has slept for almost every night of his life. Moving over to his mothers side of the bed once she left for work.

I jumped out of bed, I'd pressed the snooze button too many times and now had to rush to get ready for work. Before leaving I checked on Tigger, who seemed very content with sleeping. As the day came to a close, I discovered a message from Carly on my phone. She was letting me know that Tigger had thrown up again, but this time only liquids and that he wasn't looking too good.

Racing inside, what I saw next will haunt me for the rest of my life, there he was, my little boy, in the laundry covered in what looked like blood and a sadness in his eyes I had never seen before. His belly was even more swollen now and he really struggled to move. I immediately rang the vet, after telling them his symptoms they told me to get him there straight away. Grabbing his carry case, I found him now on the window sill in the lounge soaking up some sun. As I put the case down, he knew it was time for a drive and slowly crawled in.

Kidney problems, urinary tract infection, his bladder was twice the size and he couldn't pass urine on his own will. I was to leave him there for 24 hours so they could run more tests and see how he went with medication. “He just needs to start urinating on his own”. I couldn't sleep, barely ate, in my own privacy I wept but hoped that he would pull through.

12:15p.m. 24/7/2009 I made a phone call that has changed my life forever. There wasn't much left that they could do, there were some expensive things they could try but without any real chance of success. They recommended euthanasia, it's happening so fast, how could I possible make this decision, that's my boy, my friend, my cat, my Tigger.

I was given some time alone with him, he was happy to see me, they had shaved part of his neck and his arm was bandaged with a catheter in it. I held him as the tears rolled down my cheeks, patting him and kissing him on the top of his head. “I love you Tigger” I could barely stand, the realisation of what was about to happen was kicking in. I wanted to stop time, to have him with me forever, but I knew that I had to let him go, free him from his pain.

As the contents of the needle were delivered into my baby boy, I leaned in, kissed him gently, “I Love you Buddy, I'll never forget you, hope to see you again one day”. He laid his head down to go to sleep as I watched through my tears as he took his last breath, he was gone.

I have written this with an empty pain in my heart, hoping that who ever reads it may get to know Tigger, even if just a little bit. I know, no matter what happens, he will always be in my heart and alive in my memories.

Rest In Peace Tiggs, Love from your daddy.