Tibby, a beautiful soul and very missed. When a cat I was 'surrogate mother' to, moved
from the unit block with his owner, I was introduced to this beautiful
creature.
Knowing I was attached to the previous cat, Mitch suggested
I adopt Tibby part-time, and introduce him to my home. Anywhere he wasn't allowed, (eg: the brick wall from a third floor unit), I
was to tap with my hand and a firm 'no'.
Smart cat ... he did it twice, and never again, without plummetting into
Ivan's courtyard.
So, I became Tibby's surrogate Mum. He would have sleepovers and spend time with
me when Mitch was out. A more loving,
intelligent and affectionate cat, I have never known.
Somehow, he always knew when I was having morning coffee on
my balcony, and I would hear his meow through the outside wooden door. As I opened, he would walk in, looking up at
me, with a "Hawo", and come and sit on the table next to me, purring
his head off! Would receive a 'Hawo' if
he slept over. If it wasn't next to me,
on the bed, I would open the door in the morning to be greeted with a
"Hawo". At first I thought I
was hearing things!! But that was his
greeting, and if I "Hawo-ed" back, I'd often get two or three!
Regular cats would sleep curled up on the end of the bed, right? Not Tibby!
He couldn't get close enough! He
would end up with his front paws across my outstretched arm and his, loving,
'tiger-like' face, practically next to mine, tickling me with his whiskers, and
eventually laying his head down sleeping on my shoulder. He rarely stirred from this position, and
would wake up when I did, with a big stretch, a "Hawo", and off to
start the day!
Given his years, he was an active cat, ... would jump leaps
and bounds to fence tops outside.
Somehow he would manage to jump from my kitchen floor, to the bench,
across the stove top, up over the fridge to the top of a cupboard next to the
back window. I think he enjoyed the
height and the sun from here, surveying the world from his regal position.
Not only was he a friend to many people, Tibby was also one
to try and befriend other animals.
Introduced to other cats, an energetic Jack Russell puppy, and a pet
rainbow lorikeet we rescued, he only ever wanted to be friends. He would persist with his friendly advances,
until too many barks, cat hisses or swipes, would eventually tell him that now
was not the time for a friendship to form ... let's try again later, and that
he would. I think he will probably come
back as a UN Peacekeeper ... he'd do a great job.
I miss Tibby. I thank
Mitch for introducing him to me, and allowing me to be such a big part of his
life, and his in mine.
In loving and 'Hawo' memory.
Corrine x
