by Phil Tully
Patchy was a 27th Birthday present from my sister. At the time i was single and living on my own. He was a 12 week old kitten when i first held him. As soon as i picked him up, he instantly started purring. I knew from that point on that we were going to be best friends.
He provided a unsonditional love. Whenever i was sad and depressed, he was always there, never leaving my side. When i was watching TV, he was always curled up next to me. When i was outside, he was always there frolicking in the yard. In the short four years i had him, we went throught alot together. Moving house 4 times, being there for me through a bad relationship. He seemed to always provide support for me in troubled times. The close bond we shared was shattered, when in the 4th house we lived in, he was hit by a car while running across the road to be with me. It happened right in front of me. I picked him up off the road, carried him to my front yard and he died in my arms. I will never forget that day. That was 2 years ago. I still have a hard time dealing with it. Every time i look at the road where he was hit, it all comes flooding back to me. But on a good note, i believe that he is still around in spirit. My wife beleives that some nights she hears him meowing to come in. Its a very disinctive meow that i havent heard from any other cat.
I do have another cat now and although he is a different colour, and has a different meow, his mannerisims are identical to Patchy. He likes the same things, he likes everyone that comes over, he is even fussy about the same type of food. He plays the same way as well. I beleive that Patchy is influencing him to show me that he is still here.
He is still very much a part of my life and i am happy for that.
We love you Patchy, always, from Phil anf Teena.