Charlie

I know you weren't a bunny but you were always so dear in our hearts so I thought you deserved help on your way to the Bridge.

You lived next door and you were a pussy cat, our natural enemy. But you were different. You were 19 years old and riddled with arthritis. We chased you when you came into our garden when you should have chased and scared us. You got it so wrong

You adopted our humans the day they moved in next door and you've been on the door step ever since asking for food or milk, sometimes bringing your younger sister to back up your claims of starvation; the humans would never think she was fibbing They loved you as much as your own humans did. You'd been losing weight for some months and they all knew it was only a matter of time. You've been spoiled rotten all of your life, ever since your hudad found you at work sat on the axle of a bus and covered in oil many years ago.

Your humans went on holiday last Saturday and left you to look after our humans. On Sunday you scared hudad witless when you went missing for half the day and didn't come for breakfast. In the end he found you stuck behind the gate a few doors up the road. It broke his heart when he came in this morning to give you breakfast and you were curled up in your basket already departed to the Bridge. You had been so lively yesterday evening and you ate all of your dinner for the first time since your humans went away. Hudad should have realised it was your last meal as it was so out of character for the last few months but it was still a very big shock. He is devastated, it's been one of those weeks

Now you have a nice spot in the front garden, just next to where you always used to lie and bathe in the sun for hours on end. Sleep well Charlie and do whatever cats do at the Bridge happy and pain free.

So very sorry he look's a lovely cat xxxx

Enjoy being pain free at the Bridge Charlie xxxxx

What a grand old age! I'm sorry to hear of your passing Charlie, you sound like you were a lovely old gentleman x

Sleep tight little Charlie x x x x

What a beautiful lad!

Sleep well Charlie x

Well, Charlie - nobody at the Bridge is going to get any peace now, are they?

I've never known such a vocal cat. You never put us in any doubt when you wanted something. Usually food or a fuss

You were just such a nice chap, and a pleasure to live next door to. Although you considered that you lived here too (and at several other houses in the street) and wandered in and out at will. Not so much when bunnies were indoors, not after Mrs Doyle had sent you flying back over the fence a couple of times with one less clump of fur than you started with

I can only apologise for the first time we met, when you were sitting on our driveway with all your fluffy skirts puffed out around you. And I assumed you were female. And pregnant

So many memories - the way your Humum would get you stoned on catnip so she could brush you. Then you would stagger over here and crash out somewhere comfy for about six hours You frolicking around our front garden like a kitten, chasing butterflies. Or laying in our long front grass, pretending to be a lion. The time you spent about ten minutes laboriously climbing the steps in the garden, then up onto the garage roof, then across it, just so you could creep up on Lewis and swipe her on the bum

Thankyou for being part of our lives, for making the newcomers to your street so welcome two years ago. I have no doubt that the whole street will be in mourning as the news gets around - you made a hellavu impression, fella

Have fun at the bridge, there's a patch of sunlight there with your name on it, right next to a river of milk and a mountain of treats. Keep an eye out for our Mrs D and try not to lose any more fur to her.

Much loved, sadly missed xxx

Awww so so sad.

to all of you

Sleep well Charlie x