On a warm summer afternoon, a woman walked through the streets of North London, gently carrying her beloved cat, Dollface, in a carrier. At 17 years old, Dollface had been diagnosed with severe, late-stage kidney disease. There was nothing more to be done, except to make her final journey as peaceful as possible.
The previous night, the woman had lain on the living room floor with Dollface, feeding her painkillers and small pieces of prawn, savoring their last moments together. Now, as they made their way to the veterinary surgery, the woman chose to walk, allowing Dollface to bid farewell to the world she loved – a world so verdant, fragrant, and alive.
A Story of Love and Companionship
As they walked, the woman recounted the story of their life together. She had lobbied hard for a cat, and though her husband had relented, he had his conditions: a ginger boy cat named after his favorite footballer. But when she collected the last kitten of the litter – a solitary black and white female – she knew this was the one. The husband forgave her, and Dollface became an integral part of their lives.
Years later, when the woman and her husband divorced, she used to joke that he got the house, and she got the cat. But in truth, she felt she had gotten the better deal. Over the following years, Dollface and her human companion lived happily together in five different apartments, weathering upheavals, work trips, and a variety of catsitters with grace and understanding.
The Unbreakable Bond
Dollface was more than just a pet; she was the woman’s home and her measure of love. From the near-violence of her nose-kisses to the way she sang for her supper, Dollface filled her life with joy and comfort. Even when the cat fell from a window ledge or demanded attention by sleeping on her head, the woman cherished every moment.
She was my home, and my measure of love.
The woman, reflecting on her relationship with Dollface
A Heartbreaking Farewell
As they reached the veterinary office, the woman wrapped Dollface in her favorite shirt and held her close. In those final moments, she pressed her face against the cat’s weary body, whispering, “I love you, I love you, I love you.” Love slipped away in seconds, leaving a still body behind, but the woman knew that somehow, it had found its way to the air.
Now, in the sudden flashes of beauty in the world – the color of the sky, the softness of a morning, the scent of jasmine, honeysuckle, and rose – she senses Dollface’s presence. For a fleeting moment, she is home once more, forever connected to the pet she’ll never forget.
