Saturday, 5 July 2014

Goodbye Gonga

 We had to say goodbye to our lovely cat, Gonga this week.  He had been diagnosed with a tumour and we had to let him go. He went very peacefully.  He came to us in 2008, as a stray and quickly made himself a part of the family.
 His favourite thing to do was sleep...
 ...but he occasionally roused himself to investigate the garden.
 Ginny tolerated him (just).
He was always alert for the sound of food being prepared.  His second favourite thing was eating.
 He got on slightly better with Scruffy.
 He had his own red blanket for when it got cold.
 He would make us laugh with his 'Little Red Riding Gonga' impressions...
 ...and he did a pretty good 'Grumpy Cat' one too.
 Sometimes, he even thought he was like Bagpuss (old, fat furry catpuss).
And, we loved him.
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18 comments:

  1. Anonymous5 July 2014 at 19:46

    So sad, try to recall the good times.

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    1. Ellie Foster5 July 2014 at 22:08

      Thanks, Toffeeapple. There were lots of good times and he was the loveliest natured cat you could ever meet.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  2. Elephant's Child5 July 2014 at 20:38

    I am so sorry. They wind their paws deep into our heart strings - and take a piece of us with them when they go.

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    1. Ellie Foster5 July 2014 at 22:09

      Thanks, EC. They really do, and it never gets any easier letting them go.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  3. Anne5 July 2014 at 21:30

    So sorry Ellie, I have lost a couple of cats myself over the years and know exactly how you must be feeling. Hugs XX

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    1. Ellie Foster5 July 2014 at 22:11

      Thanks, Anne. I was a complete wreck on Thursday night, after we brought him home. It is such a difficult thing to go through, but sometimes you just know it is the right decision to make. We were lucky to have him for as long as we did.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  4. Joy6 July 2014 at 01:15

    I am so very sorry that you lost Conga, Ellie, and know you must be going through a rough time now, and even though we know we did the right thing for them at the end, it's still awfully difficult to come to terms with and the grieving process keeps hitting as the days pass. Be gentle and kind to yourself my dear, I'm sending love, xoJoy

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    1. Ellie Foster6 July 2014 at 10:31

      Thanks, Joy. We know we did the right thing for him. Having the other two cats is a comfort too.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  5. Unknown6 July 2014 at 07:58

    Oh Ellie I am so very sorry to hear this. It is heartbreaking to lose a beloved pet. When we had to let our lovely Charlie go 5 years ago I was heartbroken but the vet said how, if he could, he would thank us for all the love and care we gave him and that we helped him to be free of pain, which was comforting. Take care, Alison xx

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    1. Ellie Foster6 July 2014 at 10:34

      Thanks, Alison. It is sad to have to let them go, but it is the right decision, isn't it? We had to go to an out of hours vet, but she was lovely and although she couldn't advise us to make that decision, she told us afterwards it was right. He had a good life with us and gave us lots of joy, as they do.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  6. Stins6 July 2014 at 11:27

    I'm so sorry Ellie...he looks like a fun and sweet character!
    I love all those pictures; you'll have great memories of him...
    Wishing all the best, love from Mirjam.

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    1. Ellie Foster6 July 2014 at 18:41

      Thanks, Mirjam. He was a lovely cat and we do have lots of good memories of him.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  7. Unknown6 July 2014 at 20:26

    I'm so so Sorry to hear this big Cuddles such a gorgeous little man I'm sure he was very well loved.xxxx

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    1. Ellie Foster7 July 2014 at 12:49

      Thanks, Emma. He was indeed very well loved.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  8. Thomasina Tittlemouse6 July 2014 at 21:42

    So sorry you had to say goodbye to Gonga. It's so hard making these decisions even when one knows it is to end suffering. Hang on to the fact that you loved him right to the end and beyond and he will have known that. It's important. In ways we are not yet fully able to understand but there is so much that operates below and beyond the conscious level. I firmly believe that people and animals know when they are loved like that and it gives a peace to having to say goodbye that doesn't diminish the sadness exactly but somehow helps one to bear it. I send you a hug. E xx

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    1. Ellie Foster7 July 2014 at 12:51

      Thanks, E. Yes, it was a hard decision to make, even though we knew it was the right one. We were with him right to the end so I hope he knew he was loved - he did slip away very peacefully.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  9. Away with the Fairies23 July 2014 at 23:05

    So sorry about Gonga. I've lost three cats and it's always hard. Hugs x

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    1. Ellie Foster24 July 2014 at 21:14

      Thanks, Away with the Fairies. No matter how many times you have to say goodbye, it never gets any easier. It's one of the few down sides of being a pet owner.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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