Our beloved Beauie is leaving us today. He’s served a wonderful 16 years with us as a faithful, loving and mainly placid cat.

As a kitten he would race up the back of the couch or up the curtains and we would scold him. He’d run up and down teatrees with baby possums, playing with them. As an adult they became something he hunted and again we’d scold him.

As he grew older he became a faithful companion, a good friend, always keeping company with any member of the family who was unwell or down. He would curl up beside them or on their laps – he loves laps!

It was Beauie who helped me on my blogging journey. Readers might remember this photo from December 2005. Beauie had disappeared for 4 days in the sweltering 40+C heat and when he came back home on Boxing Day, he was hungry, thirsty and injured. We found a Vet that was open in that holiday season and he was patched back up again and I posted this photo – that was when I got my very first blog comments and I got hooked!

As an aged cat he did not like the younger cats jumping all over him and he would soon let them know about it – he was quite vocal when he chose to be. Graham’s lap was always his favourite and it was not unusual for Beauie to come into the office at night and demand Graham’s lap, or even push Graham aside so he could curl up to sleep in Graham’s office chair. We’d put a pillow there just for Beauie!

As he got a lot older he would curl up under Graham’s office desk so he was near the heating vent and the computer hard drive to draw warmth. Sometimes he liked to be on top of the desk too and would find a place in Graham’s filing tray. He’s always been Graham’s cat but is loved by every member of the family.

Last night three of our girls were here at home to say their farewells to him and he got lots of pats and cuddles and ear rubs – which he loves.

It is with sadness we have to let him go. He has contracted a kidney disease and after a couple of weeks of medication, special diet and two hospital stays and an intravenous drip, the vetinerary staff advise there is nothing else they can do for him and he is just wasting away in front of our eyes. Poor Beauie with those beautiful round golden orb shaped eyes who looks at you like he is speaking just to you. We love you Beauie and will never forget you.