In Memoriam:

November 15th is a very sad day in our house. On November 15th last year, Barney, one of long term foster cats died. On November 15th this year his brother, Fred, died after suffering a stroke. Exactly one year to the day of his brother. They had both been fighting a rare immune disorder which eventually came to much for them. They were wonderful and two of the sweetest and happiest cats there were. They were my "home office" cats so it is definitely a much sadder place to be in right now. However, there are many. many, happy memories of the boys. They had so much fun and even Fred the year he was on his own made new friends and did remarkably well. He was happy, playing, eating right up to the last evening. What more could he or we want? Losing him has been really tough and made us question what if what we are doing with Snowflake is right, especially after we lost two kittens this year (Cumulus previously mentioned and Cassie who will be soon) and going through the "human" politics and infighting a bit. However, seeing how Snowflake put these boys into our lives and the joy they gave us despite health problems when other organisations would have given up has helped re-focus us on the mission that we feel we have been called to, as well as honouring the memory of those who've passed on who came through our house: Baby Boy, Barney and Fred. All are part of us and all very much missed to the point that even although this is over month since Fred's passing it was very, very difficult for me to write about this.

In the photos, the black and white one sums them up perfectly. Fred is the one in the back acting silly whilst Barney in the front is serious. That is how they were Fred was the more playful one whilst Barney was happy to sit on a lap and was more serious. The colour photo of both of them is one my favourites and is framed on my office wall. Fred is on the left and therefore Barney on the right. They were both taken just a couple of months before Barney died by a professional photographer, Katie Britt who volunteers with Snowflake by taking some beautiful photos. I am so grateful that we got the opportunity to get the boys together.

The brothers are now reunited and happy although we are hurting that is a major consolation. Thanks for the memories boys. We will always miss you and always love you.

-Richard