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THOMAS' TRAGEDY

When we first brought Thomas home, we had every intention of keeping him indoors for his lifetime. He and his brother had been bred indoors so we did not feel that it would be cruel to keep them inside but rather, that it would protect them from harm. Sadly, this was not meant to be, as Thomas was determined to be an outside cat. Despite ALL our efforts to keep him inside, he continued to break out of the house - picking fly-screens to make escape holes or just completely pushing out the whole wire frame. He was obsessed with being outside and we had to accept that this was what made him happiest.

Very early on the morning of the 5th of January this year, Thomas escaped again. Hours and days went by but still no sign. I called all the vets and pounds in the Sydney metropolitan area, registered with Pet-search and printed and distributed over 300 missing posters.

Exactly 2 weeks to the day after he went missing he returned home. He was half the size he had been when he left and had no movement in his back legs. I will never, as long as I live, get that horrific picture out of my mind. I rushed him to the vet, who tested his reflexes and took an x-ray. The results showed that his spinal cord had been severed, most likely as the result of being hit by a car. I was absolutely devastated when the vet told me his prognosis was hopeless but I did not hesitate for a moment in giving my consent to have him euthanased - he had already suffered too much. The vet gave me some time with Thomas - I held him tightly and told him how much he meant to me.

Thomas passed away at 3:30pm on January 19 2001 in the arms of my husband and I.

Despite such huge obstacles and hardships, Thomas dragged himself an unknown distance to come home to us. I love him so very much for that but wish that I had been able to spare him such suffering. I still feel so much guilt that I wasn't there for him when he really needed me.

All we have left now are his collar and ashes...and a heartache that will always be with us....but our precious memories will get us through.

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