A few photos of our sweet feral kitty, Winston Purrchill.
It is with a heavy heart and tear-filled eyes that I share the news that Winston has crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. I am so thankful that we were able to provide a warm, as safe as can be, environment for him the last 3-4 years of his life. We first noticed Winston when he would occasionally dash through the woods in our backyard. We never got a good look at him, only noticed that he seemed to have short legs. To distinguish him from another gray tabby that was wondering around, we called him stubby legs.
Then one day we noticed him digging around for food around the bird feeder. He was actually eating bird seed. I took a handful of dry cat food out and set it on a brick. He ran away, but eventually came back and practically inhaled the food. I did this whenever I saw him outside. So, I spent a lot of time that first year looking out the window, hoping to see him.
Eventually he barely ran away when I cam outside and he would even touch the tip of my finger with his nose if I held it out to him. It was a hassle trying to feed him when it was raining, so I started bringing the food up the steps to our screened in porch and then finally onto the porch. The porch is up a flight of stairs and has a cat door, so it was a pretty safe location.
In the summer he had wicker furniture to sleep on and in the winter we made him a nice warm house. I work from home primarily and every time I would take a break, I would check out the window to see if he needed any canned food. Sometimes I would look out and we would be on the rug by the door, looking up to the window to see if I was coming out.
Winston has been showing signs of age the last year or so. Walking slower, getting that sort of hunched body. Last weekend, he had a stroke. At first I thought he had hurt his legs because they weren't working right. Then when I fed him some cat food, I held out the spoon for him to smell and he came at it sideways. It was like he wasn't seeing right. When I stood up, I startled him and he went around in circles. All symptoms of a stroke. Now I know a stroke isn't necessarily the end of a cat's life, but for a feral kitty that we can't touch or give medication to, it is. On Sunday, we had a beautiful sunny spring day and he spent it out in the yard with us. He laid under a bush and occasionally wandered around. At one point, a big lab came into our yard and I stood in front of Winston to keep it away. Now that he couldn't see good on top of being hard of hearing, he would not be able to protect himself from dogs or other predators.
I managed to get him in a carrier on Monday morning and took him to the vets. They assured me that I was doing the right thing and I know I was. I cried all the way home, and I'm crying now, for a cat I never even got to pet.
Michelle Miller says
I'm so sorry, Pam. I'm behind on visits so I'm just now seeing this. Winston was so lucky to have you. He had a better life because of you. Sending hugs and positive thoughts.
Lola The Rescued Cat says
You showed Winston such kindness and love, and made his last few years as comfortable as possible. He will be an angel looking over you.
Dash Kitten Crew says
Oh I am so sorry.
I have learned to love and enjoy Winston's company thanks to your blog posts. noting he is gone hurts our hearts.
I so wish there was more I could say, to make you feel better, than Thank you for loving Winston, Thank you for caring for Winston, THANK YOU for being there.n
Marty The Manx says
Sending you my sincerest sympathy on the loss of your Winston. So glad that he had such a good life with you as his protector and friend. Sending you a big ((hug)).
Marty's Mom
Kathe W. says
poor sweet Winston- he was such a lucky boy to find you. My heart breaks for him and you. big hugs honey.
Create With Joy says
What a beautiful cat Pam. I am so sorry for your loss.You really captured his essence in his photos - my heart broke when I read about yours breaking over the cat you never petted.
RIP Mr Winston!
mommakatandherbearcat says
I am so sorry for Winston's loss. He's a beautiful boy and I bet your love and compassion meant the world to him.
stevebethere says
Oh! sorry to hear about Winston he seemed like a lovely cat he certainly was a looker, I enjoyed reading about him in this post 🙂
Have a blessed Easter 🙂
Ida P. Krause says
Oh my heart goes out to you. Winston was a beautiful cat & even though he was feral he was so loved by you. God Bless you for taking care of him and for helping to ease his suffering after his stroke.
mariodacat roever says
What a very handsome boy. We truly are sorry for your loss. You have given him the best home possible with as mujch love as he would allow. I'm sure he loved you too.
Brian Frum says
We are so sorry to hear about dear Winston. Thank you for the love and care you gave him and for making him feel important. Hugs and love from all of us. Thanks for joining the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!.
Brando and Bogart says
We're so sorry to hear of Winston's passing! Brando sends lots of warm Cavalier hugs!!!
Chirpy Cats says
Oh wow, tears here for Winston! My breaks break for you. What a sweet story and a real beauty he was. Love how he would wait on that rug for you. It looked like he lived a wonder life in your backyard and he knew he was loved.
speedyrabbit says
Oh that is so very sad to hear,I know you did the right thing for Winston and that he loved in his Special way for giving him that safe haven,bless your heart for taking care of him,xx Speedy
Bridget says
You can tell he was a good boy, and I'm so glad that you loved him! I'm guessing he loved you too, even if he had to follow his instincts and remain wary.
Thank you for loving him and taking care of him, and letting his last conscious moments being with someone he knew was his person.
Take care.
Everyone at our house (furry and otherwise) will say a special prayer for him and for you. xo
Ann says
The kindness we show to those less fortunate than ourselves, whether they be two or four-legged, is repaid tenfold. Your memories of this sweet stray will stay with you and you have many lovely images of him.
Jane says
I was so sorry to read this this morning - I'm in tears as I type this. You were Winston's guardian angels in life, and you most certainly saved him from suffering at the end. It is a very lucky cat who fetches up on your porch! If cats go to heaven (and they surely must) he will be up there with Smudge now thinking about what a lovely life they had with you.
Cathy Keisha says
I'm here to pay my respects to your Winston. *bows head* You saw to it that he knew what it felt like to be loved. I had a furrend Winston who also was a tabby who went to the RB a few years ago. I'm sure they've met by now.
Marjie says
I am so sorry about Winston! I know you were fond of him despite the fact that he was too skittish to really befriend. It was wonderful of you to care for him for so long; I'm sure you made him happy.
Erin the Cat (Princess) says
Oh Pam, I don't know what to say reading this, I am in tears for what has passed and your loss. Winston was such a guy, and whilst I never knew him as you did, I feel that we all have got to know and love him and his life, that whilst not what we would want was truly in harmony with life. Thank you so much for letting us see and be with Winston, a truly great cat, and friend to many he did not know.
Soft and gentle purrs, Erin
Scylla, Fenris, Tuiren, YinYang & Chimera (ATCAD) says
Oh we are so sorry about Winston. You loved him on HIS terms and that was the greatest gift you could give him. Purrs of comfort and paws of sympathy for your loss.
Caren Gittleman says
My heart is just breaking along with yours. I loved when you would have Winston on your blog. I am so deeply, deeply sorry. He seemed like he wanted a home so badly, thank you for showing him love in the last years of his life.
Cheryl says
Oh Pam, I've been
Missing for awhile so how strange it is that today o stopped by and now am able to say goodbye to Winston and to tell you how sorry I am that he is gone. I was always surprised by how striking he was. Very handsome and you made his life so much better than it ever would have been. In the only way that he was capable, he loved you. Thanks for letting him not suffer at the end. Yours an his story was beautiful.
Melissa & Mudpie says
I'm so sorry for your loss. He sure was a handsome boy, and very lucky to have you love him and take sure good care of him.
The Island Cats says
We are sorry to hear about Winston. Bless you for taking care of him these past few years...and that he left this world knowing he was loved and cared for. Purrs....
Mary McNeil says
He knew he was loved and safe and cared for. No being can ask for more. We will miss seeing him in your photos, but of course they will be there to keep the memories safe. Purrs.
Little Binky and Granny says
We cry with you, Pam and we haven't hardly known him. We know Winston is thankful that you cared for him and loved him the way he was. You were his final place of rest, warmths and peace. If only there were more people like you❤ RIP beautiful soul. Soft Pawkisses to comfort you❤❤❤
Ellen Pilch says
Winston was a handsome boy. I am so sorry for your loss. Take comfort in knowing he got to be loved these last years of his life.
Athena says
So sorry to hear this.
He was a special cat and he was lucky to have you. Thanks for taking care of him.
Rest in Peace, dear Winston xx
Roby Sweet says
Bless you for being there for Winston. I'm sorry he has gone. He was lucky to have you to care for him.
Tina Culbertson says
Oh Pam, oh my. I saw your post in my email in box and opened it and just started tearing up. That is heartbreaking. {hugs} I know this doesn't make it any easier but you sure went above and beyond and gave him a wonderful last few years. Sweet Winston will have people shedding tears today when they read about him.
Tina
xo