Mister Whiskers

The Big Fella

The book is dedicated to our baby boy

/ who died on February 15th, 2024.

He had just turned 8.

It took us over a year to start being semi-functional again.

Even now we’re not fully engaged with life the way we were when he was around, with us: with the living.

I contemplated giving up the business and writing and being online, and everything really. I feel more grief with his death than any other loss I’ve had, and there’s been few. He’s just super precious to us. but we have Bubba to look after, and Jeeves – who became officially ours just after Whiskers passed.

We’d been feeding and socialising Jeeves since late 2021 when Bubs brought him home, sweet boy, knowing he was in need. In need of a family, of food and medical care. He was walking around with a broken canine, infected bite wounds all over his body, malnourished, frightened and confused.

Someone had abandoned him, an inside cat, onto the streets and he had no idea how to survive. Thankfully, he found us before it was too late.

His fur was short and brittle. He was always hungry and, even though he wanted physical attention, he was wary. Also, he was completely unsocialised with other cats, but we had Mister Whiskers.

Whiskers had this way with other animals. He was commanding and gentle, patient and generous, loving and wise, and, luckily for Bubba, the best Judo cat in the universe! When Jeeves would hiss in fear, uncertain if he’d be attacked, the boys just blinked and let him be. They ignored his spatial swatting and warning growls until eventually Jeeves realised he wasn’t under any threat. It didn’t hurt that Jeeves is also highly intelligent.

Even after Whiskers’ passing, Bubba has continued the training. Chasing after him at crazy hour, just enough to introduce him to the idea that play is different to attack. Jeeves isn’t quite there yet and I can’t help but wonder if Whiskers had stuck around a bit longer so Jeeves could actually witness what play looks like, he might be a bit further along now, but he’ll get there. I’m sure of it.

Once we have a better set up and we can get Bubs a friend, then everyone will be happier. Including, or perhaps especially, me. When I see Bubba looking out longingly waiting for his brother to come home, with no-one to wrestle him to the ground or chew on his neck or lick his ears or chase him up a tree, I get so sad.

Anyway, here’s another photo, in case you’re interested.

M