Born Under a Bush
I was born in late August 2006. I had a brother and sister, and my mum gave birth to us under a bush. I don't remember much about that time, but a lovely lady who was a nurse, came to look at us just after we'd been born. She looked after the lady who lived next door and was a cat lover. She already had an elderly cat at home and had lost 3 others over the previous years. She said she didn't want any more, but my brofur and I were so cute that she eventually caved in, and 8 weeks later, we went home with her. My sisfur stayed with mum as she was quite nervous.
She called us Ollie and Charlie. She had 2 children who became our husis and hubro. We discovered that she lived in an old cottage which backed onto fields. Once we could go out, we loved to explore and get into mischief. There were also lots of lovely trees to climb, and when we were only 6 months old, we decided to race up one, but unfortunately couldn't get down! Mum thought we'd run away but eventually heard our pitiful meows as we were cold and hungry. As we'd been up there long, the fire brigade was called, and a very nice fireman rescued us. We were grounded then for a few weeks but eventually got out and did it again! Fortunately, this time we worked out a way to get down ourselves
We loved to run around and play and pulled the tree down during our 1st Christmas after mum had decorated it. She came home from work one night to find it on the floor and 2 very innocent little floofs looking adoringly at her with faces that said: "it wasn't us"!
My brother Ollie became a bit of a bully as we grew up and would chase me out of the house. I struggled to get in to eat my food, and mum had to lock him in another room so I could eat. Then one day, when he was 3, he disappeared. We never found him despite looking everywhere and could only presume he'd been run over. I was sad, but I settled into life as an only cat. My mum had met hudad the year before, and in 2010 we all moved into his house. Mum was very happy, and I had more beds to sleep on and extra family who fussed me. Although the garden was smaller, I was pleased to just potter and loved being around people. I spent the next few years feeling very much loved and adored. Then in 2018, when I was 12, mum noticed I was losing weight, so she took me to the vet man. He diagnosed chronic kidney disease and started me on medication and special food. It meant I didn't get as many treats but I learned to cope and had no pain. Dr Nick, as he was called, became my personal V.E.T, and I saw him every month for an injection and to be weighed. He had warned mum that the medication could only keep things at bay for so long, but as long as I was not in pain or losing weight, he and mum were happy.
My Own Twitter Account
At this time, Mum had something called a Twitter account, which she used for work and some personal things. One day, she discovered purely by accident that a cat named Gladstone ran a yoga class every Wednesday for cats. She loved doing yoga, and I often joined her on her purple mat, either getting in the way or doing the odd stretch or twist. So she started joining in with "Gladders Yoga" and sharing photos of me from her account. She soon discovered that there were lots of "regulars" who commented on my poses and were kind but also funny. A year later, during something called the pandemic, she decided to stop posting on her own Twitter account. However, she still wanted to share my yoga photos and realised many kitties had their own accounts. So after lots of consideration, she opened my own Twitter page. Within hours I had lots of followers who were excited to meet me. I couldn't believe how kind everyone was and how much fun people had. Suddenly it wasn't just about sharing yoga photos. There were birthday parties to attend, weddings to go to and even a festival called "nipfest", where everyone was encouraged to join in various events and have fun. Most of the family thought mum and I were slightly odd, but we loved chatting with all our pals and sharing stories and pictures with everyone.
Something Called "Hedgewatch"
Later I was invited to become part of something called "Hedgewatch", where cats are encouraged to post photos of themselves doing indoor and outdoor activities (mostly sniffing hedges!) I was very proud to be one of the original HQ members who became active in running the Hedgewatchers account, which subsequently opened in 2021. A hedgewatch cafe followed later that year, and suddenly I was busier than ever, making pictures of my own for events, (well with mums help, of course!), supporting other cats to join our lovely community and spreading kindness to people who needed it through the many events we organised. I discovered I could play the drums, which made me a big hit at events and parties. Well, when I say I could play them, I mean I just kept going longer than anyone else. It's fair to say my drumming has become legendary for all the wrong reasons! Mum also made amazing friends with whom she chatted through a direct message group. It became a source of absolute joy for us both. Call it escapism if you like, but to us, it was authentic
And I Felt the Love Travel with Me
I had become frailer during 2021, and my weight was beginning to drop. Dr Nick added more medication, and mum got me a litter tray as I often didn't want to go out. I still had a good appetite, but we were told I wasn't absorbing my food as I should be. I'd reached the age of 15, and that autumn, Dr Nick had some serious conversations with mum about the future. There were many things they could try, but some involved going to the vet and staying there overnight or even longer. Mum knew how much I'd hate that, so we decided we would just carry on with my current medication whilst I was happy and reasonably ok. I was becoming skinny, but I liked nothing more than snuggling up on mum's knee every night on a blanket to give me extra warmth and padding.
Christmas came and went, and I sent cards to some of my pals for the first time ever. It was lovely to receive them back, too and mum gave me my little shelf to display them on. In February 2022, Dr Nick took blood from me, and the results weren't good. He told us my kidneys were failing and I may not be around for more than a few weeks. I knew this would be awful as it meant I couldn't stay with mum and dad for much longer, but I felt blessed to have had such a wonderful happy life filled with so much love. Every morning when mum got up, she told me how much she loved me, and every night I cuddled up with her, making the most of every minute we had together.
As it happened, I defied Dr Nicks's advice and carried on for another 6 weeks before I had a fit one day. Mum was at work, but dad and my hubro's wife were with me and looked after me. Dad rang mum, who came racing home, and by the time she got there, I was sitting on the sofa being fussed and given treats like nothing had happened! But that night, I was much more tired and felt a change inside. I knew it meant my time to leave was near. I got through that night, but my legs gave way underneath me in the early morning hours, and I couldn't make it to the litter tray. Mum found me on the floor in the living room. I was weak and wobbly and didn't want anyone to touch me. I managed a little food, but I couldn't focus and was uncomfortable. Mum told me she wouldn't let me suffer, so that morning, we went back to see Dr Nick, and he helped me to cross the rainbow bridge. Mum held me until the end, and I felt the love travel with me. It is still with me now.
I knew all my family would be devastated by my passing, especially mum. Watching from my fluffy cloud and seeing her so sad was heartbreaking. But the one thing that really helped was the absolute outpouring of love and support she received from all our friends on Twitter. Mum told dad she would never have gotten through those first few days – or even weeks without the kind messages she received from everyone. They even closed the hedgewatchers account the following day as a mark of respect for me. They held candle-lit vigils and a "drumsforcharlie" thread. Like many kitties who cross the bridge, I had my own hedgewatch day and became a member of the rainbow bridge branch with my own unique hat. All these things helped her realise what a fantastic place cat Twitter is. Whenever she was feeling low, someone on the DM group would give her a virtual hug, offer kind words or just listen. These are very special people.
From My Fluffy Cloud
The Rainbow Bridge is a beautiful place, and I have met many old and new friends. When mum sees someone crossing the bridge, she knows exactly how they feel and tries to show kindness and empathy to help people with their loss. I occasionally tweet from my fluffy cloud, and with the odd sprinkling of unicorn dust, I can pop back to see my friends. It always makes me happy when everyone is pleased to see me, and I even get asked to play the drums again! It's incredible, though, how many people wear ear defenders these days t when I get my drums out!
Mum knew she could never replace me, but I also knew she had so much love to give to another four-legged friend. So 2 months after I passed, I guided her to a rescue centre where she met and fell in love with my sisfur, Lottie. She is a 2-year-old tabby and more anxious than me, but now in a loving home, bringing joy to mum, dad, and all the family. And tweeting, of course! But Lottie's Story will have to keep for another day. Except to say I am always there watching over her, guiding and helping and enjoying seeing the love she has brought to my family. And I am always with mum. Especially when she is feeling sad. I always send her a little sign to give her strength and to let her know I haven't gone far.
I will never be forgotten, and I am grateful for the love, friendship and happiness I had in my 15 years with my humans.
To quote one of my friends, "never forget that between hello and goodbye, there was so much love". And that was certainly true for me.
Written by Angel Charlie with help from mum Debbie
Follow Charlie @Charliebear2508
Oh my cat! What a beautiful and touching story. Thank you so much for sharing ❤️
Oh my goodness that was beautiful but my reading glasses are all steamed up as I felt every single moment. Thank you for sharing your heartfelt tale of true love and devotion ❤️❤️