Thank you to the Cambs Times and Wisbech Standard for printing my ramblings, and to everybody that read and commented on them, but, I feel that I may not be able to write again for a while, my inspiration has left me.

Tuesday November 29 is a date that will indelibly be etched into my mind for the rest of my days.

For, not only was it the day that my little Jimsy lost her brave battle with a tumour on her liver, but it was also the day that signalled the end of my 22+ years as a pet-carer - I don’t like the term pet-owner.

The last of my five little angels had passed, and so to had my safety net against depression. I have spoken before about a lifelong battle with depression.

But over the last 20 years or so, I have had five little sweethearts that, at the first sign of anguish, despair or tears, would swing in to action and save the day with a purr and a nuzzle, but they have all gone and I will just have to remember their faces whenever I get lost.

During Jimsy’s illness, I have been lucky to have had support, at work, at home, from family and friends, but not everybody is that lucky.

That is why I am writing this, many other people go through the loss of a pet and not all are lucky enough to have support having their little one dismissed as ‘only a pet’.

Some have absolutely no-one to talk to, or confide in when they are faced with the news that their little one is very ill or dying, I despair so badly for them, and those whose little charges are killed on the road, they don’t get the chance to say goodbye.

In a way, I was lucky, I did get the chance to say goodbye to my little girl, but that hasn’t always been the case.

Goodbye and thank-you Baby, Moony, Ruffy, Fessy and Jimsy, I will love you always.

Thank you to Whittlesey Veterinary Centre for your help and compassion, thank you to Tesco staff and customers, your support has been invaluable, and thank you to my friends and family.

ASHLEY SMITH

March