My beloved Pudge succumbed to kidney failure on September 30, 2016. He was 15 1/2 years old and lived a good life. He was my constant companion during a very dark time of my life when I was quite ill, bedridden and in a wheel chair. Whenever I was sick, he never left my side. It was my first experience with a Burmese and I will forever be in love with them.
Pudge was rescued from someone who shouldn't have been breeding cats. My daughter went to get him because I was housebound at the time. The gentleman told her that he was a Siamese and he had to hunt for the kittens. He dragged Pudge out from under the living room couch and that is how he became mine.
A few weeks after I got him he was snuggling in my lap, shivering. I could tell he had a fever, so I rushed him to the vet. That was when I found out that he was actually a Burmese and not a Siamese. The vet said that Pudge had survived distemper as a baby but as a result he had a very bad intestinal infection. I almost lost him then, but Pudge was a fighter. He survived the distemper and the ensuing infection and came back strong and healthy.
I remember the winter Olympics in 2002. We had a floor model TV and Pudge sat in front of the TV and watched several of the sports. I couldn't believe it but I watched his head go back and forth as he watched different events, I even took pictures because I knew people wouldn't believe me :) They are packed away right now but once I find them I will post a few.
Pudge started out life name Fudge because of his colouring. But as the years went on, he put on a few pounds and affectionately became called Pudgie. He loved that name and would always answer or come when I called him.
It still breaks my heart that he is gone, although I know he will be waiting for me. I have a plaque with his name and paw print but can't bring myself to look at it. It is safely put away for the day when I will remember the happier times and not grieve so much that he is gone. I know that he is happier now but that doesn't stop the hurt.
There will never be another cat like my beloved Pudge. He was definitely one of a kind and will forever be in my heart for that reason. Pudge, I love you and always will, Know that I think of you every day and look forward to seeing you in the hereafter.
