This is "Olly".

Olly was my beloved Cat that I had for 12 years. I don't know what made me think of him, but his presence today seemed quite strong around me.

This is his Life!

Olly came into my life as a kitten around 12 years ago. He gingerly crept into the House I lived in, in Mitcham, Adelaide one evening. He must have liked the warmth of the Roaring log fire and the real sheepskin on the Lounge because he stayed the night. This little cute Black & White kitten curled up on the Lounge all snug & purring happily! A very happy Kitty!!

Well, he stayed more than the night, he permanently adopted his new Home and its owners. And that was how I came to have Olly as my Beloved Cat, although I do think that Olly had this idea that he was in charge and it was his House, with me as his personal Servant!

Olly was a tough Cat, he lived in 5 Homes in 2 Cities, Adelaide & Melbourne. He even flew Qantas to Melbourne, that was his BIG move, as his "Servants" aka Owners were moving to Melbourne. Olly adapted well to his new surroundings wherever he was, whether he lived in Mitcham, Bowden, Hawthorn, Albert Park & lastly South Yarra. He was his own Boss, never one for being stuck indoors, always wanting to get Outside and explore his world that only cats can do. One year he went missing for 2 weeks, and it was thought that he would never come home again. The untouched food dish, the empty spot on the bed where he would have been curled up next to your feet on cold nights, remembering the moments in the morning when he would sit on your chest and purr loudly whilst smacking you in the face with his clawless paw as if to say "GET UP!"

During the petless period, a cute little bundle of Puppy fluff was brought into the Home to fill the void left by Olly. This Puppy was named Max, and I will tell you more of Max later.

One sunday evening around 6pm, I was at the Kitchen window, Max running under my feet, when I heard this Bone-chilling Cat meowing coming from the roof outside....

OH MY GOD! It's OLLY!!!!!!!!

After 2 weeks absent, and having resigned myself to never seeing Olly again, I was gobsmacked, my Beloved Olly had returned. What a Happy, joyous occassion that day ended up being. We think Olly had taken refuge in a garage nearby, and had been locked in for 2 weeks. He was a tough cat, and this only proved it even more.

Olly was around for quite some time after that little episode.

But life and events can change suddenly. I made the decision to move to Tasmania a few months ago, and that meant leaving Olly with Max and his Other Owner in Melbourne. There was a plan that they might also move to Tasmania at some later stage but for the time being Olly was better to be with his Family and at Home.

Just a week before my last day in Melbourne, There was a knock on the Front Door one Sunday Morning, it was the Greek Neighbour. She was looking sad. She said in her broken English, that our beloved Cat was on the Footpath dead.

I went outside and there in front of me was Olly laying so very still, as if sleeping, on the footpath, not a few steps from the Front gate.

He had been hit by a car in the street that night. He hardly had any visual injuries, as he just looked like he was sleeping peacefuly.

My heart sank to a level so low that I was in deep shock. My Beloved Olly was dead.

I wrapped my Dear Olly in one of his favourite rugs and I buried him in his beloved Garden.

After having my Olly around me for 12 years, not only was I leaving Melbounre, and all I had known for 4 years, I no longer had Olly with me. No More purrs, and cuddling up on my lap or my shoulders. His death left a huge empty space in my World.

My only solace to this event was that now Olly is free to roam his world, and be around me no matter where I am for eternity. That makes me content.

I hate losing my loving Pets, it is a real challenge to be without a companion that loves you unconditonaly.

I miss you Olly!!