Eddie *August 2016 +11 August 2020

Eddie the cat came to us on 9th September 2016. He was named Eddie by the grandchildren in Ireland sitting in the car on the way from Dublin to Cavan via WhatsApp.

He was a rescue kitten who was originally destined for Angie's father but got stuck with us. He had a rough old start in life, within a few days had a leg badly broken by one of the horses and had to have metal bone transplant.

Despite all this he turned into a great lad and was much loved.

This evening when returning from the evening dog walk with Luna, saw a car & scooter blocking our drive with and a young girl and boy standing on the edge of the road. The guy directed me with handsignals where to park. Got out to be asked if I lived at the house and if the dead cat on the side of the road was ours. I took a look and saw what I assumed was Sissy, picked her up and moved her into the garden. The young man said how sorry he was and explained the girl had hit her with her car, he had been following and can confirm she couldn't avoid her, if he could help me with burying her or if I wanted he would dispose of the body. He asked if I needed psychological help, said he had reported it to the police station but doubted anyone would be coming. And all the time he kept an eye on the traffic and directed it as required even dealing very politely with one driver's unneccessary comments.

I was quite stunned by the guy. Turned out he was 17 years old. SEVENTEEN! And then it became clear when I noticed he was wearing an Ottobeuren Voluntary Firebrigade T-Shirt. He is doing an apprenticeship at the big REWE supermarket in Ottobeuren and had been visiting his girlfriend in our village.

Thanked him heartily and the girl too for stopping and not simply driving on. She was clearly both shocked and sad.

Angie and I then dug a grave alongside the others that seemed to be happening at an alarming rate. Having covered it all back up we sought the other cats & were shocked as Sissy appeared! We then hoped it had all been a mistake and the cat was an identical one we see daily on the fields next to the road. But then the realisation came it was Eddie also the same colouring. Angie couldn't sleep and next morning dug up the grave and established it was Eddie. Quite how we both mistook him is beyond belief.

Later that night I wrote a letter via Facebook to the Ottobeuren Firebrigade thanking them for the incredible work of their young member. They were thrilled at the message, the officer responsible for training wrote a wonderful reply and all in perfect English.

The following day, David the young guy left a huge grave candle on our gate post and in the evening popped by while I was out but had a long chat with Angie. What a great young person.

Photo is of Eddie on his first day with us, dogs Flash & Luna giving the ratbag a good inspection.