In memory of..

Jemima & Chachi

It's been a long time since we've contacted Foal Farm, and it is a shame to have to do it in these circumstances: In 2001 (approximately), we adopted Jemima, a tiny tabby, and Sammy (later Chachi), a very un-tiny black cat. Jemima passed away quite soon afterwards, and now, we're afraid to say Chachi (formally Sammy) has gone too.

He passed away last night, peacefully, in his absolute favourite spot on our couch. We're not absolutely sure what took him, but think it was a combination of old age, and a possible liver problem that was found a week or so ago. He didn't suffer at all, and was still purring his trademark "I could bring a house down with this noise" purr right up to the end!

When we adopted him, he didn't make a peep - and unlike his sister, when we got him home he rushed off to hide himself a way for almost a month. Just after he got used to the house and us, we sent in a little cat's diary which you kindly put up on the website (thank you!) - but there's another four years of entries, hehe. Unfortunately, Chachi didn't show us his true colours until after Jemima had passed away - she was most certainly the boss, making him wash her when she was much too important to do it herself (as it should be!) - but when she went, and we were sure Chachi would be distraught, he became a whole new cat.

Since that day, every-single-morning, we've been woken up to "Yowww-yowwwwwlllll meeeeooooowwwww", it was so loud that we soon started to wonder if there wasn't just a little bit of Siamese in his bloodline - he could've woken the neighbours with his meows! As you'll possibly remember, when we adopted him, he was huge... Well, I think we must've spoilt him rotten because he at least doubled in size. Whenever we took him for checkups, the vet would always say, "that cat's enormous!" and strangers, and family would say the same. And he absolutely loved fuss - he'd warm to new people immediately, and quite often pin them to the couch just by resting his front half on their laps. Noise never bothered him either. We had to have some building work done during his time here, and the builder took a look at Chachi and suggested we move him away from where he was working, as the noise was "sure to frighten him". Yup, you guessed it. Never even twitched a whisker! Slept through it all, and then demanded treats and fuss!

Dad always treated him to this, that and the other. Chachi had him wrapped around his little claw. The times dad would wake up and immediately be ordered to feed him - not by myself, or my mum, but by Chachi himself - are too many to count - and utterly hilarious, as Chach always got his way!

We all loved both Jemima and Chachi dearly, they're both buried in our garden - in their favourite spots. We'll always remember them, and always be grateful to you and Foal Farm for letting us adopt them. Thank you.