So sad..

[Manyana13]

My parents live in South Africa and about 2 years ago they found this little kitten (Charlie) abandoned, barely alive to be honest. My dad would sit up all through the night with Charlie when she was little, she was very sickly for months. I don't have any pictures of her but she looked like Moli's new addition, Suzie.

Charlie had always been very nervous and I've never been able to even touch her, she would just run off when she saw people. She only ever bonded with my dad and my mum and one of their dogs, Lady. The house is full of animals, but these are the only three creatures in the world that Charlie would trust. Her and Lady (who is a south african Boerboel dog - basically a big lump of a dog!) would sleep together and groom each other at every opportunitly. They had such a beautiful friendship. When she was little, Charlie would just climb all over lady and kneed her and use her as a scratching post!!

Sadly about 2 weeks ago, Charlie died, we don't know what caused her death, she just died one night in my dad's arms. In South Africa unfortunately this is not uncommon as there are so many deadly diseases that go around.

My parents buried Charlie under the apricot tree in their garden (this was Charlie's favourite place to play). I spoke to my dad tonight and he told me that Lady has taken Charlie's death badly, she won't play, just sits and mopes all day and doesn't socialise with any of the other animals. He also told me that Lady has dug up Charlie's grave 3 times now, doesn't disturb the bones or anything, just digs up until she gets to the bones and sits there with her head on them. I have never ever heard of this sort of behaviour. It is so so sad.

Anyway, my dad is going to make a little coffin for Charlie tomorrow and put her bones in it, and then bury it in the same place. Hopefully this will stop Lady from digging her up.

I know this is a sad story, but it just made me think about how precious animals are and how they have such strong feelings too. They are more human than some people I know!

[dandysmom]

Oh Manyana, what a sad, touching story. Poor little Charlie, gone so young, but she was rescued and spent her short life with your parents and her pal Lady and knew she was loved. People who say animals can't love and don't grieve are so so mistaken.

Thank you for sharing that story; brought a lump to my throat....

[PoshPuss]

Such a sad story Manyana. It does bring home the fact that animals are sentient beings and have emotion as well as feeling. Lady is pining a lot and I hope she can recover from her grief soon. Your dad seems very understanding and can give his dog every bit of attention she needs.

[Mags]

That is such a sad story, I can almost feel Lady's heartache over the loss of her little friend...

[angieh]

So very sad. Poor Lady. Charlie knew love in her short life from your mum and dad and Lady but poor Lady is knowing only loss now. I do so hope that she can get over it. Your dad sounds like a lovely sympathetic man who will help her all he can.

Sitting here with tears in my eyes. Thanks for sharing the story of Charlie though.