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" Our animals shepherd us through certain eras of our lives.
When we are ready to turn the corner and make it on our own,
...they let us go. "

George Debeljakovic

November 1995 - October 2006

George, and his brother Marcel, were only a few weeks old when rescued from a weekend market in Melbourne where they had been stuffed into an old canary cage with half a dozen other kittens that were too young to be there. I hadn't wanted the responsibility and demands of a pet, but I felt this was an act of mercy, and in time they became my best, most beloved friends. Their initial poor states of health were soon resolved and forgotten as they grew into the most beautiful, healthy, happy boys. They were a joy to watch playing together and chasing each other's tails around the house.

I lost Marcel to a chest infection caught too late, just days before my return to Perth in 2002. He's buried in Castlemaine Victoria, in a lovely bush garden belonging to a friend - Marcel, like his brother, loved being outside, smooching the plants and snoozing amongst the flowers.

George, despite struggling periodically with urinary tract issues, enjoyed a very relaxed and comfortable life with me. When my life peaked and troughed, he just seemed to know what it was I needed, whether companionship or space - he was never demanding, always giving. We moved states and house quite a few times, and it never seemed to phase him - I was the stressed one!

On the 26th October 2006, I had to make the hardest decision I've ever faced after he was diagnosed just 2 weeks prior with an aggressive mast cell tumour. His decline had been rapid, his chances of survival virtually nil, and he'd tried to make the choice himself when he finally stopped eating.

George was barely 11 years of age - it broke my heart to have to say goodbye.

My heartfelt thanks go to Tara, Esther, Peter, Pia and the girls at St Francis Veterinary Hospital who gave their utmost care to George at various times since 2002 - I've never met a more considerate, pet-focussed nest of vets in my years as a cat-owner. A special thanks to Martin King at Rivergum Referral Services for doing his very best for George.

Sivan