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Axel

May 2003 to 15 May 2008

Axel came into our lives through a friend of a friend, who had to move back to the UK. I begged and pleaded with my partner to let me bring Axel, and his brother Ozzie, home with me and won. It was the best decision we have ever made.

Both cats fit into our home and our lives so easily. They even had our dog sorted out within a few days – Axel being the one to show him who was boss! All of our neighbours soon met and fell in love with our gentle giants (both cats are over 6kgs!) and ruled our street. They’d help themselves to people’s backyards, houses and gardens and were welcomed with open arms (and treats!) by all of our neighbours. Axel and Ozzie even hung out in our chook pen, not paying any attention to the chooks running around them. They were some seriously chilled out cats!

Axel was the quieter of the 2 cats. He was definitely my little pal, coming as soon as I called him, waiting in the driveway for me to come home, sleeping in-between us at night on the bed, gently tapping my face when it was time to get up. He was such a talker too! He’d sit there and ‘converse’ with me for so long until I finally figured out what it was that he wanted. Generally, it was nothing more than a big cuddle. He was an unbelievably affectionate cat.

Axel first got sick in November 2007. I was beside myself with worry and took him straight to the vet and we had to be referred onto a specialist. Over a 7 month period we tried everything to get Axel better. Nothing seemed to work and he got worse and worse by the day. We tried holistic remedies, pet psychics and our usual vet and specialist. He was a regular at the Ranford Veterinary Clinic!! And they were superstars when it came to his health and treatment, and my desire to do whatever it took to get him better. All tests kept on coming back negative. He certainly had us all stumped.

Unfortunately it all got a bit much. Axel got to the point where he was struggling to walk, jump, eat and even go to the toilet. It was painful to watch and there were many days when I was in tears just wishing I would wake up the next day and he’d be all better.

We made the heart-wrenching decision to let Axel go and I think I cried for about a week! I knew it was for the best but it was something I desperately didn’t want to do. We have him at home which is nice and we have a special place for him which is visited by our friends and family to say hello. Our niece even picks flowers for him whenever she comes to visit.

I’m so grateful for the time I had with Axel. People without pets really don’t understand how much they can touch your life and your heart. He became like a child to us and I miss him every day. But I have some really cool memories of him and have some beautiful pictures so he may be gone but will never be forgotten. I think he’s still around – I see Ozzie act a bit strangely at certain times and he just stares at a particular spot and won’t take his eyes away. He’s not done it before – only since Axel has gone. That’s a nice kind of feeling that Axel might still be floating around. He was a gentle old soul and I am sure our paths will meet up again one day soon.

Karina, Lars, Ozzie and Oscar.
We miss you “My Axel” … and Ozzie is keeping Oscar in line with a few dominate swipes!!