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Best Friends Animal Society
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Totty
A Story: Hello Again
Two years ago my father was very ill. He ultimately passed away, leaving a cat of 14 years. Her name is Totty. She is a big girl, quite old now and not pretty as she once was. She and Poppa died in England. I live in the U.S.A.
The name Totty comes from the Gaelic, it means "Small". Calling her Totty was a bit like calling a giant "Tiny".
Over the two years Dad was really sick, (he had the Prostate Cancer), I ran up my credit cards caring for him and Totts. Living in two separate countries being a difficult balancing act. Upon my Father's death, I faced a terrible dilemma, as did our Totty. I could not bring her to the states. I could not remain in England indefinitely, either.
Then I found out about a animal farm sanctuary in Markfield Leiceskershire, England. I called, spoke with a lady who's voice seemed somehow familiar. She agreed to take Totty. I felt gutted for Totty.
Emotionally wrecked, but I had no choice. So I took her there and I sat inside the big cat cage with her for three hours. We cuddled and rocked and wept, while I tried my best to explain to her why she was there.
At last I left to go back to my Poppa's place and begin the heart wrenching task of cleaning out his house. Much of his stuff went to the farm sanctuary to be sold at sales and turned into cash to support all their animals.
The following day I phoned the Sanctuary Farm and spoke to a young lady who said, "Are you the lady who brought Totty in?" "Yes."
"Please," said she, the manageress needs to speak to you." And she punched me through to her.
"Oh, hello. You brought Totty in yesterday. I was told you sat with her for quite a long time, yes, she's okay.
"When we went to check on her I found a ring laying on the floor of the cat apartments, it must be yours. I recognized the ring, you must be Margaret.
That ring belonged to a friend of mine, many years ago. Was your mother's name, Ivy?"
I replied, "yes, who are you?"
She said her name was Jean. At which point I was sent spinning back in time to age ten. This woman on the phone was my deceased mother's old friend from many years back.
I returned to the farm and we met up in her office where I recognized her and she and I sat over hot cups of tea enjoying our personal recollections of her old pal and my Mom. The ring was returned to me.
After three weeks had gone by, Jean (Mom's friend) phoned me and said she had found a really good home for Totty with a young couple who could not have children but had been to the sanctuary and fallen in love with Totty.
After being cleared, Totty took up residence in her new home, a big flower filled garden, trees, and a young couple who made her their baby. They sent me photo's and a china mug with a photo of Totty on it. She looked so relaxed, happy and fed.
Totty is still going strong, the young couple still in love with her.
Meg Miller, Compton, N.H.
