Unknown - 23/05/2002
Approx. 22 years old
What a star he was. Known to hundreds of people, little did I know when I took that familiar photo of Whinge that it would be so well used. He has appeared in a national cat magazine, in a number of papers, even making the front page on occasions, and of-course, on many of PussyCat Lodge Trust items.
Whinge spent the first (approximately) ten years of his life as an outdoor working cat, in charge of pest control, at Wallace Kennels and it was here that Jennie first met him. Every day that Jennie arrived to help out, Whinge would stroll up to greet her with his distinctive vocal greeting! He was such a big, beautiful ginger boy she could not help but love him. One day he was not there, nor the next. Eventually, on the 6th day, he appeared at the gate. Joy was quickly replaced with fear as he collapsed in a heap. Unbeknown to Jennie at the time, Whinge had in fact been missing for three weeks! Jennie noticed that the whole of his underside was completely bald and red raw: the smell coming from his shrinking body was revolting.
Knowing that the site opposite the kennels was a breaker's yard, Jennie correctly assumed that Whinge's injuries were chemical burns and immediately rushed him to her vet. He was attached to a drip to start rehydration and was to spend the next two weeks in intensive care. It was during this time that staff realised that the terrible smell was coming from his ear which was badly infected and not his burns. For the time being all they could do was keep him comfortable as he was far too poorly to undergo an anaesthetic. At last after two weeks, Whinge was strong enough to have that anaesthetic. His ear had a thoroughly good clean out and polyps were removed. He went home with Jennie.
Vera, the owner of Wallace Kennels, agreed that whinge could stay with Jennie until she was completely satisfied that he had made a full recovery. This was a good job as Whinge adapted to his new house-cat lifestyle the moment he arrived at PussyCat Lodge and was clearly very happy; never more so than when snuggled up under Jennie's quilt.
Frequently over the next two years, Vera was to ask when Whinge could go home. Jennie always managed to find a reason why he was not ready! Eventually, when seeing for herself how happy and content he was, Vera agreed that he could stay with Jennie. Jennie then owned up that she and her family had become so attached to Whinge, and he to them, that there was no way she would have wanted to part with him. This way she could ensure that he would always receive the treatment that was to prove to be so often needed. Everyone was happy.
Just two months after being allowed home from the vets, the ear problem re-appeared and further surgery took place. This was to continue for the rest of Whinge's life and he regularly needed veterinary treatment. It was decided that Whinge should become a sponsored cat, therefore ensuring he could remain at PussyCat Lodge where he was so clearly happy. Eventually, three years before his death, he had to have his entire inner ear removed - this is when he had his earflap stitched down giving him his unique look!
Whinge with Toby
Despite all that he had been through, Whinge never once lost his wonderful, sweet nature and remained loving and affectionate. Always ready to occupy a vacant lap and enjoy a fuss, he would often become very involved in conversations that were going on around him, adding his comments when he saw fit. No-one ever forgot Whinge once they had met him: a character to match the best!
Whinge celebrated his 21st birthday with many friends in 2001 at the Open Day at PussyCat Lodge in May. He was still with us for the Open Day in 2002.
Sadly, at the beginning of 2002, Whinge's health began to fail and he went totally deaf and blind. He carried on pretty much as normal, doing all the right things in all the right places, but sleeping more and more. Every day he would do a full tour of the garden, his whiskers guiding him until he arrived at the back door when he would let out a loud yowl. Fluffy Tail, one the sponsored semi-feral cats, would go and fetch him to lead him safely inside. Every night, as so often before, he would go to sleep on Jennie's bed.
In the early hours of Thursday morning, Jennie awoke sensing something was wrong. Later that day, Whinge passed away peacefully in her arms.
Whinge was one of those special cats you imagine will always be there - sadly this can never be. Though he may no longer be with us physically, he will live on forever in our minds and hearts as the face and spirit of PussyCat Lodge.
Goodnight darling Whinge, God bless, and thank you for sharing your life with us.
Pauline Lake, May 2002
