Last week we noticed that Amber, our rather furry cat, had a large growth on her leg, which had started weeping. Assuming it was an abscess caused by a bite, we took her to the vet, only to be informed that it was cancer that had already spread.

Then, just like that, she was gone. We lost her. After lamenting how any just god could allow a disease like cancer to exist, in poor harmless animals, let alone people, it caused me to reflect on all the cats who have passed through my life.

Until middle age I had taken them for granted, accepted that they would come and go. Until as the years went by and I found myself attending more funerals than weddings it dawned on me how fragile and precious life is. So I began to bestow greater love and affection on the cats in my life, my two remaining boys (oh, and on the people too…). I want them to know how much they are loved.

So, on moggies passed (with apologies to Proust for the title). Sam 1 and Sam 2. You are my earliest moggy memories. Sam who used to love to lie in puddles on the crooked footpath. I think there were two of you, one replaced the other. You disappeared overnight, maybe both of you. Taken by someone, my parents said. Possibly to cover the fact you were hit by cars. I was too young to reflect much upon it, but I never forgot you (both).

Kinky the big tortoise shell tom cat. You loved me as much as I loved you in my youth. Then on the cusp of me spreading my wings to backpack around Europe, you were hit by a car and crawled home all broken. Faced with the choice of giving you an operation and accepting you would be crippled for the rest of your days, I allowed you to be put down. I never forgave myself for that my friend. I should have cancelled my trip.

Pepper, my little dark angel, was so affectionate and lived a long and happy life. I recall the time we found a large abscess on your face, and being so poor any unable to afford a vet, we administered medication to you ourselves, and you bore the pain and healed, and lived to a ripe old age.

Boot the poor abandoned kitten. You grew up strong and would leap through my open window late at night, and I’d find you asleep next to me in the morning, your head on the pillow like you were a person. When I left that share house, I came back for you on my bicycle, and carried you several blocks inside my jumper, your little head poking out the top. You stayed a night in the new place, but then decided you like the old place better. Fair enough.

Poppy was an irascible mistress who liked to pee on the couch, or anywhere indoors that took your fancy. Chased away by one girlfriend too many, you found a home with my ex’s ex. Like me, he seemed to tolerate your foul temper.

Polly liked to sleep on top of the tallest cupboard. We never really bonded but I loved you anyway. I was sad when you got hit by a bus.

Pokey was a most adorable old girl. A friend for life, who I’m told in her younger days once got lost and missed a house move of some 300km, only to walk all the way home and somehow turn up at the door six months later, all bedraggled and half starved. Lived to a ripe old age of twenty. Still missed today.

There’s probably some I’ve forgotten over the years, but cats have always played a part in my life. So I make sure to cuddle my boys every day, little Milo the stray, and good old Mr Jinx, another waif who showed up at the back door thirteen years ago. Everybody loves Mr Jinx, and Mr Jinx loves everybody.

When Jinx got hit by a car, and then got hit by a car again, my mind went back to Kinky the tom cat, and there was no hesitation in shelling out twice for those two operations that saved his life.

Was it worth it? Every morning when I wake up and see that little furry face – hell yes it was worth every penny.

Not that I would ever suggest in any way that cats or pets are as precious as people, as our families, but they come to us to share their love, so we must reciprocate, because life is fleeting and fragile. So cherish you loved ones, furry and human.

Merry Christmas – or indeed, merry whatever deity or otherwise you like.