“He’s a ruthless killer. He eats mice and birds for breakfast. In fact, he likes to toy with them before delivering the final blow. But at home he is the entire family’s darling who loves to play with children.” Sounds familiar?

Cat Priem celebrates the domestic cat’s paradoxical image with a line of jewellery called “Trophies of a Serial Killer”. These pieces may look pretty from a distance, but upon closer inspection, the gruesome details of the poor creatures that have fallen prey to this sophisticated killer are revealed. I can hear my cats are rubbing their paws in glee.

Okay, just kidding!!! :D

I watched him go from a strapping ginger tom who prowled the neighbourhood with a regal presence to just a slight shadow of his former self. From terrorising everyone in the house with his fearsome stalking to being a frail cat thoroughly humbled by his growing weakness.

With every dreaded trip to the vet, every bitter pill to he had to swallow, every struggle to live through the day, I cried with him.

When the end finally came last Saturday, I felt a burden being lifted off my shoulders. My dear, dear friend, finally relieved from the pain of his sick body. I cried one last time as I watched him took his final breath — not of sorrow, but of joy that he is finally free. I never thought I would say this about death but his passing was a beautiful, generous gift for both of us.

I miss him terribly but at least I can rest easy in the knowledge that he is now at a better place.

Thank you for your companionship, old friend.