Scampi was brought into the world in early August 2016. He had two sisters, but sadly all three were abandoned and found alone at around 9/10 weeks of age. They came into the care of Offaly SPCA and were looked after by a foster family for a couple of weeks before they came to me.

After growing up with cats all my life in the UK, now in Ireland I felt the time was right to bring some kittens into our home. After being shown photos of Scampi and one of his sisters I fell in love instantly and had to give them a new home. They were about 13 weeks old when they came to us and from day one they were such loving playful kittens and they relaxed into their new surroundings instantly.

Scampi and his sister Socks absolutely loved each other and would constantly lick each other grooming, sleep and play together. They had a terrible few weeks with cat flu, but with lots of love, care and attention and antibiotics they made it through.

I didn’t expect Scampi to be taken from us so soon. It was the most devastating day, and of all days Valentines day! After calling for him to come in and him not appearing I went out looking for him. Finding him on the side of the road just lying there was absolutely heart-breaking. My world suddenly collapsed around me and I just couldn’t accept this had actually happened and that he was gone. Through my tears Socks was always at my side wondering what was going on. She sniffed his body and her tail instantly puffed up and she moved away, she knew something had happened!

I constantly play back in my mind the events leading up to his death and think how I could have prevented it, and if only I had called him in just 30 minutes earlier he would probably still be alive.

Thinking about all the wonderful memories we had had with Scampi in the short time he was with us makes it that little bit easier. Knowing we had given him the best quality of life that we could have done, and knowing he was such an affectionate, fun, loving and gentle kitten we could have ever asked for.

I will miss the way he carried his favourite mouse around the house, and his little trills he would make. They way he always demanded to drink fresh water from a glass and not any other kind of drinking apparatus! I will miss the way he used to meow to get our attention and all he wanted was a good head-butt, rub and cuddle! I loved the way he would wiggle just before he pounced on his toys! Shower time will never be the same without him … without fail he would always sit outside the shower and wait for you and then lick your toes when you came out! He was a very loving licker! The first time he became “licking” obsessive was when he first sat on the back of the sofa with two paws on my partners head licking away for ages until we redirected his licking elsewhere! He was such a gorgeous kitten – he would have been such a handsome cat, with the most loving large round dark brown eyes and I am really going to miss his very long stripy tail.

Scampi died on 14th Feb 2017. He was just 6 months old. He was the heart and sole of this house, and turned our house into a home! He will always be in our hearts and he will never be forgotten! May his life live on through Socks!

Gemma