Pim, Pimmie, Pimmetje, PimmieGT ...

* June 19th 1989 - December 22, 2004

Born in a warm nest with a cat mommy and daddy around you for the first year in his life. Pim lived in a house with a cat lover and 11 other cats to keep him company. "Human" Arthur had a hard time parting with Pim and his brother Pelle. He had witnessed their birth and kept the whole litter including the mother and father. But 12 cats inside a 2nd floor flat was too much in the end, even for this big cat lover. Arthur chose Pelle and Pim to find a new home for. I read the ad in the local paper. The animal welfare people supported the move and would do the follow up. When I saw the ad I immediately knew that Pim and Pelle were going to be my new companions in my lonely Almere home with the lovely yard. I had just gone through a divorce and had stopped travelling internationally for my job, so the cats were very welcome! After some thorough interviews and reviews, Pim's owner decided I was OK for the job. They came to live with me on September 6, 1990. Arthur promised me that he would help me with the cats if I ever needed any.
Pim and Pelle came to live with me, but were so shocked from the move that they hid behind a loose wooden wall panel in the attic the first 3 weeks. They came out only to eat, drink and the kitty litterbox in the middle of the night. One day they ventured down the stairs and before running up again to hide from me, I caught Pim's eyes - they had a loving, caring, warm look in them. Then I knew that things would be all right between us.

Pelle was an adventurer. The moment he realized that he could venture outside he sought all his adventures outside. This to the dismay of my next door neighbour, who thought pets were only to be kept indoors and should not walk outside. And even more: Should never be in his garden. It was the beginning of an dispute that only ended when I moved away from the house a few years later. I had to find a new home for Pelle, eventually, in another neighbourhood where people were more lenient towards cats in the yard. It was sad, but better for Pelle.

Pim stayed with me and another kitty came to live with me: The granddaughter of one of my former cats. She was a quarter persian and Pim took her right into his loving care and between his large front paws. Pim was a cat with a lot of TLC all his life. He gave as much as he received. He was able to sense whenever you were down and then came to stay beside you and purr the worries away...
In the 14 years that Pim and I lived together we moved 4 times. Pim loved living with me and did not seem to mind moving homes very much. In 1995 we moved from Almere to Amsterdam, where he did not like the flat very much. So he was happy to be able to move to Wynsen's home with a small yard after 9 months, in 1996. We then moved to our larger home with a 'greener' environment, which he loved to explore. And his last year in our new home closer to Amsterdam was one where he just loved being in the yard or accompany the dog and me on our little walks. 
Pim was sad when his beloved Persian lady passed away at the age of 6. Just before she passed away, Plufje had entered our home, a 7 week old kitten, again from Almere. Again, Pim's fatherly qualities excelled and helped him live through the loss. Pim could never father his own litter as he was 'one of those cats' (neutered), but Pluf was quite fast to have her own: she was 9 months old when she had her. Three lovely little kittens and one of them was the spitting image of Pim. How could that be? That is a miracle that we will never understand. As big a miracle as Pinkie's fast and unexpected appearance into our world. We thought Pluf only had two kittens and then, all of the sudden out popped Pinkie. Pluf lovingly and proudly showed her kitties to Pim who curiously came  to peek into the delivery room from the hallway where we kept him during the birth procedures. He was quite insulted for not having been allowed to be present at the birth. He was the foster father, so he considered it his right. But after he had seen the litter he left the room like a real Godfather and went downstairs to nibble on his cat bits contently.

Pinkie, however, was Pim's new mate ever since she was old enough to see. And even more so the other way around. Pinkie had chosen Pim as her companion. They sought each other out where ever they were in the house and almost always took their naps together.
Pim loved our company, but hated it when we had guests in the house. He would then disappear outside and re-appear only after the guests had gone home. It was hard for cat-sitters to get a 'rapport' with him. But when he eventually accepted one, his love had no boundaries... He did accept Wynsen quickly, though, much to Wynsen's delight. And he is missed sorely by his 'master' as well as by me.
Pim developed bladder and kidney problems. He had his own dietary food since 1995. His kidneys started malfunctioning this last six months and he has been on a special diet and medication since last July. It has been so sad to see him weaning away... It broke my heart. Everyone says I have done the right thing to prevent further suffering by allowing him to be put to sleep. But I feel like the 'Angel of death' holding him close when the vet gave him his final shot. Even though I know I acted in his best interest. I will need a lot of time to get used to the idea that he is no longer with us and that I feel I betrayed his trust. But it comforts me to know that he will not suffer a long lasting illness that will definitely end in his death.

 Dear Pim, thanks for your soft, loving company. I hope you will be in cat heaven now with your Persian lady and with Pasha and Skippy.