Yesterday our Banjo grew his angel wings and left our home forever.
Beautiful Banjo joined our family late in 2009, he immediately blended in with our family both human and four legged, of then, an elderly Pekingese, Princess, and Christoopher’s new Border Collie puppy, Duchess. When the breeder asked what I would like to name our kitten, it was immediately obvious to me, his mother’s name was Matilda, so he should be named Banjo!
Banjo and Duchess become best friends, Duchess would let Banjo get away with all manner of torture that a cat could bestow on a dog, teeth, claws and dive bombing her at speed! Duchess was a gentle soul.
Banjo grew into a big, handsome, and loud cat. He greeted us every morning, and was on for a chat as we opened the door to the enclosed back porch, where he slept overnight. If he heard us up and about, he would remind us that we needed to open the door, by banging on it and meowing loudly! If I was on the telephone, it meant that he needed to talk and talk loud!
He was always there to welcome any visitors, whether they liked cats, or not. In fact, I think that he saw those who didn’t like cats as his personal challenge to convert them! I know that there will be family and friends from everywhere who will be saddened by his passing. I can still hear the cry’s of “Oh Banjo” from those who visited, as he, loudly, entered the room, announcing his arrival! He would immediately be the centre of attention as they reached down to stroke his silky fur, or just scoop him up into their arms for a cuddle.
Banjo loved a basket, and a cupboard
he loved to lay on the fabric that was laid out as I prepared to cut out the pieces for a new dress, shirt or skirt!
He enjoyed a ride in the wood trolley as Gary prepared to set the fire during the colder months, and could be found curled up in his basket in front of the fire.
Riding on top of the wood – a regular sight during the cooler months!
He was always excited to spend time in his cattery under the huge Chinese elm in our back yard, and would lounge in the hammock or in the tunnel that linked the two areas.
Just hanging around in his hammock and keeping an eye on things!
Gary caught this image of him recently, eyeing the blue tongue lizard who loves to sun itself on the mat just outside the back door.
Oooh I would like to play with that…
He become a hero last year, when Gary had a fall! He kept coming to me and meowing, there was a different tone to the meow, and he didn’t let up, he kept looking down the hallway and meowing! After a bit I followed him, to find Gary on the floor and in great pain – he had had a dizzy spell, fallen and fractured a rib.
Banjo brought great joy and happiness, not only to Gary, myself, Christopher and his family, but also to my sisters, and other family and friends, who all had the great fortune to meet with him. We are all so very sad that he will no longer be here with us, but we know it is for the best. He had eaten very little over the last two weeks, I was making sashimi for him, he ate everything that he really shouldn’t eat, cat treats, egg, milk, cheese, ham, plus whiting and salmon. We knew that he was nearing the end of his time with us. We took him for walks outside, he loved a light brushing, and a gentle massage from Gary. He hated the vacuum cleaner, so vacuuming was put on hold. We talked to him, we sat with him on our knee, we told him how much we loved him. we were constantly checking on him. Every morning when we opened the door we expected him to be gone, but were always greeted with a meow, as has always happened – oh how we now miss our morning meow and chats.
On Monday he stopped eating completely, we chose not to take him to the vet as he was 16+ years of age and he hated the car and foreign places. We decided to prepare the one spot in our garden that was once beautiful, but now awful, overgrown and full of weeds – it is where Duchess is. I dug out plants, roses, something else – I do not know what it is, and two massive clumps of grassy lily things – All have been potted up for now. Gary weeded, and weeded, and weeded! We continued to check on Banjo every chance that we had. On Tuesday, as we finished, exhausted, but really happy with the way the space had cleaned up, he was gone – it was only 20 minutes since we had last checked on him. I said to Gary, “he waited ’til we got his space ready for him”, as the tears flowed.
Yesterday Gary made a little box for him and we buried him beside our Duchess, they are back together again.
While we are so very sad, we are left with lifelong, beautiful memories of our beautiful blue eyed Banjo.
Banjo
30 September 2009 – 20 January 2026
Rest in Peace our beautiful boy.
The house is very quiet, too quiet!
Until next time…
Treasure each moment💕
If you have a moment, I would love to hear your thoughts on what you see on
this page – just pop a note in the comments box below.
With many thanks and kindness,
Julie.
Beautifully written memoir Julie, Banjo will be greatly missed by us all.
Our memories are precious, Olivia, I know it will not be the same next time you are all here again… Sending hugs.💙
What beautiful memories and pictures of Banjo, such a lovely and loved family member. It’s good to be reminded of how tiny he was. Such a cute cat. He will be missed by you, Gary and all who visit. Such precious times you had together.
I imagine Banjo and Duchess playing together again.
Yes, Jan I too imagine Banjo and Duchess together again, it is what I kept telling him toward the end. He did grow from a wee kitten into a beautiful big cat, didn’t he. The house is so quiet and empty without him.