Life of Rowley

My neighbour’s cat Rowley died today.

Rowley spent his life trying to get people to slow down. He would saunter across our road, forcing the speed addicts to put their foot on the brake, then he’d roll over in the middle of the road so they would have to stop for a while – until Rowley decided it was time to move. He didn’t exactly stop lines of traffic, his was a limited sphere of influence, but even on the day he died, I saw two young guys stop, wait, marvel at this cool cat, and slow their own pace for a few minutes. Some time today it seems that he may have miscalculated and someone didn’t slow down in time. More fool them.

When not being the cat traffic light, Rowley would flirt with passersby, compelling them to stop and stroke the fluffy, purring ball. I’m sure I’ve read somewhere that cat owners have lower blood pressure – the petting of their cat after a stressful day’s work, reminding them that Love makes the world go round, not money.

Rowley will be much missed, not least by his family, but also by his neighbours: by me, who used to find him sleeping on my bed, by my dog, Taya, who was desperate to play with him – but Rowley was way too cool for that – by Bella, the toddler who he would run to greet, and by those regular drivers who will forget why they always slow down past his house. Rowley put the 'cat' into 'cool'.

Everyone leaves an impression on the world. Take a leaf out of Rowley’s book – slow down a bit, before it’s too late.

For Jade, Jason, and young Osker who is tonight experiencing his first of loss.