Willie - The Ironbridge Cat
Willie was a beautiful brown tabby and white boy with a big heart. He was the boss in a large family of cats and kittens.
32 years ago, a tiny 6 week old kitten literally “appeared from nowhere” in our restaurant dining room. He was very thin, covered in fleas, with a very poorly dislocated claw and toe. He sat there looking at everyone as though to say “well I’m here, are you gonna sort this out”. It was the very first week of opening our bistro in Ironbridge. He was so cute we instantly fell in love with him, named him Willie and set to getting him healthy. He repaid us with endless love and loyalty and his cheeky cheery character. As he grew older he spent all his daytimes patrolling the Ironbridge and Toll House in the Severn Gorge, popping in to The Tontine for Pork Scratchings off the regulars whenever possible, although getting a selfie with the tourists was his highest priority. He adored the attention. He was the security guard for his large family of cats and kittens later in his life, with endless acts of bravery under his belt, protecting them from dogs and other unwanted visitors in his driveway. As he grew into his old age he slowed down a little but survived many traumas including his home flooding and Catnapping! As the years unfurled and he became a grand old boy he became poorly with kidney and liver failure. In his last months we would take him outside on his regular rounds in our arms as he was very weak. To his regular puddle for a drink and up to the bridge and Toll House to visit his admiring fans, who were always thrilled to see him. That summer we decided to sell our little Bistro in Ironbridge and in the final week of our being open Willie climbed into my lap and looked at me as though to say “ well I’ve done my bit caring for you lot so it’s time for me to go now dad”. On that he died in my arms, being cuddled the way he always liked. He had given us 16 years of love and loyalty and his memory still fills me with joy today 16 years after he left us.
Latest donations
- £10.00 Lils
- £10.00 Genevieve
- £25.00 Willie’s Family
Events in memory
There are no events set up yet