Whilst holidaying in the Scottish Highlands, I learned of the passing of Doug Thomas, a fellow cat blogger. Although I knew that Doug hadn’t been well, with frequent trips to hospital, this news really knocked me off my feet and I’m still not sure how to process it.
Doug’s was one of the very first cat blogs – perhaps even THE first – that I followed on WordPress and, through his words and photos, I soon got to know him and his smoke-black Persian cats, Andy and Dougy.
(Yes, his name was Doug and one of his cats was called Dougy. I know.)
When a friend or a family member passes away, there is a well-trodden path to follow: a funeral service, mutual friends with whom to share memories, birthdays and anniversaries to commemorate, and so on. But, when you only know said person through their writing on your WordPress feed, and you haven’t met them face to face, what exactly is supposed to happen? It seems that you simply unsubscribe from their life, and they from yours, and that’s it. It’s a very strange feeling.
That said, when I read Doug’s final farewell, posted by one of his family members, and scrolled below to comment, there we all were: a comment from Person A, whose cat blog I follow and who follows mine, then Person B, whose cat blog I follow and who follows mine, and so on. We all knew Doug. The threads of the Cat Internet that link us together may be gossamer-fine, like the nylon wires of those illusion necklaces with floating pendants that were popular in the early 2000s. But, despite being almost invisible to the naked eye, they are there nonetheless and, perhaps, are more enduring than they may seem.
Doug, may your paradise home be just like that of your earthly life: a peaceful place with a creepy SpongeBob soft toy lurking in the corner of your living room, good enough WiFi to allow you to write every day, and, of course, cats galore. Thank you for brightening the Cat Internet for all of us. We miss you.
I don’t know for how much longer Doug’s blog will be available, but enjoy it here whilst you can.
Doug’s obituary is here.
For more Catorzian capers, please visit http://louiscatorze.com
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