Rumi came to me in a cold Egyptian winter (yes, it gets cold here!) in 2010. He had copious amounts of fluff and all he wanted to do was snuggle and meet all of my curious friends who'd never held a hammy before.
He charmed his way around Cairo and then became my focus and closest companion during the revolution in 2011. He kept me going through very difficult times. Closed off from the outside world and in fear of what was outside my own door, Rumi was my comfort.
His new adopted Egyptian Mau cat brothers revered and respected him, despite Rumi loving to tease them at the bars of his cage (such an attention seeker!)
One day I came home to find Rumi had done a cage escapology trick and managed to scale the walls, monkey-bar across the the opening and force open the door.
I couldn't see him anywhere and feared the worst. One of the cats was also suspiciously absent from greeting me.
Then the cat started mewing and was 'shepherding' Rumi, who was casually strolling about the floor, followed by his big brother who was incredibly calm and just seemed to be alerting me to him (they'd been trained to not got within a certain distance of Rumi. The house rule is: We don't eat family ).
The little piles of poo around the house and nibbled fruit bowl told us he'd had a great day of adventure and he was completely and utterly unscathed.
Taking overseas trips meant I'd come back with new gifts and toys for Rumi, but in recent months those toys and houses and treats haven't been so interesting to my boy who just wanted to relax and cuddle.
This last week has been the hardest, Rumi's journey to the bridge, and the the week we have been the closest, Rumi spending 10 or more hours a day in my arms being fed and warmed and cleaned...and LOVED
My precious boy left us yesterday evening, quietly and peacefully, sleeping on my chest.
Thank you for giving me the will to carry on in tough times Rumi, and for all the fun and love and joy you brought us. Forever missed and loved xxxx