[MilleD]

That is great news.

It would be great to reach the target for the wreath and then consider Stef's chosen Cat charity. I believe it is called The Arc.

Thank you lovely members.

Yes, the ARC which is run by Sally. It's near Wolverhampton I think. Not to be confused with the Ark, which I think is in Ashbourne.

 

[Jonescat]

So many lovely words on here - so many people helped and supported. Chillminx will be sorely missed. I had wondered where she was but never ever imagined this. Thankyou for telling us all and setting up / managing the fund, but it is a very sad day.

 

[oliviarussian]

Yes, the ARC which is run by Sally. It's near Wolverhampton I think. Not to be confused with the Ark, which I think is in Ashbourne.

Here is their Facebook page for anyone who wants to check it out
https://www.facebook.com/The-ARC-the-ashmore-rescue-for-cats-610309825673191/

 

[GingerNinja]

I'm absolutely devastated to hear this news. Stef was such a lovely, kind lady.... I think she had the patience of a saint!

She will be sorely missed by everyone who knew her in life and virtually. My condolences to her family and loved ones x

 

[QOTN]

Ashmore Rescue details are on Catchat.
https://www.catchat.org/shelter_cen...lter_centre/index.php?route=shelters/news&path=197&news_id=473&page=1&section=3

 

[Lilylass]

I am so sad to hear about this Stef was so kind and helpful to me with Mia issues many years ago now. Many lives, human and feline, have been enriched with her guidance and support.

Sweet dreams lovely lady, you will be very much missed xx

 

[Paddypaws]

https://www.facebook.com/The-ARC-the-ashmore-rescue-for-cats-610309825673191/
I've spoken via message with Sally this morning as she and Stef were close and in contact.

 

[Soozi]

I heard the news yesterday about our dearest Stef passing away. I was so stunned and devastated that I couldn’t even think of any words to express my sadness I spent the afternoon just thinking of her.
I was honoured to be one of her many good friends and only spoke to her in January and now she’s gone! I received a lovely parcel of goodies from her at Christmas and will treasure these things.
Stef will be greatly missed here and in time we just have to come to terms with the loss of such a beautiful person.
Rest peacefully lovely lady. xxx
Give Benjie plenty of snuggles. ❤

 

[David C]

You will be greatly missed
RIP Stef x

 

[Guest]

Many lives, human and feline, have been enriched with her guidance and support.

Many lives saved too. I'm sure I don't exaggerate when I say this.

 

[JaimeandBree]

May I just say that perhaps the biggest testament to how well regarded Stef was is that members past and present have flocked in their droves to pay tribute to her here, some who have not been seen round these ‘ere parts for many a year and others like me who have been MIA for a shorter spell.

It is also lovely to realise that even when some of us may not post much (or at all) these days, the friendships and networks we have all formed via this forum extend well past its walls, so that when something like this occurs it doesn’t take long for news to reach us and bring us back here. Once a Cat Chatter always a Cat Chatter :Cat

 

[Guest]

As another suggestion, maybe a longer term project, but wouldn’t it be good to collect all the useful health advice she gave and post it in an easy place to find. From CKD, to FIC, from corneal ulcers to IBD, she always had excellent advice. And she often repeated it so many times so patiently even thought it had been discussed before.

A month or two ago, a new member lost his cat suddenly as a result of a heart attack. He was very confused as to how the vet managed it (not well apparently). I was astonished that on this super technical topic (managing feline cardiac arrest) she had superb advice. Where on earth are we going to find this knowledge in one place? I hope one day it can be collated in a series of sticky threads under relevant health topic (eg kidney, dental, urinary issues etc) so they can be found easily as in my own experience the search function on this forum misses a lot if you don’t use the right search string. And if you are new (when you are in most need of help) you will definitely not know the right terms.

 

[ebonycat]

May I just say that perhaps the biggest testament to how well regarded Stef was is that members past and present have flocked in their droves to pay tribute to her here, some who have not been seen round these 'ere parts for many a year and others like me who have been MIA for a shorter spell.

It is also lovely to realise that even when some of us may not post much (or at all) these days, the friendships and networks we have all formed via this forum extend well past its walls, so that when something like this occurs it doesn't take long for news to reach us and bring us back here. Once a Cat Chatter always a Cat Chatter :Cat

I'm in tears, again

This forum is such a lovely community, we might not always agree with each other, but we are there for each other when it matters xx

 

[LittleEms]

Gosh I just saw this now, I am genuinely devastated to hear the news and have tears in my eyes. Chillminx was such an invaluable help to me with my kittens and thanks to her knowledge they've done so well. She will be hugely missed.

 

[JaimeandBree]

As another suggestion, maybe a longer term project, but wouldn't it be good to collect all the useful health advice she gave and post it in an easy place to find. From CKD, to FIC, from corneal ulcers to IBD, she always had excellent advice. And she often repeated it so many times so patiently even thought it had been discussed before.

A month or two ago, a new member lost his cat suddenly as a result of a heart attack. He was very confused as to how the vet managed it (not well apparently). I was astonished that on this super technical topic (managing feline cardiac arrest) she had superb advice. Where on earth are we going to find this knowledge in one place? I hope one day it can be collated in a series of sticky threads under relevant health topic (eg kidney, dental, urinary issues etc) so they can be found easily as in my own experience the search function on this forum misses a lot if you don't use the right search string. And if you are new (when you are in most need of help) you will definitely not know the right terms.

That is an excellent idea

 

[Gallifreyangirl]

As another suggestion, maybe a longer term project, but wouldn't it be good to collect all the useful health advice she gave and post it in an easy place to find. From CKD, to FIC, from corneal ulcers to IBD, she always had excellent advice. And she often repeated it so many times so patiently even thought it had been discussed before.

A month or two ago, a new member lost his cat suddenly as a result of a heart attack. He was very confused as to how the vet managed it (not well apparently). I was astonished that on this super technical topic (managing feline cardiac arrest) she had superb advice. Where on earth are we going to find this knowledge in one place? I hope one day it can be collated in a series of sticky threads under relevant health topic (eg kidney, dental, urinary issues etc) so they can be found easily as in my own experience the search function on this forum misses a lot if you don't use the right search string. And if you are new (when you are in most need of help) you will definitely not know the right terms.

I think that is a brilliant idea.

 

[ebonycat]

As another suggestion, maybe a longer term project, but wouldn't it be good to collect all the useful health advice she gave and post it in an easy place to find. From CKD, to FIC, from corneal ulcers to IBD, she always had excellent advice. And she often repeated it so many times so patiently even thought it had been discussed before.

A month or two ago, a new member lost his cat suddenly as a result of a heart attack. He was very confused as to how the vet managed it (not well apparently). I was astonished that on this super technical topic (managing feline cardiac arrest) she had superb advice. Where on earth are we going to find this knowledge in one place? I hope one day it can be collated in a series of sticky threads under relevant health topic (eg kidney, dental, urinary issues etc) so they can be found easily as in my own experience the search function on this forum misses a lot if you don't use the right search string. And if you are new (when you are in most need of help) you will definitely not know the right terms.

That is an excellent idea

I think that is a brilliant idea.

I think it's an excellent idea.

We do have one 'Sticky' Thread in Health and Nutrition section.
Stef's 'Elimination Diet'.

 

[Guest]

I think that is a brilliant idea.

We would probably need some technical help to do this (to search the old threads) but all of us can contribute to the effort according to their interest or expertise/experience. For example, she gave me great advice on feline urinary issues and I can easily locate the posts I think. Others can do something similar - like crowdsourcing. I honestly was amazed and in awe when she knew the ins and outs of oxygen chamber therapy for a cat in crisis (as opposed to the need for invasive intubation). Who knows this stuff? I don't even think many vets will know (at least in relation to cats specifically as most vets treat dogs 80% of the time). And we as owners need to know because if your dying, petrified cat is having a tube stuffed down his throat, you will definitely want to know there are gentler, less stressful but equally effective options.

This is the lifetime of love and experience and I am so eager to make sure we preserve it in her memory for the benefit of the clueless among us like me. When I was at university, my lecturer told me I would learn more from my peers than I would from the profs. chillminx is exactly that fount of knowledge.

 

[JaimeandBree]

We would probably need some technical help to do this (to search the old threads) but all of us can contribute to the effort according to their interest or expertise/experience. For example, she gave me great advice on feline urinary issues and I can easily locate the posts I think. Others can do something similar - like crowdsourcing. I honestly was amazed and in awe when she knew the ins and outs of oxygen chamber therapy for a cat in crisis (as opposed to the need for invasive intubation). Who knows this stuff? I don't even think many vets will know (at least in relation to cats specifically as most vets treat dogs 80% of the time).

This is the lifetime of love and experience and I am so eager to make sure we preserve it in her memory for the benefit of the clueless among us like me. When I was at university, my lecturer told me I would learn more from my peers than I would from the profs. chillminx is exactly that fount of knowledge.

Well said and you are right, our resident vet @Ceiling Kitty said only yesterday that in some things Stef's knowledge surpassed her own, and CK is a vet with a specialised interest in all things feline.

 

[Guest]

Well said and you are right, our resident vet @Ceiling Kitty said only yesterday that in some things Stef's knowledge surpassed her own, and CK is a vet with a specialised interest in all things feline.

Well that is really something considering CK is a class act herself.
If only we all had vets like her.