A tribute to Colonel Beau, a cat of distinction and all-round Jolly Good Fellow

Colonel Beau came to live at Cat Chat Towers in early 2005, at the age of 10-ish, after his previous human sadly died. Always a larger-than-life character, he was swiftly to become a much loved and respected figure. Over his time with us here, the Colonel (Sir) helped to raise the profile of the older cat, and was the original inspiration behind our 'Senior Kittizens Rock! (between naps)' campaign to encourage adopting a senior puss.

Beau was a big, beautiful, handsome, proud, playful, soft, soppy, lovable old soldier, who adored a fuss (but didn't do laps), and knew how to keep his troops in order! We were privileged to have shared our home and hearts with him for the last three and a half years of his distinguished career, and are proud to have served in his regiment.

Below are some of Colonel Beau's finest achievements - jolly well done Sir!

Colonel Beau Cat - A Most Superior Officer

Life Before Cat Chat:
Colonel Beau was first rescued by the RSPCA, who took him in and patched him up after a road accident, in which he'd broken his jaw. He was 'about five' then and no-one claimed him. The Colonel then had several short-stay homes, gathering an impressive array of skills and 'qualifications' along the way. His last home before arriving at Cat Chat Towers was with an elderly lady who adored him, and a tortoise who didn't (he adored a tortoise up the road instead).

Marshalling the Troops:
Arriving as he did, with tales of bravery and daring, and with years of 'active service' under his ample belt, he was fully qualified to knock the Cat Chat regiment into shape. However, at first Gemini was the only other feline Troop for Beau to command, and as she had no interest in either being commanded or becoming a 'troop' he began by enlisting the humans into his regiment, (highly successfully too, it has to be said). So, it was hardly surprising, that when a hungry, homeless stray turned up, Beau was happy to sign him up him and show him the ropes, thus Private Pickford became his new recruit - and possibly the closest thing either had had to a feline friend before.

All-Action Cat:
Colonel Beau was the original Action Cat, despite his 'dodgy kidneys' he had boundless energy. He would have long and enthusiastic 'combat session' with rugs, duvets, wiggly wagglers, his favourite feather-on-a-stick toy, and a variety of shoelaces, (he purportedly had a diploma in multi-directional shoelace control). He also has the distinction of having climbed up both of the previously un-climbed trees on the Cat Chat base, ('no tree's 'un-climbeable' until the Colonel says so'), and his prowess in the art of paper-ripping is the stuff of legend.

A Dapper Gent:
Looking smart, distinguished and devilishly handsome was very important to the Colonel, so he put much time and effort into ensuring his pure white 'uniform' stayed white. Cleaning his luxuriant 'Grade A Colonel Fur' from one end to the other was not dissimilar to painting the Forth Bridge, no sooner had he got to one end... well, you know the rest. Consequently Beau managed at all times to look every inch the dapper gent he was.

Col. Beau's Finest Achievements:
Where does one start? Well, Beau taught Gemini how to drink out of taps, and he taught Pickford how not to be a stray. He was the most reliable alarm clock anyone could wish for. He was a champion cat-flap-lock-picker, and he won a rosette for Happiest Veteran in a photo competition. But, probably his most lasting achievement was his huge influence at Cat Chat, raising the profile of the older cat, and being the inspiration for our 'Senior Kittizens Rock! (between naps)' campaign, which will continue to help find homes for 'Golden Oldies' like him for years to come.
You were an inspiration and a dashed fine chap, Colonel Sir, and you will be in our hearts forever.

(Oh, and in case you're wondering, the tortoise eventually went to live with the lady tortoise up the road whom he adored, and we gather, she adores him back.)

Colonel Beau came to live at Cat Chat Towers after the death of his elderly owner. Every year, thousands of cats over ten years old find themselves in a rescue centre because their owner has died, or been taken into a care home, yet they can have many years of life and love to give...

If you could give a new lease of life to a super Senior Kittizen like Beau, just contact your nearest rescue centre and ask about their more mature residents.

'Senior Kittizens' give you all the love with none of the litter training!

Senior Kittizens Rock!
(between naps)