Penny passed away peacefully in my arms this morning at the vets after a little walk along the river with her favourite people. My partner was there along with my mum, who cared for Penny when I was unable to have her where I was living. We all shared our grief and then retired to the chocolate cafe for a Spanish hot chocolate to drink to her memory. I knew the moment she no longer felt any pain and it made me smile and feel joyful.
Penny was my thirteenth birthday present and was with me for 13 1/2 years. We grew up together and I have learnt so much from her. She touched everyone who met her and quite a few that didn't. Last week, old, cranky, almost blind and deaf and missing teeth, she still managed to charm the pants off a few people she'd never met before. That was my Penny. Impossibly charming to the end.