Today, around 7.30 am Bingo died. We've known it was coming especially these last few days when he couldn't swallow any food and from yesterday afternoon he was also refusing water. In fact, I phoned the vet yesterday at lunch time with the intention of asking him to put him to sleep (they were closed for the afternoon so it didn't happen) so really I'm happy for Bingo rather than sad. We took him to a 'pet cremation' place in Takarazuka where they do a kind of funeral (weird really) and he will get cremated at 5pm today with all the other dogs and cats that were brought in. There were a whole load of 'options' but what was the point?

We tried to explain to Setsuo's father - even went as far as showing him Bingo in the box - but I don't know if he really understood or not. It's times like this that we know he really is senile!

Anyway, Bingo is probably romping around with all the other cats and dogs - and ready to bite the first ankle he comes across! - Keita can get his own room back now that we don't have to have Bingo in there, and in turn, Keita and friends no longer have to use the new house as their gathering area.

The two photos of Bingo were taken near the end of December when he was slightly better. He'd just had a bath so he looks rather bedraggled!