Sad to hear from the Woodstock housekeeper that our dear Pinchu was found dead below a car in the villa three days ago. I last saw her last week when I came to vote on 9th April. That was perhaps her final moment with us. I gave her some cooked fish, but she struggled to eat. I had a feeling then that she might not survive long—she had crossed 12 years, almost the same time since we moved to this villa. 

Pinchu was more than a cat – she was part of our life here. Over the years, she gave birth many times—perhaps more than a dozen litters. She had a large family, though many of her kittens did not survive. Still, she remained a caring and devoted mother throughout. There was a time last year when she disappeared for months and stayed in another house in the villa, as if she wanted some distance from us. But she came back, calmly, as she always did.

Even in her twelfth year, our Pinchu—our “grandmother cat”—gave birth to two kittens. Sadly, they too did not survive. Many of our visitors and family members knew her well. She was gentle, affectionate, and at the same time clever in her own way—never hesitating to steal fried fish, bread, or milk from nearby houses to feed her kittens.

Kunjunni’s fondness for Pinchu was something special. His calls to her still echo in our ears, and her strange, loving responses made those moments unforgettable.

The sad part is that as Pinchu left us, life gently continued. Her daughters, Balu and Kunjupinchu, have now given birth, beginning a new cycle. Their kittens are moved from place to place, yet they return here, on time, as if they know this is still home.

Cats have a gentle way of entering our lives and filling our days with warmth. As someone once said, “A cat may be gone from your sight, but never from your heart.” Another line feels so true today: “Time spent with cats is never wasted.” Pinchu gave us years of such time—simple, loving, and unforgettable.

Her absence leaves a silence, but also a soft memory that will stay with us.

The last picture I took on 9 April 2026, after eating the cooked fish.