It is with a heavy heart that we have had to say goodbye to our much-loved Bengie.
We were concerned about her swollen belly and arranged for a mobile vet to come to our house. After a battery of tests revealed some alarming results, we took our pussycat to the Geelong Animal Hospital where an ultrasound and further pathology tests confirmed the presence of cancerous cells in her abdomen and her kidneys. We did not want to put her through any invasive and pointless procedures and said goodbye to our Bengie at 10.00pm on Tuesday 27th January. She died in our arms peacefully.
And now the house is empty and ever so quiet. We miss her so much; it is gut wrenching.
We are heartbroken but will forever remember our little leopard, her incredibly daring nature, the fun we had with her, her bossy character, her loving cuddles, her constant chattiness, her amazing adaptability, her silky soft fur and bright expressive green eyes. She was one of a kind, lively, playful, affectionate and totally bonded to us. Bengie was our companion for 19.5 years. She had a good life full of adventures, with more sea miles than most pets and even people, and she made ours richer.
We thought we’d share a link to a couple of magazine articles written in her voice many years ago.
And here are a few favourite photos – one for every year we were lucky to have her:
Sv-Anui 
Very sad at her passing, but wow, she had a great adventurous life.
She certainly had, Graham. Thanks for leaving a comment.
Take comfort ….. Bengie will return to you from her new existence when you are ready. Much love, Janis
Thank you for your thoughts, Janis. Appreciate it.
Oh… such a sad good bye, but what a wonderful life she had exploring the coast of Australia with some land adventuring as well. You have so many gorgeous memories of her to fill up the space she leaves behind.
Hugs from us both xxx
Yes, lots of tears but also lots of laughter with all the mischief she got up to. Thanks guys.
So very sad. She was such a beautiful natured baby. I know how much you will miss her. She was so much a part of your journey. She will always be with you in the shadows 💔
She is everywhere around us in the shadows and the bright sunshine. Thanks Caroline.
Have just awoken to this. I don’t think I have to put my feelings into words. She was very much part of the family. Lived a long and adventurous life knowing she was loved. She must have felt crook this side of the rainbow bridge, so this had to be. am sending you the biggest, warmest hug with no words . . . we have to live with life as it happens . . . but we shall remember the joy she gave . . . .
Thanks Eha. It is painful but there is a lot to celebrate in that life of hers.
So very sorry for your loss, I feel your pain…. it is just too hard
Sending you a very warm hug….
Thank you Sally, I know you totally understand.
Really sad to hear about Bengie. I hope you are both OK.
Phil
Lots of tears from both of us… will be like this for a while.
Super sad to hear of the passing of Bengie.
She certainly led an extraordinary life of adventure and seemed to take everything in her stride.
We lost our dear golden lab Kora over a year ago and despite best antics of Zen & the new pup Harlow to keep us cheered, there’s still a hole.
We get how you must be feeling. The only advice we can offer is enjoy the memories, and its ok to shed a tear or two.
We know you get this sadness and emptiness, guys. The tears are flowing… they come in waves, but we have also had a few laughs when remembering her antics and funny ways.
Sorry to hear about your loss of beautiful Bengie. Ella Bleu will miss seeing her.
Thanks Phil & Lindy. We knew she was on borrowed time but it does not make her passing any easier. Lots of good memories though.
So sorry to hear this today, no doubt you and Wade will have beautiful memories of Bengie to treasure. It’s a very emotional time all our love Henry and Brenda.
Thanks Henry & Brenda. Very emotional and teary as you well know yourselves. But we had so many good years.
Oh so sorry to hear! That’s a great innings for an adventurous kitty though and she was lucky to have you as her pawrents. I look at Tora often while we are sailing and think that she really has a great life. I cannot imagine though, the wrench when the day will come to say goodbye to her. Sending big hugs of commiseration from Vellamo
So nice to hear from you Traci. Was thinking of you and Tora. Bengals are amazing cats, so suited to boat life. Hope you have a long time together.
Hi Chris and Wade, We do know how it feels to say goodbye to a beloved pet. Our own experience included the gut wrenching feeling you refer to which, of course, will fade with time (but never completely disappear). Our thoughts are with you at such a difficult time. Tom&Louxx
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Thanks Tom & Lou. Every thought brings the tears back at the moment. It is very hard. Thanks for saying hello.
Sorry to hear about Bengie, it must have been a shock to find out she had cancer. I hope you can take comfort in the fact you enabled her to have a long and pampered life. Love to you both ♥
Hi Maree, the void and silence are overwhelming. Of course we knew she was on borrowed time but yes the cancer news gave us that sinking feeling and we had no choice but to let her go. Thank you for your thoughts.
So sad to hear, I am feeling for you both. She has shared so many amazing adventures with you, she was the reason your blog first caught my eye! I am so glad I got to meet her briefly in QLD.
Hi Colin, Bengie was a hit with many followers and sailors. Any post from or about her was popular and even this one encourages people to comment. Sailing won’t be the same without her… even land life is quiet.
I’m so sorry to hear about sweet Bengie. She has had a wonderful life with you both and so many memories together. Sending you hugs!!
Thanks Esther, tough period.
She will be missed…
So SORRY for your loss .
Dom and Gary .
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Hi guys… not a lot of fun. We were expecting it, but it is still so hard.
I’m so sorry to hear about Bengie, though I know she had one hell of a life and travelled more than most cats. I hope that continues in the afterlife for her.
She was a happy affectionate cat. And yes it was a pretty special life for a cat or people!
Oh I hope there are lots of feathers where she is to chase too.
She still played with them as an older cat!
We feel your pain pets are family members & it is very hard when they leave us. We noticed a couple of images on Medina. I went back through your journal on Medina’s delivery & there is an image with Bengie & our Foxy. Great memories Bengie had a great life. Thinking of you guys.
Yes Medina was the start of the adventures for us and for Bengie as a kitten. She used to love the big Cape Barren Goose feathers… across the mouth, looking fierce and unbalanced! Great memories in between all the tears. We remember Foxy and Bengie’s encounter on board. Bengie decided she was not threatened by that nice doggy.
Sad. Our hearts were broken the same way at the end of last year. The feeling is just awful. All the best. -Michael
Thanks Michael. It comes in huge waves. It’s overwhelming.
Dear Chris and Wade, Bengie was a wonderful companion, and definitely part of your family. A special feline. We were smitten from the first time we met her when she was still a kitten. Thank you for posting the beautiful photos. She will be missed by many.
Kind regards, Mary and Mic.
Thank you Mary and Mic for saying hello – Bengie leaves a very big hole. She was involved in everything we did and it is really tough without her. We remember her hopping on Futura at Devonport, bleating at the birds and investigating everywhere! Such a gorgeous companion.
It was great to see the photos of the little cat. It is a sad time but your plan to deposit her remains in the sea is lovely. My last 2 dogs got to be scattered in the church cemetery up the road as both of them loved to walk there.
I hope the work on the house is progressing nicely. Pepa is resting on the lounge here in the stay as is her habit these days, likes to be close.
Take care both of you
Love Sue
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Hi Sue, good to talk and tell you the news before the post was out. Bengie was so tiny when we first brought her home as a kitten! I am sure it will be a very emotional day when we scatter her ashes at our favourite spot in the Furneaux. She loved it there on the beach.
I’m sorry for your loss guys, she had an amazing and long life. Hugs again. 🙏🏻❤️
Hi John, it is heartbreaking even if we knew it was going to happen sooner rather than later. You can’t really prepare for the heart ache.
No, you can’t . 🙏🏻❤️