Susan Finden - Casper the Commuting Cat - The True Story of the Cat Who Rode the Bus and Stole Our Hearts

I miss buying your treats and the closeness as we sat on the sofa together in the evening, content with the world, content with the simple pleasures of life.

What would I give to have one last cuddle? So much, so much – but life goes on, and nothing can bring you back, so I can only make a promise to you, which is to recognize all that you gave me and spread your message.

What did I learn from Casper?

Enjoy life.

Take pleasure in the simple things – sunshine, turkey roll and a bus ride might not be what works for you, so find your own recipe for a good life and stick to it.

Find something you love to do and keep doing it.

Believe that the world is a good place full of good people, and you might just find out that you’re right.

That last piece of advice might surprise some people because, were it not for a bad thing done by a thoughtless person, Casper would be here today. However, he taught me something else: good can come from bad. The last few years have been hard ones, but in the middle of it all, it was almost as if Casper decided that he was going to give something to us. His spirit of adventure and love of travel meant that, somehow, he reached out to the world and the world responded. His life brought out something in people – but his death brought out even more. I would never have known how kind strangers could be, how much comfort you could get from someone you’d never met, but each day brings another letter, more caring words, and it’s as if Casper is speaking to me, telling me to hold on, to be brave and to keep his memory alive.

So, thank you, Casper, thank you so much – until we meet again.

My Story Continued

Casper

So, is my story a happy one or a sad one?

Forgive me for saying so, but I think only a human would ask that question.

We all have our time. And my time with my mum, with you all, had come to an end.

I had a life before Sue and before the story you’ve just read, and there were moments in that life that taught me much about the ways of the world. In learning all my tricks, I discovered a whole new existence and enjoyed a fabulous set of adventures. But dwelling on things long gone is of no benefit to man or beast. I had fun. I got into some scrapes. While the manner in which things ended was sad, I can’t complain – although if I’m lucky enough to have a next time, I’ll avoid those horrible speeding metal boxes that aren’t nice friendly buses.

No life is without its troubles, but that means we should take time to appreciate the good things when they come along – and you humans would do well to relax more often. Take time to enjoy the beauty around you. Enjoy a sunny day but see the joy in the raindrops too. Think how delightful the flowers are but know that the weeds and bushes also have their place. They provide marvellous cover for us cats when we want to watch the world go by. Everything has a place; everything has good in it, if you take a moment to find it.

As I bask in the sunshine on the rainbow bridge I want to impart some final words of wisdom from a feline who knew what it was like to be given a second chance. Appreciate what you have, seize love where you find it and always, always, take a moment to admire a beautiful cat as he or she walks by. For, who knows, that cat might have something to teach you . . .

With love – Casper

Acknowledgements

My sincere thanks to Linda Watson-Brown, who was so patient with me and helped me to write such a lovely book. To all the staff at Simon & Schuster UK, who made the book possible in the first place. To all at First Group, especially Karen Baxter and the Number 3 bus drivers, who took such great care of Casper when he took his bus trips.

Illustrations

Do you think I’m handsome?

Where’s my supper?

Can we watch On the Buses again?

Tuppence, Casper’s best mate from the early days

Everyone loves a little Whisky at Christmas

The Nutty Girls: KP and Peanut

Jack wants to go travelling too

Chris and Gemma taking 40 winks

Clyde

At full stretch

Ginny

Gemma before her operation

Bird’s Eye View

On alert

Patience is a virtue

Fame at last

Fares please!

Back of the No. 3

Can someone ring the bell please?

My favourite seat

Not sure about the view here

Our special day

My favourite driver, Rob

Rainy day in Plymouth