I woke to horrible news yesterday. A neighborhood icon, Sheriff the cat, had died. Even more tragic, his death came as the result of some vile person kicking him. The animal ambulance came, but there was too much internal bleeding to save him. The psychopath who kicked him has been arrested.
It’s hard to imagine the neighborhood without Sheriff. Although he called Café Tilt home, he could be found wandering throughout the immediate neighborhood and among the many bars and terraces. A friendly cat, he seemed to take his name seriously, often walking with us as we returned home, as if making sure we made it safely. Once we were in our house, he would then continue his patrols, vigilant, but often with a friendly meow.
He is one of the stars of a wall mural just off Wittevrouwenstraat behind Café Tilt, along with other icons of Utrecht. The mural is a nice reminder, but it will never make up for losing the real Sheriff. The loss has been felt by many, with outpourings of horror and grief throughout social media. He was such a frequent sight that losing him really does feel like losing one of my own beloved cats. It’s hard to believe we’ll never see his battered ears and beautiful black and white whiskers again.
Rest in peace, our dear friend.
![Superstar [Day 43/365]](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4015/4351596448_f9c50315b5_z.jpg)
A Flamingo in Utrecht 
Awww That is (swearword beginning with an F) sad and enraging… 😦 At the very least you have some pretty pictures of him
That’s horribly sad 😦 RIP Sheriff!
Sorry about the neighborhood kitty. 😦
Oh, that’s just terrible. I can’t believe some people. Poor Sheriff
Very sad news. Why would anyone do something like that?
That’s so nasty . . . 😦
I am so sorry to read this. There are horrible people in the world. The mural is wonderful, and your photos and words will help to keep Sheriff’s spirit part of everyone’s hearts.
The human saying is it takes all kinds of people to make the world. I’m pretty sure there are some we could do without. Sheriff looks very much like my house-mate Oreo. If someone kicked Oreo I personally can guarantee them a shortened leg.
That’s absolutely horrible! So sad 😦
(and also the reason why we keep our cats indoors… I couldn’t bear to lose either of them to cars or nasty, vile, cruel people like the one who killed Sheriff)