Teddington community in mourning after one-eyed cat and local icon Archie passes away
By Oliver Monk 31st Jul 2024
Teddington's one-eyed celebrity cat has passed away, prompting an outpouring of support from locals to his owner.
Known to many as Teddington's unofficial station cat, Archie was a familiar sight around town on account of his friendly curiosity and distinctive appearance.
"Archie was a very special creature," said his owner, Alex Sumner, adding: "The number of times I've been called to pick him up from places he should not be…"
Ms Sumner told Nub News she has had to retrieve Archie from all over her neighbourhood, from local shops and businesses like M&S and Kirby Pharmacy on the High Street, and Park Road Surgery along with the dentist opposite – to name a few.
"He was an absolute character," explained Ms Sumner.
The owner posted notices of Archie's passing around Teddington Station – one of his favourite hang-out spots – with the help of ticket office staff, to help get the word out to residents concerned about his absence.
Ms Sumner's grief has been felt by many in the local community. "I've had cards through my letterbox from people I've never even met," she says.
Archie has a history of adventure, both within Teddington and beyond.
Ms Sumner found him while living in France, bringing him with her when she returned to Teddington in 2014. However, Archie sadly went missing in 2021, with his devastated owner assuming the worst several weeks into his absence.
Thankfully, the mischievous cat was found over a year later in Farnborough 25 miles away, after his new owners found out he was chipped while trying to formally adopt him.
His French upbringing, along with the temporary stay with his Polish hosts, means the little globetrotter could be considered tri-lingual.
However, after what Ms Sumner estimates as 16 years, Archie's adventuring has come to an end.
The owner took him to the vet after noticing him acting strangely. Sadly, he was found to have a tumour-like growth in his airways, causing difficulty with his breathing.
"He was struggling," says Ms Sumner.
Her and her family made the difficult decision to put Archie down in mid-June.
Despite her loss, Ms Sumner is keen to celebrate the huge impact the little cat had around his community.
"He wasn't frightened of anything. If someone opened a door, he'd walk in," she said, before concluding: "He had a marvellous life."
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