Tommy died just before midnight on Monday 12th January 2009. He hadn't been well for several days and on Monday evening he failed to splosh on the dining room floor next to his parents as they were having dinner. This had been a ritual of Tommy's for a long time and his parents expected the worst when he went into the workshop that evening and didn't want to come out.
Just before midnight, with his last ounce of strength, Tommy tried to reach the bedroom to say goodbye. He collapsed and died just outside the open door, in the arms of his mother.
He was buried in a plot in the side yard on Tuesday evening.
Tommy will be sadly missed by his parents and all his friends.
Here is a photo of Tommy the way he'd like to be remembered - hale and hearty and full of life in his favourite pot on the verandah.