If you live around the area of Nobel Road in Clifton, you’ve probably come across Tabs, a friendly cat who said hello to everyone and hangs around at the Todd Close Bus Stop.
Sadly, Tabs passed away after being hit by a car on 21st August, so his owner Lisa Baguley and her family wanted to share his story as a tribute to his incredible character who was loved by everyone.
Tabs’ story began many years ago when a new family moved in nearby to Lisa’s parent’s home on Synge Close. The family had a cat named Harvey, however due to having a very full household, Harvey often spent time wandering nearby to find some company and snacks. The Synge Close family found it hard to spoil Harvey like he deserved so they were happy for Lisa’s family to take him now and again and spoil him with tuna and ham.
Several years passed where Harvey was a member of two loving homes, when the family of Synge Close had to move home. Lisa decided to ask the family if they would allow Harvey to stay and live with her at Nobel Road as he knew the area so well, they agreed.
Throughout knowing Harvey, he had several names, he didn’t seem to respond to Harvey so Lisa and her family began calling him Tabs, although he was also often called Tubbles or Tabawabs.
Lisa said, “Tabs loved his fuss and was such a friendly boy, everyday he would go sit at the bus stop and wait for adults and children to come to the bus stop to give him strokes and sometimes treats. Even the postman used to buy him treats and gave him fuss!”
After Tabs’ tragic passing, Lisa put a post on Facebook to share the sad news, but she wasn’t prepared for all the comments and well-wishers from locals. Many people sent her messages, photos and videos of their own interaction with Tabs the bus stop cat. He seemed to have touched the hearts of many Clifton residents.
Lisa said, “It was then when I realised how much he was truly loved.
“He was a big, beautiful cat, such a friendly boy and he loved all adults and children. Me and my mum and dad plus a lot of residents are devastated at his loss. It has impacted both adults and children all over Nobel Road who knew him.”
Lisa and her family are hoping to create and put up a small memorial plaque at the Todd Close Bus Stop to remember the happy chap and loved-by-all, Tabs the Bus Stop Cat.