Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
HIT AND RUN:
WOMAN’S HORROR AS THERAPY PET KILLED
A WOMAN has said she will struggle to cope without her beloved cat after she was killed in a hit-and-run.
Rachel Jarvis lost her three-yearold pet Harley who was run down close to her home in Arbroath at 7am on Friday.
Not only was Harley a muchloved pet, she was also Rachel’s best friend at some of the worst times in her life.
Harley had been out walking with Rachel’s mum Beverley and the family dog when a driver sped along the street before hitting her.
Rachel said: “At first mum thought she was OK but then Harley began screaming.
“She died in agony in my arms just as we got her to the emergency vet.
“I am heartbroken. I don’t understand how someone could do that.
“I just want the driver to come forward and apologise.”
Harley had acted as a therapy pet for Rachel, making sure she was there for her when she was in a bad place.
Rachel, 26, added: “I have had Harley for three years and she was my best friend and therapy pet.
“I have gone through dreadful times i n my life and Harley always knew when I was feeling bad and she would actually put her arms around my neck and cuddle me.”
Rachel explained that she suffered abuse as a child at the hands of a family member and between the ages of 13 and 17 she was in an abusive and controlling sexual relationship.
She said: “I was only a child but this person had total control over me. I wasn’t allowed to sleep or eat and I was subjected to sexual abuse.
“I managed to break away when I was 17 but that relationship is still having a dreadful effect on my life.
“I have always had cats who have helped me enormously when I’ve been feeling very down.
“Harley was particularly special to me. I want that driver to know that Harley wasn’t just my pet, she provided me with so much love and comfort.
“She was so sensitive to my needs and helped me to cope at the very worst of times.
“I don’t know how I’m going to cope without her.
“I want people to be aware that for many of us our cats aren’t just our pets, they fulfil a very important role in our lives.”