Over the years, Mr Ackerman and his family were more partners than clients. It was personally signed by Mr Ackerman and remains one of my prized possessions. The writer wished me luck and congratulations. My PA, Lyntina Aimes, said there was a letter on my desk that was hand-delivered on a Pick n Pay letterhead. On 1 April 2009, I arrived on my first day as the youngest editor of The Cape Argus in the paper’s almost 170-year history. I was close to tears too as I had fond memories of the incredible human that was Mr Raymond Ackerman. A friend, whose wife worked at the company’s head office, broke the news and said his wife was in tears. The tears flowed too when a special South African passed away last week. But vet bills will reduce even Eben Etzebeth to tears! Picture: Gasant Abarder Look, I understand that if you study many years before spending the rest of your days with your arm up to your elbow up a cow’s bum to check its prostate (or is that for bulls?) then you need to be handsomely compensated.

I lyingly nodded yes through a blur of tears.

Laylaa gestured a thumbs up and mouthed an ‘Are you okay?’, on the other side of the reception area’s window. Then, a second wave of tears after seeing the bill. Laylaa and the girls waited in the car as I settled the bill. In the vet’s room, she seemed better – the way humans strangely are before they die. I tried to remain stoic, but my tears flowed as we said our final goodbyes to her. Laylaa and the kids were beside themselves with grief. But she was diagnosed with leukaemia, and we had to euthanise her. Then we took Sophie, our sickly Jack Russell, to the vet. In suburbia, it was especially sad when our Calico cat Callie went missing after the move to the new house. It has been a sad week to be South African and the Bokke once again came through for us.

Sad cat diary