“Remembering Brammetje: The Beloved Weidevenne Station Cat”

Purmerend regrets the death of station cat Brammetje. For years, the red hangover was a welcome guest at Purmerend Weidevenne station, but yesterday he was hit by a car.

“It’s a shock, I thought: it’s not true. He was so cuddly,” says a train passenger at NH News. “I certainly gave him a pat on the head once,” says another traveler. “He has had many adventures. He was a beloved cat and we will miss him.”

Op Facebook the comments pour in. “Rest in peace darling,” one wrote. “Blessings to all who knew him,” said another.

Purmerend Weidevenne is a small station like there are so many in the Netherlands. A platform high on the railway embankment, in the middle of a residential area. On both sides a glass wall that should provide protection against wind and rain. Occasionally a train stops. Brammetje was first noticed there seven years ago. Even then in his favorite place, under the metal bench on the platform.

In 2017, the cat was in the news because he was missing. His owner, Anneke Rost from Purmerend, immediately launched a search, with results. Five days later Brammetje took his place again imperturbably. “Someone has mistaken him for his own cat”, stated Rost his brief absence.

At the beginning of this month Brammetje was missing again, but this time he turned up safe and sound again. But yesterday it went wrong. “Brammetje was hit by a car tonight and died near the train station,” Rost said on Facebook.