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5/12/08
A Cat GOes To Heaven. Goodbye Young Man
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Monday, May 12, 2008
6:52:00 PM EDT
Feeling Quiet

A Cat GOes To Heaven. Goodbye Young Man


HE HAD NO NAME
 
He appeared from the mist of morning like a shadow. He looked just like one of our cats and I went out to call him in from his escape. It was then I knew that he was a wayfaring wanderer. This big black and white tom was healthy and robust and comfortable to be wild and free.
 
He had no name but he lived here on the farm and kept the population of rabbits, mice and rats down. He loved to sleep with the goats and sheep, nestled in their warmth during the winter. We tied our best to talk him into being one of our cherished pets but he was the "Cat Who Walked By Himself" type. He eluded every humane trap we set of him. Obviously he felt he didn't need the cat food we used for bait.
 
His fur was always dazzling white and deepest shining black. When called, Kitty Kitty, he would turn and survey his domain and go about his business. For almost a year he shared his life with us here on the farm.
 
I could not persuade him to come in from the cold or rain and now I never will be able to try again. His lust for hunting and females became his downfall. We spotted him several days ago. He was dirty and walking on only three legs. He looked so sick. His dazzling white fur was dusty and unkempt. We set the Have A Heart trap in hopes to finally catch him. He had eluded that trap for over a year. Three days later we finally caught him. His inablilty to hunt and hunger got the best of him. We rushed him to the vet. He was so wild that he had to be sedated in the trap before the vet dared to touch him.
 
The evaluation was heart breaking, his injuries severe. He had a broken femur.  Considering his feral lifestyle and his total fear of people we decided that a long term rehab, trapped in a cage with constant human contact would be cruel and inhumane. He was all ready sedated so I finally got to caress his beautiful head and tell him he was so beautiful and then I let him go to heaven. At least he left this life with someone who cared about him right there at his side.
 
I urge anyone who has a cat that goes outside to seriously think about what happened to this beautiful cat. Whoever dumped him at our farm thought he would be happy. He was fearful and terrified of people. He lived a rough life and his injuries had to be extremely painful for the few days while we tried to catch him. A well rounded house cat is at bigger risk than this big guy was and he was only about three years old. Such a short life for such a beautiful boy.
 
Be at peace young man. Although you were wild and untrusting of us we loved you. See you someday at the gates.
DBDustbuny


Written by dbdustbuny Blog about this entry
This entry has 2 comments: (Add your own)
  • #2 Comment from hpmiou 
    6/10/08 1:06 PM | Permalink
    He knew that you had given him a name.... and that name was one from love. The final gift of love that you bestowed on him was truly from your heart.  He will never have to be confined and will live at the Rainbow Bridge, still wild, still feral, still beautiful.. but restored to health and vitality.

    Prayers to you both,

    Jo
  • #1 Comment from jmuhjacat 
    5/12/08 7:00 PM | Permalink
    THANK YOU for caring for him and for helping him when he finally let you do so.  Add me and mine to the list of those who love him, and whose prayers are added to yours.

    Yes, he certainly was a beautiful boy.  And yes, ALL CATS deserve a safe, indoor-only life, spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and well cared for.  For the ferals, a managed colony and "speutering"/vaccinating, until being feral is as rare as swine flying.