An ode to my cat... RIP

Jack the Hack

Jack the Hack

Hall of Fame
I had three cats...

One pair is a brother and sister that have been together for 11 years now. We rescued them from the animal shelter last year, and they are great. The male sits at my feet all day while I work, and the female follows my wife all around the house. They are wonderful, but not like our "outdoor" cat...

She was about 2 years old and just showed up one day on our doorstep. Because she was so scrawny, we fed her a bit while we tried to find her owner. A neighbor down the road said she had lived at their house for a bit, but had shown up out of nowhere and they couldn't claim ownership. Meanwhile, this cat would never leave our property. She followed me everywhere and would sit next to me while I worked on various projects, purring and meowing. She had cinnamon colored fur and was so sweet, we named her Snickerdoodle. We wanted to make her an indoor cat, but our existing cats weren't happy about that. Besides, she was an awesome hunter. We had a mole problem for a short while, but she caught every one of them! I used to sit in my office and watch her as she laid out on on top of one of our cars and waited for my son to come home. Bottom line, that cat really got into my heart...

Unfortunately, this morning, my wife came in and broke the news that Snickerdoodle got hit by a car. I went out to help her, but she was already dead. We live next to a country road with a speed limit of 50 MPH, and she was next to the road looking up into a tree at a bird. A car was coming around the corner, straddling over the edge of the road, and clipped her... and she didn't even know what hit her. From what I could tell, she was killed instantly as her eyes were wide open and her ears were still up like she was listening to a whistle. I haven't done this over an animal since I was a kid, but I just bawled my eyes out when I was lifting her body up and putting it in a box for burial. She just had so much zest and love for a little furball... and I was just petting her yesterday. I know that death happens to everything, and this was just a cat... but this was so sudden... I just lost it.

Now the regret phase is settling in...

I wish that I had gone ahead and let her be an indoor cat. My other cats would have eventually gotten over it. The statistical lifespan of an outdoor cat is short (less than 2 years I think), so if I really cared, I should have gotten her inside. On the other hand, she was very happy outside. She ran all over our property, climbing trees and fences, and hunting. I think that is part of what made her so sweet. All I know is that I wish she hadn't been taken from us... this sucks. :(

(Sorry, I just had to get this out somewhere.)

Anybody else here have pets they care about?
 
I know How you feel>About Losing a Family member.I too Lost A cat>ok my story Well I had this wonderful Cat Female Named Laura..She was Quite a cat>Chased Doggs,Ect.I had her since she was a kitten So Laura Became one of our family.She was a good cat Lived To be 24yrs. Till this summer I notice She wasn't eating Ect..Like she use to.So I had to make a Tough choice To End Laura's life..Was The Most Toughest choice I ever made(truth I didn't want to)>cause She still had Spark left in her..But inside of me I knew I had to do it.So I did.(Took to vet).After I cryed An Started To (Regreted it)..But I now have a kitten Male named Kalan.Funny thing Kalan Does Almost The same things Laura Use to do,..So Now I know my Cat Laura is in a better place. Brb to finsh.
 
I can't express enough how sorry I am for your loss. The thing to remember is she was loved and valued and you did what at the time seemed best for you and your extended family. She died happy. You have no way of knowing if she would have been happy being indoors. I’m going through the same thing. Shoulda, woulda, coulda.

My beloved Jolly Rose died two weeks ago in the vets office. She had cancer in her back leg which we had amputated about six months ago. She had one more operation to remove a lump but the cancer had spread to her lungs. For that there is no cure. I love and miss her so much. Sometimes the price of love is the pain we feel when parted from that love. But like Westley said to Buttercup in The Princess Bride.
Buttercup: You mock my pain.
Westley: Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something.


Please know that my prayers are with you and the other members who have had the same loss Nan.
 
Geezer Guy said:
I'm sorry for your loss, Jack. Been there recently myself with my greyhound.
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I think it can be especially hard to lose a dog. They are much more interactive and needy compared to a cat, so you form more of a bond with them. I had a German Shepherd when I was about 5 years old, and it was hit by a car and killed also... right in front of me when we were on a family walk. I was so young when it happened, but I can still see the accident in my mind. I'm not sure if it was because of this event, but I've never had a desire for a dog since (although, other family members have had some great ones).

We've had many cats, and they have died for various reasons over the years. However, this one really hit me because the cat had so much personality and was always so happy to see me (kinda' like a dog now that I think about it).

Anyway, thank you for the condolences and I am sorry to hear about your greyhound as well. :neutral:
 
Frodo and Backbored,

Thank you for your kind and wise words also, and I am sorry about the losses of your beloved cats.

~ Jack
 
Jack the Hack said:
Frodo and Backbored,

Thank you for your kind and wise words also, and I am sorry about the losses of your beloved cats.

~ Jack
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Hey jack,
I am sorry to hear about your loss. I know how you feel buddy, Pets can end up being like family members. I have a couple of dogs right now that are pretty much like family. We keep them inside and have the backyard fenced in. I just had to take "cars" out of the equation. I hope you will consider doing the same next time. Anyhow, just be thankful for the time that you had her. Don't let this keep you from having future cats/dogs...
 
johnathan smith said:
Hey jack,
We keep them inside and have the backyard fenced in. I just had to take "cars" out of the equation. I hope you will consider doing the same next time. Anyhow, just be thankful for the time that you had her. Don't let this keep you from having future cats/dogs...
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We live on a 2 acre spread in the country, and fences would not have kept this cat in. My next door neighbor has an 8 foot fence along our east perimeter, and I had seen Snickerdoodle climb right over that thing several times. I don't know where she came from, but suspect that somebody dumped her out here not knowing what a great animal she was. I feel guilty that I didn't make her become an indoor cat, but she was very happy to roam free. I still have my other two cats (the indoor ones), and I will always take care of strays that come along... but this particular cat will be missed dearly.
 
Jackk, I know how you feel. I have been there with my dog, Milo. It was hit by a car two years ago. The most painful thing was burying her in my backyard late at night.

How could you love someone or something so much and have such a strong relationship and then it is all over.

The feeling of regret saying that, "If I just did one thing different or if the car was one second off then she would be right here,"

But remember, all the great times youhad can never be deleted and be thankful for the love you had.

Eventually, the pain will be gone as it is one of the ways that God has made us. It will go from memory.


You have to make the decision if you want that cat to stayin your heart for the rest of your life or forget.

If you choose to remember, keep a journal and write all the fresh feelings you have before it all goes away..Like me:cry:
 
Donnie Darko said:
My condolences......

http://tinyurl.com/npxo6
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That's pretty rough Donnie.
Jack, a friend of mine just called me and said that she had to have her cat put to sleep today. She had him for 10 years and she is crushed. I never was a cat person, but I can certainly understand the bond between pets/owners.
I never really thought about it, but I guess cats would be able to climb over the fence. Just keep them inside (if possible)
again, sorry for your loss.
 
Aww.. Sorry for the loss.. I recently loss a friend, he died in a car accident friday, he was a great guy... I share the pain :(
 
Hacky-Jack, you should take solace in the presumption that Snickerdoodle lived more in those 2 years in the outdoors than she could've in 10 indoors.
 
Donnie Darko said:
My condolences......

//tinyurl.com/npxo6
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You're an insensitive idiot with zero maturity. I honestly hope you're 12, but then again to assume your maturity level is commensurate with the average 12 year old would be insulting to *many* mature and intelligent 12 year olds I've met.

Do you honestly think you're funny? Grow up, or in fact preferably *go elsewhere*.
 
Again, thank you everyone for the kind thoughts and condolences today! :D

We buried Snickerdoodle tonight next to an oak tree in our back yard where she used to like to hang out. When we see the tree now, we can remember her fondly.

pNoyr3D said:
Aww.. Sorry for the loss.. I recently loss a friend, he died in a car accident friday, he was a great guy... I share the pain :(
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pNoyr3D,

I am so sorry to hear about your friend. Death is most tragic to me when it is sudden and accidental. It seems so random and it doesn't give you the chance to really say goodbye, and that haunts some people for years. We'll miss our little cat, but that pales in comparison to losing a (human) friend.
 
Jack, I don't think you should feel guilty at all... a cat like that would only be reallly happy outdoors. I'm a crazy cat lover and had to put my cat of 15 years to sleep this year (cancer), and I understand the guilt. Also we adopted two stray cats over the last several years, and one of them is just like Snickerdoodle, and has become the most cherished pet I've had. He almost died too from a fast-growing tumor on his face, but Buster was miraculously healed (docter pronounced him dead virtually). (Funny Buster acts just like a dog, I think he was raised by a dog before we found him at about 6 months old.) The pain seeing a very large tumor (grew in just 3 days) on his face was terrible... and much better to go happy & instantly like Snicker. Needless to say I think some people (like DonnieD above) just do not understand how special a pet can be, how they can unconditionally love you like no one else and do all the things to cheer you up.
 
My deepest condolences Jack H and to all who've lost loved ones.

I was crying when I first read this post. Then I got Darko's comment and I got so mad--I knew if I wrote anything I would regret it. I really dislike people like that...

Anyway, I think you are wrong to rethink keeping Snikerdoodle inside. She loved being outside, free. To put her in the house or to fence her in, would've taken away from her what made her happiest. She died doing what she loved, the rest of us should only be so lucky.

I live on a very busy road 2 miles from town. We have lots of pets buried on our 6 acres. Our property is a veritable pet cemetary.

Parts of your stories have reminded me of various lost loved ones. Thanks for the memories.

Shakespere wrote:"Tis better to have loved and lost, then never to have loved before."

But, he never said it wouldn't hurt like hell...
 
My parents live in a similar setting - out in the woods and along a country road. My dad was always a dog person - tolerated the cat we had while growing up, but never really cared for it.

That all changed a few years back when they moved to the country and took in couple of strays - mousers. Those two cats were half wild but they adored my dad and followed him around as he completed various tasks.

Last summer, Tigger went missing. After two days, mom and dad went driving around looking for him. Much to their dismay, they found the cat on the side of the road about a half mile away, dead. They tearfully gathered the remains and buried the cat in the back garden, even quoting some verses from the Bible and marking the grave.

Dad decided to put away his shovel in the tool shed, and when he opened the door to the shed, out shot Tigger.

My parents buried someone else's cat.

I hope it's not too soon after your loss to share a story like that. If so, I apologize.

Believe me, my heart still aches when I think about our 15 year old cat who died last summer. And I actually cried when the hamster died a few months ago. Spent two years grumbling about this stupid tail-less rodent but cried like a baby when she died.

You can't really know joy if you don't experience grief - I'm glad you chose to acknowledge your loss.
 
Jack the Hack said:
I have a good sense of humor, but this post isn't particulary funny to me today.
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Yeah, tasteless, but consider the source. I've seen that picture all over the Internet, and that's what DD does...surf the net looking for witty items that match his own "advanced" wit.

Anyway, back to your dearly departed...you shouldn't blame yourself for keeping your cat an outdoor cat. It's what she wanted...to be free to roam her little domain, and yet, have a caring owner to come back to. RIP.
 
Phil said:
Anyway, back to your dearly departed...you shouldn't blame yourself for keeping your cat an outdoor cat. It's what she wanted...to be free to roam her little domain, and yet, have a caring owner to come back to. RIP.
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I agree. Cats are nature's killing machines. They need some space where they can do some exploring, killing, and creative napping. Your cat had to be a happy one because it had so much space to do this and a happy home to come back to at the end of a long day. It's just too bad you had a crazy driver come through and ruin it for you.

:(
 
Jack: sorry about Snickerdoddle. There are "indoor" and "outdoor" cats. Don't regret anything; nothing was your fault. Like mentioned before, cats are nature's killers; the one critter who'll "slap around" a victim even if they're not hungry; that's just part of their 'wild' (killer) nature. So it was good that Snickerdoddle got to "prowl the grounds." It's just unfortunate the kitty got careless for a moment; an unfortunate accident.....not your fault.

Darko: attending the "funeral" in a clown outfit.

Nice one Babbitt. Truly one of your "finer things" in life. (smirk)
 
Backbored said:
Jack how are you doing today?
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Backbored,

I am doing fine - thanks for asking!

We are getting on with things, but anyone who has lost a pet knows that there are always certain reminders around your place to let you know your pet is gone. One of the obvious ones is mealtime... we had made up a little cat bed on our back porch, and every morning Snickerdoodle would be right next to the door waiting for me to pour her some cat food and fresh water. Both of our inside cats (Shlemiel and Shlamazel) would hear her outside and would line up next to the door with saucer eyes and hunched backs, waiting to defend their territory just in case Snickers decided she wanted come in for a visit. Funny thing is that the few times she wandered a foot or two inside the door, the two inside cats would both run off in terror! (Not exactly "watch kitties" - more like the definition of 'fraidy cats!) Anyway, they still line up at the door with the mean looks and the flexed muscles, but their arch enemy is no more...

Anyway, I hope all is well with you and all the others that have posted their losses and condolenses.

Thanks! :)
 
I know what you mean regarding the reminders.

When Sinead died I became acutely aware of how many small interactions we had during the day. There was the "good morning meow and rub", the "are you going to finish that" stare, "tail lovies" while I worked at the computer... Probably hundreds of daily little loving gestures exchanged.

How can you not miss that?
 
Jack the Hack said:
Backbored,

I am doing fine - thanks for asking!

We are getting on with things, but anyone who has lost a pet knows that there are always certain reminders around your place to let you know your pet is gone. One of the obvious ones is mealtime... we had made up a little cat bed on our back porch, and every morning Snickerdoodle would be right next to the door waiting for me to pour her some cat food and fresh water. Both of our inside cats (Shlemiel and Shlamazel) would hear her outside and would line up next to the door with saucer eyes and hunched backs, waiting to defend their territory just in case Snickers decided she wanted come in for a visit. Funny thing is that the few times she wandered a foot or two inside the door, the two inside cats would both run off in terror! (Not exactly "watch kitties" - more like the definition of 'fraidy cats!) Anyway, they still line up at the door with the mean looks and the flexed muscles, but their arch enemy is no more...

Anyway, I hope all is well with you and all the others that have posted their losses and condolenses.

Thanks! :)
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It's good to hear that you and your family are coping. I'm going through the same here but it's been longer for me by a couple of weeks. Hang in there, and give Shlemiel and Shlamazel a hug from me.
 
I'm so sorry. I don't know if you've seen this before, but some people who have lost pets find it comforting:

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Click to expand...
 
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Click to expand...

Beautiful.

I have two cats. One was a stray cat, the other we got it from a friend, both we raise them from kitten. The stray cat never wants to leave the house, even if you drag him out, as if he knows the hardship living outside. While the other one always wants to go out, just like a spoiled kid, never lived a hard day himself. But he is especially sweet, he like to say hi to everyone he met. He always wants to sit on my lap when I sit down on sofa, in front of my computer, or just sit down anywhere. He sleep on top of the blanket evey night when I go to sleep. He is the sweetest cat I know, almost dog like behavior. It will be difficult if someday he left me.
 
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