About six weeks ago – August 15th to be exact – my cat Bandit went missing. I began searching for him immediately. Knocking on neighbor’s doors, putting up flyers with his picture, calling and showing up at the local animal shelters, placing an ad on Craigslist, and walking the streets calling his name day and night.
Bandit, a feral cat whom I had adopted about three years ago, was an inside-outside cat, and enjoyed his freedom immensely, but always returned to the safety and comfort of his loving home. So, I was no stranger to him staying out for a few days at time. This means that early on I had hope that he would walk – I mean strut, because Bandit was cool and charismatic – through the little doggie door, give me that “hello meow,” approach me for a quick pet and purr, then be off to eat and take his nap. Yet, as days turned into weeks, my heart sank and I even tweeted my concerns and grief – "Where's Bandit?" I was consoled by a few of “my tweeples,” Facebook friends, and a Blogcritics writer as far away as Israel took the time to provide some newfound hope. Thanks so much Ruvy, but Bandit is still missing.
I have always been an animal lover and I am no stranger to losing pets, but as an adult it has always been due to death, not going missing. It started with my two purebred, papered, German Rottweilers (Rotts) [1996 Marilyn (L) and Brigitte (R)] who both died of Lymphoma cancer. This evil disease hit Marilyn at age three and she died in my arms (naturally) on a hot summer day in 1999. In the meantime, Brigitte was diagnosed when she was eight and in an eager attempt to prolong and hopefully save her from this dreaded disease, I went ahead with chemotherapy that my vet told me about, which only kept her around a few months longer than her sister who did not have chemo. In a short time, Brigitte went from a strong, robust, and blissful 130-pound energetic dog to a fragile 90-pound weak one – unable to eat or even walk. Still intact to the bitter end were her unwavering loyalty, the love expressed in her eyes, and her attempts to wag her tail. One of the most heart-wrenching times for any animal lover is when we make that decision – to “put down” our pets. Unwilling to see her suffer anymore, Brigitte’s time had come and on another sad summer day (2004 this time), I said, “Good-bye” to my other best friend.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - El Bicho
sorry to read things aren't going well.
2 - Christine
Oh now they are when I hear from my buddy El!
3 - Redbud
You let your cat roam freely outdoors......what did you expect to happen to him? You are just a bad as those who abandon their pets. How many wild creatures died as a result of your free roaming cat? Poetic justice.
4 - Christine
Red: Sorry you feel that way. Bandit was a wild cat before I got him and I didn't want to lock him up in the house with no fresh air. He had a porch with the doggie door and would come and go. I didn't force him outside. And it was in a condo complex where he hung with about 10 other cats. I guess the owners of his cat buddies are "evil" too. Thanks for the nice words.
5 - Redbud
Yes, anyone that allows their pets to run free is evil too. I am glad that you admit it. And please do not get another cat. Thanks.
6 - Christine
Red: From my research I can see there are two opinions on letting your cat outdoors. No one is advocating all pets to run free. In fact, my ex-neighbor had a rabbit that got out and it would come visit us and I would always take the rabbit home. And my dog has a secure small patio where he gets his fresh air; plus three walks a day and goes with me almost everywhere I go.
I won't get more cats because I refuse to keep them locked up in the house and can see it is high risk to let them outdoors.
PS: If I am evil for letting my cat outside, then I can think a few words for you, but I will keep them to myself.
7 - indiangirl1220
Red:It's obvious you don't know anything about Feral cats. I admire Christine for even taking on one of these beautiful wild animals. Most people that lock up there cats are people that stay at home and people that pay money for a pedigree.I grew up with cats, and we never locked them up. It's inhumane..........people that don't spay, neuter or abuse their animals are "evil" not Christine. Have you ever adopted a feral cat???
8 - Clavos
My current cat is now indoors, but only because I live in an apartment complex that prohibits unleashd animals outdoors. I have owned cats for over 30 years and have always allowed them to roam; unlike dogs, they disturb no one and have never aroused my neighbors' ire. As for their rodent/bird/lizard hunting: that's just nature at work -- no worse than big cats in Africa and Asia hunting their prey.
9 - Redbud
Cats are not nature. Cats are just one more human cause of wildlife mortality (introduced predator). I find all of your comments very callus towards anything but the cats! I have lots and lots of experience with feral and free roaming cats and they have no place outdoors. I have eliminated several colonies by trapping and removing the cats as well as the artificial food source. If you insist on letting your cats out then install cat fencing or enclose them somehow. Anything else is just EVIL.
10 - Evil Clavos
Blah, blah, blah. Poor, poor rodents! Lovely, innocent birdies.
Go trap some lions and "relocate" them.
Meh.
11 - El Bicho
"Evil Clavos"? isn't that redundant?
12 - Clavos
Excellent point, EB, it is indeed...
13 - Christine
Meow!
14 - Evil Christine
Oh I forgot my new title.
15 - Redbud
Typical cat fanatics......nothing else matters but their kitties. Poor misguided souls.
16 - Christine
Red: I love ALL animals! That is why sometimes I am personally at odds with nature, especially when it comes to the food chain; like when Tigers eat deer or any other animal. It it barbaric and heartbreaking, but should we lock up all the Tigers?
17 - Dr Dreadful Was Already Evil To Begin With
Red (@ #15), isn't that true of any fanatics?
It's not irresponsible to let your cat roam outdoors. It allows him to be truer to his nature and makes for a generally happier moggie.
And it's not as though (with rare exceptions) you can stick Felix on a leash and let him express himself by taking him for walkies.
Cat owners know that there is a risk that they will never see their pet again every time they let him out. It's the same with your kid, actually.
18 - Dr Dreadful
Clavos @ #8: I have owned cats for over 30 years
Mate, we've been over this before. It's the other way round. You should know this by now. Pay attention.
19 - Clavos
Hmm. Yer right, Doc, I fergot...
20 - jeannie danna
Christine, don't worry, your cat will come home.
21 - jeannie danna
Clavos,
Did you see my last two comments for you? I was hoping that you would have some input about Education Nation, being a teacher and all.
22 - Christine
Oh my, do my liberal friends finally agree with me? Amazing. Thanks for the thought Jeannie. I still have a little hope.
23 - zingzing
i love cats. i've never heard of cat fencing, and frankly, the very idea is absurd. once you give a cat an inch, they'll take a mile. they're independent, free creatures. fencing them in is abuse, i say. (of course, if you never let them know the outside world is there, that's a different story. ignorance is kitty bliss.)
24 - jeannie danna
About cats... :D yes, I agree with my favorite, Republican!
25 - jeannie danna
My cat is bitching at me right now, I'll be back after I attend to the ten inches tall dictator!
:( I really hope your little friend returns.