LakesideDream Posted October 8, 2007 Posted October 8, 2007 To regular readers here, you may remember me often mentioning Stan the "wondercat", my best friend, and most welcome companion. Last night at midnight, he went out the backdoor to do his business and dissappeared. So what? A cat dissappeared... He's 14 years old and has never ever done that before. Stan has not stayed outside a single night since he moved in 14 years ago. Additionally it was 33 degree's when he went out, meaning It was suprising he was out 10 minutes, I began looking after 35 minutes, and continued for five hours. My buddy got me through my divorce, serious illness, bad days and nights, through it all he was .. my best friend. I'm so sad.
Ocean-Blue Posted October 8, 2007 Posted October 8, 2007 LD: I feel for you! I love my dog very much and cannot imagine a world without her. For what it's worth, please don't give up hope. You never know with animals... A former co-worker of mine had his cat run out on him (she went out and didn't return). He and his wife searched everywhere...and eventually gave up hope. Weeks later...guess who returned? I will keep you in my prayers. Love, OB
Citizen Erased Posted October 8, 2007 Posted October 8, 2007 That is terrible, I would be devastated if my cat coco disappeared I hope he comes back honey
carrotgirl Posted October 8, 2007 Posted October 8, 2007 {{{{hugs}}} Don't be too proud to call your local police and ask for help. If it's a slow night wherever you are, they will probably be happy to keep any eye out for Stan. Also try your local humane society. It's possible Stan was already picked up! Cats have a way of coming back to their people. Carrot
Rayofsunshine Posted October 8, 2007 Posted October 8, 2007 Lakeside, Big HUGS to you. I understand how you feel I had my cat, Buckwheat for 16 years. He did that to me a couple of times, the little bugger would run out the door when someone would open it. One time he went to a neighbors deck becaused he got confused, but he always came back. I'm sure Stan will be back, he might have gotten a little confused and went to a neighbors as well. Keep us posted, you will be my prayers. Rayofsunshine
Author LakesideDream Posted October 8, 2007 Author Posted October 8, 2007 Thank you. He didn't "run away" he never has. He was happy last night, I came home from work at 8:00pm with a serious headache, and opened some fancy feast for him, then went to bed.. he was there, in 5 minutes later, snuggling in where he has slept since my divorce seven years ago, back against my chest, head under my chin. We slept for a few hours and I woke to make a snack, he followed me into the kitchen, munched then asked to go out. I live in a semi rural area, last housing project before the desert. He has never "explored", we have a fenced yard, yet, I'm sure he was "snatched". I feel like I've been beaten badly. No person could ever make me feel this way again. Again, thank you.
joekurtz Posted October 8, 2007 Posted October 8, 2007 LakeSide, So sorry to hear about your loss. I'm a lifelong "cat Person" myself & have experienced my fair share of disappearences & experations with them over the years & it's never easy. In Fact, just a few weeks ago I just went through a something pretty similar to what you're going through with Stan now. You see, when my wife & I seperated three years ago, our family's two cats Bwada & Kaziah stayed with our daughter & her. But, they were/are still my cats too, you know what I mean? Especially Kaziah, because she was just super attached to me when she was a kitten. Anyhow, my daughter & her mom moved to a new apartment in the begining of September. And, unknown to them, there was a loose corner to their bathroom window screen, which Kaziah used to slip out of. Unfortunately our cats are strict house cats that aren't allowed outside & that, combined with their new apartment being in an entirely new area combined to confuse/scare her off to God knows where. The poor thing just disappeared. And after six long weeks, I think it's safe to say that she's gone for good. Which, I REALLY hope isn't the case with your Sam. I think, since he's used to the outdoors & such, that he'll come back home soon. Keep us posted with the good news when he turns up soon, OK? Take care & peace.
joekurtz Posted October 8, 2007 Posted October 8, 2007 That is terrible, I would be devastated if my cat coco disappeared I hope he comes back honey Hey, nice name for your kitty you've got there! It's my cat's name too ( the cat that I got for my own place after leaving the family cats with my wife & daughter ). Except her name is spelled Koko ala the Peter Straub novel KOKO. Actually all my cat's have names with rather dark literary origins. With Bwada being named after the possessed cat in T.E.D. Klein's THE CEREMONIES & Kaziah Mason being named after the titular witch in HP Lovecraft's classic short story DREAMS IN THE WITCH HOUSE.
AriaIncognito Posted October 8, 2007 Posted October 8, 2007 Any word on your cat lake? I hope he comes back soon. I know how hard that must be. If Jewelie did that I'd be devasted. Thankfully, she's an indoor cat, and has 2 doors she'd have to get through. She doesn't have any yen to go out there though so she never even goes near the front door. Very odd cat she is. I hope your cat comes home soon. Then never let him out again.
Author LakesideDream Posted October 8, 2007 Author Posted October 8, 2007 Aria, Stan didn't "run away". He's gone, I'm sure a coyote, or a racoon got him, (hes a tiny 7lb'er) He always (really) comes in when I call him, always. He never stays out at night, and it's already getting down to the 30's herem not his weather. He rarely went out in daytime either. I'm not worried about him coming home, I'm mourning him, I know it's hard to believe but we spent hours every day together. He was the best friend I ever had, humans included and I'm sad. No I am not a drama queen either, I'm just afraid of how I'm going to be happy.
lonelybird Posted October 8, 2007 Posted October 8, 2007 I am sorry about your cat. maybe Stan will come back, who knows. You will be happy, how about have a new cat or dog? when Stan come back, he will have a new company
JamesM Posted October 8, 2007 Posted October 8, 2007 I am sorry for your loss. Having lost a number of pets through death and disappearance, I understand the empty feeling and the grief that you feel. I am one who attaches to animals quickly. When one dies, it can be as bad as losing a human friend. Cats and dogs are great listeners and loyal through out all of life difficulties. People who do not attach cannot understand the comfort that our furry friends provide. Our cat or dog is not "just" another cat or dog. He or she is our friend. Losing an animal friend through death is difficult, but losing one through a disappearance leaves this anguish inside. Not knowing what actually happened leaves a door that can never be quite closed. Wondering what the end was like can hurt. I lost a gray cat named Ike...he simply disappeared. But in his case, he did wander. I think that even though we live in a somewhat suburban area, he could have been taken by another wild animal. However, it is also possible that he attached to another family. This is what I have always said to my children. But the nagging feeling of uncertainty is not closure. Every gray cat I pass brings Ike back to mind and I wonder...is he still alive? I know that after the death of my boxer dog a little over 18 months ago...for me a new dog was helpful. The new dog filled in some of the emptiness and became a new friend. Now I cannot imagine losing her. You may not be ready for another pet for awhile and that is okay. We all grieve in different ways. I am sorry for your loss. As difficult as it is now, time will heal some of the pain. Possibly as the days or months pass, you may even feel that bringing another furry friend in your house will be a good option for you.
Author LakesideDream Posted October 8, 2007 Author Posted October 8, 2007 JamesM, Because the behavior was so abnormal for him (in 14 years he has never "dissappeared" before, he preferred the security of the house) I have closure, I know he has passed. But you are right. Time will help the searing pain, morph into an ache, finally into joyous memories. I've lost my best friend, and best buddy. But we had a spactacular run.
polywog Posted October 10, 2007 Posted October 10, 2007 Lake, as a veteran of a few disappearing beloved cats, you have all my sympathy. Just to be on the safe side, do what others have recommended and call the police, the humane society and other shelters, and post signs as well as put an ad in the local paper offering a reward. This will give you some peace to know that you've done everything you could, and you never know. If nothing comes of this, Just remember that you gave Stan the best (long) life a cat could ever hope for. Anyway, I know what it's like. Our animal friends are so often purer than our human friends. (((Hugs))).
Trialbyfire Posted October 10, 2007 Posted October 10, 2007 I'm sorry to hear this Lakeside. Have you tried walking around a 4 block radius, calling his name? Sometimes they get injured and go hide somewhere. This is what happened to my sister's cat and after a week of calling, she responded. Her back leg was broken so she holed up under someone's porch. She survived her adventure and was never allowed out again.
woodsfield Posted October 10, 2007 Posted October 10, 2007 sorry LD. losing a pet is hard and especially a one that is as special as Stan. 14 years! he did have a good run. are you going to get another soon or is there no replacing him??
Author LakesideDream Posted October 10, 2007 Author Posted October 10, 2007 Woodsfield, I'm thinking of a major move, into a whole 'nother climate. I'm going to hold off until the move before thinking about another pet. Right now, I'm just tending my memory garden, and getting used to being alone. Thank you everyone for your thoughts and compassion. It helps.
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