Dr. Catherine Schaff-Stump

Karma, that was plain cruel.

I have to relate background. Several years ago, we had a cat that was our outdoor cat, Toby. Toby was a stray that the across-the-street neighbors threw out. Toby lived in our garage for a couple of years. He had UTI, and couldn't live indoors, because he leaked urine. We gave Toby the best life we could. He died, ultimately, because of complications due to UTI after he was injured and his leg was broken. We mourned, Bryon especially. They were exceptionally close.

A few months later, a stray cat wandered again onto our porch. We have two indoor cats, and I didn't want Bryon going through anything like he'd been through with Toby. While I cooked for company that day, Bryon spent the day getting to know this cat. We weren't really impressed with the lateness or professionalism of our rural county's shelter. However, when the animal shelter folks arrived, Bryon made a critical mistake. He grabbed the cat, and was bitten. Reflexively, he grabbed the cat again, and was bitten again. The cat ran away, and Bryon had the rabies series. We don't know what happened to that poor cat.

Guest Cat began showing up about two weeks ago. He was a lanky gray and white cat, a kitten really, we guessed only a few months old. He was friendly and trusted people. We still had our indoor cats, but our plan for guest cat was to feed him, keep him outside, and when we thought he was trusting enough, to load him up, take him to the vet, and then to the animal shelter in the city. Guest Cat was an adorable boy, and I know that Bryon was being reminded of Toby, even though they looked nothing alike.

The problem with taking Guest Cat away right away was that we didn't know if he had owners. He didn't seem painfully thin. He was interested in our breakfast, but some mornings he didn't come by for it. We had new people in the neighborhood. We were planning on asking around before taking him away, and thought we had time.

Guest Cat stopped showing up last Thursday. This morning, someone left Guest Cat's body near our house, thinking that he belonged to us. He had obviously been hit by a car. Bryon buried him today while I was away.

I am furious, people! This was a pointless death. This was a wonderful cat, friendly and trusting, and someone let him wander around outside, unattended to be hit by a car. Or, worse, he was dumped. I'm also furious at myself, for not forcing the issue of taking him to the shelter sooner because of the history with the rabies shots. All Bryon did here was try to be kind and compassionate, and yet again, he has to watch another stray die because there are people irresponsible enough in the world to believe animals can fend for themselves.

Take care of your pets. DON'T let them run outside unsupervised. Outdoors is not a good place for your cat, okay? I don't care how friendly your neighborhood is or how small your town is.

Just fucking argh.

Catherine

Mirrored from Writer Tamago.