The Death of a Pet is Sad

My son called my phone as he drove out of our driveway in the truck, "Mom, I think I ran over one of the kittens. I don't think it's dead, though, it's hurt - you need to go out there fast. I'm sorry." He couldn't stop himself...he was on his way to work. I rushed outside and found the little kitten I just spent hours working to "rescue" a couple of days ago. He was alive - I ran to get my husband and moments later the baby kitten was dead. I am so sad. This baby had touched my heart differently somehow.

I am not the over the top pet owner. I am not a "dog person" or a "cat person". I have both kinds of pets. Cats keep the mice from the nearby fields away. Dogs keep the yard safe from strangers and wild animals. They have a purpose. They have a place. I believe pets belong outdoors. They are not my children, or grandchildren. They are my pets. I pet them, make sure they are fed and comfortable with lots of love! I pet them, talk to them, and play with them. I hug them, and even "baby talk" them, but they are my pets. The death of a pet is sad, but it happens. A lot. We live on a busy highway in the country and have lost many pets. But, they are pets, not people. We move on. But this one really hurt my heart.

I guess that I somehow bonded with it during the "rescue"! It was only the second time I had held it since its birth about 9 weeks ago. It is all connected to my son's truck. It was parked next door at my parent's house. There is about an acre between us and while I was up there visiting, I kept hearing a kitten crying. I went outside and found our little white footed gray kitten standing in the driveway meowing his little heart out!! He was NOT a happy baby! When I spoke to him, he RAN!! Remember, my animals are outdoors. The cats are more wild than tame. They are there for mousing. Well, he ran under the truck, up the tire and sat on the axle and revived his meowing! It is a lifted up truck and he had plenty of room to roam up under there, but I still couldn't get him to sit still long enough to catch him. I couldn't figure out how he had gotten next door alone, but I knew he had to go home! His momma wouldn't be able to hear him this far away, so I had to be the one to get him home. I tried luring him with food and milk to no avail. I tried coaxing, and even distracting him to sneak up on him. No luck. A couple of hours later when my husband got home, I shone the car headlights up under the truck and talked to the still squalling kitten while my husband crawled up under the truck with gloves on and grabbed the spitting, scratching, wild cat! White Socks, yes he was named by now, retreated back to his protesting cry and I caved! I wrapped his now grease covered body tightly in both hands and promptly headed home. I got to the house and had my son take a picture of him. I would tell this story to my granddaughters and they would love to see the wild kitten actually could be held. The moment we hit the yard, his momma came running!! I set him down and he rubbed up next to her, under her and began nursing! No wonder he didn't want food or milk. She promptly laid down and gave him a bath. He nursed, licked her face and nursed yet more. I talked to them both, thinking maybe we would be able to actually pet them both after this. It was heartwarming, tender and sweet. The next morning as I drove to town, on the side of the road was that momma cat....dead. It was sad. I knew how that baby LOVED her! I decided to take over. I got moist cat food, kitten milk, and tried to get him to come near me. NO WAY...I was nuts, just ask White Socks! He did cave and eat, as did his sibling kitten, so we were set. No problem. That was merely two days ago.

Today, White Socks died. He had climbed up under that truck again and when my son left for work, he fell out and was run over. I am SO sad. I have cried, been blue and even don't want to even try to have anything to do with the other kitten. It is much wilder than the other cats. Maybe I will begin with giving it a name. Rest In Peace White Socks, Snowpuff and I will miss you.

Photo And Text Copyright 2011 Deborah M. Carey