Well, life just sucks

[Dr_Rick]

So following on from my previous thread about losing a cat to traffic: Cat gone walkabout in Edinburgh suburbs

Today we had the worst Monday morning: kids on holiday, fine weather, open curtains to see cat on the road - our cat.

No one stopped, why would they on their run to work. Gits.

Swiftly go him off the road and into the porch, but out of sight of the kids who were still asleep. Got the box and gently wrapped him as if asleep.

Nothing to be done. All I can hang on to is that he got clipped hard and fast and didn't feel a thing. Thankfully no stress or pain like his brother was put through. Thankfully no SPCA involvement, sorry, I'm sure there are good staff there, but my experience will stay with me and colour my views.

So, where are we now.

We're without a '3rd child' in the house. No more belly rubs. No more dribbling when 'in the zone' when you tickle the sweet spot. No more laps being occupied when more pressing matters get downgraded. No more patting spiders / flys / wasps to death - and then eating them (lovely). No more shadowing until getting food. No more sitting in the sink and staring into your soul until you turn the tap on for a drink.





Erik (L) and Magnus (R) in happier times



Taking up space as only a cat can - more so a large one. That's a large sofa and a 5kg cat.



Drink please Dad.





BELLY ME!!!


So, glass-half full attempt. Run free in the fjords, Magnus now at peace with his brother Erik. I'm sure there's Norwegian Forest Cat in there.

Vikings of the Sky!!




bks, don't like not having a cat / dog around. Just can't face it again in the city.

The rest of the family are for moving house so we can' minimise this happening again. Going to be a rubbish evening without the hairy fuzzball.



Sorry, cathartic brain dump was needed.

[Dr_Rick]

Petrol Only said:

Sorry to hear. But they are the chances you take living in a city? With a wild pet and allowing it to roam.

Maybe the driver didn't realise?

Maybe you should consider moving to the countryside if you want to keep animals.

I'd recommend it .

I know - and a cat listens to you less than anything else. Just unfair for the cat, unfair for the kids.

I'm cynical about drivers, despite being one. Sounds very NIMBY, but the road is supposed to be 20mph, but is arrow straight and speeds are not enforced. I wouldn't want speed bumps or the like as that makes things worse.

We came from the country with Erik and Magnus who thought nothing of pulling a dozen or so pheasant poults from the local gamekeepers pen. Don't know their history from before us as we rehomed them. A move back to the country would suit all involved as we loved it. Maybe time to revisit that decision.

[Dr_Rick]

Jasandjules said:

So sorry for your loss.

As hard as it seems, I would say please don't get another cat whilst you live there. Just sounds like the road is not safe and to me it is not worth the risk. I agree with your kids, move to a quieter location. Then you can get some cats and dogs !

It's OK, we brought the cats with us and have been fingers crossed since then (3.5yrs). Our / their luck has run out.

We have (rapidly) decided that the only animals that exist within this household would be fish. No more cats.

Believe me, what with the roads and the cats, plus neighbours, moving to the countryside would sit well with everyone - especially the Treasury for SDLT.

[Dr_Rick]

vixen1700 said:

Really sorry to hear that.

Beautiful cats.

They were both lovely cats - wouldn't hurt either child, never a claw bared. Character in spades, and they were lookers too.

Just our bad luck with animals we provided homes to - they were never pets, they were family members.

We were lucky to have shared time and space with them.

There will be others, but each was unique so never replaced.

[Dr_Rick]

ali_kat said:

So sorry for your loss

When the time is right, why don't you rescue a couple that have to be indoor cats?

While that's the obvious thing to do, with an 8yr old and a 5yr old in the house, keeping the doors closed is a challenge at the best of times. Adding to that a cat that is an indoor cat is a recipe for disaster.

My sister lives in London and has an indoor cat, but she lives in a flat with her husband and there are two doors between living space and the outside world, plus being London all windows are like Fort Knox.

Short response - I don't think it's fair or reasonable given our situation. I'd rather move house than get another cat.

Thanks for the reply and suggestion though.

[Dr_Rick]

Mobile Chicane said:

Sorry to hear this. Mine are shut in at night with a litter tray.

So were ours, always have been.

This happened in the 30mins between being let out and my opening the curtains.