October 19, 2008

Moving on

My house is currently a kitten free zone. Little Coal was adopted yesterday by a wonderful family. I sent him on with his favorite stuffed mouse toy. So 8 foster kittens since May and all 8 in new homes hopefully living happily after.
But it's a little sad to be able to sit and work on my scarf without kitten help. Not that biting the yarn and laying on the scarf was all that much help but he was only doing the best he could without thumbs.
My own 3 cats are indoor/outdoor cats. I live on 1 acre which backs to many acres of woods, fields, and a pond so the cats have lots of room to wander. And wander they do. My deck is filled on a daily basis with dead field mice, squirrels, chipmunks, and birds. It's a wonderful life for them.

This is Charlie. Charlie came to me 4 yrs ago after being rescued by my oldest daughter from a dumpster in her apartment complex. He was a friendly feral who loved my oldest grandson and would follow him everywhere. His ear was damaged by ear mites so he only really had one ear. We got him checked out by the vet, neutered, and he came to live as a country cat. He was about 5 lbs when we got him and plumped out to 16 lbs with regular feedings. Not a fat cat, just a big guy with broad shoulders and a swagger that showed he was happy.

Unfortunately being a feral Charlie didn't take to the litter box at all so he peed and pooped everywhere. Thankfully we've got hard wood floors or tile everywhere. After a couple months we had to admit that he couldn't be retrained to be inside all the time so his time in the house was only a couple hours followed by a couple hours outside. In the winter on really cold nights we kept him in a large dog crate with food, water, and a litter box placed right by the furnace. Snugly warm. On other nights when it wasn't so cold he'd be sleeping on one of the chairs on the front porch snuggled in a nest of wool blankets.
Charlie was devoted to my husband ... his person .... and would follow him around the house and yard like a dog. He was kind to everyone and since he was mostly white he was particularly drawn to anyone wearing dark pants.

Being a combination cat does carry risk factors and early this morning between 4 am and 6 am one of those risk factors came true for Charlie as he was hit by a car and killed. He had 4 wonderful years living the country life that replaced an awful existence of being a dumpster cat. And he has humans how will miss him very much. Thanks you, Charlie, for being a part of our family for the past 4 yrs.

10 comments:

Ria said...

So sorry for your loss. Glad Charlie had his years with you.

monica said...

Oh, that is so sad, but at least his last 4 years were spent with people who loved him.

Ruth said...

So sorry to hear about Charlie. Pets certainly become part of the family, don't they?

Lynn said...

Oh I'm so sorry to hear abt Charlie. What a tough month this has been for you....

((((hugs))))

Cate said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. poor kitty. (HUGS)

Lovs2Knit said...

I'm so sorry to hear about Charlie. It's good to know that he had such a loving and wonderful family these last 4 years. ((((hugs))))

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry to hear about Charlie. It hasn't been a good month, has it? Some cats are just happier when they have some outside time. It sounds like Charlie had a wonderful life with a loving family these past four years. *hugs*

gypsyknits said...

Oh, I am so sorry for your loss. Thankfully your family and Charlie had a wonderful life together.

Charlie has crossed the Rainbow bridge and is living the good life.

Many hugs sent your way.

Maureen said...

Oh how sad! I am saddened by this news. Charlie looked like a beautiful animal. Sending hugs to you and your family.

Anonymous said...

From your pictures it is obvious that though his life was short, it was a good and happy life. I'm sure he was grateful you took him in. I'm so sorry he is now gone, but memories of him will be with you always.

Good of you to keep working with lost and abandoned kittens. I'm glad to read Coal is now happy in his new home.

The scarf is looking very good, and the colors are so cheerful.

Take care :)