Why I Didn't Like This Monday...

Ugh, Mondays, they come so fast and ever since I've been back on a 5 day work week the last near year, I am not a fan of them once again.

But this past Monday, January 13th 2014 certainly was exceptional and I don't care for a repeat any time soon.

I thought the worst thing to happen to me was going to be my dental appointment.  I go every 6 months like a good patient, doing my best to care for my teeth, but I never enjoy the visits even as nice as the folk are in that dental office.

Of course then came work.  I don't hate my job but it's just that...  a job.  I go in, do my thing, earn a living and that's it.  I work to live and not live to work.

10pm comes along, Monday is almost over, it's quitting time and I'm on my way home.  I'm looking forward to just kicking back with some mindless old tv programs I have on dvd and eventually drift off to sleep.

It's 19 kms from the Pepsi parking lot to my driveway.  I am at kilometre 18, almost there.  I'm already thinking about how I must creep in the house so as to not disturb Angie or the Budgies, how Meadow will be waiting for me at the door, and I can't wait to get out of my work gear.  It's not "whiskey Wednesday" but a cold non-alcoholic beverage is looking good.  Yes, I'm so close to home now, I might as well be where my thoughts have me.  And then this happened...

I take notice to a couple cars ahead of me swerving on the road.  I slow down, uncertain what is happening, and then I see it...  a small lump in the road.  As I get closer, I see it is a cat and thought him to be dead.  But as I move around him, I see he is still alive.

I don't like seeing "roadkill" of any sorts and it's even sadder when it's a cat or dog (which is rare but I have seen a few over the years) because they were someone's pet(s).  But when the animal is still alive, that totally changes everything, as I simply cannot feel a moment of sadness and continue my journey.  I have to do something...  anything.  And honestly, I don't know what that will be until I am in the moment.

I put the four ways on and pull over.  It's late and Scarlett Road isn't that busy at this time of night.  But with the cat in the left lane, my truck in the right, I need to do something fast because who knows when the next car will come along.

The cat is bleeding from his mouth and looking up at me.  And his breathing is very deep.  He looks fine otherwise.  So the only one to hit him was the first vehicle and anyone who passed him afterwards just moved around or drove over him, ensuring not to run his body over.  Lord only knows how long he's been laying in the road.

An image I found in a Google search (artist unknown).  A good similarity to this big fluffy multi-colored boy I'm blogging about.

I keep gloves in the truck and a blanket too as Angie and I get more and more involved with wildlife.  I know moving him is going to be painful but I can't leave him out in traffic suffering.  And honestly, I just knew he didn't have much longer.  I hate to say that this isn't the first time I've been with a strange cat in the final moments of his life.

I lowered the tailgate to the GMC, set the blanket out on it, put my gloves on and picked him up as gently as I could.  He made no hisses, no growls, his body was pretty limp, and dead weight heavy.  His fur was drenched from the rain we had earlier and passing traffic splashing water as they passed him.

He layed on the blanket for a short bit, blood oozing from his mouth.  His breathing shallowed.  His eyes slowly closed.  And then he was gone.  I was sad but also felt some relief that he was not suffering anymore.  I tried to make good of the situation, that I helped him in his final moments, hopefully brought him some comfort and as a lot of my friends stated...  I helped him keep his dignity.  He wasn't left for dead on a cold dark road and didn't eventually meet more tires and be spread across the pavement.  I was feeling pretty shitty right now but I know I would be feeling even worse today if I didn't do anything and saw his remains on my way to work.

 The cat has no collar or tags but maybe he's micro-chipped.  I will be keeping an eye out for lost cat signs in the neighbourhood in the coming days.

I brought him home and put his body in a Xerox box and put it out in the shed.  Toronto Animal Services gives the option of either having them come pick him up from the sidewalk in a bag or box; or I will bring him in on my way to work.  I'm dropping him off because leaving a bag or box on the walk could bring some other mishap with someone walking by and taking it.

The only photo I took, so I can remember his markings if I see a sign come up in the 'hood.

We have this thing against people letting their cats roam free outside.  It's not just about the safety of other creatures they come in contact with and often kill but also about the safety of these cats.  Scarlett Road is like "death hill" as I see far too many animals killed each year.  There is a golf course and a few large parks on either side with the stretch I drive daily.  Deer, Raccoons, Skunks, Opossums, Squirrels, Cats and even a Northern Saw-whet Owl I've seen on this road.

How is it that someone can think letting their cat run around outside anywhere, on it's own free will, is a good idea?  We couldn't imagine just opening the door and letting Meadow go, not knowing, and not even thinking, that she might not come home again.

I shared this image on social media I took after I put the cat in the box.  Its really upset some but most of my friends get it, as sad as it is.  This is the blanket I layed him on at the back of the truck.  You can see the pool of blood that dripped from his mouth, and even see his body outline from the muddy wetness. 

This wasn't a fun blog but it's my therapy and if a reader sees this and gives a second thought about opening their door to let the cat out tonight, then it was worth it.

This blog is Meadow approved.  Please keep your feline friends safe.

And give them a great loving home with a pampered life in return for all the love they give you.

The Queen and the Beggar

We've got this homeless kitty in the neighbourhood the last few months; first noticing him around January. His sightings aren't very regular but it's easy to see this guy is without a home, and if he has one, it's not a nice family he belongs to leaving him outside, dirty and beaten up. One of our neighbours has been feeding him through the last part of winter because she feels sorry for him, and even had him neutered too! He's a lovable big fluffy boy, probably the suckiest cat I've met in a long time. Even with the dirty coat from being outside all the time, and the few scratches across his nose, he's still a good looking cat.

We might see him a couple times a week, and sometimes it's a week or two from one sighting to another. There are nights I am out filling bird feeders at midnight or so and I will hear him meowing from somewhere nearby and come racing in to say "hello". We mingle a bit while I do what want out back. I've given him a few handfuls of kibble the odd night when it's been quite bitter out. I notice occasionally he takes refuge under our shed or the neighbour's deck. He's not keen of the cold or the rain, like any of us for very long outside. Angie sees him some mornings on her way to the bus stop, looking for attention, and always welcoming a pat on the head. I've seen him at the corner where the bus stop is, just sitting there watching the world go by. I worry about him out there and all the traffic as he sits mere feet from the road. I worry about him and all the others he must fight for one reason or another. But I also worry about all the smaller creatures around us, all the birds more than anything, by having yet another cat prowling the backyards. especially with nesting season upon us.

Today we had a moment with him. I'm out back with Meadow and the Budgies, enjoying the warm sunny morning. Birds and Squirrels aplenty join us. And then along comes this guy. Of course he gets Meadow's attention immediately, the Budgies are oblivious, just tweeting away. I have the camera near, never going out back without it and decide to watch what unfolds providing nobody is getting hurt.

He comes through the hole in the fence as he noticed me first.  Upon entering our yard, the lost beggar runs into the Queen of this domain.  His affectionate attitude put down his guard as he only had eyes on me and perhaps intentions on filling his empty stomach.  And now in the face of the terror, he's unsure what to do.  The Queen is on him quick.


She takes little time in making him well aware this is my turf.  I own the land, I own the people that live here!


And what does the beggar do?  Bows down in respect to her.  And there he stayed while the Queen kept him in this position, to be humiliated as a coward in front of her people.


After a number of minutes of this, I called to the beggar.  I figured it was time to get things moving along here and I could return to my chores out back.  Of course he got up at my calling.


But the dark Queen wasn't quite done with the beggar. 


And once again put him in his place.  He took refuge under the chairs, finding comfort with the obstacles around him, making it difficult for the Queen to lash out at him again.


See how he lowers his head as she nears.  The beggar is submitting to her royal highness.


And to make certain on another thing, this long haired guy you see out here is mine!  Meadow the Queen is in between my legs (see my knee in the upper left?) and stayed there until I finally got up again.


I left them be for a while and finished up what I wanted to do.  The funny thing is the hissing and snarling stopped from the Queen; and all through this ordeal, the beggar never made a sound.  They kept their distance as seen below.  And the body language changed, both of them relaxing.  


The sun was getting hotter as noon approached.  The beggar found cool comfort in the shade under the holly busy.  The Queen had grown tired of him over the hour, and went about her stroll of the grounds.  The beggar would not take his eyes off the Queen for some time, not wanting another lashing.


And a short bit later, the Queen went for a nap on her pillow bed in her castle.


The beggar enjoyed the peace on his dirt bed but rather envious of the life of the Queen.


I hope you enjoyed the story I made out of this real situation. But seriously, if anyone out there might find it in their heart to give this lovable cat a home, please contact me. Maybe you know someone thinking about adopting a cat?

All I know is he is neutered and he's got so much love to offer someone willing to accept it. He really needs a home... and a name.

I raced to get this out before work. Hope my rushed efforts don't show too much.

Here is the link to the YouTube video I posted of him yesterday.

One last shot of him. Not sure of his age as someone asked, he's not a kitten, but definitely not an older cat, judging by how white his teeth are. Maybe 3 years, rough guess.