Adventures with Dr. Lady Cutie Troublemaker

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Goodnight, Old Lady

By Abby at 11:30 pm on Wednesday, October 4, 2006

Winnie died last night. She was 18 years old and pretty damn healthy. Since my parents moved to their cabin, she has spent most of her time in the room upstairs. We’ve been trying so hard to get her to venture out. The other cat, “Kitty”, died about a year ago. Since then, Winnie has become more and more brave about venturing into the rest of the house. Last night, she actually ventured down the stairs and out the front door, something she normally doesn’t do. My mother was watching TV and heard the dogs (Annie, Wolfie, and the visiting Studly) barking, and then a loud cat meow. Mom ran outside, and the three dogs had surrounded Winnie and were pawing at her. Mom got them away and scooped Winnie up in her arms and brought her to the vet, but she didn’t make it.

What a hard position for mom to be in. She’s so sad, and yet, she’s living with the dogs who killed Winnie. It was instinct, of course. I’m sure Winnie seemed like prey… or like another animal to play with, but she was very old, very frail. I hope it was quick and she didn’t feel much pain. She was one of the sweetest cats I’ve ever met.

She was saying that she didn’t want to talk about what happened because she loves Annie and Wolfie and doesn’t want people to think they are dangerous (they aren’t), but she’s mad, too. What a sad ending to a sweetheart of a kitty.

Update: Mom has written a long post on my dad’s blog. Please go read it. I’m so sad about this. I feel so bad for her.

Filed under: I Just Think It's Neat/Sick Sad World,Kitties,Video13 Comments »

13 Comments

1
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Comment by parental unit

October 4, 2006 @ 11:51 pm

Thanks…

Not much for words on this one yet…

2
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Comment by jon

October 5, 2006 @ 12:06 am

Abby – honestly, I cried a little after reading this post. My first memorable cat loss was “Mushroom” a wonderful old lass of 18 or 19 who was chased by a neighborhood golden retriever, bitten, and slowly died at the vets from a whole number of health issues. She was older than I was at the time when she passed.

If you had a soundtrack for that video i’m sure I would have lost it.

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Comment by Abby

October 5, 2006 @ 12:10 am

Yeah, I didn’t want to add to it. I’m so glad I took that video. She was getting so old that I knew we’d be happy to have it. Such a sad set of events. I’m glad mom can read and write about it here without having to cover too much for the dogs who (honestly) were probably just doing that dog pack thing. They aren’t bad dogs. But it’s hard not to feel upset with them. I told mom we should pin it all on Studley, since he’s the one that isn’t theirs and is the least bright of the bunch. He’s a convenient scapegoat.

The pet drama in the mountains this year has been intense. Really intense. I’m pretty happy with my citified, indoor cats. I don’t think I have the stomach for the way it works in the mountains and the country.

4
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Comment by Beth

October 5, 2006 @ 2:17 am

Oh, I hurt for your mom. We lost a cat, much younger, to the Aussie/Border Collies next door — they hadn’t moved here yet and Jazzy liked to roam around their property. Only that time, they were there, and they chased her until they caught her, and shook her — no marks except dried saliva. She was 10 feet from our fence. We are still friends with the neighbors and never told them — they would be so upset, and she WAS on their land, not ours. But we cried while we retrieved her, while we were digging her grave in the rain. They were just being dogs and protecting, and we understand that — except emotionally. We still miss her.

5
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Comment by Adam

October 5, 2006 @ 7:28 am

I’m so sorry to hear that, Abby. I’m glad Winnie got 18 years in a loving environment. My thoughts are with you and your folks.

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Comment by Kristin m

October 5, 2006 @ 9:39 am

That’s awful! So sorry.

7
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Comment by Abby's mom

October 5, 2006 @ 11:09 am

Thanks to all for the sentiments. It helps knowing I’m not the only one who’s gone through this. After asking Mickey to write about Winnie on his blog, I woke up this morning knowing that I wanted to and should do it. I spent an hour reminiscing and writing. It was therapeutic for me. I’m sure he’ll post it later today, but right now, he’s out in his shop building a coffin. Al just called and is coming over later to help us dig a grave, which isn’t easy in ground that is mostly Georgia marble. 🙁

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Comment by mynx

October 5, 2006 @ 2:42 pm

awww. i’m sorry to hear that, abby and abby’s mom! 🙁

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Comment by Annetastic!

October 5, 2006 @ 4:57 pm

Oh, I am so sorry. That is always so tough. So sad! 🙁

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Comment by Abby

October 5, 2006 @ 8:18 pm

My mom posted about it on my dad’s blog, too. I’d forgotten all the circumstances surrounding her entry into our lives. What an angel she was.

11
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Comment by Abby's mom

October 17, 2006 @ 7:10 am

I want to thank all of you who posted about Winnie. It’s been almost two weeks now, and I seem to have settled. My mind has separated the fact of Winnie’s death from the manner in which she died, and oddly, I’m finding solace in Annie and Woofie. I’m probably going to write more in depth on this blog, but I really want to thank each of you. Your words meant a great deal to me. Both here, and in private e-mails, you shared words of comfort, similar stories, and memories of Winnie. I’d forgotten her strange fondness for raw vegetables – even mushrooms. You made me cry and smile. That was a great help. I didn’t have many of your e-mail addresses, so I hope you read this and know how much I appreciate your caring.

Sharon

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Comment by andy

October 19, 2006 @ 10:33 pm

I am _so_ sorry to hear that. I immediately had to go in the other room, scoop up my own Winnie, and give him a long hug. He’s only seven, but he’s got heart problems, so we always wonder if each new year with him will be our last. Thankfully he’s doing really well, but you never know. And I worry how our little Dizzy would handle life without his big brother.

Say strong – we’re thinking of you….

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Comment by Abby

October 19, 2006 @ 10:58 pm

Thanks, Andy. That’s very sweet. You give lots of love to that Winnie. We miss ours, but she had a great life.

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