If you have ever lost a pet, you know what heartache means. It isn’t like losing your glasses or your car keys. When you lose a pet, it is a huge emotional loss and is devastating as the time painfully passes by. Second by second, minute by minute, day by day, it hurts and there is not much you can do about it.
My cat, Bella!
Two years ago, my cat Bella, disappeared one day and I was absolutely devastated. She was a feral cat that I adopted and had a micro chip implanted already. I thought it would be a piece of cake to get her back. Boy, was I wrong. Unless the person who finds your pet has a scanner, the chip is useless. Subsequently, the brand new “break-away” collar that she had on her was found in my driveway. All I could do was pray that she would remember where home was.
All day I would go outside and call out to her. I would even shake the container of cat food in hopes of luring her back. Nothing worked! Each night, I would walk around my property hoping to find her. I even went as far as to drive around the neighborhood intermittently with no luck. It was hopeless. This creature that I loved so much had absolutely no way of telling anyone who she was or that she was loved. It was a nightmare!
Check out this really funny video about a woman who LOVES her cat!
After reaching out to pet forums, I had a mixed reaction. Some cat lovers bashed me for allowing her out of my home. Other people were supportive and reminded me that she is a feral cat. Bella’s natural habitat was the outdoors. I just had to wait it out. No matter what I did, I could not get her to come back. She had to come back when she was ready or able to. It was just awful! Some of my friends didn’t see what the big deal was. Couldn’t I just adopt another cat? No, it was not that easy. Anyone who has a cat or a dog can completely understand the awful position you are in.
Three days had passed when at 8:30 am on the dot, my Bellie Cat came racing towards my front stoop and made a bee line for her food. I cried! I hugged her all day and was so joyful that she had come back home to me. I was one of the lucky ones but many are not so lucky. Sometimes, all that you are left with are photographs and memories.
On today’s show, I will be talking about pet loss and the healing power animals have on us. I have had the pleasure of meeting Jen Ward who specializes in recovering lost pets. Tune in on July 14, 2010 at 12 noon, EST, to hear my interview with her. She will talk about her experience with animal recovery and the healing power from animals! In case you miss it, you can always catch the podcast at any time at Jen Ward on The Organic View!
Thanks for the story. I have two dogs who sit in my office and keep me grounded. One got out of our invisible fence last summer and caused a panic. Fortunately a nice neighbor brought him back later in the day. I know the feeling. 🙂
I have a bumper sticker that says that! Great post
Not actually having a cat at the moment (I am allegic to them)I live in a home with 3 little dogs… Animals are certainly a GREAT addition to a household.. THEY ARE just normal members of the family but just a little FURRY! Thanks for the article.. LOVED the RACCOON VIDEO and the Blog Talk radio program RICH :0)
What a great story! I’m so glad your cat came home. I have a cat who did something very similar and i did the same thing you did and called for him (it, had him neutered) every day for a week! Then the next day he just showed up! I couldn’t believe it! He’s been here ever since and never done his disappearing act again. I figured he got locked in a garage somewhere in the neighborhood and was finally freed when the door was opened. Of course I don’t know… just guessing.
-Casey
I like too much the interview , very interesting to focus about BP, & the environmental catastrophe !
i have dogs even i have a goat , how wonderful they are , it didn’t happen to me that one of them went out without permission hehe , but i can imagine how sad will be if i can’t see for few hours one of my lovely dogs .
i ‘m happy Casy that the neighbors was there & not traveling ! lucky little cat 🙂
My dog died in 1990 and he used to be the gang leader of a gang of runaway dogs. I learned about this some time, obviously I had no clue where he would go whenever he was out and about. We did everything to secure our property so that he wouldn’t get out. We made higher fences, he dug a hole under it. We put a chain on his necklace so he would stay guarding our property, he would somehow get out by leaving the collar behind.
One day we spotted him with one of the neighbors female dogs. She was no beauty but it must have been true love. They were at the side of the street, observing the cars drive by.
Funny thing was, he would never get hit by one. Only the day he died. I was glad I wasn’t around but he would then come to say “Goodbye!” in one of my dreams. I felt peace and had a joyful feeling when I woke up.
Enough about my stray dog!!
The commercial video, “Come cuddles with Momy!” is hilarious!!!
Never call your cat without glasses!
But I don’t think I could have mistaken my cat for a Raccoon 🙂
BTW:
My cat taught me several things also:
Be picky with your food!
Only dance to the beat of your own drums!
If you can’t change it, sleep over it, don’t get up tight!
Sleep during the day if you’re night active.
Always do your nails, it doesn’t matter if it’s not in the appropriate place.
Everything that’s loose and on the ground is a cat toy (I’m careful as to what I leave on the ground and my new leather shoes are neatly tucked away, he has a fetish!).
There are so many more lessons I learned but the most important is this:
It doesn’t matter if the world is going crazy. You are not obliged to join.
Have fun today!
Lydia
i love this post!!
I was just reading through your post it’s very well written. I downloaded the podcast and am going to play it for a few friends who are into animal rescue work. Thank you so much for having Jen on!
Truthfully impressed! She does marvelous work! Great show, June!
What a cool show! I downloaded the podcast! Thanks!
Does she work with farm animals that have gone astray?
The video was really funny! I dl’d the show! Great interview!
Hello just came across your site. Love the video with the lady and the raccoon!
Wow this is a great resource.. I’m enjoying it.. good article
Hello just stumbled your blog. Great interview!
RT @TheOrganicView Everything I Learned In Life, .. http://theorganicview.com/health/everyth… #animals #healing #Jen #Ward #missing #pets #pet
RT @TheOrganicView: RT @TheOrganicView Everything I Learned In Life, .. http://theorganicview.com/health/everyth… #animals #healing #Jen #Ward #missing #pets …
Cats are awesome creatures. You never really think about the pain they go through till you see those sad commercials. It was great that your cat came back!
I can say that your headline “ everything i learned in life, i learned from my cat theorganicview.…” sounds like me…lol. Cats are amazing creatures! They really do teach you patience and how to be mindful of others! Great show with Jen Ward!
this was the first time that i have visited you post and it is awesome ..
Cats Rule!
Can I link this post from my blog? Jose
Good Post!