The wayward cat
To the editor:
About 6-7 months ago, Lady Madonna wandered off from my home when I left the back door open by mistake. She had been outside before but never alone and was probably curious (cats are, you know) and wanted to see what the world was like on her own. Were there other cats like her? What other new adventures awaited her? She had not yet used any of her nine lives so she was probably a little cocky and headstrong.
As she wandered here and there she would have lost all track of time and not aware of where she was in relation to her house. I had always told her to be careful and to stay away from people that she didn’t know, but curiosity (again, she’s a cat) got the best of her.
After a few hours she must have gotten hungry and started to sniff around and probably caught the scent of some powerfully good smelling food. Following her nose and not paying much attention to anything else she found the food and started nibbling. BAM! Something fell down and she couldn’t move away. Trapped! She could see her house and probably hoped she’d soon get out and then scamper for home.
Then some people came out to set her free; well, not free right away — they went for a ride first. It must have seemed like a long ride but they finally stopped and they put her out of the car in the woods. She was free! But, where was she? Nothing looked or smelled the same to her. How could she find her house and her mom and dad?
She searched and searched for a long, long time, and probably met some other nice animals and some not so nice ones. She must have caught some mice and bugs and other not so pleasant things and lost quite a few pounds (I don’t, however, suggest her experience as a way to diet). She had been stuck by sticks and thorns and more than likely chased by creatures with hunger in their eyes.
Fortunately bad things do come to an end. In her case, after using at least seven of her nine lives and losing six months of living with mom and dad, she was found by a nice lady who took her to a large place with lots of other dogs and cats. They took her picture and almost immediately I showed up to take her home (I had been checking the rescue listings daily ever since she disappeared). She’s never leaving the house, alone, again, ever.
Why am I telling this story? I had told Lady Madonna that there were people around who will help her if she gets lost, and make sure that she gets back home. What I didn’t tell her is there are also people who would not help, and would even do things to prevent her from getting back home. I found out that even though these people take great risks in these actions, including arrest and prosecution, for some reason they find greater satisfaction in relocating another person’s four-legged companion.
I only ask that if you are a person who finds a wandering cat or dog, please don’t endanger it any further. If you recognize the animal, call its owner. If not, call Lee County Animal Control at (239) 533-7387 or the Lee County Humane Society at 239-332-0364. They will take care of the animal and try to locate their two-legged companions. Life is too short to cause any creature – two-legged or four-legged – any additional grief.
Pamela Walker
Bokeelia