Posted on 06/14/2006 9:15:30 PM PDT by Serb5150
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Margie Scott was devastated when her 9-year-old cat Sammy was diagnosed with kidney failure, but she never could have predicted what would give her comfort during her pet’s last days.
Scott, who lives in an apartment just south of Lake Whatcom, had adopted the long-haired white and gray cat when he was just six months old.
Last month, Sammy stopped eating his dry food and would sit in a corner for hours. Scott took him to the vet, who treated him for dehydration. But it wasn’t enough.
“He was better for awhile, but then he started going downhill,” she said. “He just had this haunted look in his eyes.”
Because Sammy was declawed, he was strictly an indoor cat. But he always wanted to go outside. So, in his dying days, Scott decided to let Sammy spend some time outside each day. Sammy enjoyed his time outside the apartment, which is surrounded by woods and wetlands.
A family of deer regularly visits the complex, and one day, Sammy was sitting outside in the grass when two young deer happened by.
Scott watched in astonishment at what occurred next.
“One walked up to Sammy and they touched noses,” she said. “The deer jumped back and made a sort of a snorting noise, like he was sneezing. It seemed like he was taken by surprise,” she said.
What she saw next was even more surprising.
”The deer started licking him all around the head and neck, and Sammy just sat there allowing the deer to do this,” said Scott.
For several minutes, the young deer licked the small cat. Scott grabbed her camera and got a picture of the tender scene.
“It was amazing,” she said. “I truly believe the deer was able to sense that there was something wrong with Sammy and that was why he started licking him, like he was trying to nurture him.”
Two days later, Sammy died.
Though Scott is still grieving the loss of her cherished pet, she takes comfort in the photo she has of Sammy and the deer.
“I have some amazing memories, including this one,” she said.
Are you going to have a cat pin for the lighthouse official pin? Might as well go all the way in making the most famous cat since Garfield even more famous!!!!!!
Hey, maybe Garfield will want a ride with Trouble, lol.
We don't have cats. But it seems our neighbors (not sure who) let their cats roam around outside. We see cats prowling in our yard, and sometimes they even come up on our deck right outside our patio doors.
We really don't like these cats wandering into our yard, because we are avid bird/squirrel/bunny watchers. There are plenty of baby birds and bunnies in our yard during the summer months. And what do cats like to hunt/catch/eat?
My family had cats when I was a kid, and we always let them roam around outside. Well, now that I'm on the "other side" of things, I have a different viewpoint.
Hmmm... . that is a possibility! Great idea!
Cats really love going outside.
My one indoor cat loves being allowed out even though one of us stands watching her to make sure she doesn't slink away (which she will do.)
She just lies under bushes and nibbles grass and smiles.
Not only does she not understand about cars, she probably couldn't evade a fox (which live in our woods).
Beautiful cats, thanks for posting those.
Five stars on Amazon? That's a first for me, I'm definitely adding this one to my wish list!
I'm not a brand loyalist, but I think formulas for urinary track health are worth it. I can get Purina in the grocery store.
Oh well, every once in awhile I actually come up with an idea thats a little more than half baked.
You would if you lived in my neighborhood or a city. In my neighborhood....the retired community behind us kills them. They don't allow animals in there. And we don't have our own land...all common ground....with perfectly chemicaled lawns and ponds that kill everything. One lady was feeding homeless cats in the next community and they poisoned them and silently left them by her door as a warning. Can't find who did it ...good thing too because I would be in jail.
Living in wide open spaces like I did up north, I always had the cats in and outside....not down here in SFlorida though. Just can't do it if you want to keep your cat alive.
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