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.
I don't have cats anymore because I have become allergic to them but I have had dozens and DOZENS of cats in my 66 years. Inside cats usually live long healthy lives. Outside cats generally live short violent lives. It is a little better if they are neutered but they still get run over by cars, killed by dogs or coyotes and if they live in the city and they are around feral cats who harbor diseases. I have no problem with them being declawed if it is done young and they are kept up where they are safe from predators.
What would you recommend for a feisty 12-year-old girl cat who's a tad bit skinnier than she should be? She gets half a can of wet food twice a day, and all the dry food she can hold.
She had tooth problems a little while back that made her lose a couple pounds, but she's gaining them back. I'd just like to help her gain more quickly.
Also, she and her "sister" (also 12) have a couple of thin spots on their fur.
I agree that indoor cats live longer..I have had a 15 year old indoor /outdoor cat, however..
Cats are like people ..some get cancer, etc... and others don't. We keep ours indoors now to avoid a suspected cat poisoner in the area.
I have 5 that aren't allowed outside... They aren't bored at all... Here at the office, we have two. I would never let them out because we are on a major highway.
At home, we have one that is deaf, he would be dead in hours if we let him out. The other two, well, they have no desire to go outside. We did get a new screen door for them to look out of the front of the house. And we grow kitty grass in the house for them to eat. Our woods has owls, hawks, eagles, raccoons, groundhogs, foxes, neighbor dogs, etc... Also, where we live, most outdoor cats end up with fleas. .
My last cat lived to be 21, so I must be doing something right!
Oh my . . . I hope nobody walks into my office . . . (sniff) damn.
"My cats live a lavish, happy life thinking they're humans, some have lived over 20 years. My nextdoor neighbor lets her cats out. They live 2 to 3 years.
You really don't know cats."
Beg your pardon? I've successfully owned numerous cats over a period of 30 some years. It's patently ridiculous for you to say I don't know cats. Perhaps you ought to reread my posts.
We have three cats who have never set paw-one outdoors. They're happy, healthy (none are overweight) and as spoiled as anything.
Living in Florida, I've seen what happens to house pets who tussle with raccoons and opossums. It's not worth it, and the ones who live au naturel have remarkably short lives.
Anyone who's watched a cat waste away from FIV can attest to that.
Our cats are part of our family and some perform chosen tasks, mostly around food. For example, the cats get a snack at dinner, so one of the most enthusiastic cats comes and tells me when a kitchen timer has rung. I works great.
Hi, abner! I was just thinking of how I haven't run into you in a while.
My cats are far from bored. I have birdfeeders hanging outside strategic windows and they have their sheepskin window seats.
Cats like to sleep 22 hours a day, and our 4 female felines each has her own cave-like bed.
They choose what they will eat and get tired of things.
Their spoiled and that's the way it should be.
I thinks it's coyotes that get my neighbor's cat. It could be the gray fox, but there are more coyotes.
There are always "Lost Cat" signs on the telephone pole down at the corner, sometimes 3 or 4 of them. Last year, some thoughtful person put a well-made sign which explained why cats go missing, but it didn't affect the number of signs on the pole. Poor cats, some people just won't learn.
You like uppity cats?
I read the article about Jack's last days with the deer first.
You like uppity cats?
Since two of my four are a little uppity . . . I guess so.
I'm with you Lady Jag, no outdoors for my cat, not since I lost one due to him getting hit by a car. I think some of these preachy outdoor cat types will lose their pushiness when they lose one of their own precious pets to an accident, until then I will ignore them
The cat had kidney failure and the only way to balance electrolytes was to perspire on the few surfaces that they can..like the tip of the nose.
Deer, like many wild animals, crave salt, and people put salt licks out for them.
Just a guess, but I suspect it may have some merit.
Some of ours are young enough to chase and play fight..It's chaos on whatever is left on the table they leap across. They love the birdfeeder windows..They also watch squirrels, stray cats and butterflies!
I found Sassy curled up on a pile of towels by the washing machine this morning.. That is a first. A playfight might have gotten too much for him.
The males TRubble and Sassy are more my "buddies" oddly enough.
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