Texas cat missing five months in Florida reunites with Fort Worth boys

Associated Press | 12/15/2001

[sinkspur]

ELLISVILLE, Fla. - A cat who survived in the Florida wilds for nearly five months after a traffic accident has been reunited with her Texas family.

Flirt, a 3-year-old orange tabby, disappeared following the July 22 accident near Lake City. Owners Ray Juarez, 13, and his brother, Brian Lambert, 16, of Fort Worth, Texas, were reunited Dec. 8 with the cat.

During the accident, Flirt's cat-carrier was ejected from the vehicle, its door sprang open and the terrified cat ran off. The boys were severely injured and spent several weeks recovering in a Jacksonville hospital.

Their mother and sister suffered minor injuries. The family had been traveling back to Texas after staying for several months in Boca Raton.

A bony and bedraggled, 5-pound Flirt was found Nov. 18 at the Ellisville home of Betty Reader. The cat's front leg was caught up in her collar, which probably hampered its ability to get food in the wild, an area veterinarian said. Flirt had shed some 12 pounds.

Reader remembered seeing fliers posted about a missing cat and was able to track down the injured boys' aunt, Terri Rayne of Rehoboth Beach, Del. Rayne drove down to pick up Flirt.

Rayne later flew to Fort Worth with the cat to reunite her with the boys.

"I'm really happy to have her back," Ray said. "She still remembers me. She slept with me Saturday night, just like she always did. I told her I missed her."

For education and discussion purposes only.

[sinkspur]

Maybe you'll smile at this. I did.

[ladyinred]

Made me get teary eyed, not smile! What a heartwarming, wonderful,right before Christmas story! I loved it, and I thank you for posting it!

[dighton]

Yes, I like cats and happy endings. Good story.

Poor wand'ring one!
Though thou hast surely strayed,
Take heart of grace,
Thy steps retrace,
Poor wand'ring one!

[jwfiv]

aww bump

[sinkspur]

I'm in awe of your Gilbert and Sullivan recall.

You are a veritable "living libretto."

I just love G and S. Underexposed and underappreciated.

[Lady Jag]

Great story. Thanks for posting it.

[dighton]

Alas, not 100% from memory. Please don't tell anyone.

[Dallas]

My mother-in-law did the very same thing.....(sigh)....gee, it's good to have her home...(hack)

[white rose]

I'm a sucker for cat stories, Sink. It made me feel both happy and sad at the same time. Thanks for posting it, though.

[sinkspur]

I love your name. Science Diet is all I buy for my two dogs and four cats.

Are you with the company?

[Great Dane]

Love a good news story. :-}

[bluesagewoman]

Sigh, made me smile. I love cats. Would have 100 if only I could. Tabbies are the best, too.

[sweetliberty]

Well, if you ask me, it just goes to prove the dem conspiracy theory about the plants that were put in Florida to sway the election. Hhhmm...Texas cat winds up in Florida. Doesn't return home until twentieth-something or other recount. Somebody check that cat's voting record!

[Old Professer]

Next time they should move to California.

[pcl]

It is nice to hear a happy cat story.

Last week we lost our feline companion of 17 years. There are so many places in out house that seem so empty without the little guy. I would never have believed one could get so attached to an animal.

[WHATNEXT?]

Hey, Blackie does this sound familiar?

[maranatha]

Sorry you lost your companion. My cat is a close bud, we communicate totally. I really enjoyed the story although I hate to hear of cats or dogs suffering, it had a happy ending and that's super.

[Exit148]

I'm tear-eyed too. The poor little thing! Didn't anyone else see this poor kitty with his/her paw caught in the collar?

Yellow tabbies are 85% male. I've always had mostly calicos, and a tortoiseshell which are all female. However we also had Teddy - a yellow tabby and you couldn't find a nicer cat. He had a wonderful disposition and was the bravest cat I'd ever met. We made a lot of our cats and they were all special, but Teddy was a cut above.

I'm so glad Flirt is now having 'the easy life' - a loving family, a warm bed and lots of reasons to purr and be petted.

Thanks, sink!

[Humidston]

My kind of thread! Thanks, Sinkspur. MUCH better than that sad thread (which I couldn't even bring myself to read) about pets suffering due to bad economy.

[sinkspur]

There are so many places in out house that seem so empty without the little guy. I would never have believed one could get so attached to an animal.

And there are so many little guys sitting in shelters who would love to fill those places in your house.

You'll never replace your departed friend, but you'll create a new place in your heart and home for a grateful friend.

Go down to your shelter and adopt your next new love. Monday morning!