My Cat Was Run Over. And Then Came Home.

[Inkfreak]

Last edited Tue Apr 15, 2014, 11:39 AM - Edit history (1)

About 10:30pm last night I saw a car stopped about 150 or so yards from our house. It was curious because we live in a rather rural area. But it was kind of near my neighbor so I figured it was him. And mentioned it to my wife. About 2 minutes later she received a text from her cousin saying that she just hit a cat. It looked like ours.

A quick back story: 8 years ago a big tabby ran up to us as we exited the bar late one night. He was friendly and jumped right in our car! He looked rather scruffy so we took him home. I was adamant we would look for his owner. Well, he didn't have one. A neighbor to the bar told us he's been out living in the area for about 2 years. A hefty vet bill later, we had Butters! Or Mr. Butters as he became known. An outside cat except in winter. Loud purring, affectionate head-butting and a lil attitude if not listened to became a welcome addition.

I didn't want to go look. I felt it couldn't be him hit by the car. This cat has some incredible instincts. Going from the city streets to rural roads seemed like an easy transition. He always had an eye on a car if he heard/saw one. We trudged over to the car and there he was. Wet and lifeless. I thanked my wife's cousin for telling us (no blame. She was really upset) and wrapped my boy up and brought him home.

I placed him in the shed and figured I'd bury him in the morning. But I needed to distract myself. So I began digging. When finished I held my boy one last time and buried him. My wife and I sat inside and cried and expressed our shock. I told my wife that I couldn't believe it. I wanted to go to the door and jiggle the handle. It was his "dinner bell", if he was nearby he would come running. I really couldn't believe it.

About 30 minutes later I got up to turn off our porch lights and as I looked out the door I muttered "poor Butters, I loved that cat.". And right fucking then he walked up to my fucking door!!!!!! I buried his dang doppelgänger!!! Folks, I shit you not, I buried a cat that was not mine! We started freaking out. Can't describe it any better. Mr. Butters is alive.

I'll have to check the area today to find the buried cats owner. We don't have a lot of close neighbors and I've never seen another orange tabby like ours in this area. Our closest neighbor does have quite a few ferrel cats on his property. He lets them live in an old trailer. But they're all kinda small and scruffy. This cat was bigger and healthy looking.

So I'm rejoicing but saddened by this poor cat. And it's possible owners not knowing. I'm gonna do my best to find them. But my boy is back! And I can't stop petting him. Thanks for reading my crazy story.

Oh and this is Mr. Butters. Sleeping wherever the hell he wants. Cause he rules.

[shenmue]

1. Oh dear

Glad your kitty is okay.

[Inkfreak]

3. Thanks! He's getting a lot of attention today.

A ridiculous amount.

[get the red out]

2. WOW

I am sorry for the kitty that lost his life, but so glad you have your handsome big yellow cat safe at home.

[Inkfreak]

4. Yes, me too. I'm very saddened by the death of that cat.

It sounds odd, but I'm glad we found him quickly and I was able to bury and mourn for him. I hope to find the owner. If nothing else to express my sympathy and let then know there was no suffering and the cat was properly taken care of. He'll have a place near our golden berry bushes. With a small marker.

[sinkingfeeling]

5. Amazing story! I hope you find the owners of the other cat.

[Inkfreak]

6. Yes, I can't help but think of the pain I was feeling

may now be someone else's at this very moment. I gotta let them know I did the best I could at that moment. My heart hurts every time I see a pet on the side of the road. They deserve better.

[IronGate]

7. What an exceptional story.

Very happy that you beautiful cat is ok and that you gave the unknown cat a decent burial.

Hope you find the owners so they can know what happened.
You are a very kind person.

[Inkfreak]

8. Thank you!

The emotional low & high of last night left me frazzled. I had to share my story to relieve the tension (or whatever it is I feel) I believe we have a lead on the owner. I'm headed off to find out.

[ginnyinWI]

9. this may be difficult to hear, but--

I had a thought: the cat you buried might have a microchip in him. If you have no luck finding an owner, that might be the way to find them. You'd have to dig up the body, though, and take it to someone who could scan for a chip.

[Inkfreak]

11. Didn't even think of that.

It appears we found the owner tho. He belonged to a couple much further down the road. An outdoor cat named Raffy of theirs was very similar to ours. My wife has been talking to her and he hasn't been home since yesterday. I'm not sure if we're gonna be digging him up.

[Freddie]

10. He is a dead ringer for my Freddie

Who also rules the house. He is my 2nd orange tabby and they are very special cats. Freddie's paws have never touched Mother Earth. But I know that once a cat has spent a lot of time outdoors, it's really hard to keep them in.

[Curmudgeoness]

12. OH MY! The emotional seesaw that you were on!

I cannot imagine how the low, and then the high, must have made you feel. So glad that Mr. Butters is well, and I am sorry for the dead kitty and his owner. At least he was treated with respect in death.