It's official. Our cat killed our dog.

[Shanty Oilish]

Last week I found one of our kuvies (big white dogs) inert on the porch. It took 3 of us, me, housekeeper & kid, to haul her into the Rollover and bring her to the vet. She was dead before we got there. I just got his message that she had sucked in a dead bird and asphyxiated.
Whenever one of the cats brings a fresh kill to the doorstep, I react like Joan Crawford on PCP. But they still do it. I've also let the dogs understand how I disapprove of them touching dead critters.

The cat, never let it be said they don't have consciences, she disappeared for two days after that and hasn't moved off the porch since she got back.

The other dogs are grieving like people, shuffling around with heads hanging down, knowing dear old Ava is gone.

I want to lock them all up indoors and never let them see the sun again, but that won't do. Still I feel responsible, like the cats didn't get the message enough times.

She was such a good, soulful, silly-sweet dog.

[HEyHEY]

1. That's terrible

Sorry

[Khephra]

2. I hope you understand that you're fighting evolution there

Cats are known for showing their love by offering their prey up to their owners. It's built in and I've yet to see anyone break a cat of doing that.

I'm sorry for your dog...losing a pet is horrible.

[Shanty Oilish]

17. Thanks kef

...for your sympathies about our dog. I know the cat was hoping to impress me with her catch, she is downright freaked over this. But no doubt that will not cure her permanently of an inborn behavior.

The kid (she's 9) is grieving hard, so I let her read the thread, she found comfort in the responses, as I do. This is a great place, full of kind hearts. Thanks for caring!
Ann (draftcaroline)

[MuseRider]

3. So sorry about your dog

That is so hard, especially from such a strange circumstance! We always have 3 dogs and numerous other creatures and they do morn, sometimes for long periods of time. I hope all are well soon.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

4. People say cats are evil...

But they do have little consciences...and I'm sure she felt horrible for killing her friend...as indirectly as it was. I'm sorry about your loss. Losing a dog is hard. :hug:
Duckie

[curse10]

5. That's awful

for everybody involved. :-( The worst part is that the cat was just doing something she thought you'd love. And cats definately have a conscience- my other cat was in hysterics when the other disappeared for a day last week- he was why I knew he was missing in the first place.

[Droopy]

6. Sorry for your loss

I wouldn't take it out on your cat, though. It was only following its instincts.

[Shanty Oilish]

12. I don't have any way to communicate with the cat on this one.

Don't want to love her up and console her, she might misread it as approval. Don't want to punish her, she looks guilty and miserable.

I save the witch act for training, like when they're up to something new and offensive, like clawing the wrong furniture or stomping on a new plant. It's not a bad temper on my part, just an effective way to make a point. But like you say, it's their instinct to kill. They're pretty well-behaved cats otherwise.

It's MY instinct to try to cheer everybody up around here, but I'm thinking it's better to leave them to work it out by themselves. They're sad and they know their humans are sad.

[RobinA]

15. Bringing That Bird Home

could not be further from your cat's mind at this point, so you might as well love her. Animals don't connect something that happened yesterday with anything that happens today.

[Maddy McCall]

7. I'm sending warm wishes your way...

I lost a Great Pyre (another big white dog) to coyotes several years ago...much smaller creatures pack-attacked her and she couldn't fend them off. She was the most gentle dog who has ever owned me.

Poor cat...she probably doesn't get the message, because it is instinctual that she behave predatorally. I want to give advice, but I know that isn't what you need the most right now......

So here is a big ol' jchild hug (((((((DC))))))) and wishes that you heal quickly from your loss.

[SoCalDem]

8. Oh my...how sad...

But, cats do kill birds, and dogs do "forage" for whatever they finid.. It's just a sad set of circumstances..

If your cats are outdoorsies, there is no way you will ever "break them' of this "habit".. You will never be able to train an unwatched dog to not eat something either..

That really sucks. I am so sorry for you & your sweet pooch :(

[BQueen]

9. How awful for you and your family....

kuvies are such beautiful dogs. I believe animals do grieve similarly to humans. I've been stopping by to comfort my neighbor's dog ever since his "dad" died last month, and I can see a marked change in him since that event.

Maybe since the cat seems to be understanding the connection between her kill and Ava's death the cats may start to leave their kills elsewhere.

If you're not weirded out by doing so, you could sit down and "explain" what happened to the other pets. I know it sounds strange, but mine seem to understand me more than I ever thought possible, and it's a way to talk out your own grief in a safe setting. If you do so, make sure to tell the cat that you know it was an accident, and that you know she didn't mean to hurt Ava. (Really - I know how this sounds, but when my little terrier plays too rough and nips me, I say "Ow", she cowers in shame, I say "I know it was an accident" and she perks up to play again.)

Okay, now I'm outed as one of those new-ager "Pet Psychic" viewers, but I hope this helps...

gotta go, the terrier is impeding my typing by sticking her nose between my wrists and the keyboard - someone wants a walk...

You'll meet Ava again, what would heaven be without your pets?!
My deepest condolences, draftcaroline.

[BQueen]

10. How awful for you and your family....

on edit - oops, posted twice since it didn't seem to got thru the first time

deleted text of message

[CO Liberal]

11. I'm So Sorry To Hear Of Your Loss

Pleaaase visit the Rainbow Bridge web site. It was a great comfort to my wife and me when we lost our cat Sweetpea and our dog Cooter.

http://www.rainbowbridge.com/

Wayne
(CO Liberal)

[Shanty Oilish]

13. Good idea.

My daughter has a few favorite pet-club sites, I should have thought of this myself. This is her first experience of losing a pet. Thanks for steering me there!

[Booberdawg]

14. Aww .. how sad

such a tragic story. for you and your other babies too :-(

I'm so sorry for your loss. :hug:

[WWW]

16. Wow, I am really sorry..

Gosh, I feel really bad about your dog. Our little petite cat brought in what looked like a flying squirrel two days ago, which is weird because New England doesn't have such rodents. God only knows where she has been.
My Buffett is also a really good, goofy soulful dog. I really feel for your loss. My daughter always tells me that the last people in the world who should have pets are the ones who love them so much...But there was nothing you could have done to prevent this, cats will be cats, and your pup was just in the wrong place at the wrong time...Please know that I am thinking of you,,,

[dawgman]

18. I am sorry for your loss I lost a dog recently

cats are evil.

[Shanty Oilish]

19. Thanks to all

Even the one who thinks cats are eevil. She is really sorry it happened, not all cats are sociopaths.
You guys are great. Big hugs to ((((((((all)))))))))
Ann (dc)