Someone killed my cat today

[me b zola]

Someone hit my cat today and did not bother to stop.

Her name was Astarte. She was a tiny black cat with a velveteen coat. Mr Zola wanted her to have a litter before we fixed her, and she bore two wonderful boys that are now juvenilles and are wondering were their mother is. They all remained very close even after the boys were weened and all were fixed. She was a wonderful mother who taught her boys all of the feline ways.

Mr Zola burried her in my flower garden. I miss her. :cry:

[DearAbby]

1. So sorry for your loss

When you look at your garden, not only will you see the beauty of the blooms, but you will also remember your feline friend.

:hug:

[me b zola]

2. Thank you

I needed a hug

[NMMNG]

3. I'm so sorry to hear of this

:hug:

It is a shame that the person who hit Astarte didn't have the cajones to own up to what they did. May you and Astarte's kittens find peace in her absence. :grouphug:

[me b zola]

9. Thank you

We live on a small street by a park. There is no way that they did not know that they had hit her. I found her body in the street in front of our house. I cannot imagine not stopping if I had hit someone's pet.

Mr. Zola took her boys out to view her body before he covered her grave. I hope that will help them understand, but I feel as though they are confused and have been looking for her.

Thank you again for your kind words.

[BigBearJohn]

4. God bless you and Astarte. My prayers are with you. How sad.

Animals truly are our best friends.
A little bit of heaven on earth.
God's emissaries. I feel your pain.

[shance]

5. So sorry to read your loss me b***

I lost my pup the other day as well.

Breaks my heart to hear news like this.

Thoughts are with you*

[me b zola]

18. Oh no.

I hope you are okay :grouphug:

[Surya Gayatri]

6. So sorry--I hope she at least died

quickly & didn't suffer. Cats are one of God's special gifts to humans, IMO. Where did her interesting name come from? You're lucky to have her sons still with you.
SG :hug:

[me b zola]

14. Yes, thankfully she did die quickly

We have a thing about naming our pets (with the exception of her boys) with gods/goddesses of war/hunting that begin with "A". I don't know how we started this trend, I don't know why we did not continue it with her boys.


"Astarte is also known as Astarat and Astoreth. She is an incarnation of Ishtar and Inanna. This Semitic Goddess was worshipped by the Syrians, Canaanites (today called Palestinians), Phoenicians, Egyptians and other Semitic Tribes. King Solomon built a Temple to Her as Astoreth, near Jerusalem.

Astarte was worshipped as many things, to the Egyptians, She was honored as a Goddess of War and tenacity, to the Semites, She was a Goddess of Love and Fertility. Among the Greeks She was transposed into the Goddess of Love Aphrodite. In the Bible, She is referred to as "the abomination". Considering Her widespread devotion, this is not surprising."


Great Bountiful Goddess of Antiquity
Your sacred fires are again lighted
Your name is again spoken with reverent awe
The High Places are no longer abandoned
Your Sacred Altars are again tended
Earth is re-awakening to your voice


http://www.spiralgoddess.com/Astarte.html


Astarte embodied all of the qualities mentioned above. She was very special.


Thank you for asking, it has made me feel a little better.

[Surya Gayatri]

28. She must have been some cat...

to merit a name of such renown!

Thanks for the brief but very interesting profile--I had no idea Astarte was connected w/ Aphrodite.

Small wonder she was excoriated by those phallocrats in the Bible--much too powerful!

May the Goddess in all of her incarnations reclaim her rightful place in this male-mad world. We need her more than ever! SG

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

7. I'm so sorry. I know the heartbreak in the loss of a pet.

RIP, Astarte.

[Behind the Aegis]

8. :(

I am so sorry to hear this. May Artemis welcome her.

[clitzpah queen]

10. So sorry. This happened to me 15 years ago and I have never

been able to get another pet.

Astarte sounded like a very special cat -- and a mama too.
Very beautiful the way she is so loved by you and the mr.

Remember the times you had with her. Peace.
(love to her offspring)

[me b zola]

24. I know. It is that hard.

You feel as though you would be trying to "replace" them, which of course you can never do.

I lost a dog several years ago that was seriously my best friend. I thought about getting another dog, but I always thought that it was too soon. Two years ago, however, my adult son called me and told me about a great puppy that someone had at his apartment complex that they were unable to keep. We ended up falling in love with her and she has been a dear part of family ever since. Then we realized that she needed a companion because she was so emotionally demanding, so we went to the humane society and found her a perfect companion.

And so it went with our cats. First we adopted my mother's cat when mom died, and then Astarte came to us because a friend of Mr. Zola's had a litter of kittens that he needed to place.

Moral of the story is you can never replace the loved one that you have lost, but you can be there for the next bundle of poop & joy that needs you. The mourning part sucks, and for me it never really ends. I hope you will one day allow yourself the joy (and eventually the saddness) of having another pet. :grouphug:

[texanwitch]

11. I so sorry to hear about your black kitty, I have a special love for

black cats.

When I buried my little Dell I planted a nice flower that will bloom every year.

Astarte will always be with you, and you are blessed with her two boys.

:hug:


http://www.indigo.org/rainbowbridge_ver2.html - Cached

[Name removed]

12. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[regnaD kciN]

13. It seems like the days are getting darker, not lighter...

:cry:

[Name removed]

15. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[me b zola]

17. No YOU get a grip

What a foul little person you are.

[Dangerously Amused]

16. Oh no!

So sorry to hear about Astarte. What a special little being she was. Thank you for giving her a happy and comfortable lifetime.

[SoCalDem]

19. How sad.. I am sorry for your loss..

Please consider taking the boys inside so someone does not kill them ..

We feed two strays and recently one has not been coming for food, so I fear he may have come to an untimely death. Around here, strays are euthanized and these two have resisted all attempts to be tamed. we caught and fixed, but could not get them to acclimate to indoor living..

If your boys are young, perhaps they could :hug:

[me b zola]

27. I do want to keep the boys inside

...but it is a battle with the MR. He says that we have to allow them to live a full life. I understand his argument, Astarte loved to play in the trees in our yard and chase the squirels. Sometimes she would get on the roof of our house and stalk us as a game. She taught her boys how to stalk prey in our neighbors front yard as they have great plants suitable for such wildish things.

But still, I would like to keep them inside. I guess it is the mother in me that wants to keep them safe from harm. It is even harder because I was the one who let Astarte outside when she got killed.

[zalinda]

31. Please tell the MR. that cats can have a "full life"

living indoors AND a much longer life. My cat is about 12 or 13 years old, fat and happy and he prowls around indoors, without a care in the world. Cats are territorial and they really don't care how much territory they have. Your cats are NOT wild animals, hunting for food, they are fed by you. The only reason why cats should roam is if they are hunting their food, or it's their job to hunt vermin, as in farm cats. I'm sorry if I sound harsh, but I've picked up a number of cats that have been killed by cars in front of my house, over the last 3 years, and it is not a pleasant thing to do.

zalinda

[SoCalDem]

33. amen!

ours are indoorsies and they have plenty of territory.. Willie claimes the top of the cat tower..Mommie claimed the supersoftee catbed..the tan one.. Sweets claimed the other...the gray one..

Sarah claimed the chair my husband always sits in..Marvin claimed my shoulder (the left one)..

Amber & Chinny claimed our bedroom...a pillow apiece

sammy claimed the middle cushion of the couch and the recliner..

they all claim the bed when they get a chance to lounge, but Amber tries to shoo them all off the bed, and mayhem ensues:)

we have an empty guest room under renovation and Sara & Marvin use it as the :singing room"..it echoes.:)

[purr]

44. I had a similiar experience.

My cat Baby got hit by a car.. no one bothered to stop either. She came to my door *graphic* with her head half smashed in. It was the most tramatizing event that I ever witnessed. Ever since then, I will NOT let ANY of my cats outside. No matter what. Around the same time, my male cat, Little Cat was shot in the head by my then neighbor and killed instantly. Strike 2 for me.

I learned my lesson and you know what? The cats I have now are very happy in the house. My Sphynxs have NEVER been let outside except when I put them on a leash and I'm on the other end. They will get used to being in the house and you know that they are completely safe. Not to mention no fleas or diseases and they're always clean :)

I'm sorry for your loss :( It'll take time to heal and you will never forget your friend.

[SoCalDem]

45. I bet no one messes with Osiris..He's a serious looking Dude

:scared:

[purr]

46. Osiris is a female :)

Shes only about 5 lbs and acts like shes 30 lbs :rofl:

[Road Scholar]

20. Someone asked me what was the hardest thing I ever had to do.

I guessed they asked me because of my age, since I do have my share of miles (I think I was 60 then). I took their question very seriously, so I thought about it for a good while. Several days, I'm sure.It was something I wanted to know for myself. Even now,after a couple of years, my answer is still good. The hardest thing I've ever had to do is accept the loss of a friend. I've lost several special friends over the years, and I include my old friend Pepper, a black lab who helped my raise my two children. They are grown now,but I do have many fond memories,which I can keep always. I am very sorry for your loss.

[BobMorr]

21. Sorry for your loss

I'm sorry for your loss.

http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/rainbowb.htm

[xchrom]

22. damn it -- i am sooo sorry.

i don't know what else to say -- other than i know you loved her very, very much.

[Silver Gaia]

23. Zola... I'm so sorry to hear of your loss...

There are no words that can truly comfort at such a time, so I will offer only a few. The relationships we humans form with the animals in our lives are truly gifts. Each comes to us with a lesson to teach, if only we are open to receive it. Your Astarte gave you many gifts I'm sure, not the least of those being her sons. Treasure them and hold them close. They will miss her for a time, but their confusion will pass as your grief will also pass. I offer you and your Astarte blessings. May she find her way safely to the comforting arms of the Mother of all Being, and may your heart soon be healed.

[shaniqua6392]

25. So sorry for your loss!

I had the same thing happen years ago to two of my cats over a one year period! It was horrible. The two cats I have now never leave the house and they are perfectly happy. I used to think they needed to be outside since they do have a bit of wildness to them. But, with cat perches and toys to keep them active they are truly content and so am I. Plus they are not at risk for diseases that are found outside. Again, I am truly sorry for your loss.

[me b zola]

30. I just posted upthread about possibly keeping the boys inside

We already have built a cat-walk in the house, complete with strategically placed sleeping platforms--yes, we are a bit encentric. The Mr. has said that he will build a carpeted cat perch as soon as I design it.

One of the boys would be happy with staying inside, with the exception of his desire to hunt & eat worms. The other is a carbon copy of his mother, quite wildish. I think though, that I will keep them both inside, although I will have to fight the Mr.

I cannot imagine losing two pets in one year. I hope you are okay now. :hug:

[dddem]

41. I have always had cats

The last one we had was a stray - awesome pet, but an outdoor cat. Eventually, he suffered kidney failure, lost weight, and was not the hunter he once was. He came in one day with his poor little face all swollen from being bit by who knows what. After that, we had to have him put down (they found tumors). We decided on a new kitten for my daughters, and someone talked me into getting two. This was the best decision I ever made. Since they have each other, they get plenty of exercise, lots of wrestling and plenty of company, and they've never been outside, and have no desire to go. In addition, we haven't had to vaccinate them for feline leukemia, and don't have to worry about ticks and such. I felt the same way the your Mr. feels, but I can honestly say, having indoor cats is so much more satisfying and less worrisome - and they are happy affectionate pets.
I'm sorry about momma cat, losing a beloved pet is so difficult.

[SoCalDem]

47. our babies LOVE the cat tower my husband built..easy and stable

Here's a pic.. Each platform is carpeted (for good traction)..

he also made a fantastic scratching post also carpeted and mounted to a very stable base.. The post itself is a fencepost:) We have since recarpeted the post.. You can see how they "loved" it to pieces.. When I am feeling ornery, I spray it with catnip spray, just to watch them throw themselves at it and hang upside down on the post :)

[Binka]

26. Ah Honey That Just Really STINKS

:hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:

Please go get a new cat if you can handle it. It will help. Much.

[B Calm]

29. Went fishing with a guy once and he hit a cat on purpose with his

pickup. I yelled at him, why the hell did you do that! He said you have to kill the stray cats or they'll kill rabbits. I said why do you think it is a stray? He said we're out in the country, not in town! I made it a point to show the farm house less than 1/8 th of a mile away. Never went fishing with this idiot again!

[me b zola]

35. I used to live in the country and I have known people like that

Also, people from the small town in which I lived would not spay or neuter their pets, instead they would take the females out into the country and dump them. It is really sick what passes for human.

Thank you for dumping the village idiot.



on edit: I don't have any reason to believe that someone hit Astarte on purpose. Our car was parked in front of our house, and it looked as though she went into the street behind the car and they probably didn't have a chance to see her until it was too late. I am angry, though, because they didn't stop to tell anyone that they had hit her.

[LisaL]

43. Stupid assholes do that, would even go out of their way to hit

a pet. Cats should be kept indoors.

[SoCalDem]

48. Some idiot drove over the curb trying to hit my grandmother's cat

he was lounging on the grass under his favorite tree.. the guy came up the curb, and meechu got out of his way just in time.. What the guy did NOT see was my grandfather on the other side of the hedge, He was digging up my grandmothers flower bed for her.. he flew over that hedge and whacked the guy's windshield with his shovel, as the guy was trying to get his truck in reverse..


he dared the guy to call the cops.. the guy apologized .....he never filed a claim or called the cops..

[Gidney N Cloyd]

60. Atta boy, Gramps!

[Surya Gayatri]

32. Forgot to add

that I lost my 18-year-old male Siamese last year. Just old age. He was a prince and philosopher named 'Buddhi' (spiritual intellect). I'm sure he was part of the welcoming committee for Astarte on the bridge to the great feline Elysian fields on the other side. I love to visualize all my departed four-footed friends gamboling happily together there. SG

[me b zola]

36. Again you make me feel better

To think of a welcoming committee for Astarte makes me feel better. I have in the past lost pets that I loved dearly, and it will help to visualize them hootin' it up gambling & all.

So have you yet welcomed another into your home since Buddhi has passed? Eighteen years is a long time to spend with a loved one, it must have been very difficult to get used to him not being there.

[Surya Gayatri]

40. Thanks for asking,

but no, I can't face dealing with a young'un yet. This is still Buddhi's space and his elder-cat energy is still here.

I've told friends that I'll have another kitty when he/she comes into my life to show me that we're supposed to be together. Won't go actively looking for one. I miss Buddhi! SG

[choie]

34. Dear Zola, I am so so sorry

My heart goes out to you and your family, and Astarte's little boys. If you're able to upload pictures of your beloved girl, when you're feeling up to it, please do share her photos. Maybe you could make a webpage for her? Some think it's strange to do that for a pet, but they're part of our families and our hearts, and remembering them is so incredibly important. I made a memorial page for my own little black cat, whose name I use for posting here (choie), and it really helped to have a place to pour out my thoughts and sorrow.

Normally I wouldn't link to anything of my own at a time like this, but FWIW, there is a poem and some info on pet cemetaries here that might be of some use to you.

Hug your cats close and remember your sweet Astarte, for she's still there with you, in your heart and in them. Always.

[Savannah Progressive]

37. My Condolences

I wanted to add my condolences to the chorus

[me b zola]

38. I want to thank everyone who responded,

I am going to bed now. Thanks to the kind words of all of you, I might be able to sleep now.

:grouphug:


THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL OF YOUR KINDNESS :grouphug:

[henslee]

39. That sure is the "cat" way to go out.... So long Zola, Sounds like you

will be missed....

[ScreamingMeemie]

42. me b, I'm so sorry for the loss of Astarte.

I love black cats...although mine is not so tiny. My heart hurts for you today and Astarte will be in my thoughts. :hug:

[ET Awful]

49. Oh no :(

My condolences. RIP Astarte. :cry:

[AussieDave]

50. I'm so sorry to hear that - a truly awful act

unfortunately there are dreadful people around who don't think twice about killing an animal like that - I'm very sorry for your loss.

:hug:

[TBreeze]

51. So sorry for your loss

:hug:

[fudge stripe cookays]

52. I'm so sorry Zola.

IT's always hard to lost a furbaby.

We lost our Pooh Cat a few years ago, but she was old and infirm. It's even harder to lose a friend you thought you would be able to love for years.

I lost my Larry Bud on Halloween 1989-- he was hit by a car as well. He was in awful shape afterwards. There was very little chance they were going to be able to save his life, so we let him go. He was only 2.

After that, ALL my cats became indoor cats. I didn't think I could ever feel my heart break that way again. Don't let anyone tell you cats can't have a full life indoors. If need be, get them something like this:

http://www.thepamperedpetmart.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=kittywalklawn&Category_Code=KS&Product_Count=3

[Strong Atheist]

53. I am so sorry. That happened to three of

my cats, including one that was 17 and going strong. I am very sorry about that.:cry: :hug:

[bigwillq]

54. So sorry to hear this.

:( :hug:

[Sugar Smack]

55. I am so sorry, me b zola.

I cherish my Sophie and I would go a little nuts without her.

:hug:

[Scout]

56. my sympathy to you

I know how much it sucks to lose a companion animal.

[bullwinkle428]

57. I'm very sorry for your loss - I went through the same thing

recently, so I know what you're going through... :hug:

[fizzgig]

58. blessings to astarte as she takes the next step in her journey

and much love to you and the mister

as i'm sure you know, they never really leave you, but i'm sure that's of thin comfort right now

i've buried 8 of my babies and it never gets any easier

:hug:

[Sequoia]

59. I'm sorry, very sad.

[El Fuego]

61. Oh my god I am so sorry.

:cry:

That happened to me once, I know how you feel. :cry:

[flamingyouth]

62. I'm so sorry.

How sad for you. :(

[PeterSullivan2006]

63. I am sorry

I've been there.

[pitohui]

64. i'm so sorry

in meek defense of the individual, who stops anymore if they hit an animal, too many whackjobs out there not willing to accept that an accident is a tragic accident, to stop is to potentially expose yourself to a lawsuit or a grief-stricken pet owner w. a gun or who knows what

just so not worth it

[CanuckAmok]

65. :( I'm so sorry.

I'm hugging my kitties right now.