My cat Oscar, 12, has been allowed to go out here in the semi-wilds of Florida (still rural mostly), mainly because if I don't allow him out he incessantly scratches at the door and has ripped up plenty enough of it for me to have just given into him after three weeks here (moved in 1 year ago).
I initially walked Oscar on his long leash several times around our community before he just intuited, "Mom, I got it- let me bloody go!" I had to. ANd he always, without fail, came back home within 10 hours.
WHen I let him out more than a day ago, he turned to look back at me, and it was such a unique glance that I walked back inside thinking about it. I know now it was the sign of "so long" It was a look of "adios and goodbye" I had never seen before- I knew it then and am bawling over it now,
I'm between tears now, and after 37 hours I realize what he's done- he was sick with cancer, I sensed it for sure, and he went to find his resting place in the jungle. He'd be back by now. No neighbor's seen him, the shelters and police and animal control folks haven't seen him, and that look he left me with convinces me I really have to let go....
Of course, I have put up posters and placed ads and spent the day out canvassing for him, hoping he'll meow from under a bush, hurt but still with us. No joyful reunion this time like in the past..
I'm sadder than all get go, but I always told him, you do what's right by you, buddy. He wanted to do this, I just know it, and Francis is sympathetic and almost seemingly trying to comfort me, to tell me that he knew Oscar was going "home", and to be brave and grateful Oscar was so cool... He's so seemingly aware of the situation and not whimpering, but acting uncharacteristically strong.
I'm sorry you all, as a newbie and everything to go off like this, but I just know my old man Oscar left on the ultimate journey. Please pray for him.
I initially walked Oscar on his long leash several times around our community before he just intuited, "Mom, I got it- let me bloody go!" I had to. ANd he always, without fail, came back home within 10 hours.
WHen I let him out more than a day ago, he turned to look back at me, and it was such a unique glance that I walked back inside thinking about it. I know now it was the sign of "so long" It was a look of "adios and goodbye" I had never seen before- I knew it then and am bawling over it now,
I'm between tears now, and after 37 hours I realize what he's done- he was sick with cancer, I sensed it for sure, and he went to find his resting place in the jungle. He'd be back by now. No neighbor's seen him, the shelters and police and animal control folks haven't seen him, and that look he left me with convinces me I really have to let go....
Of course, I have put up posters and placed ads and spent the day out canvassing for him, hoping he'll meow from under a bush, hurt but still with us. No joyful reunion this time like in the past..
I'm sadder than all get go, but I always told him, you do what's right by you, buddy. He wanted to do this, I just know it, and Francis is sympathetic and almost seemingly trying to comfort me, to tell me that he knew Oscar was going "home", and to be brave and grateful Oscar was so cool... He's so seemingly aware of the situation and not whimpering, but acting uncharacteristically strong.
I'm sorry you all, as a newbie and everything to go off like this, but I just know my old man Oscar left on the ultimate journey. Please pray for him.