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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsI have tragic news to share about Spooky Jr.
I just found the angel, deceased, beneath some bushes in my side garden. I saw him about 2 days ago, and when I approached him he took off, as usual, back to the den site. What appears to have happened is he got his leg snagged beneath an exposed root. It's been so hot and I've been so busy with the kittens, I haven't been spending any time in the back yard. Could I have saved him? I don't know that I ever would have spotted him - and really don't know why I looked under that bush, this morning.
I am in gutted and tears are flowing. Had I grabbed him, that morning, he would still be with us but I just didn't want to traumatize the siblings and mother, and with the new kittens, I had NO place to put him. My brother is bringing a crate by, tomorrow.
I've given him a burial by one of the peony bushes and will come up with some sort of a memorial, once I stop crying.
I have to accept that I can't save every feral I see, but I'm wracked with the most aching and painful guilt, right now. I'll snuggle the kittens with extra love, today.
2naSalit
(86,528 posts)At least you found him. It's so sad, don't really know what to say, wish I did.
As you said, you can't save them all. I would be devastated too.
I hope you are able to recover from this sorrow soon.
Piasladic
(1,160 posts)I follow your posts and am heartbroken
lark
(23,091 posts)I know how much it hurts when one of these tiny ones in your care goes, and it's so heartbreaking. I still mourn my little Misty who I only had for 5 weeks 2 years ago. Shit happens, but it's harder to recover. Giving the kittens extra love today is a very sound strategy, both for you and them.
Edit - fixed typo
hlthe2b
(102,220 posts)But, you made this kitty's too short time on earth immeasurably better. Know that.
Walleye
(31,008 posts)haele
(12,646 posts)It's difficult to care for ferals, especially kittens, but you did the best you could.
Haele
MuseRider
(34,105 posts)I had one like that. For 5 years he would come up and into my sun room. He would eat and drink twice a day and even got so I could close him in when the weather was really bad and he made a place to sleep. I sang to him and he would sit right next to me, even against me but if I touched him more than one tiny breezy stroke along his back he would tear me up. I had a trap ready for him and coaching by the TNR lady but we were going to wait until the weather was better the next week. He came in for breakfast, did not eat much and looked really bad. He left and I never saw him again.
Like you said, it happens. You gave him life and love. Remember what he gained from being under your care. Hugs, it does not help, none of it but you know what you did for him. Remember, that will be some comfort later. Bless your great big heart.
Dream Girl
(5,111 posts)Ive been following your posts and looked forward to your updates. You have been doing a terrific job with these littles guys. Please dont even think about blaming yourself.
Response to Siwsan (Original post)
MuseRider This message was self-deleted by its author.
Diamond_Dog
(31,969 posts)Id be in tears, too.
NewDayOranges
(692 posts)Just know that Spooky felt the love and caring that you gave him/her... Hugs...
Texin
(2,594 posts)of the kittens, they're so dear and I share some of you pain.
GPV
(72,377 posts)found a trail of dead puppies. Many were malformed. One named squeaky made it overnight, but he too passed. Apparently our dog had a uterine infection, but my mother always felt guilty that those puppies were out in the hot sun so long. The truth is neither she nor you were at fault.
XanaDUer2
(10,641 posts)irisblue
(32,966 posts)niyad
(113,254 posts)and comfort to Siswan, who cares so for Your litle ones.
I am so very sorry, and I know the guilt and heartbreak you are feeling. Just know that Spooky Jr did know love and sanctuary in your care. Sobbing with you.
femmedem
(8,201 posts)I've never heard of a kitten getting caught like that; there's no way you could have anticipated it.
But I can feel your grief from here.
The reason I grabbed a feral litter and trapped the mom several years ago was that I heard one of the kittens screaming, ran outside, and saw a giant raccoon racing off with it. I chased it, but it was too late.
The rest of the kittens, and even the feral mother, all have good homes now, but I still think of that kitten often. He was my favorite, the most outgoing--which is probably why the raccoon was able to grab him.
I try to shrug it off and tell myself I did the best I could, and that very few living creatures are lucky enough to die of old age.
Siwsan
(26,259 posts)When I went to slide Spooky Jr out from beneath the bush, I couldn't. Then I saw a rear leg was pretty tightly wedged beneath the exposed root. I think it was just a freak thing. The last time I saw Spooky, there was no sign of illness or injury. But, who knows what actually happened.
pazzyanne
(6,547 posts)I have cared for a feral mom cat for 7 years. In that time she had 4 litters, all of them made their home in my garage. This spring I had 12 feral cats and kittens, that I loved and cared for.
I considered them and the occasional visiting ferals my family. In less than 3 weeks I lost all 12 of them, and the community cats that stopped by for a meal from time to time. The new grain elevator about 3 blocks away put out rat poison, something they had never done at the old elevator. I still have a hard time spending time in my kittenless yard, crying for my lost outdoor fur babies, so I understand your pain. Loss of those special kittens is part of being a caregiver for ferals. At this time there are no feral cats in my rural neighborhood, but if any show up, there will be food, medical attention, and a place for them in my garage this winter. It's what feral mom cats do. Blessings for you and all who care for feral fur babies.
femmedem
(8,201 posts)A whole cat colony gone.
I don't know how I would get over it.
pazzyanne
(6,547 posts)we can do it
(12,180 posts)brer cat
(24,556 posts)Please don't feel guilty. You have given your ferals so much help and love, but you can't save them all from harm.
Random Boomer
(4,168 posts)Several years ago I was feeding a feral with a head injury. We couldn't get close to him, so we planned to trap him and get him to the vet. The weather took a turn for the worse, and he disappeared before we could set the trap up.
I played the "if only" game on that one, too. If only we had tried to trap him sooner, but we don't have crystal balls and we're doing the best we can for the ones we can reach. Feral life is hard. That's why momma cats have so many litters.
samnsara
(17,615 posts)montanacowboy
(6,082 posts)You are doing what you can - I understand this as we had a feral mom who had litter after litter after litter that we rescued until finally we were able to trap Mommie and eventually with the help of a feral rescue she was placed in a home. It is heart wrenching.
Niagara
(7,595 posts)You were doing everything in your power to make sure all the kittens were taken care of. Nobody could have seen this coming.
I'm very sorry to hear about the loss of Spooky Jr. A burial near one of the peony bushes sounds like a perfect spot for this sweet angel.
R.I.P.
NJCher
(35,651 posts)CaptainTruth
(6,586 posts)And you're saving 4 kittens. If only we could control everything & prevent every loss, but we can't. I know your loss, & I know it will pass, & the good memories will live forever in your heart.
virgdem
(2,124 posts)You did what you could and given those kittens you could save a chance for a better life. My heart goes out to you at this terrible loss. Please take some time with the kittens and be good to yourself.💔💔
packman
(16,296 posts)One must always, like cats, live in the present - do your best as much as you can
MustLoveBeagles
(11,589 posts)It sounds like you did all you could. Please don't blame yourself.
bamagal62
(3,246 posts)IcyPeas
(21,857 posts)but thanks to good hearted people like you you are saving some of them.