I'm a horrible cat owner - I'm suprised no one has taken away my cats

[LynneSin]

I left yesterday afternoon to visit my friend in New Jersey and see Bare Naked Ladies/Alanis Morisette in concert.

I've been closing my bedroom door when I'm not at home because I'm fearful that Abbott will decide to piddle someplace in there (he's been very good at using the litter box again).

Well, this dumb shit <me> closed the bedroom door but never bothered to count if 2 cats were in the living room/kitchen/dining room area

:cry:

I left Abbott alone in my bedroom for just shy of 24 hours and there was no food/water or litter box in there.

But Abbott was a really good boy and held it in until I got home and opened up the door. He ran immediately to the litter box

Valuable lesson learned: Count cats before leaving for an extended period of time!!!

[Misunderestimator]

1. OMG... you cruel, cruel person...

I would never do that to my box turtle! :P

[GOPisEvil]

2. Bad!!!! BAD!!!!!

Never do that again! :spank:

[matcom]

3. and your house is a MESS!

surprised they haven't condemned you place based on the carpets ALONE! x(

[LynneSin]

5. Get over the damn carpet - it's clean as hell

and YOU know it!

[matcom]

6. sure. only because your cat was locked in JAIL all weekend!

GREAT way to keep your house clean you CAT ABUSER! :grr:

[LynneSin]

7. He had the comfy bed and the best window in the house

and he still gave me love when I picked him up. He's forgiven me already!

[redwitch]

4. 'sok. I have locked Trouble in the attic for hours at a time

She really hollers upon release, but then she forgives me. If cats were vindictive, we'd all be soooo screwed!

[Madrone]

8. To make you feel better, a couple of my "BAD MOM" stories -

Awhile back my dog was tied outside and when I went to call him in he wouldn't BUDGE. Very unusual for him - he'd look at me, then stare intently towards the back yard. He wasn't barking at what he was looking at (also unusual, if he saw some other animal or whatever, he'd bark at it). He kept looking from me, to the back yard, and stayed firmly planted where he was. I was getting annoyed, and went down the steps telling him he was a bad dog for not listening, and to haul him back in. As I descended, I heard a kitty. I figured that is why he wouldn't budge, but again, it was VERY weird he'd not be barking at some kitty in the yard. I walked around the side of the house to see if I could find the cat - and lo and behold, there was MY *indoor* cat, Iago, hanging out and whining on the back deck. Damn! Near as I can figure, that cat was OUTSIDE for 2 full nights, and I NEVER noticed he was missing. The dog knew that his FAVORITE kitty (the other 2 won't let him near them) was there and was trying to alert me to the fact. Whoops! BAD MOM!

Shortly after that event, I had been doing laundry one night, and opened the dryer door before going to bed to turn it off, as I have this fear of fire and won't leave the dryer going when I go to bed or leave the house. The next morning I shut the door and turned the dryer on so my clothes would finish drying before work. As soon as I turned it on I heard this horrible THUMPthumpTHUMPthump coming from the dryer - so I opened it to see what was going on. Out SHOT Iago - the same kitty mentioned previously! I felt terrible, but he was not traumatized in the least once he got out, so I felt much better and was able to laugh about it. Thankfully, I never walked away from the dryer and opened it immediately after. In 10 years, none of these cats has ever gotten in the dryer - so checking it before starting it has never been an issue. Again - BAD MOM!

So, don't feel so bad. You're not the only one that has BAD MOM moments from time to time. :)

[traco]

10. I had to rescue 2 dogs from a person who lives in my neighborhood

They weren't home, but their dogs were tied up in the yard on cables. The cables were wound around the dogs necks, no collar. The cables were cutting into the necks of these poor dogs. I had to cut the cables to get them loose. They had deep sores on their necks from the cables.

Now, don't you feel better? You're not so bad afterall!

[Madrone]

11. I can't imagine leaving a dog tied up outside all the time period -

let alone the abuse you've described. HORRIBLE. Thank you so much for rescuing those poor animals.

I ended up with a puppy 1.5 years ago, when the LAST thing I wanted was a dog. He has no concept of being an "outside dog" - other than being crated during the day when I'm at work he is SUPER spoiled, and has slept in my bed with me since I've had him. He's never been tied up other than being tied out front for "potty breaks" - and that's only usually in the winter months when I can't just let him out the back door into the picket-fenced side yard. Snow gets too high and he could walk over the fence. He'd be miserable forced to sleep outside alone... :(

[traco]

13. I have a little girl

dog that means the world to me. She is just like one of my children!

We use to have another dog. She was a bigger girl. She was never tied out. Social Services gave me hell one time because they came to my house and the lady got some of my dog's hair on her pretty sweater :nopity:

They tried to make me say I would get rid of her because the hair was bad for my kids. I told her where to step off! She finally had to be put to sleep. Her liver failed! We miss her terribly! :cry:

[Madrone]

14. WTF?

:nopity: is RIGHT!

Besides, it's a proven fact that kids raised in less than immaculate houses, with a variety of pets are HEALTHIER and less likely to aquire allergies than those that are not.

Good for YOU in telling that heifer where to step off!

I'm sorry 'bout your doggie - :(

Mine's 1.5 years old now - and EVERYONE that knows/meets him loves him. He's very confident, and I've never seen him either quietly content or bursting with joy. He is simply unafraid. I can leave him with anyone, or anyone could take him and he'd go - happily. I think it's because he's so secure he knows he'll be coming back to me.

Anyway, even though the last thing I wanted was a dog - I'm glad I've got the bugger! :)

[Unperson 309]

15. Way to GO!

"Social Services gave me hell one time because... the lady got some of my dog hairs on her pretty sweater... She finally had to be put to sleep. Her liver failed"

Now THAT'S ALLERGIC!!! :bounce:

309

[traco]

19. LOL

I just read the post again. It does sound like it was the SS worker that had to be put to sleep! LOL

[achtung_circus]

16. In future contact the authorities,

Doing what you did may feel right, but leaves you open to charges of theft. It also destroys evidence the SPCA may need to prosecute. If tyhe authorities can't attend they may tell you to take steps, but let it be their call.

[traco]

18. One of the dogs was in severe respiratory distress

She would not have made it till the police made it there!

[Misunderestimator]

12. OMG! Please don't leave your microwave door open!

:)

[Kat45]

9. He sounds like a really good kitty.

I hope you're giving him plenty of love and attention, for his good behavior and to make up for your bad behavior. :D

[achtung_circus]

17. I accidentally locked Frankenstein in the tack room overnight.

I heard her howling in the morning and went to let her out. She was howling in (I think) triumph. She had caught a total of, wait for it, 27 mice. Said mice were laid out in neat rows next to the door.

She was insufferably proud of herself for about a week.

[SoCalDem]

20. Counting is a MUST around here, with all the ones we have..

Once, Skunkie ended up trapped in a room for 2 days when we went to Vegas..

Bless his heart, he used an empty plastic clothes basket for a litter box.. It broke my heart to know that he had no water :cry:, but he was fine.. All of our cats could go without food for a LONG time..They are "well nourished"...

After that, we always count and call them.. Usually shaking the Cat treats can will gather them in a hurry..:)

[LynneSin]

21. Abbott: The day after the 'event'

Abbott got lots of loving, treats and snuggling. He doesn't seem traumatized from his forced captivation. Heck I opened my front door and told him if he was really upset he could just run away (I live in an apartment building, he wouldn't have gotten far). He took one peak out the front door and turned around and hid under the bed. I guess he knows how good he has it here.

He still stares longingly at his old piddling spot but uses the litter box for piddling purposes.

He's a good cat!!

[Brewman_Jax]

22. Bad cat parent!

Your sentence: you'll cook for Abbott all week! :P

I'm glad he's forgiven you! :thumbsup:

[Catshrink]

23. I once closed Wrigley in a cupboard all day....

sneaky little guy climbed in when I wasn't looking.

Abbie will forgive you.