Bennett Is Back!, Update: back after 8 weeks! Options

[paris]

I've had these terrifying moments when I don't see a cat when I wake up, and I'm absolutely panic-stricken

I am a bit reluctant to post this, and I hope, Kim, this does not offend you.

I am of course 101% thankful that Bennett is back. The initial elation has worn off and I notice that I am suffering a bit from post-traumatic stress. Bennett is an outdoor cat and will be going out again, but I am now fearful that every time he goes out he may not come back. I've been keeping him inside for now, but already other people here have opened the door. He walked out but didn't bolt, so we picked him up and brought him inside. He could very easily bolt when he wants to. I call home to check "is the cat still there".

Bennett is 10, and I'm starting to look at him as getting older and eventually dying, thoughts I never had 2 months ago. I am left with a feeling of knowing that one day, I will lose Bennett to death.

I am not complaining, but I feel that I am in a stage where I need to accept that there are always risks of an animal taking off, having an accident, dying from illness. I just wanted to post here that the stress of having a missing pet can create a lasting anxiety. It's not like losing a credit card or diamond ring, panicking, then finding it under your bed and case closed.

I guess it's like having cancer, after which you go into remission, and even considered cured, you are not the same as you were before the cancer, and every bump and pain will scare you.

[John B]

I know what you mean, Paris. You are attuned to that feeling of loss that you have already experienced. Life really is unpredictable. I guess the choice we have to make is will we allow ourselves to open our minds to every negative possibility, or enjoy what we have right now and every precious day to follow to the best of our ability.

John B

[paris]

I guess the choice we have to make is will we allow ourselves to open our minds to every negative possibility, or enjoy what we have right now and every precious day to follow to the best of our ability.

Nicely put.

I believe in God. I believe that there is a reason for everything. Why do bad things happen?

When Bennett was gone, I kept thinking "stupid me, just a few weeks ago, I was fretting over this/that and Bennett was here. If only I could turn back the clock." Now Bennett is here again, and I have a deeper appreciation of his being alive (as well as others in my life.....) You never know when someone you love could suddenly be gone. We all hear this said, but until it happens you don't have the full understanding.

If you look at a young child, they are so vulnerable and open. They walk ahead fearless, because they don't know danger. They touch a hot stove, get stung by a bee or yelled at by a parent; they feel pain and start to develop fears to protect themselves. At preschool you get teased or rejected by some peers, but then the little girl/boy who wants to play with you is that much more appreciated and you start to learn what it is to be a friend.

If we knew that life went on forever, wouldn't we take it for granted? We all know that food is available in this country, even if you need to beg, borrow or steal. While I've been hungry and happy to finally eat, I've never been in a situation (such as being lost in the woods for several days) where I could not find food. I personally don't think twice about popping food in my mouth.

Most of us on this board have suffered over our pets for one reason or another. When one of us says "we understand" to another, they are not just empty words.

[toonie]

Most of us on this board have suffered over our pets for one reason or another. When one of us says "we understand" to another, they are not just empty words.

Paris



Amen!

[paris]

OK, Bennett is now officially microchipped! I feel a sense of relief. He's also not going out without collar and tag. I haven't really let the poor thing go anywhere without me following 2 feet behind. He seemed so happy to go out and smell the leaves on the shrubs!

Oh, the outdoors of the cat!

[Mink&WillowsMom]

So how's Sir Bennett -- and you -- doing? ~Kimberly

[paris]

Oh Hi Kim.

I've been thinking of you, too. I was trying to load some photos of Bennett, but keep getting an error that "you cannot load this kind of file"

Could you maybe tell me how to upload some photos of "Sir Bennett"!

[paris]

OK, here's a picture of Sir Bennett! Thanks Kim, for helping me get this uploaded. I was only able to upload one, though...

this is before his famous walkabout. He is no doubt contemplating his course of action.

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[Moose Mom]

Paris

First congrats on getting the pic up! Good job. Oh Sir Bennet is so beautiful! What a great face! Thanks for letting us see him.

Love

[kimm]

So, SO glad your Bennett is back home where he belongs!!!! My new kitties are also microchipped. It's a good safeguard. Peace of mind....... priceless!!!!

Bennett sure is a handsome guy! Thank you for sharing his photo with us.

Thinking of you & yours,

Kim M.

[katzen11]

I can remember how I felt, when i saw in red letters : He`s back !!!
And i know, i will read it again, sometimes
to feel the happyness again.........he is back
what a loveable guy, Sir Bennett,
i "did know" that, of course...thanks for the picture...........Eva

[paris]

OK, I was hesitant to post this....but Bennett went off on another walk-about for 8 days and just returned this morning. His collar was off, and he looked very beefy (i.e. well fed.) We've been having a very warm weather spell, so I guess he's taking advantage of the weather before our snowy winter comes. But nonetheless, it is always a knuckle-biter for me every time he goes out.

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[Eagle'sMom]

Oh Paris...

How terrified you must have been to have this a second time!

I'm sooooooo glad he's back home with you...again!

[Moose Mom]

Whew, you must have been so scared. It's good to know Bennett is back, again.

Love

[Mink&WillowsMom]

>His collar was off, and he looked very beefy (i.e. well fed.)

Is he two-timing you??? ~Kim

[paris]

Is he two-timing you???    ~Kim

that thought crossed my mind!

[5catsmom]

We have a cat who hangs around who's "two-timing" his owners, who happen to be the family of one of my boys' best friends. Cody comes around every single morning and evening to be fed, and in return will occassionally gift us with a mangled rodent or bird. It's not like he has nowhere to go, the Changs give him food, a bed, a warm garage, vet care, he's neutered and vaccinated, but for some reason he likes to hang around here. I guess we all sort of "co-own" him in a way, but he doesn't come inside and I don't really consider him our cat, just a visitor. Last winter there were a few times I brought him in and isolated him when it was snowing and he seemed like he was going to sit in the snow all night. The big difference with all this is that if he's not here, I know he's with the Changs, and they know if he's not at their house, he's over here. Not a lost animal situation at all, but I mention it because cats will do things like that, it's odd and can be very stressful, but it happens.