I feel terrible about this...

trillcat

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I didn't know where to put this, it is cat related but it ididn't seem to fit into other catagories.
OK, anyway, I watched a cat run away from home. I didn't know what I was seeing at the time. I sort of did, but I didn't, it will make sence in a minute, bear with me.
The neighbors across the way from me (apartment complex) opened their window and screen. Their cat, who ALWAYS sits in that window jumped out. The motion caught my attention as I can see out my window to theirs when I am at the computer. the cat sat under the window for the longest time, then moved a bit further along, then further along, etc. Something was sending warning signals to my brain, but I didn't know if this was intended and the cat was an indoor/outdoor kitty or what was happening. I didn't go to their place and knock on the door to inquire. WHY did I NOT do that??? The cat is gone, she or he never came back. I feel like I am responsible for this. Every time I look over to that empty window I start to cry, as I am right now. I am not a particularly shy person so I don't know what stopped me from just walking over there to ask a simple question of them. It been a week now and I can't stop thinking that I sentenced this cat to death.
 

dragulescugirl

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Please don't beat yourself up over this. You didn't know. Not only that, but it was your neighbors' responsibility to insure their cat was secure in the home at all times. My cats are indoor only and I would never leave anything open without supervising at all times.

Also, the cat's behavior to me indicated it was not in distress about no longer being inside. How could you if known then that this was not the normal allowance and he shouldn't be outside?

I do hope they find their cat soon and at least took proper precautions and had their pet microchipped. If the cat has an amiable personality I'm sure someone has found him and is taking care if him.

Again, please don't feel bad. You didn't know.
 

cheshirecat

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You shouldn't be that hard on yourself. If they were taking the screen out they should have been more careful about making sure the cat didn't get out.

Just because he or she is gone does not mean it went to it's death. Another way to look at it is the cat was not happy with those people and found a better place to live.
 
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trillcat

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Thanks everyone. I still feel terrible, but thanks.
I am one of those people that tend to believe everything happens for a reason in the greater scheme of things even though we may not understand at the time why, so I am trying to think of it like that. It is my inactivity that has me feeling so guilty, it is completly not my nature. Heck, I once caught a black lab who came galloping at me across a field, once acertaining he was not going to bite my face off, (it was obviously a happy "Hello there who are you wanna play?" sort of gallop) by grabbing him by his broken leash in mid stride and then being dragged about 15 feet through the mud holidng on for all I was worth! (found his owner a few days and much peed on furnature, clothes, carpets later) Why did I just let this cat walk away? That is what gets me. Maybe it was time for the cat to find a new family as CheshireCat said? I sure hope so.
 

going nova

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I read this earlier, but didn't reply. We all have moments where we think, "If only I had done this or that."
I agree with the others that you're being too hard on yourself. You didn't know. And you may think that you "should have known better" but there wasn't really a reason for you to assume that the kitty had escaped. Lots of people let their cats out. For the longest time, I thought the ferals outside my complex were somebody's pets.
 

ldg

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I don't think this is your fault or your responsibility, but if you're going to continue to beat yourself up, there is something you can do, if you want to. Most indoor only cats now outdoors do not travel farther than three blocks. They tend to hunker down, and will not come when called. You can organize a search party. Scour the small, hidden spaces within the three block radius. Pick a date (co-ordinating with others that will participate) and put up fliers that a) have a picture of the cat on them and b) notify area residents of the date people will be searching so that they can c) be advised that the search party will be looking under porches and bushes in and around their yards and stuff.

In the meantime, your neighbors can take the kitty's litter box and put it near the door, and if they feed the cat any meals beyond free-feeding dry food, they should put the food out at whatever time those meals are normally given, and they should keep an eye out, and only leave it out for an hour or so (so as not to attract other cats or animals).

Laurie
 
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trillcat

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Originally Posted by LDG

I don't think this is your fault or your responsibility, but if you're going to continue to beat yourself up, there is something you can do, if you want to. Most indoor only cats now outdoors do not travel farther than three blocks. They tend to hunker down, and will not come when called. You can organize a search party. Scour the small, hidden spaces within the three block radius. Pick a date (co-ordinating with others that will participate) and put up fliers that a) have a picture of the cat on them and b) notify area residents of the date people will be searching so that they can c) be advised that the search party will be looking under porches and bushes in and around their yards and stuff.

In the meantime, your neighbors can take the kitty's litter box and put it near the door, and if they feed the cat any meals beyond free-feeding dry food, they should put the food out at whatever time those meals are normally given, and they should keep an eye out, and only leave it out for an hour or so (so as not to attract other cats or animals).

Laurie
Good ideas Laurie, but I would not know how to approch my neighbors without making them mad ..."You saw our cat jump out the window and didn't do anything?" They have not put up any fliers or anything, so how would I approach that I know their cat is missing? You know,they have not even put out food or water, let alone a box. I wish I could do that on their behalf.
I also saw their kids out playing with their obviously new puppy. Now, not to judge without knowing, but, even if the kids are upset, that just seems odd.
I really am trying not to beat myself up over this, It is just hard.
 

dragulescugirl

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Hmmm... Honestly, if they aren't upset maybe the cat has already come back, or maybe it is known to leave for a few days and return home, or maybe (and hope not this one!) they didn't want the cat anymore.

Keep your eyes open - and maybe go up to them and casually say "Oh how is your cat taking to the new puppy?" and maybe you can find out what happened.

Best of luck on this.
 

ldg

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Originally Posted by DragulescuGirl

....Keep your eyes open - and maybe go up to them and casually say "Oh how is your cat taking to the new puppy?" and maybe you can find out what happened.

Best of luck on this.
That is a great idea! Then you can find out what's up.


Laurie
 
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