definitely not the cool-headed one...

I always knew I was prone to panic in an emergency, but I had a moment with one of my kitties this weekend where my heart nearly stopped.

I'm sure some of you have had this happen before, but it was the first time it's happened at our house--yesterday my girl Nedicks got her head through the handle of a large plastic shopping bag my bf had left on the floor. Well of course she completely panicked and starting racing around the apartment faster than I have EVER seen her run, jumping up on the windowsills and the furniture and down again, with the bag still stuck on her. She was going so fast we couldn't catch her, and she was doing her best to avoid us. Well, she zoomed past my bf and he reflexively grabbed the bag. Since she was running at top speed that stopped her very suddenly with a jerk, and her little eyes were bugged out and her front paws were off the floor and for a moment she didn't move at all. I had fallen on the rug trying to catch her and when I saw her stop like that I just started screaming. It all happened very fast but it seemed like slow motion to me. The bag ripped, leaving just the handle on her, and she ran off under the bed. I thought I was going to faint and I started crying while my boyfriend went off to try to get her out from under the bed.

My bf totally didn't do it on purpose, it was just an instinct when she raced by him. He absolutely adores her and would never forgive himself if he hurt her, even accidentally. I calmed down and went in to help him try to get her out. Well, of course we couldn't get her out from under the bed, and the bed is too low for a person to crawl under. Eventually we were able to coax her close enough that I was able to slip the handle off her neck--it was very loose, I was relieved to find. Eventually she came out and climbed on my lap and I was able to check her to make sure she wasn't hurt, and she was totally fine after that, though a little more skittish than usual. I on the other hand was shaking for hours...

I feel really bad about it, because it makes me wonder if I'm a bad mommy--what if one of my furbabies had a major emergency and I was here alone with them? I hate to think I would panic and wouldn't be able to care for them properly!

I have been in a situation like that and I agree that your heart stops. Trust me, if you were alone, you would panic AFTER you made sure your kitty was ok - mommy instinct would kick in. The you would have a nervous breakdown.

Oh Stefanie, believe me, I never been a situation like your´s so sorry, sending good vibes and a big hug...

Originally Posted by adymarie

I have been in a situation like that and I agree that your heart stops. Trust me, if you were alone, you would panic AFTER you made sure your kitty was ok - mommy instinct would kick in. The you would have a nervous breakdown.

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I haven't had that situation but I agree, I think your instinct to help would take over first. I'm glad everything's okay though!

Aw Rigel, thanks for the hug. You're so sweet.

And thanks you guys for saying I'll keep my head when it counts--I sure hope so. Well, really I hope to never have to find out...But I like to think you're right, that the mamacat instinct would kick in, and I'd do the right things for them.

gosh that happened to me the other day too an di was in shock eventually he stopped and realised how to get the bag off! i was so scared though

Stef, it's surprising how you would react in a real emergency. The minor things you can afford to panic a bit like you did... but the really difficult stuff? Adrenalin kicks in, you get the job done..... then you can go collapse in a little heap and have a breakdown all to yourself!! Ady's right, the panic always happens after the major problem. Freakout later I'm glad to hear that the cat's fine, she must have been terrified. It's a cat's natural instinct to get away from something on their heads and necks, but most of the time I believe they try to go backwards... obviously she'd given up on the backwards thing!! Poor moggy... at least your mamacat instincts kicked in to give her a much needed cuddle. Hope you're feling better

Stefanie i've only been in a situation like that once when Rosie was only 4 months old when she jumped out on to the bedroom window sill about 30' high!.

I was with my then boyfriend at the time and when we left for work after the ordeal i was so shaken i felt sick along with having a few tears.

Don't feel bad about it, things happen and we always wish "if only"

One things for sure, after that i never left my bedroom door open if the window is open!.

I'm surprised she didn't try to back out of it too. I think it might have been because the bag was really huge compared to her--it was a big plastic shopping bag, the size you get in a department store. She kept stepping on it and stuff and I guess got so freaked all she could think of to do was run away--but of course it was following her. Plus she's a very skittish kitty, so that probably wasn't helping any. (Mommy screaming in terror probably didn't help either. )