I actually wasn't going to post here anymore, but after what happened today I find myself drawn back.
About three years ago, an unfixed male feral started showing up in my yard to partake of the kitty buffet that was out for my strays. (One of them - Little One - I saved from a coyote attack a few months ago and now she lives inside) I named this boy Jet. He lived rough. He wouldn't stick around all the time like the other two strays. He'd come to eat, rest up, then go off on his adventures and come back battered, bruised and bloody. I was never able to really help him because he never trusted me like the others. I was never able to touch him and he always hissed at me when I brought his food.
Even so, he was a sweet boy and I was glad to give him a harbor in the storm of his life.
Yesterday he showed up for food and he was okay. Today he was not. I'm thinking there was some traumatic injury because his affect was a lot like Little One's after the coyote attack. Though there was no blood of visible signs of an attack of any sort, he was breathing hard and rapidly like she was, wouldn't eat. I kept going out to check on him and quickly realized he wasn't going to get better. I called the Animal Shelter to come out and get him, then went outside to check on him. He didn't look good. I talked to him a bit, went back inside. Five minutes later I came back out. He had made his way out from underneath the bushes and died under a tree - where he knew I'd find him.
I marvel that despite whatever he went through in the last 24 hours, he managed to make his way to the place he called home and felt safe to die. I wish I could have done more for him, but hope he's finally found some peace. Underneath his gruff exterior, he was a good little guy and I'm going to miss him.
Rest in peace, Jet. Look for Serena and Mangy when you cross the bridge.
About three years ago, an unfixed male feral started showing up in my yard to partake of the kitty buffet that was out for my strays. (One of them - Little One - I saved from a coyote attack a few months ago and now she lives inside) I named this boy Jet. He lived rough. He wouldn't stick around all the time like the other two strays. He'd come to eat, rest up, then go off on his adventures and come back battered, bruised and bloody. I was never able to really help him because he never trusted me like the others. I was never able to touch him and he always hissed at me when I brought his food.
Yesterday he showed up for food and he was okay. Today he was not. I'm thinking there was some traumatic injury because his affect was a lot like Little One's after the coyote attack. Though there was no blood of visible signs of an attack of any sort, he was breathing hard and rapidly like she was, wouldn't eat. I kept going out to check on him and quickly realized he wasn't going to get better. I called the Animal Shelter to come out and get him, then went outside to check on him. He didn't look good. I talked to him a bit, went back inside. Five minutes later I came back out. He had made his way out from underneath the bushes and died under a tree - where he knew I'd find him.
I marvel that despite whatever he went through in the last 24 hours, he managed to make his way to the place he called home and felt safe to die. I wish I could have done more for him, but hope he's finally found some peace. Underneath his gruff exterior, he was a good little guy and I'm going to miss him.
Rest in peace, Jet. Look for Serena and Mangy when you cross the bridge.
