June 11, 2008
True Kitty Crime Story!!!
Those of you who follow my cat-related interests will want to know what's going on with the "willful piece of kittyflesh" Rebel. As you can see from the attached mugshot, Rebel is currently cooling his paws behind bars:
For those of you who are late in coming to this shocking true story:
About ten months ago, I was placed in the worrisome position of having to find homes for three kittens who had manifested outside my door, and who were at risk of being taken to the pound and being euthanized :
http://www.fraughtwithperil.com/blogs/byrd/archives/001630.html
and:
http://www.fraughtwithperil.com/blogs/byrd/archives/001635.html
A sainted soul named Scott came through for the kittens, and took all three of them just ahead of the animal control officers' arrival. Alas, however, Scott was allergic, and so the kittens were moved to two separate homes. Coco and Tribble (the friendlier ones) went to one home, and the jumpy black and grey tabby, Rebel, went to live with my neighbor Shashi's brother.
But about a month ago, unexpectedly, disaster struck.....
Well, actually, it was a moving vehicle that struck -- struck our wild little Rebel, that is! The perpetrator was driving a white hatchback vehicle. Little Rebel's human chased after the perpetrator in order to get the reckless driver to own up to his damage, and pay something toward Rebel's care. Shockingly, though, the evil car had consular license plates!! How do you like that? We invite someone here to America to represent another country, and what do they do? Drive around hitting poor defenseless cats willy-nilly! As you can see, it was not the kitty who was the criminal here, it was some wicked, irresponsible diplomat! And yet, as is too often the case....an innocent cat ends up in jail....
Our brave little Rebel survived the impact, but was thrown to the side of the street, badly injured. His head was swollen, his jaw was broken, and he needed serious veterinary attention. Rebel has lost a number of his teeth, and is currently in a sort of kitty isolation in his human's garage.
I will be sending a get-well can of tuna later on this week.
More on this as the situation develops.
Drive carefully,
Byrd in LA
P.S. Rebel's human has asked me to clarify - the garage where Rebel is recuperating is air-conditioned. The kitty is not being roasted.
More news to come soon.
Our prayers go out to Rebel . . .
Is there a fund for his vet bills? Let us know where we can send a few $.
Posted by: Michele at June 10, 2008 04:53 PMThe problem with cats is that they are, well, cats. They decline encouragement to behave socially and rationally, and refuse to negotiate. They want it all their way, and this is what happens.
So sorry, of course, and I hope the little beastie recovers, but you can't really blame the diplomat. You know darn well that Rebel dashed out at the last minute, because that's what cats do. Pity the poor traumatized driver.
And yes, I would stop, if that happened to me, but only to offer immediate assistance (or condolences, if required). Certainly not to contribute to a Get Well Kitty fund.
Cheers!
Andy
Posted by: Andy Hanlen at June 11, 2008 04:32 PMAndy has said it well...
I'm biased as I am very allergic to cats (although they seem to think otherwise). I used to think pet people were a bit odd until a black toy poodle came into our lives 5 years ago.
I am now a total dog goner...Dog makes sure I do morning prayers-- barks until I am in front of Gohonzon and likes to sit on my lap for Daimoku.
Dog even has visiting privileges to see my son Josh who is still in the hospital.
As much as I love Sebastian the wonder poodle, he is still a pooch. Love em, take him to the doggie ER a couple of times. But I will have to start singing the Cycle of Life song from the Lion King if he is ever seriously injured.
Now my son has decided we need to add Newts and Frogs to the menagerie. I have to get past the umm "good eatin'" attitude about the amphibians (and no I do not partake of roasted kitty or dog).
Own up Byrd-- these kitties didn't just manifest - they are part of your family.
Uhh that would be CIRCLE (not cycle) of Life Song:)
Posted by: Dr. Mimi at June 11, 2008 11:23 PMInterestingly, my kitty rescue friend at work seems to think this is a great example of why cats should always be kept indoors. She sent me a very upset e-mail saying that Rebel needs to be kept indoors from now on!
I will pass that info on to Rebel's human.
Thanks for writing in, guys.
Wahzoh
Posted by: Byrd in LA at June 12, 2008 11:18 AMI do not agree with your kitty rescue friend. Having a cat is like having a teenager. Do you keep them in the house away from all harm, or do you let them have the freedom they crave with the attendant dangers? Somehow, you have to strike a happy medium.
My son's cat would be so miserable if he could not go outside and kill things (I think mostly mice). He comes and goes as he wishes and truly is a free spirit. We are just his doormen and worshipers.
Posted by: Bec in CA at June 12, 2008 10:46 PMThere are several reasons to keep kitties in the house and you can make them very happy there. Get a hamster and put him in a nice secure cage or a turtle or parrot and they will amuse eachother. An indoor cat jungle gym is great too. Keeping kitties at home too keeps the wild bird population stable or growing and kitties will never become road kill. Tabbies like Garfield love pizza.
Kitties should have rules like teenagers and rule number one is to have them spade.
Mark
Posted by: Mark Rogow at June 16, 2008 05:22 PMWe allow Raleigh to go outside with supervision. He mostly rolls around on the grass and chases bugs. The birds are too smart to come near him.
The rest of the time he is locked up in his house prison with canned birds and fish and some strange dry crud we call cat food. He lounges around and helpfully sheds hair on my chair pillow in front of the altar. He hides in the compartments of his kitty jungle gym but forgets his tail is sticking out.
He is, thankfully, neutered.
Posted by: Michele at June 17, 2008 12:44 PM