Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Purrs

1. 

   Hi. I'm new. Never done this before, I just stare (star-struck) at the kittens. But I need help, and my family and friends are not doing it this time. My sleek, black, beautiful Manx named Bob was attacked by a raccoon yesterday. Since he was recovering from a previous shredding by the same raccoon, he was shaved and bare. Need I say more? He was protecting a litter of feral kittens under my air conditioner. What now? I'm a bereavement therapist in real life, but a hopeless case when it comes to myself. Any purr will help.

   Lisa

   Posted 3 years ago by lisaeylau #

2. 

   Lisa, what is Bob's condition?

   Posted 3 years ago by Leeny #

3. 

   Oh, lisaeylau, I am so sorry about your Bob. I was a hospice nurse and I can tell you that I never grieved more than when I have lost kitties. Their love is so unconditional and they are so much a part of our lives. Bless Bob for trying to protect the kittens but my heart goes out to you over him.

   Please know that this is a very loving group of people, and I would venture to say that we have all been where you are. You and Bob will be in my prayers. You can always come here and talk to us - we are all good listeners and we do understand.

   {{{{{hugs}}}}}}

   Posted 3 years ago by WillowandWindismom #

4. 

   Here is a TDK salute to a brave and valiant warrior! No matter how grievous Bob's condition or if he has gone on to the Rainbow Bridge, take comfort and pride that this wounded lion fell protecting the young.

   Posted 3 years ago by ailuromaniac #

5. 

   I had to put him down at 1 this morning.

   Posted 3 years ago by lisaeylau #

6. 

   Lisaeylau, I am so truly sorry. I wasn't sure from your initial post and didn't want to ask. What a brave kitty Bob must have been. Maybe his legacy will be to try and make sure that the feral kittens are rescued.

   I know the loneliness of home when you first lose a beloved kitty. It just is a terrible pain. Bless Bob for being such a valiant warrior, as alilurmaniac has said. He has so many of our fur babies waiting for him over the Rainbow Bridge.

   Posted 3 years ago by WillowandWindismom #

7. 

   Lisaeylau, I'm so so sorry for your poor Bob. Please accept my heartfelt condolences for the loss of your poor baby. ((hugs))

   Posted 3 years ago by HuddysMama #

8. 

   I cannot speak to the pain you feel, and hesitate to ask, but could you possibly take in one of the ferals he was protecting to raise in his honor?

   Posted 3 years ago by ailuromaniac #

9. 

   What a courageous cat Bob was! He faced the very racoon that injured him so badly before. He will be greeted over the Rainbow Bridge as the hero he is. You may have heard us speak of one of our TDK human family, Chester (screen name)/Jerry. He died last year. Each time one of our furry family members crosses the bridge we find comfort in believing that Chester is there, ready to welcome them and show them the best places to play. Bob is now in Chester's loving arms.

   When you can, please tell us more about the feral kittens living under your air conditioner. Bob may have shown you a way to honor his memory by trapping them and finding homes for them or taking them to a no-kill shelter where they will not have to face predators like racoons.

   Welcome to the Daily Kitten. Please continue to post. We are gentle listeners and an interesting family. {{hugs}}

   Posted 3 years ago by Kitten Whisperer #

10. 

    So very very sorry for your loss. As stated, he left this world a warrior, and is now pain-free. I was thinking the same thing ailuromaniac....

    Posted 3 years ago by 2 Popoki #

11. 

    Thank you guys so much! Bob took this "unwed mother" under his wing, and fought the raccoons over every litter (I've been trying to catch the mom for two years). He even tried to nurse them--hilarious and a precious memory. The six babies he fought for are outside now, seven weeks old, and I already have homes for two. She just brought them out of hiding yesterday.

    Posted 3 years ago by lisaeylau #

12. 

    My sincere condolences for your loss of brave Bob, lisaeylau.

    Posted 3 years ago by JoanfromNewJersey #

13. 

    Lisaeylau I am very sorry for you loss. Take comfort in knowing that your valiant warrior was protecting the very young and is a hero. He will receive a hero's welcome at the Rainbow Bridge. I hope that you will find some comfort in maybe helping the kittens he was trying to help and protect. Hugs and purrs in your time of sorrow.

    Posted 3 years ago by SylvesterMiasMomma #

14. 

    I am in awe of this cat. He was a better friend and "parent" than many humans are.

    Are there any wildlife management agencies where you live, Lisa? It seems that these raccoons should be taken to a more appropriate place to live.

    Posted 3 years ago by Leeny #

15. 

    What a great memory of Bob, Lisa! His trying to nurse feral kittens is an image that brings a smile to my face. Would you consider creating a webpage for him on Catster.com? (It is easy to do and free.) Many people on this website have done so for their living kits as well as those who have crossed the bridge. We would love to see a photo of Bob. Please click on my screen name to see my two kits. :)

    Posted 3 years ago by Kitten Whisperer #

16. 

    I'm sorry for the loss of your brave kitty,the image of him protecting the babies and even trying to nurse them shows what a remarkable kitty he was.We understand how you must grieve for him whereas other non pet owners might not.Maybe you could post a memorial at Rainbow Bridge;
    http://rainbowsbridge.com/Grief_Support_Center/Grief_Support_Home.htm
    {{{hugs}}}
    Please continue to post.

    Posted 3 years ago by Buttercup #

17. 

    Oh, wow, everybody, thank you a million times over. I'm blown I can't believe the responses. I was going to be amazed if I got even one. I adored Bob for his maternal streak, plus he loved me completely without reservation, and showed it. He was a big sweet wimp at home, but wouldn't give up fighting to protect the feral babies. I tried keeping him inside, but that was miserable for him. He only fought in the spring/summer when kittens came. All winter he was a tabletop snoozer.

    Re: ferals. All apts. in Texas have a colony. I've tried trapping and only caught possums. So I've saved as many kittens as I've been able to get my hands on. I'd love to keep one of these--I'm in love with the one with the blaze face--but have a year old female Manx (Calamity Jane or CJ) and Misty Blue the Siamese Wonder Blob. But all the kittens will either go to a home or a no-kill shelter. Lots of people around Austin have mousers at their ranches.

    Posted 3 years ago by lisaeylau #

18. 

    Lisaeylau...My heart wrenchs along with yours dear...Bob was a noble, brave protector and one could not ask more from any of God's creatures. He now has his reward for eternity...painless peace, and everlasting joy. I pray that the feral kittens will survive this beastly raccoon.

    Posted 3 years ago by Karenopa #

19. 

    What a brave warrior! Kitty Valhalla(tm) will be singing with the new addition of Brave Bob the RaccoonBane.

    We are supportive and loving here. Most of us have experienced the poignant pain of saying goodbye to our furchildren. Believe me....we understand keenly how you feel. White light and healing hugs.

    Posted 3 years ago by Siobhan #

20. 

    Leeny, you're right about wildlife mgmt. But I'm on the western edge of Austin. We have it all--trees, rocks, a huge creek within yards, the Colorado river, and lake Travis less than a mile away--and all the critters that go with it. Removing the coons is like emptying the ocean with a spoon. The city does it closer to the center of town, but it never ends out here on the edge. We also have zillions of deer, coyotes, huge possums, nifty snakes, gorgeous lizards...it's a trade-off. I know we moved into the coon's homes.

    Do you guys really want to see Bob? I have a couple of really nice photos of him. Where do I put it? Or is that already in a post? I've never done the Web site creation thing before...even though I send bereaved clients to human memorial sites all the time.

    Posted 3 years ago by lisaeylau #

21. 

    Lisa...I,too,am so very sorry for the loss of your very brave Bob. He hurts no more. Chester is indeed looking out for Bob & all his new found friends over the Bridge. I have several babies there now. {{{HUGS}}}

    Is there any way possible you can box up the kittens & bring them inside to safety? Where is the mama to the kittens? Was she lost to the very same raccoon? I have the same problem here. One was trapped & removed,but,there are still 1 adult & 2 teens I need to trap & relocate. Animal control in your area might be able to help you trap this aggressive raccoon & have it removed before it does any more damage. Best of luck to you.

    I grieve with you & for you & your precious Bob.

    Posted 3 years ago by feral #

22. 

    Lisa, I cried when I read about Bob, such a brave and caring soul. I worry about the raccoon that comes into my yard and like Bob, my kitty does not like to be inside all the time. Courage dear heart :) Elizabeth

    Posted 3 years ago by Cato1730 #

23. 

    Oh Lisa I'm am so sorry....Bob was a true hero to the weak..He will wait at the Bridge for you with many that passed before, there he is in no pain..Please try to catch the kitten & mom so you can move them to safety..

    Posted 3 years ago by 2bpurring #

24. 

    Yes, we really would love to see Bob. Go to http://www.catster.com/ You can create an account there and post pictures of him and your other cats.

    Posted 3 years ago by Leeny #

25. 

    Lisa. I cried and my heart just wretched over the story of your precious Bob. He was a brave and loving soul. He will always be in your heart and with you always. No matter how our furangels passed, it is difficult. It's been 3 years since my Sebastian left me and it still hurts, but remember, you loved him and he loved you. He put smiles, purrs, kisses and love in your life. We are here for you if you need to talk. It's wonderful that you are also taking care of the ferals. God bless you for doing that as well. I hope you keep posting. I am sending you lots of prayers and hugs.

    Jen

    Posted 3 years ago by cricketsmama #

26. 

    LL (we used lots of abbreviations for names here), we would all love to see sweet Bob. Please do create a catster page for him. What a wonderful story of a very courageous kitty.

    We used to live in Sugar Land, right outside of Houston. I know what you mean about the raccoons - we never could have trapped them all, and because we had all moved into their space, many of them became ill. I know the area of Austin where you are, and there is a tremendous amount of wildlife. I do hope that you can catch the feral kittens that Bob cared so much about. And maybe keep one for yourself in his memory.

    Posted 3 years ago by WillowandWindismom #

27. 

    Lisa, one of our members, MadcatwomanintheUK, wrote a special poem for pets approaching their deaths. It's called "Night Night, Furball"; the original thread with the original poem is on page 3 of Purrs. I revised the last verse especially for Bob:

    God bless Bob, who wasn't afraid.
    Kittens live, for you were brave.
    You passed as a hero,
    enjoy what's in store.
    In furball heaven, no one hurts anymore.

    Posted 3 years ago by Leeny #

28. 

    Lisa, I am sorry for your loss. What a brave boy Bob was and such a kind heart. God bless you and him.

    Posted 3 years ago by Lynn from PA 6/8 #

29. 

    http://www.pet-loss.net/resources/TX.html

    This page has several numbers for grief support. There is even a counselor in Austin, if you wanted to contact her. There are many other websites that can help, if you would rather do something like that. Just search "pet loss"

    Know that you are not alone in dealing with your loss. We all will have you in our thoughts.

    Your Pets In Heaven
    by Ken D. Conover

    To have loved and then said farewell, is better than to have never loved at all.
    For all of the times that you have stooped and touched my head, fed me my favorite treat and returned the love that I so unconditionally gave to you.
    For the care that you gave to me so unselfishly.
    For all of these things I am grateful and thankful.

    I ask that you not grieve for the loss, but rejoice in the fact that we lived, loved and touched each others lives. My life was fuller because you were there, not as a master/owner, but as my FRIEND.

    Today I am as I was in my youth. The grass is always green, butterflies flit among the flowers and the Sun shines gently down upon all of God's creatures.
    I can run, jump, play and do all of the things that I did in my youth. There is no sickness, no aching joints and no regrets and no aging.

    We await the arrival of our lifelong companions and know that togetherness is forever.
    You live in our hearts as we do in yours. Companions such as you are so rare and unique.
    Don't hold the love that you have within yourself. Give it to another like me and then I will live forever. For love never really dies, and you are loved and missed as surely as we are.

    Posted 3 years ago by Jenni9420 #

30. 

    Lisa,
    Bob the BRAVE! Your story brought tears to my eyes. Here in Texas we have all kinds of critters to be watchful of. If this raccoon is aggressive call animal control. They carry rabies. Chester/Jerry was waiting with open arms. I know that my Black Jack will be there to welcome him.

    Posted 3 years ago by Puddytat #

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