Our kittie died tonight

[stressedmumto2]

Our little kitten was run over today. We've had her for about 8 months and the kids loved her. She was always very adventureous and it was a job to keep her in within a few weeks of having her. Kids are devistated. Son keeps saying he wants her back even though he does understand she is dead. We burried her in the garden wrapped in a blanket and then went and said some prayers.

 

Only thing is now do we risk it and get another one ? Already all evening both of the kiddies have said they wantanother one and I know allday tomorrow I will get the crying for another one but should I bother. We live by a very busy road and there's no way with my 2 lil ones you could possibly keep one in all the time. I just don't know what to do.

 

Has anyone had any experience with how to takle this ? I feel so sorry for my daughter as the kittie was for her 5th b'day pressie, she wanted a cat for so long and I got her it as I felt she really needed some companionship.

 

I feel like this

[Malika]

Hi stressedmum2 <'> <'> <'>

 

Feeling very sorry for you, we have 2 cats and loosing them would be devastating,

if you are near a busy road it is indeed very difficult, do you have a back gardens?

My cats are scared of cars and only going in the back garden but there is so much space in the back as all gardens in this area are very deep however what I did with my first cat was to keep her in for 3 months then let her out once a day before giving her food like that she was back to eat then twice a day and never at night until she was around 10 months old, she is the kind of cat who cannot stay in and it was hard job. May be keeping them at night would help as often cats venture on the road at night and are not seen.

Do you know when your cat was run over? the other thing you could do would be to have 2 cats together ot keep each other compagny.

When I had my cats vaccinated the vet stressed out that the main danger to cats were cars not disease.

Hope your children will feel a little better soon.

 

Take care. <'>

 

Malika.

[Tally]

That's really sad news.

 

Course, you can't replace the cat as such, but another cat could give you all something positive to focus on.

 

Have you thought about adopting an older cat from a rescue centre? There are many whose owners have died, they don't all have behavioural problems, just want a loving home. An older cat will be less likely to run out at any given opportunity, and will also have more road sense. A cat who's never been outside may be fearful of going out, and not wander so far if they do get out.

[stresshead]

Kids are very resilient, and bounce back. I think as parents we often try to shield them.

My little boy totally surprised me a couple of weeks ago when I decided to donate our 2 dogs to the army.

We had 2 lab crosses that we had from 6 weeks, they are now aged 2. When we got them I was still in a relationship with my sons dad, so taking them out was never a problem. My little boy adored the dogs, but over the last 10 months his dad and I split up and he just about sees my son and left the dogs to me I couldn't manage to take them out as often as they needed to go, and felt so sorry for them, I felt like they needed more stimulation, and eventually decided to donate them to Melton Mowbrey Defence Animal section. I kept thinking how am I going to tell my son, anyway I decided to tell him all about the dog section and manipulated the situation so that it was his idea, I then suggested that we get a shed for him. What was his answer????????

You guessed it!! When are the dogs going!!!

These are 2 dogs that he cuddled up with on their blanket he was part of their pack!!

I know it is not the same as a death of a pet but you could always suggest getting a rabbit of something that can stay within the bounds of your property???

My little boy now wants a ferret!!!! YEAH!!!

A

Edited March 15, 2006 by stresshead

[nikrix]

That is so sad.

 

I have 4 cats. To old cats which never go out and 2 part persain cats that do go out. They never seem to wander, some say that pedigree cats do not wander or are more homely.

 

I would leave things for a while and see how the kids feel after they have gotten over the shock of it. I am so sorry for your news I love my cats and could not bare to be without them.

 

Good luck with what ever you decide.

 

Nikrix

[stressedmumto2]

Still don't know what to do.

 

Tried to do everything that was suggested but she was a nightmare and was always running out, especially not easy when you have 2 lil ones who leave the doors open all the time.

 

We have a huge back garden, but she was very much like the kids, not interested in the backand only wanted to be in the front, even when we put her in the back she would climb out, on the shed roof etc.

 

My son is still really upset, daughter has not been to bad but son witnesed it, it was about 4 and he was with his friend playing and came running in to tell me.

 

I just know tomorrow he is going to be non-stop about it. He's off school atthe mo so there's no even being around others tohelptake his mind of it. I know let him talk about it will help him, i'm just dreading the tantrums/meltdowns.

 

I've already suggested maybe getting a rabbit, but we have loads of foxes where we live, so thatis another worry.

 

I've looked at the website for homing another but most of them are not suggested for placement with children and I don't even know if I could handle something like that happening again.

 

[Lynden]

Oh poor you guys. I can't imagine losing either of my cats. I probably would get another cat in your situation, or possibly another pet, a rabbit or a guineau maybe as they can still be affectionate.

 

a lot of my friends have indoor cats. One of mine gets out occasionally, and the other is only 5 months so too little to go outdoors.

 

Big hugs to you guys

 

Lynne

[stresshead]

my friend has a rabbit in long, roofed penn. you can get some fab cages now, like little houses that you can securely lock, my friends has 2 levels with 2 'rooms' on each level. There are foxes by her house and she has never had a problem since the rabbit has had the run/penn she also locks it of a night.

may be better than another cat, i'm not against cats by the way! i have 2 myself!

[TuX]

Our little kitten was run over today. We've had her for about 8 months and the kids loved her. She was always very adventureous and it was a job to keep her in within a few weeks of having her. Kids are devistated. Son keeps saying he wants her back even though he does understand she is dead. We burried her in the garden wrapped in a blanket and then went and said some prayers.

 

Only thing is now do we risk it and get another one ? Already all evening both of the kiddies have said they wantanother one and I know allday tomorrow I will get the crying for another one but should I bother. We live by a very busy road and there's no way with my 2 lil ones you could possibly keep one in all the time. I just don't know what to do.

 

Has anyone had any experience with how to takle this ? I feel so sorry for my daughter as the kittie was for her 5th b'day pressie, she wanted a cat for so long and I got her it as I felt she really needed some companionship.

 

I feel like this

Mostly repeating what others have said but it is very possible to have house cats.

My sisters' friends' tom called Bam Bam is a stay in cat,they live in a flat several floors up but they do have a balcony which he lies around on.

Pet shops sell harnesses and leads for cats,which is also an option-taking them out on a lead but not letting them free range,but not all cats like the harness.

 

Older female cats are the most likely to be stay in cats,there are many of them needing homes due to people associating them with constant vet trips and wanting a fluffy kitten,but not all cats will require a lot of vetinary treatment in older age,i've known a few cats who got past 15 with no health problems,it differs,it helps if the cat has good breeding.

For pedigrees,consider a cat breed called ragdoll,they are called ragdolls due to going floppy when being picked up,ragdolls are not recommended as outdoor cats as they do not fight back in defence when attacked by others[the reason for keeping them in] they are very friendly and trusting and are said to be great with children and not very active.

Only problem is cost-kittens from a competent breeder [who socialises the kittens,gives them attention,checks genetic history etc] cost around ?300 minimum-it might be possible to get them as adults from a cats home [cheaper],but I would think it would be hard due to the appeal and popularity of ragdolls,i've wanted a ragdoll for years [but can't afford one].

Edited March 15, 2006 by TuX

[jen]

Its a difficult situation but with more time the kids feelings may change. Give it a while before you make a decision

 

Jen

[UltraMum]

<'> <'> <'>

[Bullet]

So sorry for you stressedmum

[CarerQuie]

So sorry for you.It is in a cat's nature to roam freely,so you always run a risk.Our cat was run over and broke his pelvis but fortunately,he survived.(((hugs))).xx

[lindy-lou]

much sympathy to you <'> we have 3 cats and i would be heartbroken if anything happened to them,3 weeks ago DH rang me to say their was a dead black and white cat frozen under his van and had i seen ours,i hadnt seen her all morning,panicked and ran home to look for her,thank goodness she was there but was a dreadful feeling.My friend has 3 cats who dont go out at all,just use the litter tray in the house,they are very happy contented cats.

[curra]

So sorry for losing your kitten! Once I lost a cat that way too and I know how devastating it is. Now I have 2 older female cats who live indoors because we live in a flat, but when we used to live in a house they didn't go out much. Cats can be trained to a routine like coming back home in the night and as soon as you call them, not like dogs, but with a lot of coaxing (and patience!!). We adore them and they are part of our family. Was you kitten neutered? When cats are in mating season (and that's 3 times a year) they have a drive to roam far and they lose their sense of danger. Female cats can breed already at 6 months of age, so if you get another young cat try to to keep her indoors if you live near a busy road until she's old enough to be neutered. With male cats is similar. As others have suggested, I would try to adopt an older female cat from a rescue centre. If you visit one they may find the right cat for your family as they know the cats' characters.

Hugs to you all <'>

 

Curra

[Kathryn]

So sorry to hear about this. I'd be devastated too if it happened to our cat.

 

It must have been especially traumatic for your son - how is he today?

 

K x

[board]

hello sorry to hear about your cat mine is 12 year old have you throught of haveing a small dog we have 2 dogs and the chilren love them and look after them one is 13 years old and the other is 5 months they are big dogs but you could talk to some body that could pick out a nice family dog there are some nice small dogs that dont need a lot of walks when we frist had the pup my AS daughter would not go near her but know she plays talks more and is more happy a dog gives a lot of love all the best jill

[stressedmumto2]

Thnaks for all of your message.

 

It's been an up and down day but I know it will generally get easier.

 

I think I may get another pet but not for a while.

 

Thanks again

 

<'>

[Stephanie]

Oh bless, how sad ..

 

The only way I have ever recovered from any of my cats dying is to get another. If you have been used to one, and you have all the accessories and equipment, why not? Maybe you need to give it a few weeks before you start looking though.

[loulou]

hi,

 

This is so sad. I can't bear it when something like this happens .

 

I have two cats, one dopey one who never goes anywhere and one very naughty little one. The naughty one runs about out the front and even sits in the road. I'm dreading something bad happening to her b/c she is Kai's cat. I don't know how he would cope.

 

If you do go for another cat, the RSPCA are really good. I got both my cats from there and they were really helpful. If you go for an older cat, the RSPCA should be able to advise you on it's temperament. My naughty cat i got at 8 weeks, so i had no way of knowing what she'd turn out like.

 

Hope your son is ok <'> .

 

Loulou x

[jb1964]

Stressedmum,

 

Sorry to heart about your little kitten - when I was young I had a little kitten called Ben who got run over - he was only 6mths old and I can remember being heartbroken.

 

I'd be more inclined to leave it a little while before deciding.

 

We had a cat before our daughter was born - she died 3yrs ago aged 15yrs ( a ripe old age for a little cat) - and my daughter was upset she'd obviously grown up with her all her life (she's 12) and desperately wanted another one. We hung on a few months and then decided on a hamster - as our other little daughter was born then and thought it would be easier. Of course hamsters don't live very long and after 18mths we had another little burial in the garden.

 

My daughter kept on and on after that for another pet - and after a long hard think and an especially bad period in her life when her anxiety levels had reached their peak (the change from primary to secondary school was a nightmare) - we decided on a dog - she desperately wanted a 'friend' and the Pysch. consultant said that animals can be very therapeutic for AS children especially as they get older and become more aware of their differences.

 

Give it some time and see what develops before making your mind up.

 

Jb

[florrie]

I really feel for you it is so sad when you lose a pet, I wondered whether you had considered another type of pet, where the risk is less, as you mention the road being such a risk, mice rats and guinea pigs can make good pets and are very interesting for children, and can be just as rewarding, although it might not be your cup of tea. I 've had all sorts of pets including horses rabbits dogs cats mice etc, rabbits are really hard work to keep inside but the rats mice and guinea pigs are easier, I personally found just as rewarding. My little mouse that my son brought home from school once was one of the most delightful little pets I ever had and completely changed my perceptions on these little creatures and so intelligent and interacted reallly well, well at least i observed all kinds of interesting little things about it, and I still think about him and miss him anyway just a thought

[stressedmumto2]

Both the lil ones are taking it easier now.

 

Anmd no way I can't geta mouse,they scare me to death, lol