I haven't been around in a while and I wanted to write a more detailed, bird-themed post but I had the scare of my life today and I know only animal lovers will understand just how terrifying it was...
I started a new position at my job at the TV studio and have been working all sorts of hours so I've been pretty sleepy/forgetful lately. Friday night I was helping my mom bring all the outdoor plants in for the winter, hurried on by the warning of snow coming this weekend. We had left the door propped open so we could carry in all the big ficus and I saw my cat (who is an indoor cat) trying to get out. The few times Stormy does go outside, she explores the front of the yard and immediately comes right back, meowing outside the door within a few minutes. I told my mom we'd worry about her after we got the plants in, she'd be fine...
Cut to this morning, my sister came to me saying she hadn't seen the cat in a while and it just hit me like a punch in the face--we had forgotten to bring her back in. For the past 36 hours she had been outside. All yesterday as I sat inside with my bird, making her toys and redoing her play stand as it rained/hailed/sleeted/snowed my poor indoor cat had been outside in the freezing cold. My mom, sister, dad, boyfriend and I ran outside and began frantically searching and calling for her. I was sobbing, my mom was sobbing. I felt terrible--it was completely my fault and the thought of my poor cat alone outside... especially so close to Mischief Night. I knew for sure I would find a cold, frozen body... I just couldn't bear it...
And then I heard my dad calling, "I found her!" and there she was, down by the garden shed which she must have taken shelter under during the storm. She was a little wild-eyed, but none the worse for wear. We brought her in, all of us hugging her and rubbing her cold ears. We fed her and gave her water and she acted like nothing was wrong... but my God... I can't even explain the relief. Just that overwhelming sense of guilt and responsibility ... lesson learned, for sure. Go and hug your kitty/ies, guys... that's all I can say. And don't be stupid like me...
I'm just so thankful how lucky I was...
I started a new position at my job at the TV studio and have been working all sorts of hours so I've been pretty sleepy/forgetful lately. Friday night I was helping my mom bring all the outdoor plants in for the winter, hurried on by the warning of snow coming this weekend. We had left the door propped open so we could carry in all the big ficus and I saw my cat (who is an indoor cat) trying to get out. The few times Stormy does go outside, she explores the front of the yard and immediately comes right back, meowing outside the door within a few minutes. I told my mom we'd worry about her after we got the plants in, she'd be fine...
Cut to this morning, my sister came to me saying she hadn't seen the cat in a while and it just hit me like a punch in the face--we had forgotten to bring her back in. For the past 36 hours she had been outside. All yesterday as I sat inside with my bird, making her toys and redoing her play stand as it rained/hailed/sleeted/snowed my poor indoor cat had been outside in the freezing cold. My mom, sister, dad, boyfriend and I ran outside and began frantically searching and calling for her. I was sobbing, my mom was sobbing. I felt terrible--it was completely my fault and the thought of my poor cat alone outside... especially so close to Mischief Night. I knew for sure I would find a cold, frozen body... I just couldn't bear it...
And then I heard my dad calling, "I found her!" and there she was, down by the garden shed which she must have taken shelter under during the storm. She was a little wild-eyed, but none the worse for wear. We brought her in, all of us hugging her and rubbing her cold ears. We fed her and gave her water and she acted like nothing was wrong... but my God... I can't even explain the relief. Just that overwhelming sense of guilt and responsibility ... lesson learned, for sure. Go and hug your kitty/ies, guys... that's all I can say. And don't be stupid like me...
I'm just so thankful how lucky I was...
So glad that Stormy is safe again.
