I'm heartbroken!!

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#21
It's sad, but lots of people don't have much regard for cats. They treat running over a cat the same way they treat running over a squirrel or possum.

I'm so sorry for your loss.
 

joce

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#22
I'm sorry about your cat but don;t be too upset with the perosn who hit it. I hit one a couple months back and if I would have stopped I would have punched the people in the face for letting the cat out. That was the most traumatizing thing that has ever happened to me. I was so angry and I comnpletely understand why people don't stop now. If there was any question of it being alive I would ahve but there wasn't.
 

Perle's Dad

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#23
hmmm nice thing to post on a pet lovers forum, "hey your cat got run over and killed, hey ho dont be upset with the careless prat that run him over!!!
if i could get my hands on the m***** F***** who ran over our cat and killed him, he or she would regret the day they got a licence!!!!:mad:
we live in rural france and the road outside our house has a 20kph limit (about 10mph for you in the usa) and people come through at more like 60mph.
to say our cat shouldnt be allowed to do what cats do is a stupid and completely thoughtless comment.
the reason animals get run over is due to idoits driving too fast and with complete disregard to others, and to the people who live there.
i am am a professional driver and drive semi's at 40tons (heavier than american trucks) all over europe and i have never hit a domestic or wild animal through good driving and sticking to speed limits in built up areas, towns and villages.
we would just like to say thank you to everyone who has posted kind comments and thoughts. we love you all XXXXX
 

sparks19

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#24
I'm so sorry to hear about your kitty :( thats very sad

Perles dad it is very sad but sometimes it is not always safe to slam on your breaks and stop or swerve. We never TRY to hit animals but sometimes it happens. Of course where I live there is about a foot of snow and ice and even if you are going the speed limit or slower you cannot always stop or swerve.

regardless, it is very sad RIP little kitty
 

joce

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#26
Well excuse me,keep your cats inside. I live in the country too and thats were I hit the cat. Hit the perosn who hit the cat but they will probally hit you right back.

I'm sorry your cat died but the person who hit it did not put it on the road.They are probally jsut as upset about it as I was.
 
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ShadowCat

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#28
This is one of the many reasons why people shouldn't let their cats outside. Outdoor cats generally live 5-10 years shorter than indoor cats. They can get attacked by dogs, wild animals, and people, get run over like yours did, are more likely contract diseases, get parasites, and can suffer from poor weather conditions. I love my pets and am truly sorry for your loss and understand what it's like to lose pets, but I am very strongly against letting cats outside. They are also pests to neighbors. They love messing around in gardens and destroying the wildlife. Most cats probably like being outside, but they are so much better off if you just keep them inside. My cats are indoor cats 24/7, and they love it. They don't care that they can't go outside. They get their fill of the outdoors by looking through the windows. Please don't let your cats outside. They live longer, healthier, safer, and ultimately happier lives when left inside.
 

EliNHunter

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#29
There's always two sides to every coin. I have two cats that were strays -- a starving, stray Mom and her six tiny babies. I nursed the skelatal mother to health and helped her with her babies. Ended up keeping the cute "runt". Knew I'd never find a home for the emaciated Mom, so kept her and the "runt". They're both thriving, beautiful cats 10 years later. It would KILL them if they were ALWAYS inside. They love to go outside and lounge in the yard. They're only out for short times, not forever. And they can climb trees if danger is near, such as a stray dog. They're very street smart that way. And I live way off the street and they have no need to wander. Everything they want is here at the house. They are very happy...
 

ShadowCat

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#30
It would KILL them if they were ALWAYS inside. They love to go outside and lounge in the yard.
One of my cats that I adopted from a shelter used to be let out. She was a little confused at first when I got her since I didn't let her out, but she couldn't care less now. The cats might love being outside, but they'll get over it if you have a decent apartment/house/whatever.

They're only out for short times, not forever.
While I don't like it when they are let out at all, there is a difference between keeping them outside all the time or keeping them out for short period and watching them.

And they can climb trees if danger is near, such as a stray dog.
There is always a likely hood that they won't escape. They may be trapped or didn't realize what was happening until too late. Why even take a chance? Your cats are your responsibilty and if anything happens to them when they are outside (or inside), it is your responsibility.

And I live way off the street and they have no need to wander. Everything they want is here at the house. They are very happy...
Cats are also known for killing many different birds. I'm pretty sure that it's a major problem in many areas because all of the native birds are being killed by loose cats. You aren't just saving your own cats by keeping them in. You're also saving the wildlife.
 
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#31
Let's not debate whether or not the cats should be left in or out. Lots of us let our cats outside because they like it. Lots of us also keep our cats inside for their own safety. I personally have one cat who is allowed out and one who isn't. I understand points on both sides.

The bottom line is that one of our beloved members has lost their precious pet. It's a natural coping mechanism to be angry. Pets get hit by cars every day. Of course their owners did not think they would be injured nor is it any fault of theirs. Sometimes it takes a tragedy to learn a lesson. Le'ts just be sorry for the loss.

I offer my condolences and apologize if it was I that started this debate.
 

Gustav

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#32
Mindy Miller said:
The bottom line is that one of our beloved members has lost their precious pet. It's a natural coping mechanism to be angry. Pets get hit by cars every day. Of course their owners did not think they would be injured nor is it any fault of theirs. Sometimes it takes a tragedy to learn a lesson. Le'ts just be sorry for the loss.
Thanks Mindy!

Firstly: I never said I was angry with the person who hit him, I just said that they didn't stop! Christian (Perle's Dad) is only so angry because he has seen how devestated I am! I think it is common decency to stop when you have hit an animal, I think it is better for the owner of a pet to know straight away, and so it can be dealt with appropriatley. Would you drive off if you had hit a child, even if you thought they were dead? And if you did stop would you then go to the parents and hit them for allowing their child to leave the house?! No you wouldn't, I view my animals as my children, so I think it is only right to own up to your mistakes!

Secondly: My cats are feral cats that have chosen to live with me, they are vaccinated regularly, I have paid to have them "Fixed" and they only spend time with us because they chose to. To keep an essentially wild animal indoors is both irresponsable and cruel! You wouldn't bring a Tiger into the house and expect it to be happy now would you?!

I only posted this thread to honour my poor baby! I didn't expect it to turn into a "Well you let him out, it's your fault he's dead" Sort of thread! I never said that there was blame on anyones part. We all do what we think is right for our animals at the end of the day, and if I ever thought that there was a real risk of my cat being killed do you really think I would have let him out?! Err NO!

This is a very difficult time for us, I would have expected a little more compassion from some of the members here! For the most part you have all been fantastic, but there are a couple of people who have been frankly downright unsympathetic! I hope a tragedy such as this never befalls upon you, but should it I would imagine that you would all be outraged and baying for blood!

This hasn't really helped my overwhelming grief, but I felt I needed to say a few things, before I am forever cast as "the cat killer"
 

Barb04

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#33
I'm so sorry. I know how special Pashenka was to you. Special hugs to you from my family.
 

Giny

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#34
That is such a sad thing to happen, I'm so very sorry for your loss. Sounds like the time Peshenka had with you were wonderful times. When the hurts starts to be less overwhelming you will remember the great times you've had with your kitty.

I also own a cat that came to use as a stray. We tried to keep him as an indoor cat, since we already had one that was indoors only, and with him it was impossible. So I understand were you're coming from. *Hugs to you*
 
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#35
Oh, Louie . . . I know how much you love all of your creatures . . .

There is a legend that a cat who leaves this life untimely will come back in spirit and live out it's life that way. Keep an ear out for Pashenka, you may hear a quiet purr or catch a glimpse of the shadow of fur gliding by, just out of direct sight ;)
 

RD

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#36
Aw, Gus. :( I'm so sorry!

And regarding the indoor/outdoor cat argument, I believe a lot of it has to do with quality of life. My cats started their lives as barn cats/mousers on our ranch. Taking working cats and putting them inside all the time depresses them -- believe me, I've tried it. So, the best I can do is let them out and do all I can to keep them safe out there. There is the possibility that something could happen to them, but I would rather my sweet kitties love living with me than be miserable. I feel the same way about dogs. I have met dogs that absolutely hate being indoors, and would prefer to live outside in their yard. I think people with outdoor animals can still be responsible owners. Yes, there is a greater risk of something happening to the animal when they live outside, but I would rather take that risk than have my animals live miserably.

Having owned nearly-feral cats (and working dogs who liked being outside) I can completely understand why some people allow their animals to live outdoors. I won't continue this argument any more, as I don't want to keep at it in a thread like this.

Gustav, again I am so very sorry for your loss.
 
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Saje

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#38
I think on threads where a member has lost an animal we should try and stay on subject. Anyone who knows Gustav knows how responsible she is and how much time and energy she spends with her animals. That's all that's necessary at this time. A little compassion. We've all been there.

Perle's Dad I'm so glad you've joined. I hope you will post more. We've only heard great things :D
 

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