It has been a week this morning [Thursday] since I found Charlie's lifeless body stretched behind the house.
Friends on Face Book know something of the sorry tale; kindly messages have been a comfort.
What J. refers to as a 'rogue pack of dogs' came through a little before last Wednesday midnight, just as we were falling asleep.
We don't know if they were coyotes or simply dogs running loose. By the time Jim got outside with a powerful flashlight the last canine--brown and white spotted-- was disappearing into the ravine.
We didn't know until early morning that in their mad yapping dash the dogs had cornered and mortally injured our Charlie
We shared the task of digging his grave, next to that of his daughter Mima who died 1 February, 2019. I wrapped him in a thick towel, and when we had covered him with earth I built a cairn of stones to protect the spot.
Charlie was a buffoon--a 'village idiot' personality; noisy, demanding to be let in and right back out numerous times each day and evening.
Attempts to keep him in at night resulted in his rampaging through the rooms, yelling in his silly loud voice until one of us stumbled from bed and escorted him out the door.
He wasn't 'bright'--he guarded the water bowl, sloshed its contents over the floor.
Charlie was companionable, a gardener's helper, a lap-sitter when it suited him. He knew that our dear daughter-in-law adored him--and he made the most of her visits.
Those of us who have pets--dogs, horses, cats--know the grief that is shared without boundaries when a loved creature dies--the more so when that death has been a violent and sudden end.
No pet should be terrorized and hurt in its last few moments.
We have anguished over whether we could have saved Charlie had we been awake and more quickly realized the danger. We want to believe that his pain was brief.
The house is calmer without his bustling busy presence, but he is missed.
Our daughter brought flowers--a tribute to Charlie-cat and to our loss.
I'm so sorry.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jan.
DeleteSo sorry! The same thing happened to my dear Jasper on a very cold and snowy night about ten years ago. A violent death makes it so much harder to accept the lose of a loved pet. Every spring something happens to the kittens born at the barn when they get big enough to leave their "nest". I haven't had another house cat since Jasper's death and I miss it so much.
ReplyDeleteRed Hen; I think that each new loss of a pet reminds me of all the other times in the past--whether due to age or accident. A neighbor's barn kittens have had a high mortality rate--she doesn't know why.
DeleteWe do our best for these creatures and they leave a gap when they are gone.
He sounds a great character and will be missed terribly by you both. A very sad end for Charlie.
ReplyDeleteThelma; 'Character' is a good description of our Charlie--he was often maddening, in the way that I think your Lucy-dog must be--a witless but affectionate creature.
DeleteSo Sad to hear this. Thankfully we do not have packs of dogs here only foxes and they ignore the cats as the cats ignore them.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Briony
x
Briony: We continue to wonder where the killers came from and to ask ourselves if we could have in some way prevented what happened.
DeleteWhen Charlie wanted 'out' at night there was no arguing with him--we hadn't felt there were any real threats here.
This still haunts me in the quiet moments of the night when I am awake. It was such a shock to read this had happened. Words seem so pathetic when you know nothing will bring him back. I hope that the happy memories he left behind will give you some comfort. What a lovely life he had with you.
ReplyDeleteJennie; Yes, that strange yapping and snarling seems imprinted on my brain, the more so as I woke in such a muddle, not knowing what I heard. My eyes are drawn to the spot where I found Charlie--and I wonder how long before I can walk that way without reliving the morning.
DeleteI'll miss following Charlie, and know he gave you a lot of love and humor. I still mourn the loss of long-departed pets, it isn't something that we can just shake off. As you said, he liked going outdoors, and I don't think these things can be foreseen. My sympathy.
ReplyDeletePhil; Pets, especially certain ones, have a big impact in our lives, and it is so true that we remember and miss them for many years. I used to feel that perhaps I shouldn't mention grieving for a pet [so many tragedies in the world] but in recent years I've realized I'm in good company. Sympathy/compassion is appreciated!
ReplyDeleteSharon, I rarely look at FB, I hadn't seen this terrible news. I am so so sorry, I know your cats mean the world to you. sending huge hugs xxx
ReplyDeleteLeanne; Thank you for hugs and kind words. I am still rather stunned--wondering what sort of wild creatures came through here. Poor Charlie--he was a lovable old muddler.
DeleteI am beyond heartsick for you. When I was taking care of my parents, two of their beautiful cats were killed by a sick opossum. it killed them and ate them, found out later from neighbors to the back of them that same said opossum killed their two small dogs, and tore them to pieces. We set a trap up, caught said critter and took it out and disposed of it. I do not tolerate rouge animals which will attack and kill pets or humans, so sometimes we have to do what must be done to protect everyone.
ReplyDeleteI am so, so very sorry. If I was closer, I would avenge his death and hunt down whatever was rouge.
Vicky: Its a helpless feeling of rage when a stray animal kills our pets. It is two weeks tonight since that happened--no sign or sound of the 'whatever' pack returning [for which I am thankful.] I'm sure if any of them come this way again J. will be out there blasting away with the shotgun.
DeleteThank you, so much for caring! Loving and trying to protect our pets is a bond.