Friday Cat Blogging
Molly 1994-2011
It is time.
[Editor: Molly was a yearling when Hurricane Opal hit in 1995, but she made it through outside, as well as all of the others that have hit us. As she was always tolerant of people, she was spayed early, which is probably the main reason for her longevity. Despite having neither sisters nor daughters to back her, she made her way through the hierarchy of the local clan to become the alpha female over all of the families.
She suffered a stroke at the beginning of April, and went into hiding for two days. After she returned, I supplied her with special food, and she was adapting to getting about despite some paralysis on her right side. Then this past weekend she decided it was time and left to find the bridge.
She will be missed.]
10 comments
Love that photo and love the fact you love your kitties. Good hunting in the summer meadowlands, Molly.
Sigh. I am sad she is gone. But very few outdoor cats, or even indoor-outdoor cats, live 17 years, and I know that her longevity owes much to your kind attentions, Bryan; she was well cared for during her life in our world. Farewell, Molly; say hello to Stella’s kitties departed beyond the bridge, and get them to show you the best place to find mice.
Awww, Bryan I’m sorry. It’s always sad to see them go. She had a long and pleasant life, though, because you provided her a safe place. Goodbye, sweet Molly. You had a long run, and made it to the top. Now, there will be kitties fighting for that office.
She went at the time of her own choosing, which is the best gift I had to give her. Since there was no indication of pain, I didn’t consider taking her to vet. She appreciated the occasional head scratch, but she didn’t like too much attention.
It will take a while for the other cats to realize that she is no longer around, and consider contesting for her position, as she has been there for the entire lifetimes of all of the feral cats in the neighborhood. She was there when Tip, the mother of Dot and Sox was born, and would occasionally harass them through the screen when the front door was open.
so, sorry for the loss of beautiful Molly. She had love and isn’t that what we are all searching for in life? (that and some really good meals every now and then…)
Molly, preferred respect or abject fear from other cats, but she had to keep them in line as part of her job. That said, even though she never had kittens of her own, she would play with kittens in the area. She showed great toleration until they finished the weaning process, then she would “explain life” to them with “The Paw”.
As is the point of all “trap, neuter, release” programs, the number of feral cats is declining in the area. She ruled when it was at its height.
Awwww… That’s sad m8! 🙁 You blogged about her since I came here. She’ll definitely be missed even if she was a feral. I think she more than just *tolerated* you. She always seemed (in the pic’s I remember anyway) to be at ease when you were around. I’m sure she felt safe and content, I doubt she would have hung around otherwise. That’s a good run though, for any cat. 🙂
We got a new puppy (7mth old) a few days ago (Blue Healer – Kelpie cross). He’s as active as a kid on a coke & sugar high! We were worried our old Jack Russell would not get on at all with this new young nuisance, but she surprised us and is more active than we’ve seen here in quite awhile! The play a lot and even sleep together in her special doggy bed we got here a few years ago. Actually, I thought I’d have a problem with a hyper puppy… But I’m not. 🙂 I’m enjoying playing with him. He’s VERY bright, learns fast! But Blue Healers do that. 🙂 My computer is on a desk in my bedroom, and he sleeps on my bed on my old army wool blanket while I’m working, the Jack Russel thinks this is great because she’s not been allowed on my bed before! 😆 (I try to avoid starting bad habits with pet’s). They are good company, but I still prefer cat’s though.
Are you planning on getting sheep to mow the lawn?
Well, dogs generally can’t climb curtains, so that’s a point in their favor, but they do need to go outside on a regular basis.
Molly was fine with people, generally ignoring their existence unless she needed something that a human could provide. She was neighborly, more than friendly, but she would occasionally go into my house or my Mother’s to look around. She scared my cats spitless without doing anything to them, with the exception of Sox, whom she tolerated.
She left on her terms at her time, which is the best anyone can hope for, no matter what their species,
I wish you luck with the puppy, but they are better than spending money on an alarm system – both cheaper and a good deal more reliable.
Sorry to hear about your friend here. She was lovely, wasn’t she? I checked in today after being tied up for a couple of weeks and thought I’d check on what everyone had to say about OBL, then I saw this. It’s a hard thing to lose a long time pal. Did I read it correctly that she just walked off? It happens that way sometimes.
I keep a soft spot in my heart for every single animal that I’ve been lucky enough to share time with. It’s just too dang short.
She headed off to her “safe place”, Juanita, a site chosen by female feral to give birth or recover from injury. They are usually very easy to defend and very hard to get to. She was there one evening, and then left.
Seventeen was a ripe old age for any cat, much less a feral. She was tough.