This is my cat, Wilbur.
We’ve had Wilbur for 9 years. For many reasons, Wilbur has had to be an outdoor kitty the last 2 years, but I have loved and adored my little ho of a cat. For those new here, Wilbur is a girl (yes, I knew that when I named her.). She was in the very small percentile that went into heat despite getting fixed. She went into heat OFTEN and had a LOT of, er…’boyfriends’ named, ‘Tom’.
Thus, the custom cat collar (and her description on my “The Cast” page) I made TOTALLY FIT HER:
We rescued her as a tiny baby kitten from our unfinished, outdoor-access basement in the dead of winter. Her mother was gone and we found all her siblings dead of the bitter cold (which I’ve never quite gotten over seeing), but we found this tiny cotton ball mewing in a pile of insulation. I BEGGED to keep her, even though Jonathan hates cats. When I was separated from him for 6-months, she was my only comfort at night. (He was none toopleased to discover she had taken his spot in bed when he came back.)
Wilbur has been missing for several weeks.
We’ve looked and called everywhere.
It’s been bitterly cold here.
One night got down to -15 degrees.
We’ve accepted she’s never coming back.
And that I may never know what happened to her.
And I just…want to cry.
I miss you, kitty.
*hugs* It is so hard when this happens. My thoughts are with you. And my hopes are that she got adopted by a good family that will take good care of her and maybe even return her to you someday. It’s a comforting thought at least. *hugs more*
I losta kitty about 12 years ago when she ran away from us. We can’t be certain she’s not still alove somewhere, but the odds aren’t good. Its really hard, and really sad. Hugs to you at this time :(
OH, so sorry. Nine years, she was a good friend. One of our kitties disappeared down in San Diego, we too would much rather know what happened to them.
I’m so sorry! She’s such a sweet, pretty little cat. And her name fit her perfectly.
Oh so sorry about Wilbur, I had a disappearing kitty, never to be seen again. It was awful.
HOWEVER- not to inspire false hopes… but my “Mrs.Beasley” could also have worn that same collar. I was mortified one night when she was in heat, we had company, she apparently REALLY needed to go see her friends Tom, Tommy & Thomas- so I put her out.
Well she disappeared.
We posted signs EVERY where. 27 days, no Mrs.Beasley.
A week later I had resigned myself to the fact that she was gone. The phone rang just before dinner and a woman in the same townhouse as mine, but two streets over (they were all parallel) called & said she thought she had my cat.
I rushed over & my heart sank. She had this scrawny, filthy, scared looking thing. Mrs.Beasley was part Maine Coon, it couldn’t be her- that tiny. But upon further review we discovered that the dark gray fur- was white & it was her!
THIRTY FOUR DAYS LATER.
So maybe Wilbur is gone, but don’t give up hope just yet…
Oh, there are no words. My hubs has never liked cats either, and yet, we have 2. One of them, Stinky, is 11.5 & is really starting to show his age. He’s been sick several times this year & has had to have one of his canines removed due to infection. I also recently noticed that he’s got that glazed look in the back of his eyes that indicates he may be losing his vision. I love this cat more than I like most people…especially since he saved my life by keeping me from passing out until I could phone for help when I was hemorrhaging during a tubal rupture. *Sigh*
Look at it this way…maybe she knew her time was coming (cats tend to know this) and knew it would be better for you to just wonder where she is, than to know. (HUGS) from me, Stinky & Mo
I’m so, so sorry. She’s beautiful, and while she totally looks like she’s got that ‘I can take care of MYSELF, man’ attitude, that’s little consolation when you have no idea what’s happened.
I’m thinking good thoughts for you and for her, and wishing you comfort. Things like this just suck, and I wish that there were anything that we could do.
I’m so sorry to hear about Wilbur, friend.
I am so sorry to hear that. I am so attached to my sweet little kitty, it has been hard moving away from her and leaving her at my parent’s house. In fact, I almost choked on my coke zero when I saw your post, my cade Sadie and your cat, Wilber, could be twins.
Oh Wilbur. She looks amazing (low moral standards not withstanding).
I know how heartbreaking it is to lose a feline friend – and to lose her this way. The not knowing. The second thoughts. I know exactly how you feel and I hope you don’t mind if I pray for you.
Before Froofy the Miracle Cat left this earth at the fine old age of 22, I lost him outside once. Two coyotes, 17 bite wounds, a concussion, a broken tail, infections, and 4 nights of living in sub-freezing temperature, in rain and snow, and not being able to tell which way was home because of the concussion and fever – that’s how I lost him. But one night as I was combing the neighborhood, calling his name, “Froofy! Froofy! Froofy” (now that paints a picture doesn’t it?) Anyway, a mile from home, from under a bush, came his meow, weak, hard to hear, but you know how you know your own cat. He lived 5 more blissful years after that.
It sounds like I’m not the only one who knows how you feel.
And Mila is right – angels could have led her to a warm house – where someone begged to keep her – just like you did. It sounds like your Wilbur has that kind of charm.
Still, there are no words.
But you have this blog. Can you tell us more about her? What she liked? Her toys? Her – err – issues with men? The color of her eyes? Did she like your keyboard? If she is not coming back. Which does not mean she’s gone. I’m thinking two things. One, I bet your readers would love to hear. Two, it could heal your heart in just the right kind of way. I’ll be reading. I’ll pray for you – and Wilbur.
God Bless and Keep
Oh, Loralee… I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine how I would react if I lost my Georgie. Sending LOTS of hugs your way. And who knows, maybe she’s found herself a new home??? Either way, I’m thinking about you and Wilbur and praying for you too. :)
My cat growing up disappeared when she was about the same age (9 years old) when I was 19. I was DEVASTATED so I am sorry you are experiencing that!
I am so, so sorry to hear about Wilbur. The worst is not knowing. Sending lots of good thoughts your way.
Oh, I’m so sorry! Hugs!
Losing kitties is SO hard. They really are such good friends and comforters. I hope she has found a warm place to hide and that she makes her way home. (do you know If anyone near you is on vacation? My cat once got trapped in our neighbors garage when they went out of town
I’m sorry babe. But you never know – she might show up someday. Cats are extremely resourceful creatures. We had 3 outdoor cats when I was a kid and all survived well into their teens – in Canada no less. They didn’t always come back for food – they went and had their adventures, and came back when they were damned good and ready. Cause cats are like that.
Re Maile: my best friend was moving once and in the process, her cat ran away. It was two weeks before she got a call from a friend (she had stored a large piece of furniture in the friend’s garage) – the friend apparently went out into the garage and was stunned to see my friend’s cat there, which was apparently hiding in the furniture when it was moved. Since they had other cats, it was surviving by eating their food, and nobody even knew for weeks. Cute story.
My only inheritance when my Dad died was his then 15 year old Norwegian Forest Cat, Lazarus. My father found him frozen to the Interstate. He got the cat loose, and took him to our family vet, who put the cat back together again for us. He was covered on second and thrid degree burns, and the vet figured that he had been asleep on top of a car motor. As it was -29 that day, it would take about a half an hour for the engine to heat up to the point where a cat would jump off. Usually, of course, either into the fan, or under the wheels. Lazarus apparently hit the ground, and rolled to the side of the road, where the heat of his fur melted the ice underneath him.
Of course, that adventure left him eligable for only one name. Laz was a very, very ugly cat. Somewhere along the line, he had lost a fight with a bird, and had lost his right eye, and the burns from his car trip left his left ear folded backwards. Yet he loved the whole human race, and would walk up to little kids, and flop over to have his belly rubbed. He would pretend to be cat aloof, but if you sat on the couch to read, he would hop up on the couch too, and curl up, with one paw extended and just touching you. if you shifted, and broke contact, he would shift and regain it.
He was a source of amusement, because of his one eye. He had no depth perception, and would misjudge distances. You would sit at the table, and this cat would rise into the air, and fall back down, as he had not gne far enough forward. He also had an unfortunate habit of forgetting where he was taking a nap. He would be sound asleep on the top of the back of the couch, awake, stretch, and roll over, disappearing from view.
Eventually, into his 20th year, he started unravelling, and was in great discomfort, so I had to have him put to sleep. I held him in my arms as the vet euthanized him, and cried all afternoon. That was 10 years ago, and I still miss that rotten little beast.
It’s so hard when things like that happen! We had a kitty named Kaylee that we adopted under eerily similar circumstances. We had her for 5 yrs, then one day she got out of the house somehow (she was an indoor cat). We never did find her. I was devastated! The worst part is not knowing, isn’t it? I’m so sorry that you have to go through this, too. :-(
Oh man, I’m so sorry this happened to you (and to Wilbur). I haven’t had a pet for 10 years, but I still remember how joyful it was to share my dog’s life, and how bitter the loss was when we had to put him down. Again, so sorry you have to go through this.
I’m so sorry to hear about Wilbur’s loss. Obviously, since I write about pets all the livelong day, I’m as sensitive as anyone to the deep pain and grief of losing a furry loved one.
It’s the hardest part of the bargain we all make when we adopt a new pet — we’re going to outlive them, and when they’re no more, we’re going to be devastated.
Big, warm loving hugs to you.
I’m so sorry, Loralee. I love my cats … and my dogs too, and I know how hard it is to lose one, and to lose one in a way that you may never know what happened to them. Wilbur knows you love her, no matter where she is. I hope you can find some peace around it.
Oh, I’m so sorry. This is the hardest part of having pets. Well, that and having to feed them. No, definitely this. I’m sorry, sweetie.
Oh, the flashbacks of walking around the neighbourhood, with two little boys (1 & 3) in a wagon, calling for Pepper, and explaining that really, Pepper just went on a big long walk, and found a new home with someone who loved and needed him so much more than we did.
I know your pain, and I am so sorry that Wilbur is missing. Many hugs to you.
oh no!
I love cats, and I remember your tales of her slutting around. I would be so devastated, I love cats more than most people. They are my babies forever. I feel awful for you guys and she’s such a pretty kitty too.
We had a cat (Oreo) for only 3 months that just happened upon our doorstep. He was loving and purred louder than any cat I’d ever seen. Then he just disappeared. We called for him for weeks and just kept thinking he’d come running out of the woods like he always did. We miss him so and we only had him 3 months…can’t imagine how heartbroken you are, Loralee. Hugs to you.
I had a Siamese Tomcat named Tristan that purred so loud, we assumed he was diesel powered.
Although I’m not the biggest fan of cats, I am a pet mom and this breaks my heart for you and your family. Like others have said, cats are extremely resiliant and resourceful. I would like to believe, NO…I DO BELIEVE that Wilbur’s time with you was complete, she helped you when you needed her most and this furry little angel of yours has moved on to another person who needs her more right now. Just think of the love and comfort she is sharing with someone (the same she shared withyou for 9 years). I hope that makes your heart smile (even a sad smile) knowing she is helping someone else in need now. Hugs to you.
I’m so sorry, Loralee. =( It’s a loss, like any other. Sometimes I still feel really sad about losing my dog, Ladybug when I was 15. Ladybug was scared with me & hid in the closet with me when my (evil) big brother would go on emotionally & physically abusive screaming rants. She was with me since I was 5 years old. Losing her was so painful & I still carry it with me! Love & peace to you as you sift through your sadness! xoxoxo
Awe, I’m sorry, hun. Pets are loved ones, too. XO
*hugs*
Don’t give up, though, cat’s like to surprise. We’ve taken my cat to the mountains (it was winter too) once and she fled. Couldn’t find her for, like, two weeks; I cried, posted posters with her photo, walked door to door and tried to find her. We gave up and were packing to go home; but the next morning, 2 hours before we departed, she suddenly appeared on our doorstep. Whic brings back my original statement: don’t give up :)
hugs,
Amy.
Bummer! Back in ’92 when we moved from the farm to town, we brought our three “farm cats” with us. They adapted nicely. The Patriarch of the feline clan was Elmo. Despite being a special ed type cat, we loved him and he tolerated us.
One day The Babe went to the grade school to volunter and when she parked, Elmo jumped out from under the hood of the car. The Babe finally captured him on the playground and put him in the car until she finished in the classroom. However, Elmo DID NOT LIKE being trapped inside the car, and he came flying out the door the instant it was opened.
The Babe said she hadn’t seen such flying furry fury since the day my Brother In Law and I castrated Elmo on the back porch many years earlier. Just as he did during his neutering experience, once free, Elmo hauled ass and disappered. We never saw him again. For weeks we checked at the pound, drove around, looked everywhere to no avail. We still console ourselves with the thought that Elmo adopted a sweet old blue-haired granny and moved in. I miss Elmo.
So sorry about Wilbur. Our pets can be such wonderful solace. Remember all the good times.
I joke an awful lot about my evil cats.
But I love them to pieces and it would break my heart if anything happened to them.
I am sorry you are without Wilbur.
Much love to you.
oh mama I am so sorry. Big Hugs!!
Aww, Loralee! I hate this. Losing your bestest kitty friend is terrible.
Have you gone to PetHarbor.com? You can enter your zip code to view shelters in your surrounding areas and can post a missing flier on their website.
I’ll be crossing my fingers that Wilbur comes home and, if not, that he’s quite comfortable in his new life.
{{{{{hugs}}}}
I’m so sorry to hear about Wilbur. We lost our black lab when I was a kid, & even though it has been 20 years I find myself still looking at any black lab I see “just in case”, out of habit. Cats are pretty quick & resourceful, so I’m thinking good thoughts that Wilbur will still come home to you. I know how important the fur babies are & how it hurts to lose one. I had to have my cat Bailey put down 4 years ago and I still get teary over her. Don’t think I cried over a deceased relative the way I did over Bailey. Even my husband cried over her (1 of maybe 3 times I’ve seen him cry). There’s lots of love out here on the interwebs coming your way & knowing what you’re going through. *hugs*
:-(
Oh I am so sorry to hear about you lost kitty. It is so hard to lose a loved pet. I wish you lots of love and hugs.
(((((YOU))))) I’m so sorry. And I have to say I’m encouraged by the tales of cats who’ve gone walkabout and managed to find their way back home, many times after weeks or months Out. My late & much-beloved Pinot Noir was AWOL for nearly two months after breaking out of my daughter’s basement window to escape from his summer camp while I was out of state. And Fig, daughter Anna’s cat, went traveling during frigid December in the Salt lake Valley for a month; after they’d given her up and mourned the loss, she appeared at the back door one day as if she’d never been gone.
I will keep hoping that dear Wilbur’s story has a similar ending, not written yet.
Aww :( What a pretty kitty! I’m not much of a cat person but ever since I got the first stupid dog I’ve softened up toward animals (and their people) a lot and…oy. So sad, especially the not knowing. *hugs*
**hugs** I’m sorry. But keep up hope. When we moved from town to country nearly 5 years ago, our cat, Farmus (which was kid-ese for “varmint”.. nice, I know. No, we’re not hicks, I swear!) he claimed my neighbor since they had more cats and he was our lone wolf. I thought he had been caught by a coyote for weeks until I heard my dog barking one night and went out and there he was in a tree. He gave the the pissy, annoyed cat look and wound up leaving me for the neighbor that had the most p… well, you get the gist. But maybe there’s still hope.
I am sorry for your lose. Our cat, Boxer, passed this last Saturday and I haven’t “lost” an animal since jr high, so can fully empathize with the pain of such a lose. We still haven’t told the kids… here’s hoping though that your lose is only temporary and she comes back soon :)
~C
Cats are strange in this; they will leave if they can when they know it is “their time”. I’m hoping it is not the case here, that dear Wilbur will return to you all nonchalant, acting as if this is totally normal and what is all the fuss.
{{{hugs}}}
I’m so sorry to hear this and for your heartbreak. However, don’t assume the worst. When I was a kid, I had a friend whose cat disappeared, then came back about five years later (just sauntered back home as if he’d never left), stayed for a short visit and left again.