In Memory of Chili
Although this story has a sad ending, it is important to keep in
mind that even a short time spent outdoors, chasing gophers in the
grass, is worth months spent in a cage, or a life spent facing the
elements without the security of food or shelter. Providing a
home to a feral cat gives so much not only to the animals adopted,
but to the family sharing their home as well.
Our thanks to Cheryl and Steve for sharing their story.
"Very sadly, Chili has already left us. Steve and I are
crushed. She didn't show at dinnertime on Tuesday and we
weren't able to find her until Saturday up in our field. She
hadn't gone far and we think whatever took her happened during the
daytime since she was home in the morning.
Chili was the life of the party and was absolutely Pooka's soul
mate. The evening prior I was watching them amazed at how
physically close the two were - they walked touching side by
side, tussled, pawed each other's faces, entwined their tails
together, ran with tails straight over their backs towards each
other.
Everything about Chili was cute. Her blonde eyebrows, the
way she bounced across the yard when she ran, so full of life.
She was a treat monster, she got the closest to me for a
treat and would do buzz-bys. She'd keep the others away
so she could eat them all. And she was gopher obsessed, she'd
watch a hole for hours. Pooka and Storm sometimes would all 3
watch down a single gopher hole. Some cute pix are
attached.
Wow, we just never thought she would be gone that
fast in such a tragic way. Pooka has been mourning, at
first he didn't come around and one night before we found
her he was up on our outhouse roof, we wonder if he was
looking for her. The first night she was missing, Storm
and Pooka got the closest they've been to the backdoor and sat
staring in at us as we looked out. Like, where is she?
Awful.
It's interesting that Storm now has moved much closer to the
back door and stares in at us in the evening. I would
love to know what she's thinking - maybe she wants to reach out
to our cats for a play friend.
She's been trying to get Pooka to play with her in the evening
when they come back around and he's starting to engage a
little. Mostly he just sits nearby.
Anyway, sorry to share such sad news but I wanted you to
know. She was very much loved and we love Storm and
Pooka. I hope your shelter colony is doing well :).
Cheryl