A Goodbye to E.C. (Extra Cat)

May 29, 2007

Ariel is clearly having a mourning period

Many other cats have dropped by over the years.  When we first arrived in 1996, a black cat named "Sweetie" would come by until Thor and Noelle convinced her to go elsewhere.  Other cats found their way and I would help them find their way home.  Other critters--raccoons, possoms--also have been around.

In the summer of 2003, we adopted a cat named "Ariel."  She had been a stray that a family around the corner was feeding and taking care of.  She was very old and had a crumpled ear as a result of some kind of infection.  The family was moving and the father didn't want her to come with them.  So, we adopted her.

Right arond that time, the Extra Cat arrived, and we think he must have somehow been acquainted with Ariel.  Ariel doesn't like other cats but used to pound on the door for me to place food in the dish, and then EC would come to eat and she would watch him.  It was amost like she was looking out for his best interests. 

EC used to be so afraid of us that he would run away if we even came to the window.  Finally, he got so I could get within 4' of him, but never closer.  He showed up about 10 days ago with a broken front leg, hobbling.  Of course we couldn't catch him or help him.  We didn't see him but then the discovery of what I thought was a gas leak...the presence of "nature's janitors" (black flies, etc) made us realize what had happened.  He succumbed under my office and I'm currently waiting for a friend of mine who used to pick up animals for the Animal Control division of our local PD. 

My heart goes out to EC.  We never got to know you or take care of you, but we did our darndest, and there was mutual respect there.  I will miss your beautiful green eyes and the hopes that some day you would let me pet you.

Rest in peace my furry friend!