Comments on: The weekend that wasn’t

By: Amy

Amy — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 19:40:14 +0000

Thanks, Tom. It’s hard to explain how central Jasper is to our lives. Bill wasn’t really much of a cat person when we started dating, but Jasper in particular won him over because he’s such a sweet-tempered, loving cat. He also has an elder-statesmanlike quality about him, partly because he doesn’t really play or run around the way the two younger cats do. I think they sort of look up to him, insofar as cats look up to anyone. We’d have been just bereft without him. He’s not my favorite, because I don’t play favorites with any of them (though Maisy the Queen certainly commands the most attention), but he’s such a darling, I don’t know what we’d have done if he hadn’t come home.

And I forgot to mention the spiritual aspect of the experience. I’m not a big believer in the God-as-genie theory, where you ask Him for things as though He was going to grant three wishes or something, but I did pray, fervently, for Jasper’s safe return. I didn’t do any bartering, I just made the argument that Jasper deserved a little more time in the lap of luxury after all his past hardships. And my prayers were obviously answered, though not without a little word of warning in the form of those bite wounds. I also asked Tim, my favorite kitty ever, to watch over Jasper. I talk to Tim every day, pretty much, and I know he always listens, as he did this time.

By: Tom

Tom — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 14:05:37 +0000

I’m so glad that Jasper is back and ok. I’m also so sorry for the anguish and anxiety that you and Bill (and Jasper) had to suffer. I’ll be thinking good thoughts for all of you.

By: Amy

Amy — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 04:17:40 +0000

Thanks, both of you. I count myself lucky to know so many people who love their pets as much as I love mine, which means I can count on sympathetic ears.

Jasper still won’t put any weight on his back left paw, but he seems to be mending psychologically, at least. He even gazed longingly into the yard today, though he didn’t get any farther than a gaze.

By: Cathy

Cathy — Wed, 18 Jan 2006 21:54:59 +0000

That really is the worst feeling in the world. When we got back from a weekend trip a couple years ago, one of our cats was missing. Our apartment was a rehabbed flat so we figure she got in by the furnace and found a way out the roof.

We were both hopelessly horrified. We scoured the neighborhood for hours. Neither of us could make it to work the next day, we were wrecks. We spent the day plastering it with flyers. Later that afternoon we decided to check the pound. We were just about to leave when I heard a quiet meow outside our door. We threw it open, and there she was. We were so ecstatic our reaction scared her slightly, but then I grabbed her up in my arms and it was the best feeling of relief.

She used to always try to sneak outside, but ever since she got out, she’s afraid of the slightest traffic noise which will send her on a tear back inside. I don’t know what happened, and she wasn’t injured, thankfully.

I’m so glad you got him back, Amy, because I do know exatly what that feels like.

By: Jamie

Jamie — Wed, 18 Jan 2006 16:39:50 +0000

I’m SO glad he’s back safely! Having one of my furry kids disappear is my worst nightmare. The idea sends cold chills down my spine.

I have that ick that’s been going around, too. It has laid me out flat this week. And as a result, now I’m facing two near-impossible deadlines and a stack of dirty dishes. Ugh.

Is it only Wednesday? Oh MAN.