I had to write this
I started to write a post about our cats a couple of days ago, but I never finished it, maybe that was a sign, I don’t know.
The past 48 hours seem to have been a whirl, a whirl I never want to get into again.
It all started on Tuesday morning for me, but for Baggy it had started earlier.
I had written my post for the giveaway, gone downstairs to sort the boys out, and then I saw him. He had been out all night, it had been cold, and normally he would be waiting to come in…. he hadn’t been.
I was worried, so when I saw him initially I was relieved, I went outside to see him, thinking he had caught a mouse and that was why he was up the slope on the steps, just sitting there.
I got closer and then he made a horrid noise, an unearthly noise that I never want to hear again, I thought there be another cat in the garden, looked round, nothing. so I went to stroke him, and that is when I saw the wound.
The wound across his left side, with his shoulder blade exposed and a great deal more. It was something like that you would see in a film, I felt sick, he looked at me, and he looked sad. How I didn’t scream I don’t know, I guess adrenalin kicked in and I started to almost hyper-ventilate, but I think that was probably me trying not to start crying, I knew I had to get back into the house to get some towels.
I rang my parents in law and told them that I needed them NOW, hung up on them and went for the towels, avoided questions from the boys, got the towels, and then it suddenly hit me that I was not going to be able to do this on my own. Went next door, got our neighnour to come round, and he came into the garden, I knew this meant that I wouldn’t have to look at the wound again, and I was scared of that more than anything else, if I didn’t see it again, maybe it wasn’t there.
Got back to Baggy, he was alert and perky enough to try to avoid being picked up, but we got him, got another towel and wrapped him up.
My parents in law had not arrived, but we needed to take him straight away, so I went round to another neighbour and asked if she could come and sit with the boys, she is 90! But she said that of course she would, so I settled her in, and I drove while Baggy was held by our other neighbour.
I now understand that I had gone into shock, because now looking back at all of this when it was happening it seemed so incredibly quick, and I seemed to see everything in like short cuts, quick edits, like the image was changing rapidly before me.
Got to the local vets, the vet was already operating on another animal, so they wouldn’t be able to even look at Baggy there properly, so the nurse rang the main vets in Winchester and they were told to expect us.
Drove back home, parents in law now at my house, so my father in law stayed with the boys, and my mother in law drove me down to Winchester, I managed to ring John and tell him in between the tears, I guess that probably didn’t help him, but I had to tell him.
The drive down to Winchester takes about 15 to 20 minutes, it felt like we were there in a flash, the sun was out and really bright, and it seemed so unreal, Baggy was on my lap wrapped up in towels, but still totally with it, he had he eyes open and looking at me, no purring, but he was still with me.
As soon as I walked into the vets with him he was taken from me and put on painkillers, antibiotics and fluids.
I was also removed from the main reception as to be honest I had now fallen apart and starting to unravel, not the greatest thing when you have lots of other customers waiting to be seen. We went into a room and waited for the vet.
The vet had a quick look to try and give some sort of diagnosis, and she felt that the shoulder blade had become detached and there was muscle damage around this area. He was very lucky that none of his vital organs had been damaged.
We left him there for him to come out of shock, have an x-ray, and then be operated on.
At this time they felt that he had probably be attacked by a fox or badger, and later they admitted that they had not seen a wound like this before on a cat.
So we went home, collected John from work, my parents in law took the kids back to their house, which thankfully was meant to be happening anyway.
And we waited…..
The vets rang and said that he was still in shock, so they had to leave it a bit longer before they would be able to operate, but they would keep me up to date.
And we waited…..
They managed to operate on him in the afternoon, not only had his shoulder been detached, it was also fractured they had to stitch some of the muscle to hold it all together as the damage was so bad.
Before they had operated they had taken a X-ray and had to revise their opinion on how he he had been injured. On the X-ray they could see metal fragments, and there were no bones that looked like they had been damaged by a bite.
There was only one way this could have happened, Baggy had been shot.
This totally knocked me for six, and I think I asked the vet to repeat this info at least once.
So our cat had been shot by someone, in the wood, behind our house in our lane, it seemed unreal, and it still does.
I contacted the Police, and made a short statement to them, but I guess little will come of that. I can’t really think of anything else I can about him being shot other than, why? how? who?
Yesterday we went down to Winchester, and I managed to see Baggy stroke him, and make him purr, and I just wanted to stay there with him. I already knew how much he meant to me, but I guess you don’t really realise what you have until it is taken away.
Baggy is my little shadow, and I hope that soon he will be back and continue that : )
We hope that we will be able to collect him today, I know that when we get him back it is going to be hard work, he is going to need a lot of care and attention, but we hope that soon he will be pretty much back to normal, though we have been warned by the vets that his left leg will be very weak, and he may end up with an odd gait.
I know this has rambled on, but I had to write it, because this blog is my therapy, and the comments left on the giveaway post have really helped to keep me going, you have all shown me how very special people you all are, and that nearly everyone in the world is lovely, there are only a tiny number of idiots.
So thank you all for helping to keep me going.
When I have more news I will let you know.
(these of course are old photos of Baggy, and one is with Richie, who has been looking for him : ( )
30th October 2008 @ 10:11 am
Poor Baggy.
I hope your shadow will recover well and be home soon.
30th October 2008 @ 10:11 am
I’m so sorry, this is truly horrible. Willing Baggy to recover and heal quickly. Thinking of you. D x
30th October 2008 @ 10:12 am
Best wishes to Baggy and you all!
30th October 2008 @ 10:12 am
lots of hugs
love mum
30th October 2008 @ 10:13 am
That’s awful, Shot!
I’m sure when you get him home he will make a fast recovery, and he’ll be back to his purring ways.
Take care
Vanessa x
30th October 2008 @ 10:14 am
I don’t normally comment, although I’ve been reading for a while, but I just wanted to say that I’m so sorry that this has happened. I’m sending Baggy lots of good thoughts for a full and speedy recovery.
30th October 2008 @ 10:19 am
I hope Baggy will be home with you soon. How are your boys coping with this? I once looked after a 9 year boy who had a cat (Dixon). One day Dixon went missing and we were all frantic looking for him but no sign. Dean was so anxious and sad he didn’t want to go to school or do anything he just wanted to stay home in case Dixon turned up. And he did, one week later, we were having tea and looked out of the kitchen door into the garden and there he was patiently waiting for someone to open the door to him. He was a mess, with several cuts and very thin but OK. We were all so happy to have him back.
Who would shoot a cat or any other animal for that matter? There are some really mean people out there, it’s scary.
30th October 2008 @ 10:32 am
I send my best wishes to Baggy. What kind of a person shoots a cat? That’s just horrific. I’m very very sorry and sad for you. I hope Richie gets his friend back soon.
30th October 2008 @ 10:37 am
How awful, poor Baggy. No wonder you are finding it hard to believe what happened to him. Hope he is home with you soon.
30th October 2008 @ 11:02 am
Oh, Raspberry I don’t know what to say. I so hope that he’s recovering. That’s just so awful, how do people live with themselves. What kind of world are we living in? I’m sitting here feeling quite traumatised however must you all be feeling. Are the boys o.k? Are you and John feeling more settled… Sorry, so many questions… I just know what it’s like…..
30th October 2008 @ 11:16 am
Oh poor Baggy. What a horrible thing – I hate guns.
30th October 2008 @ 11:31 am
Here’s hoping he’ll be back to his loving home real soon and make a speedy recovery.
30th October 2008 @ 11:32 am
Poor Baggy, hope he recovers quickly.
30th October 2008 @ 11:44 am
Lorna
SO sorry to hear about Baggy. I hope he will be home with you soon.
Love
Kathy (Gardner)
30th October 2008 @ 12:14 pm
Oh no! I am stroking my cat Eli as I write this, reminded of how fragile life can be. I hope he will be home with you soon.
Hugs
30th October 2008 @ 12:31 pm
What I find really sad is that we moved there partly for our children’s safety and also partly for the cats’ safety and now this happens.
30th October 2008 @ 12:58 pm
Poor Baggy! Some people are just evil and nasty to do that (if deliberate) to a cat. My uncles gorgeous fluffy grey cat was (we know) killed by a neighbour who always complained of her passing through his garden, “Chelsea” was shot by a pellet gun and we all knew it was this guy but couldn’t prove it.
I am so glad that Baggy has survived the traumatic ordeal, I hope you are feeling a little better now he has been looked after well. Hopefully all the tlc he is sure to receive will quicken his recovery! x
30th October 2008 @ 1:53 pm
I send my love to you and Baggy. I hope all goes well. lou x
30th October 2008 @ 2:04 pm
To me, animal cruelty is about one of the worst things (other than human cruelty) that a person can do. Animals are so innocent. Poor Baggy was just walking in the woods. Is it hunting season there? Maybe it was an idiot hunter…
I’m really sorry this had to happen. I hope he makes a really fast recovery and you get him home today.
30th October 2008 @ 2:26 pm
Hugs to you and best wishes to Baggy for a speedy recovery.
30th October 2008 @ 2:57 pm
Lots of love and speedy recovery thoughts for your “fur baby”!
30th October 2008 @ 3:01 pm
Poor old baggy! 8 lives left hopefully…
30th October 2008 @ 3:06 pm
My Thoughts will be with you and yours and with baggy.
I Hope that you find some answers and that your spirt find some peace.
30th October 2008 @ 3:33 pm
I think you might want to report this to the RSPCA as they do monitor this kind of attack. The Police probably won’t be interested unless there is someone in the area who has done this before.
We had a series of dreadful attacks on cats in this area and because there were so many the Police did pay attention – although did nothing.
I hope Baggy is feeling better soon.
30th October 2008 @ 4:18 pm
How awful and scary, poor Baggy. Hope he is on the mend soon.
30th October 2008 @ 4:20 pm
Oh that’s just terrible news. I’m glad that Baggy made it through the surgery fine. I agree with everyone else that it’s incredibly mean-spirited of someone to shoot at a pet cat.
Here in the States they usually make public service announcements this time of the year regarding black cats. They tell the owners to keep them indoors so that the Halloween pranksters won’t get them. Apparently quite a few of them go missing never to return — how sad.
Here’s to a full and speedy recovery. And a well done to you for keeping it together long enough to get help for Baggy and get a sitter for your boys. Good job!
30th October 2008 @ 4:49 pm
Why would someone do such a cruel thing?! I’m gobsmacked. You poor souls. I hope Baggy makes a good recovery. Well done for coping with everything that life’s been throwing at you lately. You are such a trooper and I really admire you for being so strong!
30th October 2008 @ 4:53 pm
Oh No!! Poor Baggy. How could someone do that to a defenseless animal????? Grrrrr. Makes my blood boil!!!
Hope your gorgeous little guy makes a full and fast recovery. Now you’ll appreciate those pussy cat snuggles all the more.
xMx
30th October 2008 @ 5:01 pm
Good luck to Baggy! I’m so glad the outcome was more positive than not. There is no excuse for someone who would do something like this. Keep us posted on his progress. He looks like a sweety.
30th October 2008 @ 5:35 pm
I hope Baggy’s getting better soon. The police better do something about it!
30th October 2008 @ 6:05 pm
That is so appalling, I’m speechless. Here’s to a speedy recovery for Baggy – hopefully you’ll have your little shadow back soon.
30th October 2008 @ 6:31 pm
OH MY GOODNESS you poor thing – my heart is racing as I read what happened to Baggy. Its just so horrible. Bless him. Its worse when it happens to animals as you cant do anything to reassure them. I have got everything crossed he makes a rapid recovery. I guess you have got some special treats planned for him when you get him home!!! Try not to feel too traumatised about him being shot – it might have not been malicious at all – it may have been an accident – he is very dark and difficult to see in the woods I imagine! Best wishes X
30th October 2008 @ 6:49 pm
You have my sympathy…I hope baggy is able to come home today and heals quickly….our animal companions are so dear to our hearts, it’s hard to believe anyone could do such a thing to them.
30th October 2008 @ 7:08 pm
Wishing Baggy a very speedy recovery. He’s very, very lucky to have such a lovely family to rush him to the vets and to look after him.
There are some incredibly cruel people out there . . . how could anyone do such a horrible thing to a lovely, defenceless creature?
Best wishes to Baggy and to you, Elaine XxXx
30th October 2008 @ 7:15 pm
Hi Raspbery,
I felt sick to my stomach when reading this. . .as soon as you said about the noise, I knew the sound. Sending lots of thoughts to you all and to baggy for a speedy recovery. Im part of an online healing circle and i am sure some of the healers there will send some your way. Hope you dont mind.
Blessed be
Katya
30th October 2008 @ 7:28 pm
oh. my. god.
i can’t believe someone shot your cat…i’m not surprised you went into total shock…I hope Baggy makes a speedy recovery (i also hope the mean people with a gun shoot their toes off, or something else nasty, but mostly I hope Baggy gets better. FAST.)
xxxx
30th October 2008 @ 7:41 pm
I hope he gets better, this post made me all teary-eyed, but cats are resilient little guys. (We had a cat that got ran over, survived, healed up pretty well- his back legs had been crushed- and got stuck in a hunting trap and still survived.)
And what sick, sick, sick people to shoot a cat.
30th October 2008 @ 9:08 pm
Hugs to you all for a speedy recovery. It shocks me to read what some people will do!
30th October 2008 @ 9:56 pm
How awful, here’s hoping that Baggy makes a speedy recovery. How can people be so cruel. Will be thinking good thoughts for you, your family & Baggy. X
31st October 2008 @ 12:16 am
How awful for you and especially for baggy. Thank goodness he made it home. If someone shot at one of my cats I would be so angry and outraged that I probably would just shoot the person without a second thought. I actually feel angry for you.
When we thought our little stevie wouldn’t come back from a broken pelvis and acute kidney failure we prepared ourselves for the worst – but she has thankfully made a good (if slow) recovery. I really hope baggy will do the same, I’m sending lots of positive thoughts for you and my moggies send positive cat thoughts for baggy too.
Monda
x
31st October 2008 @ 12:23 am
Best wishes and big hugs to everybody. Hope you are reunited again soon with Baggy making a full recovery.
31st October 2008 @ 1:00 am
My thoughts and candle magick burns for Baggy’s healing. And seeks justice for those who shot him.
((HUGS)) To you and your precious kitty.
31st October 2008 @ 1:33 am
Oh what awful, terrible news. How traumatic that must have been!!
I’m so sorry you lost your friend.
31st October 2008 @ 8:02 am
D: That’s awful!
31st October 2008 @ 8:55 am
What an appalling thing to go through. I hope Baggy heals quickly and that you have your shadow home soon.
31st October 2008 @ 9:03 am
Hope Baggy’s getting better, this happened to my cat too a few years ago, its an awful thing to go through!
Allie x
3rd November 2008 @ 3:17 am
Glad to hear Baggy’s back with you and on the mend. What a fright. You handled it perfectly.
15th November 2008 @ 12:11 pm
OH MY GOD HE WAS SHOT???? That is shocking! I thought he had been in an car accident at first! I hope you are all ok now!
30th November 2008 @ 9:22 am
Tears fell when I read about Baggy. I have two cats and some of my neighbours threaten to shoot them and the other cats in our neighbourhood on the field behind us. In Denmark that is legal! Your describtion of how you reacted: I could see myself doing the same. Hope Baggy is doing better. Lots of greetings from Lene
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