WARNING --- this is a rambling vent! Not a lot of discussion of politics below, just your basic outrage over the stupidity and violence that has permeated our society. My Mother's Day certainly turned into something that I will remember- just not for the right reasons.
This is Garfield
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He adopted us last summer, just after my father passed away. My husband is convinced to this day that Garfield is somehow connected to my father. This beautiful creature came into my life at a very pivotal time; I may be biased (I know most pootie and woozle people think their animals are the most intelligent and amazing creatures--and it's usually true!) but Garfield is definitely one-of-a-kind =) After he found us and checked us over, Garfield decided that we would be his "hoominz". He was an unexpected but fantastic addition to what I lovingly refer to as my "3 Ring Circus"; I have 2 teenagers, 1 husband, 2 dogs and now, 1 cat. Yup, some say I am a sucker for punishment =)
Garfield is an inside/outside cat- he sleeps and eats inside and hunts and plays outside. When he comes home, he knocks on the door. Not making this up, the boy knocks on whatever door he's at and if we don't respond or he thinks we can't hear him, he throws his body up against the door with a giant "THUD" to get our attention =) When he wants out, he comes and gets one of us, even if it is 4:00am! The bottom line, Garfield is a wonderful pootie and he has stolen my heart.
Yesterday around noon, I walked out into the garage. The door was up because we were waiting on someone to come pick up our old dishwasher. Garfield came up the driveway and into the house after me. I admit I was a little preoccupied- we were getting ready to leave and go to my mother's. As I was gathering everything up and trying to get the husband and kids around to leave, my daughter called for me. I walked to the living room and she was holding our little guy gently- "Mom, something's wrong with Garfield" She put him on the couch and there was a small spot on his left flank; it almost looked like dirt, almost like someone kicked him. I tried to get a closer look, but he was having none of that- no hissing or biting, he just tensed up and moved away to curl up in the corner of the couch. Here's where the guilt comes in. I told my kids that we would just let him sleep while we ran to grandma's and did our work there. I didn't call the vet immediately and I regret that immensely!
When we got home (later that what I had planned, of course) and let the dogs out. I went to check on Garfield and noticed that he hadn't touched any of his food all day. He was still on the couch. I coaxed him to get up with a little fresh tuna and as he made his way to the dish, he could barely put weight on his hind leg. I called our vet's office and got the answering machine with information for the Emergency Clinic. I called and explained what was going on. The wonderful woman on the phone told me to bring him in immediately and they would take a look. Simply by luck, the vet that was working the clinic also works part-time at our regular vet's office!
Traci (the veterinarian) was fabulous! She was gentle and loving and even got down on the floor when Garfield found a nice hiding spot under the chair in the corner. She coaxed him out and took him off to get an x-ray. The area on his hind quarter that I thought was mud was actually dried blood. Traci shaved a little of the hair off right at the spot and found 1 little perfectly round hole. She popped her head back in the room where my son and I were waiting anxiously and said that she was pretty sure it was a "bullet hole"! She asked if they could give Garfield a shot for the pain as he was crying and pretty uncomfortable as they manipulated his hip and leg for the examination. I gave the O.K. and felt the tears welling up in my eyes. A bullet hole? This just can't be happening! A few minutes later, Traci came in with the x-ray- there it was, this perfectly round metal pellet, deep in the muscle. The tears flowed freely; my son put his arm around my shoulder and just hung on to me saying he was sorry. Traci took my hand and held it, saying she was sorry. Why were THEY saying sorry?? The sorry SOB is the one who shot my cat!
Immediately my mind began to race, trying to think of who could possibly be responsible for this. We have lived in our home for 12 years- we've had animals the entire time. Our neighbors, for the most part, have lived here for the same amount of time. Then it hit me- I believe I know exactly who did this! I can't be sure but the man I am thinking of has a history of shooting animals and also has been teaching the kids in the neighborhood how to shoot a BB gun.
"Bud", the neighbor, once gave me a lecture about the 2nd Amendment- it was his "Goddamned right to keep and shoot his guns"! I told him I wasn't arguing that as long as he had a permit and had the guns legally. I was always concerned because we have so many children in the area, including my own son and daughter. I worried that an accident could happen- he told me that if someone was on his property when he was shooting then it wouldn't be an accident if they got shot! And don't even think of letting the Government or Police try to take his guns away! That good old Republican wasn't going to let the hippie Democrats take away his rights!
I have no proof, I have no way of solving this crime. As I write this, dear Garfield is at the veterinarians, being cared for by loving people who want to make him comfortable. I am waiting on a call- there is another vet coming in to review the x-ray and make a decision if they want to attempt surgery. There was no fracture (thank goodness) but the pellet is deep in the muscle. They have to carefully extract it and try to avoid damaging the muscle that surrounds it. It may be better to leave the pellet, but then we run the risk of infection.
I am angry- angry that some idiot thinks it is OK to shoot a defenseless animal! Angry that this idiot who lives behind me thinks that the 2nd Amendment gives him the go-ahead to shoot anything and everything he wants! Angry that now I don't want any of my animals to be outside because I will worry about someone taking a potshot at them! Angry that Garfield, my beautiful pootie, is laying in a cage in a strange place, in pain from a gunshot wound!
What is this world coming to? Thanks for reading....If it's not too much to ask, if you've gotten this far and read the angry, rambling rant above, could you please keep Garfield in your thoughts and prayers (if you are so inclined). Thanks =)
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Garfield thanks you, too!
**Update* -- wow, just got back online and here we are on the Rec List! I love you all and want you to know how much your kind words and thoughts mean to me! I am working my way back through the comments after my computer crash. Again, thank you all! Garfield will be the healthiest pootie on earth if all your kind words and wishes translate into healing energy =)
*Update 2** Lots of wonderful folks have commented below about making Garfield an indoor cat, putting in a cat run, etc. My husband and I are both investigating all of our options before we bring the little guy home. The vet called this morning and he is starting to put weight on his leg! We may get him home by Thursday if all goes well =) In the meantime, the police made out a report and last night, the officer went door-to-door to ask if anyone saw or heard anything on Sunday; Bud, the ignorant neighbor, didn't admit to shooting Garfield. However, he told the officer that he would shoot anything that didn't belong on his property! Even the police officer was amazed at this man's arrogance.