(www.meowbarkblog.com) — I’ve been putting off this post because I didn’t know how to write it. Julius is gone. He was missing for about a week when we took fliers to all the neighbors, searching for any news of his whereabouts. Julius had always been an adventurer, but when it got to be four, then five, then six days with no sign of him, we got worried.
On Sunday, a neighbor called and haltingly told us that she had seen a cat matching Julius’ description dead on the interstate just over the fence between our subdivision and the highway. It had been there for about a week, the same amount of time he’d been missing.
We took a very quiet, very tense ride one exit south before turning around and heading north again. Two miles before our exit, we slowed and pulled to the shoulder with our hazards flashing. About half a mile later, we saw the remains the neighbor had described, now largely unrecognizable.
Too small to be a dog. Too big to be squirrel. The right color to be Julius. Less than 1,000 feet from the property line of our closest neighbor to the highway.
It’s been almost two weeks since he disappeared now. It had to be him. We’re both devastated. I know you’re not supposed to have favorites, but he was definitely our favorite cat. Orange cats are the best, and he was the best of the best.
We miss him. It’s like a hunger I can’t satisfy, knowing he’s gone. I can’t find anything to fill the hole. Julius is the first pet that was mine I’ve lost since my cat Whispy died of feline leukemia when I was like 10. When my mom’s dog, Rocky, died, it sucked, but it wasn’t like this. I don’t know how to mourn a pet. I don’t want to have to learn.
Contents Copyright © 2009 Kristen King
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Ah Kristen, hugs, mutterings about rainbow bridges… I’m so very sorry, truly.
Anne
So sorry to hear this, Kristen. I’m afraid to lose any of my pets for the exact same reason. When my husband’s aunt lived next door to us, her boy’s dog went missing. It wasn’t until I suggested they check the highway that they found him. At the time I only had one dog, and Buddy was very much his buddy. We dogsat and everything. I still miss that dog. He was the sweetest soul.
@anne, @tj, thanks, you two. I appreciate it. Hugs to you both.
Sorry for your loss…Don’t worry Julius is in a good place now…That is for sure…
Orange cats are the best, Kristen. My condolences to you. It’s so tough to lose a furry loved one. Have you visited the rainbow bridge site? It helped me when my “life dog” died.
@Lori, thank you. :)
I’m so sorry. Each animal we have is so unique and special and irreplaceable; you must be heartbroken.
@Cory, thank you. We’re pretty devastated, but it’s getting better day by day.
Oh, you made me cry! I had an orange cat named Pumpkin that got outside and never came back. We also had a calico that went out one morning and never returned. Orange cats do seem to be the best – they are affectionate and in tune with their owners. I’m sorry for your loss.