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Over 10 years ago, I wrote my first blog post. Since then, I've authored books, had kids, traveled the world, found Trish and blogged about it all.

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Wednesday January 28, 2004

Daisy the Cat, R.I.P.

Daisy the Cat Most of you won't care about this, but I need to write it down so I know the day that Daisy died.

Today was one of the first days we had a to make a real sacrifice as parents. Daisy was a cat that Julie had when I first met her. When Julie got Daisy, she was so small she could fit in the palm of her hand. Daisy was weaned too early from her mother (who was killed by a snake), so she had a personality disorder. Basically, she was mean and hated other cats. Daisy hated all the guys that Julie had ever dated (in college), until she met me. Julie knew it was special when she saw Daisy didn't hate me. Daisy traveled with us from Florida to Colorado when Julie moved here. She lived with us in our one-bedroom apartment, moved with us to our first house, and was a great cat for Abbie's first year.

Even though Daisy was mean, she was also the nicest cat I'd ever met. She'd always cuddle up on my lap when I watched TV or when I was working on the computer. You just had to watch out when you walked - she was an ankle biter. For the last year, she's been a pretty good cat with Abbie - just sitting there when Abbie poked and prodded. However, in the last month, she's started to fight back and has bitten and scratched Abbie quite a few times. My take on it was "good - Abbie should learn not to mess with the cat." Besides, Abbie wasn't crying - so it couldn't hurt too bad. Julie had a different take on it - especially since the folks at day care asked where the scratches came from.

When I got home tonight, Julie was in bed with Abbie at 7:00. "7:00!?" I thought, "that's a bit early." Then Julie told me "today was a very bad day" and she proceeded to tell me that they took Daisy in to the pound. Damn - my favorite cat. Ever. Gone. They got a new one, but it won't be ready until tomorrow. I want Daisy back, she was the bomb.

Posted in General at Jan 28 2004, 08:15:37 PM MST 12 Comments
Comments:

I feel your pain - we've never had to get rid of an animal because of its behaviour, but we have decided to end their suffering (with a couple animals now). I'm shocked that Julie did this without consulting you though. Goodbye Daisy, I never knew ya.

Posted by Lance on January 29, 2004 at 04:46 AM MST #

Julie did bring it up about a week ago, and I told her I didn't think we should get rid of her - that Abbie should just learn to be nice. She didn't agree, so I asked all my friends if they wanted her, but no one wanted such a mean cat. I knew it was coming, and it would have been nice to say goodbye, but oh well - life goes on...

Posted by Matt Raible on January 29, 2004 at 04:59 AM MST #

It's unfortunate for everyone involved that a professional was not consulted. There are remedies for behavior problems in cats (like in children). My cat was an ankle biter, so I got her a brother. Now she bites his ankles. Granted, some cats are just mean - not much can be done about that. But, the pound is never the answer. If you have to surrender an animal, find a no-kill shelter. Some day, when you look for a new cat, I recommend a male. They tend to be gentle, if not a bit spastic. Orange male tabbies generally are fantastic cats. Chris

Posted by Chris Reeves on January 29, 2004 at 06:04 PM MST #

Hmmm... after reading my post above, I rescind those comments. I hate to see an animal go to the pound, but I shouldn't have used my comments as a soapbox. I'm terribly sorry to hear about Daisy. And apologies for the "soapboxing"...

Posted by Chris Reeves on January 29, 2004 at 06:11 PM MST #

No worries Chris. We actually had Daisy on "kitty prozac" for about a year. It worked, but all she did was sit in the corner all day - very lethargic. <em>Taking Daisy in</em> was very hard for Julie - she cried for quite some time and was pretty bummed (as was I). She is an animal lover, so I'm sure she did what was best for Daisy.

Posted by Matt Raible on January 29, 2004 at 06:20 PM MST #

Matt, that's a great point. If the cat on prozac is not a cat at all, then the quality of life is gone. Again, I send my condolences.

Posted by Chris Reeves on January 29, 2004 at 07:46 PM MST #

Obviously you've been much more responsible than many people who might have abandoned or drowned their cat when it caused them trouble, but I am still disgusted. A pet is a responsibility for life. They trust you. It's up to you to find a solution that does not involve killing them while they are perfectly healthy. How come people like you never advertise on the net to find out if someone with a farm in the backwoods might not mind taking in a mean cat? You have lots of time to spend communicating other things, but not enough time to try to help a cat that's shared your life for so long to live out its natural life span? Shame on you.

Posted by Jonathan Waugh on July 18, 2005 at 10:28 PM MDT #

You're lucky in that Daisy might still be alive and with another family. I had the unfortunate responsibility as a "parent" to have to euthanize my kitty I've raised from 6 weeks old to over 14 years old. He was a fantastic cat, but recently had medical problems such that it ended with fluid gathered on his lungs. I was crushed, especially since I was in Belgium thousands of miles away and my partner had to hold kitty as the procedure was performed. No parent should have to have their "child" go before them. In a way, I know how those parents feel. Thanks for letting me tell this, and I really feel for you too.

Posted by Billy Nickerson on July 01, 2006 at 05:03 AM MDT #

MY CAT

Posted by 66.255.71.162 on July 12, 2006 at 07:56 PM MDT #

I see that this is quite old - but I had to comment. I was browsing images of daisies and the photo of your Daisy came up. I had to click on it to see what was said about this photo because it looks so much like my Yoyo. I had Yoyo for 16 1/2 years. She died November 29. I had not seen another cat that looked so much like my Yoyo. I hope your Daisy found a good home.

Posted by Jen on January 04, 2009 at 07:08 PM MST #

My Daisy could be your Daisy's twin sister. I got a shock when I saw her photo. I had to have my Daisy euthanased late one night to put her out of the misery and pain she suffered for 10 days. Daisy was a little feral. She was found as a kitten wandering the streets and had had to fend for herself. The animal charity fostered her and she fought with all the other animals in the house and was put in a cloakroom. They found her a home but the woman returned her, saying she was allergic to her. Daisy went back in the cloakroom and was brought to me all skin and bone. I wanted a black and white cat. She wandered round the house into every room, saw my other cat's dishes and thought they were for her, snuggled up next to me and purred. I wasn't sure whether to take her but she had decided for me. She would go wild at the vets, didn't get on with my other cat too well but after 18 years had become the softest, gentlest cat imaginable and had turned into a beauty. She died on July 4th and broke my heart. I could never have had her euthanased for any reason other than to relieve her suffering. You have my sympathy.

Posted by Diane on August 04, 2009 at 02:23 PM MDT #

That's just sad. :( The cat was there first and you're jerks for abandoning it!

Posted by Appalled on May 26, 2010 at 10:39 PM MDT #

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