Many years ago, before I met Robert I moved into a house that came with a cat. A resident cat that stayed in my garden, she was a tiny brown tabby I named Lily and I knew her for about three years. I couldn’t let Lily come into the house and live with me because I had Molly who was truly vicious toward other cats. Whenever she saw Lily at the sliding doors to the back yard she would howl and hiss and throw herself at the glass. I loved Lily and looked after her the best I could outside. I cut a hole in the garage door and installed a cat flap. I made a warm and cozy nest for her in the rafters after I saw her up on a large storage shelf where folding garden chairs were stored, I think she felt safe being high above the ground. In the morning I would go out to feed her and when I called her she would tiptoe across the beams and jump down onto a work bench to meet me, we’d have a cuddle and she would purr and give me head-buts.
If I was working in the garden she would be right beside me wherever I went. She was an expert huntress and caught many birds even though there was always food available for her; her instincts were keen. One day I went away for a long weekend with a friend, my mum and dad were coming in daily to feed Molly and were also putting out Lily’s food in the garage. When I returned from my trip I could not find Lily anywhere. I asked my neighbours if they had seen her, I called Animal Services, I went to my local shelter and called vets in the area to see if a cat fitting her description had been brought in…nothing. Lily had disappeared and I never saw her again.
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| Lily on the evening prowl |
If I was working in the garden she would be right beside me wherever I went. She was an expert huntress and caught many birds even though there was always food available for her; her instincts were keen. One day I went away for a long weekend with a friend, my mum and dad were coming in daily to feed Molly and were also putting out Lily’s food in the garage. When I returned from my trip I could not find Lily anywhere. I asked my neighbours if they had seen her, I called Animal Services, I went to my local shelter and called vets in the area to see if a cat fitting her description had been brought in…nothing. Lily had disappeared and I never saw her again.
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| sleeping among the evening primrose the week before she disappeared |
I'm glad we have an MIA Day so Lily is not forgotten and I can share her story with all of you.
35 comments:
Since the cat before me got to spend so much time outdoors (HER choice), my human was always worried that she'd vanish like that. But she always came faithfully when called. I feel bad for humans whose kitties disappear and they never find out where they went.
It's so sad when a kitty we love is gone and can't be found. All of us here will be thinking of the missing kitties today and the people who love them.
That is so heartbreaking! Thank you for sharing Lily's story with us. What an awesome kitty.
oh how sad that is.. so sorry .. and its awful not to know. Love Darcy and Bingley xx
At least Lily knew your love while she was with you. Thanks for sharing your story.
Truffle and Mom Paula
That was sad but at least she knew you loved her.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
we have just written our tale too... a time to remember. Hope you might feel you can pop over and read it too. Love Darcy and Bingley
That is sad that she went missing. The worst is the not knowing.
We're glad Lily had you to watch out for her and to keep her safe.We're sad that you will never know what happened to her. LP's first cat(years ago when cats were always let out) Tamus disappeared too.LP pretends someone fell in love with him and took him home where he was treated like a king for all the days of his life!
P.S. He was a grey tabby.
the critters in The Cottage xo
Awwww dat'z so Sad.... it makez da mom have leaky eyez :(((( We are glad Lily had you , you are furry good mom to your babiez and we know you took furry good care of her and dat she knew she waz luved.... fankz fur sharing Lily'z story ^..^
jus az Mr.Tigger'z story iz soooo Sad too :((( We think it'z furry good to have MIA Day to remember them All ~
Soft Purrrz to you guyz and your mom ~
When I was growing up, the local university science lab used to do "sweeps" for cats for experiments. Our much loved tabby was caught in one of these. While investigating what happened to our Tigger, my mother found out what was happening and after much politicing, agitation, petitions, telephoning she got many other pet owners involved and within a year they had it stopped.
What a great day to remember great cats!
Thanks for sharing Lily
Nellie's Mom
Oh, that's a sad story! I feel very sorry for you and I can understand well how you must miss Lily.
So I send you a big hug.
Take care
Alex
That is such a sad story but at least you has some really nice times with Lily. I had one disappear too and it is the most horrible feeling because you just never know where they went or what happened. Take care.
What a beautiful story about Lily...Lily's nature was to come and go as she pleased. You took very good care during the time you were her chosen human.
Hugs Madi and Mom
So sad, those things always make my whiskers weepy wet.
That's a sad story about Lily...but at least you have some good memories of her.
My kitties are indoor cats.they never want out.I have a 14 year old who never was out,my 4 year old goes in the car once in a while lol.Lilly looks exactly like my youngest cat.So cute, but he isnt quite that tall.Lovely memeories to hold dear to your heart with her.
Im a new follower to your blog.
We had a tortie that adopted us but she only wanted to be an outside cat. One day she simply walked off and never came home. It's hard the not knowing...what a beautiful bittersweet post and we know a bittersweet memory too.
purrs
>^,,^<
♥Abby♥Boo♥Ping♥Jinx♥Grace♥
You are so sweet to take such good care of Lily. It's sad she's gone while you were away. Maybe she went to look for you. She did not come back maybe because someone found her and took her home to live together.
How heartbreaking! Thanks for sharing Lily's story. our purrs are with all of the pets that have gone on walk-about and their families holding the door open...
Pip, smidgen, Minnie, Hollie
We're so glad Lily had you to take care of her, even if it was for just a while. Thank you for visiting and your kind comments. It was nice to hear from you and we hope to see you again!
We're so glad Lily had you to take care of her, even if it was for just a while. Thank you for visiting and your kind comments. It was nice to hear from you and we hope to see you again!
Lily sounds like such a sweet and special kitty! How heartbreaking to lose her like that. Thanks for sharing her story.
Thank you for sharing your story about Lily. She was so fortunate to have you caring for her and how heart-breaking that she disappeared. How sad you must have been. I think that not knowing what happened to a beloved pet is so, so hard. Purrs from us.
It's so sad when you don't know what happened :(
Lovely story, sad that she just disappeared but you did your best for her, and I am sure she loved you for it. :)
Oh, we gots to get kleenexes. We wuz you and your sweet Lily. We dis don't know what to say. We give you (((hugs))) and know you guys had good love there.
Thank you for the good wishes for our Mumsy. We sure hope you guys have a good weekend.
Oh, we gots to get kleenexes. We wuz you and your sweet Lily. We dis don't know what to say. We give you (((hugs))) and know you guys had good love there.
Thank you for the good wishes for our Mumsy. We sure hope you guys have a good weekend.
My son was a MIA kitty and we still remember him fondly.
Such a lovely remembrance of a beautiful cat. Purrs.
Thank you for loving Lily so much, and for remembering her on this special day. Hugs and purrs...
Thanks for stopping by the other day, always nice to visit with you. What have you been up to? I see you haven't gotten your human to post in a few days. Hope you are catching up on some zzzzzs.
thank you for visiting us. It is lovely to link with you, though a little sad with the rememberance posts. Love Helen, Darcy and Bingley xxx
Happy Thanksgiving to you, dear friends!
Oh Im so sorry that happen'd to you. I too have lost some strays over the years. Here's to their memory.
Cow Gabby Tink
I really miss the three of them. I pray they are happy and content where ever they are.
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