Mau Down
Posted: Wed 9 April, 2014 Filed under: Animals, Domestic 1 Comment »Back in October 2012, I added Cleo – an Egyptian Mau – to the household. She was an adoptee, where no-one had wanted her from the litter, so I ended up with her.
Yesterday I went out to get some fuel, and while doing so I got a call from a random stranger, which turned out to be from a local vets. Cleo had been found (by the person who drives the local pet ambulance, which is lucky) by the side of the road, having been hit by a car. She was alive at the time, but apparently died before she got to the vets.
From what I/we can tell, it was all pretty fast, so she wouldn’t have suffered. In some ways I’m sorry I wasn’t there – in others I’m quite glad I wasn’t. I’ve been present when putting a pet to sleep before, and it’s something I’d rather not repeat. (Of course I will when I have to, but still, it’s not a fun experience) Hearing the news from a stranger over the phone (she was obviously identified from her Microchip) was unpleasant, but I have to say that I think he was more upset than I was.
I am upset by it, but I’ve also been expecting it. I’ve seen her (and the Bengal) run across the road several times, and I know they both roam like demons, so to know it’s happened isn’t a massive surprise.
There’s paperwork to do – insurance etc. – but that’ll be handled tonight. In the meantime, I’ll also have to deal with a very change-averse Bengal, which will be a challenge in and of itself.
I don’t blame the (unknown) driver – I know the speed they dash out to cross the road, I know there’d be no chance to avoid them – although I do think it’s pretty shit to drive off and not even stop. I know, it’s not reportable etc., but when near a parade of less than ten houses, I might at least stop to let the inhabitants know. From the timescales, I was at home at the time, and must’ve just missed the people finding her.
I won’t be looking at getting a replacement (I’m happy to have just the two for the moment) and I won’t be getting back the body/ashes – both of which have always struck me as pretty gruesome, to be honest.
Anyway, it’s all a bit shit, but these things happen.
So sorry to hear. Have been in that same situation so many times… (and scraped a good few off the road too).
But, unlike you, I do blame the drivers who can’t be bothered to stop. I’ve driven nearly half a million miles in my life and have never yet hit a cat. Avoided lots, but not hit a single one. A pigeon, a squirrel and a glancing blow to a deer’s antlers, yes, but, given that I’ve pretty much always lived in rural areas, not a bad average I think. But then I drive to the conditions of the road and not my inner demon/ the music I may have on at the time, and I leave enough time for my journeys.
Hope her catmates cope OK.