Dolly

[Traci]

Wanda, my heart just breaks for you, I am so very very sorry. I know just how very much you loved Dolly and I know how much she loved you. No one can ever take that love away, ever, it will always be there.

I'm not sure why she was acting strangely before, had she been recently ill?

I don't know about the antifreeze, if your neighbors aren't really that close by, it is unlikely Dolly would have traveled that far from home. It only takes little more than a teaspoon of ingesting antifreeze for a cat to become extremely ill and the effects usually are within just a few hours, usually less than 12 hours - siezures and coma could occur within 12-72 hours, but usually there are very noticeable signs before then (vomiting and neurological distress).

How long was she gone the first time she got out? It might be possible she found antifreeze, didn't display any symptoms for those few days before the second escape (or that you didn't notice), and then displayed neurological distress (circling and going somewhere you couldn't find her) on the day she escaped the second time. But, if she was only gone for a day and you had her home for at least 2 or 3 days the first time, you would almost certainly have noticed signs of antifreeze ingestion. Unfortunately, the only way to know for certain is via necropsy and I would understand if you couldn't bear to have that done.

Your account of the neighbors poisoning neighbors' pets is alarming and you should contact your local or county animal control office or the sheriff to report the incidents, whether you know them to be true or not. Most city and county ordinances prohibit this type of behavior from people and there is usually some form of animal cruelty wording/lawful consequences for such behavior. Please don't let this go unreported.

I am so very very sorry about Dolly. I will never forget your beautiful little girl, and all that you've shared of her with us. I know your pain so very well and I am crying with you. Please know that you are not alone.

Safe and gentle journey, sweet sweet Dolly ...((((((((HUGS))))))))

[Wanda]

Thank you all so very much, I knew everyone would be here for me even though I hadn't been here in a long while. Son told me last night she was stuck under something but her body was still warm so she was coming back home and we just didn't find her in time. He found her around 4:30 am. Tracie don't know that I can answer all your questions but I will the ones I can. The first time she was out overnight came in about 5am, she was covered in bag-a-lice (ms) anyway it comes from a plant and sticks to every thing it touches, so after she ate I tried to get them off her, but she did a better job herself, then I gave her a bath, she liked to air dry her hair lol so when it got dry I combed her she loved to get her hair combed and she seemed ok, not sick in any way, but still trying to get out every chance she got, Saturday night I thought she was really going to hurt herself trying to go through a closed window, I got on to her and made her get down and stop, then I felt bad and picked her up and loved her and she laid in my arms like a baby which she seldom did and fell asleep so since I myself was feeling so bad I just sit and held and admired her for a little while. The next morning I was trying to get ready for church so very sick (I have many health problems now) ended up lying down and I remember her on top of me but to sick to pay here any attention then when I got up around noon she was gone probably slipped out on hubby when he left for church, he would not have let her for nothing if could have helped it, she was just so fast and sneaky.

[Traci]

What is bag-a-lice?

It's difficult to say what happened. She could have gotten into something, and went back to it the second time she escaped. The fact she was an indoor only kitty (I assume), and suddenly wanted out so badly is strange.

I hope you can find peace in your heart that you gave her so many wonderful years of love and happiness. I'm so sad for you Wanda, I know Dolly was all of your heart and joy....(((((((((HUGS))))))))))

[Tina B and crew]

Wanda, I am so sorry for your loss. It's an awful feeling I know. May Dolly's journey be a safe and kind one. She knows she was loved and cherished.

Traci - I think maybe she meant beggar's lice which are those seed pods that stick to you.

[Wanda]

Yes Tina is right about the seed pods, thanks for explaining I really didn't know how, in the country they are anywhere there are weeds. Yes she was inside only, just sometimes she would take spells running out the door but we'd tell her no and she'd come right back. I wish I had done things differently, don't know exactly what but I wish, I wish......

[momPaws]

Wanda... when I knew Honey's time was coming I had wished so much I could just let her out and go explore the world- to be totally free. Of course I didn't, but I do regret sometimes being too over protective of her. A friend of mine - her cat got out and she doesn't even know how and she is heartbroken. Don't blame yourself. It happens. I know you were so good to her. Dolly was determined to get out and had a last fling before the bridge. I will pray for you to be comforted.

[k9Karen]

What is bag-a-lice?

I suspect she means beggar lice, also called stickweed, or stickseed - the biological name for them is Hackelia. They are plant seeds that stick to everything - animal fur, socks, pant legs. I hate them - especially when something that has them ends up in the laundry.

[Traci]

Thanks for the clarification, I know what they are now - and yes, they suck!

Wanda, we may never truly know, and sometimes, we are not meant to know, which is the most difficult to deal with. I hope you can focus rather on the wonderful years you shared together, you were a wonderful mom to Dolly, she knew this, and she is watching over you now, I believe that.

[Cleo]

Wanda, I am so very sorry. Please know that Dolly is in my prayers for a gentle journey as well as you for your health problems.