My worst nightmare

[catnapper]

Today was a fairly warm day. I opened the balcony door for the boys to go out. I looked out when it started to rain and didn't see either of them so I shut the door. A few hours passed and I hadn't seen Pouncer but didn't think anything about it because he tends to find hidey holes to nap in.

Then my husband went to leave the house and found Pouncer sitting on the back step with is tail all puffed out and he was covered in dirt. He had fallen off the balcony! He wasn't hurt, but his one nail was bleeding. I guess he started to fall and tried to grab the ledge with his claws. He's not hurt otherwise, but was filthy. I gave him a bath (traumatic to say the least) and haven't seen him at all... but this time I know he's in the house.

How long was he out there before we noticed? Gosh, we live right off a busy street, he could have gotten hit! My mind is racing with everything that could have happened!

[moosmom]

Catnapper,

What COULD have happened really isn't important. The main thing is Pouncer is home, a little less for wear, but home.

His pride is probably a little bruised because he was dirty and out in the rain. He'll get over it.

Glad he's back home and safe!!

[sirrahbed]

oh my gosh! my worst nightmare as well!! Probably many of us It made my stomach roll to read all about it. Just so glad all is well, and like moosmom said - bruised pride and dirty - but home and safe. It can just happen in a second!! Thankfully, mine do not seem very interested in the door, but they have not yet experienced warm weather either. On nicer days, I let them ouit in our enclosed patio with screens open, but then I worry about them knocking out a screen.
Anyway, so glad Pouncer is safe!! Guess you have a new grey hair or two!!

[kimlovescats]

Oh WOW, Kim .... I am sooooooo happy that sweet Pouncer didn't break any bones or anything! Poor baby .... and poor worried Meowmmy!!!

((((( Hugs to you BOTH)))))

[Lixx]

Poor Pouncer!!!! So glad he's back inside!

[jazzcat]

Oh poor Pouncer! I'm glad he is okay and safe in the house now.

It's one of my worst nightmares too.

[AmberLee]

So glad the little guy's safe and sound!

[trayi52]

OMG catnapper, I bet that was just plain scarey thinking about what could have happened! Thank god your husband found him out there before he regained his composure and decided to go exploring!

Poor Pouncer, sitting in the rain and wondering what the heck happened. Maybe he will be more careful about getting so close to the edge next time.

I'm glad he is okay, glad you are too!

Willie

[Barbara]

This is why we have a netting at our balcony. It looks like a soccer goal but my boys are safe. Filou the fearless railing acrobat would have fallen too I am sure.

I am so glad that Pouncer was so clever to wait for daddy to let him in again.

[Randi]

Oh Pouncer - what a scare!

I'm glad he's safe and sound! How far down is it, and what's the surface? Hopefully soft!

[catcrazylady]

OMG!!! What a blessing that it all turned out ok!! What a scary scary thing! I'm sure your mind is racing with all the bad things that could have happened but thankfully he is ok. You would like to think that he might have learned a lesson from this but I guess we all really no better than that don't we?

[catnapper]

Sigh, my boy just loves to be outside. I like the soccer goal idea! Since my family is soccer nuts, it only makes sense, right?

The blacony is on the second floor - not too long of a drop. I'm sure he fell from the gutter, since there's where he almost fell from a month ago. Under the getter is concrete with conrete steps centered under the balcony. Pouncer always hangs out in the gutter along the edge, so if he fell, it was onto straight concrete. Try as I might, he LOVES to sit in the gutter and I can't convince him that this is a bad place to be.

He was so filthy (cobwebes & caked on mud) that I think he sought refuge in my neightbor's storm cellar during the storm and emerged when it stopped and sat on our back steps waiting to be let in.

Here's a small video I made a few weeks ago of him on the oproch. you can get an idea of what it looks like and how high.

[Barbara]

Here you can see the net in the background. We have a wooden roof over the balcony where it is fixed

[Cataholic]

Oh, Catnapper, you must have been out of your mind with worry. Thank GOD nothing happened to poor little Pouncer. I agree, what **could** have happened is best left alone.

It does remind us all that things do happen, and we all need to be careful with the little guys.

Gentle hugs to Pouncer

[Killearn Kitties]

Oh Pouncer! What a nasty experience you had. Ask meowmie to give that poor toe a kiss better from all of us.

Does Pouncer's claw seem alright? The reason I am asking is that the cat across the road from us ripped a nail once and after a little while an infection set in and he had to have his toe amputated. Micky (the cat in question) is absolutely fine, it doesn't cause him any trouble at all. Having said that, I have no idea how you would ensure that a wound on a cat was properly cleaned out.

Headbumpies to Pouncer.