Remembering O.C.

[lvpets2002]

This is such a Sad Story.. I just want to Cry for you & O.C... That is just Horrible that you had to make that decision.. Poor You & the Baby O.C... Many Many Huggss & RIP wittle O.C.= Play Hard at the Bridge..

No problem - I'll TRY to be brief!

O.C. and Sherbie were/are resident strays for several years - outside kitties taking up residence here - and I fed them. O.C. sustained an injury to his leg, so I took him to the vet for treatment. Being that it was an injury of unknown origin, my vet would have to consider the possibility of a bite by a rabid animal (I live in a rural area), and I had no proof of a rabies vaccine. That left only 2 options - one was to cage quarantine him here for 6 full months with only one person allowed to care for/treat him for that time, and the second was euthanasia. Since the quarantine would have been next to impossible, there was no alternative.

Then to make matters worse, my vet was required by law to report it as possible rabies to animal control. I in turn, was served the following day with a citation by animal control for failing to vaccinate MY cat. It seems DE law says that if you provide food to an animal for 3 days, then the state considers you the owner. I pleaded not guilty and took it to court, and the case was dismissed on a technicality.

So I was punished for feeding him and then trying to care for him when he got injured, rather than let him wander off into the woods and die a slow and painful death when the infection took over - and he lost his life because I elected to help him. It's a shame that the state doesn't put more time and effort in to punishing those guilty of neglect and abuse to animals, and not those who are being humane to them. Sends a very bad message - IMO!

[pomtzu]

Tomorrow it will be 3 years since O.C. made that final journey. We still miss him and think of him often. His pal Sherbie misses him the most, I think.
In spite of the fact that O.C. wasn't with us for all that long a time, he left huge pawprints on our hearts, and we will never forget him. I'm sure he is looking down on all of us, and that he is happily awaiting the day he is with us again.

Love and miss you, little OrangeMan...

Sherbie left/OC right

[Cataholic]

I am so very sorry. It reminds me of the phrase, "sometimes our best is not good enough". It doesn't help your grief. You did right by O.C., and that is the focal point. Hugs to you.

[catmandu]

I still remember My Found and Porch Cats who have gone on ahead of me , I have their photos to remind me and lots of movies as well.
We will invite OC to join us , especially for the double Sirloin Burger with cheese at the A&W.
It will be our pleasure to share!!

[phesina]

May you blessed with fond memories on this sad anniversary. O.C. is looking down on you with great love.

[pomtzu]

May you blessed with fond memories on this sad anniversary. O.C. is looking down on you with great love.

Yes - many fond memories!
OC was a big mushy love bug. I couldn't go outside and sit on the back porch without him climbing in my lap - purring up a storm.
And he was pretty darn slick too. He and Sherbie were partners in crime. One Spring Sherbie found a bunny nest way back along the tree line, and raided it. He didn't want to hurt them - just play with them and bring them to me as a present. He methodically would get one - I'd take it away from him - and he'd go for another. It was about a 300' trek from the nest to the house, and he would put bunny down to take a rest - and then continue on. OC saw this and would wait until Sherbie put it down, then he would grab it and run into some dense shrubs with it, knowing I couldn't get to him. That stinker ate 2 of them that morning out of the 6 that Sherbie stole. I managed to raise 2 of them, but 2 more were too badly injured from Sherb's rather rough play!

[phesina]

Oh, those wonderful stories are part of O.C. and you and Sherbie always!