RIP - My Baby Commodus 4/5/07-5/27/07

Yesterday morning a woman dropped her 2 dogs off at my house for us to watch for the long weekend. A Jack Russell Terrier and a 12 week old dachshund puppy. I asked her how the 2 of them were with cats - she said that the jack russell likes to chase them and would bark at them, but "just wanted to play with them". The dachshund had never before met a cat. To play it safe, we confined our kittens, Maximus and Commodus in the office so that they would be safe.

I was checking my email with both cats in here with me, and my fiance came in to check on how I was doing. Before he could stop him, Commie darted out of the room, probably wanting to play with the new dogs that were there - he loves dogs. The jack russell promptly picked him up, and mauled him. We grabbed him as fast as we could, and all I remember is seeing blood pouring out of his ear, and his nose. His mouth was open, and he was twitching a bit, but his eyes were closed, and his breathing was almost non existent. We rushed him to the 24 emergency animal hospital, which is a few blocks from our house....there was nothing that they could do. His skull was crushed and his neck was broken. He was only 7 weeks old. The Doctors told us that he likely felt nothing, because it was all over so quickly. They said that when we picked him up, he was probably taking his last breath, and that the movements we saw were likely just involuntary spasms.

We called the woman who owns the 2 dogs that we were watching, and told her what happened. She was horrified, obviously. We told her that she needed to make other arrangements for her dogs - either for us to bring them to a kennel, or have a friend come get them, because I could not have that dog in my house for the next 4 days, I didn't trust myself to be around her, I didn't trust myself to not do something irrational.

Commie loved dogs so much - he used to do this thing with my dogs, he would walk over to them and lick and nuzzle their noses until they opened their mouths, and then he would stick his head inside so they would lick him. He did the same thing with us - every time we would yawn, he would stick his head in our mouths. He was so, so funny. He liked to climb up on our shoulders while we sat on the couch and sleep curled up next to our necks.

Maximus and our 2 dogs have been walking around the house all day looking for him. It's absolutely heart breaking. Max keeps crying, and going from room to room, like he's searching for him. On one hand, I don't know if I can bring myself to get another cat right now - but on the other hand, is it really fair to Maximus to make him go back to being an only cat, when he was just getting used to having a buddy to play with? They were just starting to nap together, groom each other, and play nicely....and now this. I just don't know what to do from here.

We've decided not to foster any more dogs for a long time...and not to pet sit at our house anymore, unless we know the animals extremely well and know they are gentle with cats - our animals are our top priority, and clearly we can't guarantee their safety when bringing animals in here who we don't know.

I loved him so much. So very much. We had him for 1 week, and I could already tell how incredibly special he was. He was loving, funny, and had so many funny quirks about him. We brought Commie home in a box and buried him in a quiet shaded are of our back yard, and put a little stone garden over it as a memorial. I don't think either my fiance or I will ever forgive ourselves for this, for not being more careful, for allowing a strange dog into our house and putting him at risk like that. For not being there fast enough to protect him, and not being able to save him.

These are the last pictures that I took of our sweet little guy. He was taken from us far too soon, and I miss him so much. I hope that he knows how much he meant to us, and I hope that the week that he was in our lives was as happy for him as it was for us. We love you Commie.

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OMG...the tears are pouring! I am so so sorry that ya'll are having to go through this! It doesn't matter how short or long you had him...he was, and always will be in your hearts.

Those last pics are precious, it seems he had a great sense of humor...the little smiley one on the wooly thing is my favorite. I'd frame that one...

Hugs to all of you...

I'm so sorry for the loss of your precious baby orangie. What a sweetie he was! How sad for you to have gone through such a horrible event.

Rest gently, Commodus, sweet liitle guy.

Oh no, that is horrible!! :( :( :( I'm so very sorry that this happened!! So sorry that you have lost your sweet little orangie that way!! What a tragedy! And poor Maximus!

R.I.P. little Commodus!

Kirsten

Oh dear heavenly God!
Please, whatever you do you must forgive yourselves.
i'm not telling you what to do, but it was NOT YOUR FAULTS in any way whatsover!

Sorry about Commie. RIP little boy.

i too, have had experience w/ people trying to keep animals separated in a house w/ bad results. it just cannot be done. you did not know this animal had this propensity tho. i did and do take responsibility for it.
in our case, the female pitbull's owner who was my housemate's girlfriend, didn't know that my guest, who hadn't been to our home before, would open a door w/she was specifically asked NOT to. i do not blame anyone, though i told this dog's owner several times not to bring her dog into my home again, but being my roommate's girlfriend thought she knew better and told me she'd keep her locked in the room and on a leash, not in the backyard. grrr. (my housemate was king of the roost). but the potentially dangerous dog did maul my dog for a good 15 minutes. afterward the owner did put the dog down. before it happened again to a child. she couldn't care for her and couldn't find anyone to.

i do not know how to express my sorrow and compassion to you today.

these horrible things do happen in our world unfortunately.

i hope now that the woman's dog has tasted blood, that she'll consider some serious steps; having the dog put down, confined to a kennel in her yard, or something quite pro-active at least.

As a cat owner. i can't imagine this pain.

you are all in my prayers, including your angel, of course.

:(

This is so tragic!!!
He was such a sweet little orangie guy. He will be sorely missed.
You made the right decision to call the dogs owners to come get therre pets. I wouldn't want them around either.
Lighting candle for Commo.
R.I.P. Little guy.....

He was such a cute little thing and that one of him that looks like he is smiling from ear to ear is priceless. I am so sorry for your loss.

Oh Liz, I just can't believe this happened! You have been working so hard to help so many animals, your heart is in the right place honey.

RIP Commie.

My heart is breaking for all of you. What a sad and tragic thing to happen to an innocent little guy.

RIP little one, play hard at the RB.

And ((((hugs)))) to you. I am so sorry. :(

Methinks your "friend" lied to you about that vicious dog that should be PUT DOWN and your "friend" should be made to pay. Period. No excuses. This was a horrible thing to happen to poor, sweet, fragile, little Commodus and for you to have to see it yet is unthinkable! I'm so sorry that this happened but as someone on PT said, it's highly improbable to keep a vicious animal separated from other animals. Check out my thread about Kiara, the cat whose "family" tried to keep her separated from their vicious dog and she was attacked twice and had surgery twice as a result of those attacks.

Your heart was in the right place and you wouldn't have taken the dog in had you known how vicious it was and that the life of your precious Commodus would have been in jeopardy. Be at peace w/yourself about that. And know that Commodus is now at peace and playing hard at the Rainbow Bridge without fear.

Oh my god. That poor little innocent soul! And he looked to be the sweetest happiest little boy. Those dogs would be out of my house in a heartbeat. I wouldn't care where, but they would be GONE. And that friend, she would be bearing a tremendous burden... How horrible of her to put you in that position.

RIP little boy... play hard at the bridge and keep a close watch over your meowmie and your brother.

Has the woman picked up the dogs yet?? I'd be so upset... I just can't get over this! :mad: To put your innocents in harm's way is just beyond contempt. :mad: :mad:

I was stunned to log on and see this...I am sending prayers and hugs. What a sweet, funny little monkey-cat!

Commodus - look down on your human and fur family, let them know you are ok...

I wish you peace from this horror...I pray it will fade and you will remember this wonderful kitten who had the best home and friends ever,

I am so very sorry....

awww im so terribly sorry for your loss.. rip little one

The Porch Angels have recruited Commodus to be with them at The PEt Angel Strip Mall where he will enjoy six restaurants and furniture stores and a giant Pet Food Store.
Commodus will also travel with the Pet Angel Army now in Tokoyo Japan.
What a shame that your instructions were ignored and this happened.
Commodus doesnt want you to mourn too much as he will visit you from time to time and sit beside Maximus and Your Dogs. And let you know that hes all right, before you are reunited in love.
One Fine Day.

OMG!!!! Major LES here. This is just horrible. I am so, so sorry. I am at a loss for words right now. My heart truely goes out to you.

Rest In Peace little one.

I am so very, very sorry. My heart is breaking for you and little Commodus and his brother Maximus.

Pat with LES

I am so sorry to hear about your little friend Commodus. He was such a good little kitty and I am sure he knew how much you all loved him and enjoyed his company. He is watching over you from up above.

RIP dear boy. You are truly missed. Your parents loved you so and are very sorry this accident happened, but I know you knew they loved you. Play hard at the bridge and catch all the butterflies to your little hearts content.

I have been out of town and just got home... I am so sorry to read this. I admit, I'm crying. When you posted about getting Commodus a few days ago, I fell in love... I love orangie boys. And he was such a loving boy.

I have nothing to say except I am so terribly sorry.

I saw this this morning, but I couldn't reply. I am truly sorry for your loss of such a cute and sweet little boy. I am also sorry that you had to witness that tragedy. RIP poor baby Commodus. :(

OMG. I'm crying as I read your thread. My heart goes out to you. I am sooooo sorry this has happened. I am sending you a virtual hug. My deepest sympathies.

OMG I am so sorry :(. How utterly horrifying.. I cannot even imagine the pain and trauma you are going through right now. What a beautiful little soul Commodus was. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for sharing the photos. Absolutely heartbreaking :(

Thanks to everyone for all oft he kind and sincere replies. I've just been a wreck all day. I was up until about 5am, I couldn't sleep - every time I closed my eyes I saw little Commodus, and I feel like we let him down. When I finally did fall asleep, I was woken up to Max, yowling outside our bedroom door for some love and attention - he has never, ever done that before. I feel so awful that he's now without his buddy, and I would love to get him a new friend, but I don't know if we can right now :(

The woman whose dog did this offered immediately to buy us a new cat. She feels awful, and was hysterical when we told her. We told her that our concern isn't about money for a new cat right now, and left it at that. I'm sure when she gets back from her vacation we'll be hearing from her again, and we'll decide what to do then I guess.

Medusa, I had read your thread about Kiara, and when this happened, that was actually one of the first things that I thought of. What really gets to me is the fact that both of our dogs were so wonderful with Commodus, and are so wonderful with Max...I should have never brought other animals in to this house, and assumed that they would be as gentle as my dogs are. I tried to do the right thing and separate them, but he's so little that he must have just slipped out.

I have never seen my fiance as distraught as he has been these last 2 days. He keeps crying, and saying that it's his fault, and that he can't get the image of finding Commie like that out of his head. I'm trying to be strong for both of us, but it's hard. I just want our kitty back, and I want this to have never happened. I was toying with the idea of asking the woman who we adopted Commodus from if we could talk about adopting his twin brother, but I'm pretty sure she doesn't want to speak to us right now, and wouldn't consider entrusting us with another animal. I guess I can't blame her :(

Thanks for listening everyone - it helps a lot :(

I'm so sorry that happened, how horrifying=( I had a little boy named Charlie who looked just like your Commodus and I lost him young too=( I feel so bad for you guys, it wasn't your fault.

Luckynumber7 -- I am so, so sorry. I don't know what else to say tonight. [[[[[hugs]]]]]

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Originally Posted by LuckyNumber7

I was toying with the idea of asking the woman who we adopted Commodus from if we could talk about adopting his twin brother, but I'm pretty sure she doesn't want to speak to us right now, and wouldn't consider entrusting us with another animal. I guess I can't blame her :(

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It was not your fault! I can't believe she would make you feel as if it were. You obviously love your pets very much, and take great care with them. Accidents happen, and while it's a terrible terrible thing - neither of you are at fault.

Sending you some special prayers and cyber-hugs,
Crystal

No, not all dogs are as good w/cats as yours are but that doesn't mean that you were at fault. HOWEVER, this "friend" was careless in her friendship w/you and negligent in not telling you that her dog could be vicious. I refuse to believe that she didn't know. Don't blame yourself, you have enough going through your mind right now. You've witnessed a horrible tragedy but you are not responsible. Lavish your other cat w/as much attention as you can possibly give him. You all need one another right now. When the time is right, another kitten will make a wonderful addition to your family and a great buddy for Max.

I am so sorry about Commodus. Such a short life for a sweet boy.

Have those dogs been kenneled? You don't still have them? I'd take them to the vet and let the woman pay to get them out. This way the vet can observe and make recommendations. The next time it could be a baby.

Has the owner of commodus's family said anything? Hopefully she'll realize that this isn't your fault.

That terrier has problems and should be put down. I didn't think Jack Russels were naturally that viscious.

RIP Commodus.

Anne

I that would hae happend to my cat, i would have grabbed a gun and shot thoes dogs. Then i would sue the owners.

The owner of the jack russell had a friend of hers come pick the dogs up at our house right away when we called her and told her what happened. After I found out that Commie had died, I stayed outside the house while my fiance went inside, and put the dog in a crate and brought her down the basement. I can't see myself ever actually harming an animal, but given the circumstances, I was seriously considering letting her outside, and letting her run away. I couldn't even look at her without feeling incredible anger. The dog was perfectly fine with us, and with our other dogs, but I guess just wasn't ok with cats.

I have not spoken with the woman who I adopted Commodus from. I plan on telling her, and I'm afraid she is going to hate me for this. I hope she realizes that if there was anything I could have done to stop this, I would have.

Reggie, I couldn't shoot 2 dogs, despite what they did to my cat. The 2nd dog did nothing wrong - he was only a 12 week old puppy.

Well, the dog that killed your cat.

I still couldn't shoot it. It's a dog - it didn't intentionally do this to cause me and my family sorrow....it had a natural prey instinct, and it just happened. Sure, I was angry, but I can't justify killing a dog...our cat got out accidentally, and the dog acted on its instinct. Yes, I wanted to hurt her, and yes, I wanted to let her out in the street and shut the door behind me....but I could never bring myself to act on that.

Well, the dog killed your cat. At that moment i would act upon my instinct. Becaues the cat is considered your *property* and you have the right to defend it. I would at least cuss the women out.

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Originally Posted by Reggie

Well, the dog killed your cat. At that moment i would act upon my instinct. Becaues the cat is considered your *property* and you have the right to defend it. I would at least cuss the women out.

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Pets aren't *property*.

LuckyNumber7 - I am so sorry, again, for Commodus.

I am so sorry to hear this tragic story, my best wishes to you and your fiance and little Commodus. Commodus had loving owners and was victim of an accident. It wasn't the dogs fault it was just doing what it thinks is natural, Jack Russells hunt rabbits and will chase anything small and furry.
It was an accident, you must not blame yourself, it was unfortunate, I know no words will help with the pain but we are thinking of you and Commodus right now.
I feel sorry for the lady with the dogs too, as it wasn't the dogs fault.

A cat we used to feed was mauled outside our house by a dog that walked past with it's owner, but I don't blame the dog, I blame the owner for not having it on a lead. So try not to blame the dog, but I know as a true animal lover you wouldn't, it didn't understand what it was doing.

I'm so sorry.

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Originally Posted by Scooter's Mom

Pets aren't *property*.

LuckyNumber7 - I am so sorry, again, for Commodus.

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According to the U.S. Government, It is. I dont consider it porperty but...

I'm so sorry. I watched as you all got this sweet baby. What a horrible thing to happen! :(

Oh my, major LES here. I am so sorry for your loss. I know that you are angry, and I think it is justified, but as an animal lover, you also know that it was not the dog's fault. As someone else said, what he did was natural for jack russels... he was hunting, although I know that doesn't help to lessen your pain. I am glad the dogs were gone from your care right away. It was a tragic accident, and no one is really at fault, except maybe the dog owner who said that he liked cats!

Again, I am so sorry for your loss. RIP sweet little Commie. You were on this earth such a short time, but you were very loved, and you will be missed. I am glad that you knew love in your short life. Please look down on your Meowmie and Daddy as they are very upset right now, and miss you terribly. Play hard little one.

I'm so sorry about Commodus!

I just could not believe when I saw your post about little Commodus!!! Then I read the post. I am just so very, very sorry that this happened!!! PLEASE do not beat up yourself. It was not your fault. Kittens move just so fast and Commodus(from those wonderful photos)LOVED dogs, and had no fear of them, and thought these dogs would treat him like your dogs did!! Even though Commodus was with you a very short time, he was VERY loved!!!
ORANGE BABY Commodus, please look for my ORANGEMAN, Ralph Syracuse, at the Bridge. Ralph will be your very best older buddy!!! Sleep softly, sweet baby Commodus....Hugs and prayers for you and your fiance...Sandra