Propagation: Plant Propagation part XIV based on my own experience, 1 by JBerger

JBerger wrote:
Beautiful Maple. Wow, did you really do that? I am impressed. Mr. Cat died a very painful death I am afraid and I blame myself. I saw him Sunday afternoon and he was sitting like he was having a BM or tinkeling, and he was not on dirt, he was on the gravel driveway, which is not like him at all. But, with my one eye I just thought maybe he was just sitting in an unusual manner. He got up and walked under the trees when I came near him which was not like him since he was the friendliest of all 5 of the cats a riscued. Anyhow, Monday when he did not show up for breakfast I was worried but it is not unusual for him to sleep in or just hide or hunt for a day. I saw him Monday with a rat, he was eating it which is unusual. Tuesday he was missing again but it was raining and so I did not pay much attention because he is usually under the porch when it rains. Then, when he did not show up this morning I started to look for him and he was no place to be found.
I had to take food to the Church Food Bank today and as I was loading up the jeep with bags of canned goods I turned around and there in the cat house was the cat and he looked like he was sleeping. I talked to him and he never moved. I thought he was dead. I touched him and he moved a little. I had an appointment in town at the Chiropractor and I was late, so I had to leave him and I made several calls intown to people to come and help me get him into a crate to take him to the vets. Got home in about an hour and he was still alive but not moving much at all.
I also called several vets to see if they would make a house call. I found one who said they would be here by 1:30. They charge $110. plus for house calls and she said it sounds like he may have a blockage and need to be taken back to the hospital and kept for several days. I knew that meant near $1000. but I was willing just to make him comfortable. I went outside to check on him about noon and he was dead for sure. So, I feel responsible for not finding him sooner and helping him when he needed me. I hate irresponsible pet owners and I am feeling like one now. I should have looked in that stupid cat house sooner. He has not been using it. the older cat has been and Mr. Cat was sleeping under the porch close to the house. He would usually sleep on the deck and I should have known something was wrong when he did not arrive on the deck Monday night. But, cats are so independent and these are feral cats anyhow, so I just let them do their thing.
That is my story. Sorry it is long and sad. Hope you all have a good evening. I must go supervise the burial of Mr. Cat. He is in a much better place and will be warm this winter.
JB
Here he is, may he rest in peace.