Cats Sense Death of One of their Own
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Posted by Jill Stefko Apr 10, 2009 |
Lynx was a grey tabby who lost her tail to human cruelty. I adopted her from our no-kill shelter. Warnings: “Not affectionate.” “Difficult.” “Semi-feral,” written on her papers. No, scared, but affectionate cat. In early September, she came into her own, no longer hissing or screeching at the other cats. She allowed them to be close to her and jumped into my lap for the first time.
I noticed she was sick, but she kept on rallying until September 25th. I took her to the veterinarian, where she died. The vet said even if I had brought her there sooner, there was no guarantee Lynx would have survived. What comforted me was that she didn’t have to endure tests and was outside before she died. She got outdoors three times and kept on trying, even on the day before she died. Her last dinner was her favorite, sautéed chicken.
When I returned home, Draco and Minx sensed something was wrong. They looked for her, Draco trying to go outside, only time this happened. The cats wouldn’t go on Lynx’s favorite perches until a couple of weeks ago. They wouldn’t eat the dry food the treats I gave Lynx, who left them untouched. I scattered them outside for feral cats. My cats still won’t go into parts of the living room or on windowsills where Lynx used to “hang out.”
I believe Draco and Minx grieve and wonder if they react to Lynx’s presence. Did I see her one night? I saw a grey tabby, lying outside the window. It looked like a reflection. I glanced away, then looked at the window again. No cat; not a trick of light.
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