Look What Dragged The Cat In

You should sit down.

No, really, you should.

Last night, at 11:37, Lala burst into our room. I was sound asleep. She yelled, "Rachael! GET UP NOW! You need to come out here!"

My reaction was "WE DON'T HAVE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER!" but I was still sleep-unverbal, so I think I said something more like, "Wha? The hell?"

She said, still dragging me, that nothing was wrong but that I had to come RIGHT NOW. I decided if she was going to show me something on the internet I would f*&king kill her.

But no. She led me into the kitchen and showed me what was on the floor.

Digit.

My boy. My beloved man-cat, who disappeared FOUR MONTHS ago. End of February, beginning of March. Fifteen WEEKS ago. Eulogized here. Love of my life, huge piece of my heart, part of ME, one of the best parts of me, my crotchety cranky baby-cat who was BACK.

Sitting, no, swaying on the kitchen floor.

Lala said she'd heard him crying at the back door, as he always did, just as she was getting ready to turn in. She'd had to check his feet for the extra toes before she believed it was really him.

I dropped to my knees, and he started to purr, even though he could barely raise his head. I was crying the second I saw him, and shaking seconds after that. I've had six or seven dreams since he "died" in which he showed up, was just there, and I looked up at Lala and told her to tell me I wasn't dreaming. She said I wasn't.

She ran around and did all the things I couldn't do, got water, got two kinds of food, got towels.... I couldn't let him go, couldn't stop crying, couldn't stop touching him everywhere, trying to figure out what the hell had happened to him.

See, that cat and me, well, we're a pair. I'm his heart, and he's mine. He always comes back, always makes his way back. I knew he hadn't run away, because he's a one-man cat, and I'm that one man. We sleep paw-in-hand. I might be the only thing he loves besides his freedom.

I felt him everywhere -- no immediate signs of trauma or a car accident -- he could support weight on all four legs, although he had no strength. One eye was gummed shut, but I could see the eye was still there, and when pried open, looked like it had vision. His back end, always a problem for a tranny-cat with crystal issues, was a horrible stinking horror that I won't describe for the sake of your fair sensibilities.

It was midnight, and I had two choices -- I could take him to the emergency vet, an automatic four hundred bucks just to enter the doors, and they'd transfer him to our vet when they opened at 7:30am. Or I could let him sleep, at home, where he'd finally made it. I chose the latter, and made him a bed on the couch, where he seemed to be content to rest. But when I got up to check on him half-an-hour later, he was in the hall, as close as he could get to me without coming in the bedroom. I spent hours out there in the night, just holding his paw and trying to figure out what had happened.

We were at the vet at 7:30 this morning, and the best we can figure is one of two things: He got caught in someone's basement, someplace with water and an occasional mouse, but that wouldn't explain the pads on his feet being so worn. What I think is more likely is that someone "humanely" trapped him as a seeming stray (O Digit who broke out of a collar in two days or less, every time)  and took him far, far away and released him (a kindness, sometimes, when the only shelters around are kill-zones). And he's been wandering, trying to get home for almost four months.

He's lost half his weight, from sixteen pounds to eight. He weighs less that Miss Idaho. His rear end is a nightmare and needs surgery (partly because he hasn't been eating his expensive prescription cat food for months, and partly because flies are a bad, bad thing). His bladder is hard, as if it's full of stones, and the doctor can't hear his heart, which he and I both found strange. (It is possibly that I love him so much that I got his zombie back instead). He is severely dehydrated, and can't have surgery until he's stabilized, and I feel like such an asshole for taking him right to the vet, where he'll have to stay for days, when all he wanted was to come home. Makes me feel like I made the right decision to keep him at home last night.

But the doc thinks we might get him to a place where he can fight back, and if anyone can, my Digit can. Of course, he's gonna be PISSED when he finds out about the kittens I saved in his name. And even though this might be overkill, when he gets better (I hope I hope I hope I wish I wish I pray he gets better), he will be kept inside. And if he turns into the cat from hell, which he will, demanding to get out, he will be chipped (already in the works), and he will wear two collars at all times. I'm not kidding. The other cats will make fun, but he will wear two collars. And maybe an orange CalTrans vest.

I'm beside myself with joy. And worry. I can't lose him again, not just yet.  I had JUST gotten to the point where I could say his name without breaking down. But mostly joy.

Also, I went to Long's after the vet, and bought not one, but two fire extinguishers.

Yep.

O, joy. My heart lives.

Comments

[Australoknitticus]

I had to de-lurk to tell you how wonderful that is! I like the idea of the vest. Congrats on being reunited with your baby!

[lyssa]

Oh! That is wonderful that he made it home after so long. Don't let those kittens push him around :)

[Angie]

That's incredible! I'm so happy for you. I just about cried when you said poor Digit was gone.

[pam]

Congrats on getting your baby back.

[Rachel]

That is so amazing! Your story made me tear up. I'm so glad you got *your* cat back.

[wendy]

i'm so glad you have your piece of your heart back! that has to be the best thing to ever get woken up in the middle of the night for!

[Jill Smith]

Oh, Rachael - I am so, so happy for you and Digit. Poor boy - he's really been through it!

[Annie]

Wow. That's amazing news. Sending healing thoughts and prayers so that Digit can come home for good soon.

[elabeth]

I'm so happy for you! I cried reading this. Poor Digit...I'll keep my fingers crossed for him.

[Laura]

Yay! I will keep my fingers crossed for the little trooper. I'm so glad he returned!

[rose]

I had to de-lurk, too. I cried and carried around the cat of my own heart when you told us about his loss. My boy is chipped, and it gives me great peace of mind. I'm so happy for you that he's back!

[Crystal]

Now I'm crying at work. I'm so happy Digit is back. I'm sending positive thoughts your way.

[robin]

long time lurker de-lurking to give you and your little man lots of *hugs*
i still carry my little guy's collar around, (he's passed on) so i feel you.

happy days!

[Kristen]

I'm thrilled for you. I recently had to put one of my dogs to sleep because she had cancer and was just to ill to treat, so I have a good idea what you were going through. Best wishes for getting your baby healthy soon!

[Anita]

I'm so glad to read that Digit has returned! Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

[beth]

So terrifically happy for you and your family!!! best to Mr Digit as he recovers. HOORAY!

[TheBon]

OH! Rachel! That's amazing! I am so thrilled for you and I will keep everything I've got crossed wishing his speedy recovery and a relatively smooth transition to him living with the kittens.

[gretchen]

YEA! I am so happy for you and your cat. After reading that he went missing, my heart felt for you. Now, knowing he is back, my heart smiles for you!

[Lissa]

A de-lurker to say - Yay for returning kitties! Very happy for you.

[Jenn in Sacramento]

That made my heart smile.

[meowgirl]

oh Digit... welcome home, little man.

[Mel]

YAY! I'm so glad he found his way back to you! I'm sure you'll both recover just fine and have many more adventures together :)

[Amber]

Congratulations Rachel. That's so amazing =) Anyone who says cats don't care about their humans needs to read that..I'm all beamy for you!

[Sara R]

OMG.

This is the best news I have heard in a while. Poor Kitty, I wish he could tell us what happened! My thoughts are with you and your multi toed kitty.

[marylee]

I'm thrilled for you both. What marvelous news! I've got a good feeling that he'll be feeling good!

[Ali]

Just such an AMAZING story!!! Love your blog - so had to de-lurk to say this. And sending you lots of good vibes to get your little boy healthy again :-)

[Marcia]

omg woman. omg.

I'll bet the coyote is in even worse shape. ;-)

What a thriller, really.

[Juno]

Dykes on Bikes and now this! I'm so very, very happy for you.

[ayla]

Oh I'm so happy for you! You should nickname him Lazarus or Jesus or Osiris or some other resurrecting historical figure. That's amazing. Here's hoping he makes a full recovery.

[Carole]

It's your very own "Incredible Journey." How fantastic. Good kitty healing vibes headed Digits way.

[Sparkles]

Oh. My. All I can think of is WOW! Lots and lots of healing thoughts going down your way...

Way to make me cry at work... ;)

Welcome home Digit!!! Now get healthy and fast! :D

[Steph F.]

AWW. My heart broke for you when you wrote about him going missing, and I'm so glad he's back, for both you and him. yay for being reunited :D

[Kate Lathrop]

I cried tears of joy reading your post. Welcome Home Digit!!!!! Many prayers going up to St. Francis for a speedy recovery!

Kate

[Kendra]

Oh, Rachael. I am so pleased for you and for Digit. I got all teary reading your post (and not because I'm allergic to cats!)

And good on you for getting fire extinguishers - a must have.

[Risa]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!

I don't know what else to say, I'm just thrilled.

This is amazing. Yay Digit!!!

[AmyP]

Oh, Rachael - I hope he does OK, but he's now home.

[chris]

Oh. My. GAWD! Amazing!!!!! Not that I would doubt that Digit would come home if he possibly could, but when you gave up hope, so did I. I'm sitting here at work with tears running down my face AGAIN for Mr. Toes, and also you better keep him inside for the rest of his life, for his own damn good, ok? Pleeease?

[becky]

That's so amazing! Little Digit is in my prayers! I love that little guy!!!!!!!!

[Inky]

Oh Rachael that is fantastic news!! Digit does indeed lurve you more than might be right between kitty and mommy, but hey, I'm good with tran-species lurving! I will be saying and thinking only good thoughts to the north for you and Digit.

And fire extinguishers - you can never have too many!

[Ryan]

All I can say is, wow.

I have a friend who insists that animals don't have emotions. All I can say is, he needs to read this.

Good luck, good luck, good luck with his healing!

[Cara]

WOW! That's crazy amazing! I'm glad you found each other again. I hope he gets well soon.

[Liz Cadorette]

Holy cow, Lady! SUCH fantastic news, even though it may be marginal given his condition.

Oh, precious boy to come home to his Mama.

Here's some healing vibes sent his way. OH! So marvelous this world is, sometimes!

[maya]

that is GREAT news! best wishes to digit for complete and imminent recovery. :-)

[Jenn]

Great news! I'm so happy for you, and Cocoa and Otis send healing thoughts to Digit.

[amanda]

I nearly cried when I read your post from April about losing Digit, and I am teary eyed again. I know what it's like to love your pets more than anything. I'll be sending get-well-Digit thoughts your way.

[Rebecca]

OMG! I'm so happy for you and Digit! SO VERY HAPPY!

[Joan in Reno]

Wonderful!!!

[Judy in Utah]

Oh, Rachel, you don't know me from Adam, but I read your blog and am so happy for you!! Cats are amazing animals and truly have 9 lives. I am sending all the positive energy I can muster to Digit. woohoo!!!!

[jessica~]

That is absolutely incredible. Made me want to cry! I wish him the best in his recovery (and you too!)

[Maxly]

Me too, I am crying. Started as soon as I read "Digit". I am so glad he is back and you have a vet who will help him heal.

Man, I am soooo glad for you. I lost (leukemia) my boy who I held hands/paws with while we slept. I know how important that is and what it is like to miss it. So, my heart beats in vicarious happiness for you.

Maxly