I am horrible

Even foxes over here eat cats, predator animals such as coyotes, foxes etc. eat anything, and a cat isn't too big for them. They most certainly aren't on the top of the food chain.

Allow me to doubt about that... I just don't see how a fox or a coyote can be a better hunter, runner or climber than a cat. Imo a cat that would get caught by a coyote would have to be quite weak and on the edge of dying of something else (starvation, disease,...).

Ponrauil

Maria - that's terrible, I really hope he turns up soon. I recently lost a cat and it still hurts.

All my cats are indoor cats and yes, I feel guilty about that too.. however, I just hope with me keeping them in they are safer, but still I know they should be going out.. I just don't want them killed by a car!

Keep us posted - I just hope this story has a happy ending!

Like Jim, I'm not very fond of cats. Mainly because I'm highly allergic to them. But I sympathise with you and don't think you are horrible at all. You could have easily taken the easy way and kept your cats locked in all the time so that nothing bad happened to them. You chose right letting them out from time to time.

If I were you, I'd tell your son the truth. I never liked being lied to as a child (and I was - not about pets, because we didn't have pets, but about other stuff) and it's awful. Just don't put it quite like Paul did, but tell him what you know/think.

I still hope he will turn up somehow. Bu what saddens me the most if he doesn't is not that he might be dead, but that you will never know what happened to him. Anyway, you have done great things for animals in the past and will continue to do so in the future. Just keep in mind the happy life Felix lead thanks to you.

Well, after all of that, the original poster who would have had the strongest emotions about everything happening, actually found Paul's first post funny.

There you go.

Hurrah for lovers of alternative comedy!

I used mice as in that is what wild small cats eat - not because of their size

Actually, bobcats do occasionally eat house cats. I don't think the family thing has anything to do with it as male bobcats often eat kitten bobcats. As other animals do as well. Cougars are also in the cat family and they do eat house cats.

As for coyotes. They are not omnivores. They are carnivores just like the canine species. They can survive as omnivores, but neither their digestive system nor their jaw structure or teeth support the misconception of canines and coyotes to be omnivores. It's a myth made up by the pet food industry that wants to sell you the left over corn swept up on a manufacturing floor.

Coyotes do eat house cats and small dogs.

Me too. Besides, he was neutered and thus, the need to be territorial is drastically reduced if not eliminated. The only time he got defensive if he had a glitter ball and another cat/dog wanted it.... Then he'd growl. Seriously


I know Becky and I do appreciate everybodies concern about it. It's what makes this board so fantastic. People who don't know me actually CARE! I did, however, think this was a great example of how people are different and how we a) should keep in mind who we are talking to and b) give the benefit of the doubt. Personally, I wouldn't make a comment like PaulUK did to someone I wasn't sure would see the humor in it. Yet at the same time, I don't let people offend me easily. And I do feel it is my choice to be offended or not in a matter like this. The only time I don't have a choice and WILL be offended if I thought a comment was made to purposely hurt me. I didn't think there was any meanness in PaulUKs comment even if I thought it was utterly distasteful. Just my perspective on it. Glad not everyone is like me though



Aure, you know I think you are a genius in many ways, but may I suggest you watch a few more nature channels? *smooch* Actually, I wish you were here with me - you could look out the window and watch the coyotes on the prowl and you'd turn and tell me 'no way did they get him' and I might (just might you see) believe you and hurry upstairs to draft my first wish list for santa since I was 7 years old. *double smooch*

Just a side note: do you think a rabbit is slower/weaker/stupider than a spoiled and lazy house cat? Coyotes are like dogs - they can be superfast. If my dogs can catch my cats in play chase games, a coyote can catch them when on the prowl for food. I see them almost daily. I love them. They are quiet. Fast. Excellent hunters. Thinking about it, even normal pet dogs are known to catch and kill cats - not for food, but for fun and thrill of the chase. I know several dogs who have caught and killed cats. In game, but nonetheless...

Aure, just for you:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...yndication=rss

Well I've learned something here.

And I love how you flattered my ego there :
Thanks ... though overall it's not good news for Felix I'm afraid.


Ponrauil