Tuesday, December 15, 2009

It’s a Christmas Miracle! (Plus, a Winner)

(If you just want to get to the winner info, scroll to the bottom.)

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you may remember that our cat, Daisy, ran away in early September.  We looked, we put up posters, we chased her in the middle of the night and she eluded us.  We borrowed a trap from the Humane Society, and Craig even kept a blog about his efforts.

A month later, when we had given up, we got another cat free from a Craigslist ad.  Well, that cat peed all over the house.  In baskets, in boxes, in a corner in my bedroom, and holy guacamole! did it stink!  We gave him several “second” chances, but ended up taking him to the Humane Society.  I didn’t tell you about that, because I felt really bad about it, and didn’t want you to think I was some kind of cat hater.  I’m not, but I like my house more.

Fast forward to yesterday.  A phone message is left by a man saying he thinks he has our cat.  His work in our area involves driving a truck around, and about 10 days ago in a field not far from our house, in frigid weather, he rescued a frail white cat about a day away from death.  He took her home and would have kept her, except a few days ago he happened to see one of our forgotten “lost cat” signs, tattered and torn.

So, 103 days later, Daisy is home, frail, weak, skin and bones.  She seems happy to be here.  In fact, I think the experience has humbled her.  She seems much more affectionate.  My kids are thrilled; their prayers have been answered, literally.

Here she is last Christmas:

IMG_1917

This morning; yes, that is her spine:

She weighs 5 lbs; I know she used to be at least 10lbs, and the guy said she gained 1.5-2 lbs while he had her, so I can’t imagine what she looked like when he found her.

And now, the winner of the washer necklace “wardrobe” giveaway, as chosen by Random.org, is Bec4 of Beyond the Picket Fence!  Email me so I can get your info.  Here is a look at your prize package, which includes two 2-sided washers and one leather cord.washer1a washer1b

washer2a

washer2b

30 comments:

Melinda said...

How nice of that man to find your cat. I hope everything turns out well for all.

April said...

Yeah! So happy to hear about your cat. We had one get out at Christmas in 2007...sometimes I dream that she'll come back.

Arlene said...

I am so happy you got her back! Mine got out once for a week and she is declawed so I didn't expect her to come home since we lived in the woods on a lake, when she did finally make it home she didn't offer to go near a door for a very long time! Best Wishes!

GailsPlace said...

What a Lovely Christmas Miracle! Thanks for sharing

Unknown said...

Ohh I'm so glad you found your kitty! I bet he is greatful and glad to be home.

Domestic Goddess..Diva sometimes said...

Oh wow. Your poor kitty! She is very lucky to be back home after such a long time. She will be back to her old weight in no time now. This must be a great Christmas present for your family. :)

Happy Holidays!

Anna said...

so happy for you and your family that you got your cat back!

Beth said...

Awwww, poor Daisy! I'm so glad she is back home :)

dangerkitty said...

Hearing that you got your kitty back in time for Christmas warms even my cold, black heart. :-) Your story made my day.

Gwen said...

I am so glad that Daisy is finally home! Now we just have to fatten her up a bit:)

Rachelle S said...

Oh my! That is just the greatest news! Welcome home Daisy!!

trish said...

I am so glad that she is back!! Wow! She sure has lost weight, but now that she is home and well protected, she will put it back on.
I am so happy for your family! It broke my heart when our beloved Tiger ran off in a new state. I am hoping that he found someone who would just take him in and love him like we did.
Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne

Mindy said...

Oh! Welcome home Daisy! I'm so happy to hear this news! Yea!! ~Mindy

Jocelyn said...

Oh Holly, I do remember when you sweet kitty ran away. I am so happy that she is back. A little Christmas present. Hope she stays happy at home.

Jocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

Tricia said...

A Christmas Miracle indeed. What a wonderful gift. I'm sure the kids are over the moon happy to have her back.

Merry Christmas to you.

XO*Tricia

Barrett said...

Oh the stories she could tell!

Please feed that girl and give her a lot of fattening hugs!

Unknown said...

Oh I'm so happy for you and your family. A lost pet is a tragedy and a found but skinny kitty is a wonderful gift for Christmas!

Meow!

Cass @ That Old House said...

Oh wow -- how amazing! And how wonderful that she is home for Christmas. Your children must be SO excited. Poor little kitty -- she's had a rough time! But now she's home and safe . . . where we all should be at the holidays!
Cass

Sarah said...

What a great Story! Thank you for sharing, and thank you for that man who rescued her.

Granna Girl said...

I'm glad she's home. Poor kitty. I know if she could talk she would be telling you how glad she is to be home on a soft pillow in front of a fire. Her Christmas dream came true. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Raise Them Up said...

That is a great story! I'm so glad your kitty is home. Will she get her own stocking for Christmas this year? :)

Pam said...

Thank God your cat is home! What a wonderful Christmas miracle!

Carmen @ Life with Sprinkles on Top said...

It is a Christmas miracle! I'm so glad for your family.

Rebekah said...

May I suggest the perfect book for the occasion? It is "Cat, You Better Come Home," by Garrison Keillor. All the secrets of run-away cats are revealed!

So glad Daisy came home! :)

The Pleasures of Homemaking said...

Now that truly is a Christmas miracle! Poor poor kitty! I'm so glad someone found her and I'm sure she's happy to be home!

Manuela

Sarah said...

Poor kitty. Our big fluffy white kitty went missing a few weeks ago and it was such a nightmare. We felt so lucky when we found him 2 days later. I can't imagine if he had been returned looking like poor Miss Daisy! What a happy, and yet sad, moment I am sure.

Unknown said...

I'm so glad you got your cat back. I don't know what I would do if I lost mine baby man(Lucky).
-Elizabeth

Anonymous said...

I'm so happy you found your kitty!! I am a cat lover and I have two that are a huge part of the family as well!

Debbie @ The Shabby Bungalow said...

So pleased for you that you got your cat home - all the best for 2010

Unknown said...

Holly, I was just reading your french toast post and this post caught me eye. The reason I'm writing you is Christmas Eve our cat Vixen got out and my family (me in particularly) is have a VERY hard time. I wanted to write you to tell you THANK YOU!!! Your post has brought me a little hope. I miss my boy SO much (tears are rolling down my face as I write this). Please give Daisy a hug from me :) Thank you for writing your blog ... You can read my post about Vixen and see his pics on my site ... www.deannario.com I'm a loyal reader always ~ Deanna