Lost - In memory of my furry friends

Sometimes it really comes out of nowhere.

Today, I woke up a bit late, hung-over some but not too much from attending two parties in one day. To be honest I was surprised I didn't feel a lot worse, considering what and how much I'd drank, but I guess spreading beer, wine, and grog over a full day lessened the impact to my system.

The weather being nice, I headed down to the lake to hike along the old path. Starting at Teganuma Park (手賀沼公園) there's a path that circles the entirety of the lake. I used to bike the path a lot, sometimes 3 times a week, and my stopping point was always a little clearing just beyond the fishing pond where a group of stray cats lived.

Here is a picture of one of the cuter of the bunch. I took it in February of last year. I always liked the look on this male cat's face, like he somehow knew just how ridiculous his black mustache made him look.

I first came in contact with the cats, and their friendly keepers - a pair of kindly old Japanese women - I would guess in late spring of 2006 or 7, when I started cycling a lot.

When I first stumbled across the little troop of cats there was just a chunky calico mother, another mother cat and their litters of kittens. Over the years the numbers would grow and shrink, but the calico was there the whole time. She was my favorite. Here's a pic I took of her:

People who know me from my childhood will understand when I say this calico reminded me of Squirrel, my favorite cat I had as a kid. She was very fond of licking your hands, just like my old cat, and was very friendly.

The group was tended as I said before by a pair of old ladies. They'd gotten special permission from the city to feed and shelter the stray animals. I know at least one (Mr Mustache in the first pic), was taken in by an older gentleman who would often visit the area, but I can't be really sure about the rest. And I also know that last winter several had died when a disease passed through the group. Even with regular feedings and care it's hard to live outside all the time.

A piece of me will always regret not taking at least one of the animals in. I have excuses why I couldn't but they are of course just excuses.

I am happy, though, that I could be a part of their lives.




I'm not sure of all the details, and I probably will never know, but what I do know is that they're all gone. At least all but one. A fluffy black and white was in the trees near where the cats used to stay, but I don't remember seeing him before, and for all I know he could be a newly abandoned pet.

All I know is that one or more of the cats was killed by someone. Near the now empty cat houses there were signs warning people to report any suspicious cat food that had been left out, so I assume someone poisoned them.

I can only hope it was just one or two, and that after it happened the others were rescued. I will try to find out more if I can. For now all I can do is stop and say a prayer for my nice friends. I hope they are someplace better now, out of the cold.