A Cat Might Always Land On It’s Feet But…
…that does not help much when it falls (jumps?) out of an 8-story window. This morning there was a cryptic e-mail sent to the building’s mailing list at 12:01 a.m., asking simply:
does anyone know what that was? is everyone okay? that was scary sounding…
I was curious, as we’ve had some drunks playing with fire extinguishers in the halls and cops called on tenents, etc, but I had not heard anything- it was quiet as Edison was closed Monday night. Then the next e-mail comes, explaning a little more- it was a cat that fell from 8th floor. Not much more info- I don’t need to know, I just feel terrible for the owner(s).
This is the 2nd cat that has died from jumping out a window since I’ve lived here, and it brings chills to me to think of White Dog doing something stupid with the large, low windows in my loft. I’m surprised that I haven’t heard of any dogs jumping- I thought they were not as smart as cats when it comes to height.
I have a problem where I get too emotional over injured/killed dogs and cats- If there’s a house fire or car wreck and a family perishes, I’m always thinking about the pets. My latest dog trainer tells me I have to stop talking to and treating White Dog like she has human instincts and traits. He keeps telling me it’s an animal, and needs to be treated like one. I understand his reasoning, but it’s a hard habit to break, as this is my 4th dog.
Dogs did not get known as “man’s best friend” for naught. And to my neighbor who lost his/her pet early today, you are in my thoughts.
omg that is awful. I have 2 cats.. and it’s something I do worry about.. especially when the weather is nice and I’m so tempted to want to open these neat windows but knowing that at least with one of my cats, it’s really not a good idea.
April 30th, 2008 at 2:33 amWhen I first moved into my place, I actually installed window bars so Ruby wouldn’t jump or fall out. After the first year I relaxed, though. It turns out that she didn’t even want to look out the window, let alone leap out of it. Now I even leave her home alone with the windows open sometimes.
Eric, I don’t agree with your trainer. I talk to Ruby as if she is a person, not an animal. She seems to understand me too, and when I really need her she is there for me. I also make sure that I tell her every day that I love her.
My thoughts are with the neighbor who suffered that terrible loss too. What a dark place he must be in right now.
April 30th, 2008 at 6:43 amYeah Joe, I haven’t used my trainer anymore as I decided I can’t make all the changes he wanted- no positive re-inforcement (”good dog” is not allowed- they are supposed to want to behave w/o reward). And the things I need to change in Isis, are actually getting worse (barking at bikes, skateboards, other big dogs, etc).
You are very lucky to have Ruby, as she is so mild mannered and beautiful. I’ll never give up on Isis, but every day is another challenge.
April 30th, 2008 at 2:38 pmThat is a terrible story.
I must admit that when we visited Los Angeles and began touring potential places to live, we noticed the size of many of the windows and the manner in which they opened and though about Carter (sorry about the run on sentence).
April 30th, 2008 at 5:07 pmI forgot about this is my original post- I guess I kind of repressed it in my mind because it terrified me.
I always had windows open last summer- A/C sucks in my unit. White Dog loves those rubber “kongs” and she will play by herself, throwing it and getting it (they are uneven shape and bounce randomly). One time she bounced it and it went out the window! I ran to grab her- she was sticking her head out window but I don’t THINK she would have jumped, who knows?
Next time I went to Edison I asked bouncers if anyone had been hit in the head with a dog toy (I’m right above the entrance). They said they saw it but no one got hit- that would have hurt!
April 30th, 2008 at 5:36 pmI talk to my Border Collie puppy on a regular basis. Of course I only know what she understands when she responds accurately to a certain already learned command or request. I am sorry that she usually doesn’t like to sleep with me. I have her jump into bed with me and we spend about two minutes going over her day. “Sarah, did you have a nice day? Did you enjoy chasing tennis balls in Griffith Park today? Did you enjoy meeting the new Doberman down the street. He sure liked you. And please try to stop barking at the skate borders, you are scaring the shit out of them. O.K.? Good night, I love you.” Two minutes is about her limit before she is ready to abandon me for one of her favored dog beds, much to my chagrin.
May 10th, 2008 at 6:07 pmSometimes she sleeps under a sofa I have in the bedroom or scurries under the bed for her ball (while I am trying to sleep). I have to snag her ball so I can get to sleep. I rest easy knowing that she is resting easy nearby.
You would think that cats would have a sense about this sort of thing, but to have 2 cats to jump is really strange. I am not much cat person, but if one of my dog did that it would break my heart.
May 19th, 2008 at 7:24 pm