Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Alyce of At Home With Books. If you are interested in participating, just post a photo (new or old), but make sure it's not one that you found online. Add your link to Alyce's Saturday post for all to enjoy.
Niles and Lily in 2006
Niles and Freckles (2007)
Niles was the largest cat we ever had. A 23lb long haired, gentle giant. Niles had manners. He always let the other cats eat first, and then served as clean up cat, so that I rarely had to do extra dishes (LOL). He had a loud snore and he loved to sleep on my chest or stomach, at least until I had to move him so that I could catch my breath from his weight on top of me. He had to prop himself against a wall to groom himself. He immediately took to Freckles, and he to him, when we got Freckles as a kitten in 2003. They were truly best buddies.
All that changed when Niles, and indoor/outdoor cat disappeared in the Spring of 2008. Our RI home is in a wooded area and a neighbor told us they spotted a coyote and a FISHER in the area. One of their favorite prey is cats, especially light colored ones - easier to spot evidently. We were never sure what happened to our Niles, as we hung photos, put his picture in nearby mailboxes etc., but around that time several other neighborhood cats seemed to disappear as well. It was a huge loss. Since that time, none of our cats go outside....they adjusted and we are happy we made this decision.
Niles looks like such a content, happy cat. So sorry you lost him.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear your kitties stay inside now. It's so dangerous for them out there. And not only because of predators. I live on a busy street and several times have seen neighbors' pets hit by cars, most recently a beautiful calico. I got her off the street but it was too late to save her. The car didn't even stop. It was so upsetting.
Wow, Niles was HUGE...and gorgeous! Poor Niles. I think we had this conversation before about Coyotes. We have seen them here in Nashville. I never let Alice go outside, though she sure does give it her all trying to get out. *L* I know you must really miss him. I know I miss every cat I ever had and I've had A LOT of cats in my life. We had 15 when I was a teenager! Of course, most of them were outdoor cats. We lived way out in the country on 14 acres of wooded land. Our cats used to disappear all the time too. That's part of the reason why I refuse to let any of my cats outside. It's so heartbreaking when they disappear. Anyway, thanks for sharing the lovely pics. =O)
ReplyDeleteNiles was a big boy, and I am sorry to hear that he went missing. It's so hard when something like this happens to a beloved pet, and I bet the lack of closure made it all the harder. Thanks for sharing your pictures of Niles with us.
ReplyDeleteNiles looks like a cool cat :) And a nice one. Sorry he went missing. We have coyote in our area too so our little dog (Jack Russell Terrier) is never out alone.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love the photos! Niles is the same color as my cat Sebastian, who also suffered a mysterious fate, along with several other cats, when he disappeared one day. We were living in the foothills at the time, and coyotes were frequently noted prowling about.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter lost her cats, too; one by one they disappeared.
Sad....
I'm glad you have photos and stories about Niles, who sounds like a great cat.
Here's MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT POST
Love that big fat cat. My son always wants to have a fat cat. He is trying to fatten up our current cats. I'd never heard of a fisher. Interesting.
ReplyDeleteAw, Niles was a beauty. Sorry he disappeared. I think not knowing exactly what happened would be awful.
ReplyDeleteIt's so hard to lose a beloved pet. But it looks as if Niles enjoyed every minute of his life, and that's a quality we can all appreciate. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI'm still trying to woo our stray, Scaredy Cat, because I worry about her being outside. I also love birds so that's another motive for wanting her in the house. She's been outside forever though, I think, so she's very clever at avoiding the foxes, coyotes and other critters around our farm.
ReplyDeleteNiles is a big one!! I have a friend whose cat was 30 pounds but just didn't look quite as big as Niles. A shame, though, that he disappeared. We have coyotes in the neighborhoods in Dallas so we've never felt comfortable letting our cats out.
ReplyDeleteWhat a laid-back cat, literally! LOL
ReplyDeleteI love the look of Niles and am so sorry he was lost. We had coyotes in the area we lived up until recently and I was always sad to see posters of lost cats or little dogs. I suspected what happened to them. :-(
Niles is one big boy. I thought my cat was big at 16 lbs. Sorry he went missing.
ReplyDeleteWow! Niles was one amazing cat! I am sorry that he went missing.
ReplyDeleteOh, that is so sad! Niles is such a big and beautiful cat. I've always wanted a big cat like that.
ReplyDeleteIn our neighborhood we have more to worry about from speeding cars, but I still won't let my cats outside, especially since some of our neighbors think the leash law is for everyone else but them, and let their dogs roam free.
What a wonderful tribute to a cool kitty. I've lost too many beloved cats to coyotes over the years. Very sad. My current cat has been strictly indoors and is also a big guy like Niles.
ReplyDeleteLovely cat! So sad he's gone. I know you miss him!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet, gorgeous ... and big ... doll Niles was. So sorry to hear that he disappeared in this way, leaving you such a question mark.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the photos!
golly, that is a very sad story.
ReplyDeleteand just when I was all set to make a comment about him being such a big boy..
Beautiful cat photos! I am sorry about Niles. You are smart to keep your cats indoors. Our cat started to go outside when we moved 13 years ago. She just darts outside whenever she can--I know it is risky, but she seems so happy to be able to go out and have her adventures and then return to the house.
ReplyDeleteBoth cats are beautiful. I'm so sorry to hear about Niles (wow he's big). I had a bird once that got out and we never found. It still hurts when I think about her and that was 15 years ago!
ReplyDeleteFeel free to visit my Saturday Snapshot
I had a terribly hard time reading this. I was going to joke about Nile's belly until I read what happened. If MY heart felt like it was ripped apart and I didn't live with Niles, I can only imagine the pain that you went through. I am so sorry. A friend of mine also lost her cat to what they think was a coyote...she never knew for sure.....((((hugs))))))
ReplyDeleteI love a big fat cat! I bet you miss him.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cats! Niles is certainly a hefty cat. I'm sorry you lost him.
ReplyDeletePoor Niles! He looks so darling, not to mention comfortable, laying on his back like that. We keep our kitties inside, too, and I think it's because I couldn't bear anything to happen to them. Here's to the safety of our four legged friends!
ReplyDeleteI've never seen a cat so huge! So sorry that you lost him. I used to have an outdoor cat who went missing as well so I can imagine how you felt at that time. And yes, now I content with keeping my cat indoor.
ReplyDeleteWe had two cats disappear and we also assume coyotes. So sad. And, Nile was HUGE!
ReplyDeleteJust from the photos I can tell that Niles was one cool cat! I'm saddened that he disappeared!!
ReplyDeleteNiles is such a handsome kitty!
ReplyDeleteNiles was a cutie. Love big cats. So squishy.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry he is no longer with you. Not knowing is probably the hardest part. I had a love named Sammy once, and he jumped into somoene's open car window. I saw the car drive off, with the darn cat in the back window but I could not get the car's attention. I was only 16 at the time. I was so sad but I kept hoping that they would give him a home. Not sure if they did.
Okay, so Niles made me gasp and :). His picture must be next to the definition of the phrase "Fat Cat". Sorry, he is no longer with you.
ReplyDeleteMiles is a rather large fellow! Glad to hear he had such nice manners.
ReplyDeleteI missed this post and pictures last week. I love these pictures! Poor Niles! What a big beautiful boy he was. He reminds me of a larger Bob with a tail since my Bob has no tail. I can't believe Niles slept on your chest at all - I imagine not for long or else so much for you breathing!
ReplyDeleteYou made the only decision you really could to keep the other cats in the house. I'm glad it worked out for you and the cats.