Trauma

Last Saturday was particularly traumatic for my partner and I.

As with normal practice now, I do a head count to make sure all three kitties are accounted for and are not in the pathway of the car. I also do not get into the car until the car is outside the gate.

That morning Ah Boi was in the garden, playing among the plants while Poodie, Tutu and Kittie Kat were nowhere to be seen. I got down to the ground to make sure the kitties were not under the car.

I also did a quick check on the tyres to make sure they were not hiding under the rim. I did not see anything and it appeared safe to reverse the car. So my partner reversed his car and nowadays, he does that very slowly, inch by inch. 

A few seconds later I heard a shrill shriek and I ran to the side of the car. Oh my God! My poor Poodie was wedged against the wheel! I signaled for my partner to move the car forward to free Poodie.

As soon as she freed herself, she darted to the bottom of the shoe cabinet. I quickly approached to check if she was all right. She was clearly frightened and in shock and cowered towards the back of the cabinet.

Because she could run, that gave me the assurance that she must be OK. But not necessarily so because the adrenaline rush could be the reason she could flee and not feel pain. 

I had to go to the office and as such, my partner and I left the house. It may seem so heartless to leave Poodie like that but we had no choice.  I had been warned (in comments) about the kittens' safety with regards to cars and their fondness for hiding under the tyre rim.

I was very disturbed and depressed at the possibility that my Poodie was mortally wounded. In fact I broke down and cried. 

To cut the long story short, after lunch, my brother sent me home where I found my Poodie patootie sleeping soundly on her cat bed. Because she could make her way up there, I was more or less assured that she was fine.

I gently lifted her and put her on my lap, I checked her legs and ran my finger gently along her sides and belly. She did not complain and I did not see any bruising. Poodie was very lucky and was not harmed. I gave her a cuddle and kissed her on the top of her head.

I snapped a photo and sent a message to my partner to let him know that Poodie was OK. He was very relieved as he felt very bad about the incident that morning. 

I sat outside for a while to observe Poodie and she was happily playing with her siblings.

Sunday morning before we went to Aeon, I did not see Kittie Kat and her kitties anywhere in the porch. I checked underneath the car like 3 times and so did my partner. We were so scared! LOL!

Finally, he went into the car (while I stayed outside), started the engine but was hesitant to reverse the car. But he eventually did, again, slowly and made it outside the gate with no incidence. 

In future, I may have to corral them (if they are around) in the cage until my partner safely reverses his car and then release them after that.

I have to be super super careful. I am very perplexed as to how Poodie could be under the car when I was sure I checked. In fact as she was screaming, Kittie Kat and Girl were at her side.  It's like they all appeared out of nowhere. So scary.

Well, that was a (frightening but) valuable lesson learnt. Check, check, check! And check one more time!(or even two more times!) Thanks to my partner's cautious approach, Poodie was safe. Another 1/2 inch and she could have been crushed.

The incident with Poodie scared the hell out of me and my partner (and Poodie too!). 

I am thankful and grateful that Poodie was unharmed. Cats do have 9 lives!