For the past few months, we have had a visiting kitty. And not just to my house as this cat had a routine and stopped several places in our immediate neighborhood and very extended neighborhoods further away, as well.

We never fed it, although there were people a road over that had. The cat was in great shape and no tipped ear. I still think it was somebody’s cat that used to just roam.

We tried to figure out where the cat belonged, but never did.

Sadly, little kitty is no more.

One of my neighbors found the cat deceased in a rear corner of the property on the edge of the woods. I thought at first, maybe a fox or coyote had gotten it, however, the cat had no marks on it. I think that means it was poisoned.

Now I doubt that was intentional. I think more likely people that put out poison bait traps for mice are the cause.

This was a beautiful young cat. I literally would see it almost every day. It would hang out and warm its belly on the patio on the lawn or just saunter through like it owned the joint. It would hang out on another neighbor up the road’s deck, and it also hung out in another neighbor’s garage.

Because this cat I don’t ever think was a stray. I’m really sorry for whomever is missing it. We just didn’t know who you were to tell you where your cat was wandering too while it was alive.

I think I will reiterate a plea I make often: if you’re going to trap mice that’s fine. Just use old-fashioned traps with peanut butter. Don’t put the poison out because it affects other wildlife and domestic animals.

I will miss this cat, although I never actually petted it. I would see it out in the garden and woods when I was outside. I would literally just say hi to it as it sauntered by.

And again, this is not only a cautionary tale of keep an eye on what your pets get into, but keep an eye about where they wander.

R.I.P. little kitty.