Cat who vanished 10 years ago from Maine home returns back in ailing state to die amidst her family
A calico cat, who vanished 10 years ago from her Maine home, came back to die there, surrounded by those who loved her, according to reports.
Six days after the cat's owner, Jenifer Banis, spotted Miss Kitty for the first time since 2009, she was put to sleep on Tuesday afternoon. The cat had reportedly belonged to Banis' mother, who had asked for her family to take care of Miss Kitty after she passed away at the age of 55 because of ovarian cancer in 2007.
Banis said that she is convinced that her late mother guided their beloved cat home so that she could die surrounded by her loved ones.
"I really wanted to have a happy ending," she told Portland Press-Herald. "I really think my mother brought her to me so she wouldn’t die alone in the woods. It all was too much for her little body."
"She was doing OK for a while. Then it just became clear to me that she came back to us because my mom wanted to make sure she was safe and comfy when she passed… My mom was a really caring, connected person when she was alive, and I appreciate that people are connecting with us through this experience," Banis continued. "I know my mom is happy now. Miss Kitty is with her, and she’s taking care of her now."
The cat was reportedly found by animal control officer Jeff Cooper in Durham, Maine, last week. Cooper was surprised to find that the flea-infested cat was microchipped. She was reportedly found eight miles away from Banis' home.
The cat was reunited with Banis, and then the 16-year-old feline was rushed to a veterinary clinic in Portland, where she reportedly underwent a tracheotomy to repair her collapsed larynx.
Reports state that her condition appeared to be improving and she was sent home last Sunday. However, her health quickly deteriorated again and Banis was told that Miss Kitty was too sick to recover from her surgery.
The cat was reportedly suffering from pneumonia and other age-related illnesses when Banis and a veterinarian decided that it was kinder to put the elderly cat to sleep instead. Banis said that she was glad that her children got to meet her late mother's beloved pet as they were too young to meet her mother when she died.