I ran over the cat in the driveway today!

I ran over the cat in the driveway this morning. We both survived. In fact, I might be worse than he is.

After all, I ran over the cat in the driveway this morning. This is the second cat I've run over in my driveway, and the second cat to survive.

Either I'm very lucky, or not very good at running over my own cats.

Today's near-squashing has a good excuse. I drive a Prius, and in electric mode it doesn't make any noise. I've almost hit the cat several times because he doesn't hear me coming, but I've seen him in the back-up camera, which I first thought was a silly feature but now am grateful to have. This morning the cat was under the car, so I didn't see him in the camera. I did hear it, however, when I rolled him over. I slammed on brakes and he ran out from under the car, shaking his head and licking his teeth as if to check to see if they were all there.

Then he started to clean himself. This is the most un-hygienic cat; he never cleans himself. So clearly I whacked him hard enough to do some brain damage. Thank God he wasn't under a wheel!

The other cat I ran over was a young cat we were trying to keep in the house. He dashed out just as I was driving out and ran under the car. I felt two bumps -- front wheel, back wheel -- and had that really sick feeling you get when you realize you just ran over your cat with your wheels. Then I saw him run off, dragging a leg.

God looks after fools and cats. He was only badly bruised. The only thing the vet could figure is that the cat must have been in a low spot (AKA hole) in our unpaved driveway, so he didn't take the full weight of the car. Plus, I was moving quickly so I didn't squash him as I might have at a lower speed. And because of his age, his bones were more flexible. He was fine the next day.

I guess I'll have to start sounding the horn before I start to drive in the morning. Won't I be popular with the neighbors? Of course, that Toyota horn sounds more like the whine of a person who doesn't really expect you to get out of the way. It's the most non-assertive horn on the planet. "I know you're going to kick sand in my face, but when you're all done insulting me, would you mind moving forward just an eensie weensie bit? The light turned green five minutes ago....."

But! At least I can breathe through both nostrils, unlike poor Venomous Kate. http://www.electricvenom.com/?p=8975

Comments

[Kathy C]

Yikes! Two years ago I ran over a cat someone had left at our new residence. We were in the process of moving and weary of soul, and it still makes me sad. That same summer I squished a little kitten in my friends horse barn as I was carrying a western saddle in front of me and not minding my step.

I like this blog too! I will try to keep up on both. =)