In Memory of Tiga- Keeping Our Kitties Safe

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Barb and Tori

Member Since 2009
Yesterday marked the third year anniversary of the death of my kitty Tiga. He was only 3 years old when he passed. He died a horrible death due to a terrible accident; an accident that I never want another kitty and their person to experience. This is his story.

The night that Tiga died my diabetic kitty Tori was in hospital fighting for her life. She had developed a severe case of gastritis after being given Metacam for her arthritis. It was so severe tthat she actually vomited up a piece of her stomach lining. She became septic and we really didn't think she was going to live. I had just come back from seeing her and was going to try and get an hour's nap before I went to work that night . I was exhausted but I needed to get my uniforms washed before I went to work. Then I got careless.

Tiga was a wonderful little boy. He was always full of energy and was always getting into things just like a little kitten. I called him Mischief. That night he was his usual self getting into trouble. I don't remember what he did that night but I remember sweeping him up in my arms and telling him how silly he was and how much I loved him. Those were the last words I ever said to him.

I went downstairs not realizing he followed me. When I opened the dryer there was some damp clothes in it. I left the door open and went to ask my daughter to put my uniforms in for me after her laundry was dry. I was gone for less than a minute. I didn't look in the dryer before I turned it on and ran upstairs to bed. I fell asleep within seconds.

I woke up to my daughter screaming that Tiga was in the dryer. I ran downstairs but he was gone. I remembering screaming NO!!! in an agony that I had never felt before or since. I tried doing CPR on Tiga but it was useless. I only pray that when I turned the dryer on that the first sudden movement knocked him out and he didn't suffer.

After Tiga died the love of this Board and the fact that Tori and my children needed me were what helped get me survive the terrible guilt and pain that I felt. One member told me that God must have had a very special mission for Tiga or He wouldn't have left me the way he did. She called him the Guardian Angel of our kitties. Tiga's mission has become my mission. To keep his memory alive and to help save other kitties I retell his story every year and will continue to do so. I never want another kitty to suffer his fate.

So my friends I'm asking for your help. Please everyone tell at least one cat owner Tiga's story. It only takes a few seconds of not being diligent for a tragedy to occur. Our kitties are so curious and innocent and they don't realize that dangers around them. Spread the word. Let's keep our kitties safe and help me honor Tiga's memory.
 
Barb, I was so very new to this board when this happened. All I could think about is "how many times had I found one of my cats in the dryer??"

From that day on, when I took clothes out of the dryer the door got closed after I pulled the clothes out. When I put clothes in, I did a "meower count" to make sure no one was in the dryer. You have at least saved the souls of the cats in my house...thank you and Tiga!! He is still helping kitties to this day.

(((Barb, Tori and Tiga))) thank you for the reminder.
 
Barb, you can count on us to tell Tiga's story. Thank you for this post. I know how difficult it must have been for you to re-live that awful night.

Many hugs,
Ella & Rusty
 
oh barb, i'm so sorry. what a terrible accident. i've had inquisitive cats get into the dryer - they are such curious little souls and there is so much in a house for them to get into. i hope you've been able to let go of the guilt, accidents simply happen. your little Tiga is doing fine and waiting for you.

thank you for telling your story. peace.
 
I am so glad you continue to retell this story, Barb. I first heard it from you a year ago, and it is definitely heartbreaking. But I have 2 kittens in the house who absolutely love the dryer, and I have told DS your story to make sure we are BOTH very careful to check before closing the door. So thank you. (((Barb)))
 
I know Tiga has joined our other GA's over the Bridge & is watching over you now--
The story is so sad, & I do remember that day--But please find it in your heart to forgive yourself..
My heart goes out to you again, every time I hear of this--Perhaps Tiga will come back to you in a new kitty one day.Thank you, it needed to be told-Hugs & lub from us~
 
Barb, I thank God you had this board and your kids. "Guardian Angel of our kitties" made me cry. He is on a special mission.

I leave the front load washer and dryer open all the time, I never even thought of a cat going in them. Thank you for sharing about Tiga. I'm sure it will save lives. My three adopticats are real cats being able to jump, sneak and get into mischief. Maverick was more dog than cat, with arthritis the last five years. I will be doing research today on how I can better cat proof my home for them.

Sending you a huge hug Barb. I know its hard to share but it meant a lot to me that you did.
 
Barb, I know this is painful for you to share every year, but thank you for doing it. I will never forget the night that happened. Ever since then, I never, ever close the dryer without reaching my hand in and rooting through the clothes to be sure there is nobody in there. I told my mom, and she does the same thing. Two of my cats love the dryer, and even chubby Lucy can manage to jump in quickly and quietly. It would be so easy to miss seeing them if you are distracted. I always check before I close the refrigerator too.
 
Tiga's story is always hard for me to read. I can't even begin to imagine what that was like for you. Hopefully, Tiga's spirit and message will serve to protect many others.
 
I remember that day so well! How heart-wrenching it has to have been for you. Now I never start the dryer without doing a headcount to be sure everyone is out in the room. Tiga continues to save kitties every day.
 
Barb:

I know what it costs you emotionally to share this story and I'm glad that you continue to do so....I am always saddened by it but it is such an important message. Cats are so fast and so many things intrigue them...esp laundry going round and round and anything that seems like a cubbyhole.

Hugs to you, to your brave warrier princess GA Tori, to your sweet GA Tiga, to Daniel and fiancee, to DGbaby on the way.
 
I remember hearing Tiga's story when I joined the board. I don't think I learned his name though. I am so sorry this happened. Maui actually, used to love helping me do the laundry and would jump in the dryer as I was filling and emptying it.

I always do a kitty head check before I turn it on! I did it before I heard your story, but after hearing it, I'm even more diligent about it.

Thank you for sharing your story and there are no words to describe the sadness I feel when I think about Tiga.
 
Barb, I know it is so hard for you to repeat this every year, but thank you for doing so out of love for all the others kits out there. It is a sober reminder we all neef to heed.
 
I remember Tiga's story.

I never had a cat before that was interested in the dryer...but I do now.

Sophie (the Terrorist Princess), will run to the laundry area as soon as she
hears the dryer open. She will leap in there even if the clothes are sopping wet and
cold.

Be assured, I am VERY DILIGENT about making sure she is not in there. I only
open the dryer when I am right there. Scoop Sophie out if she happens to go in.
Check for Sophie OUTSIDE the dryer, then close the door.

She is very laundry-oriented, helping every laundry day to press the clothes when
they are dumped on the bed fresh from the dryer to be folded.

She must have learned in her first year, before we adopted her, the source of those
nice warm clothes....yes, the dryer.
 
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