Cats Behaving Badly

Oregon State Police ask for help finding cat that caused crash
Published: Tuesday, July 27, 2010, 6:57 PM
Updated: Tuesday, July 27, 2010, 8:31 PM
Joseph Rose, The Oregonian

Oregon State Police regularly send out bulletins about criminals on the run.

But Tuesday, the state's largest police agency took the unusual step of issuing a "missing cat" alert.

One reason not to drive with a cat crawling around your car: It might want to curl up under your feet at 55 mph.

Southern Oregon University student Brittany Spady rolled her Ford Explorer on U.S. 26 east of Banks on Monday night after her long-haired tortoiseshell Calysta slinked between the brake and gas pedals.

"I tried to stop her," Spady, 21, said, "and I took my eyes off the road."

Spady said the cat refuses to travel in a carrier. Headed home from Ashland, she had been on the road for four hours and was just two miles from her parents' house when the sport utility vehicle swerved into a ditch, rolled and struck a tree just before 8 p.m.

Calysta, wearing a purple collar with a bell, bolted from the crash scene, vanishing into the forest near milepost 52.

"The family has been out looking for the cat," said Lt. Gregg Hastings, an OSP spokesman. "I offered to help."

Spady's right arm and head are gashed and bruised. Her 1993 Explorer is totaled. But she misses her cat -- adopted at a Medford animal shelter -- more than her car.

Now, she's waiting to hear from someone who has seen Calysta: 503-324-0301.

Editor's Note: This EXACT thing happened to my Michelle. Seriously. Cats hate cars and will do anything to sabotage one. Do NOT take "I refuse to ride in a carrier" for an excuse! They MUST BE RESTRAINED AT ALL TIMES! They may look cute, but they are not to be trusted.

Suggested punishment:



This entry inspired by links sent by Troy, who probably loves My Michelle's cat more than My Michelle does. And with good reason, as he has never been in a car-totaling and catching on fire, 70-mph on a major interstate free-for-all. Seriously. Restrain them.

CAT CAFES!!!!

Big ups to my girl Kimberlizzle for this link!


I WANT TO GO TO THERE.

Max Update

Poor Maxi Nubbins. First of all, because she has to have a nickname like "Maxi Nubbins." But seriously, she does. She has a little stump of a tail. Or should I say a BIG stump of a tail. It's highly disturbing but she seems way more concerned about the cone (I also call her "Conehead" which I think she dislikes, too). Especially since when she walks she runs into things, and when she eats she flips the bowl over and scoops out kibble. It's a huge mess. I haven't actually seen her use the litter box yet, although I've seen her get into it and turn around in circles. I sure hope that doesn't prove to be a problem for either one of us later.

She does seem resigned to take the pain medication for now at least. She'll have no more after the next 36 hours, though, so here's hoping the pain has abated by then.

I'm supposed to go to my parents' house this weekend, so I'll have to take the cats. Yikes. That will be a hellacious car ride. Maybe Max will surprise me and NOT poop in her carrier. Or maybe it will be exactly like every other time....