While this breaks my heart, as he was only a year and a half old, what breaks my heart even more is why he had to be put down. He ingested rat poison from the neighbors place.
First, let me say it was not done maliciously. The neighbors are older, had a rat problem, and didn't know that it would cause harm to our animals by putting rat poison down. I do not blame them, as it is not their fault.
We are extremely lucky that Athena ended up bringing the poison home and leaving it on the front step. But not many people will be so lucky.
Rat poison is deadly to cats, dogs, owls, ect, even in a small dosage. It shuts down their brain and ends up paralyzing them from the waist down, slowly and painfully.
Athena's death is so heartbreakingly sad, and I miss him terribly, but it was a warning. Please do not use rat-poison, I beg of you. Be vigilant when letting pets outside.
There is no antidote for rat-poison now a days. There used to be, but the formula was changed so it wouldn't harm people, toddlers, that got their hands on it. But it's now lethal to animals with the right amount.
Please be vigilant, be aware, don't use rat-poison. Not only is it inhumane to rats and mice as it takes 3-5 days for it to work and slowly kills them, it's deadly to not just cats and dogs and even chickens, but owls, foxes, coyotes, ect, whatever eats it, or eats what eats it. If you must rid of rats or mice, use traps. It's fast and humane.
While this is a memorial to Athena, this is also a warning. Please be careful, and keep your furry and even feathered babies safe <3
Rest easy now, Theensie. You'll always live in our hearts. You were truly an angel without wings, and truly one of a kind, my little buddy.
