I also forgot to mention they both have collars.

I'm sorry for your loss, Sara.  I hope you're able to find Demi alive and
well.  This is just one of the reasons why I keep my kitties indoors.  You
never can tell when your cat may come across someone who dislikes cats
enough to harm them.  :(

Holly

catz442000@yahoo.com at catz442000@yahoo.com wrote on5/12/05 5:46 PM:

Sara,

It would be wonderful if Demi is unharmed.  I don't know what you can do
other than wait for her and hope.  If she is alive, she will come home.  It
does seem that poisoning is a likely cause of Tom's death, whether
accidental or intentional.  There is always the possibility of death by
natural causes at any age, but this is certainly highly suspicious.

In many, many areas, cats should be kept indoors.  I am not suggesting that
you did anything wrong.  For years I had cats who went out.  But once a
whole family of them disappeared -- trapped by my neighbors, I found out
later.  And I had one who was hit by a car, one who was bitten by a snapping
turtle, and several who had fleas, ticks or parasites (things that at one
time I thought were minor problems even though they can cause serious
illnesses.)  I have learned to keep my cats indoors, and to provide them
with lots of fun places to hide, things to climb on, and toys for play and
exercise.  I've learned that cats can be perfectly content to stay indoors
where they are protected.

Since you love cats, you will probably have many of them in your lifetime.
You will grieve for each one when it dies, but you will be glad for the joy
that each one brought you, and the special pleasure of having a bond of
affection with such an amazing creature as is each individual cat.  In
future, you will probably want to keep them inside.

I hope Demi comes home.

I forgot to add--please let us know the results of the autopsy if you do it
and anything new about Demi. Thanks  DEW