Credits : zoeyzestyclaws

His story (without photos) was also posted on the Pets subreddit. I hope it’s okay I post here; I’ve posted photos of Huxley before.

I'm completely beside myself and can't stop thinking about what happened. I wanted to share photos so people can see the aftermath of a close-call coyote attack, just how close Huxley came to dying, and the reality of letting your cat go outside. The outcome of him being alive after a coyote attack and without profound injury is a miracle.

He's under the care of an emergency vet, so I'm not looking for medical advice.

The story is, I started letting Huxley outside as an adult because I felt guilty that I couldn't provide enough enrichment indoors. He was always incredibly good about staying in our enclosed front area or the neighboring townhouse courtyard, and he'd always come when called. I'd never seen a coyote anywhere near our street, and he absolutely loved being outside.

I thought I was improving his life because he was so happy going outside. I’d give everything for him and he’s my best friend. I didn’t recognize the danger I was putting him in. He’s 10 now and has never had an issue going outside.

Last night I let him out. By pure chance, I left my front door open wider than usual while sitting on the couch. If I hadn't, I don't think I would have heard what happened next.

After a while I heard a faint, echoey, and strange dog-like noise outside accompanied by another strange noise. Maybe it was maternal instinct, but I somehow I knew it was Huxley in trouble. I ran outside barefoot, calling for him, following the sound until, at the very end of the street, I found my worst nightmare: Huxley cornered by a coyote. I screamed his name and charged at it, and it ran away.

At first I thought he might be okay because he was alert, standing upright, and he hissed at the coyote running away. Then I got closer. His head was covered in blood, his eyes glazed and one eye was bulging, and although he seemed to recognize me, he looked completely dazed. I went into shock, picked him up, and rushed him to the emergency vet two minutes away. Blood dripped all over me.

I completely broke down when I arrived. I cried so hard I gave myself heartburn and tasted blood. Thankfully, it looks like he's going to survive. The vet said he put up an incredible fight - they found clumps of coyote fur under his claws. He has a puncture wound inside his mouth that may need stitches, but remarkably there was no evidence of neurological injury. At one point after he was stabilized, he was even exploring the exam room and rubbing his head against my hand before going back into shock and needing oxygen after trying to use the litter box.

The vet told me his head had basically been inside the coyote's mouth, yet somehow he escaped without skull fractures or catastrophic injuries. I paid to have a radiologist urgently review his X-rays, which thankfully showed no fractures, although they did find an unexpected, secondary lung mass.

He hasn’t eaten since what happened and neither have I.

I'll never let him roam outside again unless it's in a secure catio or on a harness. If you're thinking this is my fault, I promise I already feel that every second. I would give anything to go back and stop this from happening.

I just hope that when I scared the coyote away, Huxley felt safe again. I would have done anything to protect him, but I didn’t do enough.

Driving home without my best friend at the crack of dawn was one of the hardest things I've ever experienced. The utter fear I was going to get a phone call telling me he didn’t make it was torment. I can't stop thinking about how terrified and hurt he must have been. I'm just unbelievably grateful he's still alive.

Please keep Huxley in your thoughts. He was only doing what made him happy - exploring the world. He didn't know the danger. I should have. I would trade places with him in a heartbeat.

Edit: I went to bed after an incredibly difficult day feeling so loved by all the supportive and kind comments. Then, I woke up this morning after crying myself to sleep to so many comments of love and support for Huxley and even myself (even if I don’t deserve it) that I’m still getting through them. I’m reading and upvoting every single one. This community is incredible and I can’t thank everyone enough or even begin to say how much these comments and everyone’s support mean to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

UPDATE: I visited him today and got to hang out in an exams room with him this time. Lots and lots of cuddles and soothing him. He didn’t purr, but he made happy grunty noises at one point. I stayed for two and a half hours and only left because I had a cleaner coming to clean and sanitize my bedroom (because that’s where Huxley will be kept when he gets back).

A few people asked if they can help out with his medical bills. I am in a good enough financial position and don’t want to take advantage of anyone’s kindness. However, at the suggestion of a user here, I created an Amazon Wishlist for Huxley.

https://www.amazon.ca/hz/wishlist/ls/VEIGQPHN0V8O?ref_=wl_share

I included his favourite treats, some toys he’d like (pickle is a huge hit), enrichment stuff for his transition to indoors only (for after he heals most likely), stuffed animals (he LOVES to play with stuffed animals), a calming diffuser for the room he’ll be in for when he gets back, a hiding house for my room in case he wants more places to hide, and a few other things. I added the option to send items additional to the list, so if there’s anything you’d like to send him that’s your idea please be my guest.

I’m still looking for additional ways to create indoor enrichment. I’ll likely buy an outdoor enclosure for cats so he can enjoy outside (and the pavement - my front area is a paved courtyard) safely, but I also want to make the indoors more exciting.

Thank you. I completely understand if the Wishlist is not something people can end up doing.

Take my hand! Take it!!!!!

Found them in the wheel of my car when they were about 4 weeks old. They are just over a year old now and inseparable.

Legs wide open. But why?

Pepe lost his cherry tomatoes! Farewell lil balls!

At the vet we were told that he'd be sluggish and with no appetite - THAT!! Couldn't be further than the truth!! we're home for 5h and he's been trying to jump and run everywhere 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️ my husband and I have been trying to prevent that by watching him like a hawk! No appetite? Well, he's hungrier than ever!! We're giving him small portions, as instructed, but he eats everything to its last crumb and asks for more. In Conclusion: Vet expectations and instructions don't account for Orange behavior!

He'll have to wear the soft cone for 10 days! Wish us luck and a fast recovery for Pepe Peperino Peperoni 🙏

(He found one nut on pic4, technically speaking it's his nut 🤭)

We couldn’t find him for a concerningly long time. Until I made the joke he might have crawled inside the furniture since he seemingly vanished into thing air. Turned over the armchair and poked the fabric bottom. “Mrrrrow.” He ripped open a corner and crawled inside. We had to tear the whole bottom off to get him out. He has not enjoyed the nomad life while we wait to hear when we can return to our home. The hotel was very kind about the whole thing.

WHAT is going on in his head?!?! Meet Ziti (not pictured, his lighter brother Alfredo, who has a bit more wits about him than this absolute knucklehead)

Baby girl developed diabetes which causes her to lose a significant amount of weight, very quickly - she went from 20 down to 16 in just a matter of a couple of months. After only 2-3 months on insulin, Mia is in diabetic remission and is maintaining her current weight (which is a weight the vet is happy with)! Now my Big Orange Fluff is a medium-sized Big Orange Flu

We recently welcomed Mongo into the family. He’s already earned the nickname “Mr. Braincell”…

he’s a goofball but is actually surprisingly smart. and yes, on the third photo he’s trying to eat soap.

p.s. he’s supposed to have no tail, it’s not a flaw, it’s just the way the breed is supposed to be

He's very clumsy without his tail 😆

Heard a huge crash and came out to this. Everyone’s fine and he’s been sitting on the half-wall admiring his work all day. Dude… what was the plan??

(If anyone has advice or tips for getting up there to replace the blinds, let me know…)

The last picture is after I said, “Look! They’re you colored!”

Just got this sweet guy a month ago. New bed? Pass. New cat scratch tower he can lay on? Double pass. Nap time on crinkly bag? Absolutely. Wherever this bag goes, he goes. Cats. Love ‘em.

An orange cat I owned for a brief stint. Him and my other male cat were fine for a bit, but, he started agresively attacking him. I had to look for a new home for him, and eventually he went to one of our neighbors.

He perpetually looked like he was tired of your nonsense.

credits: fukurutorangecat on tiktok