Hello there,
This unfortunate incident happened to me and my family yesterday afternoon.
I had a white flamed-ear Siamese cat named Snowball. He was only 1 year old and I had adopted him when he was 8 weeks old.
Typically, I would find him in the dryer when I have a pile of warm clothes - he would always lay on top of it and I'd laugh and make him get out.
Yesterday, it was pre-Spring cleaning for me and I was doing load after load of laundry. On my very last load, I had grabbed a king size fleece blanket and decided to wash it.
Not even thinking TWICE, I threw the blanket into the face-front washer, closed it, and put soap - started the machine up. The cycle was set for 40 minutes.
I went to my bedroom to fold clothes. I went back out to the kitchen (utility room is next to the kitchen), and heard heavy thumping in the washer. Then, I thought to myself, "Geez, it's only a blanket, what on earth?" - my WORSTTTTT fears became reality and I was in denial. I ran to my bedroom and prayed that Snowball was sleeping on his cat tree.
Nope, he wasn't there.
I darted back to the washing machine and the thumping continued. I looked and I SAW HIM against the glass. I stopped the machine and opened the door and he laid there, BARELY breathing. His eyes were wide open. I ran to my room and cried for my boyfriend who got him out of the washer, laid him on the floor and started doing CPR.
Snowball was full of water and soap. He had head trauma and had blood coming out of his eyes and nose.
We got towels and blow dryer and tried what we could. His breaths were short and he let out little moans. I cried the entire time, begging him to come back.
We live out in the country so the nearest vet was about 40 minutes away. I held him as my boyfriend tried drying him. I looked into Snowball's eyes and saw his soul leave his body. His blue eyes turned black and his nose and lips turned blue/black.
I couldn't believe it. I just held my baby and cried...
We buried him next to our tree in the backyard. We said the Lord's Prayer for him.
I could hardly sleep last night. I miss everything about him. I have so MUCHHH GUILT. I blame myself 100% and I just cannot believe it happened.
I love this cat with all of my heart and have never felt a stronger bond with any animal as I did with him.
I cannot un-see the events that happened and they keep me up at night. The images have been seared into my brain and my heart breaks knowing he suffered and must have been so scared.
I am so, so, so, so, sorry Snowball. Please forgive me.
