I was all prepared to tear up after reading this post, so I am glad there was a surprise twist ending. Thank goodness kitty is okay. They really do have 9 lives!
Chris, I think cats DO get embarrassed. Sometimes when I throw my kitty's favorite fishy toy and she tries to catch it but misses it, she sort of abruptly walks away very cool and casual like "Oh well I didn't want to play anyway." And if I catch her emerging from the litterbox, she gets positively mortified. She certainly won't go in while anyone might be watching either. She will come out, freeze like a deer in headlights, and dash off like a bullet while "yelling" at me.