I had another post lined up (it was about opera, so you're not missing much) but my mind (or what's left of it) is temporarily distracted.
My two-year-old kitty Scruffy has been missing for nearly 24 hours. I always prefer to keep my cats indoors, but occasionally I let them out on the back porch to get some fresh air and a change of scene.
I let Scruffy out yesterday and accidentally fell asleep. When I woke up and looked outside she was nowhere around. She usually comes immediately when I call her. I called for hours with no response. She's a very smart cat and knows how to get home - but she's never been gone this long.
And - trust me - these wild woods are not a hospitable place for a house cat to be loose. Truth to tell, this place very often scares the crap out of me. Hawks, owls, coyotes, wild dogs, 'possums, snakes, muskrats, and other creepy critters that defy description (much like myself)......
.......not to mention the torrential rain that never stops......it's the rainiest fricking place on earth.
If anything happens to Scruffy I'll never forgive myself because I carelessly let her out and never checked on her.
I've been in an extremely foul and depressed mood for a very long time. Now I'm in an extremely foul, depressed, worried, and guilty mood.
Another thunderstorm and deluge is starting as I'm writing this. I can only hope that, somehow, Scruffy finds her way home.
OMB! come home safe, scruffy!
ReplyDeletePraying!
ReplyDeleteI had a cat which went mssing...she turned up back home 3 months later!
ReplyDeleteJon
ReplyDeleteI live in an area that within a half mile live coyote, mountain lions and grizzly bears. My neighbors cat routinely disappears for 2-4 days, coming home none the worse for wear. Don't give up hope, and good luck.
Mike
At the outset, we can eliminate hawks, owls, coyotes, wild dogs, 'possums, snakes & muskrats from our list of threats. Half are not interested in cats and half can't climb trees after them. More likely she is holed up under something and out of the rain. As for food, remember cats have come this far by being perfectly endowed by tooth and claw for hunting animals smaller than themselves. She will not go hungry. Of the many cats I've kept over the years, the greatest danger was the highway. If a cursory survey of your nearest road yields nothing, she has either found a new home or will return within a few days. I hope she returns.
ReplyDelete(pardon me for butting in, Jon)
DeletePossums and snakes are for the most part actually food for the cat. Ann's cat has brought home baby possums and left them as a gift on the porch.
Excellent advice Geo.
DeleteRon
Scruffy doesn't have to "find" her way home. She knows her way better than you would, but is she de-clawed? I wouldn't rest until I had grabbed a long walking stick (I keep two by the front door) and thoroughly searched the area. You need to know, and if I was there, sweetie, I'd do it for you. That kind of guilt never goes away, and I don't want it visiting. Action is better than fear.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry and hope she makes her way home soon so you can be at ease. I am guilty of letting my cat out on occasion as well and my heart almost stopped one time when I fell asleep on the swing and woke up to find he had ventured off the porch. I sincerely hope you have good outcome and SOON.
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping and praying that Scruffy is safe and will make it home sooner than later.
ReplyDeleteDo not panic yet. Cats have nine lives and know how to take care of themselves, even indoor ones. Our Curry disappeared for twenty four hours and when we had about given up hope saw her lounging next to the house, hidden by bushes. Apparently she enjoyed her little adventure more than we did. So I'm hoping Scruffy is just taking a little vacation and will come home soon. Fingers crossed. A little prayer to Mother Nature to protect her out in the wilderness.
ReplyDeleteJon,
ReplyDeleteI'm late to thus blog posting. Thank goodness you found Scruffy.
Ron