Friday, September 4, 2009

Cat-astrophe

Some time on Wednesday our cat went missing. Daisy is a totally indoor cat, except for the one other time two or three years ago that she got out and was lost for 48 hours. That time she somehow turned up, meowing, in our garage on the second night.

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After that incident, I got her a tag with her name and phone number. A couple of weeks ago, I noticed that her collar was off. The kids take it off from time to time to brush her or whatever, but nobody owned up to it this time, and the collar never turned up and I kind of forgot about it. So, at the time of her disappearance, Daisy was collarless.

Wednesday after school, which was shortly after we discovered she was gone, the children printed up and passed out flyers, and we scoured the neighborhood. Nothing. The past two nights, one or more of my kids have cried themselves to sleep.

Last night at about 4 am, I heard meowing from my third floor window (our house is really just two floors, but we have a walk-out basement, so at the back it’s like three). I don’t know if I was already awake, or if the sound woke me.

Craig ran outside and spotted her across the street in the neighbor’s yard. But instead of running to him, she ran away, behind the houses into the thick brush.

For the next hour and a half or more, Craig, Firstborn, and I (but mostly them) climbed through bush and branch, catching a sight of her here and hearing her meow there. However, she eluded us them. (She still has her front claws, so thankfully, she is not defenseless.)

Now, I should explain that she is not an affectionate cat. She spends most of her day sleeping on the hamper. She hisses at strangers. She doesn’t particularly like to be petted. She doesn’t really like any kind of cat toys, even catnip. I’m kind of wondering if she really wants to come home.

The kids love her, though, and at night she sleeps on Pinkerbelle's bed. We looked again this morning and found nothing. I guess we’ll go back out after dark when her nocturnal instincts have kicked into gear. We know she’s out there. Stubborn cat.

12 comments:

The Whispering Creek House said...

o Cats change families! lol Our cat Marbles has gone missing too. I am afraid that it might be gone for good..My daughter is grieving and we have been in an upheaval every since! So I can relate! LOL

LuLu said...

Oh i hope she comes back! I'm sending you positive cat thoughts!!!
LuLu

Ali said...

I pray she comes back safely, I know how hard that must be for your family. And she is such a pretty kitty!

debbie said...

Does she like any kind of treats? Something you can shake and lure her to come you?

Are you leaving food out for her? The reason I ask is if you are try taking it away and if she gets hungry enough she might come back.

I wish you luck. I know how hard it is.

Robin said...

oh poor baby! Could you rent a "have a heart" trap or something from your animal control? leave it on your porch with some yummy tuna or wet food and see if you can catch her? Would she venture into it? Good luck!

Unknown said...

We had a cat once that was very mean, didn't like people, would not let anyone touch her but she lived to be 25 years old! I pray you kitty comes home soon. Esther

Tins and Treasures said...

Oh, I do hope your kitty decides that it would be better inside the house. They do have a mind of their own, don't they?
Sending best wishes your way. Have a good weekend ~Natalie

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

She is beautiful, even if she is stubborn. ;) We had a cat when I was a kid that decided he didn't like us anymore...he went to live around the corner. It is heartbreaking for the kids, I am sure. :(

Mandi @ Sweetly Home said...

Oh gosh, I do hope you guys find her! Hopefully she'll get hungry and come home. She is so pretty!! Please keep us posted.

Joan@anthinggoeshere said...

I hope you get her tonight. She may not be friendly but she knows where her home is!

Brenda Pruitt said...

She'll probably come home. Cats seem to have this instinct about that. You've heard of these pets that manage to find their way home hundreds of miles away. She's probably piqued at something. Her way of telling you she's boss!
Brenda

lagirl/sweet tea said...

At least you know she's close by. Does that make the kids feel any better? She's messin' with you.
Naughty Kitty!!