I’m sad

Vicki, you and Autumn are in my thoughts & prayers for her safe return. Ms. B disappeared for 3 days when she was just a little thing and came running home late one night when I was outside shaking a treat can and calling for her. She was scared as heck for quite awhile and would not go outside for love or money. So I hope that Autumn does the same and returns, scared but safe.

I’m sorry Vicki, I hope you find that little baby soon.

*praying for Autumn’s safe return*

Vicki, is there any news this morning. She is so tiny and sweet, I hope she comes home soon.

Oh Vicki, I am sorry Autumn has wandered off. Sylvester did that to me one night. Thankfully he got hungry and came back seven hours later, plus I don’t he went farther than the back yard off in the trees because he had residue from the trees on his fur. I will think positive that your furr baby comes back soon. Hugs and prayers.

I pray for Autumns safe return and giving you a hug til she can again. hugs and purrs.

Vicki,

Take heart and persist: most “lost” cats are not far away. I have lost and found many cats over many years — in fact, I was just thinking the other day that I’ve only ever truly lost one I couldn’t find again, and that was the very first one back in 1971, when I couldn’t keep searching because I moved away. It could take as long as a week or ten days, but keep looking.

Post signs everywhere, with a picture if possible and a 48 point headline. Go out LATE at night, around 4 am, and LISTEN. Don’t just call her name — talk cat. Don’t feel foolish about it, just meow, with a questioning lilt. Use a flashlight, as suggested. Think like a cat: where would she feel safe? Ask neighbors to triple check garages, basements and sheds. Cehck your own enclosed spaces. Watch other animals in the area — again and again, I’ve had neighborhood cats lead me to a lost cat, or vice versa. Enlist kids in the area.

But most of all: keep looking, keep listening. She wants to come home. Every bit of effort you put into it makes it more likely that she will. I’m rooting for you to find each other. Please keep us posted. We’re out there with you in spirit.

One of my “lost” cats turned out to be the cherished pet of a little old lady down the street. That darn cat just loved turning up on doorsteps and looking pathetic. Finally all of us on the block became aware of the situation, and when Wilbur appeared, we would simply tuck him under our arms and take him back to his mama.

Hey Vicki, any news yet?

Lynn,

When I get a new kitten or move to a new house, I always do a ritual of “beating the bounds”: carry the kitty around the edges of the yard, showing it where its turf ends. I repeat this over several weeks, eventually switching to a leash, then finally move to supervised unleashed outdoor breaks, timed to insure there’s an incentive to come back indoors — it’s getting cold and/or it’s dinnertime, for example.

It has always worked for me. I hope it does for you.

And I sure hope Vicki is just busy cuddling a safely returned Autumn…

Angela,

Thanks for the advise. We did buy a leash and a harness and my husband thinks we’re nuts! We live in a rural area and I worry about bald eagles….we have lots and owls….we also have lots of those. We have a golden retriever that aboslutely adores her and follows her around when she is outside but that just makes her easier to see, for which I am grateful because with the leaves on the ground it is easy for her to hide!

Lot’s of fun and certainly lots of learning, both for us and for Tia!