This Post was written in 2024.
My wife, Angi, and I came home one day rather late. Strangely, our cat “Kitty” did not jump onto the car to greet us as she usually would.
We unloaded the groceries, and went outside to call her. No response.
I walked to the usual places close by where she likes to sit and ponder. No luck.
We began to get a little worried and so, we walked down the street, calling her as we went. No cat.
We ate supper, but neither of us could concentrate on whatever was on TV that night. Where could the cat be? We imagined all sorts of bad scenarios: hit by a car, an unfortunate-ending fight with some passing animal, someone snatching the cat. We really began to be worried.
So, Angi and I walked again. I took the long route, going up each street on the block and down the next street. I returned and told Angi “no result.”
I finally resolved myself to the idea of someone taking our pretty, tuxedo Kitty. With great sadness, I said to Angi “I just hope she is with a nice family.” That’s the best I could do to console myself and Angi.
Later that night, I went out again, calling, calling, calling. No result.
We went to bed, naturally, disheartened.
The next morning around 5:00 am, I woke up and decided to do something usual (to get my mind off the problem) and so, I took the trash out. When I tossed the bag into the big, black can, I heard a “Meow” above me.
I looked up and saw Kitty! I got my ladder, climbed up, and grabbed her.
When I reached the ground and let the cat jump down, she seemed dazed (but I’m sure, happy). Apparently, she had been awake the entire night keeping herself from falling off the roof (there are no level places on the roof).
I took her into the house and woke Angi with “Look!” We petted her quite a while, and then I fed her. She slept most of each day for the next three days.
Things are back to normal now, with her greeting us each time we come home.