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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Dudley is missing

109 replies

timtam23 · 25/03/2014 07:19

My lovely kitten-under-the-bonnet hasn't come home since yesterday evening Sad I know there is always a first time for an all-nighter but it is really unlike him to be out so long & I can't help worrying. He's 8 months old now, a very large and very outdoorsy cat, and bashes the catflap to bits if he has an early curfew, but I always set it to "in only" in the evening so that he spends the night inside. There's been the odd occasion when he's stayed out until the early hours but he has always always come home before, even if it's raining (which it is!). I didn't sleep that well and came downstairs this morning hoping to see him asleep in his armchair - but no. I've even been out for a stroll around the local area - on the bright side, there are no signs he's been run over, but he is certainly nowhere nearby as he would have heard me and come out. The weather is rotten here today but I guess DH will go out later into the woods, which is the logical place for him to have headed for. Trying not to think about putting missing cat posters up - will give him 24 hours first, and hope he comes home in that time Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
timtam23 · 26/03/2014 22:08

Hi, sadly he has still not come home Sad

But on the bright-ish side, I rang 2 local councils today (we live close to the council boundaries) and neither of them have picked up any dead animals from my area - so am hoping this means he hasn't been in an accident. The council guys were so kind and helpful, they said they do their best to identify cats so that owners can be told, and try to return collars etc when they can.

I have also spent most of this evening leafletting - I think I've put 150 leaflets through doors and I may do the same amount again - am I daft?? DH has spoken to the postman and I'll catch the milkman on Friday.

Dudley is now on local Twitter groups and Facebook and I have had quite a lot of people at work telling me stories of cats who were missing but came home [hopeful]. Local vets are now aware, as is the microchip company and his chip has been marked as missing.

Not much else to do but wait now I think, and see what happens. I may try the local paper etc but to be honest I have been getting more & more upset when focussing on Dudley being missing, I was actually ok at work today when distracted by other things.

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cozietoesie · 26/03/2014 22:11

Stay strong. We've all got fingers crossed here.

Has the old blind boy noticed he's gone?

Original poster
timtam23 · 26/03/2014 22:24

Cozie - not too sure - he seems maybe more relaxed (because Dudley used to ambush him & playfight at least once a day) but Duds also used to guard & guide him when they both went outside, and I think he also liked it when Duds lay next to him and groomed him, so in that way I think he notices he is alone again.

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Scarletohello · 26/03/2014 23:21

Aw sorry no news, fingers crossed for his safe return.

Sparklingbrook · 26/03/2014 23:22

Still here, still willing him home. Hopefully the leaflets will bring some good news. x

hellymelly · 26/03/2014 23:33

Really hoping he is home soon. Is he neutered?

Original poster
timtam23 · 26/03/2014 23:50

helly yes he is neutered, so hopefully wouldn't be inclined to roam for miles and miles. He is also microchipped and has a collar, so everything which could have been done, has been done (fortunately!)

Thanks again all - DH says he has "moved on" from the original frantic search so I don't have anyone to be sad with about Dudley (except for the DCs who I am trying to jolly along a bit and not dwell on the sad bits). We are not going out with food tonight, we've done that for the last 2 days/nights & are pretty sure he's out of earshot - will see if the leaflets bring any news.

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ToFollowJulie · 27/03/2014 05:33

When I saw your update I hoped he was home. I hope today will be the day he turns up.

KittieCat · 27/03/2014 06:42

Just checking in! You've done all the right things so hopefully he'll be back soon. Just a matter of time.

Come on, Dudley, time to go home.

Sparklingbrook · 27/03/2014 06:42

When my cat went missing I did the frantic bit for a couple of days, then there's nothing else to do but stay positive and wait for news.

My story didn't have a happy ending I am afraid but it was the leaflets that solved the mystery and brought her back to us.

Anyway enough of that. Today could well be the day he comes trottting back down the garden like nothing has happened. x

Original poster
timtam23 · 27/03/2014 07:08

Absolutely delighted to report that I was woken at 4am by Dudley miaowing in my ear! He was a little bit damp - it was raining at the time - but very clean and not hungry - make of that what you will! He doesn't seem injured although he smells of damp/mould

He has been manhandled by the DCs, and even DH has managed to wake up for long enough to welcome him home

Maybe the leaflets helped, maybe they didn't, we shall probably never find out. Once again I wish Duds could talk!

Thank you so much everyone for your wise words of support since he went missing

Grin Grin Grin

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TamzinGrey · 27/03/2014 07:12

Oh Oh Oh - that's really made my day. I'm so pleased for you. What a relief (Naughty Boy!)

cozietoesie · 27/03/2014 07:15

Hurrah!

Is he being close or Devil May Care?

Grin
cozietoesie · 27/03/2014 07:18

PS - smelling of damp or mould.......

Have you got any empty properties nearbyish? The sort that might be being looked at/opened by estate agents etc.

Original poster
timtam23 · 27/03/2014 07:19

When he woke me up he was purring/miaowing like mad and kept dashing off to check other rooms then running back to me for a cuddle with more miaows, now he has gone a bit devil-may-care and was trying to get out of the cat flap again! (it's locked and will be staying that was for a while!)

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Original poster
timtam23 · 27/03/2014 07:20

Cozie yes there are 2 properties on my street which are lying empty but we don't think there's an obvious way in even for a cat

It could be an explanation though

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Fluffycloudland77 · 27/03/2014 07:23

Thank god for that.

cozietoesie · 27/03/2014 07:24

His cleanliness suggests he was in one place - and as (probably) having been brought up on the streets, he'd likely have been taught to hunt by his Mum. His belly could be full of mouse!

I reckon the empty properties are your explanation although how he got in to one and out again is probably going to remain a mystery.

So glad for you that he's back. Are the DCs pleased?

Sparklingbrook · 27/03/2014 07:26

Yesss!!!

Dudley is missing
cadidog · 27/03/2014 07:32

What happy news. Welcome home to Dudley!

patienceisvirtuous · 27/03/2014 07:33

:) :) :)

cozietoesie · 27/03/2014 07:38

I'm assuming you'll be notifying all the big organizations, vet etc that he's returned - but perhaps also stick a poster or two up (and tell the postie) saying that the miscreant has returned? He'll be famous now and people will like to know that he's back/won't be phoning you every time they see him. (It will also help with the (almost inevitable) next time he goes AWOL.)

MinkyWinky · 27/03/2014 07:53

Woohoo! So pleased to hear he's homeGrin

Purpleknickers · 27/03/2014 08:22

Yaaaaay excellent news so pleased for you all

BigArea · 27/03/2014 10:16

Yay fantastic news Grin [Dudley emoticon]