HathCat1 is a brave cat: a bold hunter and a tart for a head rub. He likes to follow us on the walk to school (though chickens out near the station and waits for me to come back). Neighbours from a couple of streets away recognise him from his reconnaissance missions; he protects the farmer's field from rabbit incursions. He likes Felix but not the fancy flavours. He likes to nap in the top bunk, and offers a warning claw if you dare to move him. He climbs like a mountain goat, with the thigh-spring of a pouncing leopard. He will sleep for hours on a carelessly discarded blue IKEA bag, especially if the sun is shining through the window. In summer he s t r e t c h e s out on the wood floor in the dining room where it stays cool. He can accelerate from 0-60 from an upstairs bed if he hears a Dreamies packet shaken.
And last Sunday (19th) he went out after breakfast as usual, and hasn't come back.
We didn't worry immediately: he has done 48h or so before, goodness knows where, coming back nonchalantly as though it had been twenty minutes. But when I get up in the morning it will be the eleventh without him, and that's unheard of.
We've put out the jungle drums on the village fb page and local area missing pets page. We've spoken to neighbours and other local friends. Our unofficial street grandad has encouraged everyone to check sheds and garages. We've walked round all his usual haunts with treats, calling his name and his home-name and our special "food time" call, listening for mews by garage doors and high garden walls.
What do we DO? There's stories of cats turning up after months, so eleven days is nothing. Our insurer will pay for poster printing and even a reward for return - DH is calling to discuss this tomorrow.
I've prayed, and I've never felt further from God in my life.
I need him. His Christmas present was already wrapped. There's a tag on something else addressed to the DC from him. He's family. We need him.
Wise Litter Tray, tell me what we can do. Talk sense. Talk timing. Talk best case. Please: I need you all.