Missing.
My Lil went AWOL earlier this week and the fur is just settling. Lil is an indoor cat and each time The Bee or I head out of the house Lil stands near the front door to attempt a mad dash outside. She had some deck privileges but the privileges had been revoked when Lil jumped off of the deck and I had to go into the abandoned house next door to get her. Winter came and even though our winter was relatively mild, when Lil would get outside she was smart enough to run right back in. Also, the spray bottle we keep near the front door deters her. Sometimes.
Earlier this week I opened the doors and windows wide and gave in to that lusty yowl, allowing Lil the privilege to go out. And she behaved. Lil would respond when I called, galloping through the house in that way that cats do. She would take a nibble from her bowl or a drink of water, demand my attention and then head off. All good! However the day rolled around and when I allowed her to go out on the deck, the trouble started. I called out to her and …silence. I went to investigate and saw a flash of brown and white underneath the deck. Lil had jumped! Each time I would call I’d hear her meow but when I approached she ran off. I tried to shake it off; she would be back, she was never gone for long but this time she ran each time I called her and would dart away from my grasp.
I headed to work; worried and upset that I had lost my cat. I told my sister who helpfully (not) put this post on Facebook:
BOLO: Answers to Lil, Liliana, Football Belly. Fights neighborhood cats, and my kids. Likes to hide in high up spaces for a better attack. Resembles a cushion when sleep. Disregards all appeals for privacy in the bathroom. If found, proceed with food.
My co-worker A noticed I was looking a bit bummed and volunteered to help me look for Lil during lunch. We called out to her, tempted her with food, I even snapped at the rubber bands I keep on my wrists that she loves so much.
Nada.
My sister even stopped making jokes and she and Dill headed to my house to look for Lil. Again, no response. The Bee suggested Lil be an “outdoor” cat and we cut our losses. I kinda agreed; the thought of a flea infestation from Lil’s foray into the great outdoors made me want to rethink having a cat.
That evening I attempted one more time. “Liliana!” I called, shaking a bag of food. “Lil!” She responded with te most pitiful meow. I called again and Lil darted out of the funkiest, dirtiest, yuckiest garage. She ran, The Bee, Dill and I surrounded her and snatched her up.
One bath, two flea and tick sprays and lots of cuddles later and my Lil is back to begging to get out, slinking near the door and meowing pitifully when The Bee or I go near the door to the deck.
We are considering some cat proofing but for now, she makes do with an open window and a sunny patch of ground.
-r
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