Runaway Cat

Well, we almost had a very tragic thing happen yesterday. We were thisclose (I've always wanted to use that) to losing our cat last night. Now, I'm sure for you, "I'm a dog person", people you are wishing we actually had lost him. But, for us, it was very scary! He always looks out the windows and watches all the other kitty's in the neighborhood out side. But we don't budge at his looks of dispair. "You're a pretty inside cat," we say. He is always at the front door at the sound of the doorknob turning, waiting for his escape. Usually we are able to give him a nice kick back inside, but last night, he darted out under our feet and didn't look back....

I imagine we went through very similar emotions as when I child runs away. Chris and I thought "Where did we go wrong"? We feed him, play with him, give him a nice home with a big soft couch to sleep on and this is what we get - man. Like any mother, I tried to chase after him calling his name. The more I ran after him, the further he would run away from me. In to the neighbors yard, under cars, across the street. Chris told me to stop and to just let him go. So, I did, and we sat on the porch waiting.

For a whole 3 minutes Kitters was out in the world alone. Without a home, without a collar, without food or water. Finally he stopped in his tracks and looked back at us from down the street, as if to say "goodbye". Chris took the opportunity and marched after him with a stern fatherly look on his face. And, Kitters didn't run - he let Chris pick him up and take him inside. I know he saw my look of disappointment when he passed through the doorway.

Yup - we're pretty sure we're going to make amazing parents, thank you very much - We had the cat curled up to us all night, clearly thankful for the tough love we give to him.

PS - I am buying a collar for him tonight and possibly a cat chip - just to be safe!