Yesterday I made a big mistake. I'm currently caring for a friend's German Shepherd while his owner is out of state. The dog and my cats have irreconcilable differences, so I normally do not allow the dog out without being on leash if the cats are out. Yesterday I forgot that Purdy was out and tried sending the dog out into the extra lot to do his duties while I waited for him in the garage, since it was raining and I was just in my bathrobe and soft slippers. Usually he comes right back for a treat when I do that. The dog looked around the side of the house and apparently saw Purdy sitting on the back porch waiting to be let back in and the chase was on. Though the dog normally comes when called, the cat was too much of a distraction and he totally ignored my calls. He chased Purdy around the neighbor's house and onto their front porch, where Purdy jumped up onto a railing. My neighbor came out and kept the dog from getting at the cat, while I called the dog and got him to go home. Purdy jumped off the rail and ran off.
Purdy didn't come home last night. I've had Purdy for seven years, I believe, and most of that time Purdy was an indoor-outdoor cat. In that time this is the first time that Purdy didn't come home at night. He does have experience living in the wild, as I saw him roaming the area for about six months as a stray before I took him in. Whether or not he remembers any of that, I don't know, though, as he isn't very bright as cats go. Even a friend of mine who was here a few months ago observed him and said, "That cat is retarded." When Red Cat used to pull a disappearing act and come home in the middle of the night, he would climb one of the columns to the second floor deck, where he was safe from predators, and meow at a glass slider to be let in. But I doubt that Purdy is bright enough to do that. I fear that since his usual spot to wait to be let in was the back porch and he was there when the dog started chasing him, that he will be reluctant to come home.
What's more is that Purdy needs his medication or he will decline quickly. It was only last week that Purdy was diagnosed with kidney failure. He's also been on medication for elevated liver enzymes for (I think) about a year. He's had to have injections of fluids twice in the past month. I'll admit that I was facing the question of how long I'd be able to afford his care, but I already have the medication on hand for the first month. I fear that without it, he will decline quite rapidly, even though he has been a happy, playful kitty on it.
Looking for him in this area is basically useless. Though I live in town, there are many undeveloped lots even in this block that are heavily wooded with underbrush so dense a human can't get through it. That's where I think he usually went when he roamed outside. So please send your prayers and positive vibes that when I let Red Cat out later, that RC will find Purdy and bring him home safely.
Purdy didn't come home last night. I've had Purdy for seven years, I believe, and most of that time Purdy was an indoor-outdoor cat. In that time this is the first time that Purdy didn't come home at night. He does have experience living in the wild, as I saw him roaming the area for about six months as a stray before I took him in. Whether or not he remembers any of that, I don't know, though, as he isn't very bright as cats go. Even a friend of mine who was here a few months ago observed him and said, "That cat is retarded." When Red Cat used to pull a disappearing act and come home in the middle of the night, he would climb one of the columns to the second floor deck, where he was safe from predators, and meow at a glass slider to be let in. But I doubt that Purdy is bright enough to do that. I fear that since his usual spot to wait to be let in was the back porch and he was there when the dog started chasing him, that he will be reluctant to come home.
What's more is that Purdy needs his medication or he will decline quickly. It was only last week that Purdy was diagnosed with kidney failure. He's also been on medication for elevated liver enzymes for (I think) about a year. He's had to have injections of fluids twice in the past month. I'll admit that I was facing the question of how long I'd be able to afford his care, but I already have the medication on hand for the first month. I fear that without it, he will decline quite rapidly, even though he has been a happy, playful kitty on it.
Looking for him in this area is basically useless. Though I live in town, there are many undeveloped lots even in this block that are heavily wooded with underbrush so dense a human can't get through it. That's where I think he usually went when he roamed outside. So please send your prayers and positive vibes that when I let Red Cat out later, that RC will find Purdy and bring him home safely.
