On Monday afternoon, Khali snuck out the door when I was trying to close it. Snow was nearby, and immediately chased her into the woods, because he wanted to play. I was annoyed, but this has happened before and I figured she would be back for dinner.
But she wasn’t. We sat down to eat and left the flood lights on to watch for her, and she eventually showed up! But when we went to open the door for her to come in, Snow chased her off again.
Sigh.
She didn’t come in Monday night.
It rained all night. I thought for sure she’d be waiting outside in the morning, ready for breakfast and a warm house, but nope, no sight of her.
So what was anger and annoyance the day before turned in to worry. I was busy at work all day, but had an underlying sick to my stomach feeling. It rained all day and we called for her and shook the food container but she didn’t show.
Why was I so worried?! Khali used to live outside, and yes, sometimes a day would go by where we wouldn’t see her. And people have told me they had indoor/outdoor cats that would leave for days/weeks/months then come back!
But that didn’t make me feel better (I can’t imagine waiting around for days, let alone weeks or months, wondering about her). I was thinking about the high speed road we live off of, the coyotes that frequent our street, and other horrible things.
Ugh.
It got dark last night and we still hadn’t seen her.* Steven and I were about to leave to run an errand when we saw Snow act alert then run in to the woods. Khali was back! Hiding in the woods though…
I knew we’d never get her to come inside if Snow was in the mood to play, so we brought Snow inside then waited an hour and a half for Khali to make her way to the door and come in (I tried giving her food and picking her up from the woods, but that was a no go.) And she finally did!
What’s all the fuss?
I was so relieved when she was inside. I wasn’t myself all day, feeling so worried about her. Data was upset too – he was looking for Khali and needed more attention since he wasn’t getting it from their playtime.
I’ve really gotta be more careful when I’m going outside – to make sure she’s not sneaking out. As much as she wants to be an indoor/outdoor cat, she isn’t. Sorry, Khali.
(Why don’t I worry like this about Snow, when he lives outside, nearly 24/7? Because at any moment, you can open a door to the house and he’ll come running – he’s always nearby. Always. Usually staring in the house! Snow never leaves anymore!)
Hey Guys, what’s up?!
*Based on intel from our neighbor, I think Khali spent the day in their dry barn.
I totally understand sick to your stomach worrying about your fur babies. One of ours that used to live outside(now an inside cat), disappeared for 41 days. We think he had help from someone trying to “give him a ride”. I posted his picture around town with my cell number and looked and looked, calling his name. 41 days later a woman that lived on the other side of town(2 miles) called and told me she thought he was out at their house. Sure enough, a skinnier Leo was found! Hope Khali doesnt run out again! Perhaps Snow wants to know what all of the fuss about “living indoors” is about? Data needs a brother? Ha!
Oh man. 41 days. That is such a long time 🙁 It sounds like it’s a really good thing you put those signs out! I am happy Leo came home (hungry, it sounds!) Is he chipped, too? I was happy to know we chipped Khali, but she won’t wear a collar.
I think Snow could eventually come inside, but we HAVE to get him fixed – I think all that testosterone makes him a bit nutso at times and I don’t want him playing super hard with Data and Khali! (if that makes sense – they can play but Snow can be a bit mean sometimes)
I’m so relieved that this ordeal ended well and Khali is back safe with you! I was also wondering about Snow being outside all the time, so I’m glad to hear that he stays near the house now.
When Khali was running off, was it because she was scared of Snow or because that’s how she plays with him?
Thank you!!! I am too!
It’s so funny about Snow staying so close to the house and always peering in – he is quite the creepster. He seems happy though, ha ha.
I think that is how they play together. So it’s fun for them, but I sure don’t care for it, especially since he ALWAYS chases her in to the woods!
Awww, I know that sick feeling. I have Junior who fell out the window and we finally found hiding in a tire two days later and Otto used to bolt escape all the time. Thankfully now, none of mine try to escape.
It is funny BooBoo who we do let out (because he was old when we brought him inside) and he stays right in yard, he rarely stays out long at all…was the one that recently got bit…so much can happen even close to home when they are out. Glad she is okay.
Oh no!!!!!!! Did you know that he fell out?! Or is that what you figured out? Gah. Two whole days! 🙁 I am happy you don’t have any escapees anymore!
Aww, poor BooBoo. 🙁 Is he doing better?! You are right that so much can happen right there – we have seen coyotes go through our back yard! You don’t have to go very far to get hurt. True for humans too… especially klutzy ones like us, ha ha!
She’s better off inside. My sister had a cat that thought he was a tough guy. He’d go out, stay outside all night, and then cone in all black and blue.
I agree! I was expecting her to come in with cuts! Thankfully she only came back with a eye and nose boogers, and burrs in her tail (which she was NOT too happy about me removing!).
Is that cat no longer around? I was gonna say, I hope he stays inside now, if he is
Oh man, I’m so glad this story has a happy ending. I don’t think I’d be able to handle the stress of having an indoor/outdoor or outdoor cat. I’d be so worried every time I couldn’t see them!
I was thinking I should have put a spoiler at the beginning so people knew she was okay first! Ha ha.
I wouldn’t like having an indoor/outdoor cat either. For the exact same reason!
Glad she is ok! It’s also really cute that Data missed her
Thanks! Data just loves his sister!!! It’s such a surprise to us!
Dang it, Snow!!! Stop chasing your sister! I’ve had cats not come home for days and it’s worrisome. One time we found Pumpkin (guess, JUST GUESS what color he was) inside a clothing donation shed on the church grounds behind our house. Actually our dog was the one who alerted us to Pumpkin’s situation. Crazy, right? But stressful. Very glad Khali came home!
I know, right? It’s so hard not to be mad at Snow.
Hmm, is Pumpkin an ironic name like Snow, the black cat? Or should I guess he was orange?! Ha ha. Thankful that your dog let you know he was MIA and where he was!!!! Gah. Silly cats!!!!!
Glad she came back safely! I can’t imagine having a cat that would disappear for days or weeks at a time, I’d be so worried 🙁 That’s funny about Snow, he looks like a peeping tom!
I’d be so worried too! Not sure how people deal with that!
Doesn’t he though?! Today he is staring in and crying, and running away when I open the door. Sigh.