Late Thursday afternoon, when I opened the door in to the garage to let Steven know we had a few minutes before it was time to leave for dinner, Khali ran out the door and in to the yard. We surrounded her, and got her back in to the garage, but she escaped and went the other direction, in to the woods, without looking back.
I was incredibly upset, but knew there was nothing I could do in that moment, so we went to dinner, then I searched for her when we got home. I didn’t see or hear her, but I read the post I wrote from the last time she ran away (also in October, two years ago) and saw that she kept trying to come back in, but Snow kept chasing her away. That wouldn’t be a problem, so I hoped she’d come to the door.
She didn’t come home Thursday night.
I couldn’t sleep because I was so upset, so I went on a run around 3:00 am on Friday. I had my headlamp on and saw her glowing eyes in the woods and had hope! She wouldn’t come to me, but I was happy to see she was okay, and in the yard.
This is zoomed in – I was NOT this close to her
When I got back from teaching around 6:20 am on Friday, it was still dark, and I searched for her with my headlamp again. I saw her, and she was meowing back this time, but wouldn’t come to me, and stopped responding and left the yard.
Then Friday construction began. Besides what we had going on, our neighbors were having two huge trees removed and chopped, and their work on Friday and Saturday, along with our work on Friday afternoon and all weekend was NOISY, and probably very scary for all animals.
I kept searching for her at quiet hours each morning (5:00 am) and at night (8:30 pm) with my headlamp, but didn’t see her the rest of Friday or all weekend.
I was not sleeping well, and was barely holding it together. I hadn’t told anyone she was gone (except Jen and Troy, who we were meeting when it happened, and were helping us with the garage all weekend) because I was too upset to talk about it and make it real. I was hoping I’d tell people she left and came back in one message. “OMG, you won’t believe the scare Khali put us through…”
We decided to post about her on Facebook on Sunday morning, to see if anyone had seen her. Khali was a stray, but she’s lived inside for two and a half years. I wasn’t sure if she still had her ninja killer skills, or a good memory of our neighborhood (especially if she ran far away due to all the noise). Knowing someone had seen her would have made me feel better.
A lot of people shared the post, and reached out with kind sentiments. Bobbi helped me a ton by posting her photo on a local lost animals page and finding a state registry for me to sign her up on. The response made me feel loved and supported, but freaked out to be talking about it with so many people. (We did not get any feedback about anyone seeing her.)
I was really struggling with not going to worse case scenarios in my head. And the more I read about locating lost cats, the more freaked out I got that she was stuck somewhere I’d never find her. I was also thinking things like “It’s so dumb I ordered our holiday cards already with her on there. What if she doesn’t return by then?” Yeah, I was a mess. I’m glad we worked on the garage all weekend with Jen and Troy, because the distraction, and having friends nearby, helped some. (Although there were lots of crying moments, ugh)
On Sunday we set her litter box, food, and a blanket outside, in case she needed a reminder of where home is. I searched for her in our yard (we have five acres, but I can only easily access one acre) and didn’t hear her, but saw some glowing eyes that didn’t run away right away, and wondered if that was her.
I woke up several times during the night and checked around her food and blanket outside and could tell she hadn’t been there. I was up at 5:00 feeding the kittens and was so upset I was just going to go back to bed, but decided to go out with my headlamp and search.
And she responded! And sounded like she was right behind where that huge tree fell in our yard – the most difficult spot to get to. We still have all our spring/summer brush, so we can barely walk in the woods as it is, and we also haven’t chopped up all of that tree yet. Of course she was beyond that!
But I got toward her, got food out and she came and had some. I brought it closer and closer, then snatched her and held her tight to my chest, then traversed back through the woods while holding her tight. I cannot believe she didn’t run away from me. It was so difficult to get out of the woods because of all the brush and trees.
But she’s home now and she seems fine (she got the full flea combing – I didn’t find any!).
I guess Khali just wanted a long weekend?! She had amazing warm weather for it. The temperatures are dropping today, and rain is coming. I was hoping that would drive her in, but I am glad I found her before she had to be out in it.
I need to make sure this NEVER happens again, which means I have to be more diligent about opening doors to go outside. Here’s the “funny” part of this story – when I opened the door Thursday to talk to Steven, I had on socks, pants, and a bra. So I was running around outside looking for her, wearing that. Fun times.
Apollo and Starbuck are hissing at her a ton, but hopefully that subsides and they’re back to their cuddle piles soon!
Thank you for reading this long rambling mess. I’m so relieved and happy right now. I did not handle her being “lost” very well and felt like a total mess.
We are so glad to hear that she is home!!! When she smells “normal” again Starbuck and Apollo will calm down towards her and they will be snuggle buddies again. I would be a total mess and have been when one of ours has disappeared. You stay HOME now, Khali!!! You’ve created enough stress!!! ❤️
I am wondering how long until she smells like what they are used to! She smells so outdoorsy and herb-y right now.
Thanks for your help yesterday! I hope neither of us have to deal with this again!
Oh man, that sounds scary! I know I would have had a hard time sleeping too. I’m glad that she’s back 🙂 Hopefully she’s had her fix of the outdoors she remembers how much cozier it is inside and won’t do that again.
I am so glad too. GAH.
Right? We need it to snow so she knows how good she has it. JUST KIDDING.
Dang, that was a rough patch! We’ve had our cats disappear over the years and it is such a horrible feeling. I am so so happy that you found her! That silly cat. Sounds like she wanted her Ferris Bueller moment but extended it by a few days. Funny that the other kitties are hissing at her – they’re probably scolding her, like “do you know how worried mom was??”
It is a horrible feeling! I don’t have the personality for an indoor/outdoor cat, that’s for sure!
Ha, I’d like to think that is why they are hissing. To teach her a lesson!
I hope Khali apologized profusely for worrying you!
It sounds like you had a really awful weekend. I’m so glad to hear that your persistence paid off and you found her and got a happy ending 🙂
I think she is by being so cuddly and needy today 🙂 (That is VERY unusual for her)
I did. I am so glad we found her. I can’t believe how relieved and happy I feel!
Gosh Khali. She must be going through a teenage rebellion. Thinks she’s too cool to be home with her parents. So glad you found her and she’s safe & sound. <3
That’s gotta be it! I think she regrets it! She’s been very snuggly and purry today.
I’m so glad to hear you found her and were able to get her back in! I saw your post on Facebook yesterday and was really concerned. Thank goodness she’s back home now!
Me too! Thanks for thinking of us! I was so freaked out this whole time. I am determined not to let this happen again! SHE IS STUCK INSIDE WITH US.
Oh Khali Khali Khali! Kim, I’m so glad she’s back. I’m totally with you on the not-saying-it-so-it’s-not-real thing. Totally.
But I’m so glad she’s back, even if she’s smelly now lol.
Thank you, and thanks for reaching out yesterday! I didn’t think I’d be that way with keeping it to myself – I learned that about myself!
Ha ha ha, I wonder how long she’ll smell like the outside!
This sounds like such a horrible experience. I’m so sorry you went through it, but so glad Khali is home safe and sound.
Thank you, me too! It was horrible! I am going to be so careful with the doors from now on.
Oh boy, looks like someone took “me time” a little too far.
I’m so glad this story had a happy ending! One of my dogs ran away once for about 5 minutes, and even that was super stressful, so I can’t even imagine how hard that was all weekend!
Ha, I guess so!
It’s a horrible feeling! I kept hoping it would only be a day like before and really started to freak out more and more as it got longer.
I’m so relieved that she’s back! I can totally identify with the “not wanting to make it real” feeling of sharing it. Having to tell people over and over is so hard. 🙁 I’m glad the story ended happily, but I was sad to read about what an unhappy weekend it was for you (understandably).
Thank you for sharing the funny part of the story. I was amused!
Me too! I didn’t realize I would be that way with not wanting to share – I learned that about myself. I was so upset that I just couldn’t share it. I’m so thankful she is home.
Ha! Glad you thought that part was funny!
I am so so sorry you had to go through that – of course you were a mess! It took quite a while to find her, too. So relieved to know that you got her back home in the end…and she is ok.
Hugs xxx ooo
Thanks! I am so relieved too. I don’t think I have ever felt this relieved and happy before!
OMG, Kim. What a naughty little lady! I would have been a mess, too! I am always so worried about my girls getting out because I don’t know what I would do with myself if it happened. It sounds like it was a nightmare weekend for you and I’m not ashamed to admit that I might have teared up a little, thinking about all the terror that was going through your head. (Especially this line: “I was also thinking things like “It’s so dumb I ordered our holiday cards already with her on there. What if she doesn’t return by then?”” I would have thought the same thing!)
I’m so glad you found Khali safe and sound and I’d like to think Apollo and Starbuck are mad at her for all the worry she caused their mama! 😉 I hope Khali has appropriately apologized. <3 <3 <3
She is sooooo naughty!!!! And as a fellow cat mom, I appreciate you reading this and being so empathetic. It was freaking horrible and I hope it never happens to you. Are your girls chipped? That gave me some peace of mind in the rare chance someone else could pick her up (no chance in hell because she is so shy).
The thing is, lots of people wanted to send me tips on what to do and sites that say what to do, but they had all these horror stories about cats being stuck places or even worse things happening and it DID NOT HELP. And yeah, totally encouraged thoughts like feeling dumb about the holiday cards?
I think they are mad at her! Mad at her for leaving and taking away warmth from their kitty cuddle piles and for stressing them out (Apollo seemed really needy when she was gone). I think Khali has apologized though 😉