The cat came back. . . only to eat

I think of myself as a cat person. Love the kitty. Not more or less than a dog, but I've always had a cat. Reflecting on all the beloved felines in my life, some were more endearing than others but none were the lap cat or cuddle cat.

The cat that I had the longest spent most of her life under the bed, rejecting petting and chin scratches and usually hacking up fur balls. She lived through many traumas, (being nearly eaten by my pit bull), and outlived all of the cats and kittens that we have had through the decades, dying at age 24.

There must be something about myself that my cats can't connect with so I have yet to find a cat that will be cuddled, and carried. . . not just looked at.

Currently, I think I am cat-less. I had a cat. He is very handsome, soft fur and looks like every cat in America, a little bob cat. Recently I went on vacation and left my pets in the capable care of a friend. My cat is an indoor cat, sleeps under the bed like his predecessor, but will occasionally tolerate a head scratch and accept compliments on his soft, shiney coat. My dog, Captain Morgan, despises this cat. He merely tolerates it as a daily inconvenience and interruption of my constant attention for him. Captain has attempted to let the cat outside on many occasions by opening the sliding glass door for it and then look away as if he hasn't a clue the feline has been released. I have to admit that the cat is not very bright. He has no idea what to do outside and less on how to get back in.

During my last vacation, Captain took advantage of my absence and let his cat bro outside. Didn't even blink as he walked casually away from the door and acted like our cat was still inside to distract the pet sitter from looking for it.

Well, the cat did indeed go out. If he attempted to come back, Captain barked viciously to warn him off and if necessary, chase the cat out of the yard then stand watch to ensure it didn't come back into it.

When we arrived home, the pet sitter was distraught and had been searching for the cat daily. We calmed her and let her know it is a dumb cat and he is close by.

Sure enough, there sat my cat under a bush and I told her he was alive and I would just bring him in. As I approached my beloved feline, it went ballistic and feral, hissing and jumping crazily against the fence until it broke free of the yard and was gone. I was shocked. Surely he would welcome the loving embrace and warmth of his people. We were unprepared for the hissing howling and violent antics. The cat must be in shock.

It is day 22 of the cat departure. We have thought him dead for days. It has rained, frozen, winded, and there have been numerous cat screeches beyond the 8 foot wall. Then, there he was, sitting on the top of the fence, barely out of reach, looking at me. Doors wide open into the warm house, cat food on the patio table, soothing clucks from his people, and my cat opted to throw himself over the fence again. How bad are we? The cat chooses certain death over warm comfy home. It was shocking to see him roll off the wall. . . like the kidnapped girl throwing herself off the cliff to avoid being enslaved by the Indians in the movie The Last of the Mohicans. I guess it was the cats movie moment.

I put food and water out for my cat daily . Occasionally we see him snacking on it. His balance and wall skills are improved but I don't think he's any smarter. He has reverted to his feral roots . He looks a little thin and his coat dull but he is alive. . if in fact that is my cat. Like I said, he looks like every other cat in the neighborhood. I built him a waterproof cat haven lined with his favorite blankets and cat nip toy- to which he passes it by with disdain opting for some muddy patch under a grape vine behind the fence.

Do I want a cat who runs away at the sound of my voice or catching a glimpse of me inside the house? If I did capture him, I would only give him a dose of flea repellent, a shot for rabies and then release.

We wish him luck. I'll continue to feed him and the oppossums and squirrels. . . but we're switching to cheap cat kibble. . . and I'm rethinking my status on being a cat person.