A Cat Named Pepper

[auntiemeesh]

So, it's a good thing I got up extra early this morning. Stranger-Cat started crying around 6:45 and I couldn't sleep, so I got up an hour early to get my start on the day. And I had just finished getting showered and dressed and making myself decent when there was a knock on the door.

My next door neighbor (whose name I shamefully forgot five minutes after she introduced herself a year and a half ago) was at the door, looking for her cat, Pepper. After a quick look to make sure my Stranger-Cat was her Pepper, she cuddled him up and took him home. I'm a little uncertain how she could have not heard him crying last night, when people several houses away were coming out to see what all the fuss was about, but I'm guessing she didn't realize he was missing till this morning.

Mal is still freaked out. It took a good forty minutes for him to come out from under the sofa and he wouldn't leave the safety of the living room all night. Even this morning, when he had to be hungry (and I'm sure he needed to use the litter box) he stilled refused to go more than a few steps past the living room boundaries. He's reexamining the apartment now, inch by inch, and he'll probably continue to do that for the rest of the day, poor boy. Tookie, on the other hand, seemed to be supremely undisturbed by the whole thing. Perhaps partly because she's pretty much deaf these days, so she couldn't hear the crying, but I think she's also gotten a lot more resigned to things these days. Her energies are focused on other things than some stranger locked in the bathroom.

Comments

[eve11]

I'm so glad Pepper was claimed! It's always nice to have a happy ending. I bet your neighbor was relieved!

[auntiemeesh.livejournal.com]

Neighbor's husband came out on the porch as I was getting home to add his thanks to hers from this morning.

It makes me think, though. I can't even imagine how freaked out I'd be if Mal got out and I couldn't find him. I should really get him chipped, since I can't see him ever happily submitting to a collar and tags.

[ani-no-mouse.livejournal.com]

I'm glad that Stranger Cat is safely reunited with his owner, especially since it sounds like you ended up having to bring him in to the apartment. I hope she manages to keep him safely inside for the rest of the winter so that you don't have a repeat of last night's worry and disruption.

On the bright side, perhaps all the extra pacing/reexamining of the apartment will help Mal work off a bit of his extra weight?

[auntiemeesh.livejournal.com]

It would be nice to think so, wouldn't it. However, to counter the pacing was an entire night spent huddling on/under the sofa before Pepper went home. It makes me realize that if/when I decide to add another cat to the household (not while Tookie is still alive) the transition will be difficult. Mal is not exactly flexible in his ideas, lol.

[lyda-pearl.livejournal.com]

wow, I'm glad stranger cat was claimed by his person. These animal rescues are always a tough call. And thanks for the how to do it guide as I never would have thought it through that well myself if I'd been in the same situation.

[auntiemeesh.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't have thought it through so thoroughly except for westwindschild's talk about the strays near her place, and how careful she was with getting Isabel thoroughly checked before allowing her to come in to the apartment with the other cats.

[antbee362.livejournal.com]

I am so glad for a happy ending. It definitely did sound like he must belong somewhere as he was well fed and allowed humans to help him out of his distress. Maybe the neighbor is a bit deaf too-vbg

[auntiemeesh.livejournal.com]

Possibly the neighbor's house is better soundproofed than mine, because they have a little baby and I never hear her cry.

[whtmtnwmn.livejournal.com]

Let's hope Pepper remembers his Big Adventure for a very long time and doesn't attempt to escape again.
=D

[auntiemeesh.livejournal.com]

Funny, that's what the neighbor said when she retrieved him this morning. "Well, you've had your adventure for this lifetime."

[westwindschild.livejournal.com]

So glad that Pepper was claimed by his owner. I'm sure that if the couple next door have a 7-month old baby, they've learned to sleep through anything (except baby distress calls).

If you watch online, your local PetSmart most likely has occasional micro-chipping clinics where you can get it done at reduced price. Our local store does, and I'm watching out for the next one to get Missy, Leela and Isabel all done.

[of-evangeline.livejournal.com]

Aww, poor Mal. I'm glad Strange Cat is back with your neighbour now.