Yesterday I rushed off to the nearest hamlet where a black cat, looking like George, was sitting on somebody's garden shed. I called. He looked at me, thought about coming and stayed where he was. I called some more and he started to look uneasy, then jumped off the shed and ran off. it turns out he was Smudge. Smudge is owned by two people who live only two doors away and both think he belongs to them. (I haven't enlightened them!!). But he spends most of his time with a third person further down the same road. Cats!
I left food at the nearby farm buildings which was untouched this morning. So if there is a black cat there, he is a visitor not a resident. Resident cats patrol their territory carefully. George would have recognised the bowl. I left the food there as I would like to see the visitor just to rule him out. I think he may be the feral from Buttermilk Farm - a cat with a hunting territory which includes two other lots of farm buildings.
The Astall Leigh bench, where i left some food yesterday morning, still had it during the day but it was eaten during the night. Either another feral in the further reaches of his territory or a fox patrolling his territory. I put down some more. I will check this until I go away on Thursday on a long-booked four day archeaological trip. Ronnie will be there if George comes home.
I now think George is dead, which is some kind of relief really. But I will keep checking until I go away.
I AM THE THE AUTHOR OF "A-Z. A CAT'S GUIDE TO HUMANS. "A must read for all felines,"-- Tilly the Ugliest Cat in the Shelter. "Saved me from so many mistakes with my new human,"-- Toby the Cross-Eyed Stray.
Oh Celia, I cried when I read your last paragraph. My heart hurts for you. If you truly believe he won't come back, I hope you will consider rescuing another cat. They will have such a wonderful life. Be comforted knowing that George lived like a king while he was with you.
ReplyDeleteBlessings dear friend, I'm off to church. Sundays are really busy days for us with church and any other activities that might come up. Today we have to pay our respects to a family my husband grew up with, one of the brothers lost his wife this week to breast cancer.
I'll continue to pray.
Love and comfort to you dear friend,
Tee
P.S. Oscar Snuggles is really upset.
I am so sorry to find George is still missing. This is no doubt terrible for you.
ReplyDeleteOnce a long long time ago my mom's original cat went missing. She looked everywhere, posted flyers, checked the city pound repeatedly--and no Bea. Mom's other cat (Bea's daughter, actually) finally got used to being alone and Mom was resigned to Bea's being gone forever. Well, a month to the day, Mom was getting home from an errand when she heard a familiar voice. Across the street was Bea, clearly annoyed that she'd had to wait for Mom to get home. She was skinny and dirty and never said where she'd been, but all ended well.
I hope George returns too.
There's always hope
ReplyDelete