Sunday, April 7, 2013

Chester gives us a scare!

Our indoor kitten Chester jumped out the window Sunday morning around 9:00 am and we frantically combed the neighbourhood, put up signs...registered on lost pets websites.


After about 6 hours of searching, and calling his name a neighbour mentioned that she saw a cat stalking something in the area of her covered storage area...
She and I went into the shed and looked around and huddled under a pile of wood I saw a mound of familiar looking fur.
He was not meowing or acknowledging our presence in any way so we had to grab him and remove enough wood to pull him out.
He was shaking and cold, obviously terrified.
I was shaking and cold with relief!


We are so grateful for the safe return of Chester.
I raced out and bought the largest bouquet I could find, a bottle of wine and a box of chocolates.
Delivered with a heartfelt Thank You card...
A Happy Ending to a stressful day.

I am still somewhat shaken...
though relieved
and now we need to figure out how to cat proof the window so Chester stays safe.

How was your weekend?


21 comments:

Sheila said...

Oh, what a naughty boy, to jump out and give you a fright like that! I am so glad you found him and he is safe and sound at home!

eleni said...

Hi from Toronto, I share your palpitations! I have had two cats, one lived to be 22 1/2 years and the other, 12 years. With two daughters, the times when the cats "disappeared" were terrible times.....I remember staying up all night looking for those darn cats. AND they had temerity to come sauntering home in their own time!! Glad you found kitty

Helen

TARYTERRE said...

So glad you found Chester. RELAX and enjoy that this family member is home.

Bonnie said...

Such relief in finding your precious Chester. It sounds as if he figured out he had not made a good decision. Bless his heart. Hugs to you both.

Northmoon said...

Poor little guy! Hopefully he got enough of a scare to convince him to be a house cat from now on. It's awful when they go missing, so glad you found him safe and sound.

Grace @ Sense and Simplicity said...

I"m so glad you found Chester. Time for everyone to relax and enjoy being home.

Adrienne Shubin said...

Oh, I hate when indoor kitties decided to be adventurous. Ours does that about once a year - and is always gone for at least 24 hours. I have no idea where he goes, but so far, he always returns eventually. Makes me crazy with worry while he's gone.
I am so glad you found him! What a nice neighbor to let you know she saw him.

Pondside said...

That was a close one! I'm so glad that Chester is safe and sound. I know that heart-stopping worry when a pet goes missing.

Poppy Q said...

How stressful. I always hate it if I can't find Miss Pops. She is lucky and has a cat door, so can come and go as she pleases, but always comes home. I always think how hard it must be to keep indoor cats inside, especially if you like doors and windows open like me.

I guess insect screens are the answer?

Julie and Poppy Q
xxx

Anonymous said...

Love it! Flowers and chocolate, and a safe return for Chester! Being a pudgy soul myself,I smile, nod agreement and shed tears of frustration with you.
Janice

Judith said...

Happy for you that your boy was found safe,and well.Judith

Kristien62 said...

My dear departed kitty, Boots, went on walk-about a few times in her 9 years. She always came home, once injured and dirty. She couldn't resist the call of the wild.. So happy that Chester is home. This was a lovely weekend, filled with family and friends and a special visit from the Boston son, as we celebrated Miss Jasmine's 5th birthday.

KSL said...

So glad you found Chester. Pets gone missing ~ (when you're a real animal lover) ~ is just horrible. I had an experience with two dogs of mine about 28 years ago that were gone for 24 hours. Since that, everything is so escape proof at my house. Have also picked dogs that aren't likely to do that. I'd have a hard time with a cat for just that reason. So sweet of you to give such a lovely gift to the person who found Chester. The last time I found a lost dog that I took home with me, who did have a tag, I called the owners (who hadn't realized their dog was missing) and they had the nerve to ask me to drive their dog over to them! I didn't, they came and got him, and barely said "thank you".

Duchesse said...

So glad you found Chester! Our cat did that; Wwe found circling nearby houses while rattling his cat food container brought him out of hiding. Of course the worst can happen, but cats have an ability to find home that's amazing, IF they are not injured or taken by someone.

Even though he is an indoor cat, you might want to get him microchipped. Our cat escaped more than a few times and that way we knew if found by a nice person, he would be identified and returned.

J.W. said...

I'm so glad you found Chester! Our cat went missing for a day and a half once...not to be found. Then, one morning, there he was. He came in, clmbed the stairs and went under the bed for several hours. The next morning I took him to the vet. He was slightly dehydrated but that was all. We were lucky.

Erika said...

Horrible when a beloved pet goes missing, so pleased Chester was found. Flyscreens made with metal mesh (as opposed to the cheaper but far too easy to shred plastic mesh) are generally pretty good. They're par for the course here in Australia. And I second the microchip, don't like them, but they are MUCH harder for a cat to get rid of than a collar and don't get snagged the way a collar can.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

We need to figure out how to make some screens as all our windows open on an angle and the hardware gets in the way. It's a challenge for Mr. HB but I think after this fiasco he'll put his mind to the solution.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Oh Kathy those people sound rude. I would have showered you with my thanks and there would have been chocolates wine and flowers!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

He does have a micro chip but I think we could have used a homing device or a beacon of sorts!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

When Chester was neutered he had the chip inserted into his leg...the vets recommend them here in the city.
Metal mesh will be the material that we will need for sure. He is like a Houdini so it will need to be a secure system for sure!

LPC said...

Oh so glad you found your little kitty!