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Ever take something for granted? And when you think it might be gone, you realize what you had? This happened to us when our cat Rocky disappeared. That’s when we realized something important.

Our house feels different without pets…even though they can be challenging.

Like our dog Simon who passed recently, Rocky’s old and sometimes goes to the bathroom in the wrong place. I find myself grumbling, picking up his mess, wondering why I have animals.

But this week he went missing. It was the morning after the Super Bowl. Rocky wasn’t there for breakfast, his favorite meal. At first my husband and sons weren’t alarmed. He’d disappeared before, once for two days inside the house, and we still have no idea where he hid.

But this time, by afternoon, I started worrying. Something felt off. My husband, sons and I searched under every bed, in every cabinet and every closet. We called his name. We rattled his food bag. We pored over every inch of the basement and even the attic.

But there was no sign. The cat had vanished.

That night I put food in Rocky’s bowl, hoping to lure him out of hiding. But when I woke that second morning it was untouched. I looked around the kitchen. The house felt different…emptier, quieter. There were no insistent meows, no kitty rubbing against my leg in morning greeting.

For the first time in 26 years, we had no pets.

I looked out the window. Snow was falling. And that’s when I had an awful thought. Could Rocky be outside? Sunday night we had had a super bowl party with people coming in and out. Could the cat have slipped out the door? It made no sense. Rocky hasn’t been outside in five years, let alone on a cold winter night. That morning I put my coat and boots on and walked the yard, shivering as snow fell, calling his name. But again, there was only silence.

At that moment I realized this might not end well. I came back to the house, dejected. All the reasons I love Rocky came back to me. I love scooping him into my arms like a furry baby and kissing his nose.I love how he makes me laugh, usually just by being himself. After a long day, I love that I’m the lap he climbs onto. He’ll knead (sometimes painfully) until he’s settled. Then he lies down and gives a slow blink, the feline equivalent of a smile.

The worst scenarios played through my mind. What if Rocky was attacked by an animal or froze to death? What a horrible fate for our sweet kitty of 13 years.

My husband Randy, son Patrick, and I tried to piece the puzzle together. But then Patrick had a thought. We have a small goldfish pond in our back yard. Next to it is a low deck, about nine inches off the ground. Could the cat have run out the door and gone under that deck for shelter? It was worth a try.

Patrick put on his boots and brought a snow shovel and flashlight. The snow was deep enough to cover the open space under the deck. He dug some of the snow away, knelt down, and shone his flashlight inside. There was nothing.

But then… a small movement caught his attention. A pair of eyes looked back at him. It was Rocky. I watched from the house as he tried coaxing the cat to come out. But instead Rocky exited from the other side, trying to trudge through the snow, heading for the woods. Patrick went bounding after him and I heard this low, guttural growl. Rocky didn’t recognize Patrick and was terrified. My son finally caught him.

The sight of Patrick bringing this animal home was so heart-warming and miraculous, I cried. Besides being thinner, Rocky was okay. He had spent two nights in the freezing cold, part of it in a snowstorm. If we hadn’t thought to look under that deck, he would’ve died. And we would never have known what had happened to him.

That morning I was so happy to have this kitty meowing for his food. He rubbed against my leg as if to say thank you. He had been saved. We’d also been taught a lesson. For 36 hours we had a taste of life without pets. And we didn’t like it. For all the mess, feedings, and sometimes chaos, we need animals in our life.

From now on, we’ll just have to be extra careful, especially on Super Bowl Sunday.

 

How do you feel about pets? Comments are always welcome and if you like, please share. Thank you!

 

Comments(22)

  1. I’m glad you found him!

    Afew years back, I had a cat disappear out the door (I mean, that has to be what happened) and we NEVER found him.

    It’s a terrible way to lose an animal, not knowing how long you should search…

    This was a happy ending.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Nasreen, That must be so hard to have the cat never come back. I’m sorry. Thank you for reading and commenting.

  2. We are now cat people after our old dog passed on and although we’ll never get another dog, I can’t imagine being pet free. There will always be room for a cat on my lap. So glad your’s returned to the fold x

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Thank you, Leanne. Its truly a miracle we found Rocky. Cat people understand.

  3. Oh yes. My lovely goldendoodle has been struggling with throwing up in the middle of the night. Well actually he’s fine with it I’ve been struggling 🙂
    But but but I wouldn’t have my life any other way 🙂

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Carla, They give so much, its hard to fault them when they’re vulnerable. Thanks for reading.

  4. I am glad you listened to your intuition! And so glad Rocky is OK. We were able to return a cat to its owner a couple of streets away after it “adopted” us. It kept coming to our yard and door after it had slipped out of its house. It was a very good feeling but nothing, I’m sure, compared to what you’re feeling right now!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      I’m so glad Rocky was found and its truly miraculous. Intuition is the perfect word. I believe that’s how our soul is guided. Thank you for reading.

  5. My heart was in my throat reading this, Laurie. I’m so thankful for a happy ending for you and for Rocky. Our Muggsy is turning 18 this month, and I pause often to just look at him with gratitude, knowing that all too soon he could be gone. I shudder at the thought of a pet-free house…

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Karen, I realize I could never live pet-free. The house felt so quiet. Your Muggsy sounds so sweet. I don’t blame you for enjoying him/her as long as possible.

    • Dana

    • 8 years ago

    I always wanted a dog, growing up, but my parents never let me. They said they wouldn’t pick up after it (doggie-doodoo). Later, I still wanted one, but was so busy with trying to get a good job, and then I wound up having to take care of my mom. So, life got in the way, and I never had any pets. Now my own health is so poor, that I’m not physically able to take care of one. Sigh. I envy dog owners, especially people who have Germans Shepherds. Those are my favorite! ♡

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Dana, So sorry to hear about your health. For whatever its worth, cats are very easy to take care of. They don’t need to be walked, use a litter box, and are very cuddly if you’re not feeling well. Something to consider. Thank you for reading.

  6. Oh dear! I felt horrible just reading this, but so glad it ended well. Our lives are currently ruled by our 7 year boxer and a little stray pup we’ve recently adopted. They’re hard work, but so worth it!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Its true, Corinne. Animals aren’t easy, but definitely make life better. Thanks for reading.

    • Hinda

    • 8 years ago

    I’ve been pet-less for several months. Circumstances led to having to give up Blue, our Bluenose Am Staff. It feels lonely without her. I rooted for finding your kitty while reading and was happy she was reunited with her family. Like all living creatures, luck played a part. So you are all lucky ……

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      I agree Hinda. Luck played a huge part in finding Rocky. I’m sorry about Blue. I know someday you’ll find another pet who will be a wonderful companion.

  7. I’m so relieved! I was worried all the way through your post that it might be heading toward a tragic end. Thank goodness you found him in the end.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Thanks so much, Bun. This cat has one less life now. We were shocked as anyone he was found.

  8. I am SO,SO happy you found Rocky. The poor little guy out in the snow. He must have been so scared and cold.

    The same thing happened to us once. We adopted two kitties from our local shelter. Then one year a cat kept coming to our back window. We took him in and adopted him.

    One of our first kitties was always skittish, and when we took in the outdoor cat the indoor one was frightened of him. So one day he bolted out the door and headed into our woods. For days we looked for him. We put photos up everywhere, I drove through neighborhoods, knocking on doors and crying my eyes out.

    Finally, a neighbor said he saw him hiding underneath his shed. My son and I walked over and I found our scared little guy. I had to hold onto him, very tight, to bring him home.

    He never got used to our new cat, but since then the other two passed away and this one is still with us at 14. And boy, do we love him. Heck, we love all cats!

    Loved your post, Laurie. We do love our pets!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 7 years ago

      Cathy, Sounds like you were also incredibly lucky. It would’ve been so sad for either of our kitties to disappear and never know what happened. Thank God we both had happy endings.

  9. We had always had dogs until 6 years ago when our dog was hit by a truck and killed. Now, I’m no longer allowed to have pets due to my autoimmune disease and I realize how much I miss having a dog in the house. I can imagine how terrifying that was for you. We love our pets even when they drive us crazy!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 7 years ago

      Rena, I’m so sorry about your dog killed by a truck. How devastating. For whatever its worth, some dogs are hypo-allergetic. Not sure if that applies or not. I hope someday you can get another pet.

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