Tuesday, November 1, 2005

THAT DARN CAT — by Steve Nadis

It seems appropriate on Halloween to think of our coal-black cat Moonshine, who’s been missing for more than three weeks. His disappearance hit me hard–harder than I would ever have expected because I am not a cat person. I am, in fact, allergic to cats, and spent most of my life trying to stay away from them. But my wife and kids couldn’t help themselves and brought back two kittens from a New Hampshire farm last spring. I really had no say in the matter though I guess I could have moved out if my allergies got too bad. And they were bad for awhile, but then they eased up which surprised me, except for the occasional night when I’m up wheezing and coughing, wondering whether our sweet little kittens were the source of the problem. In spite of all this, I still got attached to them critters, which is something I never figured on.

Then Moonshine went missing and I’ve spent untold hours looking for him, putting up signs, talking to people–untold hours I don’t really have. (Any less sleep and I probably shouldn’t even bother going through the motions.) I’d pretty much given up hope but then we hear from neighbors who are fairly certain they’ve seen him, and I go out looking. And calling (something I don’t love doing as it seems kind of ridiculous to go around yelling “Moonshine.” People don’t know what I’m up to and probably figure I lost my still in the woods somewhere.) Most times were false alarms. But last Thursday night might have been different. I just might have seen the rascal. Seen him without coming close to catching him. Cats can be damn illusive.

Well it seemed like a lost cause. I had pretty much given up hope. Then my wife forwarded me a story from AOL News about a Wisconsin couple whose lost cat turned up in Nany, France three weeks later. So there’s still hope for you ole’ Moonshine. Maybe you’ve finally got the spilkes out of your system and are ready to come home. If so, I know one guy with severe cat allergies (and borderline asthma symptoms) who’ll still be happy to see you.

Posted by Snake in 03:07:54
Comments

6 Responses

  1. DrMax says:
    November 1, 2005 at 9:48 am

    As a recovering cat owner I can relate. The dang fur balls get under your skin before you know it. Good luck finding Moonshine. I’m hoping he is not really lost and it’s only feline stubbornness.

  2. OldRoses says:
    November 1, 2005 at 11:27 am

    Have you checked with the local animal shelters and rescue groups? He may have been picked up already and be in a shelter or foster home.

  3. Snake says:
    November 1, 2005 at 2:20 pm

    Thanks for the note, Doc. Maybe he’ll get over his stubborness. Or maybe not. And I appreciate your suggestions too, Roses. I have checked with the usual suspects but, so far, he’s still at large.

  4. Windfall Woman says:
    November 2, 2005 at 1:55 am

    I never liked cats, until I had a pretty little calico named Chelsea. Someone stole her; she was gone for two weeks and returned tired and hungry. I got a really high fever and was hospitalized and someone stole her again and she never came home. I still miss her.

  5. Digs says:
    November 2, 2005 at 1:56 am

    I lost my cat midnight 4 years ago around this time of year, it did hit me hard. ITs mother, a maine half coon cat is still living and fat but 2 years ago i got a dog named hazel and though i still miss hazel i love my dog more than anything. IS it me or around Halloween do cats, especcially black ones go missing?

    digs

  6. Snake says:
    November 2, 2005 at 2:26 am

    That is a sad story Windfall&I now know what you went through, though I would not have last year when I had no interest in, nor any experience with, cats. Digs, I think you’re right about halloween. I kept our other cat in last night & another friend of ours said she once lost a cat on halloween night&stressed that it’s a night you should make sure they’re inside.

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