The door probably wasn't latched completely closed and the wind opened it. The access door to the water heater above the bathroom area frequently comes flying open (and then slams shut) in the wind. We had lots of windows open, allowing for draft.

Mostly cross-posted from elsewhere:

No Boris this morning. We got up in the middle of the night last night and went around a lot. The Rat is going to print up flyers and hit more neighbors while I'm at work. It was great to run into that elementary school teacher last night - that might help a lot with spreading the word. People have mostly been really nice - calling to see if he's home yet, asking us if he's home yet when we're out walking, reassuring us that they're keeping their eyes open for him.

Mornings are the hardest for me. I spend the day getting increasingly hopeful that he will come home that night. By bedtime, I nearly manage to convince myself that he'll be there in the morning. In the morning, he's not there and I'm so sad that I haven't found a word that is powerful enough to encompass the scope of my sadness.

Wherever he is, I don't want him to suffer. If he doesn't want to come home, for whatever reason, if he wants things to end, I hope they end swiftly. If he's already dead, I hope it was painless. But what I hope most of all is that he comes back soon, worn out from adventure and ready to spend some quality time in my lap.

****
We're going to continue to talk to neighbors and spend evenings outside. And probably still sleep with the door open. (The Rat sleeps in the living room to guard against whatever, and I sleep with Sasha locked up in the bedroom, which she doesn't seem to mind at all. In fact, she spent the whole night on the bed with me, which is really unusual for her.) The Rat's mom gets here next week for a few nights, so then the door will have to shut. That will make about 1.5 weeks, so probably a good time for closure.

I was so hopeful that your post would have better news. Kitty please come home.

That sounds like a good plan.

I would not give up hope. Cats tend to find their way home. It does concern me that he doesn't have his meds.

I completely understand the emptiness you feel. I would feel the same way.

No Boris sightings yet - but an update on Things Being Done - posted here because I'm at work any anything else useful is blocked.

Talked to my old vet today -- she's only in on Fridays, so that's why I didn't call her sooner. She made me promise that immediately after hanging up I would log on to findtoto.com and purchase their services. For a not inconsiderable fee, it's an automated telemarketing thing that calls a certain number of neighbors in a radius around the lost location. Price is based on the number of calls. I, of course, immediately paid the sum requested, because I'm desperate. For future lost pets - might be a useful resource. If I'd known about them Monday, you can bet I would have called then; they claim an 85% return rate for calls made within the first 48 hours. I can't possibly knock on all the doors the calls will reach. It will probably piss off neighbors, but I don't care.

She also said to keep looking, which I was going to do anyway. I wish the little bugger would show up already.

What an interesting service and great idea.

Good luck Pru. I share your pain, and pray for a completion.

He's back!
 

Look who JUST got home! And is acting like nothing was amiss.

Attachment 1134

Seriously - we've been sleeping with the front door open - so he could come back in while we slept, we hoped. Ryan was sleeping on the air matress in the living room -to protect us from intruders - and I was sleeping locked up in the bedroom. At 4:28 I heard a scratching at the bedroom door. I eventually cleared my head enough to realize that Sasha was asleep on the bed, so it wasn't her trying to get out. I was still too groggy - couldn't figure out HOW to find my glasses, not just not able to find them, I didn't even know how I should start looking - so I just went to the door and opened it. In the dark, I couldn't really tell if there was anything there. I almost just closed the door. Then I could just make out a shape. Was it him? I couldn't tell. So I reached out a hand -- it was SOMEthing all right.... Held down with one hand while I felt for the tail in the other. Ran my hand up and down it in disbelief.....

And threw him on the bedroom, shut the door. and ran screaming something I don't even remember to wake up Ryan.

He is eating, drink, acting like nothing is wrong or unusual AT all, and Sasha is disgruntled that he's back.

My heart is pounding so hard and fast.



WHERE THE HELL WAS HE ALL WEEK?

Yay kitty!