Mow Mow

A few weeks ago, our cat Gimlee (a.k.a. Mow Mow), ran away. He's an indoor cat, for the most part. But it is his goal in life to run out any door that is opened to the outside before anyone can grab him. He has done this fairly often since we moved into our new house, so when he escaped one night, Brian and I didn't think much about it. He always comes back around 5 a.m. and cries at our window to let him in. Well, he didn't come back that night, and the next morning I was a bit worried, but I figured he'd be home that afternoon. He wasn't, and he was still gone the next night, and the next. We were so worried by then, and truly suspected he a) was eaten by a fox/hawk/or dog, all of which we see outside our backyard on a regular basis; b) was stolen by a neighbor kid because he's the friendliest cat in the world; or c) ran away with a neighborhood gang of cats, and went off gallivanting in the fields killing all vermin and fowl that crossed their paths. Luckily, we believe it was 'c' because he came home on the fourth night at 5 a.m., screaming at our back door. You know when you take something for granted until it's almost gone? That's how I felt about Mow Mow's great escape. He's the most friendly cat in the world (he insists on sitting on a perfect stranger's lap if they sit on our couch, especially if they are allergic), he has claws sharp as blades, but would never use them to harm a human (even a crazy toddler who pulls his tail and hauls him around the house) or a dog (who also hauls him around the yard), he loves to be petted and held, and is just a perfect pet! But only when I thought he was gone forever did I truly appreciate was a great cat he is! But lesson learned. We do not allow him anywhere near the outside world, for fear he will leave for good. And believe me, he wants to go! He cries and cries and cries at the windows and doors all day and all night! Wherever he went, he had the time of his life!