Monday

When a Family Member Runs Away

Dear Loved One,


I know you said you needed some space. I didn't realize how serious you were until you were gone.

Vanished.

We spent hours searching for you this past weekend.

Our hearts were broken.  You are such a special member of our family.  Few have lasted as long as you.

I found a becoming picture of you for the Reward posters. I think it shows your sarcastic side. Which I totally get.


And this one captures how you view your life sometimes, behind bars.



Your siblings were devastated when they discovered you missing. There were promises of a cleaner water bowl, more food, more petting and less fur-pulling. And I vowed not to gag the next time I cleaned up one of your special hair balls.

This afternoon I was reflecting on how well you handle THAT family.  You let us live in your home and allow us to pet you.  You meet us at the door and welcome us. You are like the dog we always wanted, but could never handle. 

I was afraid you might have been offended when a recent visiting family member referred to you as a Kitler. And no, I don't think you are a cat that looks like Hitler.

As I whispered a prayer for your safe return, I peeked out the window. 

And there you were, asleep in the swing set playhouse. I opened the door and you grabbed your kitty carpet bag and returned to us.

I'm sure we will hear of your grand adventure. My kids are dying to know 'where you went potty,' and you can keep that to yourself, as far as I'm concerned.

Please, dear Alice, I know all about needing a break. The next time you feel overwhelmed, let me know and you can go to Target with me. I'll bring the chocolate catnip.

Love,
THAT family

42 comments:

Dawn said...

I am cracking up! We have sooooo been THAT family with our lineage of cats over the years.

And, very happy for you that Alice is back home, safe where she belongs!

Beth @ TheAngelForever said...

Oh my, so glad that Alice has been found safe and sound. I hope she take your wise words to heart next time :)

Mandy said...

I thought we were going to have to start a national blog search for your dear family member! So glad she's back with THAT family!

Robin said...

So glad you found your lost family member!

Anna said...

We should have a blog carnival for the poor kitties that live with THAT family. We've had our share of GETMEOUTOFHERE cat vacations.
Glad she's back!

Anonymous said...

I would never have accused your cat of being a Kitler, either.

One of our distant family memebers had a dog run away. She's sure a wild animal drug it off. I'm sure the dog just needed out - lol.

The Fritz Facts said...

Our cat did that once, and I wrote a similar thing in my journal. It is too funny.

Mamajil said...

Very cute! Glad she is back and all is well!!!

Tammy said...

Poor guy.....first the Queen B's cat contraption mishap and now this. I did not get the cat post memo.

Perhaps that's because we don't have a cat. ;-)

Anonymous said...

I am so glad your furry family member is home!

Anonymous said...

what a sweet story...just enough humor :-)
Glad Alice didn't wander off too far.
Our family has 2 dogs and a cat. Our house cat isn't allowed outside. Whenever anyone new comes around, you can hear us hollering from a mile away "SHUT THE DOOR"

Sophy Nextdoor said...

LOL You're my new favorite blogger! :)

Anonymous said...

Youhad me at 'Kitler'....perfect

Forgetfulone said...

She's such a beautiful cat! I know your family would have been heartbroken if she hadn't shown up. So glad she came back. We just got a kitten Saturday, and we love her already.

Christi S said...

One of our cats disappeared not long ago, and it was traumatic for us, too! She hangs out with the recently widowed neighbor now--started when his wife passed. She knows he needs her presence right now more than we do. Cats are something else, aren't they?!

Genny said...

This was so cute. And isn't it funny what kids wonder?! Recently, my daughter's mouse escaped (for the third time now) in the house and it was very traumatic (for her!). Glad your kitty is back.

Anonymous said...

I am so glad she is home where she belongs!! Hopefully after her vacation she can survive till school starts!!

Mandi said...

Lol, I did love that post and I'm sorry for the dismay you felt when kitty was missing, but YAY for a safe return!

Anonymous said...

Too cute! I can very much relate. We have 3 cats that allow us to live here.

Andrea said...

TOo cute!Let's see how long the promises last!

Heidi Zawisza said...

Like always...too too funny! Laughing out loud right now!!

lperry95 said...

I can relate to your cat! I've got 6 right now and my female mom not only leaves me special hairballs but announces with a loud MAMA when she is going to leave one! I'm glad your cat came home.

D... said...

I am so happy this letter has a happy ending! The cat who owns my family was meowing in concern herself.

Joy said...

Beautiful kitty!!!

happyathome said...

Oh we play that kitty game every once in a while. Martini all of the sudden is not on the front porch at 6am, waiting to come in for food. Makes me nervous that a coyote or a fisher cat got him, lots of those near me. Then he shows up, like he has been lounging at the neighbors house on his little vacation, eating catnip, tuna and whole milk. I often wonder if my neighbor is trying to lure him over....

Gretchen said...

Oh, gee, I'm a dog person, and even I'm in love! I'm so glad your kitty is back where she belongs.

Tara @ Feels Like Home said...

Leave it to you to make something so traumatic really funny. You have such talent as a humorous writer.

I, too, have said more than my share of "Please God, let Fluffy come home safe and sound" prayers. Fortunately, they've always come home. Prayer is an amazing thing.

Mozi Esme said...

Awww! What a sweet letter to a valued family member!

Anonymous said...

Geez, what's next with Alice? A prison riot? Best to be prepared.

Happy Mommy said...

Oh I am so glad your kitty is safe and sound, now make the kids keep their promises!

Coffee Slut said...

What an adorable post! I'm a MAJOR cat lover, and I kinda got a lump in my throat reading it.
LOVE your blog, btw!

Unknown said...

Very funny! Great story.

Tales From the Eurovan said...

That was too funny! Anyone who says that cats don't have a mind of their own, has never owned a cat! Take care, Julie

Valarie Lea said...

Thank goodness she came back home! I love cat's they have such a mind of there own. Unfortunately we cannot have one in the house. Miss Syd is very allergic to them. :(

Woman said...

I almost started to cry, then I read she came home and I was so releived! I love the picture. Your cat definitely has personality!

Amanda said...

awww! Im so glad you found her! next time I want to escape I'll got to Target you- but for chocolate not catnip.

Amanda said...

awww! Im so glad you found her! next time I want to escape I'll got to Target you- but for chocolate not catnip.

Amanda said...

awww! Im so glad you found her! next time I want to escape I'll got to Target you- but for chocolate not catnip.

Muthering Heights said...

Whew, thank goodness you found her!

Jodi said...

aww, I laughed and almost cried in the same post! I'm so glad she came home safe!

Darla said...

We had a cat that did that. Scared the bejeezus out of me. She came home the next day and all she wanted to do was SLEEP! I called her the party cat from that point on.

Darla said...

We had a cat that did that. Scared the bejeezus out of me. She came home the next day and all she wanted to do was SLEEP! I called her the party cat from that point on.