Friday, June 26, 2009

Pikey The Explorer



This Saturday, it will be 2 weeks since we last saw Pikey The Cat.
It's been a long 2 weeks.
Since then, we've wept, called out her name endless times, walking our front yard and back yard.
We were hopeful, at first. Even though the longest Pikey had been out was one night. Always the next morning, we would see her black funny face at our backdoor, meowing piteously, waiting to be let in so that she could run upstairs to our bed, cuddle on soft sheets and take a blissful nap.
When we didn't see her the next morning, we went looking, sure we would hear her meowing behind a garbage can or underneath the car parked on the driveway. When we'd looked and looked, we figured she was hiding somewhere waiting for the dark to make her way home. You see, while Pikey acted like a tiger on the prowl at night, during the day, she was just an itty bitty scared kitty.
So we waited that night. And waited. We checked the back door many times before finally falling asleep. Called out a few more times. Tried not to think of the coyotes the neighbors had seen nearby a few weeks ago. The first tears began to fall.
Of course we didn't tell Raina about our fears.
We told her that Pikey was off on a big adventure, exploring just like Dora.
Rohan thankfully is too small to miss her. Even though he was the one who adored her the most, followed her around like Mary's little lamb. She rarely minded it, often plopping down right next to him, so that he could pat her gently or tug at her tail.

As the days passed, the tears began to fall faster.
P and I recalled the many times Pikey had made us laugh in the 8 years she'd been with us. Recently, she'd made us angry more often than not. Bringing mice home. Clawing the new handmade rug. We'd been impatient with her, complaining about the black hair all over the house that she'd shed. Maybe she decided she'd had enough, P said.
I pointed out to him that through it all, Pikey still slept right on top of him at night. Or next to him. Somewhere within touching distance. That she still got attention in the evenings once the kids were in bed. Pikey time, we called it. She'd plop on a cushion on our laps and get caressed to her heart's content. Then off she'd go to the backyard, and from there to the canyon beyond, hunting mice, doing what cats do.
But when it was time for bed, we'd call out to her and she'd often come running back.
So we've put up some posters in our neighborhood. If anyone's seen a black cat with yellow eyes, skittish but affectionate and very, very loving, please call.
Deep in our hearts, we're still hoping. We see her everywhere, a black blob in the closet shelf, in the shadows of the house at night. But for now, the food and water bowls have been put away.

21 comments:

Cee Kay said...

So sorry to know that Pikey is missing. Hope she comes back home unharmed. Soon.

dipali said...

This is sad news indeed. I do hope she comes back to you.

Mamma mia! Me a mamma? said...

Oooo...this made me so sad! Keep the faith, we are nothing without hope...

Pikey come home quickly!

Unknown said...

Aw Muser . So sorry about Pikey .

A Muser said...

:( Thanks for all your support. I'll keep you updated.

Thinking Cramps said...

Oh no...do let us know if you find her. This is so sad and hard to deal with.

Terri the terrific said...

Oh, the poor baby! I hope she does a Homeward Bound and returns. Hugs to all of you.

A Muser said...

Ana, will do.
Ter, thanks. It is so sad. We didn't think we would lose her in this fashion.

Aparna said...

It is devastating surely but I am an eternal optimist and I know she will turn up sooner or later on your doorsteps. Meanwhile, chin up.

A Muser said...

Aparna, I am an optimist too. It's just so hard to imagine her being away from us for so long. She's so scared when she's out in the daylight. When she's at home too, she jumps at loud noises. Oh well, someone mentioned trying the neighborhood animal shelter. We may just do that. Keep everyone posted.

Anonymous said...

a muser:

that is sad. hopefully, she will come back sooner or later. cats have a better homing instinct than dogs do...

- s.b.

Mystic Margarita said...

Oh, Muser. So sorry to hear Pikey has been missing. Pikey will be back, a small voice tells me. meanwhile, keep searching and keep the faith.

Progga said...

Hey - haven't been back in a while. Hope you find her. I've been hunting for a lost dog on the streets of Calcutta, and I know how heart-wrenching it is. But they say cats have a homing instinct, so fingers crossed.

A Muser said...

s.b., mystic, progga, thanks for the comforting words. my husband saw a coyote at our backyard fence a couple of days ago. that's definitely not a good sign.

dipali said...

Any news of Pikey?

A Muser said...

No, Dipali. No news is definitely bad news. :(

Cee Kay said...

Sorry to hear that. I will still keep waiting to hear that Pikey is back.

Hugs.

A Muser said...

Thanks, Cee Kay. Just got back from the neighborhood animal shelter. There is no sign of her.

Rohini said...

I am so sorry to hear about Pikey.

Thinking Cramps said...

Hey A Muser. Dropped by to check about Pikey. So sorry about this.

AMIT said...

Oh hope till now Pikey is found.

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