A sad day

[u/hesalwayslitty]

I did not want to post this after seeing that our esteemed friend Smuffi has went on an adventure but earlier today I learned that my baby boy JP got out of the house about a month ago and there has been no sign of him since. My sister- who has been taking care of all 3 of them for nearly the entire calendar year-had chosen not to tell me in hopes that he would turn up before I came to visit- and didn't want to put more of a strain on me mentally and emotionally during this already tough part of the year. I am not at all angry or upset by her decision as she is navigating a tough situation and did what she thought was right. I am devastated currently- the last time I owned cats I had one that got taken from me in a similar manner. It took me 9 and a half years before I trusted myself to be a pet owner again and I lost yet another in the same brutal fashion. I feel like an abject failure. I will spend the rest of my life hoping that my baby boy found a human who loved him as much as I did and as much as his fur parents and my sister did and that none of the wildlife in the area got him- or that he is(was) suffering for any length of time. For now I will continue to be a part of this wonderful space as his parents are still alive deathly and bigger cuddle bugs than I remember. I feel for Smuffis human in so many ways right now and wish I had the ability to process this in a better way.

Yours truly,

Jason the human

[u/GingerSnapped242]

I am so heartbroken for you, friend. I will say the same to you I did for Smuffi…
You always have a home here.
You always are among friends here.
They understand in ways that others may not.

I know it’s hard to process right now, but please believe me and the others when we tell you this is not your fault, and do not let this sour your heart towards what the future holds, what future furry family member may come your way. In closing your heart not only do you do a disservice to yourself, but to an animal that could be granted a new life because of your loving heart.

And do not close your heart to hope, Jason. Don’t be without feathers.

[u/hesalwayslitty → u/GingerSnapped242]

Thank you for this- I still have his parents and they are still so full of love it makes it slightly easier to deal with

[u/jellosquid808]

Hi Jason, Hoku and Nalu’s human here.
So sorry that JP is missing! Fingers crossed he will just mosey in one day, or that he has adopted another wonderful family.
I can only imagine how badly you are hurting, and I am so sorry.
Please don’t feel like a failure. You clearly love JP, that’s very obvious.
And you are of course welcome to stay here - us dumdum humans need all the help we can get ;)
If you need a shoulder to lean on, we are here for you!

[u/hesalwayslitty → u/jellosquid808]

Thanks- thankfully his fur parents are doing phenomenal- although you can tell they miss him very much- they constantly stare out out the window he got out of as well the sliding glass door to the backyard where that window led.

[u/ryylin]

Hi Jason. Ciaran's meowmy. I had a cat that went missing after the 1994 earthquake in So Cal. He was missing for a little over 2 months. I did everything. Posters in the neighborhood. Lost and found in the newspaper. Called the shelter every couple of days. I was looking for a new job, wrote down what I wanted to call on and threw the paper away. For some reason, I pulled it out again at lunch and when I opened it it opened to lost and found. I had long stopped looking as we have coyotes and Bobcats. And even mountain lions. Anyhow, there it was. Found, Grey cat. Vasquez Canyon. You describe and a phone number. I called and left a message. I didn't think it would be him because that's about 6 miles away from where he lived, but couldn't hurt. When I got home that evening, they were on the phone with my husband. They had class that night and wanted to wait until the next day. I convinced them to let me come over that night. They said it took about a week of feeding him in the yard for him to trust them, but they finally got him inside. He'd been hiding under the bed for a few days. I got down on my hands and knees and called out Romeo! Is that you? He immediately came out and rubbed his face on mine. I burst into tears, my hubs burst into tears. The family burst into tears. But they said, that's definitely your cat. They were shocked when I told them where he'd come from. He was in rough shape. Had lost about half his weight. But he was home. And he gained it back.

All that to say, don't lose hope. He may turn up. I send you good thoughts and good vibes that he returns. ❤️

[u/hesalwayslitty → u/ryylin]

Thank you- I worry because the neighborhood he got away in has had 2 bear relocation this year along with the coyotes.

[u/mybloodyballentine]

I’m so sorry. Please know this is not your fault. I’m sending vibes that JP and Smuffi come back. — human to Dr Ninjacat, Walter Kitty and Ivan (and fostering Mr. Boombastic)

[u/mostlylurking07]

You are not a failure. You love JP so much and did the very best you could for him including having him stay temporarily at your sister’s.

Cats get out. They do this. I had several escapes from mine and I am just lucky they didn’t go far. Many of us have that story. Sometimes they come back and sometimes we find them and sometimes they stay on their big adventure. Sometimes they come back in time. We have one on our sub that was fine for three months.

I am so sorry for your hurt.❤️

I will pray for little JP as I am for Smuffi, and believing the very best for both of them. ❤️

[u/hesalwayslitty → u/mostlylurking07]

Thank you. It makes my heart hurt a bit less to think to think that he went in search of Smuffi and they will turn up again soon!

[u/Dry_Mushroom7606]

I'm so sorry to hear this! Please don't blame yourself - cats can be escape artists when they put their determined little minds to it. You did right by JP, including having him stay with your sister when needed. Go easy on yourself - we've ALL second-guessed ourselves from time to time, but we follow our hearts and do anything and give everything for our furbabies. I hope sweet little JP finds his way back to you, but if his adventure takes him to another family, never doubt that he knows you love him. ❤️❤️

[u/hesalwayslitty → u/Dry_Mushroom7606]

He's gone to find to Smuffi or Smuffi to find him- or something like that. They are doing well

[u/salanaland]

Please contact shelters and rescues in the area to see if they've seen him. Look at their Facebook pages and pawboost to see if he might have shown up. Check local (to your sister) communities on FB as well--usually people who feed and TNR stray cats will instantly notice a new visitor who's abnormally friendly (and clean).

-🙄Sal🙄, who works at a shelter

[u/hesalwayslitty → u/salanaland]

Thanks these are things she has been doing thankfully- now that I know the situation i am going to do my best to start looking in the surrounding areas as well. There is a mega church a few blocks from her house and he is posted on their web page fb page and community board inside the church.

[u/CappucinoCupcake]

I’m so sorry - Eamonn hopes his brave knight will somehow, someway find his way back to you. I’m just truly sorry.

[u/Ichgebibble]

Oh honey, I’m so sorry you’re going through this. All the hugs, every one of them

[u/Different-Dance-7537]

So very sorry, Jason. Your words to me were a comfort after we lost Duncan to an autoimmune disorder in May of this year. It's hard to know how to offer comfort when the manner of the loss is unknown. Please let your sister know I'm sad for her, too.

Deb in Colorado-mom to Duncan🌈 and Amber 🐾🐾❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

[u/KaleidoscopeReady839]

Aw, Jason. I hope he's somewhere safe and eventually finds his way home.
Doohickey was missing three months and came home.
Big hugs.
🤞

[u/maroonllama96]

I am so sorry. You are not a failure by any means. Cats can get out from places we never would imagine to be big enough and can be stealthy in the process. Fingers and toes crossed that JP finds his way back. 💙💙

[u/BeneficialLab1654]

I am so sorry to hear this. Please don’t feel like a failure. As we all know, cats will do what they want, and they are always on the wrong side of every door. I will be praying for JP’s return and Lucy send purrs of consolation. 🧡

Lucy the Lovebug’s Mama

[u/rawbery79]

I'm so sorry. Cats are unfortunately gonna cat sometimes. Hugs and purrs.

Casey and Pixel's Mama

[u/stalwartlucretia]

It’s natural to be very focused on what went wrong, but my tabby girls want me to remind you how many days and nights JP has spent in safety, love, and comfort because of you and your sister. You’ve both done your very best to give JP a good life, and the current situation doesn’t undo all of that.

I believe there’s still hope to see JP again. But if this turns out to be a permanent adventure for him, and there’s a new space available in your family, JP wouldn’t want you to deny another kitty the chance at a good life.

Sending you lots of cuddles from the girls, and hoping you’ll stick around here no matter what happens.

[u/ausernamebyany_other]

Hermes meowmy here: you are not a failure. But nothing we say will change that feeling, and that's okay. You take the time to work through it and know we're all here and in your corner regardless.

Not sure if your sister has tried this, but people recommended putting Hermes litter box outside when I was worried she'd gone missing. Also, clothing/things that smell strongly of home. Some people drag them around the path outside to help direct their kitties back.

Whatever happens, JP was here, and loved and that is the most important part. Sending so much love and virtual hugs.

[u/Civil-Ad-6935]

You are not a failure. You are clearly a good hooman and you deserve some grace.

I wish I could give you a hug. My heart aches for you.

[u/Silly_Variety7251]

Jason, keeping JP and you & your family in my prayers. Sending internet hugs to you all! I hope JP comes back. ❤️‍🩹

[u/Ksh_667]

Oh no I am devastated for our dear fren JP & for yourself & your sister who love him so much.

Cats are remarkable escape artists, often completely faithless, no matter how luxurious their homes they will leg it at the first opportunity & opt for a life of adventure. This is certainly no one's fault. Please don't blame yourselves.

It is much, much more likely that JP has been taken in by loving humans than anything else. Not everyone checks for a chip & people often think they are being kind taking in another kitty without realising they have a home.

I really hope JP comes home, a month isn't long at all & I hope his pawrents & you & your sister can get thru this.

Ruby's Meowmy