We Think We Lost A Cat..... Handsome
By CatsandDogs
@CatsandDogs (13963)
United States
March 15, 2011 12:47am CST
Handsome was the latest stray cat that came into our yard from time to time and we had taken him in under our wing however, he stayed outside. He'd come and go as he wished. He was so sweet and very loving! Hubby and I took him in to the vet to be fixed so before he disappeared, he was fixed so where ever he went, he's fixed so he won't be making any more babies but still, where did he go? After we brought him back home, he took off but came back a few times but now it's been several weeks since he's left and we haven't a clue to what happened to him. I hope nothing bad.
The past few days we thought we had lost yet another stray that we took in, Dreamer. Today hubby and I went to look around in the woods to see if we could find him and after about an hour of calling, (some of my other cats followed me) something told me to turn around and watch Big Boy and so I did and he was looking off in the distance so I looked where he was looking and just about came out of my pants with excitement! There was Dreamer!! I so wanted to run to him but I knew it would scare him off so I treaded oh so softly towards him and he got so excited that his tail came straight up and shook! lol He'd been gone for about two weeks! I was SO happy to know he was ok and not died off somewhere where we couldn't find him.
Now if only Handsome will return. It would make me feel better knowing he's ok. Even if he's gone, it's the 'NOT KNOWING' that drives me insane!
8 people like this
16 responses
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
15 Mar 11
I hope he ok and a family has taken him in. We had to give one of ours away. He kept peeing in the bathroom. We could not get him to quit. We finally gave him to the lady that we had gotten him from. He is not doing it there. Go figure.
2 people like this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
20 Mar 11
I hope he's ok too but I can't say for sure. He was such a sweet sweet cat so he's far from being feral so he had to be someone's cat before he came to us. He'd come and he'd go as he pleased but maybe his 'real' owner saw he got neutered and has now kept him inside out of fear something bad will happen to him. Oh well, at least no unwanted babies will be born.
As for your cat that you had to give away, try making sense out of what they do! They do leave us scratching our heads from time to time.
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
16 Mar 11
I know what you mean about not knowing whether the missing cat is alive or not. Chances are someone decided to take the cat in and not let it go outside again. It is possible that animal control picked it up. If that is the case, you would never find out. I'm glad the other cat turned up.
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
6 Apr 11
Well, it seems Dreamer has taken off again and hasn't come back. I think one of my cats have ran him off because he won't defend himself or stand his ground but runs off while the one chases him. It could be more than one doing it but I'm not sure. I hope he comes back because he's such a sweetie and a real talker too. I'd love to make him a house cat along with the others but he's terrified of the indoors. He came as a stray and so I guess he'll always be a stray but he'll always have a home here with us if he so chooses to not let the others bully him.
As for Handsome, he's never returned. I hope he wasn't picked up by animal control. Seeing that he's already fixed, maybe they let him be? I can only hope so!
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
7 Apr 11
Ahhhhhh!! Dreamer came home late last night! Yay!!!! 
About your brother, he must have a kind heart! They say that when a man likes cats, they REALLY like cats! What a cool guy he is! Wish there were more like him!
About your brother, he must have a kind heart! They say that when a man likes cats, they REALLY like cats! What a cool guy he is! Wish there were more like him!1 person likes this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
6 Apr 11
It is pretty sad when one cat runs off only because it is chased by others. Hopefully someone just caught him and took him home. My brother also "collects" strays. He started out with a shelter cat they picked up for his daughter and then he befriended a number of the neighborhood strays. His favorite is Jack, a male that is always picked on by all the other cats. He doesn't mind being inside as long as he can go out whenever he wants. All of his cats are that way (he has 2 strays along with the shelter cat). I have never heard about animal control going around his neighborhood either and there are tons of strays.
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63594)
• United States
16 Mar 11
You know, that happened to me.
I had this friendly black cat I called Zorro, because the first time I tried to bring him inside he saw the dog and freaked out and scratched my face - just a little scratch, not even enough to scar - but he had "marked" me.
After he came over off and on for a couple of months, I caught him and took him to get fixed.
When I let him out he took off - gee... I wonder why???
Then I saw him a couple of months later with a collar on!
I guess his "real" owners decided that maybe they'd better tag him as theirs because someone caught and fixed their tom cat!
I only saw him a few times after that, he never looked bad, even before I fixed him, so I had guessed he was owned, but now his owners were keeping him in more or he wasn't roaming as far.
That was some years ago, I'm sure he's gone to the Bridge by now, but sometimes it just takes a "wake up" call to get people to be more responsible!
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
6 Apr 11
It seems Dreamer has taken off again and hasn't come back. I think one of my cats have ran him off because he won't defend himself or stand his ground but runs off while the one chases him. It could be more than one doing it but I'm not sure. I hope he comes back because he's such a sweetie and a real talker too. I'd love to make him a house cat along with the others but he's terrified of the indoors. He came as a stray and so I guess he'll always be a stray but he'll always have a home here with us if he so chooses to not let the others bully him.
As for Handsome, he's never returned. I'm hoping he belongs to someone and now that he's fixed, he's not tomming anymore.
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
7 Apr 11
Ahhhhhh!! Dreamer came home late last night! Yay!!!!
1 person likes this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
15 Mar 11
I know the feeling. When I had my dog he took off for four days..I was worried sick. Everyday after work I would get in the car and go looking for him..about the time I thought we would never see him again he came strolling down the street! One happy day here!
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
6 Apr 11
Well, it seems he's taken off again and hasn't come back. I think one of my cats have ran him off because he won't defend himself or stand his ground but runs off while the one chases him. It could be more than one doing it but I'm not sure. I hope he comes back because he's such a sweetie and a real talker too. I'd love to make him a house cat along with the others but he's terrified of the indoors. He came as a stray and so I guess he'll always be a stray but he'll always have a home here with us if he so chooses to not let the others bully him.
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
15 Mar 11
ive had cats go away for 2 or 3 weeks also. usually if they didnt come back though i'd find out that someone took them and kept them. 
some times though we'd go get one back if we thought they didnt take care of them. once when the kids were little, we had a 2 block fight going on for one of our cats. because the kid that kept him, locked him in his room. and my kids wanted him back because of that. @bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
15 Mar 11
btw, we did get him back!! i hope your baby Handsome will show up ok. 
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
6 Apr 11
Well, it seems Dreamer has taken off again and hasn't come back. I think one of my cats have ran him off because he won't defend himself or stand his ground but runs off while the one chases him. It could be more than one doing it but I'm not sure. I hope he comes back because he's such a sweetie and a real talker too. I'd love to make him a house cat along with the others but he's terrified of the indoors. He came as a stray and so I guess he'll always be a stray but he'll always have a home here with us if he so chooses to not let the others bully him.
As for Handsome, he's never returned.
That's great that you take control of your cats care! I'd do the same thing if I were in your shoes and found that they were being mistreated! Good for you!!
@quita88 (3715)
• United States
17 Mar 11
Handsome may have met up with some very lonesome other cats..........or ?????
You have to accept that fact that he might be gone but he might just be hunting for field mice and will be home when he's healed.
Someone dumped a stray dog off on me here. I have kept him. I worry about him but he chases cats and all the strays in my neighbor hood come into my yard.I let "walker" stay out side of the fence and feed him there as well as one of my friends brought him a dog house.
We named the dog Walker cuz we were out on one of our daily walks when he followed me home......... :) now he's a Walker !
Think about this way. Maybe somebody took in handsome and have given him a nice home and he's taken care of.
The Lord takes care of all animals, so worry if you must but also know Handsome is in good hands somewhere.
hugs , quita
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
6 Apr 11
What a cute story on your newest addition and that's a perfect name for him! lol I don't know why some dogs love to chase cats. My two do it too and I hate it. I'm trying to get them to stop but it's like asking the flies not to come inside. Yeah right. lol
Well, it seems Dreamer has taken off again and hasn't come back. I think one of my cats have ran him off because he won't defend himself or stand his ground but runs off while the one chases him. It could be more than one doing it but I'm not sure. I hope he comes back because he's such a sweetie and a real talker too. I'd love to make him a house cat along with the others but he's terrified of the indoors. He came as a stray and so I guess he'll always be a stray but he'll always have a home here with us if he so chooses to not let the others bully him.
As for Handsome, he's never returned.
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
15 Mar 11
Hi Cats
I to hope that he will come back as I know what you are going through
Many Years ago I had a beautiful Persian Cat he was wonderful and never went far, then one Day he never came home which was not like him, we searched put up Posters but I never ever saw him again, it broke my Heart and for years I tried to figure out what happened to him and still now sometimes I wonder
It has been 13 years now since he went missing and it is the not knowing that is unbearable
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
6 Apr 11
Hi gabs, sorry it's taken me this long to get back to you. I've been so depressed and have been trying to get back into doing things that I once enjoyed but it's a hard road coming back but I'm trying.
I'm so sorry to hear about your persian cat! How sad! Someone stole him, damned low lifes! Just like someone stole my german shepherd and black lab. They've been missing since Nov 2006 and I still miss them and will for a long long time. Like you said, it's the not knowing that's hard to bear with.
About Dreamer, it seems he's taken off again and hasn't come back. I think one of my cats have ran him off because he won't defend himself or stand his ground but runs off while the one chases him. It could be more than one doing it but I'm not sure. I hope he comes back because he's such a sweetie and a real talker too. I'd love to make him a house cat along with the others but he's terrified of the indoors. He came as a stray and so I guess he'll always be a stray but he'll always have a home here with us if he so chooses to not let the others bully him.
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
15 Mar 11
I understand the uncertainty. We have our three and then one or two that visit regularly from the neighbors. The best cat I think I ever had completely disappeared though, and we never found him. I think he got in a car and left the state.
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
20 Mar 11
Yeah it's the unknowing is what bothers me but I think he belonged to someone and that he just went back 'home' where ever that was. Only this time he wasn't in tact! LOL Maybe he went back home after losing that desire for another female in heat? Who knows. I just hope and pray that he's safe and happy. That's all I ask for.
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
15 Mar 11
Aww I'm sorry cats, that has to be frustrating not knowing where he is. This is why when we took in our daughters stray cat, we made sure she stayed inside, too many dangers outside for cats and dogs...I hope he comes back soon, happy and healthy..
1 person likes this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
20 Mar 11
Oh I am sure that was expensive to clean up...So the cat never came back? You say his fur was taken care of, maybe he finally went to his home and stayed there or the owners moved, taking the cat with them..
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
20 Mar 11
Yeah, I am too.... He was a sweet cat and his fur coat was nicely kept so he had to belong to someone. With having 11 cats, 12 when he was around, I can't keep them all inside because the males have started spraying. Thank God we've caught it in time to put a stop to it - as much as we see it happening and cleaned up the smell and mess. What an expensive job that was! Whew!
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
15 Mar 11
hi catsanddogs Yes I can imagine the not knowing if handsome is okay or not is really bad.You are so great taking in all these strays. love it.'I do wish I could afford a cat or dog but it raises our rent here at Gold crest and I have not enugh money for that.I love Cats so much as they are so much their own selves , they do not let anyone push them around. lol They own you not you own them hope Handsome show up soon and relieves 'your worries.
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
20 Mar 11
Hi Hatley.... it sure does bother me to not see a cat in a number of days but weeks as it has been with this one, is bothering me something terrible but all I can do is hope and pray that he's ok and that he just went 'home' where ever 'home' is.
I wish you could have a pet too sweetie. That's so not fair that they raise the rent! Don't they know that a pet lowers blood pressures and helps with human health? Oh the benefits of having a pet is so great! Why are some so darned narrow minded? I just don't get it.
And you are SO right!! Cats own you, not the other way around!! LOL
Call a dog and they'll come right to you.
Call a cat, they'll take a message and get back to you. 
@jerzgirl (9291)
• United States
15 Mar 11
Since Handsome had become someone non-feral, maybe someone took him in when they saw he was fixed. Do you have any photos of him you can put up as flyers to see if someone does have him? Let them know you just want to know he's safe and still healthy.
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
6 Apr 11
I've done that before when I lost my german shepherd and black lab then later my male siamese cat and after that my female siamese cat. Both of my cats came back on their own but the dogs never did so I don't think the flyers would do any good. All I can do now is hope and pray that he's alright. I do know that we did the best we could by getting him his shots and neutered as well as fed and gave him fresh water and a place to sleep. If he chooses to leave, what can we do?
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
15 Mar 11
I hope all your babies get back home where they are loved.
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
20 Mar 11
Thank you Jo.... All are home except for Handsome but he may already belong to someone else, not sure on that and probably went back 'home'. I can only hope that's the case however, he's fixed now so he won't be making any unwanted babies. lol
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
6 Apr 11
I see someone likes cats! lol I have 12 of them! Ferals and nonferals alike. They are great about catching mice, snakes and all kinds of other wildlife. Thanks for responding!
@whatrow (792)
• United States
22 Apr 11
All of my cats are free to come and go as they want. But it happens frequently that some of my cats go out and I never see them again. I am always concerned about their safety. Did they get lost in the woods? Were they attacked? Did they get sick? It is the not knowing that bothers me more than their absence. I tried getting collars for all of them with my name and phone number so that if anyone found them they would know they are not ferals. So far, it hasn't made a difference.
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
22 Apr 11
So far we've been lucky with our cats that none of them have taken off and not returned, thank God. Handsome was a stray that we took in but only if he wanted to stay. If he had stayed, he'd have been number 13. I'm hoping he belonged to someone else and because we got him fixed, he's staying home and not tomming anymore.
As for collars, I did have all of them, cats and dogs with collars and tags but my cats keep losing theirs and it got to be too expensive to keep replacing them however, I did get a phone call on one that got lost. Yes, a cat of mine that we used to have got lost. lol He was a dip stick but we loved him nonetheless. lol
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
20 Mar 11
Awwwww thank you AmbiePam! That was really nice of you to say! But yeah, I guess you're right about the responsibility part. I just hate so much that there's so many being put down for no reason at all except for over population which is no excuse in my book. God made these animals for a reason so they should be able to live out their lives however, fix them so there won't be anymore. I hate it when pet owners don't do it themselves knowing full well that their pet could create more, if given the chance, not alone cancer and other problems when in later years.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
15 Mar 11
It is great that you are taking care of the stray kitties. We have one that turned up on our doorstep eight years ago and never left! I cannot cope when the cats go missing and that is why my two live strictly indoors and only go outside in their carriers or on a lead. I guess that is why I only have two because there is not an awful lot of space in the house for too many! I can only imagine how excited you were to see Dreamer! I pray that Handsome turns up again real soon...
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
20 Mar 11
I feel this way, someone has to do it so why not us? lol Hubby and I feel this way, we're helping with the population and hope there won't be any more coming our way however, if they do, we'll take them in and we're letting them live out their lives instead of taking them to the shelter to be put down - which I will NOT do. They all were put on this earth for a reason and it's certainly not to be tortured or to be killed.
Having 11 cats, 12 when Handsome was around, we can't keep them all inside because the males have started to spray. Thankfully we've caught that in time and corrected it as much as we can 'make' them. We were able to clean up the smell and mess they created but don't want anymore of that happening so out they go as we've trained them to do. We have three litter boxes in the house for them to use but not all of them will use them. ARG!
Dreamer is the only cat who won't come inside. I've tried but he's so terrified of the indoors. Apparently he's never been inside but he's a sweetheart of a cat! Now that I found him, he's been coming around again. He's scared of the other cats because some of them chase him and he won't fight. I wish he would! Just one time knock the day lights out of one of them and they'll leave him alone but he won't. But you betcha! I was SO happy to see him again!!
1 person likes this
