Runaway kitty

This week Peyton ran away from home. I was sick with worry about the situation, but when I tried to tell Mandy she didn’t understand. During Stella’s naptime, Mandy opened the back door so Peyton and I could play outside. Peyton loves to sit in the corners, but he decided he wanted out. There is a tear in one corner, but Sam has placed big cement blogs in front of the hole so we can’t escape. Peyton ignored these blocks and pushed and pushed. He tore screen even more but slithered through the hole. I ran in and out of the house, and Mandy told me to calm down because I was acting like a nervous Nelly. She went outside to check on things, but Peyton was already in the woods behind the house and Mandy didn’t see the tear.

Several hours later, it was dinner time. I was starving, but Mandy said I had to wait for Peyton. I grew desperate trying to tell her he was gone, before understanding finally dawned in Mandy’s eyes.  But rather than grow upset, she sat down calmly and ate dinner with Stella. Here I was freaking out, and she is sitting calmly with that child!

It seemed like an eternity to me, but finally Sam came home. Finally someone who would do something! But he sat down and ate dinner too. Mandy left Stella with Sam and went outside to look for Peyton. She found the tear in the screen, and called him. He ignored her.

Eventually Sam and Stella joined in the search for Peyton. After a while, Mandy and Stella came home, and stayed by the pool. Mandy heard a noise and I came running! Peyton was coming home! But then there was this awful fight. I knew Peyton was gone; I tucked my tail between my legs and dashed back into the house to hide my tears. Sam went tearing into the woods looking for Peyton, but Mandy brought Stella inside and started going through her normal bedtime routine.

How could Mandy be so calm? My brother was just attacked by wild animals! Sam stayed out looking for Peyton until well past dark. Mandy came down after Stella was in bed and turned on the lights out back. There was Peyton sitting by the back door. Mandy let him in and called to Sam.

Peyton tore past Mandy and rushed into the house and straight to his dinner plate. He didn’t even bother to tell me he was home. I have tried talking to Peyton about his adventure, but he refuses to talk about. I tried asking what happened with the fight, but Peyton only looks at me and walks away. Whatever happened out there must have scared some sense into that cat, because he hasn’t even asked to go outside. Not only that, but he’s sleeping with Mandy before Sam comes to bed and after he gets up of a morning. He doesn’t complain, and has been very quiet since coming home. He doesn’t even want to play King of the Mountain. I am hoping he will return to normal in a few days.

On a side note, Mandy says tax season is almost over. It has to be, because Sam is sleeping less and less. If his nights get any shorter he won’t have a night.

Well, I am going to look out the window for a while. Much like Peyton, I am happy to be here, and after my trip outside last year, I have no desire to go back out. It’s a tough life for a wild cat, and I am happy to have a clean box, meals, and people who cater to my needs. Hopefully Peyton has learned his lesson—the life of a house-cat is pleasant.

Elway