Aji is my friend Sophy's cat. Sometimes, such as this week, I look after him and his dog brother Miles when she's away. We've developed a ritual for my visits: he always greets me at the door, then he watches from the kitchen counter while I dish out his and Miles' food, then I'm supposed to carry him upstairs, where he supervises the litter scooping.
Once I spaced out and started walking up the stairs on my own. Boy did I get scolded!
This morning, I got a little worried that he wasn't at the door. Or in the kitchen. Or next to his litter box. I started looking for him under beds, behind sofas, in every possible cabinet and closet. I checked in the washer and dryer, too. And the dishwasher. But no luck.
I tried calling Sophy's neighbors, who come over to let Miles out at night. If Aji dashed past them 8 or 10 hours ago, where could he be now? I looked in every yard on the block, but no sign of his tiger stripes. Poor Aji. He'd never been outside before.
I got ready to check with the animal shelter. And knock on doors to see if anyone's taken him in. I was afraid the answers would be no and no. Then what?
Fortunately, we never got to that point. I looked out the kitchen door and saw him crouching under the grill on the patio! What a relief - for both of us! I guess he did slip out after the neighbors, but being the smart kitty that he is, he stayed close to the house instead of running away. What a stressful night he must have had. Thank goodness he's safe!
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