Love Thursday?

So, um...

I'm not sure I should be writing about this yet but tonight we got the first real lead we've had since our cat Edward disappeared some eleven days ago.

A woman called tonight and left a sort of cryptic message asking us to call her back because she had something to discuss with us. We HEARD the message as she was leaving it but couldn't actually find the phone to pick up.

(Moving... it's like the worst exercise in frustration or maybe the best exercise in patience there is.)

Anyway, Coop called her back although I was actually dialing the phone and prepared to do it. He said later that he was afraid it was going to be some person yelling at us over all the fliers we've posted (justifiably, actually, because I affixed them to stop signs) and since I'd had a migraine day and am not the strongest phone talker on my best days, he thought he ought to take the call.

And she turned out to just be the nicest person. She said she hadn't wanted to leave a more detailed message because she didn't want to get our hopes up but that she'd seen a cat that looked a lot like the pictures of Edward hanging around a home by her house. The home is owned by some elderly people (she thought we ought to be careful we didn't scare them if we went poking around their house) and it has a sump pump out back that would make a perfect area for a cat to live if it didn't want to be caught.

We piled into the car and headed out, armed with a can of cat food. We didn't find him but I can't help but feel bouyed by even a hint that he might be somewhere near, still. I was beginning to lose hope, quite honestly.

[Actually, I have noticed that my worst migraines are usually heralded by a really noticeable drop in optimism. Do any of you migraines sufferers ever experience that?]

So, now...I know it's ill-advised to get my hopes up but I can't help it. Send some good vibes, okay? Because so far, I think I can handle everything about this move with (my spastic version of) grace and optimism--except the permanent loss of Edward. I have had one other cat in my life that I loved as much as I love Edward --and it took me 18 years to get over the loss of HIM.

But gosh, y'all, what if we get him back?

[Edited at 2:23 AM to note that I can't sleep because I'm so excited. I went back over to the house by myself at about 10 last night but it was starting to rain so no kitty materialized. I put fliers in the mailboxes of the house and surrounding houses.

I know I'm not very smart to be getting my hopes up like this. (Then again, I guess it means my migraine won't be back tomorrow.) Wish me luck! I'm going to go over at about 7:30 in the morning when it's light but everything is still pretty quiet and just listen for him a little. I hope to get a chance to talk to the people who live there...]

Comments

Anonymous said…
Oh Sweet Pea -- many good thoughts to you all and Edward that you are united.
Susan said…
All my fingers and toes are crossed...

I've been checking your blog daily because I've been so worried about Edward and I've never even met him. I guess it's because I know how dear our pets are.
Unknown said…
I'm sending good thoughts your way as well.

I don't have migraines, but for me the first sign of a sinus infection is feeling extremely depressed, like that little cartoon character who used to have the black cloud above his head. Then the symptoms eventually develop.
You haven't talked to them yet? And you're going to show up at 7:30, and they are going to say, "Uh-oh, here's that crazy woman again, let's call the police" and then you'll try to introduce yourself in that charming Texas drawl and scare them half to death, right? Could you take a video of all this?

That woman who called was so nice!
Tenna Draper said…
I do hope you find Edward.

I have a cat that prefers to be outdoors--problem is, she's got no claws--and now there's a fox living near our property, so I can't let her out AT ALL, because she doesn't come when I call her (huh, neither does the DOG!).

But I had a cat run away from the house the instant we arrived, and I've been out of sorts since Edward took off because of it. We never saw her again, and I'd hate for that to happen to anybody else...here I am still grieving over it eight years later.

And MIGRAINES are nasty. I had one yesterday when the icy-snow storm hit. I took 3 Advil and went to bed at 5:30 in the afternoon. Then I was up half the night trying to get myself back into "kilter".
Barb Matijevich said…
Well, I DID show up and poked around but I didn't find him. There is a LOT of wooded area there. I managed to talk to the owner of the house as she was putting out the trash and I gave her a flier and asked her to call if she saw him. She said she would and also that she would tell her daughter who lived right next door. Then I saw the neighbor across the street as SHE was putting out the trash and I told her my story and gave her a flier and she said she'd keep an eye out. Everyone was SO NICE, even though it was before eight o'clock and I hadn't brushed my teeth.

I can't help it --I'm still so hopeful!!! We have this cat trap--I'm going to ask the owner of the house if she minds if we set it in her yard--I think it's our best bet since he's clearly a little addled at this point. Poor baby.

EDDIE V. COME HOME!!! (My husband calls him that--short for Edward Van Halen. We all KNOW our cat is named after the train but Coop will have his little jokes...)
Anonymous said…
Sweetie, I was going to suggest that just one of you go. If he's there, he's probably scared and skittish and too many people might freak him out - even if it's the people he loves the most. Good luck. I'm really, REALLY praying that you find him.
Anonymous said…
I have been so worried about him! I have been checking your blog several times a day to see if he has come home (no more skipping days of blogging ok, I can't take it).
I get a weird type of migraine where I lose sight in one eye for several hours and then the headache comes, it is almost always preceded by a downward plunge in my mood.
Suna Kendall said…
I've been thinking of you a lot during this time. I hadn't posted it, so I just wanted to let you know lots of people are sending vibes!
LaDonna said…
I don't blame you for getting your hopes up! This is the most promising news since the little guy disappeared!

I'm so glad you're finding friendly people in your new home, and maybe Edward is doing you a favor. He's forcing you to get out and meet the people in your new neighborhood.

Ok, Edward! Enough is enough! Go home now!
Anonymous said…
I don't know whether or not I ever told you this story, but when I was in college my dog ran away, and my mother found her. I don't recall exactly how long it took, but it was about two weeks and she was a couple of towns over and pretty bedraggled by the time she found her, but it started with phone calls from people saying they'd seen her but she was gone, and my mom just cased that neighborhood until she found her...handed out her phone number to everyone she saw working in a yard or whatever and finally someone called one morning and said she was asleep on their porch.
deb said…
how about setting out some sardines or something smelly that he would love and maybe he'll come trotting home? I hope you find him! I'm worried about him!
Amanda said…
Keeping my fingers and toes firmly crossed for you and Edward to be reunited! I think the cat trap with some strong smelling favourite Edward food is a definite plan.
Mrs.Q said…
What Susan said.

{good vibes} {good vibes} {good vibes}
Mokihana said…
Waiting and praying that you will get him... I have been checking everyday to see his status.... I hope by the time I'm writing this you have your precious kitty back.
Anonymous said…
I'm keeping my fingers crossed and sending positive thoughts your way that Edward shows up and soon. Poor guy, he's probably just gotten himself turned around.