Sugar Went Missing

Springtime Challenges Pt 1

I have never seen a coyote in my yard or even tracks passing through. I live so far away from other people, the precedent hasn’t been set and they avoid my turf altogether. Until last week when we spotted one on our camera by the outhouse.

With spring finally springing, the forest is waking up. The squirrels are active and noisy. The birds have returned in droves. I’m lulled to sleep by ruffed grouse and spring peeper frogs singing their chorus. I’m in a forest and the occasional predator is bound to stroll in, hang around for a few days and leave.

Chasing squirrels the day before going missing.

I wasn’t concerned as long as the coyote didn’t cross the threshold into my actual yard. I bring the cats in at night. Occasionally they’ll be so caught up in their little hunts that they spend a night outside, always to be found waiting at the door in the morning. I wasn’t worried, even when Sugar didn’t come back one night.

When she was still missing the next morning, we became concerned. Another night passed, and I cried. ‘The coyote must’ve gotten her’ I thought. Curt planned revenge and what he’d do with a coyote fur.

I thought about all of the things I could’ve done differently. Should have done differently. Maybe it wasn’t the coyote, maybe she’d chased a squirrel and gotten lost. Maybe she was stuck somewhere. I mourned her sweet nature and consoled her brother, Gandalf. I began to grieve.

Did I overreact? Yes. Yes, I did.

At 5 am on the 5th morning, we awoke to a meowing at the door. We looked at each other in disbelief and with sleepy eyes, then at Luci and Gandalf to make sure it wasn’t them. I got up and looked out the door, not believing my eyes. To our happy shock there she was waiting! Hungry and thirsty, she returned smelling like Douglas fir trees.

Fast asleep on my lap

She ate, drank, and snuggled into bed. Purring for maybe 30 seconds before falling into a deep sleep. I’ve always been realistic that the cats, being outdoor kitties could go missing. Somehow, it still broke my heart to think that she’d been grabbed.
Will I overreact if/when it happens again?
Yeah. Probably.
Will I keep her inside from now on?
Definitely no. She loves going out, chasing things and being a cat.

Oh, how I’d love to know what happened and what sort of adventure she might’ve been on!