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I have two indoor cats. Griffin is perfectly content to remain so and flees in fear from any open external door. Sham-Wow*, on the other hand, casually stalks the back door when we let the dogs in and out awaiting an opportunity to pop out into the real world and have an adventure. After thwarting him again today I did what I often do and picked him up for a cuddle and I explained to him how I keep him inside because I love him so much I couldn't bear if anything happened to him. That inside our home he is always safe...that he has yummy noms, cozy places to sleep, wonderful toys with which to play, protection from the elements, and a family who loves him more than he will ever know. I told him how I worry about all the kitties who don't have such protections and have to worry about the dangers of the outside world. Dangers like cars, other animals who aren't as loving as his fuzzy siblings, evil humans, environmental hazards. I explained how lucky he is to be safe at home. Apologies to the Arndts for using their phrase unintentionally and without irony. As I was going over this for the 900th time, in my attempt to brainwash him, I realized there is very little difference between my cats and the SAHD of many of the families here. Except my cats have it a little easier as having been neutered their romantic urges are curtailed (without their consent.) Also my cats have never had to eat a meatless burrito or clean a ceiling fan. *His given name is Seamus...we're a nick-namey family.

I got very little sleep last night because two of my cats (very indoor cats) got out yesterday afternoon. They are brothers from the same litter and inseparable BFF. Having been a cat mommy for many years I knew they would be nearby and we did all the usual things - put something with my scent on the deck, called for them, had doors open so they could come home, wet food...the works. We called for them, but during the day nothing. Not uncommon - so a walk around at night I got a screaming response from one of them and had no idea where it was coming from. It was not a happy answer... We have some concrete stairs on the side of the garage with a crack in the cement...he got in and couldn't get out. After 3 of us trying to dig him out for 2.5 hours we had to sledge hammer part of the stairs after determining where we could without hurting him or causing a collapse. Mr. Me wanted to tie a tow rope and pull the stairs over but the way he was positioned in there was too risky. On the last hammer (and at midnight taking a sledgehammer to concrete...just glad the neighbors like my husband) he shot out and ran inside. He was jammed on there and lost a patch of fur on each side, but no blood, no injuries or abrasions. He's scared to death and very clingy last night and today - but physically okay. His brother wasn't with him - Mr. Me is home today with a couple of the kids to find him...taking the prodigal son out on a harness to see if he can find his brother. I know he's nearby - just praying he's okay and just hiding/freaked out and not thinking of worst case scenarios at this point. Asking for good thoughts for the prodigal son still lost out there...he's just a little marshmallow and has to be so scared. Whole family, human and fur, are freaked out until he comes home.