Sir Bennett Did It Again!, Went 'missing'..... Options

[paris]

Yes, he did it again. Thanksgiving we went away for the weekend. We 'jokingly' said "OK, now he'll have to wonder where WE are!"

My neighbor comes in every day to check in, and we do leave the window opened for Sir Bennett to get in and out. We've done this several times before, no problem. Except this time the neighbor wrote daily notes that Bennett was nowhere to be seen, food was untouched. And yes, I live in Vermont where it is below freezing and snow. I looked on the deck and there were no paw prints in the snow. (It snowed after we left.)

So now I'm wondering again, where he is, for an entire week. All I could think of is "Here I go again" and was getting depressed. At one point I regretted keeping the window open, but I know that was illogical because he goes out all the time. I know, and have posted, that the choice to let a cat outdoors brings risks. This time, though, he had collar/ID and microchip, so that was helpful.

What was worrying me was the cold, wondering where he was getting food/water. One morning I saw some birds, and that was to me a sign from God that he was OK.

He usually turns up early in the morning, so last evening at 7:00 I let out a scream when I saw him standing at the back deck glass door, lightly covered with snow flurries. I let him in. No collar. I expected a thin and hungry cat, but he actually looked beefier than when he left.

This cat is a mystery and he's driving me crazy!

[paris]

Hello everyone. I have been ill with a flu or something and just got on the computer.

Kim,

Thank you so much for your positive thoughts. I do hope you are right. I certainly hold you as a cat expert. There is a chance Bennett will be back, but as you know, there is a chance he won't. I have to wait it out. It's hard winter now so maybe in the springtime......There is no way to control a cat like Bennett. His nature is to live and roam outdoors and yes, he is incredibly friendly. Even people who own cats prefrer Bennett over theirs! ("Oh, look how we can pick Bennett up and hold him! My cat jumps out of my arms when I try!")

Jan,

Bennett is a brown tabby, a lot like your cats. I've also thought about going out and getting another tabby. I also wish that Zita would miraculously turn up and I'm sorry she is gone.

Sandy,

Sorry Sassy hasn't been found. It is indeed a mystery what happened. I don't think someone would find her if she has the collar on and do nothing.

Joanie,

I know the pain of not knowing if your cat will be found, one minute thinking he's alive, the next thinking the worst. You have been through so much this year. It's hard to give up, and hard to keep looking. There's always the thought of 'what did I miss." I do think a breakaway collar with ID is good for all cats.

Thanks to everyone for caring. I hope to come back to this thread soon and hear some good news.