Normally its too hot for the cats to go anywhere until after sunset so I
never worry about them until well after eight. They go outside and
lounge on the grass between the buildings which is in shade in the
evening and is cool. Yesterday when the storms came through the
temperature dropped. Being as much a creature of habit as the cats I
just didn't worry about them because it was too early. I suddenly
realized I had no idea where Bruiser was or how long he had been gone.
After 10 minutes of searching I was beginning to get real concerned. I
was looking in the bushes along the back wall when suddenly I heard a
large dog on the other side of the wall and a few houses down rumble and
snarl. Bruiser was running in terror along the top of the wall, leapt to
the ground five feet below and exploded away. By the time I turned
around I had no idea where he went. He evidently had climbed one of the
trees and used that to cross over on the wall. No doubt copying Maya and
the other cats who can jump up on it and walk the wall all the time and
enjoy lounging up there. I had found and lost him in the same instant.
After searching for 20 minutes I could not find him. In the blurred
glimpse I had of him as he ran away I knew he was terrified and had
probably went to ground in hiding. Finally one of my neighbors kids saw
him on their patio and came out to hold and pet the kitty they found out
there. So I went over and got him. He stayed pretty close to home the
rest of the night