Sugar ran away.
We went on a one-week vacation and left her with my brother-in-law. We thought she’d like to spend time with her brother Ted, but they really didn’t gel. Lots of hiding and hissing. She took off on the second night and didn’t return. My in-laws looked for her every day we were away. They put up posters, but she was gone.
When we get back from Cuba, my brother-in-law picks us up. He wouldn’t look me in the eyes before he breaks the bad news.
Sunday, September 3
We leave the front and back doors open all day. Maybe she’s around. Maybe she’ll come in. We call out to her. We ask our neighbour if he’s seen her. Nothing. Cats are known to come back on their own. But not Sugar.
Fatal Flaw
The posters have a fatal flaw. The phone number is in marker on the tape. They’re all around the neighbourhood, but it rains, the contact number washes away, leaving only Sugar’s picture with no way to get in touch with us. We need a new strategy.
Pshht. Pshht. Clink. Clink.
For the next few days, I go on long walks calling out her name, making familiar sounds, clinking a cat food can: Shuuugerr. Shuuugerr. Pshht. Pshht. Clink. Clink. Suuugerr. Local people could be forgiven for thinking I was off my rocker. Instead, they are helpful.
On one lonely street, around McRoberts and Caledonia, a woman takes pity on me and asks what I’m looking for. When I say my cat, she asks if I had tried posting on the local resident’s association Facebook site. She shares the name and wishes me luck. I thank her and keep looking for Sugar.
Residents Groups
I find the Caledonia, McRoberts and area Residents Group. As soon as I receive permission, I post a short message and Sugar’s photo. I check for a response right away. Nothing. Too soon. I check hours later and there were some comments but no sightings of her.
I post to other resident Facebook groups, the Oakwood Families Group, St. Clair West Residents Group, Fairbank Village, Caledonia-Fairbanks, Rogers Road, Eglinton West Community and to Lost and Found Pets Toronto. As soon I post, I look for responses. Again, no leads.
Sunday, September 10
We have guests over on Sunday. After cleaning up, I take a look at the Facebook postings.
Hallejuah! A reply to my post with a comment “Is this your cat?” A friendly person from the Caledonia-McRoberts group had posted a picture of Sugar.
Truly lost
I rush to send a DM to the good samaritan on Facebook. Sonia is a local real estate agent, so her number is public. We talk on the phone right away. But she hadn’t taken the photo. It was someone else at the Carleton Village/Silverthorn Residents’ Association.
Carleton Village? Never heard of it. But we race to find that residents’ association on Facebook and find the post. Carol had posted the picture. She lives all the way near Old Weston Rd and Davenport. Sugar had travelled many kilometers in the opposite direction of our house. She was truly lost.
Carol
We look for Sugar within a ten-block radius of Carol’s house. Nothing. I send Carol a DM and she texts me back: “Your cat was here an hour ago.”
We run to Carol’s house and call out for Sugar in her backyard. Nothing. Maybe she went to a neighbour’s house? We ring many doorbells but no luck. Then Carol texts us again. “She’s here.”
She's here!
Carol says sugar is in the garage. We call out to her and hear faint meows. She’s moving in the darkness and comes out slowly. She looks at Carol, as to acknowledge her kindness, and comes to us.
The whole thing seemed unreal. Sugar was lost Aug. 28 and found on Sep.10, more than four kilometers away from home.
Home Sweet Home
Sugar has been extra sleepy and extra cuddly. We keep taking pictures. Can’t believe she’s back home.
Ooooh. So sweet!