A country gentleman goes missing

Posted: Tuesday, December 14, 2010 by Travis Cody in
13

Remember Mr Bailey?  He's one of two sweet country gentlemen who belong to my folks.  He went missing a week ago.

My folks aren't certain what happened.  He went out in the evening and didn't come back.  The neighbors said there was a dead bunny in the street last Monday morning.  It's possible that he was bringing the bunny home and wouldn't let something else take it away.  And maybe the something else got the better of him.

There's no way to know.  My dad has spent the week looking around the neighborhood, but there's no trace.  I guess that's kind of good.  They didn't find his body.  That would have been rough.  Although at least if they had, they could get some closure.




But my dad is still taking it very hard.  Mr Bailey is/was a sweet little guy.  He and my dad had such a special bond.  It was a calculated risk to let both little gentlemen roam the neighborhood.  But they were so unhappy not being able to go outside, particularly Mr Bailey.  He is/was a real cat.

He made it through being abandoned on my folks' property here in Washington.  He learned the ropes from a 13 year old yellow lab/golden retriever mix.  Mr Bailey and Mr Newby helped my folks recover when Buddy went to the Rainbow Bridge five years ago.  Those two country kitties managed a deer herd and kept the property clear of mice, snakes, and all manner of critters.

But I guess the city life in Arizona got the better of Mr Bailey.


In the absence of any real evidence to the contrary, I'm just going to go on thinking that he went walkabout.  Maybe he went a little too far, and got a little too lost.  Maybe he couldn't figure out where he was, or how to get back home.  So he checked in with a nice family that is keeping him safe.


We just don't know if Mr Bailey found his way to the Rainbow Bridge.


Hey Mr Bailey Kitty Cat, if you did cross the Bridge, I hope you're getting to run about with your old pal Mr Buddy the Yellow Lab.  Mr Newby, Mr Tucker, and the rest of us will see you when it's time.

Love ya, little guy.



13 comments:

  1. Anonymous says:
    14 December, 2010 04:49

    Oh Travis, this makes me sad. I'm going to close my eyes and concentrate on your walkabout theory... I'm hoping...

    Our pets are our children, too. And when they are missing a piece of our hearts are missing.

    Hugs to you and your Dad's family...

  1. Coco says:
    14 December, 2010 05:05

    It's a terrible thing when a pet goes missing.

    I'm going to pray real hard that he shows up, because that does happen, especially with cats. They do have their own agenda.

    Hugs!

  1. Anonymous says:
    14 December, 2010 05:47

    Trav: What a sad bit of news. I hope he still shows up.

  1. Finding Pam says:
    14 December, 2010 07:17

    Travis, you forgt about another scenario...that someone is holding Mr. Bailey hostage. I am sure he will return in time.

    I am sad for you and your parents. The pets that own me really enrich my life.

    I am praying that he returns. BTW, they are all beautiful cats.

  1. Charles Gramlich says:
    14 December, 2010 07:46

    Sorry to hear of this. Cats do go on walkabouts at times so maybe he will still show up.

  1. Marsha says:
    14 December, 2010 09:57
    This comment has been removed by the author.
  1. Marsha says:
    14 December, 2010 09:58

    [sniff], [sniff] Huggssss

  1. Vinny "Bond" Marini says:
    14 December, 2010 10:04

    Our cat Troy got into a tangle with our dog Rocky in New Jersey and went running one day.

    He was out and about for almost 10 days and then, one day, just showed up at the door looking for some food.

    Hopefully Mr. Bailey is doing the same and will wander home at some point.

  1. Akelamalu says:
    14 December, 2010 10:59

    I truly hope Mr. Bailey got lost and is residing with a nice family who will look after him. x

  1. Alice (in BC Canada) says:
    14 December, 2010 12:59

    What a sad story, Travis. I relate all too well with what your parents must be going through. I personally prefer to know... and to lay the body to rest here on my land when it's 'that time'.

    I like your story about Mr. Baily going on walkabout... we'll just know that is what happened, whether he's with a nice family or took walkabout to Rainbow Bridge. Either way he is happy and well. It's just us that are left behind that hurt. Just send him love wherever he is.

    Hugs to you and to your family.

  1. Jeni says:
    14 December, 2010 14:38

    A cat we had oh, about 20 plus years ago disappeared when we took him to a rabies clinic for a shot. The place where they were giving the shots is about 5 miles -at least -from our home -two villages and a lot of woods in between the two locations. When we were leaving there, he was upset and got away from us as we were putting him back in the carrier and went flying down the road, along a creek and we couldn't track him through the brush. But, believe it or not, it was about 2 weeks later, he came straggling back home. I have no clue how he found his way but he did! So, don't give up hope as it's quite possible he's tracking his way back to your family's home. Hope that's the case anyway.

  1. Southern (in)Sanity says:
    14 December, 2010 16:05

    Sorry to hear about Mr. Bailey. Perhaps he is indeed on an lengthy "walkabout" and will return.

  1. Linda says:
    15 December, 2010 19:54

    I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that you're right and that Mr. Bailey just decided to see a bit of the country and got himself all turned around. Perhaps like Bond's cat Troy, Mr. Bailey will show up just in time for Christmas dinner with stories to tell of his travels.

    Fingers crossed!

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