Feline Perspective: Not All Who Wander Are Lost

By Ashley Tabby

Scroll through any neighborhood forum or Facebook page, and you're bound to find countless posts on the subject of lost cats. As a neighborhood cat, I'd like to set the record straight: A cat is rarely lost. She is usually exactly where she intends to be.

As a mother of twelve from three separate litters, I can tell you that I occasionally need some space. For that reason, I often take long, winding walks through the woods, hollows, and streets of our beautiful community. It never fails that someone catches a glimpse of me crossing a backyard or cul-de-sac, snaps a photo with their phone, and posts on Facebook something along the lines of, "Whose cat is this? He appears lost, thirsty, maybe even malnourished. I hope he finds his way."

First of all, my preferred pronoun is 'she.' It's 2021, for Fluff's sake. Please don't make assumptions about my gender. Second, and more to the point, I have never found myself lost in this neighborhood, even though the street names are confusing as heck, am I right? But I digress. I'm a cat, and I have a spectacular sense of direction. I'm not starving, either. My family feeds and waters me daily, which I appreciate, but I'm perfectly capable of hunting game and lapping cool, clean water from one of Brandermill's many aquifers.

By all means, if I appear injured or otherwise in need of assistance, please lend me your hand, and I'll do my best not to bite it. Otherwise, you can just assume I'm out for a stroll, stretching my legs, and seeking a little solitude. After all, I do feel lost sometimes, just not in the way you think.

Editor’s Note: We at the Beacon are sensitive to the fact that pets do indeed go missing. As pet owners ourselves, this breaks our hearts. We love to see pets reunited with their owners.