Ok, so I've always known this.  Always tell the cats how long we're going to
be gone ... and that we'll be back for sure.

Two weeks ago, Fred and I went to Lake Louise for 3 nights for our belated
10th anniversary.  I forgot to tell the cats when we'd be back.  My mom and
MIL showered the boys with love in our absence, but Otis was devastated.
When we arrived back, I found Otis down the street by my mom's house, where
I often go to visit - it seemed like he was looking for me.  He was hiding
under a lilac tree and yowling and complaining and *very* upset.  He
wouldn't come out to see me.  Poor thing - it reminded me of when he escaped
from our new house and went missing last summer and we finally found him
after four days - wouldn't come out to see me but just howled and howled.
He finally followed us back home where he promptly turned his back on me and
groomed.  He wouldn't have a real love-in for about 2 days.  I really got
the feeling that he had thought we weren't going to come back - like he was
afraid to have a love-in in case we left again.  I mean really - our world
revolves around these cats!!!

This last week, I told them how many sleeps we'd be gone (seven) and sent
them comforting thoughts while we were gone.  When we drove up to the house
in the afternoon, there was Otis waiting on the front step.  He's been a lap
fungus since we got home.  Big difference.

And Chester?  He's always happy to see us :-)

Susan M
Otis and Chester