Hi there:

Thank you all so much for your thoughts and wishes and purrs.  You
guys are amazing.  I would like to gather you all together, make you a
nice meal, pour some wine (if appropriate), and thank you for your
great big hearts.

The good news is that Otis is staying in the cattery neighbourhood.
Just today, my parents were over for a sighting in the same yard in
which he seems to hang out much of the time.  The bad news is that he
runs away and hides in the trees - an impentrable jungle, according to
my dad.  They still can't catch him.  One of the traps are still there
with tuna; however, I suspect that he was trapped 8 years ago when he
was first caught and taken to the SPCA.  I don't think Otis would do
that twice.  Are most cats susceptible to traps or do some stay away?
It has a towel from home and tuna.  I would like them to drape it with
my cotton nightdress too.

My husband loves Otis too but is simultaneously bummed that I have
"checked out" of this vacation with worrying about Otis.  I feel quite
trapped now in Ireland - wouldn't like anything better than to fly out
right now and go and get my boy.  My husband is of the view that
there's nothing that we can do about it, we know where he is, and he
will be trapped or caught before we get home.  I am of the irrational
view that Otis is waiting for me to come and get him.  You  really
have to know him.  I have a mental imprint now of his personality.  A
combination of mischieviousness and fear right now.  He loves running
away from being caught.  Unfortunately, he would only come to me and
just barely, at that.  The cattery woman didn't quite believe me, or
was at least forgetful, when she left him alone with the partially
secured screen.  This after he had pulled out all the screens in the
cattery - she had left the firm windows only an inch open so you think
she'd have the idea that he was pretty serious.  All of this could
have been avoided if she had taken me seriously.  You really have to
know Otis to understand his phobia about being contained.  I am
resisting moving to a more scenic part of Ireland because I know that
we will be out of e-mail and Internet and even phone service at times.

And things keep going through my mind - like that feeling that I was
never going to see him again after I dropped him off.  Changeable?
Set in stone?  Is there hope?  I am so worried that he will try  to
set off to home.  It is accross an eight lane highway, a hugh river,
and a manmade lake.  It doesn't seem possible... but something Otis
might want to try. I want him to sit tight until he is caught or I
come home.  I keep sending him messages that his granpa, grandma,
uncle or aunt will help him.  Also, that tuna will get him home.

I'm rambling and obsessing.

Thank guys,

Susan M
OTIS and Chester (little angel)