Hello,

I'm Jason, in Melbourne Australia, and my sweet little boy Odin has gone
missing.  It's only been 24 hours or so since we last saw him, but this is
unusual behaviour...especially missing dinner tonight.  He's 18 months old,
and he is quite an explorer, so in normal circumstances I wouldn't be so
worried just yet.  However, a neighbour has reported seeing a cat hit by a
car very close to our home as he dashed across the road from the church to
the school next door to us.  He couldn't (or didn't want to) say whether it
was Odin.  He says that both wheels ran over the cat but that it got up and
ran into the school yard.

Obviously I hope it wasn't Odin, that he's off exploring, is locked in
somewhere temporarily, or mooching a feed somewhere nearby.  It's a bit of a
coincidence though, so I fear the worst.  I searched the school yard today
but didn't see anything.  I'm interested to know what a cat would do in these
circumstances, when it has been seriously injured.  I've heard it said that
sick or injured cats will leave their homes, and essentially go off to die
somewhere alone.  Is that true or a bit of a myth?  I know Odin knew he was
loved to pieces, and I would like to think that he would have tried to get
home if he could.

I suppose I'm after something to go on in looking for him.  I'll be searching
the school again tomorrow.  If the car did hit Odin I doubt he'd have got
very far, and I don't expect to find him alive, but I need to bring my baby
home regardless.  I assume maybe he'd have looked for somewhere sheltered to
take cover.  Maybe under a bush or something?  Can anyone offer any advice on
what a cat's instinct would tell it to do, in whatever time it had left,
after such a trauma?

I'm also worried about his little brother Thor (11 months) who uttery
worships Odin.  It's early days, but I think he's starting to show some signs
of distress.  I really think he'll be lost without his buddy, mentor and
protector.  I'll be sure to give him as much love and reassurance as I can,
but any other suggestions for helping him cope are welcome.

Thanks for reading, and wish me luck.  Odin was/is so much more than "just a
cat".  He was my (second) best friend.  He has a dignity, grace and wisdom
that marked him out as a special soul indeed.

Jason