Nikki on the loose!

Dear Ravi,

Thanks for checking in yesterday. As you know, today is the day before my surgery, but I have had little time to think about it. When Daddy was letting the dogs in for the last time last night, Nikki slipped out. We realized this early this morning when he did not show up for breakfast, and he is a very punctual eater. I put out a message on Lost Pets, Next Door, and our neighborhood Facebook page. Daddy and I spend hours scouring the neighborhood, rattling treat bags and calling. I had the feeling that he had not gone very far, as he is strictly an indoor kitty. Hours passed. I continued to look and call, climbing under porches and in and out of window wells. The neighbors probably think that I am nuts. News flash! I am! Anyway, I was sitting on the front porch calling and thought I heard a faint meow. It seemed to be coming from the corner of the house where the porch juts out from the bedroom. That area has a huge tree in it, as well as hostas and ferns that have grown wild. I waded in and then army crawled in the direction of the noise. There, in the farthest recesses up against the house was Nikki! His eyes were huge and he seemed frozen in place. He did not protest at all when I scooped him up and waded back out of the thicket. In the following hours, he has had a good drink, some dinner, and is hanging out with Raya. He seems none the worse for wear. Slowly, my adrenaline is coming back to baseline. Now, all the animals are asleep at my feet and I am exhausted. If you were part of Nikki’s homecoming, thank you very much. Order, for the moment, is restored.

We check in to the hospital at 9 am tomorrow. Surgery begins at 11 and should last about 2.5 hours. Penny will be sitting with Daddy in the waiting room. Lots of other people will call or text him tomorrow night to check in. I am hoping that I am only in the hospital overnight. I want to recover in my own home with Daddy and the pets. Luka will be joining you on Thursday. After we recovered the cat, Daddy and I went to sit with Laurie and Joel and give him lots of love. He definitely enjoyed it. I have fond memories of walking with you, Laurie, and Luka at the nature preserve. We had a lot of good times there. I haven’t seen any cardinals today, but I know that you are close by. I love you forever. Mom.