Two months ago, I went out of town, leaving my black cat Jazz with a friend. A few days later Jazz disappeared. I returned home and searched. My friends searched. I posted two dozen fliers around town from where Jazz disappeared to where I had recently sold my home. I called the radio, e-mailed the newspaper and notified the police. People called with sightings of black cats. People put her favorite food out to lure her in. People even showed up with captured black cats in their cars, but Jazz was nowhere to be found.
Two nights ago a friend called—she had seen a black cat under a bush by her driveway. I was in Boise so couldn't get over to check it out until this evening. I parked at the scene of the sighting off Saddle Road. I called for Jazz as I had done so many times to bring her in at night and over the long two months she was missing. Was it my imagination, or did I really here a meow from a long way off? The meowing continued, and then got louder. There was a black cat running toward me. She leaped into my open arms.
My "Cat Hat" is back. This is her nickname, for her favorite place to sleep is right on my head at night. I am comforted by her gentle love and sleep the best with her here, at the end of my bed until lights out, then snuggled up completely on my head.
I want to thank all the thoughtful people who saw my fliers and called with help and hope for a happy reunion.
Narda Pitkethly
Ketchum
