August 9, 2009

I rarely post two DogBlogs in the same day, but my heart is heavy and it helps to write.

Our dear Dash the Kitty has gone missing. He has the nickname of "Poof!" because he often apparates (I told you we are Harry Potter fans) to another room of the house, but he always APPEARS some place after he turns on the spot and disappears. This time, he's vanished.

We're beside ourselves with worry, and Dewey is especially lonesome. He and Dash are best pals.

Mina, Meryl and I have helped Marianne and John search inside the house 27 times, looking in every cupboard, closet and cranny. Marianne and John have searched outside 42 times, around and around the house and the surrounding countryside, in ever-widening circles. They've searched all around the empty house next door in case Dash found a way in but not out. No luck. It breaks my heart to hear them calling, "DASH! DASH KITTY!" and hear no answering meow.

Mina went along on one outdoor excursion and I went on another. "Find the kitty!" Marianne implored. "Use your super-powerful noses and FIND HIM!" We found all kinds of interesting scents, a couple of bunnies and lots of birds, but no Dash. Meryl has particularly fine eyesight, so Marianne asked her to keep watch from all available windows. She's seen deer, bunnies, birds and people, but no Dash. All three of us feel terrible that our super powers have failed to find Dash.

Between looking outside and in, Marianne has filed missing pet reports with several places online. She went to the Dumb Friends League and the Aurora Animal Shelter to look at the cats in their lost and found kennels (no sign of Dash), and she filed Missing Pet Reports at both places. Marianne has commented more than once that she's glad Dash is microchipped; if he turns up at a shelter they'll know who to call. She and John take turns looking online at all the metro area shelters for buff-colored cats with light green eyes. And then they go outside and call for Dash again.

Marianne and John distributed fliers with Dash's photo to nearby houses last night. The neighbors all said they were sorry and that they'd keep an eye out for Dash. The nice lady at the Aurora shelter suggested putting a worn item of clothing outside the door, because sometimes the scent helps a lost animal find its way home. Marianne promptly put t-shirts outside both doors. She also put a crate outside with the door open and fresh water and food, in case he comes home when we're at work and needs a place to hide or rest.

We're all very mindful of the fact that we have many coyotes and foxes in the 'hood who think house pets are extra-tasty entrees.

"THIS is why you don't go outside!" Marianne snapped at Dewey. He blinked at her in surprise. "Hey, I'm right here, INSIDE where I belong!" he protested. "You're right. I'm so worried I can't even think straight. I'm sorry," she apologized. Dewey crawled into her lap. "I know, I'm worried too," he said. "What was he thinking, aparating outside like that?!"

"James James Morrison Morrison Weatherby George Dupree," said Marianne. Dewey and I looked at her in confusion. Clearly she'd gone 'round the bend.

"Who is James, why does he have so many names, and what does he have to do with Dash?" I inquired carefully.

Marianne sighed. "I was quoting a favorite poem of mine by A.A. Milne. It's moderately relevant. Would you like to hear it?"

Dewey and I nodded, so we went with Marianne to the computer to find it. Ordinarily she just reaches for the appropriate book, but right now her extensive personal library is packed in a storage locker instead of at hand, which is making her a bit cranky. At any rate, she quickly found the poem and Dewey, Meryl, Mina and I listened attentively as she read it aloud:

Disobedience by A.A. Milne

James James

Morrison Morrison

Weatherby George Dupree

Took great

Care of his Mother,

Though he was only three.

James James

Said to his Mother,

"Mother," he said, said he;

"You must never go down

to the end of the town,

if you don't go down with me."

James James

Morrison's Mother

Put on a golden gown.

James James Morrison's Mother

Drove to the end of the town.

James James Morrison's Mother

Said to herself, said she:

"I can get right down

to the end of the town

and be back in time for tea."

King John

Put up a notice,

"LOST or STOLEN or STRAYED!

JAMES JAMES MORRISON'S MOTHER

SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN MISLAID.

LAST SEEN

WANDERING VAGUELY:

QUITE OF HER OWN ACCORD,

SHE TRIED TO GET DOWN

TO THE END OF THE TOWN -

FORTY SHILLINGS REWARD!"

James James

Morrison Morrison

(Commonly known as Jim)

Told his

Other relations

Not to go blaming him.

James James

Said to his Mother,

"Mother," he said, said he:

"You must never go down to the end of the town

without consulting me."

James James

Morrison's mother

Hasn't been heard of since.

King John said he was sorry,

So did the Queen and Prince.

King John

(Somebody told me)

Said to a man he knew:

If people go down to the end of the town, well,

what can anyone do?"

(Now then, very softly) J.J.

M.M.

W.G.Du P.

Took great

C/0 his M

Though he was only 3.

J.J. said to his M

"M," he said, said he:

"You-must-never-go-down-to-the-end-of-the-town-

if-you-don't-go-down-with-ME!"

"Perhaps Dash will be back in time for tea," I said hopefully. "Maybe," said Marianne, and read the poem to us again.

We're waiting for Dash to appear any minute now.

Any.

Minute.

Now.

[sound of clock ticking]

*sigh*

Chow for now.

Ross

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