Gracie takes a hike

Some of you may remember that back in February we took in a stray cat and named her Gracie. She had not been out of our house since that time (except for a trip to the vet), and really didn't seem to want to go out.

Gracie remained very shy. The week that my three great granddaughters were here she spent her days hiding under a bed. Then my grandson came for two weeks and she was slowing adapting to him. One day, the boy decided to take each of the four cats out onto the patio for some outdoor time. He set Gracie down and she took off into the wooded lot next door. We haven't seen her since.

I would be concerned for her but she obviously has the skills to survive outside. I like to think she may have returned to a former home or found a home more to her liking. I am comforted by the fact that she left here a healthy, well-fed cat with a beautiful coat.

She obviously didn't bond to us, our three other cats or our home. I prefer to think that she simply didn't like us rather than believe she is starving, terrified and alone. But, of course, she found us once and may well find us again when the weather turns cold and the wind starts to blow.

I will keep watching for her every day.