Bit of a Scare Last Night

Joey has been coming in about 8:30 pm and staying in for the night.  I told a neighbour who would like to see him (she has the mother and sister of one of ours) to come AFTER 8:30.  She showed up at 7:30.  Joey was on the deck at nearly 8:00 but he wasn't in sight at 8:30 and we called and called and he never showed up.  WE wondered if he could hear the visitor through the open windows and that frightened him off, but still, thought we would at least see him.  Then he was right smack at the door waiting to run into the house just after she left at 9:30.  Maybe the sound of her voice scared him off, but whatever it was we are SO glad he came as cats have been disappearing here all summer and the people next door lost two.  What a relief he showed up.  Joey himself may have been relieved too, he slept snuggled beside me most of the nigh.

I do think he may have been scared off by her voice.  The cat in my avatar hides anytime we have company.  It took him months to learn the TV voices were not real people.

Anyone who actually sees him feels privileged.

This does not bode well for our intended trip to the Vet for blood tests, vaccination and microchip though.  The plan was I would lightly sedate him in his breakfast but after being in all night he isn't keen on eating breakfast, just wants back out.  I think the vaccination and microchip would be ok without sedation, but it takes more handling to draw blood and so far no one can handle him but us, mostly me.  If he won't come in the house because he hears a strange voice then I wonder what he'll be like at the Vet's.  Funny, he will show himself with strangers outside, and play in front of them, but won't come inside with strangers here.  Assuming that's it and he wasn't just out gallivanting.

Fingers crossed it goes well.  One of our cats is a bit wild and will swipe without notice.  Yet, at the vet's, he turns into a sweetheart.  He's very cooperative and does not react negatively at all.  I've never figured out why.