One of our cats (Sydney)is out in the woods and won't come home. We adopted her from a shelter over 3 years ago. She was at least 6 months old when we got her. She was terrified!! She hid under our freezer, couch, bed, or anywhere else she could find. She eventually warmed up to us and has been a wonderful cat. She was too scared to go outside. One time she went out and started chasing a butterfly, when she noticed how far from the house she had gotten she freaked out. Her tail puffed up and she ran frantically trying to get back in the door. She didn't show any interest in going outside after that. Until about two months ago. I opened the door to let in the other cat (at midnight) and she flew right out the door. apparently she liked the night. She did come back in the morning and this began our new routine. The longest she was ever gone was about 36 hours. Then about 2 1/2 weeks ago she left in the morning and when I pulled into my driveway about 9pm she was sitting by the front door. As I approached the house she ran away. A little while later she came running across the yard and up the steps. She saw one of my other cats and turned around and ran away again. I thought she was acting very odd. We didn't see her again for two weeks. Then last weekend we heard meowing at the front door. My daughter opened the door (maybe a little too quickly) and Sydney ran away again. I followed her into the woods with a can of food and I heard her meow every time I called her name but she wouldn't come to me. I left some food outside for her but didn't see her again for a couple days. We have seen her near the woods a couple times but she hasn't come up near the house again. Every night I leave food on the front deck and she hasn't touched it. The nights are getting colder and I am getting worried about her. After two weeks I thought we had lost her. I was relieved to see that she is okay but now I want her to come home. I don't understand her behavior. We have had her for over three years. Would two weeks outside make her afraid of us all over again. Any suggestions as to how I can get her to come back or as to why she is acting so strange would be appreciated. She is spayed and is current on all her shots.