Conference misery::feline_v1

2241.0. "Incredible journey" by NZOV07::PARKINSON (Reunite Gondwanaland!) Sat Feb 18 1989 17:16

    This was reported in our local free newspaper, and I thought lots
    of Feliners would be interested in it. It might also inspire others
    to report amazing stories of cats' journeys.
    
    Late last year the Brown family moved from Devonport, Auckland,
    to a small town called Dannevirke. They took their several cats
    with them, including Tootie, a small grey and white cat. She was
    sedated on the journey, which took about 8 hours. The distance is
    570 kilometres.
    
    Two days later Tootie went missing. Seven weeks later she walked
    in the door of her old home, hungry but in very good shape. She
    had a big wash, a large feed, then went to sleep in her usual sleeping
    spot.
    
    Her identiity was confirmed by a next-door neighbour, andMrs Brown
    confirmed it when she came to Auckland. I gather from the article
    that they have decidied to let Tootie stay with the new owners of
    the house, since it's where she wants to be.
    
    Most of you don't know New Zealand, so I'll elaborate on the journey.
    If she took the most direct route (570km), she would have crossed
    the Ruahine Range (highest point 5600 metres), the Kaweka Range
    (similar height), the Ahimanawa Range (4000), lost of rivers and
    streams, through a large forest (probably the best part of the journey
    - no cars, and lots of birds to eat), past Rotorua and its network
    of lakes, then over the Kaimai Range. A long distance, and she must
    have averaged 12 km a day to do it in seven weeks, as well as foraged
    on the way.
    
    Having reached Auckland, she must have crossed the city from south
    to north, then she would have been faced with the Waitemata harbour,
    a LARGE body of water, which lies between the city and Devonport.
    The only way across is via the very busy harbour bridge (no footpaths
    - motor traffic only), unless she hitched a lift on the ferry. To
    go around it is a long detour, though maybe not so long to a cat
    that's just walked 570km.
    
    She has never been a wanderer, and never leaves her yard.
    
    The newspaper is trying to gather eyewitness accounts of Tootie's
    journey, which would be fascinating.
    
    This is amazing! What a cat.

    What a great story!!!!  Thanks for entering it and the background
    information.
    
    Jill
    

    
    Excellent story! Every once in awhile there's a story about a prized
    pet child that has gone back to what they call home!
    Linda