Conference misery::feline_v1

    If your afraid of leaving a number, contact the animal control officer
    and work it out so you could leave theirs.  Speaking of which, have you 
    called them, Angel Memorial, ect...
    
    Michele

    
    re -1
    
    yes I have called the few shelters in Boston.  No one seems to have
    the guy.  I have even called a few vets in the Dorchester area that
    may have seen him.  No luck so far.
    
    Mi

    Michele, is Dennis friendly around strangers?  If not, then there
    is a good chance that no one took him and he is still around the
    neighborhood.  Can you post fliers with your work number instead?
    I really like the idea of fliers as they serve a good purpose --
    I recently reunited a lost kitten with its owner and she was ever
    so greatful for his return.  Also, leave your number with area vets
    as well as a description of Dennis.  Post fliers or index cards
    there as well.
    
    There are ways around the phone number issue but it is important
    to "advertise" the fact that he is lost, otherwise, the chances
    of you getting him back are greatly decreased.
    
    Good luck and please keep us posted.
    

    
    I phoned the cops when I lost mine,may sound a bit far fetched
    but someone may hand the cat into them,well,they do over here
    anyway.........
    
    Good luck,keep the thoughts positve as well.....
    
    Phil
    

    Michelle -
    
    Have there been any moving trucks or delivery trucks in your area that
    Dennis might have gone in to?  I work with a woman whose cat jumped
    into a delivery truck.  She didn't know about it, but did notice her
    cat was missing.  She called the truck company and found it's next stop
    was Brighton.  She and her husband went to Brighton and put up signs on
    telephone poles, etc. and sure enough, someone called them about her
    cat and she got him back.  Maybe something like this happened to
    Dennis?  
    
    Keep us posted.
    Mary
    

    
    
    
    Thanks so much to all of you.  I plan on going down to the shelters
    tonight to take a look for myself.  Dennis is a big cat who does
    not really take to folks until you have spent a considerable amount
    of time with him.  He was born in an a hockey arena at Northeastern
    University.  So he was always exposed to lots of people nearly since
    birth.  He is also afraid of men which I think he got from the arena
    because most of the people who spend time there are guys.
    
    I was just talking to my boyfriend, and he had mentioned that he
    noticed Dennis was coming in with more and more cuts each time
    he went out.  I know he is a fighter, and I have also noticed
    and cleaned up (yelled at him to stop fighting too) his cuts.
    But I was never really worried about him cause of his size.  
    He isn't fat, but this is a good size cat.  
    
    I just wish he would come back.  He was a present from my boyfriend
    when we first moved in together four years ago.  So he was like
    our little boy.  Oh well now I am rambling.  I am going to give
    the shelters another call this afternoon and see if they have
    found him.
    
    Again thanks for your support.
    
    Michele

    Michele,
    
    You didn't mention whether Dennis was neutered or not.  Maybe he's 
    looking for a mate.
    
    I agree that advertising is very important right now in case someone
    took him in thinking he was a stray.  They may be holding him until
    they see ads for him so they can return him to rightful owner.
    
    The other possibility is (if he's been neutered) maybe he has a second
    home he visits for free food and attention.  This came to mind when said 
    "He doesn't go out often, but when he does he is usally gone for a few 
    days and then reappears". 
    
    Hope you find him safe and sound.
    
    Pat
    

    Michele -
      Another common thing that happens is that cats get locked in
    someone's garage or shed or basement.  Check with your neighbors.
    
    If Dennis isn't neutered PLEASE do so when you get him back. 
    Unneutered cats wander much much farther and get into fights.
    
    I used to live in Savin Hill in Dorchester ....  I lost a kitten
    up around the Field's corner section.  Talk to the kids in your
    area too.
      Nancy DC
    

    
    
    just for info     Dennis is neutered!  All of our cats are mutts
    so one of the first things we do when they are old  enough is have
    them fixed.  
    
    Mi

    I'm not certain what your concern is about posting
    your phone number is, as long as your address isn't with it.  (If
    someone calls and says they have Dennis and wants your address
    so they can return him, you could ask some
    questions about what he looks like to be sure they aren't lying.)
    
    I second the suggestion about checking any place he could have
    gotten accidentally locked in.  Also it is a good idea to
    visit the shelters in person rather than depend on someone
    identifying him over the phone.  Grim question:  if he has been
    hit by a car, who would know -- the police, or is there a city
    animal control place that handles this that you should check with?
    
    Please let us know how things are going.  How long has he been missing?
    

    re: Phone number -  Having lived in Dorchester for 8 years I can
    understand the reservation about posting phone numbers. We got more
    wrong numbers, crank calls, obscene calls etc in Dorchester than
    any place else I've ever lived.
      I don't know why, but that's what happened.
      Nancy DC

    re posting phone number
    
    Thanks Nancy for putting in the last reply.  I guess most folks
    don't realize the problem unless they have or still do live
    there.  
    
    He still isn't back yet.  I didn't have a chance to get down to
    the shelters last night, but I plan on doing that this night
    if I can.  
    
    Thanks
    Michele

    Michele - I think the idea of working with the local animal shelter
    instead of posting your own number might be a good one if they'll
    cooperate.
    
    In all honesty, when we lost Kathryn I did post my number, but That's
    got to be your decision and Our lost kitty was 12 yrs ago.  Things
    change.
    
    Good luck - and talk to the kids.  They were the ones who found
    her for us.
      Nancy DC

    
    
    If the cat is not neutered, being gone a week isn't *so* much. 
    Unneutered cats tend to stray and stay gone for short whiles.
    
    Plus, if he is unneutered, he could very well of gotten in a fight
    with another male cat!  He could be in the woods healing himself!
    
    Also, as mentioned before most outdoor cats do have a "second home"
    where they occasionally eat and sleep.  Maybe the other home decided
    to keep him inside?
    
    Good luck looking, I hope you find him!
    
    F.

    
    ...or you could give out your boyfriend'z work phone number.
    
    when stella went missing around thanksgiving last year, i never gave a
    thought about what might happen if i posted my phone.  the little devil
    showed up several dayz later on the deck with bramblez in her tail and
    a "don't ask me where i've been cuz i ain't gonna tell ya" look on her
    face.  i was never so relieved.
    
    good luck...
    
    diane & stella & stanley
    

    
    
    HE'S BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    
    Dennis came back last night.  Something is wrong with his front
    leg, but other than that he looks ok.  We are going to make an
    appt with the vet.  He is jumping up and off of beds and counters
    so I don't think it is really bad.  Nonetheless, he is limping
    and we want to make sure he ok.  
    
    I am so happy he came back.  The first thing I am going to do
    after calling the vet is to get him a collar with a tag on it.
    So  in case this happens again he can be easily identified.
    
    Thanks again for all your support folks
    
    Michele   John   and Dennis the Menace!!

    That's FANTASTIC NEWS!!!  I remember how I felt when I got a call
    about my missing Kathryn.  
    
    Glad you're taking him to the vet.  Wish you'd consider keeping
    him inside  :-)
    
    Make sure you get a break-away collar.  Some are made completely
    of elastic so if the cat gets caught he can slip the collar.  
    There is a sad story in this file of a sweet little cat who
    strangled when her collar got caught on a nail.
    
      Nancy DC

    
    re -1
    
    I fully intend to keep him inside from now on.  I discussed it
    with John and he agrees.  The only problem is getting it through
    to his brother who also lives with us.  He really doesn't like
    cats and doesn't seem to understand the importance of making
    sure Dennis does not get out.  Hopefully he will make a concerned
    effort to keep the boy in the house.
    
    I am so very glad he is back with us especially now that the
    weather is turning nasty.
    
    Thanks again,
    Michele

    Good for you Michele!!  I'm really happy to hear that you've
    decided to keep him in.  We distract Jesse with the kitty tease
    when he starts meowing to go out.  
    
    My first cat, Kathryn, was killed on Savin Hill Ave in Dorchester
    so I know what that area is like.  
    
    If you are free on Saturday why don't you drive out to Marlboro
    for the cat show (1093.27 have directions).  You can purchase
    some great "cat stuff" at good prices at catshows..
      Nancy DC

    On the subject of cat collars; there appear to be two types, the
    "safety" collar which is elastic and the cat can theoretically slip out
    of it, and the "break away" collar, which isn't elastic, but the
    fastener doesn't have a "pin" in it that goes into a hole.

    With a safety collar, I found that my cats would try to get out of them
    and would get their arms tangled in them. The break away collar, on the
    other hand, would just come unfastened and slip off.


    Deb

    
    
    Yaaaaaayyyy..
    
    I'm also happy to hear you've found him!!!
    
    F.