I thought coyotes killed my cat in 2016...

I JUST GOT HIM BACK 5 HOURS AGO!!!

Story:
He started taking off around 2yo.
I've had to retrieve him from neighbors' rooftops, etc.
He got out while I was out of state & headed out of US.
He'd normally come back very late, or the next day.
Then-roomie dealing w/ serious medical issues... RIP

Here he is post-fart.

With myself gone & roomie in bad shape, there wasn't much we could do. He'd always returned, but this time, he didn't. Checked vets, etc, no luck, no calls... & in my part of LA, coyotes are so prevalent that 1 "night out" for a pet's often the last.
But he thinks he's a badass

We thought for sure he was 1 of the unlucky ones.

Fast-forward almost 4yrs, & even I can't believe this.

Some idiot set off fireworks last night & it got a police response. I hop on NextDoor - which I only joined maybe a month ago? - to see what is going on.

Last Selfie May'16

Looking around, I see a "found cat" post a mile away. I instantly think, "Wow, pretty cat! Sure looks like Rajah did!"

I look closer. & closer. Can't find 1 detail that doesn't match. Cheek stripes. Forehead pattern. His black "necklace" stripe.
Still, "I must be nuts".

Boxes

I'm thinking, "Sure, looks like he did 4 YEARS AGO- but It's gotta be another cat..."

I hesitantly post, already feeling stupid: "I might be crazy, but... Sure looks like my cat who escaped 4yrs ago!"

He's at another home who also mistook him as theirs.

Laser Pointers

More pics of him get posted.

Seeing him in a 2nd set of pics, my feeling stupid is replaced by the shock & near certainty, it's really him.

He's alive, & he's okay?!

But I still can't believe it yet.

Gotta see him in person & feel his loving affection again to make sure.

So the amazing woman who posted picks him up & brings him by, *just in case* it's actually him. Still doubting.

She calls near the house.

The first thing I hear is a cat's death howl, like it's being slowly ran over.

I tell her right then... "Yep. That's my boy! In a car!"

He promptly seals the deal & removes all doubt by crapping in the carrier, getting it all over himself, climbing 6' up the walls when I put him in the shower(off), continuing the howling all along, falling into the water when I do rinse the tub, etc

AWWWW BUDDY YOU'RE HOME!

Now a little backstory. He was just over 1mi away. I don't know when he'd arrived in that area, but apparently in the meantime he became "the neighborhood cat" & was known to roam daily w another cat, who it seems the coyotes did get to recently. He stayed @ a home over there too

To those asking about him being an inside cat; I mentioned in an earlier response, that was always the idea. But he's relentless about getting out & gets crazy to the point of needing meds, & he's just miserable stuck inside. After 4yrs of freedom, safe to assume even more so now

I'd just bring him out with me when I went into the back yard now & then. 95% of the time he'd just hang out. But if he bolts, nothing you can do. And if you never take him out, he tries even harder to get. And he eventually does.

This is him in a good mood. Imagine bad.

This is him opening a door for no reason.

It doesn't go outside, there's nothing of interest to cats.

It's 6 steps... & another door.

He's got 2 stories to roam, toys, food, a bed, treats, multiple beds & closets he could mess around in, etc, etc.

"MUST. OPEN. THIS. DOOOOR!"

Realized he was way smarter than I gave him credit for after that. I've had plenty of cats. That was a first, & he was still only about 1yo.

The next time he tripped me out was when he started sneaking/staying out late & he'd pop up at my 2nd-story window, 3' from me at my desk.

QUICK PSA:
He's always been chipped, fixed, collared & tagged.

Quick update:
Napping
(at the door, of course) https://twitter.com/TaylorGundy/status/1250881197506363392

So last night & today started out rough. Main shocker of this entire thing was Rajah being so seriously annoyed by the dog (sweet ShiTzu he grew up with) being here. Finally got both to relax & sleep, but I was about to lose my mind.

This morning looked like a bad start!

This pic is 1 minute ago, & this has been going about 30 minutes.

Bootsie wants to play & be friends SO badly. Rajah just wants to chill.

Just getting both this calm around each other is a massive relief after last night. Rajah was hissing anytime he was even within view.

They were never "homies" or anything... I had to "pose" them for this pic, & it lasted about 10 seconds.

But Bootsie *ran* to the cat carrier wagging his tail when it came in the door. I'm not sure Rajah put 2 + 2 together at first since he was flipping out so hard.

June 2015

This is such a *massive* relief that Rajah doesn't just hate small dogs now or something like that... Here's why:

My former roomie who passed away... Bootsie was his, & he's been really depressed. It's only been 2 months. Poor little guy just doesn't need any drama.

2016 here

Now just think of how *extra crazy* that makes this entire story:

Dog & cat lived together.

Cat takes off.

Dog moves out.

Former roomie passes away.

Dog comes back for *10 days* of dog sitting - 3yrs later.

Cat ends up back home same week after 4 years gone?!

Insanity!

So we got this far today.

Hectic day for both of them yesterday, so nothing better than lots of naps & snacks!

Rajah being himself more & more... Still a bit rattled, & of course, still dying to go outside.

But it’s progress, for sure.

Starting off full day #2...

Both have been in a good mood today so that’s good. Bootsie’s still trying to hang out & play with Rajah as much as possible.

Rajah’s still not quite sure what to think about Bootsie’s energy & excitement at times... but then again, none of us are.

Fortunately today Rajah's gone from seriously annoyed to mostly entertained. He gives Bootsie a play smack now & then, Bootsie's still pushing it!

It's pretty adorable though watching this little dog try so hard to be pals! He got a bath earlier, so now he's hyper & weird.

Like I said, Bootsie is really pushing it... I took this picture to show their progress...

When I leaned forward to take another pic, Bootsie rushed right up into Rajah’s face...

Thought he was a goner for sure

But as mentioned, Rajah’s back to being pretty relaxed around him, knowing he’s harmless.

Just don’t tell Bootsie that.

It’s been a long day of dealing with Bootsie

BREAKING:
We just split a large order of fries 3 ways. Rajah likes now.

And he clearly hasn’t heard “NO!” In awhile because he jumped on my desk & stole bites of my Whopper

Spa night.

Cat toys have arrived.

Rajah approves.

Bootsie isn’t sure what’s going on at this point.

Day 3 has been so uneventful that this is about the biggest news. They’ve both slept like babies all day. Bootsie is now staying until middle of the week vs Monday.

This is Rajah’s favorite use of his turbo scratcher so far.

Catnip banana, boxes, paper, laundry, a bowling bag & boots...

Rajah doesn’t play with his naps. He can nap on anything.

By the way... I’ve never referred to Bootsie by his name... to me he is:

Boot
Booter
Boot Man
The Boot
The Booter
Bootjamin
Booterman

Whatever you call him, he’s fun

Bootsie’s rocking some serious bed head today.

It's been several days with no major events to report. Both have slept, ate, slept some more, etc.

Booter's bed head was so out of control I trimmed him up as best as I could today. He goes back to his momma tomorrow. He's looking pretty handsome though. Been fun after 3yrs.

He’s back to thinking he’s got a major drilling op on his hands.

Well it’s official...
Bootsie has left the building!

Hate to see him go, but after 14 days of dog sitting, I can’t wait to actually get some sleep again, either.

Still gonna miss this little guy!