A Kittly Miracle

Anyone who knows me irl knows who Gus is. Gus (MY Gus) is this an amazing cat. I adopted My Gus in the summer of 2004 and he is hands down the best feline ever. (sorry cat lovers but it's true). Gus was 15+pounds, with a crumpled ear that oozed attitude, but pick that fat cat up and he melted in your arms. The people at the shelter called him the "fat drunk woman" because when you picked him up, he'd put his paws on your shoulders and nuzzle you. He lived at the shelter for 10 months before he and I met... I still have no idea how no one took him before that. My luck, their folly. He was meant to be a part of my life. I never had any issues with Gus at all, he was the most gentle sould I've ever met. Gus was what I always imagined a cat would be.

Last August (2008) Gus got out of our house. We were not watching the door properly and he escaped. It had happened before and he'd always stayed right in the yard so we didn't panic right away but going out a few minutes later to catch him, yeilded no cat. NO worries we said, we walked around the neighborhood calling for him, looking for him. Still no Gus. Ok, not to panic- he's microchipped. We posted signs, called the police, shelters and vets. Gus would turn up. Someone would see him, pick him up and know he wasn't a stray. Our fear was they'd keep him. For 5 months we kept up the search for Gus. We kept all of his stuff, and everytime we were out side we looked for him and called for him. I can't tell you how many kitties with bushy tails we chased hoping it could be him. But no.

In March we found a place in our hearts for two new kitties. (I believe I've posted them here before) But they just were not the same as Gus. I love them, but they're no Gus. 2 weeks ago DH called me at work all in a panic. "Go to the shelter website- I think it's Gus." And lo and behold there was a gray cat with a crumpled ear. I spent the next several hours trying to get in touch with someone there and to find out if it was our cat. If it was, the cat had walked a 50+ mile adventure to the family that surrendered him. I knew it was not possible but that doesn't mean I didn't hope. Finally the call came back, no microchip, short haired cat, not Gus. I'd be lying if I said we didn't cry that night.

Last night my parents came over. Mom ordered us a pizza from up the street and we went to pick it up while the boys worked on the Jeep. As we turned to leave the store we looked out the glass door and GUS was standing right there. I went outside, said "Gus" and he was up in my arms. No mistaking him, it was MY Gus Gus. We asked the store owner and he told us that was his "Guide Kitty." No it's not, it was Gus. I put him down on the ground (couldn't have them thinking I would just steal him) but he followed us to the car. (At which point I DID help him in) The store is less than 1/4 mile away from us and I figured if DH had moved on from Gus, he could wander back up there....

We got out of the car, I showed DH, he scooped Gus out of my arms, and put him in the house with a firm "he's staying, he's family" and tears in his eyes. Gus is not in good shape. He weighs less than our pomeranian at this point. My once fat boy is nothing but fur and bones. His skin is in terrible condition and he doesn't have the sparkle in his eyes he once did. But it's him. Penelope knew it right away, and he's fit right back into the house (all 12 hours he's been back). I went shopping last night to get all his favorite foods and toys crying the whole time. I am beyond glad he's back and as DH and I went off to sleep last night that was the last thing he said to me "It's a miracle that Gus is home, I am so happy."

All I wished for this year was "Better Days" but it's turned out to be so much more than I ever could have hoped for in many ways. YAY FOR GUS!