Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Emmett got out last night. We had someone here finishing a carpet installation, and we think he ran out when the guy was packing up his van. It was late, and Emmett often floats around the house at night, so we didn’t think much of the fact that he wasn’t stalking The Smoosh or climbing on our heads.
My morning routine was hectic and rushed today so I didn’t notice he wasn’t underfoot as I got ready for the day. Tony realized he wasn’t around when Emmett wasn’t hanging around the bathroom while Tony got ready, so he started searching the house. He searched every closet, under every chair and bed, all of Emmett’s hiding spots. Nothing.
I finally checked my email around 8:30 to find a message from Tony that Emmett was gone. I quickly arranged for a substitute and got coverage for my class until the sub could show up. I zoomed home and started combing the same neighborhood Tony has scoured for the last three hours, imagining the worst. Before coming in to call the animal shelter, I walked around the entire perimeter of the townhouse groups on our side of the street. I shook a container of food and called his name. I thought he might be hiding under someone’s patio furniture or in a child’s playhouse. I lifted up all the patio furniture covers I saw. Finally, about fourteen houses down, I saw him, crouched under a chair (I think) up against someone’s townhouse.
I went to him and he immediately tried to hide from me. Maybe he knew he was going to be grounded for life, maybe he thought he was going to continue this ridiculous adventure of his, I don’t know. All I know is I lifted his enormous 18 pounds under one arm and grabbed my cell phone with my free hand to call Tony. I put Emmett on the ground and scruffed him gently, so I could dial. After I informed Tony that I had him, I started walking home, shaking all over, heart beating out of my chest.
We brought him in, no worse for wear - a little cold, maybe. Tony ran upstairs to get the collar and tag Emmett had wriggled out of recently and snapped it back on his neck. This experience was awful - I never want to relive it. I’m going to rethink microchipping the cats, too. I’m sure I’ve lost several years off my life this morning, but here’s one thing I know for sure. In a real crisis, you can see a person’s true character. My friends at work were wonderful - totally having my back as soon as I got the message from Tony - taking my class for me until the sub came so I could rush out to get home. But no one was more amazing in this situation than Tony. By the time I made it home, he had already searched the house and neighborhood multiple times and made fifty flyers to hang up. I can’t even articulate adequately how much I love him.
As for Emmett, he’s curled up in his favorite chair, clearly glad to be home. I’m sure he doesn’t even remember his big night out any more.