WHEN A CAT IS NOT REALLY LOST

Not all cats who disappear have the intention of coming home. BB's cat Puma had been adopted from a shelter two weeks previously. BB had been keeping Puma indoors with only occasional supervised outdoor visits as he adjusted to his new home. One day Puma just took off. Ten days later he was still missing. BB feared the worst -- perhaps that coyotes had gotten to Puma. In the hope that he was still with us, she contacted me. When I communicated with Puma, he told me he was a cat who enjoyed his freedom. He was about 4 miles into his journey back to the trailer court where he had previously enjoyed his life as a stray. He longed for the life where he could come and go as he pleased not the life of a sheltered indoor cat. I asked BB if she would be willing to keep the cat door open, so that if Puma chose to come home, he could have his freedom. I communicated with Puma and let him know that if he came home to BB, he would enjoy new indoor/outdoor privileges. I asked BB to do some visualization exercises as well. Three days later Puma returned. Puma is true to himself -- a cat who enjoys his freedom -- but doesn't venture far from BB's home.
BB writes:
"I contacted Hilary after getting nowhere trying to find my missing cat, Puma. I had "adopted" him from a trailer park where he had no real home. One woman fed him occasionally, but that's about it. He had been with me for only two weeks, and had been gradually introduced to my other two cats, and all seemed to be going well. Then one evening he simply disappeared.
On the 10th day after he disappeared, I called Hilary. She told me Puma was still alive, and that he was a free spirit and felt that he couldn't go out the way he was used to doing, so he was going back "home." He was hungry, and being stalked by coyotes.
Three days later he was back! He was very hungry, and full of ticks. I am just so glad he is home safe and sound! Thank you, Hilary!

BB Cornwall Bridge, Connecticut