Sometime ago a lady Lacey asked me to cat sit for her two cats that she had given a home to from the RSPCA. The cat sit went really well and I bonded with both of the cats Fifi and Barry. Fifi I had met before and although timid at first she soon came round to me especially for cuddles and was VERY vocal. Barry however was very timid, he had lived as a stray until a kind person started to feed him and eventually got him rescued by the local RSPCA, he had various health issues and ended up with just 3 legs and no tail. Lacey who was volunteering for the RSPCA fell in love with him and brought him home to live with her and Fifi.
By the time I got to meet him, Lacey was nervous about leaving him while she went away as he had already got himself stuck in a neighbour’s house while it was being renovated!
Barry was very nervous of me at first but after I sat on the floor and played ball and offered treats he got used to me and would come running from outside when I called him. He was a special cat with a great attitude and spirit; he learnt to cope so well with 3 legs and no tail. He would run along the fences like a little bunny hoping.
After a month had gone by from cat sitting Barry and Fifi, I was saddened to hear Barry had disappeared! Lacey knocked doors, told neighbours, vets and local cat rescue groups. Put up posters, leaflet dropped but nothing. How upsetting for Lacey after she had done so well with him. Lacey had him micro chipped so there was hope, but after 6 months went by it must have been heartbreaking. Barry was so recognisable with 3 legs and no tail, someone must have seen him, where was he? The not knowing must have been just awful….
So imagine my surprise when I read on a local Facebook lost cat group, that a kind man was feeding a stray cat matching Barry’s description in Lakeside North Harbour Portsmouth. Barry was from Fratton, about 6 miles away! Could it be Barry? How would he have got there? Lacey was away on holiday but local cat rescue people and Lacey’s sister went to search for him and a cat trap was set. Eventually just a couple of people searched as too many people may have spooked him. I’m pleased to say Barry eventually went into the cage (thanks to some smelly pilchards) and was reunited with Lacey after 6 very long months!
I’ve been told by Lacey that Barry is SO pleased to be home and he has yet to reconnect with Fifi and a new cat called Oscar. If I know Fifi she will have a lot to say about this…..
