@fiesty76, @artist01, @sueinmn, @gingerw, and all....I'm catching up some and want to encourage anyone who ever has a kitty go exploring. My little adopted Samantha went for an outside walk several years after she'd joined my home (with her 5 new babies, I might add!!!), a few years earlier. My heart was broken at the loss of my 'sweet soul', as she is that. Nothing in her but sweetness and love.

I mourned her so, spent hours outside looking for her, calling her, joined by several of my neighbors who had grown to love her, too, and just love animals. After several months, I was sure I'd lost her forever, tho kept looking for her ...nothing for over 6 months! At that time, we had stray, ferrel cats on our condo property. I was on the condo board at the time, and on a dedicated campaign to find homes for all the strays.

There was a large male black and white 'tuxedo' cat who undoubtedly was fathering many babies. He adopted me. I fed him to keep him near until I could find him a home. One evening, I opened my front door and was met with 2 cats, one male tuxedo and a very skinny, frail, little kitty I barely recognized as my Samantha! Tux, as I called him, had brought her to my door. I was stunned. I truly believe he was protecting her and brought her to me as I was the person helping him. I grabbed her in my arms, took her to my vet where she stayed, on IV fluids and vitamins, for several days until she was ok.

Sounds unbelievable? Yes. But, true. She is much older now, wiser, but still has the roaming heart as she peeks her nose out the front door. She and Tux were fast friends for a year or so as I also invited him to live with me. Sam . spends time outside on my fenced deck/patio, enjoying the weather, the wind, the birds, within my boundaries. Tux is in kitty heaven chasing lots of females.

Well, that's my story. True. After 6 months my kitty was brought home by her kitty friend, to save her.

Our weather is lovely these days, my son got a bump of delaudid in his pain pump today, botox should kick in soon I pray, I rested a day and now began walking outside this afternoon. Yesterday, I walked through the 3 buildings at Mayo while Rob was having tests. Today I took my little fun pink walker for a walk! In the fresh air. Hope to do the same tomorrow...thanks to your encouragement, folks. What a good group, Becky! Don't know how you folks do it in the snow and rain and 7 degree temps, but, admire you so for doing it.

Blessings, elizabeth