Ozzi Cat. Australian National Cat Magazine & Cat Behaviour Consulting. Solutions for Cat Problems. How to Keep Cats Happy.
OZZI CATTM · WHERE CATS ARE FAMILY · Helping Cats Live a Happy Life!

OZZI CAT MAGAZINE

#1 BELOVED INDEPENDENT AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL CAT MAGAZINE

Cat Care & Stories · Products & DIY · Cat Behaviour, Cat Training, Cat Enrichment
Helping and Donating to Rescue Cats in Need.
THE CAT HELPERTM: Cat Behaviour Consulting. Cat Behaviour Problems Solved. Cat Clicker Training.
Helping People Understand Cats.

Cats Galore

What To Understand Cat Behaviour? Read Ozzi Cat Magazine! Click to Get Your Copy >

If products are mentioned in the page below,
we might get a small commission if you choose to order through the links provided

Cat Story: The Prodigal Cat. A true story about my cat, Diddle.

July 13, 2012 by Ozzi Cat Magazine in Cat Story
Cat Diddle

Cat Diddle, a grey and black cat

Have you ever lost a cat? How would you feel about that? What if your prayers were heard and the cat was back, but… What can happen when a cat goes missing?! Read this hilarious cat story written by our reader, Sally Dixon! (A reminder for cats: Never go missing! Or this is what can happen – read the story!)

“Diddle’s missing!”

I tightened my grip on the phone at the sound of my mother’s worried voice. “How long’s he been gone?” I asked.
“He didn’t come home last night. I stood outside and called and called his name, but he didn’t come.”

It was out of character. Diddle was an indoor cat who enjoyed the creature comforts of cosy beds and biscuit-filled cat bowls. He didn’t like cold nights and being far from my mother’s lap.

“Keep me posted,” I said. “Email me as soon as he comes home.”

I was living overseas in England and hadn’t seen my puss for several months. I missed him so much I sometimes even talked to him on the phone. My mother would put the phone receiver to Diddle’s ear and he’d listen as I called his name and recited his favourite words – especially “dinner.” Sometimes he purred and licked the phone in response. This was the first occasion I’d been unable to chat to my cat. I hoped Diddle would be there the next time I phoned home.

But he wasn’t. Diddle was well and truly missing.

Every day my parents hopped into their car and scanned the neighbourhood streets, but without success. And each evening when I received a negative response by email, I’d look at his photo on my computer screen and cast a prayer towards Heaven. I smiled – and sighed – each time I glanced at his picture. What a handsome puss he was! Diddle’s gray and black fur was like a stripy sweater covering his tomcat frame. He had wee tufts of fur at the tips of his ears and his orange nose had a black spot in the centre. It was as if someone had taken a fine paintbrush and dotted his nose with a delicate drop of paint. His meow was easy to remember: it was loud and raucous like a Catherine Wheel firework. Would I see him again?

Cat Diddle

Many weeks passed by and there was still no news. The time to depart English shores drew near, and as it did, my hopes of seeing Diddle again slithered away.
But then, one night, I had a dream. In the nightly vision I saw myself standing inside our red-brick house. A noisy meow was heard at the front door. My hand clutched the door knob and as the door swung open, Diddle ran inside and rubbed himself against my legs.

The dream boosted my hope that my prayer would be answered. My parents also prayed.

And then the phone call I’d be waiting for, came. “We found him!” my mother said. “We were driving the streets, when we spotted a cat lying in a field near the local school. He’s extremely weak and very thin, but, HE’s ALIVE!”

I grinned. In a couple of days I would embrace Diddle in my arms.

Late one night, after a long flight and feeling weary, I entered the house. “Where is he?” I scanned the living room. Not there. I dashed through all the rooms and found a feline asleep on a bed. There he was.

“Diddle!” I called.
No response.
“Diddle!”
Still no answer.
“Diddle, it’s me!”

Not a flicker of a tail or a quiver of a whisker. I crept closer and stroked his head. Groggy eyes peered at me. I stared back. The cat turned his unblinking gaze away from me, tucked his chin against a paw and went back to sleep. Was he so traumatised he didn’t recognise me?

“Diddle, is it you?” I whispered. I watched the rise and fall of his chest as the skeletal body slumbered. A tabby cat had indeed been found, but was it the right one? I caressed the top of his nose with my index finger and scratched his ears. I gasped. The tufts of fur were missing from his ear tips and his nose was entirely orange.

“I don’t think that’s Diddle,” I said to my mother.

“Of course it is. He’s just a shadow of himself. He’ll look more like his old self when he gains weight.”

I frowned. Then I shrugged. She was probably right. Who knew what Diddle had been through?

“Now, it’s time to meet the newest member of the family,” said my Mother.

We returned to the living room where she bent down and scooped up a tiny bundle of fur. She placed the scrap into my arms. A black and ginger two-toned face stared at me with round eyes and began a nervous purr.

“This is Madeline,” said Mum. “A girl at work was giving away kittens. I went to have a look and couldn’t resist this little one.” She paused. “At the time we thought Diddle was gone for good.”

So now there wasn’t just one cat, but two!

The next evening, we were just sitting down to tuck into our dinner when we heard a howl at the door. We glanced around. A Tabby cat napped in an armchair and a Tortoiseshell kitten lay curled amongst the ornaments on top of the piano. They didn’t stir. The howl came again. It sounded remarkably like a Catherine Wheel firework.

I dropped my fork. It couldn’t be!

I raced towards the door and flung it open. An anorexic gray and black feline stood on the door mat. He wailed again and strolled into the house as if he owned the place. He rubbed himself against my legs and meowed loudly as if to announce, “Well, I’m here. Have you missed me?”

I bent down to examine the bony puss. There were fur tufts on the tips of ears and a black dot on his orange nose. This was Diddle!

He wandered around the room. Then he stopped, one paw poised in the air. His eyes were like yellow saucers. His gaze flickered between the cat in the armchair and the kitten on the piano. He let out a low growl. There were intruders in his home and he wasn’t happy. But I was. Diddle was back. And now there wasn’t just one cat, but three!

My mother distracted Diddle’s attention from the trespassing moggies by filling his bowl with food. He gobbled it down as if he hadn’t eaten in weeks, and by the look of him, it was probably the case. With a satisfied tummy, Diddle jumped into an armchair and kneaded the cushion with his paws. My mother came over and patted his head. “Diddle, where have you been?” she said. He opened his mouth and gave an emphatic, “MEOWWW!”

In the months which followed, Diddle made up for lost time. He guzzled his food until he was three times the cat he used to be. The Diddle-imposter was re-christened, Jacko, and found a new home with Granny. Madeline and Diddle learnt to tolerate each other, but only by distancing themselves from each other’s presence.

We can only speculate as to Diddle’s whereabouts in those weeks. It will always be a mystery.

But one thing we do know: Our prayers were answered, my dream came true and the prodigal puss returned home.

Cat Diddle

What a Cat Story!

Thanks Sally! Do you like this story? Isn’t it hilarious? Share with others!

 

What is Your Cat Story?

Share your cat story, experience and advice with cat people!
Subscribe to free Email Issues to read wonderful cat stories.

Story by: Sally Dixon

Sally runs an awesome craft store “Razzle Dazzle”.
Felt mice, bunnies, and many other products are made with love, joy, and handstitched with intricate attention to detail.
Have a look at Sally’s latest creations. Need a custom order? Sally can do it!

Web-site: www.madeit.com.au/razzledazzle
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RazzleDazzlebySally

Photo by: Sally Dixon
Share With Cat Parents and Cat Lovers!
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Related Posts

Sign Up For FREE Cat Newsletter!

Join hundreds of Aussie cat lovers and be the first to read amazing cat stories and news, learn practical health, care, and cat behaviour tips. DIY, cat product reviews, giveaways, + more!
Sign Up for a free Ozzi Cat Newsletter here now:

or Jump Straight to Full Sign Up

2 Comments

  1. Lisa Jinxy KerstanOctober 20, 2013 at 1:52 pm

    My cat Monster ran away for 2 months after we moved into a new house…..she came home surprisingly 9 pounds lighter than when she left every bone in her little body was showing, now a month later she is finally putting weight back on, and she comes and goes knows where she is loved…..

    • Ozzi CatOctober 20, 2013 at 3:46 pm

      Thank you for sharing Lisa! I’m so glad that Monster safely returned home and is getting better. I can only imagine how many sleepless nights you had! So glad for you both! Is Monster a ginger cat? xx Natalie

JOIN CAT LOVERS!
Sign Up For Ozzi Cat Newsletter: It's FREE!

Get our cat blog updates by e-mail: cat stories, news, DIY, cat care tips, giveaways, and more! Sign up now:

or Jump Straight to Full Sign Up
SHOP: CUTE CAT NOTEPADS
SPONSORED
Cat Colouring Therapy, Cat Calendar & Cat Planner Inserts

ColourMeow: Anti-Stress Cat Colouring Therapy & Cute Cat-Themed Planners Stationery

Cat Colouring Pages and Cat Drawings for Adults and Kids. Colouring Anti-Stress Therapy & Cute Cat-Themed Planners Stationery

Join Cat Colouring Club to Get Free Printables

Adopt A Rescue Cat
Looking for a cat? Choose a cat or a kitten from a cat rescue or a shelter. Rescue cats are adorable - open your heart and give a loving home for them! Adopted a cat? Share a cat photo and the story with us!
Be An Angel For Cats!

Be an Angel For Cats - Donate $5+, so it will be added to the donation that Ozzi Cat regularly sends to cat rescues and cats in need! Your money will be donated for cats in need IN FULL (we don't use them for anything else). Your $5+ helps with cat emergencies, vet bills, food, litter, and bedding.

Donate $5+ for Cats In Need

Learn more

Help Us Help Cats
Let's make more cats live a happy life, so none would end up in a street or shelter! (Ozzi Cat mission). Help cat parents learn and understand cats better!

Tell cat owners and cat lovers about Ozzi Cat Magazine, spread the word! (We donate money from Ozzi Cat Magazine to help rescue cats in need.)
Ozzi Cat Magazine Sponsorship
Would you like to get Ozzi Cat Magazine copies for your special fundraising, cause, or event? Contact us with details. Please allow time for responding and shipment.
Search for Cat Article or Topic
Advertise With Us
Want to promote a cat product or service? Contact us with details.

(To be notified on potential partnership opportunities, join our Business Partner Circle.)