I had the biggest scare of my life

[Uabassoon]

I went out for a few minutes this morning and when I returned I saw a giant hole in the window screen and no Corkscrew! I ran crying to my next door neighbor who thankfully was wonderful and did a great job of helping me search for him. We both walked the perimter of the apartments then I drove around the nieghborhood in hopes of finding him. After about an hour I finally returned home and my neighbor was still looking in every nook and cranny around the apartment. I told her that I couldn't find him anywhere and that I was going to my room to make some flyers. Then I heard a meow, I thought it was in my head because I asked her if she heard it and she said that she hadn't. So I called out his name and this time both of us heard the meow.

We couldn't figure out where it was coming from, we looked all over and we kept hearing him but didn't see him. We finally found him in the engine of another neighbors truck! Corkscrew couldn't figure out how to get of there. We got the keys and popped open the hood, and of course Corkscrew darted out of it like a bat out of hell. So my neighbor got some treats for me out of my apartment and sure enough we were able to lure him to us.

I feel horrible about what happened, I should have known better than to leave the window open. At least I have my Corkscrew back and I've learned my lesson.

I really should do something to thank my neighbor Kristen for waking her up and her being sweet enough to walk around outside for an hour in her bathrobe.

[Karen]

Send Kristen flowers or some thank-you gift. That's was very kind of her.

Corkscrew, naughty naughty boy - what were you thinking? No giving Momma a heart attack like that again!

[K & L]

OMG, that had to be terrifying. So glad he's home safe and sound!

[catlover4ever]

Corkscrew, that was very naughty of you to scare you meowmie like that.

I bet he will never do that again.

I'm so glad that you found him and he is alright.

[CalliesMom]

I'm so glad you found him and that he was okay. What a scare for the both of you! Nawtee boy;)

[Catsnclay]

My very first kitty, Willie escaped on me once and I was terrified! I walked up and down the streets of my neighborhood for hours and could not find him. I finally went to bed around 11:00 that night (had to work the next morning) but before I went to bed, I opened a can of wet food and put it in my carport. For some reason I woke up around 3 am, went to look outside and here he comes, walking down the sidewalk, heading for home like nothing was wrong!! :rolleyes:

I ended up not going into work the next day and stayed home just loving my baby :D Everyone at work thought I was nuts, :eek: that's ok because I already know I am!! :rolleyes: :D

[Cinder & Smoke]

Originally posted by Uabassoon

We finally found him in the engine of another neighbors truck!
Corkscrew couldn't figure out how to get of there.

You (and HE) were lucky you found him BEFORE the neighbor
got in and :eek: started the engine!!

Many cats are injured or worse :( because they hide in
or arund a warm vehicle engine!

"Under the Hood" is a good place to check when a Kitty goes missing!
..

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

:eek:

Naw-tee Corkscrew! I'm so glad you found him and got him out before the neighbor with the truck had to leave! :eek:

Yes, flowers or a gift certificate for a nice restaraunt would be a real nice thank you.

[iloverat]

Oh, how awful! I know you must have been frantic searching for the naughty boy. I'm so glad he's back home, safe and sound. You're lucky, too, to have such a nice neighbor. She does sound like a real sweetheart.

[Uabassoon]

You (and HE) were lucky you found him BEFORE the neighbor
got in and started the engine!!

I know! I was so lucky that nothing happened to him. I just finished talking to the guy whose truck we found him in. He was so relieved we found him before anything happened. He said that he never even thought about cats going up into an engine.

I think flowers would be a great idea, I know Kristen would really love some fresh flowers. She was so sweet to help especially since all I asked was that she keep her eyes open since she doesn't have a car and walks or bikes everywhere. She didn't have to help me search for him at all.

[ramanth]

:eek: :eek: Corkscrew!! You naughty boy! Oh Laura, I'm so happy you found him and yes, definitely get the neighbor a gift for being so thoughtful. :)

[wolf_Q]

Oh my, how frightening! :eek: I'm so glad you found him, if that truck had started....:( Corkscrew no more escaping please!!

[catnapper]

Poor Corkscrew. Is he suffering any ill effects from his big adventure?

I'd have been going out of my mind looking for him. Gad you had help looking for him.

[LabradorLover]

I'm glad you found him! . Silly Corkscrew, don't scare your mom like that!!

[krazyaboutkatz]

How scary!:eek: I'm so glad that you found him in the nick of time before anything bad happened to him. We don't need any more terrible news here on PT.

[shais_mom]

OH HOW SCARY!
AND what a place to hide!!! :eek:
hugs to both of you!!!

[Barbara]

Oh Laura, I feel the hairs on my back standing up:eek:

So glad the naughty boy told you finally where he was:)

And you seem to have really nice and helpful neighbors- that's worth a lot in a situation like this!

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

OMG, what a huge scare...:eek: . I think I would just go nuts....!! Silly Corkscrew, what an unreal idea to hide behind an ENGINE :rolleyes: :eek: . Don't you know those things can be very nasty??
I would send Kirsten a nice bunch of flowers. She is a very loving and caring neighbour, and needs to be cherished :)

[Vio&Juni]

These naughty tabbies, they can't imagine how worried we are when they do something like this. I'm so glad you found his safe and sound.

[Kirsten]

How scary!!! :eek: I'm glad this had a happy ending!!!

I agree with the others, I think flowers for your neighbor would be a good way to say thank you. That was so sweet of her to help you! :)

Kirsten

[Logan]

OMG!!! Laura, I'm sorry I missed this before, but I sure am glad to know that Corkscrew is ok!!!! I'm glad you had the support of your neighbor, looking for him!

[kimlovescats]

(((HUGS))) Laura! I know how scared you were! Actually, the engine in a car is not the concern ... but the large fan blade! Well, I don't know if cars still have those, but one of my cats (years ago when I first got married ... the 1st time)lol .... got up in my car and there was a huge open fan in the very front of it. I started my car and immediately heard and felt a clunk, clunk, clunk. I about passed out ... jumped out of my car and just knew that I had chopped him up in a million pieces. I ran in the house and called my Dad in hysterics.... he could barely understand me. I actually told him that I had killed my cat ... and he had to come and get him out of the car for me! Well, my Dad wasn't too thrilled about being nominated, and he was sweating bullets when he opened my hood. He said "he's not in here" and I was like "be SURE" as I didn't want to go over and look and find him myself! :rolleyes: :( Well, anyway we found a very small trail of blood leading off the carport. I had to leave and so we left the door to the attached utility room open with a blanket. Thankfully, when we returned that evening, my dear Tigger was on the blanket, with a slightly shorter tail than usual!:eek: I was just so very thankful that it didn't get his head instead!

Well, sorry to ramble, but your story just brought back all those memories and feelings. For anyone reading this, cats are notorious especially in cold weather for getting under car hoods, to get warm by the engine. (After a car has recently been driven and parked, of course!)

Laura, give Corkscrew an extra huggie and a good lecture from me too!;)

Kim

[catmandu]

Thank God,yopu got Corkscrew back,before someone started that Truck,I think that Corkscrew,just used up,a life!

[moosmom]

I park my car on the street. Before I get into my car and start it, I ALWAYS bang on the hood just in case.

Corkscrew was VERY lucky. I'm glad there's a happy ending to this.

Reminds me of the time LilEli fell out of my front window 20 feet to the pavement after leaning on the screen. It took me 5 days and endless hours of crying and worrying before I found him in my backyard.

Now I don't open my windows more than the size of their heads.

Live and learn!

[AmberLee]

Whew! What a relief that the little guy is found and fine.

[Cataholic]

O-M-G! I would have died. Thank GOD this story had a happy ending Laura.

[rg_girlca]

CORKSCREW!!!!!!!!!! Don't you ever scare meowmie like that again.
Someone upstairs was looking out for you sweet boy.

Thank goodness that Corkscrew is back home safe and sound.

[lovemyshiba]

I'm so happy Corkscrew is home safe and sound!!!

My neighbors have 2 outside cats, and I find little tiny pawprints on my cars all the time. I've gotten into the habit of hitting the car now too before I get in and start it!

[Uabassoon]

I took Kristen some flowers yesterday and she thought it was the nicest thing ever. She said that she loves Corkscrew and she didn't even think twice about helping to search for him. Her and her boyfriend look after Corkscrew and Tibby when I'm out of town and they love both of the kitties very much.