I guess I have to say what surprises me the most about this whole situation is that no one in the White House really seems to be all that concerned that Ernie is missing. True, there may not be much "Shrub" can do on the other side of the country, but he's the President. He can order someone, the FBI, CIA (okay, maybe I'm getting a little carried away, but my point still stands).
If he were at all worried, you know the media would have mentioned it by now. I hope they don't share the mentality that cats/pets are "disposable".