The folks will be back tonight, but is there anything you can suggest?

Good suggestions already. How far away did they move from? It may be that the cat is heading "home." If it's close, I'd put clothing-lined cardboard boxes near there as well as the new house it escaped from. It's harder that the owner isn't home, since stranger's voices aren't going to garner attention the way a familiar voice will. I've found that every time one of my cats has escaped, once they get hungry or tired of prowling they respond to my voice even when they're too scared to leave a current hiding place. Then I follow the sounds of the terrified yowling until visual is achieved. And I've learned the hard way why our local fire department refuses to respond on cats in trees, my soft, squishy, trimmed-claw, indoor cat Nico almost clawed off my hair, neck, and back last time I rescued him from the roof. Carriers are made of win for self-protection when rescuing a scared cat.

In non-cat related news, I'm pretty sure I somehow picked up a case of Molluscum contagiosum. I gotta credit Dan Savage here for the diagnosis (thanks Savage Love Podcast!). A few weeks ago I noticed these growths on my vulva and got grossed out and upset. They don't hurt or itch and I wouldn't notice them if I weren't down with self-exploration. I figured the only thing it could be would genital warts (hello, stigma!) but I haven't been sexually active in years and never had them before. Now, I was tested for HPV years ago when the gardasil vaccine came out, and had several strains, but I've never had any symptoms. Not being sexually active, I'm also in no position to spread warts so I figured I'd let it go for now, try not to freak out too much, and discuss at my next gyno appt whether it's worth going through any of the treatment options.

Today I was listening to the Savage Love podcast and one of callers was talking about this other virus that also causes these non itchy lesions that sound (and look, from photos) exactly like what i've got. (Ok, given the location it's tough for me to get a close look, but I have a hand mirror.) And it makes sense, I could have caught the virus from any of the many public surfaces on which I sit at the local pool (when nekkid I sit on a towel, but I'm not super vigilant about washing that towel. Usually it hangs dry then goes right back into my swim bag until i start to notice a smell.)

Now I'm utterly paranoid about spreading it further. I'm scared of taking a bath, of using a towel more than once before washing it, of not immediately washing my hands with soap after any time i touch myself. It's creepy, and I don't like the self-shaming that comes with any genital issue. I suppose I could call in tomorrow and make a Dr's appt, but why bother since it's likely to heal on it's own in a few more weeks and the idea of having anything cryogenically frozen off my vulva makes me cringe. I remember what happened with the moles on my back *shudder*

So, um, yeah, should I bother going through likely unpleasant for treatment for something that isn't having any negative symptoms aside from grossing me out and forcing me to seriously step up my towel laundry schedule?

erin, would you feel better knowing for sure? I'm sorry you are dealing with this.

Probably. But getting to the Dr with my current work schedule is an enormous PIA and will likely take many weeks to even get an appt. Thanks, best ever American Health System!

Erin, you should probably see your doctor anyway.

I'm babysitting G today. I am hoping he isn't too traumatized by the fact that his Mom has been away at a conference for several days. So far so good.

bonny, things that have worked for friends with walkabout cats: a carrier they've used before with a garment that smells of the owner inside. Or if they hate the carrier, some sort of box or dennish enclosure a cat would seek for shelter, with the smelly garment inside.

Don't laugh, but their litter box, with used litter, left in some accessible place that can be watched. Familiar smell will attract, and if you're quick and nimble, you can grab, or have a favorite smelly treat on hand--Greenies or Temptations. If the cat is fed treats from a jar or a pouch, rattle the container; it's a recognizable sound associated with something pleasant.

Hav-a-hart traps can work, too, when other tries have failed.

The only problem with the t-shirt, and the litterbox approach is that a resident outdoor cat might take offense at alien cat-smells and cover that scent with his or her own, rendering it neutralized as an attractant.

Beverly, you are a gift. I've forwarded your entire post (no names, of course) to the pet sitting people for future reference.

Fortunately, the humans came home and walked around a bit, which brought the kitty out of hiding.

They were grateful that we put so much effort into finding their beloved.

I'm just relieved that the little sod wasn't hurt.

phew.

bonny, I'm so glad the kitty's back!

Cats are more likely to be willing to get close to you the less you seem to want them to. As long as you bring food with your indifference.

That's good advice. Cats: lack-of-attention whores.

glad to hear the cat is back home, bonny.

Princess Dobbycry replied last night. Her yogurt was okay, thanks for asking. She's looking forward to setting up a board game night in the coming weeks. I don't get the sense that she's massively interested, but I guess I could say, hey, that sounds great, but I'd like to see you before then, let's have some pie this weekend.

Oh, praise be that kitty was close. When we moved, Shadow got out and actually did go back to the old place, nearly 2 miles away--across railroad tracks and major streets. I was certain we'd never see him again, but Hubby talked me into stopping by the old house, and there the little scamp was, all scared and confused and wondering where the hell we were.

We moved again about 4 months later, and from day one Shadow has adored the new place, strutting around and tusseling with the neighbor cats. This summer he's been holding late night cat-gatherings in the driveway. It's amusing to come home late and have a half dozen cats suddenly act like teenagers who were doing something they weren't supposed to. As his buddies run off, Shadow scolds us thoroughly.