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.

I am crazy.

Not that this is news to anyone, really, but I just have to laugh at myself.

So I decided that in this new house, I was going to change my decorating color palate. I wanted to go with 50s brights - a nice darker aqua, brighter, but subtle yellow, nice greens. Time to step away from the reds and golds and greens I usually go for.

(You can see where this is going, right?)

So at Lowe's this morning, as I am waiting for my hallway paint to be mixed, I find a set GORGEOUS 50s-esque barkcloth curtains. In a lot of reds, chocolates, golds, greens, corals.

I think I'm going to go with coral walls, instead of gold or red (as per usual), but still. It is to laugh. You like what you like what you like, I guess.

Awww, kitty came home. Yay.

erin, I don't know. Would it help to wipe that area dry with paper towels until it goes away?

P-C, don't know what to tell you, either. Did she ask you any questions in return?

Aims, that sounds gorgeous!

Rained out at work. Could be productive, will probably take a nap.

Yay that kitty was reunited with its humans!

Aims,

I would love to see a picture.

Erin, does your insurance have a NP on call type of thing (call the 800#, talk to a Nurse Practitioner). That might helpe alleviate the woes, or she may know just what to do, and avoid the hassle of doc appointment. If not, go through the hassle of a doc appointment. There is nothing worse than letting something fester just to hear the doc say "well, if we had caught this sooner..."