I think we've already established that Zane Grey is in the bottom quintile of cat intelligence. Now one has to wonder whether she really is in the bottom one percent.
Two nights ago, after we got home from the salamanders, apparently the front door blew open while we were all asleep. It was not a fit night out for man nor beast, and yet Zane Grey decided to take the "opportunity" and head out again into the great unknown. Here's a question I think almost all cats on earth would get right: Would you rather a) be cold and wet, or b) be warm and dry? Question 2: would you rather a) fend for yourself and starve or b) have an unlimited supply of premium cat food, supplemented by roast turkey and bites of tuna?
And yet, she managed to pick wrong on both of them! Bagheera and Lena, posed with the same choices, both had enough sense to stay inside and cozy.
It was going so well, too. Bagheera has been wonderful. He's talked her into being a normal cat, interacting with people, scampering around the house with him, having tails-optional cat parties in the kitchen and also lap-sitting. She seemed to love him. And now, who knows where she is. I walked the grounds yesterday calling her and visited the garage several times to see if she was there. But… no luck. I'm sick of it too– lord knows. If she wants to be an idiot, fine! I'm not papering the neighborhood with flyers this time, and you can forget about the pet psychic! She's on her own.
My mother says that she'll probably return again in three months, 98% starved to death and dragging a leg that needs to be amputated. As she put it, "injured, but not fatally!"
Groan.