A few nights ago my cat came in limping. It was about 11pm but I decided not to wait but to take him to the emergency vets. I rang a kind friend who would take us to the vets. When he arrived I got the cat carrier out. Unfortunately my cat recently had an operation and as soon as he saw the carrier he made for the back door.. I tried to stop him but didn’t dare grab him incase I made his injury worse. I opened up the door to see him dissappear into the garden undergrowth.

Unfortunately I could not follow because of my poor balance and coordination.

Since that night I have called and whistled for him almost every hour. But he’s not come back. My friend has looked all round the garden twice, but my cat has always been good at hiding.

Now I think he’s gone to sleep somewhere dark and quiet, I’ve reported him missing, but there is no sign. He was having medicine every night for his heart so that will no longer be protecting him.. After the loss of my other boy cat a few months ago I cannot explain how sad I am and guilty that I let him get away. My only excuse was his fear of the cat carrier. I don’t know what to do except grieve. I have my little girl cat. But she is very independent and quite aloof.