We had some drama here last night. Just before dark, I called my cat Night Sky in from the Catio and locked the kitchen door.

I watched TV and read for a bit before Tamerlan, my other cat, insisted it was time for a bedtime snack and bed. With Tamerlan circling my feet, I suddenly became aware that Night Sky was not making a total nuisance of himself in his efforts to be fed first. I called for him, and there was no response. After a quick check of the house, I realized he was gone. It was only then that I discovered that I had forgotten to lock the cat door access from the kitchen to the Catio, and Night Sky picked up on my error. The second cat door is electronic, only opening in response to Tamerlan’s microchip, but Night Sky has figured out how to forcefully pry the door open with his claws. He had taken advantage of my mistake with the first door, and was now outside somewhere. I had not heard him do it because of the TV.

It was almost midnight, and I was very concerned since we have had coyotes hunting in our neighborhood from time to time. I made several trips outside, calling and shaking the kibble container, but only once did I catch a glimpse of a long black shadow slipping away. Night Sky was in full-on avoidance mode, and from past experience, I knew that I would have to wait for him to want to come back in. Chasing him was never successful.

So, I left the Catio door open to the yard, and hoped that Night Sky would decide to come back and that the raccoons and opossums would not consider it an invitation. My bedroom is right off the Catio, and with the windows open, I figured that I would hear him. I’m a light sleeper, so I woke more than once to sounds, but he was still not ready.

Through all of this, Tamerlan was completely unconcerned, but willing to go outside, too, which was denied. Instead, he focused on getting me into bed so he could get some sleep. There are times that I suspect that he would not miss Night Sky.

I woke up at 4:45 a.m. to the sound of a coyote yip, which meant that more than one coyote was actively hunting the neighborhood. The yip came from around the corner; they were very close.

I went into red alert. I scanned the Catio and did not see Night Sky. The light from the street lamp and the gathering dawn offered enough illumination that I could see him positioned just outside the open Catio door. He was on alert himself, with ears laser-focused in the direction of the coyote yip I had heard. I hissed Night Sky’s name three times out the window, but he did not move to come in. I ran to the back door, and as soon as he heard my hand on the latch, Night Sky finally returned to the house.

With Night Sky in, I could finally relax. Just as I eased back into bed, I heard the coyote call again. I wished them well in their search for food. I also offered gratitude for Night Sky’s near miss. Someone was watching out for us. Finally, I sent a text to neighbors who would be letting their cats out for the day, and offered a prayer for their safety.

PSA: Any cat outside when coyotes are hunting doesn’t stand a chance. Coyotes are faster and more adept at hunting than domestic cats are at avoiding. Every year, the number of missing cat posts goes up exponentially when coyotes visit. Smaller dogs are at risk too. Keep them on a leash during walks. Never leave them outside unattended, day or night. I have stories from my own neighborhood that don’t end well.

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A WILD WAY TO HEAL
Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC is an animal communicator, Reiki Master Teacher, shamanic energy healer, and author of Tails of a Healer: Animals, Reiki and Shamanism and Out of the Darkness and Other Animal Tails. Her classes, sessions, and ceremonial work are inspired by wild and domestic animals who have issued a call to action for personal and global healing.