Making the rounds
Frederic and I set out at 6 a.m. this morning to look for Linus. Because it is summer in the Pacific Northwest, it was well past daylight but it was still cool and quiet.
Frederic ventured up walkways and into back and sideyards, often lingering to smell or do other things while I set pace from the sidewalk. He alerted at and excitedly started to climb a couple of trees, one of which seemed to carry a cat plea.
I've been carrying the treat jar on our searches to no avail. Today, I upped the ante, adding an open can of tuna, which I stirred and clanged intermittently with a metal fork, to our repertoire. This brought out one not-Linus cat, two raccoons, and two murders of crows (Earl Ave NW vs 28th Ave NW is a situation.)
Later on in the day, I attended an open house on our street and got a good look around the house and property.
Still no Linus.
Hello, have you seen my brother?
No I have not.
Also not in this yard?
Linus
These two raccoons are neighborhood regulars. They climbed into the tree as I approached, continuing higher as I got closer, hiding in plain sight.
Frederic contemplates a climb.
Bonus content
There was an open house on our street and I used the opportunity to search the property for signs of Linus, including an old tool-filled garage that smelled like my grandfather’s wood shop. Noticed this Zesto’s litter bag hanging on the wall.