What I Learned When Our Bengal Went Missing

Kopi is a female Bengal, nearly two years old, and she has never been outside on purpose. So when I opened the balcony door to hang laundry on a Saturday and she slipped through, I panicked. We live in Pak Kret near a canal and plenty of stray cats, so I knew I had to act fast.

First I checked every ledge, drain pipe and parked car within a few houses. I called her name and shook her treat bag, which worked better than I expected from a cat who usually ignores me. After an hour I posted her photo in the neighbourhood group and left a bowl of food and her old blanket by the gate.

She came back around sunset, meowing at the gate like nothing had happened. The practical lessons: microchip your cat, keep a recent photo on your phone, and never assume an indoor cat will stay indoors. Kopi now has a harness, and I have a lot more respect for balcony screens.