AJ's adventure

Ok so those of you who know me well know that kitties are my absolute FAVORITE thing. Well AJ is my 20 year old crotchety ole guy. He's got arthritis, no balance and a meow that makes your ears ring.

So since I have no daycare these days (and if perfectly honest since Logan was born) AJ's been a tad neglected as far as cuddling, snuggling etc. So he has taken to sleeping up near our heads in the bed whenever he can squeeze in there. Last night Judd booted him to the end of the bed as he had taken over his pillow. Judd also later went up to the garage to get the pack n play for Ronan. When he came back down, Harley, our younger female, was sitting outside the front door. Judd didn't think much of it as she bolted back inside as soon as he set foot on the steps (shes a total fraidy cat). So this morning we are in our usual mad rush to get out the door (another daycare interview) and then when we got home it was lunch, nap, errands, park, grocery shopping. When it was time for Logan to get in the tub I realize I haven't heard or seen AJ all day. I call Judd and ask him if he remembers seeing him. Nope. He calls back and tells me the story of the pack n play and we wonder how old arthritic AJ could have gotten up the stairs and past the garage in the time it took Judd to get it. Anyway after Logan is in bed I go out and look around outside. No answer to my calls but I see the neighbors cat down the side of our vacant lot staring intently at something. Don't think much of it and keep looking around then on my way back I look again at the cat and look further down the hill and see this black shape sitting next to a tree stump. I think "holy &^$) how am I ever going to get him up here. Our house hangs off the side of a very steep hill with no way down except sliding on your arse.
So I go back inside, open the door to the outer deck and yell some more to see if he will climb the hill. No luck, so I go back inside and get Ronan asleep and get myself prepared to climb/slide down to get him. I go out to the deck and find AJ sitting on the steps. YAHOO. I get him inside and he eats a ton, drinks a ton and is now parading about like he's the king of the hill for his big adventure. I guess every guy needs one last adventure. Thank God he is ok and not lost. Don't know what I'd do without him trying to burrow under the covers and pestering me for pats all the time. Silly ole cat.