By MICHELLE BESAW
ROUSES POINT — Bob and Joann Parker found themselves surrounded by five Border Patrol agents when their search attempts nearly led them into Canada.
But when the Vermont couple explained their missing family member, each officer took a flier and vowed to keep a lookout for the 3-year-old tabby.
ESCAPE
The Parkers were staying at the Anchorage Motor Inn in Rouses Point when Meowy escaped from their room about 11 p.m. March 29.
The couple continue to search for the 14-pound cat, named for his vocals.
This dedicated search may not sound unusual, except for the fact that the owners now live in Cabaruss, N.C., a two-day journey from here.
After moving from their South Alburgh, Vt., home, the Parkers left most of their belongings stored in Swanton, Vt. When the weather warmed, they made the trip back north with Meowy and their two cockapoos, Sugar and Snowy, to empty the storage units. They booked a room at the Anchorage, not expecting to stay longer than a week.
Five weeks and 5,000 miles later, the two were still out searching and handing out hundreds of fliers.
BACK AND FORTH
Now the couple travel every other week from North Carolina back to Rouses Point, hoping the sightings that have been called in are actually Meowy.
"You never know," Mr. Parker said. "There's so many cats.
"After two months of searching every street, we are still finding cats we haven't seen before.
"For the most part, we think we've found every cat that has been sighted."
But, none of them have been Meowy.
Over the past months, the Parkers have gone on WIRY almost daily and put out advertisements and fliers offering a reward for their missed pet.
They often get about ten calls a day from people saying they've found Meowy, especially after they've handed out fliers.
"We got to know most of the yellow cats here by name," Mr. Parker said.
They've even adopted a new kitty, Sonny, who looks identical to Meowy, minus about 7 pounds.
TRACKING
The couple's efforts continue during each visit to this area. They have even started following the garbage bins to the dump in Morrisonville, looking for dumpster cats who could be Meowy.
But the Parkers think he could be following the "animal trail" that leads around the spanning campus of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. Feral cats and other animals are commonly seen along the wooded pathway surrounding the plant, they say.
The Parkers, who work as builders, are looking to buy a home in this area, and they've already found work, as they hope to maintain their search efforts for the missing cat.
"We're trying to be everywhere."
And it certainly seems that way.
They have come to be known as the "cat people" or the "cat man and cat woman."
READY TO HELP
Local residents and businesses have become part of the search, as well.
Every morning the two drive their suburban to Jreck's Subs to have breakfast.
"We call them our cat people," owner Carol Garceau said.
"They've gone above and beyond. Every morning they're in here, and we get the update on Meowy.
"The expense that they have gone through for this cat — their life isn't going to go on until they find that cat."
She said she and her employees spend time looking for Meowy whenever they can.
"In my heart, I know how much that cat means to them.
"They need closure to their pet, and I don't know if they're ever going to get it."
But the Parkers feel sure he's out there somewhere.
"We've had a lot of people saying, 'You're doing all this for a cat?'" Mr. Parker said.
"We want him back," Mrs. Parker said. "I can't abandon him. These are my kids. If nothing else, it isn't right to abandon him."
"He's just circling, trying to find his people," Mr. Parker said. "We keep hoping that next one is going to be him."
E-mail Michelle Besaw at: mbesaw@pressrepublican.com
