Today is a happy day. This morning Cheddar came home after being lost for 18 days. He is dirty, stinky, scrawny, hungry and scared, but he is home!

We found him through a small series of miracles. I was supposed to be visiting teaching this morning, but I woke up with pink-eye and had to cancel the appointment. After I dragged myself out of bed I was greeted by two hungry kids whose only request was a popsicle for breakfast. Sure why not, you only live once, right? It was nice out and we had some orange juice popsicles in the freezer anyway. Knock yourselves out. Of course I had to follow them outside and take a picture.

Not even two seconds after I snapped that picture I heard him meow. We dropped the camera and popsicles and started calling to him. We found him in the side yard crouched down inside a window well, his voice was hoarse and he needed help.

After scarfing down dry cat food and tuna fish he was ready to say hello to his buddy Oscar.

I made sure to let Cheddar know how much we missed him by torturing him with a nice hot bath. He will thank me later.

After a few hours he was back to his lively, playful self. He has already sought out his favorite spots and is making up for lost time by begging for affection.

Today I am grateful for small miracles. And pink eye. And popsicles.