Yes, they do. I moved to my current house four and a half years ago. Three months after I moved, the lady across the street from me passed away in hospital. I didn't know her. It was the lady who lives next door to me who told me. She had been a friend of the woman who passed away and she knew the woman’s 12 year old cat quite well. Because they were friends, I assumed that my neighbour had re-homed the deceased lady’s cat as the cat was always ‘around’.

Moving on two and a half years, I was chatting with my neighbour one day and asked her how the cat was doing. She seemed to be surprised and said she didn't know. It turned out that neither she nor anyone else had re-homed him.

For two and a half years, this little cat had been scrounging for food, hunting, sleeping outside in all weathers, all the time waiting for his owner to come home. It nearly broke my heart when I found out. I was astonished that he had waited around for so long. There were new people living in ‘his’ home and yet, still he waited.

It took six months of coaxing and gentle encouragement (and super tempting food) and Spike now lives with me.

There’s a deep sadness within him. I’ve never seen a cat with such sad body language and eyes. He doesn't interact with my other two cats. He likes to spend his time alone, usually in the spare room, only venturing outside to pop across the street to ‘check one more time’.

This is Spike…

This highlighted for me how much I took for granted that all outdoor cats have somewhere to go. Spike was even wearing a collar during his ‘lost’ years. I so wish I could put some fun or happiness back into his life. I've tried everything I know but his sadness seems to be permanent. At least he won't be alone when his time comes.

Update:

Thank you to everyone who has commented for your extremely kind words.

I have been talking to Spike a lot lately and he is beginning to respond. He has actually become quite vocal which is a huge leap for him. I say things to him like ‘and how are you today Spike’ and ‘dont you want to come downstairs’. He now responds vocally most times I speak to him and its just lovely to see him react.

Last week he tentatively decided to come downstairs for the very first time. He was very nervous at first as I have 2 other cats which he always avoids and he only stayed a little while before shooting off upstairs again. Yesterday, however, he felt relaxed enough to do this ….

Spike is on the right hand side of this photo. He arrived on the sofa first. My other two arrived one by one. He took a good look at them as they arrived and to my great surprise, he laid his head down again. Normally, he would run off. I am so pleased that he has started to interact. This has taken some time.

His eyes also seem to be a little brighter and not quite so forlorn so perhaps he is feeling a little better. See what you think …

He does still like to spend the largest part of the day alone but I'm hopeful that inside himself he’s able to feel the love that is coming his way. That includes all you lovely people from Quora too who have said such kind and caring words about him. Thank you again.