Soldier s AWOL cat found after 2-month absence

10/9/2005

SWARTZ CREEK, Mich. It was a catcall Kathleen DuVal

was more than happy to receive.

The Swartz Creek woman had spent two trying months searching

unsuccessfully for TJ, a male cat she had been keeping for a

friend on active military duty.

Ms. DuVal, 35, began watching the cat in late July. After

about six days inside, he was climbing the walls, so I let him

out, he gave me a look and just split, she said.

Last week, however, she heard from Dean and Linda Yeotis,

who told Ms. DuVal they had been feeding a dark gray tiger cat with green eyes and a split right ear outside their home in Flint 10 miles away. TJ is now back with his owner .