Tiger Buxton is Missing

These are some of the  last pictures I have of the Bux (aka.Tiger Buxton, or just Buxton). My job is partially defined by a very nomadic lifestyle, and I am finishing up a two year stretch of being gone for most of each year. A friend of mine had been looking after him while I was gone, and had been letting him roam - we live in a lovely tiny home park south of Waldport, OR, set a ways back from the road. Turns out a tiny home becomes a little too tiny of a space for an energetic, sociable, and curious cat. He got fit with all of his wanderings! And more independent. And well-known by the neighbors - generally cat-friendly folks - some of whom had (almost) gotten used to his letting himself in to their own tiny homes. But then, two weeks before I was supposed to be home for the winter, Buxton disappeared. While I know all of the bad things that could have happened to him, I can't help but think he may have hopped into someone's car without their realizing it...

Buxton and I had one solid winter and early spring in Oregon, before I had to head back to sea. We explored the Columbia River area... ...visited Portland... ...took the train to Seattle... ...took long walks on the beach.... ...and of course, just hung out in our tiny home. Learning to climb the ladder. Living in a tiny home could be a challenge for the Bux, and he got creative to keep himself entertained. However, while in our tiny home community, we were fortunate enough to find a friend who was also a cat lover. She wasn't quite settled enough to get her own cat,but was happy to look after the Bux while I was gone. It took the village to raise the Bux, but - minus a desire to roam beyond the constraints of a tiny home - it was a happy fit. And then, at the end of the summer, and two weeks before I was supposed to be home, I got a message that the Bux was missing - he was last seen early on Saturday, September 14, 2019. I took the next plane home (early) and posted and distribut...

The drive from New Hampshire to central coast Oregon is a long one, so the Bux and I picked up a human friend for company and to share in the driving. While it was hard to decide who to hang out with more, Bux generally opted for the driver's lap - I think because he could hang out, but not get petted more than absolutely necessary. It could be hard to get comfortable on for such a long time in the car, but Buxton adapted. And when we stopped for the night, he made sure to check every hotel room thoroughly for "bugs". The Bux seemed particularly well-suited to some of the more beautiful regions of the United States. Eventually, though, we said goodbye to our friend, and arrived on the Oregon coast.We had a little time camping and walking... (walking with a cat is not the most linear exercise) ....and a little time in a rental house. It was in a great location, and had a lovely view, but something was wrong with the door - somehow, it would open for me, but not for the cat...

We had a home to move into way before we had any stuff, but the Bux and I adapted just fine. We managed to head out for a few local hikes... Add caption ...and even drove up for a longer hike to Piper Mountain. It was a little overwhelming at times, but curiosity won out. Can't say Bux was a huge fan of the cold, but there were views to enjoy... ...a human to hang out with... ...and plenty of places for climbing around inside. It was the year of the Indoor Adventure Cat. Birthdays... ...and Christmas... ...and even an occasional box in the mail, when someone was missing you. Visits to the office were a new adventure. Fortunately, there were a lot of cat-friendly folks around on the weekends, plus a few bugs to stay entertained with. Even the Bux's first time on a boat! All in all, lots of places to see, and the Bux was always up for a drive. Home was good. Although Bux picked up a odd few habitsthat made me wonder if he should spend more time around other  cats. Eventually, th...