Do you remember the children’s’ movie “Finding Nemo?” The 2003 movie’s storyline was about finding a lost fish named, of course, Nemo, a clownfish all decked out in his brilliant orange body which was trimmed in black and white.

We, as movie attendees, were allowed to follow Nemo and his adventures as well as his family members, who were heartbroken, but they never gave up the search. Not to ruin the flick’s dramatic ending, but Nemo was found and reunited with his family and friends.

My dear readers, this is where I find myself today. I have lost George, my solid, white kitty of seven years – a huge source of my creativity. I’ve written short stories, flash fiction and many newspaper columns about the kitties, plus done tons of storytelling. His twin sister, Gracie, is as devastated as I am, and of course Hubs, having two distraught females on his hands, is wringing his hands. We are all just plain out sad.

Oh, I know George is just a cat, but woe to the one who would dare point that out – you know an ole lady and her cat. That’s all I’ll say about that.

As I write this morning, there is an empty spot on the rug in my office. You see George usually waited patiently there for me each week. He knew once I was done, we could do stuff, maybe scratch his belly or tickle his neck and of course, feed him. Gosh, I miss him terribly.

George was last seen June 18 at 5 p.m. in the front yard at my home located near King Road and Windsor Road. Gracie was on the porch. She preferred to rest under the settee while George rambled, usually near the fence line along the back of our property –sometimes he would pop under the fence, but always came home, until last Sunday.

Oh, many times George rested under the settee with his sister, but he bored easily and I suppose Sunday afternoon was one of those times. The kitties were inside our house 75 percent of the time, but we saw no harm allowing a couple of hours outside time. Stupid!

I felt it was needed today to warn you about small pet predators in our area. As I have searched for him this week, my neighbors, one after the other, mentioned the large numbers of coyote, fox and red tail hawks seen. I was shocked, naïve is more the word. I don’t want this to happen to you. Be aware and warned!

I live in the county but my good friend, Laura Hyche, lost her precious Siamese kitties last spring and she lives in the northern end of the city. There had been coyote sightings. Like George, the kitties were on her property one minute and gone the next. Don’t let this happen to you.

Like Laura, I am not certain this is what happened to George, but it is a likely scenario. However we have not found any signs, hair or his collar, with bell, in our yard and anywhere nearby. There have not been any “George sightings” by my neighbors this week. It is a heartbreaking mystery.

George is friendly, always made an appearance when we had guests. I suppose he wanted folks to admire a gorgeous cat and he was very handsome. Therefore I have surmised someone could have picked him up. Whereas no one could ever pick up Gracie, mainly because she is high-strung and suspicious – this is probably what saved her.

So this morning, Finding George is on my mind, mightily. I have his photo & info posted on FB’s Lost Pets in Meridian and Lose Pets in Lauderdale County. My friends have shared my post more than 30 times, therefore, it is feasible it has reached 30 to 40 thousand people. I thank them for the help.

Today I am asking you, my friends, to be alert for a big, friendly white cat with big green eyes in the North Lauderdale County area, near North Hills Street and King Road. Finding George could become a famous movie, but we must find him first. My cell is 601-479-2483. I am offering a cash reward.

Most important today, be alert for small pet predators.

Anne McKee is a Mississippi historian, writer and storyteller. She is listed on the Mississippi Humanities Speakers Bureau and Mississippi Arts Commission’s Artist Roster. See her website: www.annemckeestoryteller.com