[Jayems]

So, my cat dissapered a few night ago, on the evening that it snowed. Someone heard loud cat hisses and possibly fighting late at night (unfortunately, no one woke me up).

Now our cat is an inside cat, but frequently goes outside and is almost always let back in at night. The nights that she accidentaly gets left out, she usually waits by our bushes until someone leaves for school / work.

Now last summer, she got out and either got lost, or ran away. After a week or so of searching, I gave up, and labeled her as dead. 6 weeks later, going to work one morning, she came running from under the bushes and back into the house, and was literally nothing but skin and bones. Six freakin weeks!

Anyway, FFWD to a few nights ago. She has been plumped up, and is not a skinny cat.. yes, she is kinda fat. Lots of hair too.

I guess my question is, should there have been an altercation and she survived and is currently lost, how well are cats suited to survive in the cold? Its not brutally cold yet, but I'd have to think that the hair and fat would be somewhat protective?

There is not a trace of her except for some dirt that has been kicked up onto the path way and a paw print (unsure if hers or not). Other than that, she has completely vanished. I;m doubtful of a coyote, but it is possible as we're on the west edge of the city, but I've never seen one here in 7 years.

Am I holding onto a false hope here?

Please spare me the "its just a cat, get over it" crap.