Indeed, it never is easy to lose one, whether to old age or ill health or mysterious disappearance. But I wouldn't give up hope yet if I were you; two weeks isn't too long for a cat to go walkabout if he really felt offended by the break in his routine... particularly with all the attractions that woodlands offer a cat. And there are any number of stories of pet cats returning to their familiar territories many weeks and even months after disappearing.

Of course, there are dangers in the woods for pet cats, too. The frustration is that there's nothing more you can do for Timmy than to keep looking and hoping for as long as it's realistic to do so.

Naturally, there's a grieving process to go through for the loss of a cherished pet, so I concur with kat: don't mention a new cat just yet. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that P-Vine should be the first one to mention getting a new cat; just be ready to agree with her that it would be a good idea!

In the meantime, let her talk about her grief and hold her while she cries if she wants you to. Don't try to reason with her feelings or try to convince her of anything except that Timmy's escape was just an accident that could have happened to anyone.

Do try to keep her from hitting herself anymore, though; if she won't stop, and/or if her depression causes chronic changes to her lifestyle, then it's time to call in a professional grief counselor who can help her deal with her feelings without harming herself or shutting herself away from the life she's lived. Don't neglect the medical side of grieving, either; if her worries start causing symptoms of ulcers or other physical signs of stress, call a doctor!