I had a cat named "Spike" who went on walkabout a couple of times. The second time I thought maybe she had gone off to die as she was about 17. But I still looked, posted signs, etc. After 6 weeks, I opened the front door one evening and she came strolling out of the neighboring field like nothing had happened.

She died just short of her 21st birthday laying in her favorite bare spot under the walnut tree.