A CAT called Cheeky astonished her owner by returning home after falling 40ft and then going missing for two weeks.
The one-year-old tortoiseshell escaped through an open patio door in her owner’s fourth story flat in Edinburgh.
After somehow surviving the fall, Cheeky decided to go into hiding for two weeks.
Cheeky is happily back at home now.
Distraught owner Lawrence Fraser, 30, put up 200 posters in the Bonnington area of the city and took three days off work to look for her.
The senior consultant with a holiday firm had all but given up hope of seeing his pet alive when she was brought home by the SSPCA.
After a sighting by a neighbour, the animal welfare charity managed to catch Cheeky by putting out a trap containing food.
Cheeky had suffered nothing worse than a chipped tooth and had lost a few pounds.
Lawrence said: “I’m so happy to have Cheeky home and she hasn’t left my side since – she’s even sleeping cuddled up next to me in bed.
“I’m so over the moon to be honest. Finding her is a total miracle.
“I took her to the vet and the only injury she’s got from the fall is a chipped tooth. She’s also lost weight from being outdoors on her own but she’s making up for it by wolfing down four meals a day. She ate like it was her last meal when I got her home.
“I think she has learnt her lesson now, she’s had quite an adventure. She has not gone near the balcony door since.
“I had her spayed the week before this happened, which was lucky as she might have come back with kittens.”
Animal Rescue Officer Connie O’Neill led the search for Cheeky.
She said: “We’re really happy Cheeky is now back home with her owner after what must have been a very worrying ordeal.
“This was the first time Cheeky had ever been outdoors. She was clearly petrified after her fall, but thankfully hunger led her to the trap and she is now safe and well.
“Lawrence clearly loves his pet very much and went to great lengths to find her. We’re really glad all his efforts have paid off.”
