After Toby was neutered, he left the house for living outside. I was distraught at the fact that he had just been fixed, and now he was running away. When I saw he was living in the wood pile, I was more relieved, but he was in no way going to come back inside. Miss Pearl said that after enjoying his freedom, he would rejoin the family.
And he has! He sleeps inside most of the day, then goes out to be with his peeps. Toby then comes in for the night, sleeping on the cat blanket on my bed. Again, I have my affectionate, loving and loyal cat back. All is well!