"I go to it only about once in a blue moon.

There was an old barrel there, upside down, one side resting on a block of wood.

This morning I went to the barn to see about having some hay hauled home, and I had occasion to move the barrel.

I noticed that it seemed to have been moved slightly since my last visit, and it was now resting wholly on the floor.

I lifted it up--and there was a cat lying on the floor under it.
I had heard you had lost yours and I took it this was your pet.