I'm at that part of the game where I need to find the cat chasing the rat in front of the bakery. I keep going back to the baker's with my old boot from the desert at the ready but no rat. Am I just really unlucky or what?

If they went by before you got the boot, you are screwed. This is a one time chance and if you miss it the rat will be eaten and you will be left with an unwinable game since the rat would have helped you later.

I think you also have to approach the bakery from the north or east, since iirc the cat/rat come into the screen from the left hand side.

I really hope not and I don't remember them the last time I went by to buy that custard pie... The cat in the bakery still seems to be eyeing something in the barrel, if that helps?

The cat and rat won't appear unless you have the stick and/or the boot in your possession.

The thread is over 5 years old.

I know, but you never know when somebody else might be having this issue

lol, it's generally frowned upon to revive a post that's this old. If someone has the same issue again, there are several ways to find an answer. Or they can simply post the question in the forums if it ever comes up

Eh. As long as you don't revive a thread just to say that it's a stupid thread or something like that, I don't see any problem with it. Can't hurt.

The issue was never properly resolved. The cat and the rat DON'T go by before you get the boot unless you have the stick and didn't use it on the dog, so this issue had never been correctly resolved. I just wanted to clarify it just in case somebody else has it

Yes, this post actually helped me tremendously. Sheesh, why would anyone care if someone revives an old thread with pertinent information?

It's called necroposting. Some moderators (Dolphin emulator forums is a great example) will lock the thread if you necropost and give you a warning. Some people believe that you should create a new relevant post rather than brining back one that's really old. Personally I don't really care, but I understand why some people find it irritating. By one thought, this question was asked 5 years ago, so getting an answer now isn't all that helpful to the original poster & it hasn't been brought up since. But there is the thought to finally put in an answer, so if someone gets stuck again, he was helpful. Up to you how you look at it. Generally when you necropost, someone is gonna point it out & not like it. I always suggest just starting a new one when you run into a problem. But I also STRONGLY!!!!!!!!!!!! BELIEVE in searching for a post that already answers your question before creating a new one.