Some of you may remember that even in the urban jungle of Tokyo, I trained and worked hard to enable my cats to go outside. And this was living on the 5th floor of an apartment complex with no gardens whatsoever.
My current living situation is a little better, but also similar. I live on the 3rd floor and there is a back door to a small garden through the garage on the ground level. I slowly had to train the cats again; at night, I open our front door, walk down to the garage, open the back door and let them out. Waka is still spooked by the various noises and now rarely ventures out, but Kats will whine at the door until I let him out and he'll run down ahead of me.
I leave both our front door and the garage back door ajar (thank you to my housemates who allow me to do this!!), and once the cats are home, I have to go down and close the garage door. I basically need to be waiting for them.
Most times, Kats stays out about an hour and comes back up. But every once in a while, something will perk his interest and he'll be away for 3 or even 4 hours.
Needless to say, I get worried. On the one hand, I'm happy for him to really spend time outdoors and explore all he wants. On the other hand, I can't wait to get him in my arms again. Every time, faithfully, he does come home and nudge me. I hug him immediately. I can't help but worry until he comes back, but the immense pleasure I have when I see him again is the reward.
Tonight Kats went out for a long time. I sat up waiting. Now he's back, and we'll all go to bed.
[my god, I am such a cat lady! At least Dav balances me out so I don't dedicate my whole life to them! Seriously, did you notice all the cat pictures I have by my desk in the previous post?? Click on the photo to see background details]
it's great you can let Kats out - they love it so much. i have only had one cat i let out(now deceased). he would go out with my husband in the morning to get the paper & then wander, but he always came back in an hour. then, one evening, my husband saw a coyote(!)crossing our front yard & that was the end of Cowboy's adventues outdoors. he was disappointed, but he lived a nice looooooong life. -jean
Posted by: jean | 03/30/2005 at 02:44 AM
That's okay, I'm a total cat lady too. Last night we had to lock Willow out of the bedroom because the change of season and the full moon makes him crazy in the middle of the night, so this morning when I came out to journal on my couch he curled up into me. He is the MOST snuggly creature on this earth. I always thought I was a dog person but now I know, I'm a cat lover.
Posted by: Helen | 03/30/2005 at 04:21 AM
Jean,
I'm so sorry to hear about your cat! That actually happened to my very first cat, Noiraude. She was eaten by a coyote (I lived in S.D.). She was my first cat ever...after growing up as a dog person...and was so friendly. It's thanks to her that I learned to appreciate cats and could deal with Kats and Waka who were probably ferral when I first adopted them. It took a month before they'd let me touch them. If it weren't for Noiraude, I would have freaked out...but she taught me how wonderful cats can be once you gain their trust.
Hi Helen!
Yeah, my beings are total snuggly puggly too. I love weekend mornings when they tuck in closer and purr. We just sit there like a pile of fur and hug. I am a cat lover indeed. I do hope to live with a dog someday, but have decided it will have to be after my 2 fluffies. We have such a special relationship that I wouldn't want to break it.
Posted by: Mie | 03/30/2005 at 02:43 PM