cat antics

Yesterday I was potting some plants for my patio - petunias, imPatiens, herbs. As I was playing in the dirt, I could hear Shindy cat's plaintive cries. As you know, I don't let her outside, so when I'm on the patio, she is deprived of my scintillating company. Feeling magnanimous and/or vaguely guilty, I thought it would be a good opportunity to let her come outdoors on a leash.

Step 1: find a harness and leash. Not too difficult because I used these 2 months ago when flying the kitties out here. I packed the guest room closet with stereo boxes and suitcases and the cat carriers, so I knew where to look.

Step 2: catch her. This isn't too difficult because she has a favorite toy she will chase to the ends of the earth: a piece of plastic strapping. (Does anyone remember her string?)

Step 3: put harness on her, attach leash. This also went smoothly.

Step 4: bring her down to the patio and find something to anchor leash.

Shindy started squirming as soon as I walked out the front door with her in my arms. I thought she would settle down as soon as I put her down on the patio. Wrong! She made a beeline for the the apartment door and was so eager to get inside I couldn't even grab the leash. I only saw the end of the leash as she booked it to my bedroom. I managed to grab it before she got under the bed so I could unhook her and take off the harness.

My Shindy cat! Hiding under the bed! What a terrible thing to take such an outgoing cat and keep her indoors so long that she's afraid of being outside. Alas. At least she's healthy and safe and gets loving.

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I got the cats a much deserved new cat tree -- the old blue one was so gross looking that I threw it out before I left Fort Collins. The new one is the perfect height so they can lie on the top and see out the window. The sills are about 4-5 inches wide and tough to perch on because I have the blinds lowered to about 3 inches above the sill.

Two days ago, I looked up and Shindy had crouch walked from the cat perch to the far end of the window sill. Finding nothing interesting enough to stay there, she decided to go back ... but she didn't have room to turn around. So I watched her crab walk backwards the 5 feet to her perch. Highly entertaining.

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Delilah is fine, sweet as every. More willing to stand her ground and whack Shindy ... but still retreating before it gets too rough.