Had a scare tonight...

Avatar for missourigrl
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Had a scare tonight...
10
Mon, 11-08-2004 - 11:24pm
I let Asher out on his leash for a little bit this evening. I check on him about every 5 minutes or so and when I went out to check on him I noticed that I didn't see him. No big deal, it was dark outside (I had the porch lights on though) and I figured he was hiding behind his bush so I gave his leash a tug and it felt really light. I pulled it up to me and half of it was gone and so was Asher along with the rest of the leash and his harness. My bf and I looked for about 20 min and I got worried that I didn't see him so I called my mom and she came over and we all looked for another 30 min. Right when I was getting ready to give up until morning, my mom shined the flashlight on a neighbor's patio and there was Asher hiding behind their bbq grill. Usually when he gets loose outside he runs away from me when I try to approach him, but this time he let me walk right up to him and pick him up. His little heart was pounding and he was scared to death. I'm just glad we were able to find him...again. I thought I was doing good by getting him a leash and harness so he could go out but he's escaped several times now...luckily each time I've found him. I just don't know what to do with him. I've tried not letting him out but he'll sit at the door and meow and howl non stop. The only thing that will make him stop is to shut him up in another room but I hate doing that to him. Anybody have any other suggestions?

Kristen

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-10-2003
Tue, 11-09-2004 - 12:50am
Hi Kristen,

Try posting this situation on the Think Like A Cat with Pam Johnson-Bennett board, also on ivillage. She has helped people with this very problem. Yes, cats can adjust to being indoors and get over crying at the door. She herself adopted feral cats who were neither used to people nor being indoors, and now they have no interest in going outside. I don't remember the specific advice she's given on this topic, but if you post there, she and the CLs will help you. I think one of the things is to engage your kitty in interactive play with a toy when he cries near the door. He will be distracted and satisfied that he's had a nice play session.

Cynthia
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-10-2004
Tue, 11-09-2004 - 1:49am
Hello there, this may be kind of, I don't know, extravagant but my boyfriend's parents have 2 cats that wanted to be indoor/outdoor kitties. So they built this small enclosure type thing that was real safe and had chicken wire type sides so they could see out and stuff...it was tall enough that there was a climbing tree in it and it had a roof and stuff...they also kept the litter box out there and so there was a door to access it from outside it also. Then, to make it even MORE extravagant, they put a tunnel type thing that went from it to a board they cut a hole in that fit in the window of a nearby bedroom (like when you put a window air conditioner in?). They had a flap over it like a doggie door so they could come and go as they pleased but it kept cold air out... I don't know, it's a good idea that I wanted to duplicate but we rent and aren't supposed to have our babies in the first place! :( So, good luck!!!!

-Sadie :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-01-2003
Tue, 11-09-2004 - 9:24am
I am so glad you found him


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Avatar for cl_lcni
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 11-09-2004 - 10:34am

I'm so glad that you found Asher.


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Avatar for missourigrl
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Tue, 11-09-2004 - 2:27pm
It looks like the leash just broke or frayed as far as I can tell. They are little Houdinis indeed! He has found ways out of his harness, but only when he's gotten tangled up.

 

Avatar for missourigrl
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Tue, 11-09-2004 - 2:29pm
I posted my dilemma on the "Think Like a Cat" board. Just waiting for some replies now.

Thanks!

Kristen

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-07-2004
Tue, 11-09-2004 - 4:31pm

Hi Kristen.. I am happy you found him. my babies love to go out too. I take them out on leashes and get some fresh air with them.... I wouldn't leave them alone... too scary what can happen.


 

Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Tue, 11-09-2004 - 4:38pm
My Tasha was an outdoor cat for over 6 years with her previous owners. I thought she'd have a hard time adjusting, but she's done great. I've let her out on the balcony a few times (we are three stories up), but she tries to eat my plants so I only let her out there supervised. Sometimes she will run up to the door and scratch and meow, but she gets over it pretty quick.

I'm glad you were able to find him. Poor Asher - sounds like he was really scared!










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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-06-2004
Tue, 11-09-2004 - 8:43pm
I posted to you on the other board, wanted to tell you my feral cat I have, inside-only acts like yours the time or two we let him out. He started hissing at the other cats (his buddies)and went further and further into the woods. We about never caught him. Decided he would be inside-only. He likes being inside, seems to need the boundaries to feel safe. I have one kitty that is about 2-3 years old that doesn't want out unless she sees me sitting outside or if I go to the door she wants me to pick her up and tote her on the porch. She is a wildish feral. She is the main kitty I want my enclosure for. I'll wear my husband down when I have some energy!!! donna
Avatar for rhawk4
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-30-2001
Tue, 11-09-2004 - 9:33pm
I am glad you found him! You might want to post this on the think like a cat board and see what they have to say. :) But I am happy you found him.


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