It's a tough call on letting your kitty go outside. While each owner has to decide for themselves whether or not to allow the kitty out, we just found it too hard to keep them in--especially with kids who have the door open and closed about a cabillion times a day. Keeping them in would just be harder for us.
We've only had one problem with them getting hurt--when we had a stray who was attacking our kitties a few summers ago. But other than that, the kitties come inside way before dark and they are watched pretty closely. So, while they think they are all "born free" and such--they have a good combination of going inside and out.
And Hobbes prefers out--if you haven't figured that out yet. Given the opportunity to do whatever he pleases, his favorite thing to do in the yard is to find a comfy spot in the garden.........and take a nap.
It's good to be Hobbes.
22 comments:
Hobbes is one lucky kitty! Sounds like he has a terrific life. Of course, what well loved cat doesn't? ;)
Happy Weekend!
xo Catherine
I envy you your tame cats. Livvy is such a maniac when she's outside. Totally rambunctious and so innocent. We live on a very busy street; she doesn't have enough sense to stay away from danger. *sigh*
Looking at the picture I'm thinking, Gee, I've been up an hour. Time for a nap!
That's a great photo. With 2 exceptions, the Siameses, all of my cats have been shelter or rescue cats and they wouldn't leave the house under any circumstances. I think they remember how bad life was on the streets, how scary, and they aren't gonna do THAT again. Even BB, who was lucky enough to have been rescued from an animal shelter and then adopted by me, distrusts outside.
the Siameses were different - while neither would leave the house on their own accord they would go out on a leash - I wish I had started leash training them when they were kittens - Yeah, yeah I know - walking a cat on a leash - always made for a lot of "Oh, Look" type remarks.
I must say tho that while Smoker Fat Man did retain his fear of being hungry from spending his kitten-hood on the street he was always happy to run out the door but only as far as the first blade of grass...or the first snow pile - Smoker was a Vermont cat and enjoyed the snow - weird!
Now with BB and Miss Frankie Lulu Belle - well, if you open a door they will run and hide but they do enjoy sitting between the storm door and the entry door watching the world go by. Touch the handle of the storm door and they flee. I also think they just like lying on the cool marble...
Yah, what Vanilla said.
Midnight loves to get out, but rarely has the chance.
I read that first line and thought you were going to write a poat about your husband.
Mine go out to stretch, soak in the sun, and then it's back in to sleep. It's a busy life.
I love Hobbes so much! Our kitties stay inside all the time but we worry about hawks around here. There are a lot of predator birds that feel no qualms about kidnapping a cute, cuddly kitty.
We let the cats out under supervision. Smokey once strayed. He climbed our shed and ended up in our neighbours yard. It's fenced in and locked because they have a pool. Thank goodness they were home that day:)
It is hard to keep them in. Harry is the only one who stays in here and it's a struggle. He wants out so badly but he is so small that I am afraid an eagle will carry him off.
Stinky was feral so she has outside smarts. Pumpkin came from the outside so he comes and goes and Sherpa stays close.
Such a sweet photo of Hobbes! It makes me want to nap though! So far Angel and Isabella haven't been interested in going outside and I'm going to keep it that way. Anytime Angel learns something new she's relentless in doing it again and again and again so if she ever got out we'd never hear the end of it!
my dogs don't have enough sense to stay away from the street much less a cat lol I'd have Inky out back on her collar and leash. She just loved to roll in the grass.
I am with Hobbes,naps are great! Thanks for the name suggestion!
Hobbes is a lucky boy! I am Not Allowed outside, on account of the alligators who live in the lake in the yard. They could eat me all up in one bite!
I'm glad to hear Hobbes doesn't stray far. I've had several cats and always tried to keep them indoors and none of them would go for that. They all eventually met their fate in one way or another. I couldn't take it anymore so no more cats, it's too sad when I lose one
I like to take nap too. So Hobbes always come home every time he went out?
When we moved to this house, we had an invisible fence installed so that our two cats could roam free in the yard, but no further. The company who installed it asked us a couple times "Are you sure about this? Usually we put these in for dogs." Yes, we were sure. And besides, why should dogs get all the fun?
Yeah! Hobbes pretty much loves to be out there in the yard! :)
Sleepy head!
Darn it now I am posting on the wrong blogs. :-) Having two of them in dashboard I better watch it. Argh
Hobbes is a very happy cat! Ours are strictly indoor cats. Since we have double doors inside, it is easy to make sure they do not get out.
You leave for the weekend already?? :-)
Catherine--No kidding. Inside or out--kitties see to it that their lives are good. And we are just accessories to that life.
Rebecca--We started with them when they were kittens. We watch them VERY carefully until they learn the boundaries. It usually takes us some time before we go about our business and let them just be with us. Joe still can't stop worrying about them. Cars are a worry for us too. Always.
Vanilla--Me too!! He looks so comfy--I'm jealous.
Grace--That is so funny to me that they are scared to go out. I guess if that is what they are used to--but that is good that they don't try to run. My mom had a cat who was a stray--she preferred the corner of her bed to outside as well.
Chuck--I'm sure it is better to keep them in, especially with all the property you have around you. With all the fences and dogs around us, our guys can't go too far. They stick around which always amazes folks. Hey, they know where they've got it good!
Betty--Joe would LOVE to run away, but like Hobbes, he knows how good he has it here. ;) Maybe I should start I-Love-Joe posts???
Anne--Oh, that would be really scary!! EEK! We have raccoons and pterodactyl and stuff--but the kitties are usually in by the time those scary guys show up. I get nervous if we can't get them in before dark.
Mary Ann--Every so often, one of the kitties will do the "I don't hear you" thing and stay out too late. But if I get up and open the door around midnight--they come running! They are only brave for so long.
Pricilla--It's hard because you have a farm and those cats are doing a job out there. But there are such risks for that too--you know all too well. I could never be a farmer that doesn't feel for their animals like I do. I guess you harden over time.
Beaded Tail--Yeah, don't give them the taste or they will always want to go out! It is scary with coyote and such in the hood. It's such a trade-off and that is why we try to only let them out when we are home to keep an eye on them.
blueyes--It's hard, isn't it? You want to let them out, but it is too dangerous. I think you have to stick to your plan from kittenhood--then they don't know the difference.
melodie--I love a nap too. But I find the mulch a tad too uncomfortable. ;)
Daisy--Oh, alligators are SCARY!! We do not have alligators here, although our frogs eat birds sometimes. That can be sort of scary too. I think Hobbes is safe from the frogs though.
Ann--We trained them from kittens to stay around the yard. Fixing them helps a bit too. Mix in some fences, some loud neighbors, and lots of dogs and they pretty much stay on our property. They may wander one house over, but that is it.
Vanilla 7 - I'm with ya on the nap--I love a nap too. Yep, Hobbes always comes home. If he gets brave and stays out after dark, he usually panics and comes in after awhile. It can be scary out there for them too!
Kathy--Oh, that is a good idea! I've only heard of people doing that for dogs, but I like the idea. Cats are pretty scared of strangers and loud noises, so ours stick close to home because we are so physically close to our neighbors. They are big chickens!
Zach--You should see him sleeping in the garden all day! He is sooo relaxed. He lives a good life, Zach.
Helene--Hahahaha!
Karen--The problem came in during the summer months. We had kids running in and out all the time, so keeping them in was too hard. Now we installed a little kitty door so they can just go out on their own if we are home. It's nice not having to open the door for the cat all the time.
Helene--Power outage, Helene. I couldn't use the computer. Can't say it wasn't nice though. :)
My kitty, whiskey died when ben was maybe 2? I don't know if ben remembers him but whiskey used to go outside and go no where :) Just lay in the sun, or crouch in something. And he was a BIG cat with a lot of hair so he looked even bigger. He could take care of himself... guess he couldnt be bothered with that stuff!
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