Wednesday, June 20, 2018

And Josie Makes Three



Today was Josie’s turn to go outside. Though Renn is my scientist, he likes his studies to be under clinical conditions. Field tests are not for him. In fact, his empirical nature aside, he is a cat who seems to go with his feelings. On the other hand, I characterized my Chubs to someone today as “less emotional” than Renn, and I believed that she would do better outside.

As with both my big boy and Parker, Josie tolerated the harness quite well. I think she was puzzled by it more than anything else. Once out of doors, she was assailed by a great many stimuli that stunned her a bit. She froze, but did not crouch as low as Renn, and didn’t cry. She was trying to understand the situation. You will note her tail was at first clearly between the legs.


But it wasn’t long before something caught her attention. She was intrigued. The tail remained low, but was out and swinging. As she understood that there was no real threat to her, she explored more.


There was grass, and there were trees; Josie had seen them often enough from within the apartment, but I suspect they presented a different aspect to her close up. Once upon a time, I described her as ‘easily alarmed’; now I think of her as ‘easily alerted’; her attention is caught almost dramatically now and then. She was interested in her surroundings.


Someone who was not pleased with this development was Parker. He saw Josie outside and started crying and pawing at the screen – not something I cared for. He was shouting to me, “She’s in my harness! She’s in my harness!” in his high voice, and did not like his adventure being usurped.


But the die was cast. The Great White was by now rather enjoying herself. She did not express this by purring or rolling about. However, you will see that by now, her tail is up, and she knows there is nothing to fear.


Unlike Parker, who will generally follow my lead – literally – even though he may grumble about it, Josie protested against directions she disliked by simply lying down. This happened several times. An interesting discovery, though, was that while inside, Josie will often squirm when picked up, albeit not as much as previously. Outside, at least on this occasion, she accepted being handled and carried without a movement.


And so ended Josie’s outside adventure. She had been an outsider-cat when very young, but I doubt that she recalls any of that now, except possibly as a basic feeling. It may have helped her here, but I think it is simply her matter-of-fact personality dictating her responses. I am sure she will be outside again one day.

21 comments:

  1. Josie, you darling girl. Seeing you at first so unsure and worried made me feel like picking you up and telling you it was alright. Your Dad sure knows how to guide all of you expertly. I have enjoyed the adventures all of you have been invited on by your Dad and I did wonder if each of you have been more lively within doors for a spell, after your outing? Invigorated, is what I should have said. Smoochies Josie. What a good girl!

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    1. Actually, they all seemed to have been ready for a rest...

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  2. Well done, Josie! It's great she was curious and alert and interested in exploring--and also that she didn't fuss about being picked up. You'll have to give Parker another turn soon!

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    1. The orange boy went out again that evening, purring the whole time.

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  3. It looks like Josie enjoyed her outdoor adventure, but poor Parker. I wonder if he was crying because Josie was using his harness or if he just wanted to go outside too.

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  4. Oh Josie had a real adventure and after assessing it wasn't going to go in any bad direction she started enjoying herself!

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    1. Yes, next time, she'll probably be out longer.

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  5. josie......we iz glad ya getted sum out oh doorz time N glad ya getted uzed ta stuff afturr a few.....may nee next time ya go out... ewe can wear a dizguize sew parker doez knot noe itz ewe on de harnezz !!! ☺☺♥♥

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  6. This has been fun watching the different reactions your fur babies have to the big outdoors! I like how Josie just lays down rather than be directed to. Must be the female in her!
    Glad you gave Parker another outing. How fun this must be for you, John, to give them this taste for the outdoors. Letting them decide if they want more or no adventures.

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    1. It won't be a regular activity, just when I have time. But I will try to make time for them to be outside, if they want it. It will be fun to see their reactions come the cold weather.

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  7. Josie did seem to enjoy her outside time once she realised nothing was going to attack her. It appears that Parker thinks the great outdoors is his treat alone.

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    1. Parker acted the same way he did when Echo was with us, and she had to use 'his' room to be alone. He sure has made this place his own.

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  8. Looks like she had a lot of fun.

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    1. I think she did. I'll take her out again soon, and see what her reaction is to going out once more.

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  9. Good on Josie. I am sure Parker wanted to just get outside too. Miss pops loves being outside, but as she has got older spends most of her time inside. This house has big male cats that come through the garden, and she doesn't care for them, which is hard as at other houses she has lived in she has been the queen of her own yard.

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  10. Josie did well on her harness. Thank you for your kind words about Mamacita.

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  11. Well done Josie! There must be lots to see in your yard.

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