Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Parker's Great Outdoor Adventure

Well, that’s a bit of an exaggeration. But he did go outside. His was the first expedition of my long-held plan to let my cats outside – on a leash.

The leash and harness apparatus I used is a simple device, one that has been used by many when taking their cats outside. I have seen better harnesses, safer ones, no doubt, but  I thought I would try this particular kind. If I felt that it was insecure, I would replace it.

The first task was to select a cat for the bold experiment. That was not really difficult. Parker has wanted to escape through the apartment’s front door for some time. His eagerness was apparent; as well, from his temperament, I judged that he would not be unnerved by the experience.

Secondly, I had to put the harness on my foster-cat. That was trickier, as he kept lying down in a form of passive resistance. This turned out to be directed more against my fiddling with buckles and straps than against the actual harness. Once it was in place, Parker seemed untroubled by it.


Then, we were out the door. The orange boy was incredulous that I was permitting him to leave the confines of our home. I walked him up and down the corridor outside the apartment first, to see how he would behave with the harness and the leash. He was accepting of the former, though he was unsure of what the tugging on the leash indicated. He adapted to such unwonted commands quite rapidly.


And so to the great outdoors. Parker enjoyed himself. He smelled everything; his nose was always going. Indeed, there must have been a great deal to smell. A strong but warm wind blew this evening, and it must have brought exotic fragrances from far away to the sturdy boy’s sensitive nostrils. He rolled on the grass several times, purring. What a fresh, aromatic carpet he had found.


We saw cats. Initially, we saw Renn and Tucker. They appeared bemused as to why Parker was outside. They did not seem envious, just mystified.


Parker observed cats far above, too, in a fenced-in balcony on the third floor. I don’t know how he recognized them as fellow felines, since they could barely be seen, but he knew what they were and, I believe, they knew his kind, too.


Around the building, we came across another cat. This one was on a lower balcony and, to be honest, I don’t think Parker saw her. He didn’t look at her, but he knew a cat was around. He started grumbling and even growling; we were upwind of the cat, and I’m certain it was the smell of another of his species that induced his reaction. Perhaps if he had seen it, as he had the other felines, he would not have been as hostile. It may have been the fact that he couldn’t see her that caused him to give off warnings.


But soon, we were home. Parker didn’t beg to go out some more; in fact, his behaviour has not acknowledged that he was even outside. I was afraid that I would be faced with an animal constantly crying to be released, and that may yet come. But for now, he seems simply to have enjoyed his little adventure.


For my part, I am satisfied with the harness and leash. At one point, Parker may have noticed something stimulating, since he threw himself forward; if he had not been secured by a leash, I likely would not have seen him again. But the leash was untroubled; Parker was pulled up short – ‘up’ being an accurate word; he hit the limit of the strap and flew into the air, no doubt an unexpected event for him – but was unhurt. I had made sure that the straps that circled both his chest and neck were secure, but not too tight. It was a good test.

I suspect that Parker will want to explore further beyond his home. I will offer the same adventure to the others, with the exception of Cammie. There is something about her temperament that suggests I should keep her inside. I may be wrong, but she is perhaps too confident to be allowed out. Renn may like it, Josie possibly, Tucker probably not. But we will see. Someday, all of my cats may be outside-cats – as long as the outside extends only so far as a six foot long leash.

26 comments:

  1. Parker was amazing! Both Chum and Nicki utterly freaked out (dangerously so) the one time I tried a harness on each and I never tried again. Annie took to it, and to being walked, but then would literally throw herself at the door to get back out, even with access to the garden. So truly, Parker was fantastic, particularly given it was his first time with the harness and leash.

    RE: Cammie: Yes, given her dislike of other cats, I think you're wise not to plan an outdoor jaunt for her.

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    1. Parker has been asking to go out all the time - he's been out twice now - but he's not overly annoying with his demands. I suspect some of mine will be like Chumley and Nicki, so I will be careful with them.

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  2. It sounds like Parker had quite an adventure. I'm impressed that he took to wearing the leash and being outside so easily. I tried to get my cats to wear a leash and harness - they wanted none of it. They were also not real thrilled about being outside and couldn't wait to get back in the apartment.

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    1. I suspect your cats' attitude will be reflected in others of mine. We'll see.

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  3. I have never tried leashing and harnessing Katie. I wanted to, but I was unsure how to handle it if we met other cats out and about. I feared a fight. AND if Katie would have been like Robin, one of our treasured Tortie girls of long ago...all the bones in her body would have disappeared and I would have a puddle of cat lying on the ground.

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    1. It's funny how each has her own reactions. It comes with those amazing personalities.

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  4. Oh Parker! You are an adventurer and explorer now; add that to your resume! Sounds like you had a purrfect first run, and your cat dad seems happy too.

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    1. Yes, I did enjoy giving him that opportunity. I will try with the others, but I think Parker will be the success story.

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  5. Ernie is the only one of my cats who has any desire to go outside (the others had such a rough time of it as strays that the thought of leaving the safety of home horrifies them.) I got a leash like yours and take him for little walks in the front and back yard every day. He enjoys it, even though all he does is nibble some grass and roll in dirt.

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    1. Ernie is probably thinking that eating fresh grass and rolling in dirt is what the great outdoors is all about.

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  6. dood !!!! how kewl iz thiz.....while boomer waza street cat; de onlee other ta venturez two de grate green grazz oh out side waz gram paw dude.....on ocassion him wood "fuss" ta go out... N mor often N knot... 3 minitz later wood whine bout goin bak in !! we hope ewe getz ta N joyz lotz mor venturez { & catfather~~~~~ mumz de werd on how manee timez ewe haz been out and drivin a car !! ;) ♥♥

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    1. I'm pretty sure the Catfather wouldn't appreciate the leash; he is definitely better off in his car. I will give him the opportunity, but I suspect he will say, 'No, thanks.'

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  7. How exciting for Parker, all those new smells! It must mystify him being out with no walls around him.
    In my city my vet suggested a feline leukemia vaccine for my cats protection from outside cats leaving saliva or worse where my cats could come in contact with. I go outside with my cats in a well fenced yard and I supervise them the whole time till I come in with them.
    I'm glad Parker got a taste of it and happy how well behaved he was!

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    1. I made sure my boy didn't eat, drink or lick anything outside.

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    2. That's good. His Orange coat looks beautiful against the green grass.

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  8. Looks like Parker had great fun with all of the new smells and sights. He was very good walking on the leash.

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    1. Yes, he took to it very well. I think he's one who was always eager to see more. Plus, he was found outside, so he's had a taste of it before.

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  9. For his first time out on s lead, Parker has done wonderfully. Are there fleas outside where you live?

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    1. I've never heard of any being found, but I am keeping an eye on my orange boy, in case he brings in anything unwanted.

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  10. Parker did soooo well. I've used harnesses and leashes in the past, and typically the cat became a rock. I do take Sasha and Saku outside (one at a time) and allow them to eat and/or roll in the grass. So far we've never had any run ins with other animals (thank goodness). Sheldon has yet to have the opportunity.

    Enjoy your adventures with Parker!
    Eileen

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    1. I've seen some animals who become dead weight when harnessed; others will throw themselves on the floor as if stricken by lightning, the hams.

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  11. Well done Parker. Miss pops can go outside anytime she likes but prefers to stay inside now she is getting older. We have a harness in our emergency stash just in case we have to leave home in a hurry.

    Do you grow a bit of catgrass? You could grow a little in a pot on the Windowsill for the cats to enjoy.

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    1. I think cat-grass makes them throw up, doesn't it? They need no assistance with that.

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  12. This truly is an adventure. And Parker seems to have managed very well with his expedition to the big outdoors. I love the photo of Renn and Tucker looking out "what the devil is going on out there?"
    I saw a man walking a cat on a leash last evening - walking round the neighbourhood.
    I think the others will enjoy their adventures as well. I take Holly to the park in her carrier and looking at buying a backpack to carry her around in.

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    1. Those backpacks are becoming quite popular, I think. By 'carrier' do you mean the kennel-type that we used to take them places, or a stroller? In any case, I am sure Holly appreciates the security of her transportation, combined with the chance to see and smell the world. I believe it gives them much more stimuli, and is something to look forward to.

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  13. I am looking at backpacks - but I worry Holly may be too heavy for me to carry. The strollers are an excellent option as well.

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