Taking one’s own good advice
By Gina Spadafori
July 25, 2007
Two nights ago Clara the 6-month-old kitten was exercising her lovely sharp claws against the base of the eucalyptus tree in my back yard. Ten second later she was 20 feet up it.
And I was on the ground below, cursing myself for my idiocy. More than that, really: for my pride.
See, I’m an “animal expert.” I’ve been writing about pets and their care for 25 years. Heck, I even co-authored “Cats For Dummies,” still in print, translated into several languages and with awards out the wazoo.
And yet, I suddenly my own kitten — an “indoor kitten” — was 20 feet up a eucalyptus tree.
Why? Because I thought an “animal expert” like me could handle having my kitten out in the yard with me and the rest of the pets for an hour or so on our warm summer evenings. Even though I advise readers all the time that once cats get access to roaming freely, they can be hard to convince stay inside, where it’s much, much safer. (Not to mention better for songbirds and more considerate to the neighbors)
But Clara comes when called — a neat trick that requires little more than consistency and yummy treats to train, clicker optional but recommended — so I thought we’d be OK for an hour or so outside every evening.
And then Little Miss Bravery shot up the tree. And of course, seemed incapable of getting back down, her pitiful meows piercing the darkening sky.
She did get down, but I don’t exactly know how. Because as I was considering the dilemma the phone rang. My neighbor’s dog had collapsed, and she was frantic. When I returned from helping her get her large dog into her van for the trip to ER, Clara was back in the house, sitting smuggly on her cat tree, purring happily and injury-free.
I closed the back door on her, for good.
Clara is most unhappy now, demanding to go out, which is something I could have avoided — and yes, I know this — by never letting her out at all. You can’t miss that which you’ve never had. I know in the days to come she’ll settle back in and be fine. And I’m going forward with the small screened cat-patio I planned for her, the one that got put off with all the recall- and book-writing craziness. (I like cat fencing, too, but it won’t work for my yard.)
Lesson learned. Maybe next time I’ll know to take my own advice. It’s usually pretty good advice, after all.
I’m so glad Miss Clara came down without mishap. The first time my pet porcupine went up a tree he failed to understand how to descend, and fell - broke his left front leg. After that I had him trained to back down as soon as I said, “that’s enough”, so for the rest of his long life his trips never got him higher than 6 feet. (I don’t advocate wild pets but he was born without lower incisors and would have died a miserable death in the wild.) I hope Clara doesn’t have her tasted for adventure whetted by her outing.
Comment by Nancy Nielsen — July 25, 2007 @ 9:10 am
I finally got an outside enclosure for my cats when I moved to Colorado.
It has saved me so much stress. One cat does room free at times, but when I need to, he is safe from harm when I put him in it. The other cat definitely is not a real outside cat, but does enjoy the outside enclosure to get fresh air or cool off. Also, she can watch the squirrels and birds safely.
What a difference it has made in my life.
Comment by Evelyn — July 25, 2007 @ 10:06 am
My cats are indoor cats, but I have a screened-in deck designed for them, including a ledge for their viewing pleasure around the perimeter. However, that didn’t stop Sweetie (young male) two years ago. He forced himself out of the screening somehow, wound up on the roof, and when I got on a ladder trying to rescue him, he leaped onto my large spruce tree. He climbed up almost to the top but couldn’t get down! He cried and cried and finally I called the fire department. Soon a big fire truck and a whole crew came, to my embarressment, thinking I had said, “My dad is stuck in a tree”(rather than “cat”). Anyway, they got him down. Now he’s more mature and hopefully won’t try that stunt again.
Comment by Patty L — July 25, 2007 @ 10:39 am
My cats LOVE their outdoor play pen complete with there own personal cat door. But be prepared for what they may bring into the house!
You would think that a mouse would be smart enough not to go into a cage full of cats…but at least one mouse was not quite that smart!! From now on The Cat Door IS Closed at Night! :)
Comment by Peggy (AKA: Big Fat Momma Cat) — July 25, 2007 @ 11:15 am
Glad Clara is ok.
Yep, made the same error with my oldest house cat. Used to take him out years ago on a leash to meet the outside cats. Not a good idea, he was not neutered at that time and when I carried him in one time, he bit me viciously very hard on my arm. Was so besides himself that he even attacked my son.Bloody bite straight thru his jeans. Thought cat had gone mad and called my vet. Vet kind of snickered(another dumb cat owner) and told me to bring him in for neutering since there must have been a cat in heat outside.
I still have to watch him each time , I open an outside door to make sure he is not lurking nearby to make a dash for it. My other house cats(never been outside since a very young kitten)have absolutely no interest in the outside. Even if I would let the door open they will not go outside.
Besides I think that cats who want to go outside have a very annoying meow in their vocabulary that will drive you bunkers.
Once they know there is a nifty outside, they come up with all kinds of innovative ways to get out of the house. Ripping screens out, pushing up windows that are left open at a crack, working on doorknobs etc.
Comment by Serijna — July 25, 2007 @ 11:20 am
“…Clara was back in the house, sitting smuggly on her cat tree, purring happily and injury-free.” Hee, hee! Love the imagery, and so glad that Clara is safe.
My brother is a convert to the indoor cat belief, and the two youngsters I adopted from him last week will stay indoors since they never have been out. All of my other cats have been living outdoors when they “adopted me”, and I let them be indoor/outdoor cats. I had dogs, and a doggy door, and couldn’t see an easy solution while I was working without actually locking the cats up in one room. I worried about them, but they never got hit by a car, or picked up transmitted diseases, but some did cause early deaths to a number of finches and doves. I tried keeping Abby indoors when I adopted her, but her reflexes are SO much faster than mine that she beat me out the door every time.
I have to admit, a good part of me feels that they do have a need to be outdoors part of the time since it is part of their original nature. I’d love to have the cat fencing to make it a safer place for them, but resort to supervision at this time.
Comment by shadepuppy — July 25, 2007 @ 11:48 am
did you actually post a link to HSUS? after all the fuss tying HSUS and PETA together and their hidden agenda? opps.
Comment by lost for words — July 25, 2007 @ 12:46 pm
Excuse me? I’ve never tied the HSUS and PETA together. And I’ve long supported many of the HSUS’ programs. In fact, I mentioned one earlier that I attended: A two-week training in Denver to help shelter workers counsel pet owners on behavior problems.
If you’re going to challenge me on something I’ve written, do take a moment to make sure it’s something I’ve actually written.
In fact, there are HSUS links throughout this blog, including on dog-fighting and puppy mills. I know lots of people at HSUS and have interviewed them over the years. The HSUS has lots of good programs and has spent a lot of money on them. I just don’t happen to agree with all they do. And that’s fine, of course, as long as they continue to be up front.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — July 25, 2007 @ 12:58 pm
I second that.
I donot like the HSUS to be mentioned in the same breath as PETA.
If PETA were into human suffering, there would not be any retirement homes, hospices etc. You draw you own conclusions from that.
I consider HSUS as the legal beagles for animal welfare and an excellent education source as it applies to animals. Their lobby is as powerful as the gun lobby.
They are not asking for donations specifically for the Vicks dogs , just donations against dog(and cock)fighting. BTW they are also involved in many other dog fighting cases across the USA with no celebrity names involved.
For residents of Wyoming and Idaho, dogfighting is still a misdemeanor in your states. Do something about it.
Comment by Serijna — July 25, 2007 @ 2:02 pm
shadepuppy, it’s not a perfect solution, but they make pet doors that will only open to an animal wearing a collar with a transmitter. Here’s one example:
http://www.moorepet-petdoors.c.....PgodLG5A5A
There are pros and cons to this as there are to any idea, but I just thought I’d toss it out there in case you weren’t aware of it.
Comment by The OTHER Pat — July 25, 2007 @ 3:47 pm
“…pet doors that will only open to an animal wearing a collar with a transmitter.” - The Other Pat
Yes, Pat, I have read about them (although not until only a few years ago, long after I had just decided to let the cats out if they figure out the “doggy” door.). Technology does offer more choices, and that is good.
Comment by shadepuppy — July 25, 2007 @ 5:19 pm
Comment by Serijna — July 25, 2007 @ 2:02 pm
“They are not asking for donations specifically for the Vicks dogs , just donations against dog(and cock)fighting.”
The US Attorney General’s office is currently investigating HSUS and its web page which originally stated “Yes! I want to make a special gift to help The Humane Society of the United States care for the dogs seized in the Michael Vick case and to support other vital animal protection programs. The HSUS has assisted federal authorities in the case against Michael Vick and his co-defendants, and is now overseeing the care of the 52 pit bulls seized from Vick’s property in southwestern Virginia. We desperately need your help to care for these dogs while the caseis pending. Please donate today by completing the fields below. Your gift will be put to use right away to care for these dogs and to support all our vital animal protection programs.”
They have since changed the page on their website removing all references to caring for the Vicks dogs.
Also the Louisiana Attorney General has been investigating HSUS concerning the $30 million raised in the name of Hurricane Katrina pets.
Comment by trucorgi — July 25, 2007 @ 5:25 pm
Off topic: Let’s hope that the HSUS won’t be found to be another Noah’s Wish.
Since I live in a highrise, my cats don’t go out, but one cat likes to run out into the hallway. Even better, if someone opens their apartment door, he’s in like a flash playing inspector general. Fortunately my cat has very winning ways and I have very nice neighbors. Even the neighbor who doesn’t like cats, finds him irresistable.
Comment by Andrea 2CatMom — July 25, 2007 @ 6:27 pm
We trained Lindsey to a harness leash (it’s made for ferrets) and he’s always enjoyed it. Of course, he was neutered when we got him so we never had the “running after a cat in heat” problem. My cousin would take him for walks down the street, but mostly, Lindsey likes to sit on the porch swing when we’re outside.
You might want to train Clara to the leash — then she can go outside when everyone is outside if she likes that. Lindsey just likes company, so he likes being with us — my Persians never cared about going outdoors — I tried training Dinara to the leash, but she just didn’t care to be outdoors, so we didn’t bother.
OTOH, my mother adopted a male Angora mix that was found on the streets of North Philadelphia with 4 kittens (which everyone assumes were his since they looked like him). Now, to survive by oneself on the streets of North Philadelphia is an accomplishment — to have cared and kept healthy FOUR kittens (when not equiped with a milk bar! ;-)) is beyond amazing, so Arctic must have been one tough customer. However, he was SO relieved to be a little old lady’s cat again (it was thought he was a pet that was dumped when someone died) and living in comfort that you could prop open the front door all day and Arctic wouldn’t even look at it — in fact, he was purposely turn his back on the open door and completely ignore it.
He’d been there, he knew what it was like and he WASN’T going back!
Comment by Dorene — July 25, 2007 @ 6:50 pm
Glad Clara is alright. It happened to Me once. the cat didn’t come back but ran and hid for 2 days. 2 days of Me calling and crying, and then the next day He just comes walking up to Me. I didn’t know what to do- Laugh or cry.
Comment by Trudy Jackson — July 25, 2007 @ 7:08 pm
So Gina, I’m happy Miss Clara is okay and back in the house. But what about the neighbor’s dog. What happened and is the dog okay.
Comment by VJ — July 25, 2007 @ 7:09 pm
Don’t feel bad, Gina, we all learn the hard way. Happy to hear Clara is safe and sound! I trained Rowdy, our 18lb Maine to a harness and leash when he was 6 mos old and we lived in Tacoma. (He had been pure house/show cat up to then.)
It’s in their genes, once they get a taste of the great out-of-doors, they never forget. He would actually go to the door every night after dinner and sit perfectly still to have his harness and leash put on.
When he was 2 yrs we moved back to Discovery Bay, CA(a real dumping ground for ferals, but that’s a whole ‘nother TNR story) and we continued our walks; that is, he took me for a walk every evening. One day he got out and it was all over. Pigeon hunting and ruling the feral colony became his “jobs.” No keeping this 18 puonder in anymore without a fight every time a door was opened.
Ironically a Discovery Bay rescue 8 yrs ago, that became my permanent good luck black cat, runs from open doors. Neighbors had hosed and thrown rocks at her before she was 4 mos old and she has never forgotten.
When we moved to Lincoln a few years later, Rowdy got out the second day after the move. I posted 100 flyers, called every rescue, vet, etc., for months. I followed up every report of a “big red cat” for over 2yrs and kept a crate in my car. And, yes, he had an AVID chip.
Lincoln, our 5 yr old Maine has never been out of the house, except in a crate - and he never will be.
Beware of imprinting with kittens, they never forget!
Comment by PM Hill — July 25, 2007 @ 7:35 pm
Yes, my neighbor’s dog is home and OK!
Comment by Gina Spadafori — July 25, 2007 @ 7:40 pm
Just in case anyone needs more reasons to keep cats indoors, our CA coyotes are becomming “tame.” We have seen them both night and day, not only on our golf courses and open space, but in our yards and on our streets. Our jack rabbit population has decreased considerably in the last few years, and most “lost” cats are never found.
It’s also a good idea to escort small dogs at night. A hungry racoon in Discovery Bay actually grabbed a small dog, on leash, off of a private dock one night. The poor woman couldn’t believe it, and worse yet, couldn’t do anything to rescue her dog.
Oh, and don’t forget the hawks - rats and kittens both make a great meal.
Comment by PM Hill — July 25, 2007 @ 10:47 pm
Comment by PM Hill:
I second that. Gina, I’ve been SOOOOO tempted to do what you did with my new boy kitten. I’ve even thought about the leash training thing. But in my experience, what PM said is right: once kitties learn to love being outside, they want to be there all the time, and it’s a fight you’re gonna lose, sooner or later. So I just sigh and apologize to my little guy.
And re coyotes - at my old home by the river in W. Sac, there *were* no stray cats or ferals. Our local coyotes saw to that. We used to hear them every night, not a mile from the bridge into downtown Sacto. I remember seeing one out in the street one night in front of my house. Talk about conflicted emotions - I love coyotes, but I love kitties, too. And they don’t play together well. :(
Comment by Laura — July 25, 2007 @ 11:39 pm
Put in the ear plugs and hope that the incessant meowing and scratching at the (inside) door don’t last too long! :-)
Comment by Sandy — July 26, 2007 @ 12:06 am
When we take the dogs to the American River early in the morning, we can hear the coyotes yapping in the brush as we go over the levee. This is scant 100 yards from a long-established Sacramento city neighborhood.
Yep, those California coyotes are plentiful, and plenty bold. Their territory most certainly includes our back yards — and they don’t hesitate to snatch a small pet for lunch.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — July 26, 2007 @ 11:02 am
Seems to be the week for such mishaps. I have a commentary on this going up soon. You’ll enjoy the escape artist cockatoo video.
All of us at one time or another are not as diligent as we might be. Hopefully, your example will do wonders to educate and motivate others to not make exceptions to the rule…we all have our weak moments! :-)
Comment by Diana Guerrero — July 26, 2007 @ 11:21 am
The coyotes are coming around where I live. One was hit by a car near my house. I hear them at night and their yap frightens my dogs. Come to think of it, I haven’t seen too many cats around either. Ummmm…..
Birds of prey also fly above my house and sometimes my dogs “freak”. I wonder if coyotes can jump a six foot fence? Now that is a scary thought.
Comment by Jamie — July 26, 2007 @ 11:36 am
Well … it IS the summer for it for me, all around. Eddie the parrot walked out the front door a couple months ago. (He’s not flighted.)
Fortunately, he and I have a “call and response” game we play, so I was able to locate him quickly. He was thinking of coming down out of the bay tree to get some yummy seeds, but then decided freedom was more fun.
After a few hours of cat-and-mouse, I wet him down with the hose. He fluttered angrilly to the ground, where I wrapped him up in a towel and took him inside. (He would have NAILED me without the towel. That phrase “madder than a wet hen” applies to wet parrots, too!)
Comment by Gina Spadafori — July 26, 2007 @ 12:06 pm
Ever since the morning I came down into the kitchen and looked out the sliding patio door to see a lovely Red-Tailed hawk sitting out on my deck gazing back in at me, I’ve pretty much decided my 5-lb Papillon does NOT go outside unattended!
Comment by The OTHER Pat — July 26, 2007 @ 1:21 pm
The Other Pat:
Good idea. The hawk is probably waiting for your doggie to go outside alone. Even with you watching and nearby, a small dog could still be in danger. Birds are swift.
A coyote can climb a 5 to 6 foot fence and scale a ten foot chain link. One of my dogs likes to sleep outside - he is 50 lbs but would be no match for a hungry coyote. Guess whose sleeping inside from now on?
Comment by Jamie — July 26, 2007 @ 1:34 pm
I had a small herd of sheep, and a woven wire fence with 2 barbed wire on top kept the coyotes out. Coyotes go under, if there is room, but don’t dig to do so.
I had a red-tailed hawk go after one of my cats, but she defended herself, and he left.
Comment by Elaine — July 26, 2007 @ 7:24 pm