In addition, the kitchen window (where the catflap is situated) is becoming more interesting. I had to put two large boxes in front of the catflap to prevent accidental egress! Yes, the catflap does have a lock, but those kittens are very inquisitive...
This afternoon was glorious, and both kittens appeared restless, so I decided that it might be time for their first outdoor adventure. My next-door neighbour had offered to help, and so, on her recommendation, she stood inside the kitchen and attempted to encourage Furretti to go through the catflap, while I stood on the other side, calling her name. Nothing doing. Furretti promptly grabbed the wall with all four paws and refused to budge.
I thought about it for a minute, and decided that the psychology was all wrong. Obviously Furretti didn't want to go out into a strange place. So I went inside and carried her out. We sat briefly on the garden bench, and I tried to calm her down while she sorted out the smells and sounds. Then, once she appeared relatively happy, I put her down near the pathway back to the catflap. She promptly scooted along the side, checking out all the bushes, especially the one used by many of the neighbourhood cats as a convenience. I let her explore a bit, and then picked her up and pushed her back through the catflap... this time there was no resistance at all!
Then we tried the same thing with Miaowrini. She was far more nervous than Furretti, and struggled to get away, so I didn't try sitting down with her. However, she at least had the chance to go back inside through the catflap.
If the weather is fine again tomorrow, I'll try the whole thing again in the afternoon.
Windows = cat TV.
ReplyDeleteCome to think of it, just staring out the window at nothing is more entertaining than just about any show on television. The cats have a point!
And the sequel?
ReplyDelete