Out of our three cats, Chris is the only one I feel comfortable letting outside. Puck is okay when let out. He doesn’t go far but he is near impossible to catch when it is time to go in. Frankie can never be let outside. It is unfortunate but after leading us on a long chase through the neighborhood… twice, I feel if he ever got out again we might lose him. When Chris is let out he usually starts by eating grass, nothing worrisome there, but I do have to remind myself that he is still a bad cat and I need to keep an eye on him.
Sunday afternoon I had to bring the trash out and Chris was at the door crying to be let out so I thought a few minutes outside wouldn’t hurt. As unusual, he ate grass while I brought the trash to the barrel at the side of the building. On the way back I got into a long conversation with the neighbors. While this was going on, I kept checking on Chris, who was gradually working his way toward the side of the building. When he got far enough away, I ended my conversation and went to get him.
Naturally, Chris doesn’t want to get got so he runs away from me, which I expected. My main goal was to herd him toward the front door. I’ve noticed lately that Chris tends to be very casual while outside until he knows it is time to come in, then he desperately starts looking for a lizard while avoiding getting caught himself. A few times he has shocked me by actually catching one with such short notice. On this day there were no lizards in sight but he wasn’t ready to be caught yet so he tried something new. He ran up the side of the tree in our front yard.
I was a bit surprised at first, especially because he went up it like he had done it a hundred times. I took my phone out and took a couple of quick pictures but then had to put it away because he started climbing higher and I wanted to get him while I could still barely reach him. He wasn’t too happy about being pulled out of that tree but unfortunately tree climbing is not one of the benefits of being an indoor cat.
Bad Cat Chris 
We think you’re brave to even let Chris out without staying by his side and monitoring efurry move. The three oldest of us have outdoor privileges, but we each had to go through an extensive two-year training process before we were allowed. Now that we have a catio, the five youngest of us only get to use that unless we can find a way to slip by one of the humans, but we rarely try. Glad you were able to pry Chris out of the tree. XO, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
Chris is pretty good about staying close to home but I do stay outside and watch him. If he starts to wander too far away I either bring him in or “encourage” him to turn around.
I am also thrilled you were able to get Chris out of that tree!
Me too. Three more seconds and there may have been a problem.
When Binga has tried to follow my human’s boyfriend outside, he turns on the hose. He doesn’t even have to point it at her – she dashes right back inside! When all is said and done, she is a little bit of a wuss.
When Chris was young, we tried to discourage bad behavior with a squirt bottle. He didn’t like it but we gave up the bottle before he gave up the bad behavior.
Bwa! Haa!! Haaa! mes thinks Chris is the purrfect Cat From Hell!
Kisses
Nellie
PS Happy Hugz Your Cat Day!
I think you and Chris would have a good time together.
Oscar is hilarious coming down a tree as he screams whilst limbing down backwards. I will try and video next time 🙂
I’d love to see that video. 🙂
Wow, Chris…what we would give to get outside and climb a tree. Lucky you.
Chris is lucky. He is lucky that he was adopted by someone who could put up with him. He was returned by the first couple that adopted him for bad behavior. Imagine that.
Reblogged this on Bad Cat Chris and commented:
This was almost three years ago but I still have to watch Chris closely while he is outside. Eventually he will find trouble. Frankie has also discovered tree climbing and I have to be careful during our walks when trees are near.
I am sure that was a fun day for him 🙂
I sure he loved it:)