Chris was being very annoying this morning, crying at the door to go outside. Rose asked me to let him out for a few minutes so she could have some peace while she got ready for work. I complied, since I had things to do outside anyway and then brought him back in after a few minutes of him eating grass.
While he was out, Frankie was very upset that Chris was out and he wasn’t, so when I got back inside Rose said I should put Frankie’s harness on and take him for a walk. I didn’t really feel like doing that but I got his harness and my camera (just in case there was something worth sharing) and opened the door to let him out.
Frankie was a little nervous at first, for some unknown reason, but he soon was on his way. Within two minutes of being outside, Frankie managed to slip out of his harness. Fortunately I caught him in time. I brought him back inside, Rose put his harness back on and then I tried again. Chris slipped out the door at the same time and Rose said not to worry, she could see him from the door. It soon became clear that, despite Rose’s assurances, she was not watching Chris. I tried to keep Frankie close so I could also watch Chris but it wasn’t easy. Eventually I had to bring Frankie in, a little earlier than Frankie wanted, so I could go get Chris.
That was more difficult than expected because Chris pulled Frankie’s old trick that Frankie learned from Chris. He hid under Rose’s car. My efforts to get him out resulted in only growling, hissing and biting. It didn’t help that the lady across the street chose that time to take her two dogs for a walk.
Rose needed to leave for work so my only recourse was to turn the hose on and squirt him out. That worked, but then he got under my truck. Eventually, I was able to get him close enough to the edge to pull him out. He was not happy about that.
I wonder what got into Chris? Was it the dogs? He was panting like he was stressed out.
I don’t know. He was very focused on the dogs for awhile. Maybe all his growling and hissing just wore him out.
Sorry I found it amusing at what a brat Chris was being. He really didn’t want to get caught. There is a children’s book called Rotten Ralph- you should write one about Chris 🙂
I would love to write a children’s book but I have no illustrator. I certainly can’t draw.
Oh the joys of pet parenthood! Mes used to does that when wes lived in the city (hide under the car when mes escaped)
Kisses
Nellie
That must be something that is taught to all kittens when they are little. 🙂
We’re surprised that Frankie can get out of that harness. Chris sure gave you a hard time today.
I thought the velcro came undone but it didn’t He just pulled himself out of it. I had to watch it in slow motion but the camera kept moving and I just caught a glimpse of Houdini in action.
That is one of the reasons I don’t like harnesses at all. I know this is nuts, but with my Angel Bobo I used a leather dog collar (for small dogs, but it was a little thicker than normal cat collars), and a heavy dog chain leash….(not a leash for cats). I was always paranoid that the stuff they make for cats would be easy for him to break free of. I think the items for dogs are made better. Maybe consider using that? Bobo loved his.
That is true but I think many are designed with a breakaway feature which makes them useless for walking. I found that out the hard way. I thought the harness would be more secure but Frankie surprised me.
It looks like your morning was eventful 😉 ! Purrs
Sam has never escaped his harness but then again he’s never tried to! Maybe because he was so tiny when we got him he’s just used to it. BUT, it has to be tough when you have an “escapee” who really does NOT want to be back inside after a taste of freedom!
Pam
I wish I could just leave them inside but Chris and Frankie are both big pains about going outside.
Sammy gets insistent about out time too. Now that he’s almost 16 he just sits on the front porch or goes out in the grass right out front of the house for a little while. When it’s dark (early AM or evening) he has no problem wearing his harness but if he’s OUT he’s always with me or his Dad and he doesn’t try to escape!
Pam
That’s good. We are planning on traveling in a motor home when we retire. By then the cats will be too old to give us much trouble, assuming we don’t adopt any more kittens.
Reblogged this on Bad Cat Chris and commented:
For Throwback Thursday here is a post from July 2015. This was a constant problem before we had the catio built.