I took Frankie out for a walk on Saturday. Everything went well for the first ten minutes or so. He did the usual. He smelled some plants, rolled in the grass and sat and listened to the birds.
We ended up near our community’s clubhouse about a half block from home when a nearby car’s alarm went off. Frankie didn’t do anything at first, he just seemed concerned. Then, after a few seconds, he started running.
I should note here that anything other than a very gentle tug on the leash will cause Frankie to turn toward me and then back away with as much force as he can muster. This always leads to him slipping out of his harness, which is extremely easy to put on but not secure when Frankie backs up. Because of that I always try to keep pace with Frankie. If he runs, I run. Usually he hears the sound of my footsteps and that freaks him out a bit so he stops and looks around. That is what happened Saturday when he started running.
After he stopped and looked around, the alarm was still going off so he started running again, and again he stopped when he heard me. By then we were far enough away from the car and the alarm may have been stopped, I don’t remember. I just remember that I thought the running was over so I loosened my grip on the leash. Just then he started running and the leash slipped from my hand.
He was heading straight for home and running at full speed. I tried to keep up but couldn’t. I assumed when he reached our house he would wait by the front door until I could open it. He didn’t. Instead I watched him squeeze through a small hole and go under our house.
He has done that before and it is always a concern but this time it was especially scary to me because he was dragging a leash behind him. I had no Idea how far under the house he would go or what, if anything, the leash might get caught on while he was under there.
When I got home I immediately peeked through the hole and saw he was just sitting there, about three or four feet in. I pulled some bricks away to make the hole bigger and tried to talk him out of there but he wasn’t having it. He seemed nervous, which is unusual for Frankie because he pretty much ignores the vacuum cleaner and barely notices when the garbage truck comes by for our trash.
I fed them a short time before we went out but I thought I might entice him out with some tuna that I bought recently for a special treat for them. I went in the house, opened the can and put it on three plates, because Chris and Floki smelled it and were in the kitchen waiting for some. I put two plates down then brought the third plate outside and put it in front of Frankie’s nose but he ignored it and instead was more concerned with what was happening across the street.
I gave him some time and after about five minutes he decided to come out but his right paw was stuck in the harness. Fortunately he was able to move close enough for me to pull him out. During all that excitement, I forgot to take pictures.
After I put him in the house I went back out and got his plate of tuna. He eagerly ate it all. All’s well that ends well, I guess.
Bad Cat Chris 
Wow ! We are so glad it all turned out well !
Poor Frankie! I’m so glad you were able to get him back inside.
Thanks. It was a relief.
Time to close up that little hole that goes under the house. Our mom cannot run, so she would really be panicked. So happy everything ended okay and everyone got tuna. XOCK, angel Lily Olivia, angel Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo, Cooper Murphy, Sawyer & Kizmet
Thanks. Hopefully the tuna was a good incentive to go inside the house next time.
You NEED a Kitty Holster. They cannot escape!
I am torn about that because this is the easiest and quickest harness to put on.
The kitty holsters are even easier to put on, in my opinion. We use them for our cats and even bought one (dog-sized) for our small dog that likes to Houdini her way out of all the harnesses. She approves of it. The cats don’t seem to mind. I heartily suggest the kitty holster, too.
I will look into that.
What a scary thing to have happened! Glad everything turned out okay…but don’t worry about photos…helping Frankie was first and foremost.
Thanks. I could have snapped a photo while I was trying to coax him out but I guess when you are worried you don’t think about things like that.
Oh meow is me, I would never have thought to do that.. I would have jumped onto your shoulder to see what was going on.
Purrseidon
Maybe you can tell Frankie that.
How would you feel about having your shoulders used as a lookout perch? My chauffeur doesn’t mind.
Purrseidon
When Chris was younger he used to get on my shoulders all the time. He even taught Puck how to do it.
Did he get too big to fit? Katsu doesn’t feel totally comfortable shoulder-sitting, but that’s partly due to his balance and partly because he weighs 16.5 pounds, so he’s practically me and Paws combined.
Purrseidon
He fits but I think he is to heavy to want to try to jump on my shoulders.
Ah, understood!
Purrseidon
That was stressful – for both you and Frankie! I’m glad all is well now.
Thanks, Summer.
Dang, that really was a scary ordeal and we’re also glad it worked out okay.
Thanks so much.
OMC Frankie!! The noises would have scared me but not Tyebe who lives for noise. I perfer quiet on walks and generally just poking about. Glad you made it inside without problems.
hoko
Thanks. Noises are generally not a problem for Frankie. I’m not sure why this one was different.
YIKES! That is very scary. Glad he is OK.
Thanks so much.
Scary! So glad it turned out okay!
Thanks.
wow frankie, that was a scary adventure indeed… we are so happy for da happy end…
Thanks. Hopefully I will be better at holding on in the future.
Aww, Frankie! Glad to hear that he is ok. I guess it’s unfamiliar noises that do it, hence why he is ok with the vacuum etc?
Thanks. You are probably right about that.
SCARY…….especially his going under the house with the leash still attached. Thankfully it all worked out but I know you were worried – I would be. Teddy has one of those “holster-style” harnesses but can’t get out of it and these days only has to wear it when we go to the vet. He doesn’t run off or wander – he likes to lie in the grass or in the garden. If a noise scares him he heads for the front door (luckily). I’m just happy that everything worked out and I know you were too!!!!
Hugs, Pam
Thanks, Pam. Every time Frankie gets away there is worry and then gratitude.
glad all turned out well, I agree with closing up the hole and getting a different type of harness.
Thanks, Caren.
We certainly understand why there are no pictures of this adventure. So scary! Frankie! Be good, buddy. Don’t run away. Let your daddy take care of you when you’re scared.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
I’ve tried talking to him. It doesn’t work. 🙂
Poor Frankie! Sounds like he scared himself.
I don’t know what he was thinking.
I’m glad that he had a safe place to run to and collect his thoughts so that it could all end well. Whew!
I just worry that under the house is a good place to pick up fleas.
That is a thought. We don’t have fleas where I live-they freeze during the winter. It is quite a blessing.
I love living in Florida but there are things that you have to put up with.