ZAZOU is missing again!!! she is BACK HOME !!!!!!

[Medusa]

Saying prayers that Zazou comes home and stays home.....

[Catsnclay]

Is she possibly wandering off because:

a) she has made some new kitty friends? New boyfriend?

b) she found new place(s) to explore?

c) is she unhappy at your house for some reason??? Something new that she doesn't like??

d) or, is the weather nice and she just wants to be out where it is different???


When we decided that Fluffy was going to stay inside (we moved to a new neighborhood with coyotes! ) we had one hell of a time!

I remember the nights where he howled & howled - and we got NO sleep at all, but we did not give in. It lasted about a week, thank goodness, but it was a very long week!

Stick to your guns and do not give in to her, otherwise she knows the longer and louder she gets, she will get what she wants.

Show her who is really the boss!!! (I think this is what your husband means!!!)

[krazyaboutkatz]

Lut, I'm so sorry to hear that Zazou is missing again. I also agree that you need to start putting a harness and a lease on her when she goes out so you always know where she is and so this can't happen again. Please come home Zazou.

When I first adopted Sky he wanted to go out too. He would go to my front door and paw at it and meow every day. It took a good month before he stopped but I didn't give in. He would also door dash but luckily my front door only leads into a hallway so I was able to catch him before he could go any where. Now he's very happy to be an indoor only cat. Good luck.

[Bengalz]

Lut,

I am so sorry to hear Zazou has wandered off again. I pray she is safe and will find her way home soon.

Also, I have to agree that it may be time to harness/leash train her. Warning it may take time and a lot of patience but it will be worth the effort

Eve was most definitely a wanderer her previous guardians would sometimes not see her for weeks at a time That changed when she landed on my doorstep At first she was reluctant as most cats are but soon learned that if she wanted outdoor time she had to compromise and eventually it became easier and easier. She now often goes out without a leash generally when we are outdoors and can keep an eye on her. Rarely does she stray and if she does wander off next door will come when she's called. This did not happen quickly .... and there were days when my hair could not have gotten any grayer, believe me!

The best option would be an enclosure however, training her on a leash will give you more flexibility if you travel with Zazou.

My heart breaks for you and I hope this can soon be resolved.

Hugs, Betty

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

There IS a fence all around our garden, 2 meter high, made of chickenwire! But..., all around the garden it is covere with ivy! We cannot just take that away, no way; none of our neighbours would agree with that, since they payed their share in it.

It is like Denise says, it is hard to say no to her, and then let the others play in the garden; we did it on monday, and it made Zazou howling even louder... . Poor girl, she didn't understand why she was punished like that;

Guess I will have to use a harness for her; but it won't work, we tried it when she was younger! I will try it for sure, but what with the others then??? Is it fair to only let Zazou outside on a leach, when her 3 sisters may run around freely??
I don't know, I am so devastated, down and helpless. Please Zazou come home, we all you!!!

[RobiLee]

There IS a fence all around our garden, 2 meter high, made of chickenwire! But..., all around the garden it is covere with ivy! We cannot just take that away, no way; none of our neighbours would agree with that, since they payed their share in it.

It is like Denise says, it is hard to say no to her, and then let the others play in the garden; we did it on monday, and it made Zazou howling even louder... . Poor girl, she didn't understand why she was punished like that;

Guess I will have to use a harness for her; but it won't work, we tried it when she was younger! I will try it for sure, but what with the others then??? Is it fair to only let Zazou outside on a leach, when her 3 sisters may run around freely??
I don't know, I am so devastated, down and helpless. Please Zazou come home, we all you!!!

Uhhh, if Zazou doesn't stay put in her own yard then YEAH, it is fair to have her on a harness when she goes out. This is the second time she has wandered off and if I remember right someone mentioned that it happened one other time. I could be wrong about that. If you know she leaves your property then why do you let her out without a leash. I don't understand this. Sorry if this sounds harsh, but you did ask the question. Saying that you let her out loose because she howls sounds like a lame excuse to me. Just my feelings on the subject. I do hope that she is found or comes home on her own and I hope from now on you will not let her out footloose and fancy free anymore.

Come home, Zazou!

[Pawsitive Thinking]

I do get the feeling this time that Madam Zazou is just being stubborn about coming home.. she knows she can do pretty much as she likes, so she does.......the more anxious her Meowmie gets, the more in control Zazou feels.

Easy for me to say I know as I'm not the one frantic about my "missing" cat, but keeping to the regular routine and almost acting like nothing is out of place may just entice her home. She loves to be the centre of attention.......

[shais_mom]

Uhhh, if Zazou doesn't stay put in her own yard then YEAH, it is fair to have her on a harness when she goes out. This is the second time she has wandered off and if I remember right someone mentioned that it happened one other time. I could be wrong about that. If you know she leaves your property then why do you let her out without a leash. I don't understand this. Sorry if this sounds harsh, but you did ask the question. Saying that you let her out loose because she howls sounds like a lame excuse to me. Just my feelings on the subject. I do hope that she is found or comes home on her own and I hope from now on you will not let her out footloose and fancy free anymore.

Come home, Zazou!

I'm with Robin. I hope with all my heart she comes home but for how long? Are you going to let her out again? And before someone blasts me for not being a cat person look at my siggie - I have 2-- And BOTH are door darters. Kylie when she gets out she sticks very close to the perimeter of my house. Seriously she walks along the edge. But a sharp KYLIE or a loud truck going down the street sends her FLYING back inside. Kloe on the other hand - she got nuts. Its like she's running around like I'M FREE WOOOOHOOO! The last couple times she got out Keegan was outside as well and barked at something and scared her and she stayed right where she was and I was able to pick her up and carry her in. Cultural differences aside - I know in some countries - its poo pooed for those of us that keep our cats indoors but here where I live I have cars, semis, motorcycles, non cat friendly dogs, and neighbors that put chemicals out. My neighbors lost a dog and a cat to a nasty neighbor who was pi$$ed that they had pets and left out anti-freeze for them. That man is long dead. But the risk is still too great.
I have to wonder if it was anyone else but Lut what people would say. I have a feeling if it were me that had done this - you might as well stick an apple in my mouth and rotate me on the spit b/c most of you would have me for breakfast. I am actually more shocked at some of the responses from some of the members than I am that she got out again.
Everyone is giving really good advice. The harness for example. I'm sure if they are not sold in Belgium someone here would get you one and send it too you. As Gini said, you are the boss not Zazou. And Gini knows this very well as Rascal living up to his name has went thru a couple screen doors and she's put a lot on money in vet bills when he does get out and gets in scuffles. She has to keep a hook at the top of the door b/c he hits the door so hard wanting out. Zazou crying at the door isn't anything that several other Pet Talker's have put up with and I'm sure if you make a thread stating as such you will get good responses with advice.
That all said - you can believe me or not But I do with all my heart hope and Pray that Zazou will come home and STAY home. The other thing that would make me nervous about letting her out is She's a gorgeous kitty and anyone would love to have her! One of my friends doesn't see her dog for weeks at a time b/c he wanders off and someone takes care of him while he's gone!!! I would be ballistic. I can't imagine what you are going thru and again believe it or not - you are in my thoughts.

[shais_mom]

There IS a fence all around our garden, 2 meter high, made of chickenwire! But..., all around the garden it is covere with ivy! We cannot just take that away, no way; none of our neighbours would agree with that, since they payed their share in it.

!!

actually the fence sounds perfect for cats - where is she getting out at?