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

[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.......

[GILL]

Personally I feel that if I love my cats they are kept in side. There are too many dangers outside, raccoons, skunks, bears, large dogs, and CARS.
We have three feral in the house. And yes they would love to go outside, as would the rest of the CREW. We do have howling and crying some times. They do stop after a time. I would rather have noise then go crazy if one of my babies was hurt or missing.

[Fuzzybuns]

First and foremost, I hope she returns home safely and quickly this time, too.

When I poofed Churchy, he had been raised from kittenhood as an outside cat. His vet said one of the hardest things to do is convert him to strictly indoors. I was a bit surprised that it wasn't all that hard, he howled by the doors and windows for a few weeks, stalked us as we were leaving or coming back in, and his behavior was horrible. We stuck it out and now he's a healthy, happy and safe couch cat, lol.
Of course she's going to howl, she's wants outside, but the simple fact is, she's put herself in danger and now precautions need to be taken for her own safety because you obviously can't leave it up to her.

You ask if it's fair... yet she's the one with the infractions on her little record. You have to think of like you're trying to keep her safe. She's been trapped in an unknown location, and even though she faired well last time, this or next time she might not. Keeping her contained, whether inside or outside, is fair because it will keep her safe.
I would be worried that my others would catch on to her actions and start a little exploring on their own.

I think she does need an outside area, totally enclosed. Make it large enough to pretty it up with flowers and maybe a tiny little pond. Put a large flat rock in a sunny corner and you might find that you'll use it for all of your cats more than you thought you ever would. Trips to the store, company coming over, remodelling in the house...I can think of a bunch of times I'd love to have one.

Good luck little Zazou...please come home!

[Catty1]

You mentioned your son plays rough with her, and she didn't come inside that one time. Is that rough play enough to keep her away, do you think?

Get her used to wearing just the harness when she is indoors. Then tie it to a leash and tie it to something outdoors. If there is something in the middle of the yard, tie it there - and if the leash is long enough, she can go wherever her sisters do.

She'll learn soon enough that going outside means using the harness - she will get used to it.

She'll be home soon.

[Pawsitive Thinking]

In all fairness Lut has a massive garden with everything a cat could want (including catnip and a fish pond ) and as far as I know it is well away from any roads. When Zazou went missing last week she was only on the other side of the fence - but shut in. She wasn't found miles and miles away....... she just needs to curb her enthusiasm for exploring

[shais_mom]

Personally I feel that if I love my cats they are kept in side. There are too many dangers outside, raccoons, skunks, bears, large dogs, and CARS.

well said.

[Laura's Babies]

Someone on here posted this quite awhile back and I saved it since I plan on making one of these one day. I bet hubby could build one of these, easy! It would be a good place for all of them and they could be outside without such close supervision and spen more time out there on pretty days and BE SAFE!



I'd let her wander on a lease or harness for awhile, then out her in here for as long as she wanted to stay.

[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?