Brilliant Idea - NOT!

[maerlyn]

Oh, lord, Ellie, it's embarrassing enough without having it on tape for all posterity to see! I thought of the cement block - I did that once, years ago with another cat before the back yard was fenced; Cassandra learned to drag an entire cinder block around! Amazed me - didn't think she'd be that strong; at least she couldn't run with it!

"Singing Born Free" - now that right there is funny I don't care who you are!!

Keystone Katz,huh? I guess it was sorta like that. It wouldn't be inexpensive for me to build an enclosure as I'd have to hire someone - and finding someone to do that would be impossible. I love the idea of some of the prebuilt ones I've seen, but my SS budge doesn't stretch that far. I may go back to the cinder block idea, though.

[pomtzu]

Do you have a clothesline? Does anybody anymore?? You could attach a lead to it so that he could run the length of it. If not - maybe just string a line between a couple of trees, or from the house to a tree. Just a thought....

And I know what you mean about the SS budget - I'm in the same boat! I think mine is sinking - or at least sitting a lot lower in the water than it used to.

[cassiesmom]

Handsome Blue! I'm glad you are safe after your outdoor adventure!

[maerlyn]

Clothesline?? What's that? Do have lots of trees in the backyard, though; hmm, I need to think on that - might work. In the commotion, Mordred had disappeared; since he can't jump, I figured he'd gone into the basement thru the pet door. After a while, I decided to check on him - no response. Called and called. Neighbors' dogs at the bottom of the hill heard me (we're in the country - lots of space), so obviously Mordred could hear me. Used the leaf blower to clean up some debris - thought that would scare him out of hiding. Nope. Finally came into the house & waiting quietly for a while, called him - no immediate response, but a few minutes later, he was sitting patiently at the back gate - which I'd forgotten to latch. Old and befuddled here. I guess he wandered through the gate; when I'd found it unlatched, I latched it, so the poor boy couldn't get back in. However, he's cuddled in his heated cuddler now, content to be inside. Blue hasn't asked again to go out; gee, I wonder why?

[Karen]

It wouldn't be inexpensive for me to build an enclosure as I'd have to hire someone - and finding someone to do that would be impossible. I love the idea of some of the prebuilt ones I've seen, but my SS budge doesn't stretch that far. I may go back to the cinder block idea, though.

Maybe you could contact the local high school, see if some kids taking shop would like to build one and have it count toward their "community service" credits. You might have to pay for some of the supplies, but that might be something you could work out! If not a school, a scout troop?

[Freedom]

Goodness, what a comedy! (Only because Blue landed safely back at home.) The clatter of that darn jug FOLLOWING him all over may have been enough to cure Blue of his need to be outdoors -- but I doubt it.

Who knew a cat could be tailed by a jug?!

[Asiel]

I don't now much about cats but I had no idea they could be so smart and fast. Clothesline---brings back nostalgic memories. Have to admit I wouldn't mind having one every now and then for the dog blankets and the batch of towels after mine gets a bath. I don't think I would want to start hanging out a load of laundry though . We do become spoiled I guess.

[maerlyn]

Not a bad idea, Karen! My son is asst. scoutmaster of a Cub Scout pack, so he might have some contacts in the Boy Scouts.

Actually, Sandie, the jug was making little if any noise - plastic jug - how much noise could it make?

Strangely enough - Blue hasn't demanded to go out today! He did ask once this morning, but I told him NO! and he's been very low-key ever since. Wonder how long that will last??

Oh, Asiel, a cat in a hurry, especially to get away - you have no idea! I'm with you on the clothesline: I'm way too lazy any more. Besides, I have a wonderful, rational reason: I have a pinched nerve in my back and my doctor has told me to avoid bending! Therefore, bending to hang clothes is a no-no. (I'm not counting that I have to bend to get clothes out of the dryer, of course. )