Concerns about Potter

**jazzcat** · 07-18-2007, 10:02 AM

Jen and Mary are right about how to stop the outdoor problem. I had to do that with Ripley. He was an indoor only kitty till we moved here 14 years ago and within a couple of weeks of moving in he slipped out and was missing for 24 hours. After that he drove us insane to go out so we started letting him go in the backyard for brief periods but then he got over the fence and took off for hours. At that point I gave up and let him go in and out as he pleased until one day about 6 months later he didn't come home. After looking everywhere he showed up two days later with a hole in his leg. He had been shot with an arrow and still had the tip of it in his leg. He barely survived and how he got home and got over a 5 ft fence is beyond me and the vet.

After that I made a strict rule of no more outdoor kitties! Too many dangers.

If the lady decides she wants him and you feel it's the best thing for everyone then I certainly wouldn't blame you. Sounds like she may already be very attached to him.

Best of luck and please let us know how it goes.

**Laura's Babies** · 07-18-2007, 10:10 AM

Why would anyone blame you if he seems to have selected the home he wants and you let him go? He is still close enough that you can see him/check on him often and it is not like he will never be seen or heard from again. She sounds like she already loves him so where could there be a problem?

**caseysmom** · 07-18-2007, 10:16 AM

Thanks everyone, I will try tough love. If she comes back and says she wants potter I will talk to her about the outside thing, my daughter is sort of shocked that I would consider this but I told her that this lady has no children and Potter would be smothered with love, she seemed okay with it.

Everyone that meets him loves him, unfortunately he is the greeter of the neighborhood and one day he will greet an unfreindly dog, car or person

**Catty1** · 07-18-2007, 11:17 AM

I think some 'tough talk' is needed with the teens so they stop rushing in and out, and make sure Potter doesn't escape.

The tough love suggested here is a good idea - but the folks suggesting it don't have teens, as far as I know!

Though if your daughter was shocked that he might go to another home - maybe she will be better about this, and her brother as well!

**kb2yjx** · 07-18-2007, 01:43 PM

Since you have family members that may need to be reminded that the cat IS NOT TO GO OUT THE DOOR, how about putting up signs on eye level until they get the message?? I once found tag that go over the doorknob that say: PLEASE DON'T LET THE CAT OUT....no matter what it tells you! THANK YOU.It was made by: Sydney Hauser Co. 9 Filmore Drive, St. Armands Key, Sarasota, Florida 34236 phone: 941-388-3021 item # 865-D
GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!

**kb2yjx** · 07-18-2007, 02:07 PM

I just put " Sydney Hauser Co." into the search engine, and there is the site!! The door knob cards are still available, and other nice stuff!!!

**caseysmom** · 07-18-2007, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by Catty1

I think some 'tough talk' is needed with the teens so they stop rushing in and out, and make sure Potter doesn't escape.

The tough love suggested here is a good idea - but the folks suggesting it don't have teens, as far as I know!

Though if your daughter was shocked that he might go to another home - maybe she will be better about this, and her brother as well!

She doesn't have a brother...to be fair to the teens I have never told them not to let him out, I have let him out. I just know when we tried it before how it was.

**mrspunkysmom** · 07-18-2007, 02:50 PM

I think you need to do what you need to do. Perhaps he needs a lot of one-on-one that the lady can give him. Perhaps he sense that she needs him.

Go with what your heart is telling you. It will all work out in the end.

**Catty1** · 07-18-2007, 03:45 PM

Sorry, Caseysmom - I thought you did have a son...my apologies.

Maybe the teens could also help by playing with him - even distracting him with something tied to the end of a long shoelace.

It's funny...my two were outdoors, one was wild, one was dumped. The former feral loves fresh air and going out on the deck - and has a meowing commentary all the time he is outside! But he is also fine to just look out the screen and other windows.

Maybe because they were indoors from the moment I got them home? It is easier being in a condo.

Go with your heart...if Potter can move into the house from the garage, and be an indoor kitty, that might be safest for him.

I am sure she would let you visit (of course, we have to wait and hear what hubby says!)

Then....when you feel it is right....you can adopt another furbabe and keep him or her indoors. (maybe two so they have each other for company. Getting way ahead of things here, so just a thought for the future.)

Have any Potter pics?