Cat on a Leash

It's not a cat on a hot tin roof, it's a cat on a leash. Because I'm the cat lady (yes with only one cat, you can still become the cat lady), I naturally give in to whatever my little Fred wants. He wants to go outside, sure let's go. But first, let's train you with a harness and leash so I can keep you forever and you won't run away. 

Training a cat with a harness can be one of the funniest and almost heart-breaking things a "cat momma" will do. The first day we put the harness on him (which is the kind of harness that is shaped like an "H"...not sure what the technical name is), it was like we had just strapped a million pound weight on his back. He suddenly couldn't remember how to walk. He would try to walk a few feet (always leaning to the right) and then just fall on the ground and roll around, undoubtedly trying to get the foreign object off of him. This was the funny part. 

After a while though it was kind of like he was running into things (I don't think on purpose) and that was the heart-breaking part. I wanted to run and take it off of him right away. But I knew if I could muster the courage to leave it on a little big longer, he might eventually give up and learn that it is something he has to get used to. 

The first day we left it on about an hour and he did eventually calm down and lay down and sleep. Also the first day we put it on, if you've ever seen a jumping bean, that is exactly what our Fred looked like. He would jump straight up in the air. Maybe hoping it would fall off? It was the funniest thing.

The next day we put it on, he started off the same way as before, walking to the right, walking a few steps and then falling over. Also you should know that the harness wasn't too tight. It might sound like that or like it wasn't on the right way from reading this, but we made sure it was loose enough for him to maneuver around like normal; he just wasn't comfortable enough with it to try to maneuver like normal. We left it on him the entire night.

The biggest problem I found with him wearing it for long periods is that he wasn't eating all of his food in his bowl. He did eat some, but not all. Which is unlike him. So we would go a few days without him wearing it and then put it on again for a day. 

Then came the big day to try to go outside with the leash hooked up to the harness. Amazing! He suddenly could walk perfectly fine because he was outside!  

This is the front porch area: 

The first day Fred and I walked to about where Ben and I are in the picture above. Of course, first he had to check out the bushes that are between Ben in the picture and the house. Once we got to that corner of the sidewalk, Fred wanted to go behind the bushes that are in the front of the house and I wouldn't allow it. Once he started to get fussy because I wouldn't let him go behind the bushes, then we came inside.

The next day we went outside, Fred was feeling more comfortable and we even walked in front of the garage (nothing to hide from there!) and to the side of the house where he smelled and munched on the grass. He wasn't afraid when a car would pass by, which was interesting. He did very well. Also in the training, treats and positive praise are exactly what animals need. When we put the harness on him, we would give him a treat. When we came inside, we would give him a treat. We don't give him treats all the time, so he definitely knows when something is a treat. 

Ben took him outside in the back yard (which is partially fenced in and is a corner lot; there is a road in the back and on the side). That day, Ben learned just how easily Fred can slip out of his harness if he needs to. Fred wasn't harmed, but Ben said he got spooked when there was a car on the side road and on the back road and he started freaking out and just about the time Ben picked him up, he noticed Fred was almost out of his harness. 

Today I took Fred outside again. At first, I put the harness on him and he went and laid down like he was going to take a nap. But once I unlocked and slightly opened the front door, he was at my feet in an instant! I put the leash on and we headed out. This time I attempted taking a few pictures. It was definitely difficult trying to make sure he was not going to get wrapped up in the bushes, along with making sure he wasn't getting spooked by anything, along with holding the leash, and trying to take pictures. Next time I take pictures I will wait until Ben and I can go out together with Fred because this was definitely a challenge. 

Here is my favorite picture:

He is trying to nibble on a piece of grass, but I really like how it's almost like 3D, like you could touch his whiskers.

Another favorite of mine just because of the detail of the flower and because in the background you can see Fred again checking out the plant is:

For Ben's benefit, I cropped the picture so now it looks like this:

which honestly probably is a better picture. But if the blurriness of it makes you sick then keep scrolling down because I have picture overload of my furry little Fred.

it is a small palm tree but it looks funny him looking at it that way

relaxed on the front porch

Giving the Whisker Lickin treats props for making my kitty happy

we've made it to the front door...will we make it inside?

Almost inside!

Nah, I think I will just lay here between the inside and outside.

 "Mommm!! I don't wanna go in!"

Had to actually pick him up to go inside. He was not a happy camper. But he ate the treats anyway. 

whatchulookinat