Our old cat Tigra surprised us with an adventure last evening
To full appreciate how surprised Shirley and I were by our 12-year-old cat Tigra's little adventure last evening, you first must understand that she's just about the stereotypical example of the people who scoff about cats sleeping 20 hours a day, waking up only when she wants to eat or requires our every attention, etc.
My son stopped by on his way home from work just as it was getting dark last night and let Tigra out the door when he came in. She spends time on our porch and in our front yard frequently, so that was no big deal. After our son had been here a half hour or so, he opened the front door just to check on the cat.
Tigra was nowhere to be found.
Rob (our son) looked around and thought he spied a cat lurking around the bushes near the foundation of a house THREE HOUSES DOWN on the opposite side of our street. Sure enough, it was Tigra. She was having a wonderful time sniffing along the bushes and edge of the house foundation. (It currently is an empty, but well maintained, house, awaiting a renter.) Rob reminded us that the previous long-time owner of the house had two dachshunds, and suggested she was "tracking" the scent of the departed dogs.
After a great deal of calling, casual trips across the street rattling Tigra's kitty treat jar, and some gentle persuasion by Rob, the old cat meandered back to her front yard -- then made a quick dash up the front steps, through the open front door, and directly into her covered litter box on the other side of the house. She's thoroughly box trained and wouldn't suffer the indignity of going to the bathroom OUTSIDE!!!
One lesson we learned months ago after the first time we saw her cross the street: Never run suddenly toward the cat trying to catch her when she's over there. She thinks it's a wonderful game and will lead you on for blocks.
Ornery old cat. I might just ground her and take away all outdoors privileges until she's, oh, say, about 30 years old. (Always threatened to do that with my two kids. Never worked with them.)
Technorati Tags: cat story, pet adventures, for pets and pet lovers