[Paddysmom]

Me, out doing retrieves with the boys a while ago. I look down to scoop up an errant t-ball and YIKES! There is Hope, investigating the base of the oak tree! She discovered how to exit the house through the doggie door. On her own. Oh, maybe a little coaching from Meg.

I brought the whole crew inside, Hope in my hands, put the closing panel on.

ponder ponder ponder.

What do I do now? I'm at work all day, the boys (and Meg, of course) have lived their entire lives being free to come in and out at will. I can't leave that panel off while I'm away from the house now or kitty will do what kitties do! RUN! EXPLORE!

I guess I knew this was coming but I didn't think it would happen so quickly. I thought I'd have a few months to take her into the "dog yard" myself and kind of train her to come back inside. I'm an eejit.

Hate hate hate the thought of the dogs being closed in all day, but I don't want to risk losing my new kitty either!

What would you do?

 

[AZLAB]

Keep Hope in a bedroom or some place that she does not have access to the dogie door. Or could you put something heavy on the door swinging part so she doesn't have the strength yet to open it but the dogs would?

 

[LuckyGirl]

can she stay in a room while you're gone? When we go out, Bobbi goes into Phoenix's room so Sam doesn't cause too much trouble with her.

 

[Paddysmom]

Thanks, Karon. I guess that's what I'll do. I *gleeped out* before I even thought of that option.

It will mean putting her litter box and water in the bedroom, I guess. Not my favorite plan, and she is used to the litter box being in the bathroom now.

*sigh*

Adjustments all 'round, I guess, but I have to be fair to the dogs first.

 

[allthatjazz]

Wow! Hope is a brave and smart litttle girl! I too would put her in another room with her litter box while you're away at work. I also wouldn't want to interupt the dogs' routines especially since they can't use a litter box!

 

[amazongold]

I agree with shutting her in a room for now, until you have the time to try to train her to stay in the yard and come back in the house. Good luck!

 

[azooinaz]

Sneaky Kitty! She must be related to Kosmo!!!

I agree... Leave her in a room while you are gone during the day. She will spend most of her time sleeping anyway.

 

[einstein's legacy]

Korageous kitty I say!! Oh my...you are going to have your hands full with her considering all the "things" she will learn from her older siblings!! Won't be long before she lifts her leg!! (giggle)!!

 

[Paddysmom]

Won't be long before she lifts her leg!! (giggle)!!

HAH! Randi! She's already doing a demi-frog layout! One back leg stretched out in frog pose. She really watches the dogs and considers... hmmm, if they are going to lay that way so will I! If they are going to go out there, so am I!

Courageous, indeed!

 

[Bob Pr.]

The audacity of Hope!! (But what else would you expect by giving her that name in this era? She's just living up to it.)

 

[Samson]

Well going back years from when my parents had cats, we were always told to put butter on the cats paws so that they could find their way home.

I guess it's a bit early for that as she's only been with you a couple of weeks but given one month then that's what I would do !

I hate having a litter tray in the house.

 

[GinnyR]

What about keeping her in the bathroom with the litter box, just put a pile of old towels or bedding for her to curl up on. Love the name and love the meaning behind it Nance.

Love you
Ginny

 

[MidwestGirl]

they grow up so fast

 

[jzgrlduff]

Nance, in my experience, I've always kept my cats inside for 2 weeks and then let them venture out. Never had one run away.

I would do what the others suggested and keep her in your room for now.

 

[TangerineFizz]

In this day and age, with Hope so small, I'd keep her in til she was past that cute kitten stage - right now it'd be tooooooooooooo tempting for someone with a penchant for cute siamese kittens to pick her up and not return her.

I don't let Cleo out on her own for that reason - even at 9, she's such a wicked cool awesome super cat that I think it would be just too tempting for someone to take her home. She was out for over 2 hours last weekend (the dogs let her out while we were shopping) and all I could envision towards the end was me, one day 6 months down the road walking my 'hood, and seeing my Cleo in someone else's upstairs window, then me pounding on their door, punching them in the throat, marching up the stairs and reclaiming my cat. Luckily I found her before it got to that stage, but I hated even thinking that.

So, imho, I'd keep her in a bit longer....

Or if you are ever in a position to get one of those electric doggie doors where they are opened by a collar transmitter, I'd get one of those.

 

[Reoang]

Welcome back to the wonderful world of cats! I totally understand your fear of her running off. Remember the Lewis and Clark chronicles??? I agree with making her a spot in on of the other rooms during the day. Cats are nocturnal, she'll sleep all day anyhoo. Not sure how to train her to stay close. My guys just kinda do it on their own. Probably because they are scaredy cats. No, actually I think they love their food bowl more than their momma.

 

[Benson's mom]

Could you put a litter box in the bedroom (if that's where you'll confine her) in addition to the one in the bathroom? That way you don't have to shlep it back and forth I definitely think confinement is best for both of you guys right now. She'll be safe and you won't have to worry all day.