Old cat wanting out

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issiandarchie+68
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Old cat wanting out

Post by issiandarchie+68 »

Hi Guys, can I ask your advice? I have been a cat slave since childhood, mainly left them free to roam with no ill consequences apart from a much love cat to a RTA over 30yrs ago {children lifted him from garden wall, took him across the road, let him go, he ran back..}. Anyway, had 2 more 'roamers' but then no more pets for a while until I retired and took in 3 rescues Cody, Armand, Gandhi on condition they were house cats. We lived in a large Victorian flat by then, bags of space for chasing games etc and my lovely neighbours never batted an eye if they went onto stairs and into there homes so worked well. Dear wee Armand and Cody died unexpectedly within 4 weeks of each other early 2016 leaving us with our big,7kg muscly cat, Gandhi. He is thriving as an only but now very demanding and for the first time, keeps us awake at night. We downsized to a 1959 flat 3months ago. Plenty space, Gandhi loves wide windowsills, views, settled in from day one. All my new neighbours have cats, 3 in this stairwell alone, we have huge expanse of drying greens leading to a small wooded area at the back, lots of space, greenery, plus open lawns,shrubbery at the front, we love it. Unfortunately, so does Gandhi, who sees the other cats sunning themselves, makes a bolt for freedom at every opportunity to say hello, there's a little hissing from Cat Balou across the hall but no fights. Gandhi has just turned 13. There is a catflap in the main door communal entrance. Should I put one in our door and let my boy roam? My hubby says it's too late but I think he should take his chances. All thoughts and sensible suggestions greatly appreciated. Oh..and I hope my CC friends are well and staying off the gin.

Issi
xxx
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Mayday21
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Re: Old cat wanting out

Post by Mayday21 »

Hi my friend lovely to read your post & learn that you've moved. As you know my fur babes are inside but allowed out when I'm outside watching. Harper's usually the one who brings outside stimuli (chasing leaves, lizards, butterflies & not to mention birds flying overhead) to an end. She charges round the back & jumps up on my back terrace garden wall where I have to hoist myself up to retrieve her or, jumps the front picket fence & when I go to get her, races to my garage with me having to retrieve her from under the car & if I don't get her, she races back towards the picket fence. On catching her "That's it you've ruined it for everyone; inside now!" So I'd keep lovely Gandhi inside (but I'm a bit paranoid re cars/snakes) & out if you're doing some pottering especially if you've lots of window sills to lie on where he can monitor outside activity. Re the communal cat door is it able to be locked? If so, perhaps you could ask neighbours if they'd mind you locking it to allow cat socialisation in the hallway. Just a thought. Vivian.
issiandarchie+68
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Re: Old cat wanting out

Post by issiandarchie+68 »

:lol: Way to go Harper :D My kinda cat. You must be very energetic, all that climbing and chasing, could you do me a favour and catch Hugh Jackman next time you see him? Keep him entertained, I'll hop over to Australia to collect him shortly. We don't have a problem with snakes in Scotland, well apart from the odd shy adder in long farm grass and a report last week of a young python popping up a loo, slithering onto bathroom floor, having escaped from a neighbour, scared a 5yr old witless, he only wanted a quick pee! The road in front of the flat is very broad and quiet, the bottom end being blocked off with cement bollards so no boy racers whizzing by. Gandhi has been going out every day for a couple of hours. We have been keeping an eye on him by 'windae hinging' and sitting out with him. He's very happy and has quickly gained a fan club among the neighbours. I agree with your words of wisdom though Vivian. We want to keep him safe so have decided to allow him this freedom because the cold, wet, Scottish winter will soon be upon us and I doubt my comfort loving old cat will venture out, and who knows what the future holds? What's that old saying? Ah yes...if you want to give God a really good laugh...tell him about your plans for the future. Big kisses and chin skrits to all your brood.

Issi
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Lilith
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Re: Old cat wanting out

Post by Lilith »

[quote="issiandarchie+68". We don't have a problem with snakes in Scotland, well apart from the odd shy adder in long farm grass and a report last week of a young python popping up a loo, slithering onto bathroom floor, having escaped from a neighbour, scared a 5yr old witless, he only wanted a quick pee! [/quote]

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Is that still doing the rounds?

There's also the one about the snake who stowed away in the car engine; cruising down the road, the driver was astonished to find the snake emerging and waving about in front of his eyes ... oh yes, folks, it was the deadly vindscreen viper! :o :shock: :lol:

Me, I don't feel dressed without a python in my tee shirt ...

Hey, that's great that Gandhi's adapting to outdoors, and sounds pretty safe too - all power to him :D
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Mayday21
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Re: Old cat wanting out

Post by Mayday21 »

Hi Issie uuummm Hugh Jackman - know what you mean - & such a down to earth fellow. Alas even if I do manage to tackle him, Debra Furness may have other ideas. :lol: Meant to ask - have you finished travelling around? Nice to read that Gandhi's having some time outside especially as your days start to close in & that he's a hit with the neighbours. Btw I tried to pm you & again couldn't. Fusses to the ol' gentleman from me. Vivian & the 4 misfits.
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Re: Old cat wanting out

Post by issiandarchie+68 »

Lilith wrote:[quote="issiandarchie+68". We don't have a problem with snakes in Scotland, well apart from the odd shy adder in long farm grass and a report last week of a young python popping up a loo, slithering onto bathroom floor, having escaped from a neighbour, scared a 5yr old witless, he only wanted a quick pee!
:lol: :lol: :lol:

Is that still doing the rounds?

There's also the one about the snake who stowed away in the car engine; cruising down the road, the driver was astonished to find the snake emerging and waving about in front of his eyes ... oh yes, folks, it was the deadly vindscreen viper! :o :shock: :lol:

Me, I don't feel dressed without a python in my tee shirt ...

Hey, that's great that Gandhi's adapting to outdoors, and sounds pretty safe too - all power to him :D[/quote]

Now Lilith my dear friend,{and teller of corny but most enjoyable Viper jokes} you are talking to a cynical Yorkshire lass here, don't even believe Trump is real, demand proof that he is not a waxwork dolly being operated like Sooty via someone's hand up his ...Anyhoo, if you look on Google under Baby Python, Southend, you will see the story plus pics and quotes. It was also featured in Scottish papers and radio. Apparently it was a harmless 3ft baby Royal Python, even so I wouldn't fancy it poking his head up me ugly bits! Neighbours, who shared a common sewer, were moving, left tanks outside, baby escaped... Unfortunate recipients of it's adventurous streak, called in local expert who said, and I quote ' it smelled of bleach and had scale rot, but is now making a full recovery'. Relieved owner was reunited with his much loved pet and it is now happily ensconced in it's new home with his other reptile pals. I felt quite sorry for the poor little thing. Beloved Gandhi is loving spend time outside, sat in the Autumn sun today, now sparked out, looking extremely comfortable as only cats can do. Lets hope we also get some sleep tonight. Now I'm off to check under the loo seat :) :)

Issi
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bobbys girl
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Re: Old cat wanting out

Post by bobbys girl »

Gandhi is a lesson to us all. It's never too late to try something new - bless him.
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Lilith
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Re: Old cat wanting out

Post by Lilith »

Hi there Issi - agree with you COMPLETELY re Trump, but I'm afraid the snake story's been done before, honest. Also (unless they have the breed wrong) 'baby' royal pythons aren't 3' long (my Shahi could curl up on the palm of my hand when he was a hatchling) and I'm afraid any snake smelling of bleach and with its scales rotted away would be in a bad way ... :( For the snake's sake, I hope it's not true, but then of course I'm biased. But snakes have such an advanced sense of smell, bleach would send them running; they only have one lung, powerful fumes can gas them.

But male snakes have a double penis ... :shock: :D

I kid you not. When mating they twist their tails together so the lads are prepared, whichever way they turn ... :D :lol:

As the man (was it Dudley Moore?) said - Not many people know that ...
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