In thinking about Zero’s first video, I wanted to do up a blog post explaining his day a little bit better so that you can visualize what he likes/ how he sees things and why we are so crazy about taking him outside. Towards the end, I’ll also show his harness and do a better job of explaining how we got here, and the new harness I ordered which will arrive next week.
When we moved into Yellowhouse, I knew Zero would love having a yard. He’s always been an apartment cat so having such an open space just for him became a really big deal. The trend in the warmer months, and even still has been to go outside with him for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
This is all upon his request. When he hears me or Random Guy in the kitchen making a meal, he will come and sit expectantly at the side door. Sometimes he will need a reminder, and now and then he’ll be in a deep sleep and we leave him behind, but this has happened maybe a handful of times over the last 147 times so his track record is pretty decent.
Usually I’ll bring Zero outside (he’s a 2 hand situation) and Random Guy will bring the food. I have him with his harness and leash, and I’ll tie the leash to this big boat rope which is tied to the picnic table. Zero drags the rope around the yard to it’s end. Sometimes he meows and objects, sometimes he just turns around. Only once has he escaped fully, and once partially ( I came to him as he was backing out of it).
The Harness
Zero’s harness has been great, but it is a little too big. I’ve always found it hard to find a good harness that holds him tightly but not too much. His previous one was great, but he outgrew it and the Velcro on it stopped sticking as well. This one was great until his escape, when I realized I couldn’t put any trust in it. This was made worse by the fact that he then knew that he could escape.
As a band aid solution, we bought a dog collar and tied it to the back of the harness. This (we thought) solved for Zero backing out because it would add a barrier to make backing out impossible. Foolish morals. We had forgotten that cats are mostly liquid. This was the case in which I found Zero in the midst of backing out of the harness. The leash only slowed him down.
And so, off to Amazon to find an escape proof harness we go. This little baby is on it’s way so we will see what kind of joys it brings us.
Why Bring A Cat Outside?
Because He Wants To!
Zero waits for this opportunity and enjoys being outside and smelling all the smells. He looks forward to the time he spends in the yard.
Because It Has Changed Him
Zero has seen so much more and experienced so much more than ever before in his life. He isn’t bored in the house and it shows in his behavior. I can tell he’s not as antsy, he will run around more and get excited and wants to be social with us. It’s so crazy to see the changes in him and the way that this type of enrichment has really improved his tiny little life.
Because It’s Connected Our Family
He loves being around us both and the experience of being outside has really bonded him to me and Random Guy. We both feel that connection. This type of activity really instills trust and I think having him being actively walked is great, but having him free roaming on the rope in the yard shows more trust to him and allows him a little more freedom and more choice which I think solidifies that trust we’ve built.
Because Now He Knows Where Home Is
I take so much comfort in knowing that Zero knows which house is his and that if he does escape, he at least has a chance of finding his way back home again. As we take him places outside of the yard, the goal is to have Zero see that we are the home base, and that he can run to us for comfort. For now, we’ve given him a baseline to see where home is and who home is and it’s connected the three of us really securely.
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