After spending a little more than 6 months as a homecat, Harri recently
decided that it is getting to be time for some car rides and walks again.
Tonight Nancy and I decided to go out for ice cream (yes, the temp is
below freezing, but ice cream is ice cream!). Harri took a perch on the
bookcase beside the door, looking at me expectantly, so I readjusted her
harness and hooked her up and took her out to the van with us.

Harri spent the short drive to the Dairy Queen exploring the van. I sat in
the van with her, and she had a great time sniffing around.

We took the long way home, and when we arrived we took a walk in the side
yard. While we were along the edge of the fence closest to the next-door
neighbor's house, the neighbor came out to get something out of his car.
He came within about 15 feet of us, and Harri didn't even begin to react
to his presence. When we were in the truck, Harri would freak out if
anyone came within 50 to 100 feet of us. I guess her brush with death and
all the attention from the vet techs sort of mellowed her out.

We then walked through the yard of the other next door neighbor. We had a
great time, up until a nearby dog started barking. When that happened
Harri decided that discretion was the better part of valor, so we made a
quikc trip back towards our front door. Harri was moving so fast that the
retractable leash was at it's full extension and Harri was pulling as fast
as she could. After about 15 feet she stopped and glared at me, as if to
ask "are you TRYING to slow me down?"

But all was well when we got inside. Nancy and I both shared our ice cream
with all the kitties, and they all greatly appreciated it. I'm hoping that
Harri's renewed interest in riding and walking will continue - I've missed
our walks.

Dan