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Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / June 2006B*st*rd cat!
I posted a few days ago that I let Oscar out into the yard. What a mistake. I swear that I've done this before and she's never made a fuss about going outside, but now ... Every time I open the back door, Oscar is right there, watching for an opportunity. This morning I simply opened the door a crack to stick my nose out and feel the weather. I heard Oscar's tags jingling, so I quickly shut the door. I could have sworn I was in the way of the opening the whole time. Then I looked around to be sure she was still inside. Amazingly, without me having seen or felt it, she was standing outside. Made a beeline to the grass and started chowing down. DH was able to pick her up and bring her back inside. He reports she was purring. Crazy cat. Fortunately, she hasn't yet exhibited interest in the front or garage door.  Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >I posted a few days ago that I let Oscar out into the yard. > [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > Fortunately, she hasn't yet exhibited interest in the front or garage > door. One time Rusty sneaked out when I opened the door to pickup my newspaper. I didn't realized he was outside until heard him mewoing outside. Other times he sneaked out when I opened the door to talk to my neighbour. One time Rusty even went inside my neighbour's home. I had to go into her bedroom to drag him out from under her bed. Winnie Phoenix once managed to escape from a ist floor window in a guest bedroom. Somehow got to ground outside and the first we knew of it was when our guest was letting him back in! He had heard meowing .... He will sneak out at any opportunity, like a little furry grey ghost! sandra > I posted a few days ago that I let Oscar out into the yard. > [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > Fortunately, she hasn't yet exhibited interest in the front or garage > door. Get a Kitty Walk system for Oscar: http://www.catsanddogspa.com/kittywalk.html Persia loves hers! Jill > Get a Kitty Walk system for Oscar: > > http://www.catsanddogspa.com/kittywalk.html > > Persia loves hers! Believe me, I've thought about it! I have a hard time picturing how it would help the current dilemma, though. The back door opens onto a deck. It wouldn't be an ideal kitty walk location; it gets far too hot in the summer. There's no shade right by the door, or really anywhere in the back yard. (We've talked about building a pergola, but no firm plans yet -- I think any vine would die quickly in our intense sun.) Anyway, that was a long way of saying that even if I had some sort of kitty walk, I still think she could dart out into the wide open when I open the door. Part of the problem is that our back door is arranged in a really silly configuration -- it's a sliding screen, but a normal door inside. The doorknob is deeper than the available space, so the screen door must be kept slightly open when the door is shut. That wastes precious milliseconds in which Oscar can make her getaway. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >> Get a Kitty Walk system for Oscar: >> [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > screen door must be kept slightly open when the door is shut. That > wastes precious milliseconds in which Oscar can make her getaway. It gets hotter than Hades here, Monique! It was 91 today and summer has just started! Persia asked to go out and I said, "nope!" because she likes me to sit out there with her. I have this arrangement where I sit out and have misters to keep me cool on my patio swing but it's just too hot outside right now for me to arrange it. When I get back from my trip I'm going to hire someone to clear off the patio and figure out a system we can both enjoy :) Jill >> Part of the problem is that our back door is arranged in a really >> silly configuration -- it's a sliding screen, but a normal door [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > It gets hotter than Hades here, Monique! It was 91 today and summer > has just started! It was 94 on Saturday =P (Granted, the season has been unseasonably warm, and it went from a high of 94 Saturday to 84 Sunday to 75 Monday ... hrmph.) > Persia asked to go out and I said, "nope!" because she likes me to sit > out there with her. I have this arrangement where I sit out and have > misters to keep me cool on my patio swing but it's just too hot > outside right now for me to arrange it. When I get back from my trip > I'm going to hire someone to clear off the patio and figure out a > system we can both enjoy :) Even at 75 degrees as the high today, our deck was unbearably hot. My bare feet hurt the instant I set foot on the deck. Something about the combination of the intense sun and maybe something about the deck. We really need to look into some kind of arrangement so that the deck is shaded. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >>> Part of the problem is that our back door is arranged in a really >>> silly configuration -- it's a sliding screen, but a normal door [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > We really need to look into some kind of arrangement so that the deck > is shaded. Persia's kitty walk has a little covered "cabana" for shade and she doesn't seem to mind the heat. In fact, she seeks out sunny spots inside the house to lay in while I'm busy trying to stay cool! Jill > Persia's kitty walk has a little covered "cabana" for shade and she > doesn't seem to mind the heat. In fact, she seeks out sunny spots > inside the house to lay in while I'm busy trying to stay cool! Oscar's long haired. I'm actually seriously considering getting her shaved for the summer. I dunno though. Still thinking about it. DH is all in favor, as he has often threatened to get her a lion cut just for entertainment value. Sigh. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > Oscar's long haired. I'm actually seriously considering getting her > shaved for the summer. I dunno though. Still thinking about it. > > DH is all in favor, as he has often threatened to get her a lion cut > just for entertainment value. Sigh. Rusty's vet said he will need to be sedated to get shaved. I don't like the idea of a senior cat being sedated. But in this heat, a lion look may be cool for him. He definitely looks better with his fur though. Winnie >> Oscar's long haired. I'm actually seriously considering getting her >> shaved for the summer. I dunno though. Still thinking about it. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > lion look may be cool for him. He definitely looks better with his > fur though. Yeah. When my vet tried to shave Oscar's pantaloons in December, she (Oscar, not my vet) bit down hard on my arm. Luckily I was wearing a few layers. Oscar was okay with scissors, but the buzzing freaked her out. So I think Oscar would also have to be sedated, and that definitely seems risky, especially when we do have A/C and she can always go to the basement, anyway, which is very cool. She just chooses not to. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > Yeah. When my vet tried to shave Oscar's pantaloons in December, she > (Oscar, not my vet) bit down hard on my arm. Luckily I was wearing a [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > always go to the basement, anyway, which is very cool. She just > chooses not to. Same here. I finally turned on the AC today, but Rusty still goes into his room where the cooled air cannot reach. Silly cat. Winnie >Same here. I finally turned on the AC today, but Rusty still goes into >his room where the cooled air cannot reach. Silly cat. Zubie (long-haired) would sometimes on a hot day seek out a hot, stuffy bedroom and crawl under the covers. All we could do was shake our heads. SignatureWayne M. >>Same here. I finally turned on the AC today, but Rusty still goes into >>his room where the cooled air cannot reach. Silly cat. > > Zubie (long-haired) would sometimes on a hot day seek out a hot, > stuffy bedroom and crawl under the covers. All we could do was > shake our heads. Remember, cats have a much higher normal body temperature than we do. Give a choice, they would like it warmer inside and outside. Jo >> Persia's kitty walk has a little covered "cabana" for shade and she >> doesn't seem to mind the heat. In fact, she seeks out sunny spots [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > DH is all in favor, as he has often threatened to get her a lion cut > just for entertainment value. Sigh. For your outside deck issues you might consider a misting system. I have one I attach to the hose and it sheds a light mist over my covered swing. The mist drops the temps by about 20 degrees. The mist is fine enough that I can read a book without it getting wet yet I feel nice and cool. They make "pet misters", too, so if you got an enclosure for Oscar she could stay cool and not feel like she was taking a shower! Sounds like you don't really get to enjoy your deck, which is a shame. Maybe something like a misting system would help. http://www.mistymate.com/1078301.html Jill > For your outside deck issues you might consider a misting system. I > have one I attach to the hose and it sheds a light mist over my [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > http://www.mistymate.com/1078301.html We do need to find some sort of solution. Maybe just a big umbrella. How much water does that use? Our region is always short on water. The thing is, the sun at this altitude is just blazing hot, and clouds are pretty rare. I really think the proper solution involves somehow shading the deck. I'm partial to the idea of a pergola, anyway, just not sure if any vines would survive it. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >> For your outside deck issues you might consider a misting system. I >> have one I attach to the hose and it sheds a light mist over my [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > We do need to find some sort of solution. Maybe just a big umbrella. A Table & chairs with an umbrella would probably be my first choice :) > How much water does that use? Our region is always short on water. You don't run it constantly, just when you want to spend some time outside. It doesn't take much to cool things off and I rarely spend more than an hour or so out on the patio. I burn at the drop of a hat, even with a covered swing! I always wear sandals because (as you said) the concrete is as hot on my feet as the wooden deck is on yours! > The thing is, the sun at this altitude is just blazing hot, and clouds > are pretty rare. I really think the proper solution involves somehow > shading the deck. I'm partial to the idea of a pergola, anyway, just > not sure if any vines would survive it. I'm not sure about planting at that altitude but a pergola sure would be pretty! I'd be worried about bees. I have this terror of bees, even ones that don't sting like bumble bees. They just scare me, even though all they do is bumble along LOL Jill >> We do need to find some sort of solution. Maybe just a big >> umbrella. > > A Table & chairs with an umbrella would probably be my first choice > :) We have a plastic table and chairs. I'd like some "real" outdoor furniture, but it seems awfully expensive. The previous owners put a bolted-down umbrella mount into the deck, but I think you still need a table around it to stabilize it. > You don't run it constantly, just when you want to spend some time > outside. It doesn't take much to cool things off and I rarely spend > more than an hour or so out on the patio. I burn at the drop of a > hat, even with a covered swing! I always wear sandals because (as > you said) the concrete is as hot on my feet as the wooden deck is on > yours! Well, it's certainly something to consider. >> The thing is, the sun at this altitude is just blazing hot, and >> clouds are pretty rare. I really think the proper solution [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > bees, even ones that don't sting like bumble bees. They just scare > me, even though all they do is bumble along LOL We have some purple bushes along the side of the house that appear to be bee heaven. I think they would happily stay over there. But I'm pretty sure the vines would die from the sun exposure. Maybe I'll ask at Home Depot anyway. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >>> We do need to find some sort of solution. Maybe just a big >>> umbrella. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > We have a plastic table and chairs. I'd like some "real" outdoor > furniture, but it seems awfully expensive. I had some neighbors who put up this big canopy thing: http://www.sunsetter.com/?srccode=2381 Maybe something like this is an option? Jill >>>> We do need to find some sort of solution. Maybe just a big >>>> umbrella. [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > Jill Ugh, that looks really old fashioned to me. Perhaps something like this would be nicer looking? http://www.shadesonline.com.au/ If you click on the gallery link, you can see that many of them are actually from the US so it looks like they would be available over there too. SignatureBritta Purring is an automatic safety valve device for dealing with happiness overflow. Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album > Ugh, that looks really old fashioned to me. Perhaps something like > this would be nicer looking? http://www.shadesonline.com.au/ If you > click on the gallery link, you can see that many of them are > actually from the US so it looks like they would be available over > there too. These look really neat, but I still wonder about how well they withstand wind, and I'm actually not sure I could get something like that to look "right" with our deck. Thank you for the link, though. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >> Ugh, that looks really old fashioned to me. Perhaps something like >> this would be nicer looking? http://www.shadesonline.com.au/ If you [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Thank you for the link, though. They withstand wind really well because the material is porous. Wind blows right through it. Of course it wouldn't keep rain off, but it does keep sun off. I don't know about how your deck looks and what would look right, so you'll have to make that decision yourself. SignatureBritta Purring is an automatic safety valve device for dealing with happiness overflow. Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album > I had some neighbors who put up this big canopy thing: > > http://www.sunsetter.com/?srccode=2381 > > Maybe something like this is an option? I saw a lot of these in Germany. I'm not sure if they would withstand the wind gusts we get here, though. I have actually thought about something like this, but I'd have to do some research. Ideally I'd like something that shades the deck at all times; if we had something like this we would definitely have to keep it closed when not in use, or I suspect the wind would rip it down. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > We have some purple bushes along the side of the house that appear to > be bee heaven. I think they would happily stay over there. But I'm > pretty sure the vines would die from the sun exposure. Maybe I'll ask > at Home Depot anyway. Hi Monique, I think you should give it a go! With a young plant, as long as you keep the roots watered and protected from the strong sun, the rest of the plant will probably thrive if it is at all suitable. One very resilient vine worldwide is Virginia Creeper (genus Parthenocissus). It would certainly grow to cover a pergola in no time at all. Also, when we were in Ecuador, we saw bougainvillea growing really well and covering a whole wall where we were staying. Obviously this was at altitude and also on the equator, so subject to very strong sunshine. Perhaps you could try growing this one in amongst another, established vine a few years down the line as its 'flowers' are gorgeous. Finally, I would also suggest trying a grape vine (Vitis) as of course many good wine grapes are grown at altitude and in full sunshine, e.g. in Chile, Argentina, etc. Here's a useful site: http://www.denverplants.com/vines/html/parth_qui.htm http://www.denverplants.com/vines/html/vitis_vin.htm This site suggests Silver Lace vine as a fast-growing cover: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/ptlk/1122.html http://www.denverplants.com/vines/html/fallo_aub.htm Just had a thought - why not ping Victor and ask Tom's advice on this? HTH Deb. Signaturehttp://www.scientific-art.com "He looked a fierce and quarrelsome cat, but claw he never would; He only bit the ones he loved, because they tasted good." S. Greenfield >Maybe I'll ask >at Home Depot anyway. Finding someone knowledgeable at Home Depot would be a little hit-or-miss, I would think. But you probably could check with local nurseries; they should know what thrives in your area. SignatureWayne M. >>Maybe I'll ask >>at Home Depot anyway. > > Finding someone knowledgeable at Home Depot would be a little > hit-or-miss, I would think. But you probably could check with > local nurseries; they should know what thrives in your area. At out local Home Depot, we'd be better off asking another customer. At least we could probably find another customer. Until our local Lowes is built we just drive the 40 miles to Sacramento to find a properly staffed Home Depot or a Lowes. Jo > At out local Home Depot, we'd be better off asking another customer. At > least we could probably find another customer. LOL! Not just a local thing! Joyce > > At out local Home Depot, we'd be better off asking another customer. At > > least we could probably find another customer. > > LOL! Not just a local thing! > > Joyce I got some good advice from a guy in the Home Depot here regarding my washing machine. > <jXwXeXrXmXoXnXt@sonic.net> wrote in message > > > > > At out local Home Depot, we'd be better off asking another customer. At > > > least we could probably find another customer. > > > > LOL! Not just a local thing! > I got some good advice from a guy in the Home Depot here regarding my > washing machine. The joke was (at least the joke I was making) had more to do with Jo's comment that "at least we could probably find another customer". Home Depot employees might be knowledgeable - some probably are and some probably aren't - but they are very hard to find. And when you do find one, he's (or, occasionally, she's) always busy helping someone else! Joyce >I'm not sure about planting at that altitude but a pergola sure would be >pretty! I'd be worried about bees. I have this terror of bees, even ones >that don't sting like bumble bees. They just scare me, even though all they >do is bumble along LOL > >Jill [minor technical point] bumblebees can, and do, sting. It's just that they're much more reluctant to sting than honeybees. People who are severely allergic to honeybees are likely to also be allergic to bumblebee stings. Tish >>I'm not sure about planting at that altitude but a pergola sure would be >>pretty! I'd be worried about bees. I have this terror of bees, even ones [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > >Tish As a child, my sister was once stung on the ankle by a bumblebee. She was sitting cross-legged on the ground, and happened to be over the entrance to a bumblebee nest (they live underground). The bee found her ankle in its way, and stung her. Her ankle swelled up larger than her thigh, and our parents had to take her to the doctor for an antivenom shot. Fortunately, she hasn't shown any subsequent allergy to bee-stings, only a normal-scale reaction. SignatureJohn F. Eldredge -- john@jfeldredge.com PGP key available from http://pgp.mit.edu "Reserve your right to think, for even to think wrongly is better than not to think at all." -- Hypatia of Alexandria > even ones >that don't sting like bumble bees. ?? Curious notion. Growing up on a farm, I was stung by a bumble bee on at least four occasions. Or perhaps you mean that at least they don't sting in defense of a nest, so they only sting when they feel directly and individually threatened. SignatureWayne M. > Persia's kitty walk has a little covered "cabana" for shade and she > doesn't [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Jill Not Rusty. Yesterday it was hot and he won't sit in a sunny spot. Winnie Yup, Vino was like that too in Thailand. Once he got a taste of the outdoors, he was unstoppable in his escape attempts. I'm so glad he can go out now, he's much happier. It's even gotten to the point now where we can have the back door wide open and he won't move off the bed if he's sleepy. SignatureBritta Purring is an automatic safety valve device for dealing with happiness overflow. Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album > I posted a few days ago that I let Oscar out into the yard. > [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > Fortunately, she hasn't yet exhibited interest in the front or garage > door. > Yup, Vino was like that too in Thailand. Once he got a taste of the > outdoors, he was unstoppable in his escape attempts. I'm so glad he > can go out now, he's much happier. It's even gotten to the point > now where we can have the back door wide open and he won't move off > the bed if he's sleepy. What I don't get is that Oscar has gone out before, but never seemed to be all that interested in the door unless I actively encouraged her to go out. Now, all of a sudden, she's Ms. Outdoor. WTF. She does always wear a collar with ID, and has been chipped, but she hasn't been on her own outside since she was a baby kitten, and I don't trust her to have the common sense of a turnip when it comes to cars and other outdoor hazards. I'm also not sure she has all the necessary vaccinations for outdoor life (I remember a discussion with her first vet in which we decided not to give her certain shots because she wouldn't need them). Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca |
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