Hi all. Just a question. Maj. Grey's spent a couple of nights in. Last
night he came in on his own, and I closed the door. Shortly thereafter
he showed signs of wanting out, but then settled down. Since it was
11 degrees night before last, and 15 with wind chill last night, I kept
him in last night.
We are expecting icy storm today, and of course,
what did I do this am at 5:30 am? I let him out. He was already up
and around and I sensed he was feeling very trapped and uncomfortable.
I also was concerned he had not gone to the litter boxes - and 12 hours
is long time for a cat to hold it in...(from 6 to 5)
My thought was he'd come back to me later in the day, as when he
spends nights outside and arrives in the am, he always hangs around
a long time...
However, this am at usual feed time, 8:00 to 9:00 and he's not there.
I know he ate plenty last night, and stocked up on his way out so
to speak.. but...
I feel horrible for having let him out with bad weather coming,
but on the other hand, I know he's managed to survive at least
4 years out there without me...so maybe he has some place
to travel to and he'll come back before the icy stuff sets in this
afternoon/evening and he'll WANT to come in then!!
My question is did I do the right thing? Should I have kept him in?
I was/am afraid that if I keep him in, and he clearly is wanting out,
he won't come back inside when its REALLY bad (blizzard etc.)
the winter...And I would break trust.
OTH last night i was able to sit on the basement stairs (hidden)
and he was on the otherside of the wall at the bottom, (I could
see his shadow) listening to me talk to him, and then he went
and laid down where I could see him and put his wee head
down and sighed and relaxed into a sleep for me!!
And we had a conversation,
where he meowed at me (fairly good lungs that boy has!) and listened
to me meowing back...seemed to sooth him.
I just can't believe he is a complete feral, given that. And he
came in and ate even with the noise of the washer going on in
the laundry room!!
I have to work from 1-9 tonight (stupid to have public services
open when you are expecting an ice storm ... dunnnth but
that's our county for you, LOL!). I am planning on leaving
the door to the back open, at 1 pm in case he shows up and
wants in...It is only bout 30 degrees out there right now,
and not expected to be much below that all day and night...
I moved the dog house down to under the deck area, put out
some kitty beds up on wood and blocks near the house (sheltered
from wind and ice/snow), and generally, he knows he can come
and rest up if need be.
Everyone cross your fingers that he'll come back and stay inside
again. I can't help but think that by the time I do TNR
we may have him being an indoor/outdoor guy on demand
(and yes, I'm thinking of the patio door cat flap idea now...
Lexi would demo it just grand for him!!
But I've been told it could take up to 2 years of work
as an indoor cat to get him to the point where he
isn't scared of people, if we ever reach even that point...
Anyway, prayers and vibes for the ole guy out there in
bad weather. Sigh. I feel so bad for letting him out!!
night he came in on his own, and I closed the door. Shortly thereafter
he showed signs of wanting out, but then settled down. Since it was
11 degrees night before last, and 15 with wind chill last night, I kept
him in last night.
We are expecting icy storm today, and of course,
what did I do this am at 5:30 am? I let him out. He was already up
and around and I sensed he was feeling very trapped and uncomfortable.
I also was concerned he had not gone to the litter boxes - and 12 hours
is long time for a cat to hold it in...(from 6 to 5)
My thought was he'd come back to me later in the day, as when he
spends nights outside and arrives in the am, he always hangs around
a long time...
However, this am at usual feed time, 8:00 to 9:00 and he's not there.
I know he ate plenty last night, and stocked up on his way out so
to speak.. but...
I feel horrible for having let him out with bad weather coming,
but on the other hand, I know he's managed to survive at least
4 years out there without me...so maybe he has some place
to travel to and he'll come back before the icy stuff sets in this
afternoon/evening and he'll WANT to come in then!!
My question is did I do the right thing? Should I have kept him in?
I was/am afraid that if I keep him in, and he clearly is wanting out,
he won't come back inside when its REALLY bad (blizzard etc.)
the winter...And I would break trust.
OTH last night i was able to sit on the basement stairs (hidden)
and he was on the otherside of the wall at the bottom, (I could
see his shadow) listening to me talk to him, and then he went
and laid down where I could see him and put his wee head
down and sighed and relaxed into a sleep for me!!
And we had a conversation,
where he meowed at me (fairly good lungs that boy has!) and listened
to me meowing back...seemed to sooth him.
I just can't believe he is a complete feral, given that. And he
came in and ate even with the noise of the washer going on in
the laundry room!!
I have to work from 1-9 tonight (stupid to have public services
open when you are expecting an ice storm ... dunnnth but
that's our county for you, LOL!). I am planning on leaving
the door to the back open, at 1 pm in case he shows up and
wants in...It is only bout 30 degrees out there right now,
and not expected to be much below that all day and night...
I moved the dog house down to under the deck area, put out
some kitty beds up on wood and blocks near the house (sheltered
from wind and ice/snow), and generally, he knows he can come
and rest up if need be.
Everyone cross your fingers that he'll come back and stay inside
again. I can't help but think that by the time I do TNR
we may have him being an indoor/outdoor guy on demand
(and yes, I'm thinking of the patio door cat flap idea now...
Lexi would demo it just grand for him!!
But I've been told it could take up to 2 years of work
as an indoor cat to get him to the point where he
isn't scared of people, if we ever reach even that point...
Anyway, prayers and vibes for the ole guy out there in
bad weather. Sigh. I feel so bad for letting him out!!