Oliver the Escaper

 

Oliver - my former stray.  Oh how he loves to be my little escaper.  None of my little one's go outside.  Well - sometimes I set up the playpen Clooney has on the porch and put them out there for some sun but only when they are supervised.

Oliver likes to sneak out the door.  You can't leave it open for any length of time or he will zip right by you.  It used to be that he would run to the neighbors yard and hide in their bushes.  Recently the neighbors cut the bushes down so now he goes along the side of the house, across the back grass, over the drainage easement and into the woods in the neighbor's yard behind us.  Always this happens when I have on no shoes, when its wet or cold, etc.  Sometimes we let Emma out to help us herd the cat - her border collie instinct comes in handy here and she knows he is not supposed to be outside.

Since we did the big garage cleanout which included pet proofing, the cat and I can compromise and he and his kitty sisters can go out there and hang out.  They really seem to love it out there - not exactly sure why.  They investigate all our junk and play on the cars (thankfully they are covered so no kitty paw prints).  This seems to make him happy.  I will say that the wailing that occurs at the door of the garage can be so annoying.  He doesn't get to go out there after dark or on chilly days - awwww mom!!!

The interesting thing I have noticed is that my once fearless and brave boy from the outdoors is now a fraidy cat when he is outside and he hears a noise - the garbage truck or a lawnmower send him scrambling for the door....he is an indoor cat now even though he is in denial.