The Punk

We opened the door on Sunday and finally let the kitten outside. She’s been sitting by the door, looking out wistfully for ages, and since we got her used to her collar, we figured it was time to let her out. (I wasn’t ready but I was never going to be ready. She’s my baby.) So we opened the door. At first she just sat there and looked at us. She’s used to us quickly going outside and then shutting the door on her. The outdoors was known as that place that IS NOT ALLOWED. Anyway, after about 30 seconds she gingerly stepped outside, looking back with every step as if to say “Are you sure about this?” and then trotted off, stopping in the middle of the yard to look back at us. (We were watching and waiting to see what she would do.)Our yard is fenced in and she stayed within the fence for the most part. There are also a lot of plants and things and one of her favorite things to do was to lie under the spider fern and pretend to hide. She explored the perimeter of the yard and attempted to climb the fence. She didn’t like that. She found a hole in the fence and squeezed through to the neighbor’s yard. She’d go through the hole for about 10 minutes, explore, and then come back. Repeat for 5-6 hours. It was 98 degrees out so that helped keep her close to home, plus she’s a wimp and most loud noises scare her. Every once in a while she’d disappear from view, but then we’d hear a noise and see this thing come running, and she’d flop onto the patio and lie down for bit. Half an hour later she was ready to explore.She enjoyed chasing the tree branches, even occasionally trying to climb the tree. Butterflies were a major delight. She almost caught one but it flew over the fence, so she had to stop there.We’re keeping her food and water inside, so she’ll definitely be back in for those, although she was stubborn at first and didn’t want to come back in for fear we’d lock her in. (It used to be that, when she escaped, we’d have to run after her and drag her in.) But she ran inside when she needed to use the litter box. Yes, that’s right - she came inside to use the litter box. She had the whole outside for that but came in to go in her box. I don’t think we’ll have a problem with her leaving.We decided that we’re only going to let her out while someone is home or while it’s light out. So when we leave or it gets dark, it’s time to get her to come in. That hasn’t been a problem. She wasn’t in the yard when I went out to bring her in on Sunday so I called her. A minute later, she came running (she clinks) and didn’t fight when I picked her up to come in. She wanted some love and passed out.The next morning I let her out before work and she went right out. The boy brought her in before he left and she passed out. This is actually good as it means she’ll use up all her energy outside and not have any left to destroy the inside. Today she was sitting by the door, waiting for me to open it.
On Tuesday she actually meowed at me to let her out. She’s impatient now that she has her freedom. But there’s now a set routine. I get up, do my stuff, she watches me shower and all that, and we go downstairs. I make sure her bowls have food and water and then I open the door to freedom. She runs out and plays until the boy wakes up. When he gets up, she somehow magically knows, and runs in to get her tuna. (Oh the tuna addiction! She MUST have that tuna!) Then she runs out again to play. The boy leaves for work around 2:30ish so at that time she’s ready to come in. He just goes to the door and tells her to come in. Sometimes she needs a little encouragement, but mostly she’s ready. And then she sleeps.I think she’ll be just fine, the little punk.