I think Gandalf's days are numbered.

[Writer]

The back of our new home (past the fence) faces a nature trail and a wilderness area. In this area are foxes, mountain lions, raccoons, and other beasts, not to mention large birds of prey such as hawks and owls. Gandalf is an indoor cat who has used every wily trick in the book in order to sneak outside (typically when I'm letting out our dog.) I quickly put together a new ID collar for him (it's the size of a half-dollar) just in case, but I have a feeling I'd more likely find the collar and no cat than find the cat if he ever got out for a period of time, especially overnight.

He's gotten bolder, bolting for the sliding glass door as I'm closing it, sometimes getting himself wedged in the crack (he's very aggressive).

I don't think there's anything I can do about this, but I'm afraid that my poor little lump of energy - my mouser-par-excellence - will either get seriously hurt of disappear altogether the longer we stay here.

I just wanted to share.

~Writer~

[Guava Jelly]

1. You need to stand at the door with a staff

"You Shall not pass!"

I hope your kitty stays safe. :)

[Writer]

3. Thanks.

:)

I've considered ways of scaring him away, but he is an incredibly brave animal.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

2. The ring will protect Gandalf, right

my precious?

[Writer]

5. If he keeps doing this, I'll ring his neck, all right.

[Sanity Claws]

4. How about getting him a harness and leash?

Maybe if you were out with him on supervised outings, he would feel less of a need to bolt outside. He's curious. Give in to his curiosity in a supervised way.

[Writer]

6. I used to carry him outside in our other house, and keep him on our lap.

The result of this was he only became more emboldened to go out on his own. He's the Grey Pilgrim.

[Sanity Claws]

9. I still think it's worth a try

especially if it may save his life.
When I first got my kitties, I used to take them out in my yard on harnesses. I didn't walk them -- I just let them go and I followed. It was a great treat for them.

[Writer]

11. Maybe I'll try it.

Thanks. :)

[Dogtown]

16. I've had several harness cats.

Those that like it enjoy it immensely.


My boy Tony was a chick-magnet, too.

That was in my unsettled youth, BTW.

:blush:

[Dogtown]

7. Police whistle and spray bottle

Simultaneously.

[Writer]

8. I don't know about the spray bottle, but the police whistle might be a good idea.

I used to spray him with water when he was very young and would swing to and fro from our curtains. The water would just slide off his slick coat and do very little.

I will definitely consider a police whistle, though!

[Dogtown]

10. Tough boi!

Cats find sharp, high-pitched noises disturbing. Hope the whistle works, I've resorted to it occasionally w/ very stubborn cats with good results.

[Writer]

12. Given the number of times he has pulled the scratching post down on top of him...

I know he's a tough little beastie.

[Dogtown]

13. I do love the rude cats.

They demand a lot of attention, but personality+!

My present hellion is a girlcat named "Rosie" in honor of Rosa Parks; the girl has attitude!

[Writer]

14. That's a great name.

:thumbsup:

Gandalf is actually a very sweet cat - always cuddles. He sometimes drags the teaser wand to me, the plastic wand scraping against the wood floor, so we can play together.

[Dogtown]

15. Rosie's a cuddle-bunny, too

In between rampages...




Best wishes for your friend Gandalf, hope it works out OK.

:hi: