It's now official (4th word..)

[Bente]

Kyrre is an outdoor cat again

For those of you who doesn't know: Kyrre was an outdoor cat from age 12 weeks to two years. But when I moved to a second floor apartment in the city, I chose to keep him inside. It went better than expected, and we had this huge glass-porch (?) that he loved to be out on, basking in the sun and looking down on the streets. But as time went by he started to change. It was nothing serious, and I don't think anybody that doesn't know him could have noticed it, but he kinda lost his ... glow. If you know what I mean. His eyes didn't have the spark they used to, and he just became different. He was an indoor cat for two years, but now we have moved again. This time to a much more cat friendly neighbourhood.

Over the last week I've been taking Kyrre outside on a harness, so he would get to know the surroundings and smells where we live now. Yesterday I let him run free for the first time, and it went wery well. I stayed outside to keep an aye on him, but as expected I lost him after about fifteen minutes. I was a nervewreck, but I forced myself to go inside to wait (kept the front door open though ). After thirty minutes I went outside again, and found him in the neighbour's yard. And there was no problem getting him to come back inside Today we tried again, for a little longer period, and no problems today either Hopefully things will continue to go this smooth. I know the danger of something happening to him is much, much bigger now, but as long as it can bring back the old, happy Kyrre, I'm willing to take the risk. If Kyrre were to be an indoor only cat, he should have been inside from the beginning I think.

I'll try to get some pictures next time we go outside

[eman]

i know exactly what u mean. my cats love it when they go outside. i just make sure they are home before dark. i let them out in the morning, usually before they eat..they come back faster because they are hungry. i never let them out at night because alot of stray cats come out at night and start fighting. most of the time Mini stays in the backyard. Max doesnt go too far..i can always see him from the window or as soon as i call Maaaax..i hear his bell running. there are alot of stray dogs around too, i think that is why they stay close to the house.

[HDrydr]

I understand what you mean Bente.... Good luck with Kyrre and him being outside again..... I look forward to seeing pictures... I would make sure that he is in during the night....

[vene]

Letting your cat out really depends on the personality of the cat. We've always let Milo out because he always stays either in our yard or our good neighbor's. He doesn't stay out long or stray far. Nowadays he just sits on the mulch and breathes the fresh air. I know what you mean about losing that spark in his eyes. Monty, Renie, and Pumpkin are/were strictly indoor cats. I'm glad Kyrre is a happy again and that he is roaming in a safe neighborhood.

[Chezza]

I know just how you feel, Jay is not as happy either..
I can tell the tone in his meow..Its almost like a soft cry

[HDrydr]

you both are doing the right thing in each of your situations.... hang in there both of you and it will pay off in the end..