Now that the mercury is not consistently dipping below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, our cat, Ozzie is once again banished to the front step. The outside exile started after he sprayed in the computer room and then peed in Belén’s room while I was still on maternity leave. Our hearts turned cold towards our long-time feline friend when he acted out in such a fragrant manner. They softened slightly in sub-freezing weather and Ozzie enjoyed a nice stay back inside Casa Hoobing.
We probably would have let him stay inside longer term if he hadn’t started his neurotic tendencies which manifested in him coming into our bedroom in the middle of the night meowing until Andy got out of bed, walked upstairs with him and watched him eat. Yes, that is correct…he already had food and water. He wanted one of us to watch him eat. AT 3AM! And it was not going to be me!
Hearts harden again pretty quickly when sleep is disrupted in the wee hours of the morning. The exile was reinstated, but we did feel bad enough to purchase a “warm house” for him. He is so in love with the heater while indoors we thought it was only humane to allow him his one true pleasure while in exile.
When Andy brought it home, we noticed that Ozzie was not using the house. We quickly figured out it was because of his other true love…food.
Andy cut a hole into his nice home, exposing the foam innards and creating more of a ghetto trailer park feel to it. Now Ozzie is able to fit inside and loves it.
While many of you probably think we are cruel, let me point out some of the “wins” of the current situation:
1. No cat hair inside the house
2. No cat food inside the house
3. No litter box inside the house
4. Sleep right on through 3AM with zero disruptions
5. Catless neighbor kids can visit the neighborhood kitty any time they wish (and they do and he loves it!)
6. Dog feels extra special being able to sleep in the house
7. Welcoming committee every time you return to the house
8. Ozzie is able to defend his outside territory 24×7 from raccoons who come up through the storm drain and the other neighborhood cats
9. No spraying
10. No cat piss
With so many “pluses” how can we resist such an arrangement? I still do feel just a little bit bad though…
Related posts:
- Outside Cat It has been coming. I could feel it. Both of our animals, Sassy (dog) and Ozzie (cat) are quite neglected...
- TearFest: Back to Work Anxiety Alecia's meltdown about having to go back to work after having a baby. ...
