At the end of the Great Flea Adventure, we told ourselves that the cats would be indoor cats. They did not need to go out. Out was where fleas were. Out meant dirt and danger. No, they would stay in and be perfectly happy, since they would know no differently. We were comfortable with that resolve. Until the first spring.
Warm weather came early that year. It was March and already spring was in the air. One Saturday morning, in the course of our errands, Barry and I happened upon pet harnesses and leashes. What a great idea! Cats could learn to walk in safety on leashes!
Back home we met with our son’s stern disapproval. What about fleas? he wanted to know. What about dirt? What about danger?
No problem, we said. With harnesses and leashes, the cats would be safe. They would stay on the pavement, away from fleas, dirt and danger. And best of all, they would have fresh air and sunshine.
And so it was that our cats began to experience the Final Frontier: the great outdoors.
Actually, they were not particularly impressed. First there were these nasty confining things strapped around their bodies, then there were noises and smells that they did not know. Both of them slunk around bellies to the ground, startling at everything. And when the door opened, they rushed back to the familiar safety of the house.
We kept trying. At first we would take them to both front and back yards. But Missy discovered she could go from front to back by rounding the garage; and she wanted to be in the back. Who were we to argue? From then on, we went only to the back.
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When You take me to some new spot,
Presenting me with who-knows-what,
Do I display timidity,
And long for where I used to be?
Am I suspicious of new things,
Each smell and noise the warm air brings?
And do I chafe at my restraints,
Communicating my complaints?
But You don’t want me to take flight:
You planned all this for my delight.
So I’ll be brave, because it’s true:
The One who guides each step is You.