So, heyschweetie and I have moved about 5 blocks away from our previous apartment. My cat ibid is 9 yrs old and very smart...a total psycho...but you can't fool him. (For instance, the spray bottle trick doesn't work on him. He knows it is you, no matter how much you try to look innocent, whistling; he just stares at you and hisses like, "you ass".) Anyhow, he is known to be able to walk long distances, once even finding a old apartment 1/2 mile away (and this was after moving to Montrose from the Heights then back to the Heights after 2 yrs and he still remembered the first Heights apt). You probably know where this is going. Yeah, he is trecking back to the old apt about twice a week. Even after forcing him to live in the new apt for 2 weeks without going outside. Doesn't matter. I could have left the state for a year in between, and this cat would still remember that old apt. So, I have to go walk the dog over there and walk him back home, or lure him into a car (it is no fun picking up this psycho kitty). I might not really even care about this, but he is crossing WESTHEIMER to do it, much less Fairview, also. Here's my dilemma: 1. It is very bad for him to cross Westheimer. (I don't care how smart he thinks he is.) 2. There is no way I can turn him into an indoor cat. Here's what I have done unsuccessfully: 1. Changed his diet to tuna...he still left it for slumming outside the old apt. 2. Told all my old neighbors the problem and not to feed him or let him inside (ie no incentive to go trecking). Sure enough, he'd walk back home on his own (all dirty and hungry) and loving me for feeding him...then 5 days later..."where's ibid". PROBABLE CAUSE: although I haven't seen it or heard ibid in fights, the neighbors say there is a king alley cat in the neighborhood. Now know, ibid has a 15 pounder (Elvis...who we now call fat Elvis) as his cohabitating cohort in covert manuevers of the night, so it isn't like he's being bullied. I think maybe sometimes he just says "screw this alley cat" i'm oughta here. any suggestions welcome. I think I'm just screwed, forever being a taxi driver for my cat. But, I just don't want him to not see that car on Westheimer that one time.
Damn... that is a tough one. Maybe you can use the water bottle on the king alley cat. Spray somebody man!
Maybe you can do what my mom's cats previous owner did to her cat: put a rubberband on the tail for a few days. After losing its tail maybe it'll be too embarassed to return to its old stomping grounds. It's worth a try anyways, just be sure to clip off the protruding bone that'll be sticking out cuz the cat will most likely chew off the fur and you don't want an unsightly piece of bone sticking out there. Now THAT would be embarrassing. Damn, I'm just being asked to be flamed ------------------ snap crackle pop [This message has been edited by CriscoKidd (edited May 21, 2001).]
I feel for ya heyp... my worse fear is to come home and find my kitties laid out in the middle of the road. I have no suggestions as far as keeping your cat at home...good luck. rH ------------------ visit: The Psychedelic Groove House of Rockets Basketball Love! [This message has been edited by rockHEAD (edited May 21, 2001).]
heypartner: I had the same problem with one of my 3 cats, but after a few months he just decided to hang close. Sounds like you've done everything that is recommended up to (and short of) cur-tailing. Humiliation inflicted always will backfire. That's tough about the traffic. Why didn't you stay in the same neighborhood! ------------------ Time is a great teacher-- only problem is it kills all its pupils.
Move back to the old place. Remember, the cat owns you. It's not the other way around. ------------------ The Protrolls.com message boards! Protrolls.com! Don't visit my site.
Why would you call a Cat Ibid??? ------------------ "The things I enjoy most, I suck at: 1) Sex: everything's fine until she makes noises." - Achebe
I hate cats. Just put the cat in the back yard with my Lab/Chow mix and the problem will be solved. ------------------ I always thought "With my talent, it's only a matter of time before I'm discovered". Now I think "With my talent, it's only a matter of time before I'm found out".
my parents have 8 cats! (max, chewy, anne, joe, kitty, fatty fatty, blue, and locie) and they never run away, maybe ur cat just dont like u=) ------------------ i am my own worst enemy
Does it like catnip? I don't like giving my cats that stuff, but if you put something around your new apt, maybe that would work. ------------------ A few years back on the Senate floor... Phil Gramm: "If Democrats could, they'd tax the air we breathe." Ted Kennedy (jumping up): "By God, why didn't I think of that sooner!" Boston College - NCAA Hockey National Champions 2001
