Lil backstory..
So my last cat Lucky was a cat's cat and used to run. He lived for the outdoors to the point that in 2004 I got sucker punched in the temple by the neighbor as he was in their yard and startled their two lil dogs and may have nipped at a dog super fast before running.. as a cat would do when cornered by two dogs.
So he bangs on my door.. one thing leads to another.. soon I am in the middle of the street on my back.. long story..
So Lucky died last fall as you may know after getting bit by a bigger cat. "It is how he wanted it" as Bill8 said. So I got a new lil kitten who has been great and I started taking him out. No leash. He stays close and comes in and is a great lil cat. Follows me around. Journeys only in my yard up until today..
So today I take the garbage out to the front street and Buddy (as cat's do) goes a lil further and goes first in the middle of the street, (very little traffic, private road) and then across the street and under their car in the driveway right when she is there watching. She immediately freaks, "Oh my God, he is under the car, he is under the car."
So I go over, "I dont want that damn thing under my car. What if I should start the car" I said, "well then that wouldn't be your fault"
She, "be a responsible pet owner and always have him on a leash"
We talk a bit, the old man comes out (guy who punched me) and says nothing. I am just polite and tell them I will do my best. She says, "Well put him on a leash, do the right thing"
Mind you I have lived here 12 years before they got here with other cats. Their lot was a field my cats used to run in in the good old days.
Not only did I get punched, I was also served with legal papers three times to try and evict me if my cats were allowed to run.. blah, blah.. Nothing became of it but a lot of headaches for me.
Ok so Buddy soon runs back across the street to my yard and waits for me by the edge of the street. Great kitty. Only 6 months and small as he was starving in a barn surviving only on milk.
So he is a very small. Half the size of most cats. A kitten. She did NOT have to freak in front of her daughter. What an ASSHOLE she is.
So the Q is. Should I have Buddy on a leash his whole life OR do as I have done the last 24 years and let him basicly run? They DO have vaccinations for FLV now days.
I have a cat door where he can go in and out. This is small town/rural living. There is a woods behind their house which is why the cats go that way. Thing is he was a farm kitty but really only wants to be whereever I am. He even follows me to the bathroom all night long. So cute
My feelings are: He isnt going to go far, noone is really hurt and if he runs over there he will come back. So I am leaning towards doing what I always did and Buddy will be fairly free. He will learn as Lucky did not to go in the asshole's yard.
Lucky would go over a house to get by and go to the woods. The other neighbors dont care if he walks thru their yard.
Today, I SHOULD have never went over. Never confront assholes. Silence is golden. I SHOULD have waited for him to come back. But you know me. I am a NICE guy and thought maybe since 2004 things have changed.
Some people have to be assholes. He is using the box very well and will not be going outdoors for that so WHAT does he hurt? Nothing.
They have a little girl about 4 years old who has to be shown the incredible hate for a neighbor and a lil kitten.
For the record, her father is one of the biggest assholes in the county I heard. Super mean. Well the apple doesnt fall far... Her husband is an old farmer and doesnt really care I dont think but of course he has to listen to her bitch.
After writing this I think he will end up being a free cat like all the rest. I doubt he will have the desire to run as Lucky did BUT he WILL run over the next few years. They all do. Lucky I adoped at 1 and 1/2 years old and already ran. Buddy is from a kitten.
After reading YT and people calling guys who put cats on leashes gay lol I sort of agree.
Here are some good quotes I agree with after searching "cats and leashes" at GFY:
J Falcon: "Walking a cat on leash is stupid. Seriously, it's not a dog. I have 2 indoor cats but they go out whenever they want." [I love you bro. You are a man's man]
Ottopottomouse: "Seems pretty mean to keep a cat indoors all the time." [if you are in the country as I amI totally agree]
Deej: Scents... spring... birds... and he wants to digest some grass... [so true and it seems cruel to be shackled to please the neighborhood bitch]
and my fav from a guy with only 31 posts from last April
loopardo: “There is no life without freedom". [that is all he wrote in the post]
I guess Buddy will run. Much to her shagrin.
Shouts to all my cat peeps
freedom for lil Buddy
