Joey's outside incident

[JaJaJoey]

Well it's spring at last! So it's not cold out. The cat wants OUT!

So finally I decided to just go ahead and let him outside and just walk with him so that he doesn't go anywhere near the road or get into any trouble. All he really did was go underneath the porch which did kind of worry me because of all the spiders..but I was calm about it cuz if need be I can go under there and get him..and I can still see him.

20 minutes went by and I want to go back inside so I call Joey and he came to me. I lifted him up and started to carry him back...he didn't want to go inside yet he wasn't ready so he jumped from my arms and ran back underneath the porch. Of course I was pretty agitated about this but understandable so I just called him again and he started to come back out but..ran back underneath. So I just let him have his way and prowl some more.

5 minutes later Joey decides he's ready to go back inside so he jumps back up on the porch and sat there..looking at me like.."I'm ready now mom.." So I let him inside.

Hours later it's dark out and I'm on the phone with my friend from Canada and this would be the last time I talk to her for 3 weeks because she's going to Taiwan. I was in my room for awhile until I came out still on the phone and I noticed the sliding screen door is opened just enough for Joey to get out! First thought that came to my mind was..Joey knows how to open the screen door. "Where's the cat?!" I asked..kinda freaking out. My mom responds, "I don't know but I don't think he's outside.." Since we've had many false alarms with Joey being outside I just calmed down and went and closed the door and went back in my room.

10 minutes later..usually Joey comes out by now when he hears me ask people where he's at..but he didn't. So I leave my room still talking on the phone and notice that someone is outside with a flashlight..by this time..I KNOW Joey is outside. So I run to the screen door and peer out there..and there he is sitting on the porch by the pool. "He IS outside!" I tell my mom as I go out to get him. He runs to the porch couch and goes underneath. My sister is standing in the door way blocking his way (like a total IDIOT!) So I tell her "Will you call him..uhm hello CALL HIM!" Finally my mom calls Joey and he runs in between my sister's legs and back inside.

My sister then decides to make the remark "Obviously she doesn't care very much about the cat since she didn't even get off the phone."
I responded in my defense with, "What reason do I have to get off the phone? Joey loves me enough to come to me when I call him, and I don't think he ever plans on running away since he stuck around the house."
Caught her speechless with that.

For the record we don't plan on letting Joey out again because when we do we would have to go out with him so that he doesn't run into the road. So we don't want him begging to go out all the time or trying to get out. He hasn't begged or tried to anymore lately but the first week was a real hassle. I think he's happy with what he's got.

[Traci]

Joey loves me enough to come to me when I call him, and I don't think he ever plans on running away since he stuck around the house."

You are lucky he even came back at all. You can't think in terms like that, Joey's Mom, cats don't think like we do, and they are not thinking of sticking around to suit your needs. Anything, and I mean anything, could have happened suddenly where he could have darted out in the street, got hit by a car, the possibilities are endless.

There are very few cats who will come to an owner simply by calling their name. You should NEVER assume that, and NEVER rely on that, ever. When cats are outside, they are oblivious to anything but investigating, running, hiding, chasing birds or butterflies, roaming, and wanting to go further....you won't be able to stop him again.

For the record we don't plan on letting Joey out again because when we do we would have to go out with him so that he doesn't run into the road. So we don't want him begging to go out all the time or trying to get out. He hasn't begged or tried to anymore lately but the first week was a real hassle. I think he's happy with what he's got.

I hope, for Joey's sake that you mean that. I'm going to be very direct and clear here.....see INDOORS ONLY and please read it in it's entirety.