Neotechy is wise. You are vain. And stay away from my pillow and computer or I’ll stop cleaning your litter box.

But it’s always good to have a friend who is a doorman.

___,,,^.~.^,,,___ Oh yeah? We’ll see about that Mr. Baiter! You will come to rue the day you taught me how to use your computer when you aren’t home! When you find your pillow all wet and squishy tonight, don’t look at me. I was too busy in front of the mirror to be responsible. Go ask that wussy little shill of yours, Neotechy. I heard he’s got the incontinent bladder. >evil purrrrRRRRRRR<

—Arctic Cat

Readers’ comments

#1 I have two indoor cats that I love. It’s a false choice to assume that an indoor cat must have its claws removed. My cats have all their claws and they never hurt the furniture. They are smart and know better. A domesticated cat is, by its very nature, living in an artificial world, whether outside or inside. I would not expose my cats to the outside dangers, especially in Sedona.

Carl

#2 I believe cats should be free. It’s cruel to keep such an intelligent animal confined. There are things you can do to reduce a cat’s hunting behavior. If you had known about the CatBib, a simple device that attaches to the cat’s collar you might still be living in your original place. The CatBib was independently field tested and found to stop 81% of cats from catching any birds and 45% of cats from catching small rodents. The results were published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Biological Conservation, July 2007. Audubon recommended the CatBib in its Jan-Feb 2008 magazine issue.

There are also cat fences that make it difficult if not impossible for your cat to leave your backyard. Some people build elaborate cat “kennels” with cat doors leading into the house.

Hope my information is useful to you.

#3 I live on the Eastern plains in rural Colorado. I’ve had numerous cats through the years–most who were indoor/outdoor & free to roam. I believed that cats needed to be free. BUT, I lost so many. One got ran over right in front of my house. Many came home with diseases that caused them a short life. One beloved 12 year old got attacked by 2 dogs, and was chased far away. I never saw her again. Did she die is some prairie, bleeding to death? Her replacement, named Tink, was also an indoor/outdoor cat. She nearly tore the pad off her foot trying to get out of a tree. Then, she got bit by a rattlesnake and almost died. OKAY, I said. That’s it. I love these precious ones like my own children. At least you can teach kids how to cope with dangers. So even though Tink was already 6 years old and used to roaming, I trained her to become an indoor only. She seemed to understand, and doesn’t even try to run out. I got a new kitten, now a year old. She is an indoor only. I have not declawed either one. I’m glad now, because the neighbors have numerous unneutered males. Some are indoor/outdoor and some are left outside always, with a bowl of food on the doorstep. Some are mean, and tear each other up. They could easily hurt my kitty. These male cats come to my place and go in my garage and pee all over everything. If you have an outdoor cat, you never know the damage they are doing to others.

#4 Tommy’s immature attitude and pretense of giving his cat a good life is really unfair to Attila. Attila will probably not have a long life as he is being exposed to many dangers in our environment. Tommy’s Mom must have spoiled him way too much because he loves to hear himself talk and writes too many articles that say nothing in 12,000 words.

#5 Responding to Post # 4….This is Tommy. Yes, I was spoiled by my mother and I am in deep poo because she read my article and is now threatening to disown me. But a man has to stand by his convictions and by golly…I hope I have the guts. But I disagree on my cat having a short life. She is now five, having spent two years in Chandler and three here in Sedona. And she will live forever.

You say she is exposed to danger? Danger is what makes her stronger and more alert. She is fascinating to watch when she goes outside. Every fiber of her being is lit. She is feline beauty to behold…alert, ears like radars individually scanning for any rustle of threat, eyes everywhere, nose sniffing the wind. She is as fast as greased lightning. She can climb a tree in the blink of an eye. I’ve seen her take on other neighborhood-outside cats twice her size and leave a wake of her opponent’s fur as they run for cover.

Yet, at home, she is a purr machine. Gentle, never scratches people except once when this Kung Fu Master guy tried to match his speed against her and pissed her off. He will never mess with a cat again.

And yes, I do love to hear myself talk and spending 12,000 words to say nothing is an art form. Remember, without nothing you can’t have something. Wisdom is in the mind of the beholder.

#6
Tommy, you’re not the only one with a cute cat! This is Alice. All her claws and an indoor cat. Is she saying, “I’m content” or “Let me outside!” You decide.

Carl

#7 I have several cats, all living indoors. While it is true that cats love the outdoors, their life expectancy goes down significantly if they live outdoors. They face the threat of dogs, wildlife, cars, disease, etc. I have known several people who feel they need to be free and then are surprised when they disappear and cry over the loss.

The people made the choice. Cats can adapt and there are several things people can do to give cats the opportunity to live both indoors and outdoors safely. There are ways to create backyards that are safe or interior courtyards, or you can create a fenced in area in the backyard with tree branches, etc. Remember people determine the fate of the cat.

I have learned a lot about cats over the years and decided that I would rather keep mine inside than see them torn to shreds by coyotes. So, our spoiled little babies get walks on a leash and get access to a safe courtyard. Joshua Snow, get to go all over town and even ride the trolley.

You don’t have to deny a cat access to what they love and place them in danger. For anyone who owns a cat (excuse me, is owned by a cat) you will learn the more time you spend with them, the more they communicate and learn how to get access to what they want. Enjoy them and give them a longer life.

Dr. G.

#8Tommy is a brave new world man sorta guy. Thoughtful and insightful. If I were Atilla, which I’m not because I’m a man, and Atilla is a sexless female cat, but if I were Atilla, I would be so happy for having been left at least my claws and outdoor freedom that I would come purr for him every night instead of disappear (which I think is the real fear of pet owners, is their pets won’t want to spend time with them).

My mom’s got an obese, sexless female cat minus any nails and may be killed should she venture outside just from the noise that comes out of my mother’s hands clapping and yelling shewing her back inside. I think she is obese because the only joy in her life now is filling her belly. She sleeps and eats and sleeps and eats. She has gotten past the stage of even venturing near the window to peer outside. Outside? That’s a whole different universe! It’s a parallel universe right? Or maybe it’s a different vibration. Who knows….? I think she lives a full life of silent misery, and if she still had and desire other than to eat and sleep, she might trade it all in for one wild afternoon of chasing mice or wabbit hunting even if she had to die in the clutches of the jaws of a mountain lion or red tailed hawk.

This Atilla is a danger to herself and society. God knows how many little creatures have come to a horrible end in her vicious claws and jaws. Try to picture yourself a baby bunny for the first time venturing out of your rabbit hole from your mother’s side, looking at the sun, seeing the flowers, taking a few tentative steps into your new world and suddenly being snatched by a Saber Toothed Tiger and slowly eaten alive?