Charted territory

Cat walks

About a year ago, I discovered that Frederic enjoys taking walks with people. Until then, our policy had been that the cats could be outside in the yard when I was home, during fine weather, and at least one door or window had to be left open. Inside at night, inside if I left the house for more than a few minutes.

One day, I called the kitties inside so I could walk into Ballard but Frederic refused to come when I called, staying within eyesight of the house under a favorite bush, defiant in body language. Reluctantly, I locked up and started walking toward town, and Frederic darted out and followed me down the sidewalk. I stopped a few houses away, walked back home, lured him inside with treats, and continued my errand.

A few days later, he did it again. This time he was more insistent. We made it to the corner at NW 67th and had a bit of a standoff, he not going back, me not crossing the street to go into Ballard.

“Okay,” I said, “let’s take a different route.”

Previously, the only cat I’ve known to enjoy walking with her human was Tigerlily, and it is she who gave me the idea that Frederic might enjoy this too.

He loves it. He walks beside or slightly behind me, sometimes in people’s yards or along the curbside rather than the sidewalk. He has his favorite places along the route to sniff and explore.

Linus is another story. He frequently sets out with us, but almost always turns back in one of the same three places and meets us back in front of our house. Sometimes he stops in place and yells if we keep walking, refusing to come along.

After he went missing, during our neighborhood search, I was able to map out his much smaller radius of almost exactly half a city block in more detail. I found a break in the fence/yard line that I couldn’t see without exploring backyards that explained his ability to circle back to Earl and meet us at home.

That he has wandered (or, more likely, bolted, out of fear) beyond his small, safe home space, as several animal behavior experts have concluded, breaks my heart. But it is also encouraging to learn that his wayfinding is keen within his charted territory. May that bring him home to us (and oh, we are still looking for him!) Or, if that is not possible, may he establish a peaceful half block wherever he is now.