Bootsie had a rather harrowing experience yesterday afternoon, and now he’s quietly licking his paws, but he’s fine. It was a beautiful afternoon, the sun fooled us into thinking that the snow might disappear in the near future, the birds were chirping, and the dog walkers were doing laps in the neighbourhood.
Our front yard for the Boo, is full of exciting trees, shrubs, scents, and birds, the only thing is it’s not fenced, so he is only out there when we are right there with him. The back yard is just plain lawn, no trees, no shrubs, no where to hide. Most of the time he is content to just explore around the house, but there are moments when he decides to take off immediately. And you think I would learn from the last few times, but no….
So there I was again, wandering the neighbours yard, can of cat food in hand, banging the spoon on the tin, I even knocked on the neighbours door. No answer, their garage door was wide open, the large black dog who poops on my lawn was no where to be seen. She is a nice dog, but she does like to bark at the Boo whenever she see’s him, even if Boo is safe in our backyard.
This went on for a half hour, I knew in my heart that Bootsie is fine, he wasn’t lost, he just likes to hang out like a teenager, and he would return when he decided it was time. When we lived in the condo, he was always outside, and it’s a adjustment for him now that he is indoors more often.
My husband began to help me call him, we wandered around our front lawn, constantly checking the neighbours backyard for the dog, and for the Boo. Suddenly there was a loud woof, and the big black dog bounded out the back door. Unfortunately Bootsie was in the neighbours back yard trapped between the chain link fence that separates our properties.
Bootsie ran as fast as he could towards the fence, and freedom but couldn’t climb because it was chain link, so he decided to escape up the large fir tree that was there. I was in the front yard and it took me a minute or so to get over the fence, during which time I ripped my only good pair of yoga pants. The dog woofed, and barked very pleased with this new, chase the cat game.
Bootsie 8 feet up the tree, and starting to climb higher, furious, and terrified, meowed, and I managed to grab him just before he went any higher.
I am over 6 feet tall, and that day I really appreciated my height.
Poor baby, his claws are all bleeding, his pride is hurt, and I am sure that he is sore today. After all he has never climbed more then three feet up a tree, and hung on for so long. So this time there was a happy ending to Bootsie’s most un-excellent adventure, and I guess we need to start a Bootsie land in the fenced backyard for him as soon as we can.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
I was reading this with baited breath. Glad it turned out mostly all right.
ReplyDeleteBootsie land is an excellent idea! He may eventually make friends with the dog. Good thing you are tall Jen..who knows how long he would have stayed in the tree:)
ReplyDeleteOh, so glad he is okay. It's hard being the new kid on the block, especially if you are a cat and the other kid is a dog. Ann
ReplyDeletePoor Bootsie. Those dogs can be downright terrifying, even to us people-folk. You can imagine how a cat feels having it tear after him. It's good that you were there to get him before he went any higher. Methinks he should be an indoor guy for awhile.
ReplyDeleteBootsie needs to stay away from that dog! Poor kitty!
ReplyDeleteYikes! Poor Bootsie! Glad that he is ok....
ReplyDeleteWe had a kitten once that scaled a tree that was so high even a firetruck wouldn't be able to reach it. After cooaxing and worrying we finally gave up and went in the house and to bed. The next morning her was at our front door, thank goodness.
ReplyDeleteI have a friend that her cat is her only companion. She ties a really long thin tie out on her outside. SHe mosies arounda ll over the yard. I had never thought you could do that.
Good luck. Sure is scary, I know.
I am so glad that he is fine! I bet he will think a little more about where he roams. ut then again he is a cat! I had 2 so I know that their thought proccess is different. lol. How scarey is that! I bet you honored your height then. Bootsie needs a dog kennel. You know the kind. Backyard large chain link one. He could still get outside and not be threatened. Maybe even hook it to the house with a window access. Just a thought. Bet he would love it.
ReplyDeleteHow scary for all involved....sorry about your pants..
ReplyDeleteGlad Bootsie is okay and you were able to get him down. Our dog and the neighbor cats are best friends, they hangout in our yard most of the time. Maybe Bootsie and the neighbor dog will make friends at some point.
ReplyDeleteAw, poor Bootsie! I'm glad he's OK now. Love the photos.
ReplyDeleteWhen Aragon was young she was exploring next door's garden, no dog to worry about. I was calling her home, and Henry was getting more and more worried. I guess your chain link fence would be our wire mesh fence. No problem to Aragon she just walked up the fence like a lady ascending a staircase. Then she taught Henry to climb the stairs in the fence.
ReplyDeleteA Bootsieland in the backyard sounds like just the thing! And aren't you glad you never had Bootsie declawed!!!!!!!! - or he could have been a B&W dog snack. :-((
ReplyDeletePoor little Bootsie - getting chased up a tree. Hope you are having a good day.
ReplyDeleteThat is a scary adventure...but like a teenager, he'll probably do it again! There's so much to explore at your new home!
ReplyDeleteAww, Jen, poor Bootsie, but so glad all ended well. I had to chuckle when you mentioned to ripped your one good pair of yoga pants... I recently ripped a new pair of gray jeans for work as I was trying to herd the guineas into the coop before work, when I pushed the barbed wire fence down and tried to climb over it. Derr. Small rip in back of new jeans now. I was so aggravated by that!! But what we will do for our sweet creatures, eh?
ReplyDeleteOh poor Bootsie. Cats can get themselves in quite a bit of trouble. He must enjoy exploring the neighbors' yard. He must not be declawed. At least he can defend himself. It is always nerve wracking to help a cat adjust to new home. We have ha a couple of scares with Mo. He's the outdoor guy. Country hasn't been out all winter. As the weather warms, he will go out more. I do hope that Bootsie learns his boundaries, but cats rarely do. Too darned independent.
ReplyDeleteJen girl that is why my girls are total indoor cats .. I just can't take the chance .. it would drive me truly insane .. and just the other day when Number One Son was driving back home he was totally horrified to see a poor black cat hit by a truck .. right in front of a poor woman just about to cross the street .. thankfully the woman and some one in a car was able to stop and help the cat which I am afraid must have died from massive injuries .. poor son was so shaken when he got home .. he loves our girls so much and his wife's 3 cats too .. to see something like that really cuts to the bone with us.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you were able to get Bootsie .. I know you must have been so worried.
These are beautiful pictures of the Boo .. and he has probably forgotten the whole affair ! LOL
Joy
Maybe Bootsie has learned his lesson after this latest escapade. Poor thing. Your photos of Bootsie are really cute. Hugs, Pamela
ReplyDeletePoor Boo, what an introduction to the neighbourhood. Perhaps this will be a good excuse for instituting a new front yard fence that will keep the Boo in and keep the dog and his presents out.
ReplyDelete