Cat's Guide to Escaping the House

Rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 70 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

How Oreo The Cat Plans To Escape From The House

Hello, my name is Oreo, the senior cat at the Easterling household. While I love my human family and they take good care of me, the call of the outdoors sometimes gets the better of me! They used to let me outdoors all the time, but I started wandering too far away from home (or so they say) so they decided that it was better for me and my "sister cat" Meeko to stay indoors.

Of course, I think otherwise! Outdoors is heaven! The squirrels, the grass, the trees, the birds! All just waiting for me to make my escape. Here are my tips (along with tips from my human "family") for any self-respecting cat who wants to enjoy the great outdoors!

For our long-time readers: You'll be happy to know that my human "parents" have been working on making my life more entertaining. Check out the new toys that I got.

Tip #1: Push out the screen of an open window. 

Do not let an open window go unnoticed! And don't be deterred by a screen on the window. Many screens can be easily pushed out and you can slip out with ease!

Owner Tip: How to Repair Window Screens 

Black & Decker: Everyday Home Repairs (Black & Decker Home Improvement Library)

In case you happen to damage the window screen in one of your escape attempts, your owners can use this handy book to make repairs! In fact, they should have a copy of this book anyway; it is full of easy-to-use information to help around the house.

Amazon Price: (as of 07/26/2008)

Tip #2: Use a downstairs window! 

If you decide to try Tip #1, be sure to use a downstairs window. If you use an upstairs window, you may find yourself stuck on the roof, as I do sometimes. (I don't know why I can't remember some windows are upstairs. Gee whiz.)

And just so you know, my family's house has a very tall roof and it's a long way to the ground. So just stop laughing.

Owner Tip: The Little Giant Ladder 

In case you get stuck on the roof, your owners will need a safe, easy-to-use ladder to help you get down. My owners love the Little Giant. Yes, that's the ladder advertised on the infomercial. Amazingly, it is quite easy to use, just like on the infomercial. That's a good thing, because I get quite anxious up there waiting to be rescued.

Wing Little Giant Ladder System 22- Foot 300-Pound Work Platform, With Hinge and Tip and Glide Wheels #10103LGW

Here's the best Little Giant... it has the platform that your owner can stand on while reaching up on the roof to collect you!

Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 07/26/2008)

Tip #3: Wait for someone to open the door. 

It may sound simple, but waiting right by the front door until your human family heads outdoors is another way to escape. For the greatest chance of escape, position yourself away from the door -- so no one knows your plans -- than dart out quickly when the door opens. Run between the human's legs to confuse them!

Owner Tip: Self-Closing Storm Door 

Fullview Easy-Vent Storm Door from Lowes
My owners finally got tired of their old screen door and replaced it with the storm door that you see in the photo above. It's a self-closing storm door that has a hide-away screen vent. Unfortunately for me, the screen is on the top, where I can't reach it. Rats! Anyway, this door is very nice!

Tip #4: Learn to speak "human." 

Face it -- it would be much easier to get outside if we cats could just ask politely. It works for the family's children. As little ones, they learn to speak and ask for what they want. I've learned to make a meow that sounds like "water," and it works fairly well if I yell it loud enough. But they just don't seem to understand that "Yeoooouuuuut" means "Out."

(Here's a picture with me and my human "mom," Anne. She used to teach elementary school, so I can't understand why she can't teach me to talk.)

Owner Tip: Understanding Your Cat 

Since we cats cannot learn to speak "human," here are some books to help our owners learn to understand our language.

How to Get Your Cat to Do What You Want

This is one of the books that my human "mom" has just ordered! It says that she will be able to train me to walk on a leash. This should be quite interesting ...

Amazon Price: $11.16 (as of 07/26/2008)

Twisted Whiskers: Solving Your Cat's Behavior Problems

I resent the implication that I have twisted whiskers. My whiskers are perfectly fine. Watch for updates on how this goes!

Amazon Price: $10.36 (as of 07/26/2008)

What Is My Cat Thinking?: The Essential Guide to Understanding Pet Behavior

This book has great ratings from other cat "parents." And it is a small book that is easy to read, and it's inexpensive too.

Amazon Price: $8.95 (as of 07/26/2008)

Understanding Cat Behavior

This is a very popular book about understanding us cats. It is mostly about cats who living outdoors, but it might help your owners learn a few important things.

Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 07/26/2008)

Understanding and Training Your Cat or Kitten

This book is written by a veterinarian from Texas -- Woot! Go, Texas! -- and she uses lots of stories to teach cat owners how to understand and work with their little darlings!

Amazon Price: $17.95 (as of 07/26/2008)

Tip #5: Nag, nag, nag until your owner gives up and lets you out! 

If your human family doesn't understand your attempts to speak "human," cry as loud as you can for hours and hours. If you are lucky, eventually your human "mom" or "dad" will get so tired of hearing you cry that they will let you outside for a few minutes. It's not much but it's better than nothing!

Owner Tip: Turn on soothing music. 

I'll admit it. Sometimes I get so wound up with my crying and crying that I can use some soothing music to calm down. My owner "mom" works in a home office, and she loves Disney songs and Christian music. Even if it doesn't help me very much, my "mom" says that it helps keep her from going nuts!

Official Album of Disneyland's 50th Anniversary

The best music from Disneyland!

Amazon Price: $64.99 (as of 07/26/2008)

A Musical History of Disneyland

The must-have to every Disney theme park fan!

Amazon Price: $89.99 (as of 07/26/2008)

Lifesong

Casting Crowns is one of my human "sister" Katie's favorites. I like listening in when she is listening to music from this album.

Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 07/26/2008)

Tip #6: Take a nap, and wait until later! 

If none of these tips work, just take a nap! When you wake up, play some games with your cat and human "brothers" and "sisters." Check around the house in case there's an open window or door. Practice your "human" words.

Of course, napping gives you more energy for your next great escape.

Owner Tip: Cat Beds and Toys 

If your owners are not going to let your outdoors, the least they can do is make sure that you have a comfy seat by the window and some fun toys to play with!

Catnapper® Cat Hammock - (Beige) - Complete Bed

A hammock by the window is the perfect place if you are stuck inside!

Amazon Price: (as of 07/26/2008)

Peek-A-Prize

If I can't be outside chasing birds and squirrels, chasing toys in this maze keeps me busy.

Amazon Price: $26.95 (as of 07/26/2008)

Kittys Little Garden

Bring the outdoors inside with this lovely little garden!

Amazon Price: (as of 07/26/2008)

Cat and Owner Bonus Tip: The Litter Robot 

When you care enough to get your cat the very best!

A few months ago, my owners got me and my cat "sister" Meeko the absolute best litter box. Well, it's not a box. It's a sphere with a hole where we cats enter to - ahem - take care of our private business. The Litter Robot then spins and dumps our deposits in a secret drawer, where it's kept safe until "mom" puts in a new drawer liner. (The liner is a recycled grocery bag.)

My human "dad" calls it the Starship Enterprise! My human "mom" calls it a miracle. We cats just say that it's about time someone invented a self-cleaning litter box that really works.

By the way, this little miracle worker saves on how much litter we kitties use... So don't be put off by the price. It's well worth it!

Litter Robot LRII Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Box, Beige

This is the white model.... It's like the one I use!

Amazon Price: $329.00 (as of 07/26/2008)

Litter Robot LRII Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Box, Black

Very sleek... the black model.

Amazon Price: $299.99 (as of 07/26/2008)

The Litter Robot In Action 

Here's a photo demonstration of how the Litter Robot works. (Can you believe that my human "mom" wanted me to pose for pictures with this? Hrmph!)

Litter Robot by anne-easterling

Litter Robot

Litter Robot starts its cycle by anne-easterling

Litter Robot starts...

Littler Robot screen by anne-easterling

Littler Robot screen

Litter Robot clump collector by anne-easterling

Litter Robot clump c...

Litter Robot trap door by anne-easterling

Litter Robot trap do...

Litter Robot drop complete by anne-easterling

Litter Robot drop co...

Litter Robot collection drawer by anne-easterling

Litter Robot collect...

A Few Closing Comments 

So that's all. My human "parents" keep telling me to be happy indoors. My cat "sister" Meeko loves the indoors. (That's Meeko in the picture; doesn't she look so peaceful?) I know that it's dangerous out there. On one of my latest escapes, a nasty cat bit me and I could have died from that terrible infection.

For now, I'll keep looking for open windows, waiting by the door, and nagging, nagging, nagging. If you know of any tips to help my human "parents" teach me to love the indoors, just write to Anne by clicking on "Contact the Lensmaster" up above. She would love to hear from you!

Update: Play Therapy 

Yeah, sure, this is gonna work

So, my human "mom" has been reading all those books she bought. She's decided that play therapy is going to keep me happy indoors. Yeah, right! Anyway, the new toys are kind of fun. Here's a sampling of what she got:

Da Bird Interactive Feather Cat Toy (original 36" rod)

Now, this one is really fun! I really like how it flits all around, just like a real bug (I love chasing bugs outdoors!).

Amazon Price: $11.17 (as of 07/26/2008)

60 Zanies Furry Rattling Rainbow Mice (in Cheese Wedge Display Box) Cat Toy

Love these mice! They are furry, and they rattle. I love toys that make noise. It's very cool when my human "mom" attaches a mouse to the rod and reel. Yummy!

Amazon Price: $15.69 (as of 07/26/2008)

The Bug Jar Cat Toy

This one is on my Christmas wish list. Check this out: "We've taken the fascination cats have with bugs and other flying creatures and created an innovative new toy to entice your cat into playtime! Powered by a small fan, these bugs come alive and circulate around and around inside the jar! Bug Jar is specially-weighted and designed on a rocking base, allowing kitty to swat and play endlessly without tipping the jar over. An added feature for the cat that never sleeps, bugs can be charged under a light to GLOW-in-the-dark." Hey, Anne, are you reading this???

Amazon Price: (as of 07/26/2008)

Send Me A Note 

I know that I have lots of fans! So send me a note... especially if you have some tips on how I can escape from this house. Please, if you're a dog, don't tell me about going for walks. I'm tired of watching that TV guy Cesar Millan take those dogs for walks... Gee!

blondeheroine

This is a brilliant lens. I just got a new cat myself and this was honestly the first time I've heard about the robot. I bought a Littermaid and now I'm wondering if I shouldn't have waited and bought one of these. Anyway, wonderful lens!

Posted May 11, 2008

flighty02

Very funny.... One of my cats only tries to escape at night... Owners tip... get a spotlight :-)

Posted May 02, 2008

desertpetsitting

too cute! love your lens!

Posted May 01, 2008

SpyCop

This is so great, I will remember the tips in case I reincarnate into a cat on my next life.

Posted April 30, 2008

sandif

Love your lens! It's funny how people love to talk about their pets - I'm one of them. I had a cat named Domino who looked similar to Oreo - even the beauty mark, it was just a little lower in his whisker area. Domino lived for 18.5 years! I lived with him longer than anyone else I've known - still to this day! I have a cat now, Nicki, who uses the chimney to exit, but can't seem to find her way back in. See, I keep talking! Great job.

Posted April 24, 2008

 
1 of 10 pages

Look who made this lens!

AnneEasterling

AnneEasterling

Because I can't type (obviously), my loving and faithful human "mom," Anne, typed this lens for me. Anne is a consultant and writer. You may know her bette...

 more