More Tuna tales

[siercia]

When we inherited our cat Tuna, she had been an outdoor cat for most of her life. Of all our fur-beasties, she's always been the one who wanted out the most. Until now, we've always lived in *very* not cat-safe neighborhoods. Now, with the exception of one cat-eating dog, and rumors of coyotes in the woods near our house, we live in a fairly cat-safe place (quiet street, lots of yards, etc.). I've been feeling guilty lately about keeping them inside in the name of keeping them safe.

Tuna managed to get past me this morning, when she darted past my legs while I was putting mail on the mailbox to go out. When she went, she stopped about 2 feet away and sniffed at the grass. She let me follow her around as she explored the yard, and didn't run when I picked her up to bring her inside (although she did yowl and try to get away when she realized where she was going. I felt so bad bringing her inside.

I know I joke about wanting to get rid of her (and yes, she is my least favorite of all three kitties), but I really wanted her to bolt away from me when she got out. Not so that we would get rid of her, but so that she could go off and have a little kitty adventure. I feel like I'm keeping her inside to assuage my own conscience about being a "good" cat-mom, when I'm really wondering if the trade-off between a longer life and a happier one is worth it. I think I know how she'd answer the question if she could, but then I tell myself that she's only a cat, and doesn't have any sense.

And yes, I realize that if we let Tuna out, we'd have to let the other kitties out, and yes, I'm even coming towards being willing to let Gabby roam too.

Comments

[asmodel.livejournal.com]

My family used to live in a 'cat-safe' area, but he came home violently ill on many occasions after getting into fights with the neighbourhood cats and possums. Mum eventually got sick of having to pay for all his operations and kept him inside overnights. Daytimes are still safe in those regards though. Perhaps you just let them out at daytime or something.

[siercia]

That's what I've been leaning towards as well. How successful is your Mum at rounding the cat up at night?