Just another quiet Southern Ontario evening... Days getting shorter, heading towards the Fall. Autumn. My favorite months, quiet time....

It does not stop cat mischief, however.

Of my fearsome foursome, only Cleo and Velvet are permitted out on the "deck". That is to say my large balcony. I live 11 stories up in a Condo, and that makes my cats house cats. I swore an oath to the Lady that had given me Bella and Tippy that they would never be allowed out of doors. Oaths are to be broken. Tippy and Bella have been outside. They love it! They have had no trouble in the sunshine, under supervision.

After said former owner went nuts on me when she found out I let them out, that was the end of that. Tipper and Belle do not get go out.

Cleo and Velvet can enjoy the balcony; they know not to jump. They know "up" and "down", the other two may not, although I suspect they do. Neither is stupid. Especially not Bella. I know humans with less brains than her.

The story is that Cleo wanted out last Thursday evening after supper, and her request is always granted. A book shifted by the bottom of the door keeps it open when she wants to come in. It's very narrow, and she just pushes the door open when she wants in. I had my dinner, and let her out, putting the book in the door so she could just push it when she wants in.

I sat down to watch TV, my labours done, when from the outside, a black paw appears at the cracked door...Pushing.

"Cleo!" I say. "Come in, puss puss puss!".

The right hand black paw appears again. Cleo normally just head butts the door open...

Then again... The Paw... It is a SMALL right hand black paw, NOT Cleo's paw! Hey! Wait a minute, what's going on here!

That's when Cleo walks by... she's inside!

BELLA! Bella is outside!

When Cleo nudged the door to come inside, Bella went out! Bad Bella!

Well, she must have enjoyed her time outside. She won't get anymore, except on a lead. She must have been out there for most of an hour! I know she would not jump, but I made a promise and will keep it. Cleo and Velvet have done thousands of hours on the balcony, so I do not have to worry about them.

I DO worry about Tippy and Bella. I'm not sure they know. We aren't going to find out.

Copyright © Bill Mason
September 8, 2002