Uncharted waters

Comet has always been an indoor kitty. It's safer for him, and easier for me. But now that I live in a house with a backyard, he has been staring out the sliding glass door longingly. I decided to let him explore one evening while I sat on the patio where I could keep an eye on him. It was fascinating. He made three laps around the yard, each one quicker than the last, sniffing and investigating every single thing. And then he started bounding around chasing a fly or something. It was adorable, and, strangely, made me proud. My baby in touch with his inner kitty!


Since then, he meows to go out all the time. I don't like the thought of his pristine white coat getting sullied with all sorts of outdoor dirtiness, but so far he hasn't rolled around in the mud or anything. I'm also leery of the neighbor's cat invading Comet's territory and them getting in a scuffle. Sometimes I try to resist his cries to go out, but then I look in his cute wittle face and, I know it sounds corny with a capital C, but I think of that old saying, "If you love someone, set them free." I'm totally the overprotective mommy and I need to let Comet go forth and play...at least in the relative security of an enclosed backyard. :-)

The other day, I let him out while I was getting ready in the morning. I kept looking down in the backyard from my bedroom window, checking on him (and taking the above photo). When I couldn't see him anymore, I figured he was close to the house, lying under the patio table, perhaps. But when I came downstairs, there he sat on the kitchen floor, the screen door wide open. He must have figured out how to slide it open to let himself back in! He's more resourceful than I give him credit for!