Hi, I’m Christopher! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my silly Russian Blue cat, Olga.
Outdoor cats enjoy their freedom and are not as susceptible to obesity as indoor cats. Although they have to dodge speeding cars, avoid predators, and resist their urge to consume antifreeze and other toxic chemicals, they rarely get bored. Rodents and songbirds entertain them until they’re ready to sleep on the roof of a car or a neighbor’s lawn chair.
Origin of Olga
After Olga and her siblings were born, their owner threw them into a ditch. I’m not sure if he was born outdoors or how long he stayed in the ditch before the Humane Society rescued him, but the experience may have affected his love of the natural world. He was an indoor cat who never tried to run outside.
He runs to the front door when he hears the doorbell, sleeps on the windowsill, and stays glued to the windows near the bird feeder, but doesn’t seem interested in going outside. When the birds in my backyard get too close to the backdoor, Olga attacks the blinds and rubs her paws on the glass, like someone is cleaning a windshield with a squeegee.
Backyard Avoidance
When I opened the door, he ran away. I’m glad I don’t have to worry about how he got out, but it’s strange that he’s afraid of the backyard, even if it’s full of wading birds. I like birds and I don’t encourage him to hunt them, but I’m more concerned about the anoles and barks in my yard. They are easier to catch, and if Olga tastes them, there will be fewer flies, mosquitoes, mosquitoes and roaches around to eat.
Olga may also be hesitant to go outside because of the large dog population in my area. However, he was more alarmed by the sound of helicopters, hot air balloons, and garbage trucks than barking dogs. He didn’t have much experience with dogs and didn’t seem too concerned when a large wild animal somehow squeezed through a gap in my fence and happily defecated near his favorite bird feeder.
The Snow Day
A few years ago, I went out with Olga to see what she thought about the snow covering my yard. We’ve been outside for less than a minute, but he can’t wait to get back inside. He jumped off my shoulder, walked carefully to the back door, and yelled at me to show his disapproval. I’m sure that didn’t improve his view of the outside world, but he was reluctant to go outside when the grass was green and the wildlife was plentiful.
I’m not guilty of taking him out of the fresh air when he seems content to play with furniture and destroy furniture. He stays in shape by running around the house and playing fetch, and while he lights up when he sees a bird in the yard, he doesn’t feel anxious or depressed about his confinement. House cats may have predator DNA and the instincts to chase and pounce, but Olga is happy in her inner world.
This article is part of a series by Christopher and Olga.
