Never Mind Old Dogs and New Tricks

Old pussies aren't much chop either!

Rosie, our much loved 13 year old cat, got horribly lost when we first moved into our new house the day after arriving. I let her out in the evening and she was finally spotted and returned to us, much to our great relief and joy, almost 3 weeks later - bedraggled, confused and desperately hungry. She barely moved from the lounge for the next month.

It is hardly surprising. Our last 2 homes were both in fairly isolated spots and finding your way home not difficult. To suddenly find yourself in the midst of a sea of houses, that to a cat probably all looked the same, and no guiding beacon home she must have lost her bearings.

I worried for her - she seemed totally reluctant to wander, started using a cat tray (and sometimes the corner of my office), and simply refused to use the cat flap - something she has never had preferring to appear at windows to herald her arrival home from her gallivanting.

I felt as though she was going to end her life with a whimper instead of a bang. No more presents of mice and baby rabbits No more nights away from home. A shadow of her former bold, brave , adventurous self. No way for anyone to spend one's latter years.

Imagine my joy when I arrived home after my regular Bad Boys evening of badminton and beers entertainment to see her outside. Not so much gallivanting as cautiously scoping, but outside in the dark nonetheless! She has worked out that that hole in the door opens up a whole range of possibilities at any time of the day or night.

Unfortunately it is too small for the dogs (and they can't scale walls like our cats) otherwise we would never be at any animal's beck and call.

So perhaps their is life in the old cat yet and perhaps you can teach old cats (and dogs) a thing or two after all.

#cantteachanolddognewtricks