How to teach a cat to walk on a leash?

From surviving cancer; to training therapy animals here I go!  I recently got a request that I write a blog post on how to teach a cat how to walk on a leash.  Yes, its a far cry from being a cancer patient but don't we have our needs for training our therapeutic animals? 

Yes, I have one of those strange Dog Cats that loves his outdoor walks, sometimes he  even fetches his favorite toys and will even play bad mitten with you (only if he feels like it).  He is always up for a walk outside but the trick is; he will only walk around around Town House Complex.   If I do try to walk him outside on the street he will do what others cats typically do and just lay down and give me dirty looks.  He is not a street walking cat but instead a Town House Cat.

When I first got Tonto he was exactly 180 degrees different from what he is now.  He was mean, scared of humans, and totally farrow.   I imagine he was abused because we couldn't get close to him at all; he even bit me several times and also bit my husband.  It totally pissed both of us off that we couldn't get this kitty gentle.  We were so ready to get rid of him because he seemed dangerous and totally anti social. 

We had Old Toonces and just wanted to get a kitty that he wouldn't be so jealous of.  He needed a buddy and for Toonces is was a buddy that he could boss around.   Toonce didn't have a tail and we figured if we got a kitty that had a tail he wouldn't get the idea of tearing up the tail.   Toonce was the total Alfa cat despite having had a sex change.  Well he got Crystalitis? not sure how to say or pronounce it but in essence they had to cut his penis off (it was completely blocked with urine crystals) and they even made him a pussy?  He could be pretty rough with a kitten which is why we chose an older kitten that may be able to hold his own.  Tonto was only 5 months old when we got him.  Toonce loved that Tonto didn't have a tail.  He had never seen another cat like himself.  It was cool!)

Check out my curly post chemo locks!)  This is a photo of Tonto after I had him close to tame. I can't believe how tiny he used to be!  What I did to gentle him was to keep him in his crate at first and locked him in the bathroom where I could spend some quality time with him.  After a few weeks he got more and more gentle.  We let him out before the 2 week span and OMG was he wild and crazy.  We no idea that we would have him become the cat that he is today.  He seemed set in his little ways that humans were all evil.  He finally did come around.  My mom had always told me that I have a way with animals and my honey believes that to be true as well.

It was such a slow process getting Tonto gentle and loving us.  He got to the point that he would follow me into the bathroom just to spend some time with me.   To this day he still does that?  It took him 2 weeks to fall in love with me and a total of 6 months before he trusted my honey.  What actually changed him was when a friend brought over her little 2 year old son.  The little boy had a feather in which he played with Tonto.   Tonto totally surprised me the even came out from under the bed upstairs.  He was sitting under a table in the living room when the toddler was playing with him.  We had only had him maybe a month when this happened but it was such a beautiful moment.  Tonto used to be this zip in the room.  He would run past us and you couldn't even make it out that this was a cat zipping by.  He was stealth fast and total blur when he zipped by.  It was like zip here and zip there and "what the hell was that?". 

Even as a baby; he loved sleeping on his back in so many different areas of the house!  You just never know!) I did everything I could to get this little manx gentle.  He finally  started to come out of his shell and he become this playful little kitten who loved to carry his favorite toys around with him.  He would fetch his favorite toys for what seemed like hours and it was pretty fun watching him grown up. 

I guess around 9 months or so when he was super duper gentle finally; 180 degrees totally different cat; I decided it would be time to teach him to walk on a leash.  I had done this with Toonce when he was young and he did walk on the leash pretty good for a couple of years until he got to be so fat and lazy.   Manx are one of the easiest breeds to train as they are very dog like.  They follow you around, they fetch, come when called,  loves to ride in the car and go shopping and of course  and then walking on a leash.

 

This little kitty had some giganto webbed feet and another characteristic about Manx are that they are drawn to water like a duck.   As a baby he was practically all legs and very clumsy looking.  He didn't mind getting baths at all in fact he would smack at the bubbles and purr as I shampooed him.  So he was very easy to bath and not like most cats.  He loved the water and still does!  Now he just talks to me as he is getting bathed.  Anyway here is a video of my next door neighbor's daughter bathing Blue Belle and Tonto at the same time!)


 

Anyway how did I teach this cat to walk on a leash? Both of my cats always wore a collar for ID purposes.  I decided to click a small leash on his collar to get him used to the leash.  Since he did follow me around the house; it  seemed it would be easy to teach him.  At first he thought the leash was this fun string toy and he would loose himself playing vigorously with that leash!  I thought he might accidentally choke himself so I had to watch him carefully when he started his crazy play games.    Well I got some kitty treats and I grabbed the leash for the very first time.  I called his name and had a treat ready for him.  He obliged and walked up to me as I tugged the leash gently to the side.  I told him what a good boy he was and gave him the treat.   That meant so much to him as I told him what a good boy he was  and praising him. 

Now I realized that teaching him to walk on the leash would involve gentle tugs to the side and not full on pulling him forward and of course some sweet encouragement.  He loves to be talked to and sometimes he talks right back.   Cats don't work that way if you tug them forward; I think it freaks them out!  You never tug a cat forward (at least I have never heard of cat that did?)

He was finally getting the hang of walking around with me as I guided him around the house with the leash; most of the time I just followed him as he explored with his leash on.  He became quite used to it.  I finally decided it was time to take him outside with the leash. We walked outside as he became quite excited to see the great outdoors.  He had to stop and smell all the flowers.  He liked walking on the side walk and it seemed he caught on to what the leash was all about and he seemed OK with it.   I think we must have hit a few snags as we continued our walk around the complex and each time a little Greenie and some encouragement did the trick each time.  He followed for a little while and then decided he wanted to lead the way and from then on it was all about his great walks outdoors.   

His big brother Toonces is now waiting for me at the Rainbow Bridge used to walk good on the leash but he lost interest once we moved into our dream home.   While Toonces was still alive; he kept Tonto quiet most of the time because Tonto is known around here as the loudest cat on Earth!  He usually has so much to say but Old Toonce would not put up with Tonto's constant chattering and would often get on his back and dominate him much like dogs do to one another.  It was the strangest thing to see but it worked for those couple of years that Toonces was around. 

  

When Blue Belle arrived, both cats displayed lots of curiosity of her.  Toonces actually fell in love with her because she was so sweet to him  and she did everything she could to not get a beat down from him but none of them would ever sleep together like I've seen other cats and dogs do.   Blue Belle just hasn't been too crazy about Tonto because she knows he can be very dishonest and a bad, bad, bad boy for jumping up on counters and finishing up dishes  and it pisses her off that she can't dare reach to take over.  She knows that we don't want him on counters and he knows this too.  Sometimes she will bark and he knows that after she barks that he better get is ass of the counter before we catch him.  Sneaky little boy he is!  He just plays the sneaky game all the way.  When Toonces was around he was a better boy and  much more behaved.  Toonce would body slam him if he dared to be a bad boy.  So after we lost Toonce there was a significant change of attitude being the only cat.

Another thing Tonto does with his big feet (if we don't lock the doggie door after a rain, he likes to play in the puddles and then he brings in on my beautiful floor, big wet kitty prints and lots  of soggy leaves.  It's a nightmare to clean but just one the little quirks this big boy has!)  He has the best sense of humor!)

Tonto grieved for Toonces for at least 6 months and Blue Belle didn't seem to miss him at all.  She took on the roll of Alfa girl almost immediately.   She doesn't put up with Tonto's crap at all.  She does get jealous of him often but the two of them put up with each other pretty good.   Tonto gives her hugs and to her those are very annoying and she is always trying to lick his ass which drives him absolutely insane.  He hates that with a passion!   He makes the hideous sounds when she does that as if she bit a piece of his off.   Yes the two of them are great therapy for me and they make such a big difference in my quality of life.  

Hope you all enjoyed this post as much as I did in writing it!  Peace and Love to all of you!)

Well here is another gorgeous horse who needs a home or some hay; what ever we can do for him.  I love Appaloosas so I have this special place in heart for them.  When I was little we got this Gray Appaloosa and I couldn't say "Grey Appaloosa" so Graple is what came out and what a great name!) Anyway this one has blanket of spots and he is quite young; only a year old.    He was born July 17th, 2009.  He is 1/2 Thoroughbred, with a mix of Percheron, Shire, Appaloosa, and Paint.  He was actually born on the Animali Farm.  He is very friendly and amazingly beautiful.  His adoption fee with help other foals who were not a fortunate as he.  He did go to Monty Roberts Academy and he is halterbroke, you can pick up his feet and he will go into a trailer with out any problems.  His Adoption fee is $1800 and he will be a big boy once is all grown up!)   Oh and his name is Big Mac!)  If you are interested you may contact Jennifer Johns or Cheryl Forbes at Animali@aol.com or (805) 938-0174

Bagless and Loving it!

Well the thought I am thinking now is "wow! What an amazing cat I have!". I just took him and Blue Belle out for a walk this evening (after it had just gotten dark) and I ran into my neighbor (Belle's best friend Tess's mom). Anyway, Tonto is just walking along and then sees my neighbor and goes into stuck up mode (but it's really shy mode, he just makes it seem like stuck up mode). I had to hold him just for a little while and then I put him back on the ground in order to massage his neck while Tess tried to give him kisses. I kinda shielded him a little because I could really tell that he really wanted to bitch slap Tess more than anything but the massage made him happy enough to not want to; he was content for the moment. After she would have enough of trying to kiss Tonto; she would go back to Blue Belle for kisses. I wasn't able to get any shots of Tess tonight since she was moving to fast for the flash but I did get these few of Blue Belle and Tonto.

So then Blue Belle and Tess ran around for a little bit and it was a little dark but I still brought my camera to capture some shots. Forgive this shot; I didn't realize he was peeing but he does this from time to time and I suppose it helps out my honey in having to clean out the cat box. He actually goes nuts the entire time that I or my husband takes him out on walks. He wants to go too and it seems with all the screaming and crying he has been making; he would rather be an outdoor cat. I don't know exactly what I have created; he's very chubby and can not eat any more than he does during the day; not even sure what he gets from the neighbors on either side of the fence since he can make them think that I starve him to death but he doesn't look at all like he is starved to death.

I can't let him out with out a leash in the big wide world or he would get diseases from the farrow cats; I know he would kill quite a few birds, mice, rats, squirrels, and other small rodents to add to his growing girth. He could also get hit by a car or hurt by raccoons that sometimes roam the streets at night. He talks to me quite a bit and sometimes I go nutty and talk right back to him; telling him that there is no way he going to be an outdoor kitty. He needs to be happy for what he already has; Blue Belle lives in the moment and is always fascinated with right now but Tonto holds grudges sometimes and isn't always pleased with what is going on right now; only sometimes when he plays with his toys or is eating or walking outside on his leash. He isn't too happy about the leash but he is a good sport about it. It's the best I can do so that he can go outside to play. Sorry to go on and on about my kitty but he did make me laugh and stress free for part of the day and a lot of the time that I get to spend with him. He is an excellent stress reducer. Well Blue Belle does the same for me in different ways in that she gets to go with me on special errands around town.

I have an appointment with my Chemo doctor on Monday at 3:30pm and I will be getting him to fill out some paperwork for the Clearity Foundation as well as the Business Office. The found is is also an Ovarian Cancer Survivor and I know she believes in me after reading my blog. I wrote her an email after a dear of friend of mine gave me the link to her website. I was so inspired by all the questions she asked of my disease (it was all the right questions as if she wanted to get something done to cure me). She sure gave me a lot of hope and inspiration especially after reading her website. I would love to raise money for her organization as well since her organization does so much for other Ovarian Cancer Survivors. I want to be healed; not treated and then left to die. I do have lots of fight left in me and I would love to be on a chemo drug that really worked; not some guess.

Well here I am drinking some liquid chemo (red cabbage, spinach, carrots, and some bean sprout juice). I juiced this one on my own with my Jack LaLanne Juicer! Yum, yum! I'm also drinking a glass of carrot juice, and 2 servings of Evolution Brand Essential Greens, and Carrot, Beet, and Celery. I drink 1 bottle per day, and now I am having Oatmeal and Flax for breakfast with a glass of orange and carrot juice. I try to eat through out the day; since Goat Milk is considered to have more alkaline properties; I mix with Dairy and a scoop of whey protein and then have that with some ginger cookies or bread. I just got off the TPN just days ago (Wednesday), this is my 2nd day off the juice! I am maintaining my weight so far and am still above 120lbs. Yippee! I am now bagless! So Yes, that's the big news! I'm off the feedbag for right now! I will have to maintain my weight and eat like a pig for right now. I'm trying by getting the munchies as much as possible.

Although lately I have been suffering from some pretty bad intestinal pain; I have been having to take pain medication but it's the worst kind of pain. It feels as if my intestines are coming out of my butthole. Why must I get these undignified types of pain that is so embarrassing to tell anyone when they say; "how are you feeling" or "how are you doing?". "Well to be quite honest, my asshole hurts like fuck, why do you ask?" No I do not tell anyone this, my main answer to everything; I'm that little kitten that's just hanging in there. I always think that everytime I answer. I'm dealing with pain in any way that I can and I'm surviving the impossible. The pain is worth tolerating for this life!

All those who help me; are kind to me, love me, and are just there for me; make that butthole pain all the more worth putting up with!) It's just temporary pains sometimes and it sucks that it occurs while I am shitting (Oh god is that a good thing because abdominal blocks are damn shitty to have to deal with!(. OH GOD do they suck and at least I'm going; granted it's painful and pain pills work like a charm. The intestinal pains and spasms only occur when I am going and its almost like aftershocks sometimes. I have to do the sitz bath each time and I always worry about these episodes each time I go out. Sometimes I accidentally over do it and end up on the couch for a while just resting and getting over the pain, but other times it just goes away and life is able to go on.

I usually don't like to write about events before they happen but I do have a surprise post for Sunday; I will be busy on Saturday and that's all I can say. I can't jinx myself at all because I really want this dream of mine to come true. It seems every time I plan something and then say something about it; I get jinxed and end up in the hospital or somehow unable to go. Its kind of the Missouri thing in me where I don't believe something happens until it actually happens; so please be in for a surprise on Sunday when I post next. Peace and love to all!

Oh Congrats to my favorite president today! He won the Nobel Peace Prize and I'm so happy for him. He's so very humble about it but I do believe he has made great strides in making peace with the rest of the world. I'm so very proud of him!

A Fun Day with Neighbors...

Well today was finally a day where I got to spend part of the day with my neighbor Nick. I had been thinking of joining him for a movie for several years now and finally!

But first Blue Belle's best friend Tess and her mom went with us to the dog park to look for Jagger, Blue Belle's boyfriend (he never showed). Tess and Blue Belle ran and played a little until Sophie, Blue Belle's competition showed and those two ran and played a few round and then Sophie had to leave. Blue Belle played a little bit of frisbee, then Tess chased her a few times then gave her loads and loads and loads more kisses inside her mouth, right on her tongue!

When we were done, we came home and then I went right over to my neighbor Nick's house to see if we were still on for the movie. When I came over and followed Nick into his house, he walked over to the dining room where Tonto was perched at the bar stool in front of the breakfast bar as if he had been heavily engaged in conversation and getting treats.
He was interested in seeing "Bolt" (it was released today) and since he does go to movies once a week or more, he has literally seen every movie except for the ones that are released that day. He may catch the others that were released another time in the week.

Nick is retired and lives alone; it seems it makes a big difference that he gets to spend quality time every day with Tonto. It's the least I can do and it really benefits both of them. Tonto gets to go under our back patio fence to hang with Nick when he gets lonesome and/or needs people interaction, and Nick gets to have big fat kitty fixes from Tonto. Tonto gets lonely sometimes when we take Blue Belle places and its his privilege that he gets to go see Nick.

Tonto is extremely chatty and will carry on conversation with anyone that will listen even though his language is troublesome to try to understand. Nick seems so happy to be able to hang out with Tonto every day and I could tell this by the excitement in his voice as he told me some funny Tonto stories. It is a blessing that my lonesone kitty can come over and get more attention from someone willing to give it to him. I feel guilty that sometimes I do have to leave him all by his lonesome sometimes and now I don't have to feel so bad anymore.

Manx cats are kind of needy sometimes and are considered the clown of all cats. They really need to be around people and are very dog like. Hense, he walks on a leash and he fetches his favorite beloved toy; a scrunchie.







Anyway enough about my anti-cat. We had some time before the movie so I went home to medicate myself so that I didn't have to taste or feel the chemo pill that was in my stomach. I ate 3 of my magic cookies, some nice hot tea and plenty of water.

The movie Bolt was even better than I expected. I give it 4 stars out of 5 and definitely 2 thumbs up. Normally I don't like to watch kid movies but this one wasn't that bad. I laughed, cried, sat on the edge of my seat a few times and laughed some more. It was that good and even more excellent were those cookies! (The cookies lasted most of the day and kept my stomach from aching or cramping. I did drink water all day long and that helped tremendously.)

This was actually a good movie to see on the big screen because of the advances they have made with kiddie movies. Plenty of action and it was cool how some of the characters were almost real looking with facial expressions and all. Part of the dog seemed part real dog like his rear end of stuff. Hope that makes sense, but it was fascinating to see. If you do get a chance to see this movie, do go. I was able to hold it throughout the movie so its not too terribly long like the Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter. I had to go like 3 or 4 times during those movies. What an awesome day!

Nick told me that he loves to watch movies like this (animated) and because of the extra concern about sex offenders going to see kid movies, he felt better that I was with him because he would never in a million years ever harm a child. He always goes in the morning when kids are at school but sometimes he still feels out of place going even though he is just going to see a movie.

This to me is just another example of how the media has scared people into making them feel self conscious and its just not necessary to stress us out. Maybe if they could just report more examples of good people rather than focusing just on the bad we would have a more peaceful world.