try, try again! We believe we have found our new motto. Actually, it’s our first motto. We didn’t even know what a motto was before today. But this fits our current and future plans purrfectly.
We weren’t very successful with our purrfectly planned payback session thanks to Chris cleaning up after us. But she did miss the fact that Lily Olivia managed to get herself into the living room* and knock over several gifts Dad received when he was traveling. None were damaged, but Maggie ratted out Lily anyway. And one of us had gotten into the transom above the backdoor, which Mom left open so we could get some whiffies, and pulled out most of the weather stripping in an effort to escape. But those were mere triffles.
So we have been super busy ever since then getting back at the humans. One of us did leave that nice gooey vomit right next to bed so that Mom stepped in it when she got up to use the facilities a couple nights ago. And the fur balls have been flying. The humans can barely turn around without finding a hacked up present. We don’t know if they have found the one Austin (CATachresis) hid ’cause he didn’t even tell us where he put it.
But Astrid, with a little help from Fiona, has been the linchpin in our plan. She’s now done the Houdini routine three times. The first we already told you about in “Payback Foiled.”
Her second disappearing act occurred two days ago when Mom was letting one of the big kids in the front door. Astrid bolted out through the three-inch opening. She gave Mom a two-hour run-around in the yard. She finally decided she was hungry (kitty dinner time had come and gone) and so returned, but not until Mom was panting and super frustrated. We were all laughing our furs off.
Then it was Fiona’s turn. She refused to come in off the catio at bedtime two nights ago. She had both Mom and Dad chasing her up and down the stairs, both inside and out, from one level to the next.
But yesterday was the best…Dad left the screen up on the kitchen window in order to take a photo of Lisbeth on the catio. Astrid was out the window and gone before either of the humans could scream, “NO!” She didn’t even stop for a nano-second on the deck before she jumped to the yard. Mom knew she wasn’t going to be easy to get in so decided to finish her breakfast.
When she went out Astrid was nonchalantly exploring the yard and totally ignoring Mom’s pleas and promise of treats. (She’d just eaten breakfast and had no interest in treats.) So Mom decided to work in the garden until Astrid got tired or hungry. After two hours of cleaning flowerbeds, trimming trees and dragging branches to the curb, Mom was dirty and sweaty and decided to come in the house. She wanted to save some energy for biking later in the day.
She assumed (very, very misguided human) that Astrid was ready to return to the house as she had come looking for her. Of course, Astrid had no intention whatsoever of doing this.
As it was Wordless Wednesday, Mom decided to take the computer to the catio and do some hopping and commenting. That way she could check on Astrid frequently. She also took our treat jar, but only after dispensing some noms to those of us hanging around the kitchen. We had been forced to stay in the house so the outer catio door could be propped open.
The human’s frequent jiggling of the jar lid and trips through the yard shaking the treat pouch did nothing to convince Astrid that she should return to the house or catio. After circling the house a couple of times while using the special kitty call the humans have for us, either with no sighting of Astrid or Astrid running from her, Mom would return to the computer.
After two hours of alternating typing and house circling, Mom decided it was lunch time. As she was getting ready to pick up the treats and computer she looked down to see the darling, sweet, lovable, stinker Astrid sitting next to her.
As soon as Mom opened the backdoor, Astrid was off like a shot for either food, water, the litter box or a nap. We don’t know which, but as you can see, she was found napping a short time later. Finally, the remainder of us got to have our catio time.
Astrid figures that as long as our humans keep making mistakes when it comes to managing the doors and windows, she can keep this up until the cows come home; though, none of us knows exactly what this means. We didn’t have any cows to start with; though, there is a pony buried in the backyard. But that’s a story for another day.
* As the living room is generally a cat-free zone, it does not need cleaning each time Chris visits.
Purrs and hugs, Lily Olivia, Misty May, Mauricio, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Josette
Lots of stuffs. Great snap of Fiona’s photo. Interesting that you guys have a cat free zone. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar
Hee, hee! You kitties did great! Our mom would have been in tears. In fact she was when Oui Oui hid for hours after the furnace man came and she thought Oui Oui might have run outside.
Oh my stars ~ you kitties seem to be giving mom a run for her money!!! It’s much better fro kitties to be safe at home.
Wishing all of you a wonderful week!
xo Catherine
We have not done the fur ball by mum’s bed yet lol x
You all are on a roll! Mom and I were having a good laugh about Astrid, until I reminded Mom that Thailing snuck out one evening and I had to go find her the next day.
Astrid, my mom would have a stroke if I got out. Admiral did one time while she was trying to get the mail out of the box and so the door was open a bit, and she walked right on out. Mom got her back but it was scary because there is traffic by the front of the house. Me, so far, so good.
Astrid, Astrid, Astrid….Good Job! A regular Houdini cat. But if the Humans are going to keep offering these opportunities, what else should they expect?
Hehehe!! Guys, don’t you dare tell mom where I left it!! Astrid you are a very quick learner. I feel my work is done!!
Ciao, Austin The Terrible xx
PeeEss Great post. Very entertaining!! 😉
Yes, us kitties can be quite persistent. And sometimes we can be lazy, or sometimes crafty and sneaky. Not that we know what any of these words mean. The most important thing is that you did a good job frustrating your human, Astrid. Purrs from the Zee and Zoey gang!
Astrid, sounds like you are keeping everyone’s attention. Isn’t if fun to get outside and explore. Hope all of you have a great day.
Ugh–I stopped at “Mommy stepped in it.” Too much of THAT lately!
Holy CAT you guys ran your humans ragged – HIGHPAW!
It seems like the humans never learn, doesn’t it?
Purrs
OMC, that’s some serious payback. If one of us got out like that, the head peep would be in hysterics.
Thank you so much for your kind words of condolence about our grandpeep. We’ve been overwhelmed with the kindness of the blogosphere.
My Mom admires your Mom’s calm! My Mom would have been a complete maniac if I had gotten out! I think you are one SMART Kitty Mama and I am so happy that Astrid is back inside safe and sound!
Love, Cody
Mom wasn’t always this way and sometimes still panics if she can’t find one of us. Astrid, however, is basically a scaredy cat, The furthest she has ever gotten was the next door neighbor’s yard where she freaked out and started to scream like a banshee. She usually stays under the deck watching the bird feeders hung right outside the catio or hiding under an old grain box located there. The biggest problem with her escaping is that she won’t come for Dad no matter what he uses as a bribe.
Great job Astrid! All of you are doing a good job of keeping your mom and dad on their toes! We’re very impressed but for some reason our mommy says she’s now going to make sure we for sure never get outside!
Astrid, Binga used to be a bolter until one time she got out and my human didn’t know and went out for the evening. She was quite put out about it when my human returned and hasn’t been all that curious ever since.
P.S. Even if you are not on Facebook, you can still vote for me in the Petties by using an email address.
I stopped at “Mom stepped in it.” Too much of that around here lately! LOL
That was such good teamwork and y’all pulled it off purrfectly!
MOL. You kitties have mastered the art of the payback! We’re taking copious notes! 🙂
Astrid has the humans ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL figured out! YA gotta admire that in a kitty! 😀
Kitty Hugs, Sam
the feline frenzy! I heart Astrid!
Geez, what adventures for all! We think you certainly need to add cows to the mix…just for chuckles and grins! Purrs…
Wow. You kitties have been BUSY keeping your Mom entertained. We’re pretty sure she appreciates all of it. 🙂
I managed to slip past Mommy while she was half way in the main door, arms loaded with washed litter boxes. Mommy grabbed the treat jar but did greedy me go to her? NO! Instead, I went straight for Stinky (the TNR cat) under the car and Mommy had to use the broom to sweep me out from under the car and back in the house. Hrummpf.
….Tutu
I love your posts. You are so creative and really capture the spirit of the felines. I always look forward to reading them.
Thanks Beverly. We are such clever and tricky kitties. Mom just chronicles it for us.
Astrid you are our kitty hero.
Now if only Mom or Dad would leave open the screen in the window (that isn’t likely as we’d get bugs and mosquitoes in the house here in FL) we would be out lickety split.It sounds to us you had a great adventure.
What great exercise for you peeps. You will keep them fit and healthy fur sure. We are insiders and have never been out as dad has a ves-ti-bule. It is a little place with another door to thwart our plans. Someday though…
We have a foyer AND vestibule with a door between, but it doesn’t latch well and Lisbeth has learned to open it! She’s such a sweet kitty, she’ll do whatever any of the rest of us ask of her.
You made our Mama laugh out loud! It would be hours of amusement to film all the shenanigans cats put us through during the course of any day! Darn those cats! :p We are glad you are home safe and sound Astrid, and obviously your Mama wouldn’t have worked so hard in the garden without your “help”!! Heehee.
the critters in the cottage xo
You’re doing a great job at payback!! We’re taking notes!
The Florida Furkids