creekland Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Two of our cats have been dedicated outdoor cats. Sure, they'll come in to eat and will occasionally give you a few minutes of lap time if they're in the mood (esp if you're busy) but in general, they LOVE the great outdoors (and we live on a farm, so there's a lot for a cat to enjoy). They've done this for several years/winters now. They're probably around 5/6 years old. But this winter? They've converted! The younger of the two used to be deathly afraid of "The Great Upstairs." Now he willingly sleeps on a bed up there like he's done it since kittenhood. The older used to be very aloof - only coming around when he wanted. We could go days without seeing him if the hunting was good. Now he wants head rubs often and has been sleeping at my feet the past two nights. They still ask to go out in the morning (evidently, even a white great outdoors still beats a litter box indoors), but I just let them back in and was greeted with a "what kept you so long?" admonishment... They are happily bathing - probably really not sure what happened to their land of Eden, but thankful they have a winter Ark for this year! What a winter! I wonder if they will convert back when spring comes - IF spring comes... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 What a sweet story! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbmamaz Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Our cats always spend more time indoors in the winter. Its annoying, as they wake up at 4 am wanting to go out! But they really hate the snow. They will cry at the door, look out at the snow, look up at us and cry some more. This is the first year we've seen all three of them sleeping on my 10 yo's bed together (its the only twin bed in the house lol). I took some curtains down in the dining room and left them on the floor for a few days and everyone loves sleeping on them, for some reason - i've even caught cat and dog sharing the 'curtains'. But one of our cats will only be petted standing on the bathroom sink . . .and he's been wanting a LOT of affection recently. Honestly i get tired of it - i'm the dog person! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildcat Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 One of our cats 'converted', too. He is a 12 y/o who only comes in when the hunting is sparse or if it is raining hard/gusty winds (high winds make scary noises, apparently). We know he will revert back to his old ways when it warms, however, as he ventured out on Sunday and sunned his belly in the first 'warm sun' we have had for a long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Our barn cat has taken to sleeping in the garage (not any warmer than the barn though) and this morning was meowing at our door at 5am. Not sure how he would do inside though as I doubt he is litter trained and he is sorta friendly but adopted our barn as an adult. We caught him and got him fixed but you can't go around and pick him up, carry him around, etc. Our house cat spends most nights outside in the good weather but now has decided that it is far to cold to even step outside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoJosMom Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Our barn cat has taken to sleeping in the garage (not any warmer than the barn though) and this morning was meowing at our door at 5am. Not sure how he would do inside though as I doubt he is litter trained and he is sorta friendly but adopted our barn as an adult. We caught him and got him fixed but you can't go around and pick him up, carry him around, etc. Our house cat spends most nights outside in the good weather but now has decided that it is far to cold to even step outside. Us, too! Our barn cats have abandoned it for the (partially) heated shop. They won't even go down to the barn with me when I feed the horses. Traitors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted February 18, 2014 Author Share Posted February 18, 2014 This is the first year we've seen all three of them sleeping on my 10 yo's bed together (its the only twin bed in the house lol). I caught all three of ours on youngest's bed too. There was one at each corner - I presume the last corner was either reserved for youngest or we need one more cat. ;) It really surprised me as the three don't really like each other. The one who usually loves being indoors (regardless of weather), is not too happy about the invasion from the outdoor cats... One of our cats 'converted', too. He is a 12 y/o who only comes in when the hunting is sparse or if it is raining hard/gusty winds (high winds make scary noises, apparently). We know he will revert back to his old ways when it warms, however, as he ventured out on Sunday and sunned his belly in the first 'warm sun' we have had for a long time. I'm wondering if these two will revert back or decide they like the creature comforts. Time will tell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildcat Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Dd finds she has all three animals on her bed most days (both cats and the dog). I have a feeling our 'convert' will go back to his ways once the temps go above 'too cold to go out', or once the chipmunks (his favorite 'snack'-- ugh) start foraging again..... he is now 12 and this is the first year he has seemed like a house cat. The upside is we have a ton of photos of all the animals sleeping on dd's bed. Or is that a downside--- too many photos? She can't resist taking a 'cute photo'! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted February 19, 2014 Author Share Posted February 19, 2014 Dd finds she has all three animals on her bed most days (both cats and the dog). I have a feeling our 'convert' will go back to his ways once the temps go above 'too cold to go out', or once the chipmunks (his favorite 'snack'-- ugh) start foraging again..... he is now 12 and this is the first year he has seemed like a house cat. The upside is we have a ton of photos of all the animals sleeping on dd's bed. Or is that a downside--- too many photos? She can't resist taking a 'cute photo'! We have quite a few cute pics too! And our cats have not yet learned (or believed me) that chipmunks are a protected species in PA. We get some (briefly) each year. I wonder if they ever stop to THINK about why our area is chipmunk free before they move in... I suspect they'd have better odds if they stayed in the woods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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