marek williams

For the past several weeks I have been patiently trying to teach Old
George how to use his kitty door. It's hard plastic that swings back
and forth so he can go through it, but with a magnet on the bottom
that keeps it from blowing open when it's windy out. It is air-tight,
so it's good for keeping the house warm.

I used the usual tactic -- cat on the outside, food and me on the
inside, holding the door just slightly ajar with my finger, until he
pushes against it to get in. He has been taking his sweet time
learning this particular trick and I've been getting a little
impatient.

Well, today I was in the front of the house working at the computer.
George had been outside for several hours. Suddenly heard the
tell-tale clatter of the kitty door slapping back as a cat walked
through it. I dashed to the kitchen, and there was George, standing in
front of his food dishes, sniffing each one just as though coming
through the kitty door is nothing. His performance with the door
earned him a special dish of raw chicken, his favorite food.

Now it remains to be seen if he understands he can use the same
technology to go through the door the other direction.

--
Bogus e-mail address, but I read this newsgroup regularly, so reply here.

perky1

That's GREAT!!! Just remember
that cats, no matter what age,
tend to be VERY independent
and the key word is PATIENCE,
PATIENCE, PATIENCE! Your
cat learned one way, when he wanted, and be assured your
companion will go the other
way when it wants and not before!
Good luck, and know you
did all YOU could, now it's up
to kitty! Perky1