Since Day One, Osa–the-Cat has made it purrfectly clear that she would like to explore the great outdoors. We were all for that, except we knew very well that at ten years old, Osa had never spent more than a few minutes outside Gordon’s house. When she did manage her escape, Gordon mounted an immediate search and, once she was found, he redoubled his vigilance.
So, when we became Osa’s stewards, we made sure she didn’t go out. We set up a litter box (much to my consternation) and cautioned visitors to enter and leave quickly and shut the door behind them. We are way too close to the road, for one thing, and we didn’t know how our roaming chickens would feel about a cat in their territory. And vice-versa.
Osa Ventures Forth
But Osa persisted. She was fast as lightning. She would wait her opportunity hidden under the hatrack beside the front door and out she would run if we weren’t blocking the opening with a leg or two. On the occasions that she did get out, she would head for the flower beds to the east but usually came with a few calls in that demanding teacher tone that I have not yet lost.
However, when Nyel came home from the hospital, I gave up. For one thing, blocking the door when two EMTs and a gurney full of a recumbent body were making their way inside seemed impossible. So, predictably, Osa went out. I was too otherwise occupied to pursue her, but not long afterwards I saw her sitting expectantly on the porch waiting to come inside.
Osa Asks To Come In
And so it’s been. At first, she’d stay outside for only a short time – maybe a half hour or so. If she went out the east door, she waited on the east porch to come in. Ditto the front door. Gradually, her time outside has increased and just the other day she seemed to realize that if she went out one door, she could come in another. I don’t think she leaves the yard yet and sometimes I see her just lounging on the porch, not the least bit interested in returning inside.
Now that it has turned windy and rainy, though, she isn’t interested in venturing out at all. When the offer is made, she pokes her head out, looks carefully at the swaying plants and blowing leaves and refuses to leave the warmth of the house. Smart kitty.
Osa Washes Up
There is one interesting change in her behavior since she has become an inside/outside kind of lady. She washes and washes and washes once she returns home. Apparently she feels it necessary to get every vestige of the out-of-doors out-of-her. She washes behind her ears, between her toes, all over her back and her belly… and then she starts over.
And, as far as we know, the girls and Osa are living in peaceful co-existence, No complaints from anyone so far.
Hopefully Oysterville is quiet enough that should she expand her horizons Osa will remain unscathed. At least she’s a happy kitty. We had a young indoor/outdoor kitty when we moved from Nahcotta given to Nadir by Sue Anderson. We tried to keep her inside in Gig Harbor, but she was an escape artist, even jumping from our second story balcony. She met a predictable fate in the race track we live on, bit I fancy that she at least was happy.
Sydney, still enjoying your blog each day! You are very talented and I’m looking forward to your newest book! C
Thanks, Claudette! The book is available now. Let me know what you think~
Hi Sydney! I have a funny small world story for you. Back in the late 70’s my Mom ( Beverly Smith-Jernstrom) worked with Gordon in Ilwaco at PACE. And my sister became good friends with Gordon and Roy. About 12 years ago she resided in Raymond Washington at the top of Duryah ST. One day she came across a beautiful tiger stripped cat. Lost and alone she tried to keep the cat and named her Tiger lily. Unfortunely, her older cat didnt like Tigerlilly and it brought her stress. About this time Gordon’s old cat Asa passed away. Greta hopping to find a good home for the cat ask Gordon who said he wasnt sure but to bring the cat and see. Well you know Gordon He Named her Osa and kept her and spoiled her until his passing.
This last spring my cat of 18 years passed away. I wasnt ready for another cat. But missed her dearly and decided to spend some time with cats at the shelter. I wasn’t ready for another cat but there was something in this one cats eyes that drew me back there daily. She was always at the window staring outside and had these eyes. I couldn’t take her being in there any longer, and when I found out her name I knew being the good Swedish girl that I am, that this was the one and this was the time.
Needless to say this cat is like no other, has got quite a voice and an opinion on well, everything! Pretty good mouser too! Now she gets along with the dogs and doesnt mess with my birds, squirrels or chipmunks and loves to be around us inside or outside. In fact we just discovered yesterday that she will come if we whistle for her!
So as you can probably guess, I have Osa, Gordons’ Osa. The one my sister brought down from Raymond all those years ago is now at her final home.. with Greta’s little sister! Really small world don’t you think?
Kimberly — I remember your mother, Bev, very well indeed. She was sometimes a member of our Picnic Group and I think your sister sometimes house-sat (as did I) for Gordon and Roy when they were off traveling. In fact, Greta makes an appearance in my book “Ghost Stories of the Long Beach Peninsula” in the story about ‘The Little Girl at the Manor.’ I had no idea that she was ultimately responsible for Osa finding her way to G&R’s. I do believe, though, that Osa was originally “Roy’s cat” — that’s what I remember and it’s how Gordon always referred to her. I am so happy she is ‘reunited’ with you! Thank you so much for telling me the rest of that story!!