Now that Henry is allowed out he has started a new training phase (him training us, of course). I open the bedroom door and he goes out.  I leave it open but it’s cold so after awhile, when I notice that he has long come inside again, I go to close it.  Whoosh! Henry dashes outside.  I leave the door open, just enough for him to come in and the moment I turn my back, he does.  I go to close the door and — whoosh! – he’s out again. Now I close the door and I have a kitty outside complaining loudly that we are horrible people who banish him outside even though it is freezing.

I remember our first cat in South Africa (Lady Baby Cotton Socks) who would always miaow when she wanted the door opened do that she could go outside.  In spring, when it finally rained again after the completely dry winter months on the Highveld, she would stick out her paw, catch a raindrop, shake it of and disgustedly turn back into the house.  She would repeat this performance  at all our doors leading outside, not believing that it actually rained on every side of the house.  It took her at least a week or two until she remembered the phenomenon “rain”.