Pancakes

by W
(Long Island)

Pancakes is 16 years old. He has been going outside during the day for as long as I can remember.

I grew up with this cat and I will tell you this: he is happier and more affectionate (to me and strangers) than any other cat I have ever encountered. In fact, that's what everyone who meets him says.

Cats have two personalities: one is the domesticated pet that comes out when the cat is indoors, and the other is the natural predator that comes out when it is outside. To deny one is fundamentally wrong.

Indoor only cats are typically mal-adjusted around strangers because it sees them as intruders into its "hunting ground"/ home. As I've said I've never met a cat that is as friendly to strangers as Pancakes.

In-door cats are skiddish. However, I do not understand why one would own a cat if not to let it in the house....Cats need the best of both worlds: a safe place to sleep at night, and an outdoor hunting ground during the day and early evening. This way you eliminate many of the dangers faced by outdoor cats...(I admit that I do recommend keeping your cat inside if you live in a highly urban area)

I have had cats all my life and my view is simply this: Life is dangerous,that does not mean it should not be lived...Get real people, cats are animals not babies. I've lost a cat to a car as well, and I still think its cruel to keep cats indoors.