The Outdoorsy boys

If you know anything about our cats, you'll know that we've had terrible troubles with Murray peeing inappropriately around the house for about a year now. I wouldn't wish this problem and its associated stress on anyone. There have been many visits to the vet, many products have been purchased and used around the house (happy cat scent diffusers, anyone?), and many fliers were put up around town to try to entice someone to take him off of our hands. But alas, even the humane society wouldn't take him. It has been a mix of real medical problems (6+ months ago) and real annoying mental problems (the whole time). Alas, not even the "cat whisperer" we brought in could fix him.

We were at the end of our rope, and Murray was in all seriousness not long for this world. We had the final appointment made. The absolute last thing that we hadn't tried yet was just to kick him out of house and see how he did. Thanks for the suggestion, Sarah. In the past, we didn't want him to get lost and not come home, or get eaten by coyotes. But when it is that, or the other option, why the heck not? Well, after three weeks, things are going very well. Murray is outside now the vast majority of the day between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. and comes in to eat and sleep at night. When he's inside he is on his best behavior. He sticks to our yard or the one adjacent and spends a lot of time under the house. Katie snapped this picture below of Murray soaking up the sun. Anyway, so far, so good. Interesting, Mona shows no inclination to go outside. She likes having the house to herself.


Finn can now probably say about 15 words, include tough ones like raisin and apple. His favorites are still "hot" and "ball." He can point to his tummy and yours, or your nose, ears, and mouth. He has also taken a very personal interest in the cats and will follow them around the house or the yard, just yelling their names over and over. Maybe he thinks they're just ignoring him. I mean, they are, but what would he want them to do anyway? Now, the words Mona, Murray, momma, moo, and more, often sound quite similar, but the context helps. When he's outside yelling "Murr!" he sounds like he's got a Boston accent. (Murr! Murr! MUUURR!) Last week he also found this stick in the yard, and now it never leaves his side when he is out the door. The rainy season is past, so we are outside quite a bit now!

And he's started liking hats! I managed to convince him to be like daddy and wear his baseball cap last week, and since then he's really enjoyed it. And he looks SO CUTE!