Nemo's way of going outside

I have been getting comments on how some of you are a little afraid of the outside world. I am too so I wanted to show you a pictorial guide on how to make those first few steps. I have two ways of doing this and this is the method for those that are just scared of anything outside.

This is right outside the door. I'm a little crabby because I usually am dragged out here because Patches wants to go straight out where I like to take my time but Mom or Dad are holding onto two leashes.You have to sniff and investigate. Make sure you have an escape route. I'm looking at my door hoping I can figure out how to get in.
Take some slow steps down. One paw at a time but always keep an eye on your safety zone.It is OK to get a little scared and go back. The world is a very scary place and these things take time.
This move I call the stretch move. You act as though you are stretching and it makes you look a little less of a scaredy cat.

If you repeat the above steps you will eventually get to the bottom of the steps. It is still pretty scary at the bottom but it is a lot of work to climb back up the steps so might as well enjoy some grass or a good dirt pile before going back up. These things take time so don't expect to get to the bottom right away. I am very scared of everything. If the wind blows a leaf I am ready to go inside. My Mom and Dad think its very funny that even if they sniff, I jump. If I can do it anyone can.

Tired Toes Tuesday

Yesterday was a really nice day. It was over 70 here and really sunny. Our dad took the day off to recover and he took us outside. Then when Mom came home we got to go out again. Patches explored and walked and walked and tried to eat lots of dead grass. Nemo came out and rolled in the dirt, had to go in and get a snack and then became a little more adventurous.Checking out this leaf before eating more grass.

The world outside is very scary.

Now we are tired, too much fresh air. Nemo is upstairs sleeping and Mom didn't want to get up to take a picture so here is Patches relaxing her tired toes in the new rocking chair. Our grandmacat made this rocking chair for Mom and Dad and the new baby. We love it though since there is a nice blanket on it. Mom will share pictures of us being cute with all the new baby stuff soon she promises. We like all the new things to play with and the new bed to sleep in.I'm the babycakes so I get to be rocked to sleep.

Happy Saint Patricks Day everyone. We almost forgot about it or we would have done an Irish post.

Don't forget to vote!

My mom and dad want us to remind you to go out and vote on Tuesday. No matter what side you are on, everyone needs to go out and vote. It sounds like the lines might be long but it is important. I know all us kitties aren't allowed to go out and vote but we can tell our humans to do so. Our parents voted on Saturday and even then there was a line and they had to wait awhile. In other news, we are so happy for the nice weather. A lot of times during this time of year in Iowa, our mom is throwing us in our first snow for the season but would you believe it was in the mid to upper 70's today. We got to go out for a walk today and we love to do that. Nemo seems to have lost his harness but he never goes anywhere but a step out the door. It just means two people need to go out. One to sit by Nemo, the other to walk me over to the grass or anywhere my nose takes me. I like to eat lots and lots of grass but mom says no sometimes because then I go inside and get a pukey. Mom has talked for a long time about getting us new harnesses that fit better and even talked to Daisy's mom about it forever ago and now that one harness is lost, she might break down. Maybe we'll get harnesses in our stockings.

These pictures are from this summer. We live close to a state park and one day we got to go on a hike. It was a lot of fun and we love going outside and know exactly what is being said when asked if we want to go outside. Patches will even respond.

If anyone has any recommendations on cat harnesses that would be greatly appreciated. Patches is about 9lbs and Nemo is around 12-15lbs if that helps. We were looking at the Puppia harness as it seems what a lot of cats use on the blogosphere and look as though they fit better. Let us know if anyone has other recommendations.