by Andrea Gaboriault

Created on: June 11, 2009

I have been a cat owner for my entire life. The only time I have not had a cat was when I was in college, and believe me, if they were allowed in the dorms, I would have had one! As a child, many of my favorite memories were of my cats.

They are intelligent, beautiful animals. They are extremely easy to take care of. They are fun to watch and fun to play with. Their moods can swing like lightning one moment, they're craving for your attention, and the next, they want nothing to do with you. But when they do want your affection, there is nothing like the relaxing feeling of cuddling up with your cat, petting its soft fur, and just listening to it purr.

Having an outdoor cat is like having front row seats to the latest nature documentary. Sometimes we'll see our cat chasing or pouncing on something in the back yard. Most of the time she misses, but my daughters love seeing her in action doing the things that nature intended. It's important to remember that cats are creatures of nature. They have a purpose for their lives. Pound for pound, they are the fiercest of hunters. Sure, they can't take down an antelope like a lion can, but a lion hunts only when it's hungry. Domesticated cats continue to hunt, even when they're full of cat food. But if it weren't for cats, the populations of mice, rats, birds, and such would not be healthy. Cats can only catch the prey that's too slow to escape, usually the old or sick. Such is the way of nature. And here in suburbia where I live, there are not enough predatory animals left due to human habitation.

So, the question will always remain indoor or outdoor? That depends on your cat's habitat and your own beliefs. Personally, I would never keep a cat indoors all the time. I couldn't stand to stay confined in the house my whole life, so I can't see how a cat would want to. I am blessed to own my home in a neighborhood that is away from the main roads. My cat is all black, so I have conditioned her to only go outside during the daytime. For those of you who think that outdoor cats live shorter lives, though statistically that may be true, my cat just turned 14. I keep up with her vaccinations and watch her weight, though she doesn't bring home nearly as many presents as she used to. And when I see her laying in the grass or on my front stairs and she is totally relaxed and content, I know she is happy.

I must confess that I've had my share of scares when I call her and call her and she doesn't come home. Once, when she was younger, she didn't come home for three days. I was a wreck with worry! But I also accepted the possibility that she may not return. Not that I believe that she's disposable on the contrary, if something happened to her, my family and I would be devastated! But as I said before, I have had cats my entire life. I've watched them be born, and I've seen them die. This is a fact of life. I am glad I have had to cope with their loss, because when there are even bigger losses in my life, I am able to cope with them too. It is painful, yes, but it is a lesson I am hoping my children will also learn.

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