rolanni | Adventures in Cats

As those who have been playing along at home may remember, young Scrabble, our calico-of-all-work, came to us through a work-study program sponsored by the local animal shelter. Scrabble had been on temporary assignment as Assistant Manager and Night Shift Supervisor at Animal House pet supply store when we met her, and

kinzel was so taken with her self-possession, efficiency -- and let's be truthful -- the neat turn of an ankle in spotless white tights, that we brought her home.

Before the outplacement, Scrabble had been a Cat of the World, having apparently gone walkabout at a very young age, and lived by her wits for an unspecified period of time before coming under the care of the kind folk at the shelter.

All of our cats are indoor cats. We explained this to Scrabble when she first came to us, and, indeed, the people at Animal House reported that she stayed as far away as possible from the door. She came to us in a November, showed no interest in the Great Outdoors all through the winter, except to observe it through the windows. Came spring, though, and she took to darting out the door and racing around the front yard until

kinzel and I captured her and brought her in. We had a few weeks of this, and then she lost interest in the outdoors again. I should mention that Scrabble has had The Operation, and so should not be seeking male companionship.

This year, Scrabble has broken out at least half-a-dozen times, last night being the worse instance yet -- because we didn't know she gotten out. When

kinzel stepped onto the deck to commune with the stars directly before we went to bed, as his is pleasant habit -- he was nearly bowled over by a Calico Streak: Scrabble, tearing back into the house.

We were horrified, but relieved, thinking that perhaps this adventure (it had rained off and on last night) had cured her. But -- no. This morning, she was out the door again, and led

kinzel a merry chase before being captured and carried ignominiously
inside, where she is currently In Disgrace.

Anybody have any ideas how to keep this cat inside?