For the time being, it appears we have cooled down in Minnesota (yes, the “land of snow and ice” often has temps around or warmer than the 90°F/32°C range with tropical humidity to go along with it during August and July). Summer’s not done with us for at least two or three more weeks and I’ve seen August levels of heat in October in my life. At least once in November.
If you don’t like the weather in Minnesota, wait fifteen minutes, as we like to say.
Anyway, yesterday evening was fairly cool (closer to 75°F) and so I decided to experiment with the Norsk skogkatter kittens. I pulled out the fancy and schmancy backpack carrier and simply opened it up. Grendel, who actually likes carriers, hopped right in — he’s explored the backpack in the past and saw nothing that warranted concern. Grímnir was not terribly interested in sharing the smaller space with his brother and went to explore other things in the house. I zipped it up (a first) and that didn’t seem to bother Grendel.
Then we went outside into the backyard. And just sat.
At first, Grendel was all WHAT THE HELL? but he very quickly calmed down and got interested in the world around him, seeming especially to enjoy having the breeze in his face and listening to the various birdcalls and cursing of the chipmunks.
Grím realized he was missing out and meeped from the patio door, so I went and dug out the regular carrier (which is a cloth/mesh design similar to the backpack). He settled down into a sphinx pose and watched the world go by next to his brother.
Aside: I still haven’t gotten over just how talkative these two can be and how much their “meeps” — more regularly known as “chirps”, but the girls and I decided “meep” was a better word — are a joy to hear. Maine Coons “trill”, purr and meow. Norwegian Forest cats apparently are more purrs and meeps with the occasional, quiet meow (so far).
And that was it.
We just saw there until the mosquitos discovered me and then we went inside.
I’ll probably try a short jaunt with one on my back tomorrow evening unless there is rain or the heat returns. Maybe two small jaunts each evening over several weeks. Eventually, the harnesses.
Baby steps.
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