The owners of a 15-year-old feral cat named Crusty decided to try walking him on a leash as he was getting restless indoors. They purchased a cat-walking harness and started with short sessions around their apartment complex. Initially, Crusty was nervous and resistant, but with time, he became more comfortable and even seemed to enjoy the experience. The owners then took Crusty to a nearby mall, where he explored different areas, including a sushi restaurant and a burger joint, but showed no interest in a grassy area or the Apple store. Despite some initial jitters, Crusty handled the mall trip well, and his owners considered the outing a moderate success. They believe that walking Crusty on a leash can help him get exercise and reduce his stress, but acknowledge that it may not be suitable for all cats.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Crusty is a 15-year-old cat who was once a feral cat.
2. Crusty was adopted by Tyler and Safiya.
3. The vet estimated Crusty's age to be 15, which is equivalent to 75 in cat years.
4. Crusty had a vasectomy instead of being neutered.
5. Crusty has been an indoor cat since last fall.
6. Crusty's owners, Tyler and Safiya, wanted to find a way for him to have some outdoor time without making a leap across a five-story building.
7. Tyler and Safiya decided to try walking Crusty on a leash.
8. They purchased a cat-walking harness from PetSmart.
9. The instructions for the harness recommended putting Crusty in it a couple of times before trying to take him out on a leash.
10. Tyler and Safiya took Crusty for a walk around the apartment complex as a "dress rehearsal" before taking him to the mall.
11. Crusty seemed nervous at first but eventually got used to the harness and leash.
12. Tyler and Safiya took Crusty to the mall, where he attracted a lot of attention from people.
13. Crusty seemed to enjoy the experience, although he was a bit anxious at times.
14. Crusty's owners learned that they couldn't pull him, but he would walk on his own if he wanted to.
15. Crusty showed interest in certain places, such as the Cheesecake Factory and a sushi restaurant.
16. Crusty's owners plan to take him for walks again, but not necessarily on a regular basis.