A couple tries walking their elderly, feral-turned-indoor cat, Krusty, for the first time. They use a specialized cat harness and leash, and start with short walks around their apartment complex. Krusty is initially nervous but eventually becomes more relaxed. They then take him to a nearby outdoor mall, where he explores and shows interest in food places, but is unimpressed by stores like the Apple Store and Urban Outfitters. The couple finds that Krusty needs to be allowed to set the pace and choose his own path, and that he has a strong instinct to sniff out food sources. Despite some initial concerns, the walk is deemed a moderate success, and the couple plans to continue walking Krusty in the future.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Krusty is a 15-year-old feral cat who was adopted by the speaker.
2. Krusty is considered 75 years old in cat years.
3. Krusty had a vasectomy instead of being neutered, which is why he appears to still have testicles.
4. Krusty was a street cat who showed up outside the speaker's door and eventually became their pet.
5. The speaker took Krusty to the vet for vaccinations, where they discovered his age.
6. Krusty has been an indoor cat since the previous fall.
7. Krusty has been getting restless and looking for ways to escape or get outside.
8. The speaker decided to try walking Krusty on a leash to give him some outdoor time.
9. They purchased a cat walking harness from PetSmart.
10. The speaker followed the instructions to get Krusty accustomed to the harness before taking him outside.
11. Krusty was initially nervous but eventually became calm and curious during their first outing.
12. The speaker and Krusty went to a nearby mall, where Krusty was a hit with the people they met.
13. Krusty was interested in exploring certain areas of the mall, such as the Cheesecake Factory and a sushi restaurant.
14. Krusty was not interested in going to the Apple Store, movie theater, or Urban Outfitters.
15. The speaker noted that Krusty has a unique personality due to his feral background and has a degree of confidence.
16. The speaker plans to continue walking Krusty on a leash and may do it again in the future.