Leonard goes to the country

I am relieved, but also a little sad, to say that Leonard, the cat, has a new home.

 

Leonard has been with me for almost six years, ever since he was a kitten.  He's been a lot of fun, but unfortunately he has also been getting more and more difficult to have at my place. 

He constantly wanted to be let outside, which I was happy to do when the weather was good.  But, living in Cold-Windy-and/or-Snowy-Most-Months-of-the-Year, Canada, it wasn’t always suitable for him to go outside.  This got particularly problematic at night time.  He would often start off the night asleep on my bed, but then mid-way through the night, he’d be up and wanting to go out or have a snack or what-have-you.  I couldn’t leave his kibble out for him to snack on whenever he wanted because then Sally would get into it, and she wasn’t supposed to eat it because she’d end up sick and throwing up all over the place.  I couldn’t keep Leonard outside my bedroom because my bedroom is one big open loft space with no door.  Having him wake me up in the middle of the night on an ongoing basis just got to be too much.

What he really needed was a place in the country, and I happened to find just the place thanks to a colleague at work.  Lorraine, and her husband, daughter, son-in-law and grandkids live on a 40 acreage property outside of Stony Plain.  They needed a good mouser and Leonard is one of the best.  So yesterday afternoon, I took him out to his new home.  It’s a beautiful property with a little lake and everything.  I wish I could live there!  I know he’ll enjoy his new home once he gets used to it. 

So, in tribute to my pal, Leonard, here are a few of my favourite photos from the past few years.

So long, Leonard!  Enjoy your new home.

**Updated April 29:
I am very happy to report that Leonard is settling in.  Lorraine sent me the following e-mail this morning:

Leonard has come out of his spot under the cupboard by the back door in the garage. He even ventured upstairs last night and slept on K & J's bed and then he visited the girls this morning and was purring and letting them use a cat comb to do his fur - and was still purring.  He is not out for lots of time at a time - but is getting much more comfortable and used to all of us! 

So glad to hear that he is getting comfortable with the family and enjoying being with the kids.  That's not something he has any experience with and I was a bit concerned that he'd be freaked out by them.  Good old Leonard!