Caturday Chronicles: On Leash-Walking Cats – Murjan, Bear, and the Rest Who Said Nope
Leashed Bear in the mulch Not every cat wants to walk on a leash. I’ve lived with many cats, and only two— Murjan and Bear —have truly embraced the idea. Both are big cats: 16-pounders, long and tall, confident in their own skin. And both knew exactly what “out” meant. Murjan, now departed, had a distinct “mwout” meow whenever the leash appeared--or he wanted it to. He was leashed for the first time as an older cat and took to it with remarkable calm. He would pad slowly down the stairs, settle under the trees, and gently explore the planted area. Anyone could walk him—he was that serene. Walking Murjan was like meditating with a feline sage. Then came Bear. Bear doesn’t just want to go out—he needs to. When he hears “out,” he bolts to the sliding glass door and sits there, tail thumping, waiting for the leash like a hopeful dog. But Bear is no calm sage. At just two years old, he’s full of fire and athleticism. He charges toward fences, tries to scale them, and makes me earn ev...