Life with a Devon Rex: March 2013

Bowie smelling the spring flowers for the first time ever

As I mentioned before, my Devon Rex twins are indoor only cats for the time being... but that doesn't mean they don't like to get out and about. I started getting my boys used to wearing their harnesses a few weeks ago, just after they first arrived.

I wanted them to associate their harnesses with nice things so started by quietly putting them on them while they were eating. They were so distracted by the food that they barely seemed to notice and as soon as they finished eating, I took the harnesses back off and gave them lots of fuss. Gradually, I started leaving the harnesses on a little longer each time and my boys seemed totally laid back and relaxed about it... it's kind of how they deal with everything in life and I love them for it.

Up until now it has been chilly, wet and miserable here and Devon Rexes really do feel the cold so I've been trying to get them used to being out and about with me by putting their jumpers on, bundling them up in a blanket and putting them in a rucksack strapped to my front with their heads peeping out. They really seem to enjoy these "walks" and it's been a great way to gently get them used to the outside world.

Blue climbing a tree for the very first time

Yesterday, spring finally arrived, the sun came out and the temperature rocketed to 20c so I decided to take them out on the leash for the first time. We'll be moving into an apartment in the city in a few days so I wanted to make the most of the fact we have a well-fenced garden for now to try out the leash for the first time.

I was a little nervous to begin with but my boys had a great time! Both of them climbed their first tree, explored every inch of the garden and watching a Devon Rex kitten chase butterflies through clover has to be one of the cutest things I've ever seen.

I have elasticated leads for them which are even better than I'd expected. There's no harsh, abrupt jerk on the lead to scare them if they get a bit over-excited and run too far and they seem to have learned pretty quickly that if they feel the tension starting to build up on the leash they need to stop and come back to me.

After a while I felt so relaxed with them I let them off the leads completely and they raced round and round the garden after each other, chasing insects and generally having a brilliant time.I hope you enjoy the pictures almost as much as we enjoyed our day out in the garden!