I am here to tell you that I do not like closed (and particularly locked) doors at all. In fact it I had it my way, all doors would look like cat flaps, but with the locks removed so that no dastardly person can keep me out.
A cat like me needs what the backstage theatrical managers call “Access All Areas”. And it is confounding to me how many humans fail to realise this. But, you may ask what we need that access for? Fair enough, here is a list of the top four activities that need permanent, unbridled access to the whole house. No closed doors, no locks!
- I need to make 100% sure there are no mice lurking in nooks and crannies
- I wish to inspect any puddle of water that might be left unattended. I will need to lick it to test that it is is water, and very likely I will select it as part of my drinking water needs for the day. Tasty!
- From time to time I will wish to move to the other side of door and sit so that I am in the way of someone wanting to open the door. I feel I need to do this to keep an exact record on who is coming and going and possibly spreading vermin. A very important role and one which I pride myself on.
- On a very regular basis I wish to jump up to each door handle and see if I can pull it down myself. It is great fun and helps a lot with my overall fitness. To think that humans pay for gym membership when you can do door handle exercises for free!
I hope that you can see that it is sub-optimal for all concerned, for me to have restricted access to the house. Sadly this fact has not quite dawned on the humans I live with. They have a *lot* to learn!