Progress!

I have managed to coax Sweetie and Patty O'Malley up the Stairway To Heaven a number of times recently, but have only managed to snap a few quick photos as evidence.  I step out onto the balcony, shake the kibble a bit, and first one cat and then the other pop out of the hole and come over for snacks and lovin'.  On this day, I left the storm door closed, but since that time I leave it open wide enough for a cat to walk in.  Sweetie is quite inquisitive; she goes right inside and takes a good look around.  I want her to keep that up, because her actions may pull Patty along with her, as he will only peer in so far.

Sweetie, looking in the cat flap

Patty and Sweetie, lured up by kibble!

Patty peering in the cat flap, as Sweetie watches

This morning, however, I stepped out onto the balcony, but there wasn't a cat in sight!  I called and shook the kibble...but neither cat appeared.  So, I went back inside, down the stairs and out the front door...and around to the backyard.  Patty and Sweetie were under my car, in the driveway.  Hmmm. May have to work in a sound to 'call' them, like a small bell (something that doesn't drive the neighbors crazy, like a cow bell...LOL!).  The idea is to get them used to coming up and down to eat, and then inside.  Once they go inside, I'll close the door, and teach them to use the cat flap.  If they can 'flap', then I can let them inside at night, and out again in the morning, with only the wooden door open for the brief time it takes them to go in or out.

My summer project!