In early April Daddy Kiril surprised Elvira and I with a new pet stroller.
The Pussycat Purrambulator and Feline Utility Vehicle (FUV) was to be a part of the lives of The Opinionated Pussycats once more.
After opening the box and putting the thing together it sat next to the desk as Elvira and I took turns napping and snoozing inside it.
The Return of the Pussycat Purrambulator and Feline Utility Vehicle
Finally, on April 28th, the day arrived for me to go on my first adventure.
It was quite a day, one that began in disappointment but ended in triumph.
It was a day of interesting encounters...some quite amusing, one a bit testy.
The morning began with us stopping by the apartment complex office before heading out to HEB market.
When we arrived in the parking lot, at the market, we caused a bit of a stir; not among the humans, mind you, but some more, um, flighty, creatures, hee, hee!
Outside the store entrance there was a large enclosure that I was sorely disappointed to learn appeared to be an example of what the humans call "false advertising".
What's the point of having this thing if you don't use it every day? Daddy promised that, someday, we will get lucky and I'd get a chance to smell what's cooking...SMELL, not taste, HMPH!
Anyway, a security guard stopped us from entering the market, asking us to wait while he went to see if we were allowed to do so.
A manager, named Aaron, politely told us it was company policy that I was not allowed to enter the store...not even in the stroller.
He had no idea I was the Texian Tuxedo (daddy didn't enlighten him), it was just that only service animals could go with their humans inside this place and experience all the wonderful smells and sights peeking in the door provided me.
While daddy and I understand this rule daddy was prepared to ask a few questions on behalf of the ordinary stroller cat and dog:
Why is it OK for young humans, from toddlers to teens, to enter the store and drool on and otherwise manhandle the fruits, veggies and anything else they chose, even breaking things or steal, not to mention cry and throw tantrums?
Why is it OK for such human children to wander around unattended, risking injury or being taken away by a stranger and harmed?
Why is it NOT OK for a well-behaved cat or small dog, secure in their stroller, unable to touch anything, or harm anyone, to accompany their human on the shopping expedition, especially if the purpose was to buy pet related products the store sells?
The man was nice but had no answer other than to smile, claim "company policy" and offer daddy a card showing him how to contact Customer Relations in San Antonio, if he wanted to try and get answers to those questions.
Ah, well...daddy and I left to return home and will consider writing an email to see what happens.
Walking up and down Beechnut was an interesting experience. There was a lot to see and more freedom to look around than a pet carrier allows.
The ability to have room to move around and look, almost unobstructed, doing so in a relaxed fashion, lying, sitting, or standing, made for a fun experience.
When we got home daddy let me out and I told Elvira everything.
After an hour to rest it was her idea that we could not let my first day of strolling end on a note of defeat...daddy still had to go get us our cat food, after all.
Daddy laughed and agreed.
Without telling me what to expect daddy and I headed out the door again.
NEXT...
Stroll #11: Sneakers The Texian Tuxedo - Stroller Kitty Pt. 2
I think there is some rule about not letting animals around food items... still doesn't explain why little human animals are allowed, but you know, whatever!
Posted by: Summer | May 02, 2015 at 12:52 AM