Gilded Cage

A while ago, my family got a rather large cat enclosure. It slightly resembles a bird cage, with its long bars and lockable doors. We keep it mainly on our balcony, a place Poet loves to nap. Due to certain rules within our neighborhood, she isn’t permitted to walk alone outside. With our three story cat enclosure, however, she can take naps outside and watch the birds fly to and fro. The balcony wall makes it so she can only look outside from the top floor, making it her favorite napping place. Poet also has this tendency to climb the metal bars of the enclosure, both from the inside and outside. The enclosure is a bit taller than I am, which means when Poet climbs to the top, it’s difficult to reach her. It’s easier to get to her when she’s inside. She has her top platform on one side, and she’s climbing the other side. Usually, Poet does this to get our attention or to swat small insects, such as the occasional fly or moth. She realizes that the enclosure is a confined space, but she treats it like a privilege, unlike when we first introduced her to it. Upon setting her eyes on it, Poet immediately came up to it, sniffed it, and proceeded to lick herself. We tried to place her instead, and she walked straight out. Eventually, she became used to it, or perhaps she merely tolerates it so she can watch the local wildlife.