I think -- not sure, mind you, but I think -- the worst of the wet weather here is over.  This makes the cats happy, and that makes us happy because we don't have to listen to them mewling piteously as they look out the window at the growing puddles in the back yard.  No matter how much they whine, we only let them out when a human goes with them as a "chaperone," and while we love our cats, we're not about to stand out in the rain for them.

   Kelly in particular hates collars and only tolerates wearing a harness because he knows we won't let him go outside without it.  At first, he'd run away when Pat or I would approach while holding the harness, and even after we'd catch him, he'd struggle and protest.

   But now, as an intelligent cat who wants to go outside, he submits more willingly.  Still, the instant the straps are in place and we release our grip on him, he races to the back door -- and nobody had better get in his way.