He's beautiful. Glad to hear he's ok. He jumped down two floors? Too bad he cannot go out anymore, but I completely understand. Could you fence the railing with some kind of wire? Of course then they could jump up on the railing I guess.

Oh I should mention that we live on the second floor, but it's not a full 2 stories up. It's a 3-storey bldg and the first floor are really basement apartments. So it's not a big jump down for him, about 7 feet.

He ran like a bullet after that poor bunny though. AND he's got no front claws. What did he think he was going to do if he did possibly catch him? I'm sure the little bunny would have clubbed Smudge with his back feet.

Oh, Smudge looks just like our sweet Big Baby from years ago. I always thought she had Maine Coon in her. She wasn't a huge cat but she was bigger than most.

just glad Smudge is okay. i had a cat once that was strictly "indoors". but she seemed fascinated with the outdoors,I had to tap-dance when going outside to stop her from following. Occasionally she would get out, but I always caught her and got her back in. Once I was airing out the house in spring, had no screens on the bedroom windows. Cat jumped from 2nd floor bedroom all the way to backyard. I saw her do it. She stayed in the back till I could go out and get her back in. Now I have screens. Of course that cat has been dead for years. Had her from 74 to about '90 (16 years).

Wow--he's beautiful! I can relate to your acrobatic act going in and out. My Pogo and Annie, whom I stole rescued from my neighbor's barn, love the outdoors. They were inside-outside cats for a couple of years, but that made me nervous because most of my previous cats had been indoors only, and one who was not had gotten out during the night (when I let out the dog in the dark) and had drowned in our pool.

When it became clear that Annie had no fear of the road, and Pogo was entirely too fond of birds, I ordered them into the house permanently last spring. Since then, Pogo has snuck out only two or three times, but it isn't for lack of trying. Before I open the front door, I always check to see if he's in fast-exit position.

Looking at that picture I can just hear him saying "I am not an animal... I'm a feline being!"

When I first saw the title I saw Smudge's escape, and all of a sudden the Mission Impossible them started playing in my mind, and probably his as he told Roxie, "I'm breakin outta here baby, ya with me or not?" He was shopping for the *real* "Tender Vittles".

And don't underestimate cat vs. rabbit. A big boy like Smudge can pounce and a good chomp can handle a rabbit, especially a young one.

Oh and you probably just don't have yours trained yet. My cats have always done what I tell them... Eat... Sleep... Ignore me...

How big is your balcony? You could get some of the kennel pieces that made from chain link and put around it or even fashion your own and it would let them enjoy the outdoors a bit. I've been thinking of doing something like that out my front door.

Smudge is beautiful! I'm glad he's back home and safe.

My cat, Smokey, has escaped a few times because he can outwit me and run through/around my legs and then my DD has to run and catch him. So we bought a small dog cage and believe it or not he LOVES it. He can be outside in the fresh air and watch what's going on with the birds and an occasional gecko on the wall. Sometimes he will stay out there for hours and take a nap but he always lets you know when he wants to come back inside.

Smudge is beautiful, Sherry! I'm so glad that he is okay, what a scare he must have given you. I would check out a kennel too, that would keep him in line!

We have Maine Coons as well, 2 of them are huge boys, 20#, the other is small-only 12#. Ours are also inside cats, but they are great hunters if there is anything found inside! Moosie got a bat one day!

I'm so glad you are keeping him in now. Our neighbors learned the hard way - never say never. I'm glad he's OK :0)

Oh Smudge! Stop scaring your Mama! Jasdip - so glad he's home and Ok.

He sure is a beautiful cat!!! I'm so glad this story had a happy ending!

Smudge and Smokey are both beauties! I put my cat Winston on a dog harness and take him out when the weather is nice. That might be an idea for Smudge?

My daughter had a cat like Smudge. I've never seen a cat so big. I thought it had a hormone problem :-) Next to her other cats it just seemed huge.

The cage sounds like a good idea so you wouldn't have to worry about it happening again and Smudge could enjoy the sunshine.

LOL Cynic!
Well I had Smudge out with me for a short while while I had my coffee. He was hanging out, with his head out the opening surveying his kingdom.

He saw a little chipmunk scurry under the car. Smudge wouldn't take his eyes off that spot, then all of a sudden his body started wiggling! That was my signal to grab him and bring him inside for sure!

Now I know for sure he can't be trusted out there alone. We have too much wildlife for him. Geesh

jasdip, could the balcony be screened, maybe even with vinyl screen duct-taped on from your side, so Smudge could somewhat outings?