Human-only Excursions

Even if you aren't traveling very far, there is a specific sequence to what you must do to escape the house. Well, OUR house.

Behold, the escape crew:

Notice how they form a team, ensuring that every possible angle of the escape route is covered. 

Yes, every time we leave, both cats and the dog all expect to go with us.

As we are in the middle of a somewhat warm summer in the Las Vegas area (highs in the 100+ region), we can't just bring all the kids with us on shopping expeditions and leave them in the car. There are some things that us humans must do alone, which means that critters must stay in the nice, air-conditioned home.

This means that the launching sequence for human-only exits goes something like this:

1. Get everything needed near the door (purse, water bottles, returning library items, mail, potluck contributions, etc.)
2. Get cat(s) to stop nibbling on everything by the door
3. Get on shoes
4. Find keys
5. Head towards door
6. Tell dog to sit and stay (she always does)
7. Pick up cat closest to door and place gently on couch
8. Grab all the items by door
9. Open door with free hand
10. Use foot to block other cat from escaping
11. Pick up first cat that is now between your legs and toss back on couch
12. Pick up second cat and toss towards dog, commanding her to eat it (she never does)
13. Squeeze through tiny crack in door, close by leaning against
14. Lock door
15. Remember something inside
16.  Put everything down,  unlock door
17. Either obtain forgotten item or make sure lights, oven, or whatever else that was on is now off
18.  Repeat steps 5-17 as necessary