Atlas the Harness-Trained Traveler

People stare at us in parking lots. A man walking a large brown cat on a leash is apparently unusual.

Atlas started as a nervous kitten who hated the carrier. We worked on it slowly. First the harness indoors for a few minutes with treats. Then the back yard. Then a quiet park at sunrise. It took five months, and I think I learned more from him than he did from me.

Now he is the best traveler I know. He rides in a carrier strapped into the back seat, with a blanket that smells like home. At rest stops, we put on the harness and let him sniff the grass. He has seen four states.

Rules we follow: a secure harness that cannot slip, a leash that never leaves my hand, no unfenced areas near roads or off-leash dogs, and water breaks. Some cats will never like it, and that is fine.

If your cat is curious and confident, it might be worth a try. Go slowly, and let the cat decide.