So you want to let your cats experience the great outdoors, but you don't want to let them roam free? Consider teaching your cat to walk on a harness and lead. That's what we've done with Gizmo and Simba, and they love it — now. It wasn't love at first sight, though.

Here are the steps to teaching your cat to walk on a harness:

• Purchase a harness and lead, and put the harness on the floor so that your cat can get used to it. He'll probably want to play with it, and that's okay. You're getting him used to the harness itself. I don't recommend attaching the lead at this point; since it's essentially a long string, it would just end up being a cat toy, and that's not what you want.

• Once your cat is ignoring the harness, try putting it on. It's best to get your cat when they're either sleepy or asleep.

  One article I read recommended laying the harness on your cat. I just went ahead and put it on; I think laying it on your cat would once again make it a cat toy.

  Be prepared for some interesting gymnastics. Once again, an article I read suggested leaving it on for a few minutes only, but I left it on for hours. This way, eventually they end up ignoring it pretty much. After taking the harness off, give some treats. Pretty soon your cat will realize treats = harness.

• Once your cat is comfortable wearing the harness, try attaching the lead. Don't hold it at this point, just let your cat drag it around. There's a pretty good chance there will be some attacking of the lead. That's okay, because once you get your cat outside, most likely they'll learn to ignore the lead.

• Once the cat is comfortable with the lead, try holding it. This was interesting in our two cat household, as Gizmo and Simba were really into attacking each other's lead. Try having a partner call your cat while he's on the lead. At this point, you might hold your cat by the door, to get them used to the idea that harness = outdoors.

• Gizmo and Simba never really got comfortable with the leads inside, but they did get used to them. When we figured the harness fit good enough so they couldn't slip them (about 3 months), it was time to try the outdoors.

Here are a few tips I got about actually taking your cat outdoors on a harness and lead:

• Carry them out the door. This way, they won't get used to the idea that they can just wander out a door. This can be a bit tricky, as they're likely to be a bit spooked. It's a good idea to carry them back in, too.

• Be cautious when approaching trees. Do you really want to climb that tree to get kitty back? On the other hand, trees do make good scratching posts.

• Concentrate on your cat, and keep a tight hold on your lead. You never know what will spook them. Gizmo had finally ventured off our back porch and into a lawn when a car went past, and in the following histrionics, managed to unbuckle the part of the harness that goes around his stomach.

• Once Simba brushed past the wind chimes ornament I have by Cleo's grave, and that spooked Simba — who's generally pretty fearless — pretty good.

• Remember that you're not really going to lead your cat; let him take the lead. Chances are you won't get a whole lot of exercise this way, but your cat will get fresh air and sunshine.

• Cats like consistency. Try to stick to a schedule for walks.

I was afraid that the kittens would decide that they really enjoyed the outdoors, and that getting in and out without them getting out would be difficult. It is a little more difficult, but it hasn't been as bad as I expected.

On the other hand, it's quite clear that they really enjoy their outings, even though Gizmo's a bit more hesitant. Simba will at times walk up to our back door, stretch up as far as he can go (which doesn't quite get him to the window yet), and start meowing. It's clear he's saying "Let's go for a walk!".

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