A Rainy Walk in Jomtien That Got Out of Hand

Dao is a nine-year-old Bengal cat, which already tells you he is not a normal house cat. He likes water, high places, and anything that moves, so when the rainy season started in Jomtien, I thought a short evening walk on a harness would be harmless. Honestly, I was wrong about the harmless part.

We left the condo just before six. The sky looked fine for about five minutes. Then the rain came down in a wall, the soi turned into a shallow stream, and Dao decided he wanted to explore the drain. He stopped dead at the edge, staring into the water like it owed him money. I had to pick him up while holding an umbrella that flipped inside out.

The honest lesson is simple. Bengals are athletic, and wet pavement is slippery for both of you. Now I walk him only before the afternoon storms, I carry a towel in my bag, and I keep the harness snug enough that he cannot slip out when he gets excited. He still gives me a look every time it rains, like I stole his adventure, which I suppose I did.