Remember, remember, the fifth of November!
Gunpowder! Treason! And Plot!
We see no reason,
Why gunpowder treason,
Should ever be forgot!
Yes, I have some updates on My Guardian Angel With Four Feet And Fur.
First, it seems as if she does like catnip, but not in or on her toys, which she never uses. (With one exception, which Ill get to.) She does have a CALAMATY Cat Scratcher horizontal board, which she is very good at using in place of my bedroom furniture. Well, I tried some catnip leaves on the board, and she went wild. Sniff sniff, rub rub her cheeks on the stuff, then flop over and rub her whole body on the board. I give her catnip every 3 or 4 days so as not to wear her out by overuse. CAN cats overdo the catnip stuff? Feedback on this topic welcome to this first time Cat Daddy.
Next, the one and only toy that has grabbed her interest is one given to me by Niles. It is either Da Bird or a generic imitation. But Pearly has finally decided she likes to play with it, or maybe it is also a matter that, unlike the other toys, this is interactive, with me on the other end. In any case, we start the session with my flying the bird in circles around her head. Sooner or later she leaps and grabs, and pounces when it is on the floor.
I will admit I was startled at first by how FAST she could move when she had a mind to. I had sort of written her off as An Old Fan And Tired er Cat. If this apartment were to have a mouse, rat, or other rodent appear, I think she would know what to do about it. I was also reminded that she IS, after all, a predator. My my Pearly, what sharp teeth and claws you have. And to think I am comfortable with the idea of my bare throat and face just inches from her whilst I sleep.
Third, our games with Da Bird started in my bedroom, but over time I have slowly worked our way out into the doorway, and slowly into the living room. She balked at first, but now seems comfortable with playing in the living room. Once our play session is over, she does return to the bedroom. It may be she is exploring the living room whilst I am at work or otherwise out of the apartment. Maybe.
Even though I am now committed to my Chapter 13 budget, I still have enough at the moment to buy some more stuff for Pearly. (Yes, Id like to buy a sort of Christmas present for myself, but if I told you what my secret dream was youd all laugh at me.) In any case, I did order a scratching log for her, now hanging from the front of the apartment. Also three cans of catnip spray. Ive sprayed the door scratcher, in the hope she will be lured out into the living room by it. But Ill keep her original scratcher in my bedroom.
My next planned purchase will be another heating pad. One reason Pearly may be reluctant to relax in the living room is the lack of a heating pad to rest on. She certainly likes the one on my bed where she sleeps and relaxes. So I plan to spend way too much money that I really shouldnt on a new, large size heating pad especially designed for cats. It will go on the sofa at first, and Ill find out if Pearly would like to relax on it. The smaller pad will remain on my bed as her sort of security pad.
Pearly seems to be in good health, and since I scoop out her two litter boxes three times a day, I hope to be able to catch signs of illness early. One litter box is in my bedroom, and the other in the spare bedroom. She uses both, and I see no pattern or reasons why she uses one or the other. Amusing side note: when I mentioned this fact in The Eunuch Archives, one of my fellow castrates went eeewwww over the idea of a litter box in a bedroom. What about the smell, he asked? Well, if you can small the litter box, so can the cat, and sooner or later she will go elsewhere to go. The litter I currently use is the same that was in the litter box at Pearlys former residence that she shared with six other cats, Tidy Cats Scoop. I scoop out both boxes three times a day, and replace the entire litter once a month, after washing and drying them thoroughly. No smell. To date, Pearly seems happy with them.
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