return to top

Fur-lots-a-phy by Sparkle

Recession-proof toys for your feline friends by Linda- Lambardi - AP

Brother, can you spare a twist-tie?
Hard economic times can mean fewer holiday gifts for your pets too. Fortunately, cats were into recycling and repurposing long before "green" became hot.
If you've ever seen you cat walk past a nice stuffed mouse to bat around one of those wire twist-ties that close a loaf of bread, why not take the hint? Here's what your feline family really wants you to do for the holidays or any day.
* Get milk? Or juice, as long as it's in a plastic jug. Those little caps make great toys, especially the kind with the tear-off plastic strip.
* Drink wine to relax. If watching your portfolio crash means you're going through more wine these days, you've also got more corks for your cat to bat around.
* Wear your wristwatch, even if you can't afford new batteries. On a sunny day, you can get the sun to reflect off it and make a spot of light that your cat will chase around the floor and walls - like a laser pointer, but totally free.
* Let your hair grow long. You'll save money on haircuts and once it's long enough for a ponytail, you share your can share hair accessories. Cassandra Zaruba of Westminster, MD, has a cat that loves a particular kind of hair ribbon.
* Buy presents for other people. Not because your cat is so generous but because your cat will enjoy trying to help wrap presents. Tear off a piece of the wrapping paper and crunch it up in a ball for her to chase. When you run out, try aluminum foil or candy wrappers.
* Shop by mail, online or catalog, it doesn't matter what you buy as long as it's delivered in a box. Leave the empty shipping carton on the floor or a table and cats are sucked in as if by a magical force.
* Shop local too. Your cat doesn't give a fig about keeping independent neighborhood shops in business but you'll bring things home in paper bags that are great for hiding in and make that irrsistible crinkly noise.
It's ok if you have to cut back on the shopping, because you only need a few of those boxes and bags.
"What I've discovered is that if you move them to a different location the cats think they're brand new and will start playing with them again," said Karen Duvall of Bend, OR.
Don't forget many activities you think are chores are reallly cat games. You want to tie your shoes; your cat will want to bat the shoelaces. You want to change the sheets on your bed; your cat will want to play hide and seek.
And if other worries are keeping you up at night you can both make use of another arrangement that pleases cats; read. Your cat loves to get in the way of a good book.
When your cat sits on the newspaper don't push him away. He'll be happy at no cost and maybe skipping that bad economic news will be good for your mood too.

Stardust

Our older sister, Stardust, (she's on mine and Tiger's pages) left for the Rainbow Bridge late this morning about 11:00 a.m.

Sad purrs,
Spark

It's Summer!!!

It's June 1st and in my book that means summertime is here! Since we'll be hitting 90 this weekend I think the weather knows it's summertime too. I love the new beach ball rosettes Catster has dreamed up. Too, too cute!!! IT's also the first official day of hurricane season and there is a tropical system in the Gulf of Mex. Wouldn't you know it! It doesn't amount to much and it will give central and south Fl. some much needed rain so these things aren't always so bad. OH! Get this...it's the second named system of the season. There was one last month off the coast of S.C. Can you believe it?!?!?!!!!!

Purrs,
Spark