The kitties got several toys lately. There’s a three foot tower near the computer since they like to jump on the desk and then onto a nearby stool. It works pretty good to get them off my lap. The kittens have claimed, because mitten isn’t that flexible. These carpet covered circular holey monuments to our cat overloads make great scratching posts.
The first one was a carpet covered stick to give Mitten something to demonstrate here dominance on. At Mom’s house she nearly destroyed a sapling reaching up as high as she could go and clawing down. She was starting to do the same to my oversized mattress.
The latest is a two foot tall three cat sculpture in tribute to felix. This might not useful since the cats get in bed or don’t come in the room. Mitten pouts all around the room if I’m there with the kittens in the bed. So, maybe it’s for her.
I got a book on cat health and read about bathing. Today, I got a flea comb and shampoo. One by one they were combed, though Mitten was the only one that had anything come out. Then I cleared the kitchen sink. Hated to use it, but it has a sprayer, depth, and hot water. And each cat took a turn.
Tiger was by far the most docile. He didn’t believe the stream of water from the faucet was his destination until I set him in the sink. This bath took the longest as I learned how to hold him by the neck and scruff, pour water over him, and lather the soap.
Tiger’s friends, Goldie and Dora, were more challenging. They still have a wild streak and don’t assume I’m densely benign like Tiger. Goldie washed up quick and then I managed to scoop up Mitten.
Mitten is twice as big as everyone else and old enough to have had one bath. The running sink was not where she wanted to go. She assumed the pose Goldie had; standing as tall as possible with forepaws straight out and all claws out. Stiff straight back and clutching at any chance to grab onto my chest and heave out as if they could jet away unnoticed. BTW, nail clipping before the bath is a really good idea I overlooked.
Then it was Dora’s turn. She’s one quarter the size of Mitten and washes up very quickly. The most wild and independent cat in the house, her size and my recent experience put here at too much of a disadvantage to be painful.
The one thing I forgot to get to help with the baths was a hair dryer. So, all the cats are intensely busying licking and licking and licking, then licking each other, then licking and licking, etc. The fresh fluffy kitty fur will be worth it.
Surprisingly, Mitten didn’t resent me for giving her a bath or even the fighting she gave during the flea combing. She’s in my lap now, slightly damp and licking.
CUTE!! My Simba is a foot warmer. He’s the one that adores me!