Dog bed..cat bed

As if we don't already have enough pet beds in the house! This is actually a dog bed from Costco that looked just right for Spike's big bulk. He has a few places where he can stretch out but most times he stuffs himself into cat beds that barely contain him. I had walked by this dog bed several times while checking in regularly to see if they were stocking orthopedic dog beds (for the old woofers).

Finally last week, I put it in the cart and told hubby it was for Spike. Once we had it in a good location in the living room Spike was quick to get in and get comfortable. Once I figure out how to download the photo I took on my cell, I'll be able to show that look of contentment as he is lying on his back all stretched out to the ends of the bed.

When the bed is empty, Angel does try to sneak in and curl up. This photo was one of the times he wasn't disturbed. Yesterday he was asleep when Spike jumped in beside him. Spike took a little lick of Angel's back....and then he took a bite out of Angel's neck! I guess that is what happens to any cat who dares to invade Spike's territory.

When the dogs are away...

Hubby takes the woofers out three times a day, leaving the house in the care of the cats. It is not unusual to have one cat at the window, and sometimes two but it is very rare to see all four at the same time. In fact, most passersby reckon we only have one cat that looks a little different (more fluff/less fluff) at times. Speaking of The Fluff, he is easy to pick out here. Unfortunately the photo is a little fuzzy and I had to look twice to see who was who. From left, Sadie, Angel, Spike and then Sebastian sneaking in cautiously from the far right.

There are actually seven "cats" in this photo, my hubby pointed out. Two metal cat caricatures in front of the window to the left and one cat planter to the right.

Just right for Sadie

The new cat tent has been sitting empty for several days post acquisition. After Spike checked it out, there seemed to be a general lack of interest on the part of the other kitties. We tried relocating the tent in several areas downstairs with no sniff of interest. I finally became tired of tripping over it in its last resting place and took it to the upstairs hall where it sat for a few more days.

Two days ago hubby was headed upstairs and thought he saw something inside the tent. Stopping to look inside, he saw a curled up Sadie snoozing away. The next day on my way by, I saw her tucked away looking totally contented. Now we are at the third day of finding her ensconced in the tent, so have concluded that she has taken ownership. I was surprised because she had to jump up onto a box which leaves very little paw space before hopping into the tent (regular readers know that her short legs means she is not as agile as the other kitties and typically hesitates to jump up when the height of the jump exceeds her comfort level). However, it is clear by the look of contentment on her face as we pass by her sleeping in the tent that any hurdles getting there are worthwhile!

Super size the cat bed

On a regular basis, the bedroom of the cat whisperer son attracts the attention of the three short-haired kitties. Spike has no interest in this bedroom..probably because it is the undisputed domain of Sebastian who claims it and its human as his own. He will allow Angel and Sadie in on occasion..but as you can see the prime spot by the lap top belongs to Sebastian, who is usually curled up right beside youngest son's arms. In spite of Sadie's short legs she is able to jump up onto this bed (no such luck in our bedroom where the platform underneath is higher). Angel is a sucker for a warm comforter so he will take any bedroom that has a warm body in it, preferably with outstretched legs so he can get comfortable. (I will admit we kicked the boy out of bed while hubby took this photo!) Often youngest son is working on his laptop with Sebastian keeping him company, when the other two sneak into the room and find themselves a spot to curl up on at the end of the bed.

Praying for more food?

If it is food..or a new cat bed..you can bet Spike will be first in line! Hubby was at the dollar store this morning, picking up some spare dog booties for the woofies (there are several centimeters of snow on the ground and the snow packs into the woofie paw pads if they don't have booties on). While he was looking around the store, he saw a fleece pad that looked just right for tucking in one of the many cat tents dotted around the house. As with many items that come in our house, the fleece pad was left on a "temporary" spot, waiting for someone to put it where it belonged.

A few hours later I came into the kitchen and found Spike with his front paws up on the fleece pad, looking like he was praying. I figured if the prayer was for food, he would be in luck since the pad was sitting on a case of cat food!

Another New Nest

We were shopping in Winners on Friday when we saw an interesting cat "tent". We were trolling the pet aisle and saw an oddly shaped pillow-like item stuffed into the shelf. When we pulled it out we saw it was actually a cat bed shaped like a tent. There was a small square cushion attached that goes into the base and helps the tent keep it shape. Discussion in the car on the way home...."Which cat will be in here first?". I was firmly convinced it would be Spike, but hubby thought Angel might be the one who would lay first claim. Well...yes and no. Angel was quick on the draw as soon as the tent came in the door...busy sniffing around and in the front. But he wasn't brave enough to actually go in. So the tent sat on the floor..waiting and waiting for the first official occupant. And no surprise here...hubby's camera caught Spike checking out the inside from the inside!

Halloween Treats

Halloween is quite routine for us these days now that we don't have to take the kids out ..or wait for them to finish their rounds. We buy 2 boxes of chips and several cases of drinks - knowing that none of the leftovers ever go to waste!

This was a point halfway through the evening when almost 30 trick or treaters had come by..and we had finished our quality control procedures (i.e. tasting a few sample bags of chips to make sure everything was OK!) I moved the empty box into the living room and within 5 minutes the first furry found his way in. Not long after that the nest napper decided it was his turn and as soon as Angel jumped out, Spike jumped in.