My neighbor's cat has taken to sleeping on the camp chairs that grace the verandah of El Casa Móvil De Pennington. Which kinda-sorta irritates me… coz the cat is white and sheds something fierce. Cat hair is worse than dog hair, Gentle Reader. It takes me a LOT of time to clean the hair off the chairs before I put my ol’ ass into one, come Happy Hour. I wouldn’t mind it so much if he/she/it always slept on this particular chair, which is used primarily as a foot-rest-cum-ottoman. But I DO mind it when he/she/it decides to occupy MY chair. A lot.
I don’t think this cat would feel so free about usurping my place if he/she/it knew how I felt about cats, in general. OTOH, perhaps he/she/it does know… coz he/she/it runs like Hell whenever I open the door or come home after being away. Smart cat.
Pic taken from my kitchen window… about ten minutes ago.
OK, tip from a cat loving guy. If the cat is going to be sleeping in your chairs, and there's nothing much you - as a nice guy, not bent on caticide - can do about it, and you have a spare buck or two, buy a box of catnip. Sprinkle a very small handful on the one chair you wouldn't mind him sleeping on. If he doesn't choose that chair, from that point on and into eternity, then he's not any kind of cat I'm familiar with.
ReplyDeleteOf course, the aroma might attract even more cats to your patio, so it may not be the perfect solution...
ReplyDeleteMy husband would suggest leaving a bit of hamburger meat out with some antifreeze in it. Then again, he isn't a big cat person. Unless they are outdoor cats, then as long as they stay out of his way.
ReplyDeleteAww, cute.
ReplyDeleteOkay, here's what we do with a stubborn cat. And it'll be fun for you, too! Get a squirt gun and play James Bond. The cat won't know who or why or how and cats hate that. :)
I'm glad you added that second thought, Jim. We have a LOT of feral cats hanging around Beautiful La Hacienda Trailer Park. I don't need or want a yowling, howling cat convention outside my door, LOL!
ReplyDeleteI can live with my uninvited guest, actually, being the sort who doesn't harbor malice against small animals (and weak-minded people, too).
Jenny: I'd never do that, as noted above. This just something essentially harmless that's fun to bitch about.
Bec: This cat is very aware of its surroundings. I really don't think I could sneak up on it as a result. But I LIKE the idea!
well, it's gross, but I'll take cat hair any day over cat pee
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw the pic of the cat curled up in the chair, I let out an "Oh my gosh" knowing your distaste of cats. Then I giggled. I liked Suldog's response. The second one made me lol.
ReplyDeleteBuck - they make a spray (used to keep pets off of furniture)(Four Paws Keep Off Spray) is undetectable to humans but cats can't stand... perhaps a few sprays of this stuff on your outdoor chairs would stop him/her/it from coming by to nap? (Added benefit - any and all ferals would be included in the deterrment!)
ReplyDeleteLou: Imagine my surprise yesterday when I saw another, DIFFERENT, cat curled up in MY chair. This is beginning to look like a problem! I'm not the type to run a cat house. {big ol' grin}
ReplyDeleteAlison: Thanks for the tip! I'll check Wally-World for it today when I go. The reviews for the product were mixed, but I think it would work on my chair.
Buck, cats are the most graceful of all creatures. Ya gotta learn to appreciate their consummate beauty. OTH, a seat covering of crinkly type plastic will discourage them better than any of that spray (which mostly fails) and costs way too much money.
ReplyDeleteIt would seem to me that you should be able to get a humane cat trap and catch your self some pussies in it. Then take them to animal humane where they will be neutered and given to homes where their comfort can be appreciated. Under no circumstances poison any of them. I know you are aware of the cruelty humans have sunk to on this planet. Do we really need more?
Incidentally, not all cats are enamored of catnip. Estimates I've read indicate only about 2/3 of all of them are affected by catnip. (I have no idea why or why not. I, personally, get nothing from sniffing it.)
You should never underestimate a good garden hose.
ReplyDeleteLOL! I saw the pic and said "rutroh" before reading the text.
ReplyDeleteYes on the garden hose. Some cats may be fascinated by watching water, but only a rare few like to be doused.
Cat: I appreciate feline beauty... at a distance. The crinkly-plastic suggestion is OUT, because I wouldn't like it as much as the cats... and when it comes to my chairs it really IS "all about me." And I'm not upset enough to buy a humane trap and become B'Wana Buck... Great White Hunter. As I mentioned above.. this is just a nit that's fun to bitch about.
ReplyDeleteAmy and Laurie: By the time I got the garden hose the cat would be long gone. There's only "one way out" of El Casa Móvil De Pennington, and that's right next to my chairs. Ergo: Open door, fleeing cat.
Open door fast while simultaneously throwing pan of water in general vicinity of fleeing cat.
ReplyDelete