"Play" Houses For Cats

These special DIY edifices for cats don't look particularly sturdy, and I'm sure wouldn't stand up to a full-on fang attack from Shipley, my feline paperhound, but seem popular with the likes of Clint and Sammy. Can't help thinking that the fact that a) they are for felines and b) most of them are war-orientated is no coincidence. I dread to think of the ideas Bootsy might get in her head if I purchased one of the fighter planes for her. I certainly don't think I could have such a thing on my conscience without purchasing a tank for The Bear - and, possibly, for me - to counter it.

Pouncing In The Name Of...

I've mentioned the Panic Mouse - the expensive toy that my cats comprehensively ignored - many times on the blog, and a few people have asked what's become of it. The answer is that about six months ago Dee gave it to Louise, a cat-owning friend at her workplace. "This looks great!" said Louise. "I bet my cats will love it!" It saddened Dee to see such hope in her eyes, knowing what a disappointment she was headed for, upon getting the Panic Mouse home. However, the other day, Louise's other half, Daniel, sent us a video of their cat, Daisy, with the Panic Mouse (and other, less highfalutin toys). As you can see, it's quite a contrast. That said, Daisy still seems more interesting in mauling her non-mechanized toys...

Our Panic Mouse video:



Louise and Daniel's:

"About fifteen of them are the same leopard."

Frankie likes to nick toys from other cats' homes. I particularly like the bit where his owner, Julie, says "about fifteen of them are the same leopard". Still, I can't help noticing that even Frankie has been careful to eschew the dreaded Panic Mouse.

Update: here's the video of Frankie from BBC News.