Cat Views

No… I don’t think so! Or if there is one more, we’ll have to ask the guys already in their preferred spots, which one is going give up their new favorite cat perch! Meet sweet Miss Melody (top), Max; middle perch who looks like he was built right onto it (!) & Nile; the cool-looking guy on the bottom shelf ready to fight-off any unwelcomed interloper! Most definitely, they’re all enjoying their new 47” custom Kitty Hotel with Perch Top. Here’s what their humans had to say:

“I’m sending as an attachment a picture of our kitties enjoying their new kitty condo. As you can see, they have really taken to it!!! Melody, the smallest of the trio, loves sitting on the perch, while Max and Niles play tag on the lower levels. We had originally planned on putting the condo in the office, next to the window.  However, we decided to leave it in the living room for our enjoyment, too! You’ve made a product that is attractive enough to have in the living room and sturdy enough to hold up to the Melody, Max & Nile’s Test! Thanks again!”

Sincerely,
Ron & Marsha :: Orange County CA

I just love to watch Doofie run across the room and dash up her cat tree! It’s amazing what power, strength and agility she must have to do that. I mean, think about it; have you ever seen a human do that? With very little effort, up she goes to the middle perch, not even a little out-of-breath. I can’t even play and chase her without getting winded! The climb isn’t just about fun, it’s great excerise too! She has multiple cat trees (aka: spoiled kitty) but her favorite cat furniture is old, ugly and she’s outgrown the perches. It’s now relegated to the outside patio, where she can preen, sniff and lord over her personal kingdom in “cat heaven.” 

Since posting Ollie, the Skateboarding Cat on our blog a couple of weeks ago, I’ve been spending a little more time on YouTube. Honestly, I’d never really given it much time. It seems like an odd phenomenon, watching amateur videos. I wonder how large the YouTube’s servers are, to store all those files! Now I’m intrigued. Searching bazaar, off-the-wall topics and finding a random collection of videos from all sorts of people from all over the world. So I thought, why not do a YouTube search for cat furniture videos? Sure enough, there was and assortment of cat owner videos filming their buddies on new cat trees. It was as interesting to observe humans filming their cats enjoying their new furniture as it was, watching cat antics. Almost everyday, I have the opportunity to chat with my customers, but never before have I seen, first-hand their interaction with their cats. Now I don’t feel so alone, we’re all definitely attached to 4 paws & a tail! New motto: Love means buying your cat their own personal playground!

Our electric went out today. Wow… you just don’t realize how convenient simple things are until you’re without! I can’t write a blog for my cat furniture blog site without spell check! No, you definitely don’t want to read without grammar check! Instead, I turned-off my computer because the UPS was driving me nuts which left me wandering around trying to decide what else I could do. I could dust. No, I don’t want Martha Stewart feel threatened! I could finish my hair; not typically a high-priority project but the blow dryer won’t work so I brushed my teeth. That’s a good thing. I could read. Not now, that’s a late evening task to make me sleepy. Leaving few options other than to enjoy my cat as she warmed herself in the winter sun snuggled on her cat tower. Oh the life of a cat! OK, the electric just came back on, Back to work!

Yesterday I was bemoaning the exercise of month-end accounting. Interesting how quickly things can be put into perspective! The other day, we got an order for a 47” Kitty Hotel cat condo from a customer inOhio. There order specified a different shipping address from their billing address. We have our system set up to trigger an alert from our credit card processor as an added safety precaution service for our customers. We decided the service it was necessary and prudent when we began to experience a trend of increasing fraudulent sales; unauthorized use of other peoples’ credit cards. Getting back to our Kitty Hotel story, I called the customer to verify the address discrepancy. While on the phone, I like to take the opportunity to bond with our customers. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about what they think of the site (easy to navigate, easy to find) and about why they selected a particular item. I discovered during the call, that our customer had experienced a serious accident, resulting in major life changes one including adopting Bootsie, an abandoned cat. Bootsie has now become a most-favored part of the family, being a wonderful companion to someone suffering life’s challenges.

So what’s the difference between a cat gym, cat tree & cat tower? I have no idea! I’ve decided that in truth they’re all about the same. But, for the sake of order … (I love to organize!!), I’ve categorized as follows:

The American Curl is an interesting and adorable breed. Distinguished by their unique ears, which give them an almost “teddy bear” look. When they are born, their ears are straight and gradually curl backwards at the tips as they age, with long tufts of fur fanning outward. The major characteristics of theses cats are their curled ears, medium sized bodies, silky coats and walnut shaped eyes. There are long or short haired varieties as well as different colors and patterns. These cats have no physical disabilities to pass on as well, making them ideal pets. However, selective breeding of these cats did not begin until 1983. American Curls are very people oriented and have unique personalities. They retain their kitten-like personalities into adulthood, adjusting quickly to other pets, children and new situations. They talk in little trill-like cooing sounds. A cat gym is perfect for these darling c ats.

Japan has come up with something new and a wonderful idea. They have established “Cat Cafes” which are becoming more and more popular.These “cafes” are a wonderful combination of animal shelter and tea house. Workers in Japan face long commutes and long hours of unpaid overtime. What better place to go and de-stress than a Cat Cafe? You can sip on tea or coffee, read a magazine, and have a cuddly warm cat curled up in your lap to pet at the same time. The cats are provided with wonderful accomodations like cat gyms, perches, condos, scratchers and cat beds. (These are professional cats). Calicos seem to be a favorite. It seems that single men in their 30’s find these cafes very appealing. They can go in, pay a nominal fee and spend an hour relaxing and playing with or petting a cat of their choiuce. These men are probably  gone on frequent business trips and do not have the time or accomodations to care for a pet. What a wonderful way to have a pet plus it is a great situation for the animals! They are loved and cared for while providing a great service to the customers.

I’ve been talking to some friends about the strange habits of their cats. One cat loves to be petted and the more you pet her, the bushier her tail grows until it is a full bush. Another friend says her cat has a very annoying habit. He does not like it when she brushes her teeth. She goes into the bathroom and unless she locks the door, he opens it and comes in. While she is brushing her teeth he will jump up and bite her butt! How many of you have cats that like to sleep in the wash basin in the bathroom? You can even turn the water on mine and he won’t move. My daughter’s cat lines up the heads of his “kills” in her bedroom closet for her to see. (Ugh)! My female cat hates closed doors and will go around opening them. Closets, cupboards or any closed door is okay with her to open and she is very good at it. We have strange habits and so do they. Most of the cats do like their scratchers and condos and a nice cozy cat bed and in spite of their oddities we supply them with these beloved items, because we care about our pets!

With the Holiday Season upon us, we need to be more vigilant where our precious pets are concerned. Dogs and cats love presents! They will get under the tree and open them when they can or work in tandem to do so. Our dog will pull them out for the cat to rip open. That’s teamwork for you! However, cats will play in the tree and bat ornaments around. The broken bulbs can prove to be a hazard, along with tinsel (which some cats love to eat). Ribbons, ties, greenery, berries, are other items which may entice them to nibble. Then there is the delicious aroma of roasting turkey! Cats will hang around the kitchen, and being very mobile can jump on the countertop to access the stove and possibly getting burned. When you open the refrigerator door pay attention as a curious cat may climb in unnoticed. There is a wonderful array of perches, condos, scratchers, and play areas you can provide for your cat in a safe area away from the tree and the kitchen.