Target has kept the pompoms. Photos: Ellen Whyte
Moving house is a bit of a trial, and relocating from tropical Malaysia to Britain is especially daunting. Making sure the cats are happy is a constant concern. For the last month, I’ve been fretting about the weather. Happily, it led to a rather nice surprise.
I joke that British summer falls on Aug 16 lasting from 2pm to 4pm but it’s not far off the truth. The change in climate will be a shock.
As we’re accustomed to 28°C that feels like 33°C, we’re worried the cats may be chilly, especially at nap time.
Inkie’s fur is thick as a polar bear’s but Tic Tac has a delicate coat. As for Target, he is my tropical petal and, at 16, elderly.
Fleece cat beds and throws are the obvious solution. However, it brought back memories of the Purple Cushion Saga of 2021.
In case you missed out on that drama, it began when I bought Target a deluxe pet bed. It was perfect in every way: Round, soft, furry, and purple. Of course, the little rascal spurned it.
He slept in it once, just to please me, and then refused to set another paw in it.
Kitten Tic Tac took her line from Target. When Inkie moved in, he copied his furry friends and refused to go near it. So, my beautiful gift is now placed permanently under the daisy, a soft, non-fluffy felt cushion that Target approves of.
Given this sad history, I spent last week gazing at online ads for fleece rugs patterned with paws and soft squishy cat caves complete with toy ball accessories. I was torn, wondering if I ought to try again or whether I was setting myself up for more rejection.
The sight of a cow-patterned pet bed, complete with horns and ears, banished all caution. I could see Tic Tac in it, rolling on the detachable plush blanket and playing with the built-in ball.
I bought it. And the large grey cat cave with pink ears for Inkie too.
When the first parcel arrived, Tic Tac bounced up, tail straight up and quivering with interest. She adores packages and has a passion for wrapping.
As I snipped away at the paper, she danced on her toes, stuck her nose into everything and almost had her whiskers trimmed.
It was the cow cave. I thought the spots and horns enchanting but Tic Tac was busy playing with the plastic bag. I showed it to Target and he sniffed and sighed. It was a martyred sigh.
Heart sinking, I shook the cow out, placed the blanket inside and invited the cats to look.
Target put his ears back. He glanced at the purple cushion supporting his daisy and sighed again.
Turning my back on him in a pointed manner, I found Tic Tac curled up in the discarded wrapping. Lifting her out, I set her in front of the cow and quietly praised its cuteness, its plushness, and its potential for warmth on long, cold winter nights.
Tic Tac patted the pompom and promptly got her claw stuck. When I helped unhook her, she was ready to walk away. I begged her to have another go. I patted the blanket and extolled its virtues.
Tic Tac glanced at Target’s forbidding frown, at my pleading eyes, and then she stepped into the cow.
I held my breath as she turned around, testing the blanket. She sat down and she was smiling. Success!
Tic Tac in her cute cow cat cave.
Seeing this, Target shook his head and went off to nap. When Inkie came downstairs, he sniffed at the cow but Tic Tac refused to budge. Our princess was firm: She saw it first and now the cow was hers.
Inkie’s large cave arrived a few hours later. This time, I opened it up with all three cats helping. We set it up, and once again Tic Tac was in first. The pompom bashed her in the head and then Inkie got his claw stuck in it. When he ripped his paw away, it bashed him in the face.
Seeing his eyes huge with worry, I got the scissors and snipped off the offending accessory.
Hopefully the designer will never know, but as Inkie stood there, indecisive and nervous, Tic Tac barged past him and bounced straight in, tail up and meowing with delight.
Tic Tac snoozing in Inkie's cat cave.
Cats are hugely competitive. With our princess squeaking with glee, the boys decided they wanted in too.
Target asserted his position as senior executive snoopervisor and nosed her aside. Stepping in, he wriggled his toes and came straight back out. It wasn’t his thing.
He licked Tic Tac on the nose, accepted a manly headbutt from Inkie, and then his eyes fell on the discarded pompom. His ears perked up and his tail went down, transforming our orange boy into a tiger.
Lowering his body, orange stripes shimmering, his paw flashed out. The powerful hook sent the pompom rocketing across the room. Target was after it in a flash.
Inkie’s hunter soul kicked in instantly. Shooting across the room, he intercepted Target’s chip shot and whacked it straight back.
The boys have their game but Tic Tac is a rebel who plays the cat rather than the ball. She dived in, wrestling Inkie down with a playful bite to the ear.
As the cats battled, I snipped the pompom off the cow and cleared away the wrapping. Left to their own devices, the cats spent the day playing with the pompoms and jumping in and out of the caves.
It’s been three days and our furry reviewers have made their verdicts. Tic Tac gives both beds four paws up. Inkie is too big for the cow but the generous proportions of his own cave are perfect. After breakfast this morning he went in, turned around three times, and lay down purring.
Inkie in his cat cave.
Target maintains his skepticism but he has appropriated the pompoms. He is napping in his turtle batik shawl, paws possessively around his new treasure. When the time comes, he and I will share a blanket.
As for me, I’m relishing my triumph. The pet caves are a hit.
Adopt Me
Ginger is 10 months old, fully vaccinated, and neutered. This sweet boy is a ray of sunshine, happy, active and a true Malaysian because he loves to eat! His cage sits by the front door and he chats up a storm to any visitors.
Photo: SPCA Penang/Lily Leng
Ginger is looking for a happy home. If you can, he’d like to be adopted together with his cage companion.
Interested adopters, please contact SPCA Penang, Jalan Jeti Jelutong, 11600 Jelutong, Penang. Phone: 04-281 6559. Website: https://spca-penang.net
