Tuesday 13 November 2012

Kitty play circuit

When we left Edinburgh recently Shona, Niall's sister, popped a cat toy into the car--when we say toy we really mean a large-ish box with a self-assemble sinuous race track.

The ideal
She'd bought it for her cats, but despite the manufacturer's enthousiastic illustrations, it was not a success. One of her cats hissed at it and fled; the other studiously ignored it. As it was sitting around gathering dust and taking up space she thought our cats might like it. We raised a questioning eyebrow but agreed to give it a test run.

Shadow fled the moment we started opening the box having concluded it would be more peaceful outside. Katinka ignored the assembly noises until the point where we put an orange ping-pong ball into the contraption. Said noise caused her to leap onto the kitchen table--where she is NOT allowed--all agog to investigate further. For ease her humans had assembled the track on the table intending to put it on the floor. Good intentions....


Oh look there's something moving!




















The manfucaturers would have been proud!! Katinka was mesmerised and we deployed the camera ....

Goody! I can stick my paw into the opening!

Here it comes!!
Gotcha ... I think!!
Nope ... not quite

Take that!!




22 comments:

Diane said...

Ha ha love it, great way to keep Katinka fascinated so it seems. Take care you two. Diane

Leon Sims said...

Cats - Sue has this Burmese called Gem, you may have met her in our blog maybe. We are her servants.....

Ron Ron said...

Katinka, Katinka, Katinka....dear, you've got it all wrong... these 'toys' are there to entertain the Staff... not us!!
We sit there looking all attentive... yes, that is allowed... but play with them... never!!
Not unless there is food involved... then we can play... like I play with my little mouse.
Even worse... someone else bought this contraption for ANOTHER cat... no they must buy the thing and feel the frustration when we turn our back on it... it is part of our control over them.

Susan said...

Does it exercise the same hold when on the floor, or has the kitchen table been seconded long-term?

the fly in the web said...

Luckily your kitchen floor looks clean enough to eat from...as I fear you've lost the table!

Niall & Antoinette said...

@Diane - well it certainly kept her interest.

Niall & Antoinette said...

@Leon&Sue - Shadow and Katinka would like Gem to know that they feel they have their humans fairly well trained!

Niall & Antoinette said...

@Ron Ron - but what to do??? It was too tempting and I gave in (hanging head in shame ....)

Niall & Antoinette said...

@Susan - well being naughty on the kitchen table adds a certain 'je ne sais quoi' but it is also fun on the floor.

Niall & Antoinette said...

@Fly - it was a struggle but we have re-claimed the table ...just!!

GaynorB said...

Whatever will they think of next?

Good that Shadow is above hat kind of thing or fur could fly ...

Jane and Lance Hattatt said...

How wonderful! We have never seen anything like this before and what fun that it actually works, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, for at least one of your cats. We wonder what the staying power will be?!!

We shall be 'off air' later this week but will look forward to catching up on our return.

The Broad said...

Great pictures and a story well told!

ladybird said...

You can count on Katinka when it comes to perfect cat behaviour ... She must be a joy to have her around ...:) Wish I could have a kitty like that!! Martine

Perpetua said...

Oh, that reminds why I so miss having cats around. Sigh. A lovely story and Katinka is so obviously having a ball.....:-)

Niall & Antoinette said...

@Gaynor - to be honest we were surprised she enjoyed it so much. Usually any bought toy is an abject failure!

Niall & Antoinette said...

@Jane & Lance - We'll see!

She goes through phases of where she likes to sleep as well. Latest attempt has been to try and claim a Rosenthal Sudio Line wooden fruit bowl![She has been informed that this is not acceptable -- even when empty]

Niall & Antoinette said...

@Broad - thanks :-)

Niall & Antoinette said...

@Martine - well life with her certainly isn't boring! :-)

Niall & Antoinette said...

@Perpetua - they are nice to have around and make good furry hot water bottles when it gets chilly! :-)

LindyLouMac said...

Seriously that is some cat toy, but at least your cat is interested. I wonder how long the fascination will last though.

Niall & Antoinette said...

@Lindy Lou - the toys are more and more over the top aren't they?

She's a fickle lady so we'll see how long her interest lasts!
Best toy in our experience is still a simple catnip stuffed mouse.