Kitty Playpen

I have a special playpen for my cats. Most of them love to play in it by themselves or with a toy. I discovered their joy with it on day by accident. They would follow me in and jump into the tub, on day I tossed an empty TP roll in when Mittens was in the tub. This is one of her favorite toys, as it is cardboard and she can tear it up. As you can see in the picture of her she is having a good time with it.

Toys from milk jug.

Something else the cats enjoy is the top from a gallon milk jug, both the ring and the lid. I usually have a dozen under the fridge at any time. Also I created a little puck using the foil wrapper off of a Ding Dong, Mittens loves that one also.

                                    Mittens rabbit kicks TP roll.

I tried using the empty roll with some of the others but they were not that interested so one day I tossed in the puck, instant hit. Between that and the lid all the cats are entertained. I stopped using the TP rolls as I would forget and turn the water on soaking them. One day shortly after I started this I heard a loud noise coming from the bathroom, go check it out to find The Martian playing. Now when he gets board he will go in there and play by himself. The others still will not play with him, so this gives him something he can do on his own. As you can see by the photos most every one has a good time.

                                         Lil' Bit @ Play.

                                                     Lil' Bit again.

                                               Squirrel circles her prey.

                                                   She stalks it.

                                                She attacks.

                                          Oh oh the Diva noticed the camera. 

                                                Ugly has got it!

                                              Where did it go?

                                            The Martian has it on a roll.

                         The Twins checking out the racket in the tub.

Prima Donna (First Kitty)



Sitting Pretty! Squirrel likes to pose.
(House is mess, sorry)

 When Squirrel first showed up she was the invisible kitty. I would hear her come in to eat, but whenever I tried to look she was gone. Sometimes I would get a glimpse of her tail, all big and bushy. Coming in really hungry one day she let me walk into the kitchen while she was eating. I could not get to close at first, but soon was able to sit beside her while she ate.

Squirrel's Early days.

I tired to scratch her behind the ears but she would just wine ehhh ehhh ehhhhh. Mumbling into her meal, because she did not stop eating. (Skinny cat see second pic) Using her head as a pivot point she would circle around the can of food. Needless to say she was not too friendly nor was I able to get close unless she was eating.



Hiding under the bed.



She started to hang around the house, sleeping in a box or on a blanket. At this time Girl was still spending a lot of time under the beds hiding from everything. Being skittish Squirrel would chase her trying to start a fight. They got into it once, that I had to break up. Two days later I noticed Girl was licking a cut and took her to the vet. I did not connect the two events until the vet said it looked like a puncture wound on Girl's tail. A couple of bite marks actually. Those two have not gotten along very sell since.



Belly Rub, Attack Pose!



One day while my brother and his wife was over she finally let me pet her. She became loving very quick after that. Soon she became a lap kitty, jumping on my lap most anytime I sat down. When I would come home from work she would run out to meet me rubbing against my legs. Looking for some loving. Following me everywhere, constantly wanting to be near her daddy. She has never like to be held, will squirm and wine until she is put down. Then right back to rubbing up against me, wanting to get petted. Most importantly NO belly rubs, Squirrel does NOT like. She will attack. LOL



 

Hamming it up for the camera.



Squirrel's favorite hobby is to chase Girl. She will lie in wait outside the bedroom door for Girl to emerge then chase her back in. From across the room if she sees Girl walking she will leap up and give chase. She came in as head cat pushing Girl out of the way. She started sleeping with me taking Girl's spot on the bed.



 

Her favorite toys.



Squirrel really enjoys playing, chasing after balls through out the house. She would take a toy like the first one pictured and toss it 5-6 feet into the air and jump up to catch it before it hit the ground. The second toy pictured (I circled the attachment) she would chase around the house. She would jump over 5 foot into the air to get it. She would run after a string, when she caught it she would do a flip. Just roll right over grabbing it on the way. Then Mittens showed up while trying to join in she was pushing Squirrel out of the way.

Squirrel had attitude when she first showed up. What with her chasing Girl, growling and mumbling at me when I tried to pick her up. Still though she is the brave one. When someone comes in she will be out to see who it is, if she approves she will even rub up against them. She really likes “M” and will jump onto the couch to get petted by her.



Squirrel playing with her toy.



Then came Mizz Purrzzy, who would chase Squirrel under the bed like she did to Girl. It surprised me at first . But like I said she changed a lot calming down becoming more loving. So maybe that is what it was. Having to fight for attention may be good for her. She has started to come out once again. Playing with almost the same abandon as before.



 

Bribing her to come out from under the couch.



Squirrel likes to help out.
Here she is helping me make cookies.

 

Well that is Squirrel, loving, outgoing, a ham that loves to have her picture taken. She is just so photogenic that I have more pictures of her than of any of the others.