love thursday: simple
Simple Recipe for Cat Happiness
1 yard kitchen string
1 large-ish button
Some assembly required. Thread kitchen string through button and secure tightly (cats have teeth and are often much more inventive than you might guess). Pull string with button end trailing on the ground. Carpet is okay, although linoleum adds noise interest. Cats will follow. Works with ninja cats as well as tax account types.
Minou seemed depressed of late. He has been eating better (a little less fussy about canned food variety) but usually shuffles off to his chair after eating and sleeps away the evening. Just before bedtime, he and Emmaline will run around the house, but he’s disinterested in Wanda, string, or even Spot (the laser pointer). I think he still prefers to be the only-cat and holds back when Emmaline is playing wildly with what used to be his toys.
The other night, roomie was telling me how Emmaline jumped onto her lap while she tried to conduct a telephone conversation. It was a bit distracting with a cat gnawing on your sweater buttons to the accompaniment of loud purring. Hmmm…..an idea began brewing.
I pulled out my jar of extra buttons and tied some string to one brown button. As expected, Emmaline pounced on it immediately with her characteristic enthusiasm. Surprisingly, Minou jumped in and played, too! I made him his own string-and-button toy and roomie and I had a blast running around the house with two cats in tow. Minou didn’t get put off when Emmaline took part of the chase and kept playing well past bedtime (for humans). With gladdened hearts and sleepy eyes, we put away the new toys and sent the cats off to bed.
I love simple things.
Minou and his new-found interest. Emmaline who never misses an opportunity for fun.
See other Love Thursday posts at ShutterSisters.
i love the photos of your kitty!
Thanks, Tracey. I wishwishwish I could get sharper images, but they are just too fast for me (plus, it’s only about 6am in these shots and there’s not much light in the room).
That surely looks like love to me!
uh huh, simple is best, i tear newspaper and tie up with string, it’s like a little butterfly and my cat loves chasing after it.
Oh, how sweet they are! How I wish I had a little ‘Emmaline’ cat jumping up onto my lap. I hope the two went to bed without too much trouble! x
It’s the simple things that mean a lot! Ah…we can learn a lot from our pets. I must try this button-on-a-string with our Charlie. Happy Day ((HUGS))
Simple toys are usually the best. My kittycats love playing with paper balls, paper bags, carton boxes, a bit of string, their own tail, each other, me, a beam of sunlight, a fly or spider or some invisible kittycat ghostie. Shall try the string and button thingy and see how they like that as they are always keen to try out new toys.
Simple pleasures are so often the best ones! It sounds like you two were having more fun than the cats! xx
Smart girl - I’m glad you found a toy they can both play with!
Thankyouthankyouthankyou for the Arroz Con Pollo recipe below. I have all that stuff in my pantry and I am on a serious rice kick these days, so I’ll be making that tonight or tomorrow. The first time I had Arroz Con Pollo was on a travel agent trip to Costa Rica - I remember it tasting so wonderful - brings back happy memories.
Fiwa, I made the Arroz Con Pollo with drumsticks, but next time am planning to use boneless chicken for easier eating. Also added a jar of roasted red bell peppers. It turned out quite good
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Flighty - how did you know??
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Yolanda, I love it when they entertain themselves. Sometimes the string and button get wrapped around one kitty and both kitties are kept busy for quite a while!
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Tracy, I hope Charlie enjoys his toy!
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Oh, Louise, do you - can you have a kitty? There must be an Emmaline for you!
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Alison, I should try tying newspaper - great idea, thanks!
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Thanks, S.A. Mama!
I had to smile when I read about your experience with simple things. When my kids were younger, we had all these educational toys for them to play with but, for a time, all they really wanted to play with were Rubbermaid bowls and lids, a wooden spoon and an empty box.
You are so, so , good to your very fortunate and beloved cats! I love my Colette but rarely play with her with string and toys … perhaps I will try this soon. It’s a good idea!
Aww your cat is soo cute!
Good story and outcome for Minou! I used to make a wad of aluminum foil or waxed paper into a small ball. The cats went wild batting them around the house.
What a simple and fun toy. I am glad they both liked it and played long an hard with it.
Marilyn, just think, you already had educational toys!
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I’d love to know how Colette likes it, Becca
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Thanks, Jessica - there’s two of them, you know; they just look a lot alike!
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I haven’t tried foil yet, Mary, but that’s next.
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Dawn, Minou loses interest quickly, but not with his button and string.
Genius! I’m a fan of simple things too, especially when they make our furry friends so happy
The simplest things are the best! Minou and Emmaline already knew that!