Changes

It’s been a while since I've posted anything.  A lot has happened.  I finally found a cocktail dress and went to my friend’s wedding.  Within the same time, another friend passed from this world.  There were electrical problems in my house, which lasted five days.  So there have been a few ups and downs in my life.

But I’m not the only one who experienced changes.

My cats have experienced some ups and downs too.  It’s my doing. I have two cats: a boy, Loki and a girl, Jade.  I love them, but they drive me up the wall.  They’re fully aware of what they're not supposed to do and make sure to do just that when I’m not watching.  For instance, they’re not allowed on the couch.  When I’m about, they don’t go near the couch.  When I go to bed at night, however, they go to bed too – on the couch!  In the morning, when they hear me come down the stairs they jump off.  You’d figured that cats being nimble and all, would jump off the couch light as a feather and soundlessly land on the floor.  Not my cats.  I hear the loud thump as they land on the floor and scatter.

Finally, I said enough!  I’m tired of cleaning hair off the couch.  It takes a long time and I don’t like doing it.  I've bought citrus scented sprays because I read somewhere that cats don’t like it.  Well, it only works while the scent is strong, but it doesn't last all night.  Eventually, I gave up on that.

I went on line and read that cats and snakes don’t get along.  I said: Aha!  So I embarked on my quest to find a snake prop that would deter my cats from getting on the couch.  At first, I thought I would get some cheap two dollar rubber snakes.  But I figured that once the cats realize that the snakes aren't going to bite, they would jump on the couch.

I kept searching until I found a motion activated snake prop.  It was more expensive than what I was ready to spend but decided to give it a try.  The moment it arrived, I removed it from the package turned it on and put it on the floor in front of the couch.  The cats immediately went to investigate the object in front of the couch.  Loki was the first to get close to it.  And that’s when it happened.  The snake activated and made a snapping motion with rattling sound.  Loki jumped straight up in the air and Jade scattered.  I have to admit, it was very funny to see my cat fly in the air like that.  But they’re learning not to get on the couch without chemicals or other harsh substances.  I've named the snake, Sheldon.

Here’s a clip I found on YouTube of the snake I purchased.

At first glance it seems mean, but I'm trying to train them from lounging on the couch. I've heard it takes longer to train cats than it does to train dogs.   So far, this method has been effective.  Yet, Sheldon has become annoying because every time I walk by it snaps.  But, if I don't have to clean hair off the couch, it's worth it to have Sheldon rattle and snap when I pass by.