Favorite Cat Toy

Apparently every discerning feline has a favorite toy! It amuses me to watch our cats grab that special one from the multitude of toys scattered on the floor or squirreled away under a sofa pillow. Since I have become more observant, over the years, I noticed that Hush Puppy, our lilac point Oriental Shorthair developed a rather intimate relationship with a once pristine leather-and-faux-fur mouse I bought at a cat show years ago. Of course, hindsight is always 20-20. I deeply regret that I did not purchase a bunch. After all, almost any other toy I offered was immediately was summarily dismissed. The favorite Rosi Rat Toy I get a kick out of how protectively he covets it, sending fur raising warning growls to his brother, Hubble, our white Oriental. Now you must understand that over many years of play, this toy has become ragged around the edges, its size greatly diminished from its original condition. But nonetheless, Hush Puppy still carried it around the house, often making strange mewing sounds from time to time. A one-time beautiful toy, it now lingered on like a ghostly thing ... minus its tail which disappeared into obscurity, whiskers that were missing and of course, most importantly, completely disembodied. Hush Puppy cared less if these parts were lacking. The head was intact, which turned it into a purrfect "hockey puck." Hush Puppy rejecting another toy I became more aware of the degree to which Hush Puppy had formed a bond with this frazzled worn out toy, as I was feeding the cats the other day. I noticed his gaze was focused rather dejectedly on the litter box. I couldn’t quite grasp the reason for his sad face. But upon starting to clean the litter box, I immediately understood what was going on. I felt something strange in the box and had no clue what I was about to unearth. Sure enough, the favorite mouse toy's head was buried in the litter. I have no idea who put it there (winking at Hubble), but I dug it out very carefully. After cleaning and sanitizing it I presented it to Hush Puppy who immediately jumped on it, throwing it up in the air, chasing it around the room, grinning like the Cheshire cat. I have often found toys in water bowls and other odd places, even discovering a very realistic-looking mouse toy one time in the toilet. However, never in the many years of sharing my home with felines have I found a toy buried deep in a litter box. Cats are clever, aren't they? Since this mouse head was turning up around the house, I thought to myself, "If Hush Puppy is playing so intensely with the remains of this toy he must be hinting that it is time for me to find an intact replacement." I thought my logic was impeccable. I was worried as these toys are hard to find. Rushing to my computer, I "googled” the type of and design of the toy and found a source in less than 5 seconds. I immediately bought 10 of them in a variety of colors. No more would we be mouseless in this house. The mice arrived 7 days later. I eagerly pulled one of them out of the bag as Hush Puppy watched, the end of his tail twitching in anticipation. I dropped it on the floor anticipating a positive response. However, much to my dismay, after a few perfunctory attempts to toss it into the air for what he considered to be the desired effect, after not getting it, off he quickly went in search for the disembodied head lying on the bedroom floor. I do suspect that over time, Hubble will whip these toys into a desirable shape and texture that Hush Puppy prefers so my financial layout and labor is not wasted, but I have to tell you how bitterly disappointed I was when my work was not appreciated. I tell you being a cat servant is not easy at times, but I wouldn't trade my place as one for all the catnip in the world. Do you also go out of your way to “spoil” your kitties? Leave a comment and let us know.