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.
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Comments (5)
J.A. Morrison November 19, 2008 9:42 AM
Oh yes! We had the same mouse here and it is long gone now but much loved. The cats played with that mouse until there was nothing left. You are right they are hard to find.
Our Sabu loves his Octopus. It was a toy I found in a grocery store and had to modify. I removed the bell and the fluff ball on it and gave him the long furry legs. He prefers the red and whit ones. The pink and green one leave him flat. Each week it gets thrown in the wash and he searches the clothes when they are brought out of the dryer. He and his " Occy" are best buddies.
Vicki November 19, 2008 12:08 PM
My cat has too many toys. I don't think he has chosen one to be his favorite, but he plays with them a lot. Since he now has three little dogs in his presence, he spends a lot of time making them mad!
Amy November 20, 2008 4:44 AM
My cats have a couple favorite toys. The first is actually bits of dry dog food left on the floor by the dogs after eating. The cats use these pieces as small marbles to chase all over the kitchen floor.Oh and occasionly they do eat them
The second toy is hard to explain. It is a small weighted disk with feathers coming out of it. It is so funny to see them picking them up and throwing them around the house. I find them everywhere in the house from the basement to the second floor. When all the feathers are destroyed I throw the disk out. Then it is time to order more. They do have times when more than one cats wants to play with them and won't share. Then it is who can steal the toy and make off with it.
Donna November 20, 2008 6:16 AM
Cat toys? Mouse's most favorite is a simple scruched up ball of paper. Then Chester (aka shredder) will occasionally take all the little paper balls and make confetti out of them. They love the catnip bags I make them (buy Cosmic Catnit...it's the best.) If you're someone that's handy with a sewing maching and have some quiting squares around you can make fresh catnip bags in minutes...just fold a square of fabric in half -- my favorites are 4x4's so it's triangular. Sew up one side, put in the catnip, sew up the other side, I use a pinking shear to secure the edges and they go nuts. Um, be sure you're in the room with the sewing machine and catnip with the DOOR CLOSED! lol
Other mornings, I get up to find they've taken all their furry "mouseies" out of their two toy baskets...all without tails now. Occasionally they play with the electronic mouse that squeaks when it moves and they LOVE the sparkley 'fishing pole" type toy you swing through the air and they jump for it...I have to keep this hidden from them though, because the sparkely streamers are much like tinsel on a Christmas tree and could be dangerous if ingested.
Oh, I almost forgot..Chester's favorite interactive game "stick under the rug"...if he wants to play he goes to the edge of the area rug and with both paws pulls up the edge over and over. That's my clue to get out the yardstick, put it under the rug and let it peak out the other side so he can attack it. Mouse loves this game too.
Mouse...every morning when I make the bed has to be covered up with the quilt, then I tickle him and he attacks me from under the covers. Then I finish making the bed and proceed with my day.
They ALL 5 love the laser pointer, but you have to be careful to keep it from shining right into their eyes. Even 14 year old Pirate turns into a kitten ...funny, they ALL 5 recognize the 'click" of the laser pointer turning on and run into whereever I am.
That's about it from here...Mouse is on my lap saying HIIII to all!
Have a great day!
Donna, Pirate, Wheezel, Missy Toe, Chester and the Mouse.
Elizabeth August 2, 2009 4:50 PM
Where did you find the mice? My new kitten picked that as his favorite toy out of the zillion toys in the box and carries it everywhere, even into MY bed. Ours is brown with an orange head, interesting to see a different color, and was originally purchased on an out of state trip years ago. Not having as much luck as you did googling it. I would love to get a spare!
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