The Cat Tree

At last I'm able to do another post. My Internet connection is still erratic but to top it all, in between something went horribly wrong with my Upload Editor. It's only thanks to Diane of Adventure before Dementia that I managed to correct it. I also have another modem and hope that this ensures I have better and regular Internet. Thanks to all for still visiting me even though I've been so absent from your posts.

Now for some cat-news.

As many of you know, in Kenya Ginger had the run of Chebutie Camp. We inherited him there and he was known as the Boss Cat. Even after we'd given him a secure home and regular food and love, he'd often disappear for two days and return hungry as the proverbial horse. (He was left behind in Kenya when we departed as he'd gone on one of his "walkabouts" two days before!) When Ginger was home, he spent most of his time lying around in the garden, or if he was feeling energetic, he'd hare up a tree, turn around and slide down again.

Shadow, who lived indoors in Khartoum and later in South Africa, became a garden cat after I spent three months walking him on a leash. (More about this later)  Just before we left Kenya, I'd started teaching Ambrose how to behave on a leash.

Now we live in an enclosed garden which would be ideal for the three cats to roam around and relax in. BUT we have two dogs in the garden too. (I posted about Busta and Toffee recently) And these dogs would chase my cats up over the fence and they'd probably run all the way back to Kenya! Needless to say, all three boys are now indoor cats and seem quite happy.

And, because they are unable to go out and climb a few of the amazing trees in our garden, I asked Grant to  find a dry tree stump and prepare it for the cats. He did; this week the carpenters brought the paka mti/cat tree in to the lounge.

Martin and his carpenters carry the cat tree inside the house

I'd asked Grant to have three boxes attached to the branches. These have since been fitted with carpets inside and on top

The proud craftsmen pose with their masterpiece. Amazingly, they didn't even bat a collective eye at the reason for this project!

Ambrose was the first one up the tree and into a box! The cats were a little put off by the smell of varnish which has since disappeared

Finally later that first night, all three cats were on the tree and inspecting their new toy!

For more posts on pets around the world, click here