|
|
|
Baby Shower Centerpieces That Double as a Gift!
Here you will learn how to make and where to purchase your baby shower centerpieces. As the centerpiece is the focal point of the baby shower, it is very important for you to design or purchase the right one. You need to place them above eye level...
Premenstrual Syndrome: Plagued with Premenstrual Syndrome? Try Calcium!
At last, there's hope for millions of women suffering from Premenstrual Syndrome. Researchers have found that a regular intake of calcium may reduce premenstrual syndrome be as much as 60 per cent. It's a problem that has baffled doctors and...
Seven Wonders of the World - Light House of Alexandria
This light house of Alexandria was one of the useful of the seven wonders of the world (for the sailors to return to the Great Harbor), which is a small differentiates it, when compared with the other wonders of the world. The mirror which was...
Was I Talking To An Angel
A True story written By Tim Mack.
I couldn't believe that I was all alone with part of the cross that Christ had carried. It felt so strange to think that just an ordinary person such as myself would now be in the presence of the symbol...
Which Witch Are You?
Hey there, Dorothy -- are you a Good Witch or a Bad Witch? Is your friend acting like a bitch? Answer these five questions from Samantha's Twisted Book of Shadows and find out which witch is which?
1. These days I ride: a) side-saddle...
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
You CAN Have Your Cats and Your Furniture Too
You CAN Have Your Cats and Your Furniture Too
By Kathie Freeman
No one wants to invest hundreds or even thousands of dollars in furnishings only to see them ripped to shreds by an overzealous pet, however beloved. To many people the obvious answer is to have their cats declawed, but it this really a reasonable alternative?
Its proponents depict it as a simple and painless operation, but it is neither simple or painless. Most people aren't aware that it's not just the claws that are removed. Declawing involves the amputation of the first joint of each toe, and as any amputee can tell you, the pain persists for months if not years. The only difference is your cat can't tell you it still hurts.
This doesn't mean you have to put up with shredded furniture and drapes, or snagged carpets. I have four cats of my own, none of then declawed, and my upholstery and curtains are intact and my rugs unsnagged. There are a number of steps you can take to minimize or eliminate the damage.
1. Give them what they want.
Scratching is not just a means of sharpening claws, it's a vital form of exercise that tones and strengthens the muscles. Even declawed cats go through the motions. It's instinctive. Birds gotta swim, fish gotta fly, cats gotta scratch. Whatever. So give them something suitable to scratch on, preferably not one of those pint-sized carpet-covered pet department abominations. That only confuses them.
If that's what you already have, at least pull off the carpeting and wrap it with good quality jute or sisal rope, half-inch in diameter, wound tightly and secured with glue. If you sew, you might try making a slip cover you can easily remove and replace as necessary. Burlap is good for this, but almost any fabric with a heavy weave or a textured surface will work. My own cats are partial to upholstery velvet and corduroy. Ideally the post should be at least two inches higher than the cat can reach.
Many cats prefer a horizontal surface to scratch on, and take well to a commercial scratching pad made from corrugated cardboard.
Whatever you decide to use, spray it lightly with catnip extract (not synthetic - they WILL know the difference) and place it near your cat's favorite scratching spot. Once he or she becomes accustomed to the new surface, gradually move it to a more convenient location. These materials tend to be messy, so choose a spot where you can easily sweep or vacuum around it.
2. Use your good judgement when choosing fabrics and rugs.
Pass up all those lovely but delicate satin and damask weaves or the aforementioned textured surfaces. These are cat magnets. Knits
and other stretchy fabrics are an open invitation to snags. Leather and faux leathers are also major no-no's. Sheer panels at the windows? Forget it!
Look for strong fabrics with a tight weave such as sailcloth or canvas. Most denims hold up well, also. For curtains, go with something like percale or chintz. Most of the curtains at my house are made from bedsheets, and are not only attractive but virtually indestructible. For carpeting, a medium or low plush is preferable to a berber or a sculptured pile. Remember, minimum texture is the key.
As long as we're on the subject, think brown. That way when your cat upchucks on it, and it will, it won't be such a disaster. If your cat is still drawn to the furniture, a number of companies sell clear plastic corner protectors that self-adhere to most fabrics.
3. Trim the claws.
It's not as difficult as it might seem, especially if you start them as kittens. Use a specifically designed animal nail trimmer and start out slow. Begin by just handling the paws, and practice extending the claws without trying to trim. The cat will become accustomed to being handled and will be less likely to react violently to the actual trimming. After a few days of this, try trimming, just one or two nails at a time, and only take off the very tips. If you still find it troublesome, most professional groomers will do it for a minimal fee.
4. Claw caps.
These are soft plastic covers that are glued onto the claws and last for up to 4-6 weeks. I've never tried them myself, but many people report good results.
Cats and people have shared living quarters for thousand of years, and with a little forethought and cooperation we should be able to maintain a harmonious relationship between ourselves, our pets, and our furniture.
copyright 2005
Kathie Freeman is the author of Catwalk, a Feline Odyssey.
For more of her articles and short stories visit Kathie's Stories and Tails at http://home.att.net/~kathiefreeman/
This article is free to use as long as the byline and this source information is included.
About the author:
Kathie Freeman is a life-long cat person who along with her husband has been owned by as many as 13 cats at once. They currently share their California home with four cats and a dog.
She is the author of "Catwalk, a Feline Odyssey", the captivating story of a wandering tabby cat and the people she meets on her journey of adventure and discovery.
Ms Freeman is also the author of "The Retro", as well as numerous short stories and articles, most of which can be read free on her website.
|
|
|
|
|
| Cruising World |
| The Moorings. Catch the Late Train to Dubrovnik. It's not too late to book a winter escape to Dubrovnik, Croatia, or anywhere else, for that matter. ... |
| www.cruisingworld.com |
|
| US Sailing Lessons and Online Sailing School |
| Contained in this Cruising Sailing Lesson are videos on how to sail and tie knots along with JavaScript calculators for estimating sailboat characteristics, ... |
| www.cruising.sailingcourse.com |
|
| Travel-and-Leisure - Cruising-Sailing Ezine Articles |
| EzineArticles.com allows ezine or email list publishers to upload or download free expert content that can be used within email newsletters or websites. |
| ezinearticles.com |
|
| Travel and Leisure: Cruising Sailing Articles from EzineArticles.com |
| http://ezinearticles.com/?cat=Travel-and-Leisure:Cruising-Sailing Free Content For Your Ezine or Website http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/ ... |
| ezinearticles.com |
|
| CRUISER LOG the complete sailing and cruising yacht resource. |
| Circumnavigating yachts and general cruising, sailing and boating information. [The Navigation Bar feature is not available in this web] ... |
| www.cruiser.co.za |
|
| Cruising, sailing, yachting, boating and weather links. |
| The Cruiser Log link list of cruising, sailing, yachting and weather related web sites and pages - all marine related links to websites. |
| www.cruiser.co.za |
|
| Colsmith Cruising/Sailing |
| Collection of links related to sailing, with a particular emphasis on catamarans, vacation spots, parts and boats vendors, and other useful information. |
| home.att.net |
|
| Sports, Outdoor, Water - Cruising/Sailing Holiday Brochures |
| Birdwatching, Cricket, Cruising/Sailing, Cycling, Diving, Extreme Sports ... Cruising/Sailing Holiday Brochures, Displaying: 1 to 10 (of 48 Brochures) ... |
| www.catalink.com |
|
| Cruising/Sailing - Sports, Outdoor, Water from Travel Brochures ... |
| All Holiday Subcategories, Birdwatching, Cricket, Cruising/Sailing, Cycling, Diving ... Cruising/Sailing Brochures, Displaying: 1 to 10 (of 46 Brochures) ... |
| www.travelbrochures.co.uk |
|
| Cruising/Sailing - Sports, Outdoor, Water from Travel Brochures ... |
| All Holiday Subcategories, Birdwatching, Cricket, Cruising/Sailing, Cycling, Diving ... Cruising/Sailing Brochures, Displaying: 31 to 40 (of 46 Brochures) ... |
| www.travelbrochures.co.uk |
|
| Cruising: Sailing solo |
| Cruising: Sailing solo. Wednesday, November 9, 2005. The perks and drawbacks of sailing solo. By Peter McNally. For Peter McNally, a 48-year-old single ... |
| travel.ninemsn.com.au |
|
| New List: 98-07-07: CHANGE: Worldcruising - Global Cruising, Sailing, |
| We're currently in the process of extending our reach to access a large database of cruising / sailing information through the Internet. ... |
| scout.wisc.edu |
|
| Travel » Cruising Sailing » Absolute Article Directory |
| Absolute Article Directory: Travel, Cruising Sailing. |
| www.absolutearticle.com |
|
| Cruising South African Sailing :: The online destination for ... |
| http://cruising.sailing.org.za/. Navigate. · Home · The Grab Bag · Cruising Abroad · Boat Registration. Cruising Menu ... |
| cruising.sailing.org.za |
|
| Pembrokeshire Cruising sailing school |
| RYA sailing school, training, yacht charter and cruising holidays in Pembrokeshire, Wales. |
| www.pembrokeshirecruising.co.uk |
|
| Cruising Sailing |
| when it comes to a great vacation, having acruise with the family can be a great choice. and, |
| www.rumorist.com |
|
| - Cruising-Sailing |
| By Carey O'Reily | On August 20, 2005 | In Cruising-Sailing | Rated ... By | On July 28, 2006 | In Cruising-Sailing | Rated ... |
| www.articlebar.com |
|
| Tagged Feed - Cruising, sailing and boating FAQ's delivered in RSS ... |
| Cruising, sailing and boating FAQ's delivered in RSS news feeds. -. All you ever wanted to know about sailing, cruising and boating but did not know where ... |
| www.feedalley.com |
|
| Sailing Specialties - Cruising, Sailing & Sport Fishing Boats |
| HOME. #1 in both Sales & Service! Discount sailing lessons for new boat buyers - provided by Sail the Sounds. Hunter 27 · Hunter 38 · Hunter 44 AC ... |
| www.sailingspecialties.com |
|
| Absolute Stock Photo - People - Cruising - Sailing - Sailboat ... |
| Photo of People - Cruising - Sailing - Sailboat - Transportation. sailboat gulf of mexico ocean sea horizon sailing water sailing sails texas boat boating ... |
| www.absolutestockphoto.com |
|
|