Saturday, March 26, 2011

A Disgusting Sign of Spring

Much as I love my cat Rusty, I do not look forward to the period each year during which she sheds her winter coat. I hate the thick coat of cat hair on all the furniture, the cat hair tumbleweeds rolling down the hallways, and the giant "dust bunnies" lurking in the corners of the closets. Not by chance does the color scheme in my house coordinate with the color of Rusty's fur.

The worst part of the shedding season, though, is the hairballs. You know what I mean - the gagging noises in the middle of the night, the horrible moment of stepping barefoot on a wet roll of cat hair marinated in semi-digested cat food, and the futile attempts to lift the remains from the carpet. (I chose carpet for the bedrooms in a color close to that of semi-digested cat food for this very reason.)

Tonight poor Rusty hacked up the first hairball of the spring, but she either did it quietly for a change or when neither of us was around. Unfortunately, Barry found it by stepping on it. Under the circumstances, it's just as well that Rusty is leaving tomorrow for a little vacation at my parents' house, where she will live in pampered luxury while our house is being sold. (Their cat died about a year and a half ago and they still really miss her.) I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that she doesn't have a hairball attack on their beige living room carpet.

"The cat does not offer services. The cat offers itself. Of course he wants care and shelter. You don't buy love for nothing. Like all pure creatures, cats are practical." ~William Seward Burroughs

3 comments:

  1. I'm impressed - decorating your home with an eye to all cat-related disasters shows remarkable foresight!
    In our household, Ayla (our husky) is the worst offender when it comes to spring molting. She sheds enough undercoat to line the nests of birds within a ten-mile radius.
    The cats, on the other hand, are notorious for chowing down on the tender new grass outside, then demanding to be let in so they can track mud throughout the house while they look for just the right spot to vomit up the slimy, green results of their snack. Fresh laundry is coveted for this purpose, although beds will do in a pinch.
    Aren't they wonderful?
    ;)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your blog's really cool. I like the picture on the sidebar. It's very funny.
    Http://mytvseriesguide.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks, Leon!

    Nina - My house is decorated to coordinate with my cat due to bad experiences with a blonde feline and a burgundy bedspread. My tan couch probably has just as much hair on it, but only I know for sure!

    ReplyDelete