No, neither Wille nor I are modeling, we’re talking about a proper catwalk here. When the snow melted and everything got wet and dirty, including my white sofas after Mini and Bonus came inside and jumped straight onto them, I decided to figure out a way to prevent at least a little bit of that. See that piece of timber there on the wheelbarrow? That’s the catwalk.
See, both Mini and Bonus like to cross right over this flower bed when going to our neighbors yard. They ALWAYS walk along the edge there on the right. Rain or shine.
So what I did was put down a left over piece of the decking timber cut to size along the edge for them to walk on. Ha!
And do they use it? YES! I guess they don’t like to get their paws dirty if they don’t have to. And once the hydrangeas get bushy and everything else pops up in the flower bed later this spring and summer you won’t even notice the catwalk. Mission accomplished.
great idea!
Posted by: judy | May 09, 2013 at 02:30 AM
Well done Benita! It´s amazing what little creatures of habit our cats are. Our fellows always take the same route on their rounds preferring if there is a choice to keep their paws clean and dry. Have to say though it´s an ongoing losing battle 8-0 to them.
Posted by: Ramona K | May 09, 2013 at 02:51 AM
That´s clever - you´re so ingenious! :-)
Posted by: tinajo | May 09, 2013 at 03:35 AM
👍👍👍the idea is smart but your writing is hilarious
Posted by: Katharina | May 09, 2013 at 03:44 AM
Aww so kind, especially to prevet frozen paw pads! And who would Have known unless you pointed this out to us. Merci.
Posted by: jend'isère | May 09, 2013 at 03:57 AM
Clever idea?
I have to ask, though... why do they go to the neighbor's yard? Our neighbor's cats come to our yard to poop and it is quite the problem, so I suppose I am sensitive about it. :)
Posted by: Ellen | May 09, 2013 at 07:43 AM
Sorry, I meant: Clever idea! (not: ?) :)
Posted by: Ellen | May 09, 2013 at 07:44 AM
This is a good idea to help keep your house cleaner. Miss Mini seems to like it.
Unfortunately, it may also help keep your neighbor's yard more full of kitty poop. Do your neighbors mind that?
Like Ellen, I may just be more sensitive than others about that, though.
Posted by: devil | May 09, 2013 at 08:03 AM
Ellen & devil - They go to our neighbor's yard to lay on her lawn and patio. She loves cats and doesn't mind one bit :). I take care of her dog occasionally which also helps I guess. Also a lot of the time they just cross her yard to go further, they seem to like staying close to the houses as opposed to going through the park. If the catwalk wasn't there they'd still use that very same passage, now just with clean feet.
Posted by: Carlos | May 09, 2013 at 08:42 AM
This is what I love about this blog. It inspires me to look for solutions to issues like this- in a way I never would have even considered before. Sometimes the solutions can be as simple as moving a rug to a different spot (I moved one right outside my bathroom to help trap litterbox paw leavings- itʻs machine washable), and sometimes you just gotta whip out the saw and the drill... whatever! Life is slowly but surely improving around my house!
Anyway, nice elegant solution!
Posted by: Julia Gibb | May 09, 2013 at 10:21 AM
Good idea!
Posted by: Josseline Wood | May 09, 2013 at 10:53 AM
Brilliant!!
Posted by: M.E. | May 09, 2013 at 11:17 AM
Agree with Julia--this is what I love about your blog. I don't have kitties, but I am marveling at your cleverness!
Posted by: Lisa | May 09, 2013 at 11:34 AM
Clever. Miss Mini is too cute but Bonus has my heart! (Sigh) Wish I could have a cat if it wasn't for big time allergies.
Posted by: Sandy (USA) | May 09, 2013 at 02:42 PM
Oh, I can't believe you didn't paint that board! Can you leave it there all summer unpainted? Even when the bushes grow, you will know it is unpainted. :) I'm teasing you but still...
Posted by: Missy | May 09, 2013 at 06:31 PM
Your cats are so cool.
Posted by: Suzanne | May 09, 2013 at 08:54 PM
It was kind of exciting to see if they like your solution or not, last part of your post made me smile, great cats!
Posted by: jja | May 10, 2013 at 04:45 AM
I wonder how much time will pass before you paint that plank white... :)
Posted by: mribaro | May 10, 2013 at 04:51 AM
Missy & Mribaro - I won't. It's larch wood and will grey over time just as the deck and will blend in much more into the soil then than if I'd paint it..
Posted by: Carlos | May 10, 2013 at 05:34 AM
See now you can video them using it, and then cut the video using this song, and then post it...
http://youtu.be/39YUXIKrOFk
on the catwalk... on the catwalk, yeah, I shake my little tush on the catwalk...
LOL
Posted by: Michelle | May 10, 2013 at 12:19 PM
Project Runway :-).
Posted by: Zosia | May 11, 2013 at 06:01 AM