Ah-hem... notice that cats are easy to seduce with something called cat-nip bags... just some flannel pouches with cat-nip sewed inside. For those who don't know... cat-nip is an... er... potent... ummm... herb!! Yes... an herb that cats love! Anyhow - my two feline roommates have some beary worn out catnip pouches that no longer pack any punch.
So, first you need to buy some catnip... the organic stuff is beary nice... you can buy this in any pet store (you don't need to do any dark and dirty deals in back alleys).
Then you need some fabric - luckily we had some cotton stuff that would serve.
Then you fold a piece in half and sew up the two sides....
Actually you get the human to sew... because bear paws do not need to get stitched to the fabric!
Voila, a pouch, of sorts....
Now you fill it with a good amount of catnip... I made some rather large pouches so there is quite a bit of catnip that fit into each one.
Then you bring it back to the sewing machine and sew up the final edge.
And you have a catnip pouch!!! I should mention that Gramma was supposed to do this when she comes next month but Auntie in Vancouver needed her sewing machine back (our house doesn't have one)... so Mama had to brush up on her Grade 8 sewing skills... I wonder if the cats notice?
Apparently not! This is Rascal, she is working the pouch with three legs and her tongue - apparently the goal is to lick the pouch until it is sopping wet.... ewwww....
When I asked Rascal if I could get my picture taken with her, she seemed to think I was after her pouch and got "that" look in her eye... heh-heh... I'll just go check on Spooky.
Ah yes... good licking action from Spooky, although she only uses two paws to hold the pouch.
But she gets full marks for letting me pose with her! Ta-dah!!! I wonder if Hammie sews catnip pouches for Poess??
You did a great job Sandy! Ben thinks a similar bag with a little jar of honey in it would keep "some" bears entertained for hours...they wouldn't be able to open the jar because it's in the bag, and therefore they wouldn't be hanging out in the kitchen when other little bears are trying to cook...
ReplyDeleteOh that is a good idea!! Of course, then "some" bears would not be available to do dishes either... but sometimes a cook just needs the kitchen to themselves!
DeleteVery true Sandy...Ben hadn't thought about that. Plus, that would mean a good taste-tester was not available...that is sure a handy person to have around.
ReplyDeleteIt is a a dilemma... hanging around kitchen (possibly being annoying) but available for taste-testing and dish-washing or... distracted by honey-in-a-bag and blissful peace in the chef's domain... hmmmm...
DeleteSo true Sandy, but it is nice to have a helping hand in the kitchen, even if "someone" sneaks taste tests when no one is looking!
DeleteI want to learn how to get the job of taste tester, does Jerry have any suggestions?
DeleteJerry just says to smile a lot and say everything is beary yummy! Sometimes, when something is extra beary yummy, he rubs his tummy and say "this iz great!" He says that usually works.
DeleteThose cats look so happy, they are lucky to have you as a guardian bear. I like the idea of a honey filled bag would be great. My roommates think I should go to KFC and get some honey packets to "test" this idea out.
ReplyDeleteOh that's a good idea too - Starbucks has honey packets too... I always try to get Mama to take some "for her hot chocolate of course" but she just looks at me funny and says her hot chocolate doesn't need any honey. Humans can be so dense sometimes...
DeleteHoney packets?!? Jerry says he iz going to look much more closely the next time we are at Starbucks!
DeleteSandy great tutorial on cat nip bags. Maybe you and moma need to get a machine of your own. Momma can keep her 8th grade sewing skills dusted off, the two of you can make learning to sew tutorials for bears wanting to make their own clothes.
ReplyDeleteOh... I don't know about that... Mama keeps trying to convince Gramma to do it. And I have to say, the stitching on those catnip bags would not stand up to close inspection! But... it would be sooo nice to have a new pair of pants!
DeleteOh, I'm sure Poes would LOVE that. And they are beary easy too.
ReplyDelete