Monday, August 18, 2014

The Great Escape


When I advertise for a roommate, I mention several things. One, of course, is how small but charming the house is...now you know where my blog title comes from.

Another is you must love cats.

And I can't stress that strongly enough. When people write me back extolling their virtues or stating their needs, I often write them back and ask but do you like cats?

I got the nicest email from my current roommate, he said he was quiet, clean and respectful ( and who doesn't like to hear that) and then he said, but most importantly I love cats.

I immediately set up a time to meet him.

And he turns out to be all of the above. And then some.

He has more picture of Gus and Lucy on his phone than I do. He takes selfies with them. He waits up for Gus to come home and lets Lucy in and out, in and out.

And he leaves his room open so they can wander in and take a little cat nap if desired. On his clothes naturally.



He moved in about a week before the window problem was solved.

While I was on vacation, the two little rascals, as their last sitter calls them, decided they needed to be in control of their own destiny.

So they ripped holes in the vinyl wall panels on the side of the window air conditioners and proceeded to go in and out the window whenever the hell they felt like it.

The first morning my friend Rina was outside watering she saw Gus walk by with a mouthfull of something....what the what she thought.

She ran in the house to find Lucy peacefully lying on a bed of sunshine so went back to the garden.

Only to find Lucy sitting on the fence behind her.

I knew what happened when I got her text. It happened before when I was on the Cape and Elle was in charge.

We replaced the old panels before I left for Fire Island and I thought the fort was secure.

I was wrong. Again.

This time I called in the neighborhood troops and after a trip or two to Home Depot, my neighbor Carlos made sets of very thin cedar panels that cover the vinyl and so far have kept the little darlings in.

At least until they figure how to use a screwdriver.

Hell hath no fury...

23 comments:

  1. Haha…We've secured every fence in the back and front…or so we thought. Addie is an ART_TEEST at getting out. Let her into the front yard for more than five minutes by herself and she's suddenly on the sidewalk at the front gate wagging her tail and sticking her tongue out me!!

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    1. Is it us or is it them? It's us, the humans, they laugh at our feeble gestures.

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  2. Fingers crossed the cats don't decide to claw the panel ;-) Glad you and the cats have a wonderful new roomie.

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    1. No, Carlos had a plan, if they claw the scent of cedar is released into the room. Win-win supposedly....

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  3. your new room mate sounds like a real gem. and those cats! how dare you try to keep them in!

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  4. Love the story of your new roomie and the kittys. And your neighbors. I have no doubt that Lucy can master a screwdriver.

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    1. Carlos is afraid there may be a weak spot on one panel and if they think to get their little paws behind it....well you see where this is going.

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  5. Jen beat me to it -- I was just going to post, flat screwdriver or Philips head?
    Hopefully, Lucy & Gus will help make the new roomie's beautiful dark eyes a bit less sad, at least for a while.
    Cat- lovingly yours,
    Diane in
    BloomingDenver

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    1. I would tell you but you might send one their way!

      Yes they do that. He lights up when they come in the room.

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  6. They will figure something else out, what else do they have to do all day? Yet another great roommate, you should teach a course on that because whatever you're doing is worth millions!

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    1. Well they seem to require a great deal of sleep, at least when I'm home.

      Oh but it's when I'm away....right.

      They will figure something out, they're sneaky, little b's.

      But so cute.

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  7. I have a naughty one here too! she's decided, for whatever reason, to stop using the litter box. and she does it right in front of me which is the most maddening part. I wish she would try to escape!!

    Your life is such an adventure...filled with all kinds of goofy good things.

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    1. Oh dear god, it's a far far better thing to live with two escape artists.

      I hope she works through this soon.

      Goofy and good, Exactly.

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  8. I will be extra careful never to introduce them to Millie, who would have those panels neatly removed in ten minutes.....

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  9. You have got two very clever cats Jane!!!

    Have a great week!

    Madelief x

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  10. Ahh, beautiful photo, looking as though butter wouldn't melt in that mouth! Admit it - you're licked!

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  11. Cats are so much smarter than we are. I am glad Carlos is a step ahead. Your new roomate sounds GREAT! Will he be another S-man?

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    1. Christa, absolutely not Sigh. Maybe the polar opposite. But sweet none the less.

      Beautiful post you have up over there:-)

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  12. HI Jane, ha ha, love the kitty escape. Cats are amazing. So glad you found a good roommate. have a great week. love,Diana

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  13. Those little rascals... Too cute for their own good.

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