I like to begin my day with a calm mind.
This morning, though, I was unsettled to hear from Bean that some amongst you believe that cat-hood is not necessarily measured pointy-side up.
This is just plain wrong. Have you heard the expression “speak softly, and carry a big stick”?
This is America and this is my motto. Bean is always going on about kindness. I’m here to tell you that kindness, without a little something to back it up, is just the realpolitik of collapse. It is wimpiness in a party dress.
Photo by Kenneth Freeman
I myself practice a rigorous martial-arts regimen. Allow me to demonstrate.
Begin gently.
Observe the free use of the tongue, without compromising breathing.
Now achieve stability with the Tripod posture.
This permits maintenance of inner equanimity, while expressing maximum fury.
Nothing in the immediate vicinity is safe.
The thing is vanquished. I don’t need to care where it is.
It’s done-for wherever it is. No mourning is necessary.
The thing will trouble the world no more.
Editor’s Note: Does anyone know where I can find more of this exact toy? It’s more than my life is worth to offer him substitutes. I do mean no substitutes. He is not fooled by the closest approximation. The feathers have to be red. Plain will not do. Red or nothing. As you can see, my life depends on finding more red ones stat. Your help would be appreciated.
Pee Ess: The thing started life with a little squeaker inside. Bugs extracted the little hearing-aid battery long ago. I’m pleased he didn’t swallow it. Just left it on the play mat, for me to have worry-conniptions wonder about.
Subsequently: This is the Savvy Tabby Chip ‘N Chirp plush chase-ball. Once the pet store got some more, the display-card identified it. With that info, found on-line also.
catself 
Can sympathize. It must be identical. Good luck and successful hunting
Thank you for understanding. It is a real challenge.
That looks like the remains of a Hartz “screwball” toy. Btw, cats don’t see red as red. Red is preceived as green or gray.
Interesting, about the color. As for the “screwball,” I’m afraid not. Only thing I can add is, it came loose, not wrapped or on a cardboard thingy or anything. The label says: “Distributed by ‘Alpha Key.’ Made in China.” The ball is fleece and in a plaid pattern. Designed in Scotland? I guess stranger things have happened. But I don’t know of them.
love the head-upside-down with inner-tube skirt he’s got goin’ on! he’s dapper no matter the pose!
we need that toy, too, so please please please come through for Bean and tell us what it’s called and where we can find it!
He got style under all conditions no matter how adverse. (The inner-tube skirt, BTW — HAR — is the remains of a goat-skin drum-head.) Still waiting on where to get the toy. Prayer might help?
I thought his skirt was part of the toy! How’s come he gets to have a fancy drum? hahahahaha wait, I know–he’s THE CAT!!
Ask the Universe and ye shall receive. That’s what I’ve found in many amazing ways!
Asking. Waiting. Asking. Waiting. Bugs, on the other hand, has no such issues. He demands and he receives. Where possible. Where not, he expresses his opinion about it. Clearly. Distinctly. Definitively. And then he moves on, to the next demand. D.C. al fine. (musical term. meaning: Wash, rinse, spin, repeat).
Kill! Kill! Heheheh. I don’t know about the toy, but if you’re crafty perhaps you can find more red feathers at a craft supply shop?
Thought of that. Nope. It must be the thing, and the thing itself, and nothing but the exact precise thing. I’m telling you, the guys at the pet store duck when they see me coming.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you do realize that even if you find that “exact toy”, it will still never be that EXACT TOY. Bugs’ little do-hickey has been seasoned. Aged to perfection. It has been kicked and batted and tossed to be perfectly tender between his little fangs. It smells faintly of the mysterious red bird (the one all cats dream of meeting in a dark alley) and a bit of cat nip, but mostly of Bugs and his Bean. It smells of HOME, with a dash of excitement…
Have you tried tennis balls? I think they make fantastic cat toys.
(holding head in despair) I see it all so clearly now. There is no way to step in the same river. (Heraclitus was the one who said that, I believe and will not look it up). Time cannot be reversed. In this material plane, at any rate. (continues to hold head in despair). I have tried tennis balls. Of various sizes. Not interested. (beats forehead with fist)
Maybe a big red bird? Or I guess a green or grey bird would do as well…
Yeah. Like the chicken in the other post. Clean-up after would be interesting. Not.
I did find toys like that, but not with a red feather. 😦
Frown-y face indeed. Will not do.
I have these for my two, sans red feather however. We got them at PetCo. The squeaker part is dying. I walk by, it moans pathetically. I cannot bring myself to throw it out; I can only hope it dies faster.
Wonderful photos.
I’ll look. That might work. Kim included a PetStage glow-in-dark ball in our holiday package — I figured it would be gathering dust like so many others, but he seems to like that one OK. How macabre about the slo-death squeaker. Don’t throw it out! Hours of fun waiting for the end. Thank you for the appreciation about the photos. Nice.
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