On Labor Day weekend, 2007, I brought home two cute 3-month old female Devon Rex kittens. Tanya (TAN-ya) and Chanel. This was my first time living with cats, so I prepared with books for dummies and how-to manuals. During my readings, I came across books and websites about toilet training. Yes, you teach your cat to use the toilet! I was intrigued and read multiple strategies to train my kitties to poop in the commode. The process can take anywhere from 4 weeks to a year!! It was still early, and all sources advised to wait until 6 months of age.
So I waited. In the mean time, I learned how annoying litter can be. I got the automatic LitterMaid Elite Mega Advanced Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Box which scoops the poop every time the kitties go. I got it lightly used from a craigslist.org posting. It was worth the money and I didn't become too much of a slave to the litter box. Even though I didn't have the burden of all day scooping, I started noticing that litter traveled. I saw little litter granules beyond the laundry room (original location of the litter box). I 'd see it track out from the laundry room door and occasionally see a granule or two on the kitchen floor or on the couch. I know cats are clean animals, but litter granules on the couch can't be very sanitary.
So, as they started pushing their 6th month of life (Tanya was 6 months, Chanel was 5 1/2 months), I decided to start their training to use the toilet. I love my kitties, but I hate the litter. They are super smart, so I think they will pick it up quickly.
I'm writing this blog on Tanya, Chanel, and the Toilet so you can keep up with their (and my) daily progress (or lack thereof). I am by no means an expert. But you can see pictures and watch the brief videos that chronicle their status and the methods I've used.
You can start from Day 1 by scrolling to the bottom of the page.
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February 20, 2008
We are moving along pretty well at our current stage. I'm mostly paying attention to how well they have been aiming for #2. Still hit or miss for both of them, but it's better. Got one roll-off (onto the floor) episode yesterday from Chanel. No biggie.
I got a new job that will be taking me to New York City! I am so excited to move to the most fabulous city in the US, in my opinion. I came across an article on NY Daily News about a kitten named Georgia who escaped from her carrier in the NYC subway after her carrier door popped open on the platform. Miraculously, she was found 25 days later! Thank goodness it was a happy ending. I couldn't imagine losing Tanya or Chanel in the depths of the NYC subway tunnels! Sadly, the odds of finding your lost pet in NYC who is not micro-chipped or collared is terribly low according to the NY Daily News report. Tanya and Chanel don't have collars because they are strictly indoor cats. They are micro-chipped, but I think I'll also get a collar for the times we leave the home. I'll also have to get them this cute t-shirt from just4pooches. I love NY!
1 comment:
z-
congrats on the new job in NY! WOW! that is really wonderful. i lived in chelsea and the UWS for 3 years. the city wore me out with working/traveling crazy hours and there was always so much to do when i wasn't working too. but it was all worth it. the energy there is like no where else on earth. i still visit often. what a chance of a lifetime! you will love it.
that's awesome that you are into modern design. please check out hello's wish list page that i posted today of all the stuff i wish i could buy her. it's not cheap!
it's good the kits are microchipped but there is nothing to worry about. cats usually have to get through multiple sets of doors (and maybe an elevator or sets of stairs) to escape to the streets in NY buildings. make sure and get all their shots before you leave. everything is awfully expensive in manhattan.
i hope you are celebrating this very minute! congrats again!
jenny
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