Such a good baby/BAD CAT

[Toni'smom]

Yesterday I spent the day putting up my Christmas decorations. (early I know - long story - don't ask) Anyway Toni was in my room behind the babygate for quite a bit of the time. She asked to go outside so I let her out while I finished up. I put a "fence" around the tree, but she can still reach the tree if she wants to. I thought this will slow her down and if she starts acting like she wants to get into it I can work with her. I put my musical water globes on a "snow sheet" on the hearth and other decorations on the entry table, on the hearth, in the windows, on the entertainment center and on the end tables. When I brought her in she looked at the tree, looked at the fence and just moved on. She sniffed the stuff on the hearth and the stuffed Mr. & Mrs. Santa. When I told her "No maam", she just looked at me and went on to the bedroom to go to bed. This morning she just glanced at the tree again, sniffed the stuff she missed last night and went on to the back door. Then when she came back in she did not attempt to mess with anything.

The CAT on the other hand, decided he did not like how I had arranged my Navity and he not only knocked over the figures he actually moved the manger. He also knocked several balls off the tree but I suspect he did it walking under the tree and working at getting the manger moved to a new (and better?) location. He is 7 years old and has not messed with the tree the last two years. (didn't have a big tree prior because my X and I had 5 cats) He would crawl up under it and sleep. Don't know what I am going to do with him if he continues.

Oh well, just wanted to brag about my good baby.

 

[Cami]

Cats are alot harder to "train" to leave trees and ornaments alone. They are just amazed at the shimmer of things that they see as new toys to bat around. I am sorry that I don't have any advice to offer as I have been without a tree for a few years now because I got tired of having to right it every morning after it would get knocked over during the night by my cats. Last year was the first Christmas with a boxer and a pup at that so we went without yet again.

I think that my boxer would leave it alone but the cat who is now 19 months old would be in heaven. She would without a doubt climb it. So the house gets decorated so much so that most don't even realize that a tree is actually missing.

Good-Luck!

 

[Clover's Mom]

OH goodness - I was just telling my co-worker, this Christmas is going to be a nightmare! I also started decorating for Christmas yesterday. Clover is usualy good with other deocrations, well except for flowers she loves to get those and run. Anyway - she has decided she LOVES garland, and lights - I had to track her down more than once last night. Oh yes and ribbon, boy did she love taking all of mommy's ribbon (I love ribbon so I have LOTS) and running all over the house while unrolling ribbon everywhere! It was funny to see her so excited though. I'm putting the tree up this weekend, so we'll see how that goes!

 

[Evie&Adam]

LOL funny story! I too have a bad kitty. My tabby cat is 10 years old and for 10 years she has been climbing the tree and knocking ordiments off the tree. I'm sure this year will be no different

 

[MyGirlHeidi]

Ha ha that was cute! Next time please consult the cat before doing any decorating. . I was worried about Heidi and our christmas tree last year. She didn't touch it but some presents did have some boxer love teeth marks on them.

 

[Minty]

You guys may think I'm nuts, but last year we solved our cats/Christmas tree problem by hanging our tree from the ceiling, upside down (looked like an upside triangle).

It was brilliant, the cats didn't even know it was there and Hillie completely ignored after looking at it twice.

All your decorations hang amazingly because they're hanging away from the tree and they can swing free...

It may sound strange but it was so cool and you can pretty much guarantee there will only be one like it in your area. And best of all the cats and dogs don't/can't get near it so it makes it through the whole season in one piece.

By the way, it's never too early to have your tree up and place decorated, my tree's been up for a month so far!

 

[Glenys]

What a cool idea!!! Hanging your tree from the ceiling? Never would have thought if it. Just tell me how you got it to stay there, though, without wrecking the gib board. Cinda won't be interested, although Polly the puss might be tempted with all the hanging stuff. She was last year. I haven't even thought up until reading these threads about putting the tree up. Will give it serious thought now. (we're only half way through November, Dudes)

 

[Minty]

Hi Glenys

We hung the tree from one of those hooks you'd hook a hanging basket on. If you find a beam in the ceiling it only means one little hole and it's really safe up there. We even had the tree lights coming off the tree and spiralling around the ceiling.

What can I say, I'm a Christmas-aholic!!!