THE PROBLEM:

1. The mouse pad on your desk beside the computer is squishy and comfortable, ideal for a cat looking for a place to nap.

2. When the cat rises from sleep it leaves hair on the mat, which the mouse picks up and secretes in its innards, day after day.

3. After awhile the pointer on the screen moves wonkily because the mouse is full of cat hair.

THE SOLUTIONS:

Option 1: Get rid of the cat(s). Not an option.

Option 2: Clean the mouse pad, and the mouse.

• Cleaning the mouse pad is easy. Apply scotch tape wrapped around the fingers to it, sticky side out. Presto - no hair.

• Cleaning the mouse itself is less easy. Turn a spindle. Remove the compartment containing the ball. Drop the ball on the floor, and watch the cat(s) bat it far under the desk. Crawl under the desk. Bump your head. Retrieve the ball, and take it to the bathroom. Wash the ball with liquid detergent, and dry it. Re-install the ball in the mouse.

Option 3: Use an optical mouse - it has no ball to pick up cat hair. Or buy a notebook computer with a built-in flat touch pad to slide your finger across, which in turn moves the screen pointer. Leave the mouse pad on the desk for your cat(s) to sleep on. With cats you know you'll never win. Never.

Copyright © Bobcat
April 23, 2006