Tanya and Felix who are two of my foster cats, have been living, primarily, in my husband's office for a number of months. For a change of scenery, they come out into our living room for a couple of hours three or four times a day. At these times, our own cats are shut out of this room to prevent any risk of fights. When Tanya and Felix have to go back to the office we separate them off by putting up a mesh door.

When they have decided that they have been confined long enough, they attract our attention by climbing the door. The weight of their bodies causes it to rock back and forth in its retaining channels. Today, in addition to the rocking sound we usually hear, I heard tearing sounds.

I went to discover what was being torn, It was the mesh on the door. Two strands of it had been chewed through and a third was under attack. The mesh is of stout plastic. Obviously, not stout enough. Neither Tanya nor Felix were anywhere to be seen. Although no one else could have been responsible for the damage, when I found them hiding, neither would admit to causing it.

Now, I have discovered who the vandal is. It is Tanya. I found this out when I was sitting quietly working at the dining room table after putting her and Felix back in the office at lunchtime. She came trotting through the kitchen to greet me grinning broadly. She had managed to make a hole in the mesh that was large enough for her to squeeze through.

We have now reinforced the door with a second layer of mesh. Hopefully, it may last a few days...

Copyright © Sheenah Large
July 28, 2002