Catnip Toy Manufacturing
This is a companion post to “Nip Heads” published on August 17.
Friday was catnip-toy-manufacturing day at the House of Blue Cats. Barn Cat Buddies had an adoption event Saturday and needed toys to sell.
I had hoped to keep all the felines outside for the day, so I could work uninterrupted. But the weather wasn’t so great with rain early and then clouds for the remainder of the day.
Inspector #7 – Lisbeth
Lisbeth crashed among the catnip toys.
So, I had four inspectors on duty: Numbers 4 (Giulietta), 5 (Fiona), 6 (Astrid) and 7 (Lisbeth) for most of the day. Fortunately they used the tag-team method to inspect with no more than two on the job at a time. Lisbeth, did the Lion’s Share of the work until she passed out atop a pile of toys after over-indulging.
Mauricio, Inspector #2, showed up late in the day in time to scarf up the dregs of the catnip. After finishing it, he immediately threw up. SOP for Mauricio.
Round Two
Expecting to finish my project Friday evening, I retrieved my supplies after the kitties had eaten their dinner. My work, however, was cut short when Inspector #1, Lily Olivia, discovered my project. When I wouldn’t let her carry off the toys, she got belligerent and started hissing and growling.
Giulietta eyes the ribbons I had cut to secure the plastic bags.
Giulietta sits atop a catnip container.
I had to finish up the morning of the event with the help of Giulietta. Though she enjoyed the catnip part of the project, she ultimately was more interested in the ribbons I used to tie around each plastic bag containing a toy.
All toys earned a top rating for quality as evidenced by the cat saliva on the toys and bags as well as some teeth and claw holes in the bags. No toy received less than a four paws up!
Meeting a Dilute Tortie Cat
When I delivered the toys to the adoption event, I met so many beautiful kitties I would have loved to adopt. One in particular, Josette, a dilute tortoiseshell, was giving me the “please-adopt-me look.” I didn’t bring her home but neither did anyone else; though, another lady spent about an hour snuggling with her. I have shared some photos with Tom. He’s in Canada but returns home tomorrow. She may throw off our feng shui, but I am hoping he will let us adopt her. Watch future posts to see what happens.
UPDATE: As you know, that beautiful, dilute tortie joined the household and became Calista Josette (aka Calista Jo or C.J.).
p.s. Sorry for the poor quality of the photos.
What a great project! And you’re lucky to have so many expert inspectors. 🙂
What a challenge to make catnip toys with cats in the house! It was interesting to read how each of them handled the presence of cat nip. Oh, and I look back at photos on blog posts from years ago and cringe. We’ve all come a long way in the respect.
Great flashback. I didn’t start reading until 2014 so it was new to me. XO
A fun look back! Sounds like some real “snoopervision” went on, and a nice story of how Calista Jo arrived in your home!
Love the flashback……what a nice project for you to do and I’m sure a lot of fun as well. I’m sure it was love at first sight when you saw that dilute tortie – and you had a happily ever after with her which was the BEST part!
Hugs, Pam
Kitty inspectors always lend their own spin on our work. They are SO helpful, MOL!
p[[r]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]4%>> This is Calista’s comment with regard to missing out on this project!
That is so cute that you make catnip toys for Barn Cat Buddies, with the help of your quality assurance inspectors.
7+1=8 π+~1=8. 16÷2=~8. 4+3+1=8. 64÷8=8. :o} 10-5-48=64÷8=8. Looks like FS 2me!
Very clever. It works for me! J.