Finding the Joy in Scooping Cat Litter
Yup… the litter boxes in my house have more traffic than a grocery store deli the night before a big holiday…
I get up at 6:00 a.m. to get ready for work and I’m quite organized with my routine. Brush teeth, shower, get dressed, do my make-up, scoop litter. Scoop litter again. Do a cat count – Zee, Zoey, Mia, Peanut, Rolz, Kizmet, and Jazmine. Check. Okay. Say goodbye to Dan and the cats and get ready to leave. Scoop litter. Scoop litter again… What? Yes, sigh… Much as I love my little furry darlings, they drive me crazy with the litter and I honestly think they deliberately coordinate their efforts so that as soon as I scoop the box, they already know who will instantly be in line, ready to use it again. I literally will have one foot out the door, ready to leave, and I will hear them in one of the litter boxes, so I have to come back in and scoop again.
Granted, I might be a tad compulsive with my behavior, but I really, really, really don’t like an un-scooped litter box. But much as it annoys me to scoop so much, it actually is a blessing, because thank goodness I DO have litter to scoop. If I didn’t, it would mean that I didn’t have cats in my life, which in turn would mean my life would not be complete. Which leads me to the other cat related issues in my life that perhaps one might consider an annoyance. Such as the fact my mantel no longer showcases my beautiful designer, breakable candlesticks and instead is a freeway ramp for the cats to jump from the mantel to the kitchen counter. But guess what, I applaud it, because it makes me happy to know they have the freedom to jump from high to low places with ease. A candlestick cannot purr, nor can it snuggle on the couch with me, keeping me company.
You will note the mantel (launch pad) in the background of this picture. It is bare, with the exception of a heavy clock that the cats actually can’t knock over. But look how happy they are on top of the counter! That’s what it’s all about, people!
Or the fact that my office is actually the cats office. Well sure, why not? They live in the same house I do, so I don’t want to make them feel uncomfortable. I can just as easily type while precariously perching on the edge of my computer chair as I can sitting upright in it, with perfect posture. If a cat is sleeping in the chair, I am grateful for the cat that I have sleeping in the chair. And all the better if the cat graces my lap, holding me hostage for several hours as my coffee gets cold.
That’s okay Kizmet, no need to move. I’m sure I can somehow fit myself on the edge of the seat…
Okay… I guess this is my fault. Complain about the cat in your chair, they’ll just sleep on your keyboard instead. But the good news is, I can finally get the housework done that I’ve been putting off…
Cat hair all over the house? Well, of course there is. Were there not, I might not ever have the ambition or concern to vacuum, so I have to thank the cats for that. Hair on my clothes – I consider it a designer blanket of love and I have even embraced it for marketing purposes. I’m telling everywhere here, straight up – you buy a book directly from me – either my newest one, Purr Prints, or my first one – The Chronicles of Zee and Zoey and you are guaranteed to have some genuine Zee/Zoey hair ship with the book… AT NO EXTRA CHARGE. I know… it’s insane, but I like to give my customers added value. Amazon doesn’t do that…
Thank you for ordering Purr Prints – would you like extra cat hair with your purchase or just a standard amount?
The list of indiscretions goes on – bedspreads with pulled threads, furniture with scratches, areas of the house where the wallpaper has been dogeared by cat teeth marks – all of that is cause for celebration! I have a house full of cats that I love and I have the evidence to prove it!
Did this table used to have a floral arrangement on it? Yes. Has this table been used as an occasional scratching post? Yes. Oh well… I think using it as a bed for Jazmine is a far better idea anyway. Doesn’t she look adorable?
I long ago came to the conclusion in the scheme of things, getting upset over inanimate things is pointless. It’s not that I want them to ruin my stuff (and truly, for the most point, they don’t), I just don’t want my stuff to rule my life. I just compromise. I don’t need a house full of breakables and clutter. Cat trees, cat condos, baskets of cat toys – to me, that is the true sign of a home filled with love. Without it, it’s just an empty house, with very little heart or soul.
Yes, we have cats, why do you ask? This is our house on any given day of the week. It’s all about making sure they are comfortable too!
So, now when I scoop litter, I am grateful for the task because it means the cats I love are in my life. Perspective.
No amount of inconvenience in the world matters to me when it comes to my cats – I love them unconditionally and I know the feeling with me is mutual.
How about your house? I have just given you a brief sampling of how I find the joy in the “inconveniences” of my cats – what are some examples in your house? Happy Caturday and I look forward to your comments!
That is exactly how we feel Your beautiful kitties are so lucky to have you as their mom. If only every cat could be so loved ❤️
“Cat trees, cat condos, baskets of cat toys – to me, that is the true sign of a home filled with love.” That one sentence says it all. Wonderful post!
It must be like that here too because we feel the happy!
LOL All that but you forgot to mention the pretzel positions you sleep in so each and every cat can sleep in their favorite spot!
Please tell me Dan helps with the litter and maybe even the cuddling…or do you do it all? I don’t have any excuse, this is a one cat one mommy household.
I like your statement about not becoming upset when a cat scratches on an inanimate object. I tell people: It’s cat art.
I agree with you. Even with only Flynn I seem to be forever scooping. He has one litter box indoors which he will only use if he is desperate, one in the greenhouse which I put there to try and save my tomatoes. It worked, he does use it and doesn’t dig amongst the plants now. He also has two in the garage/workshop which is his favourite place and where I do most of the scooping. Indoors it is often an obstacle course of his toys where he has been flinging them around. I am so happy to see them like that because it shows how well he is feeling now. He also has one of the dining chairs placed halfway between the computer and one of his trees to help him go from one to the other. When he was younger it wasn’t a problem for him to jump it, but at 15 I don’t want any accidents.
Oh, and then there is the old and torn paper carrier that he loves to bits. I tried replacing it with a new one. Of course I should have known better and had to bring it back in. I only have to rustle it and he appears from nowhere and rolls over on it for tummy rubs.
Sorry about the long comment, I got carried away!
Yep mommy has a few aweas dat weez not “allowed” to go. But ifin we weally wanted or needed them, she wuld gladly let us have them too. She purrfides us a house full of satisfactory toys, and twees, and scwatchers and shelves and such and of course weez allowed on any furniture ‘cept da stove top (danger) and da fwidge top (danger) so weez got nuffin’ to complain ’bout. As fur da pawdee boxes, me likes ’em cleaned da minute they be dirty, so weez almost always have clean pawdee boxes and mommy weally dusn’t mind. Our house isn’t as big or nice as yous house is, but it’s our haven and weez luv it. Almost as much as we lluv mommy.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Lexi
It’s funny that mention as soon as you scoop someone goes into box and uses it, Annabelle does that every morning too! I also echo your sentiment about living with cats. Their fur is everywhere, they live here and really aren’t destructive … not intentionally. There are things like wallpaper that has been torn, and carpet that is in need of being pulled up and never to be seen again (we had the carpet before we had cats — never carpet again) and other things. But in trying to think of things they’ve actually broken it’s been few because nothing comes to mind although I’m sure in the 10 plus years they’ve been here there has been mishaps. Your cats are so beautiful and loving and they (our cats) surely give us so much more than mere things ever could.
I think a good scoop makes all the difference and for me, a hubby who does 90% of the scooping 😉 Great pics of a true cat lover’s home!
What a wonderful post ! We had to laugh reading the litter box story, it’s the same thing here : Mum is ready to go to school, or ready to go to bed, litter boxes were scooped, and hop ! one of us uses it again MOL ! We agree with you, a house filled with love is the most important, no matter the mess or the indiscretions ! Purrs
“Cat trees, cat condos, baskets of cat toys – to me, that is the true sign of a home filled with love. Without it, it’s just an empty house, with very little heart or soul.”
SO, SO true…the emptiness of a house without a cat in it is just indescribable.
The mom feels the same way. Like when I scratch up the carpet. She’s not thrilled that I’ve ruin the carpeting, but she realizes that it gpes with the territory of having cats. And scooping litterboxes? She’s about as obsessive about it as you are. 🙂
Ernie
I love your attitude….it ie great. Iprettymuchrule my house too. I can go anywhere I want as long asi I am safe.
What a wonderful perspective!
HAH! I’m known for sending my furs in every Christmas card I send. I’m allowed to go anywhere in the house. Since I live here, the peeps only use natural cleansers, laundry detergent with no dyes or perfumes AND TW didn’t open the windows for 3 whole years when she suspected I had outdoor allergies. She really likes to air the condo out. My only complaint is that she doesn’t scoop my box enough.
Excellent post, I couldn’t agree with you more.
I totally agree. The minor inconveniences are more than worth having the love and companionship of kitties. Jewel used to defecate outside the box quite often in her last year of life. What I would not do to have to go and clean up poo off the floor again!!
Aw, we love your perspective on things, Deb. We would never give up those minor things we “have to do,” because they are part of the utter joy and love that living with our cats provides us. 🙂
dude used to sit and watch me scoop the box, and wait, and the MINUTE I was done, in he
went…without fail……I’ve since learned that cleaning a box is a welcome sign that for the most
part… all is well …even if it does …stink like trout !!!