The Ultimate Cat Toy

From: deirdre@deeny.MV.COM (Deirdre)

I have another gift for the cat-enabled, courtesy of my friend Chuck who
invented it.

It's called The Ultimate Cat Toy. I have yet to find a cat who could resist
it. You could make this into a knit gift by using a yarn ball (as posted by
BESTLER@aol.com) as the End Object.

First, you need a long run such as a hallway. Note that this space should
be utterly devoid of Breakable Objects.

Supplies: elastic cord -- enough to go down the length of the hallway or
room plus enough to go from the ceiling to the floor. It should be fairly
stiff elastic but still have some snap to it. Cut it into two pieces: piece
1 goes down the length of the room and piece 2 goes from ceiling to floor.

A washer

Two eyehooks (you know, it's got a round end and the other end is a screw)

An End Object to hang off the end. This should be one of the cat's favorite
toys. It will have to be replaced occasionally.

Take an eyehook and put it into the wall a couple inches below the ceiling.
It should be centered in the hallway or room. Tie one end of the piece 1 to
the eyehook.

Tie piece 2 to the washer (SECURELY) and slip the washer onto piece 1.

Put the remaining eyehook up near the ceiling (note: it should be as level
as possible for Maximum Effect) and tie the remaining end of piece 1. It
should be taut but not so tight there's no stretchiness.

Tie End Object to the remaining end of piece 2. Make sure the object is up
off the floor slightly so it doesn't drag (this makes it move slower and is
therefore Less Interesting).

You'll note that the cat can pull the toy and it will ZOOM! down the hallway.

My former cat Boris used to pull the toy onto the bed (5 feet away from the
string) and watch the toy go p-ting! across the room. He would play until
he was panting heavily, rest a while then go back for more.

_Deirdre

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