People don't think that this is true, but it was one of my introductions to cats.

My buddy, Thundering Bull, had two cats (this was years back as he has five now) and was frustrated by them always knocking over the tree.

He put down a wooden plank and got three springs. He attached one spring between each leg of the tree stand and the plank. He then screwed the plank to the floor ant put up the tree. Problems solved - - - or so he thought.

I come into the room to find both cats in the tree. Cat number one was right at the top batting at the Angel and cat number two was half way up.

When cat number two got 3/4 of the way up the tree swayed to one side. It got to about a 45 degree angle and cat number two let go and dropped to the floor. - - - Then the springs took over.

Cat number one got launched. Not all that far realy, but watching that poor cat sailing backward through the air with the Angel in hot pusuit way too much! I broke out laughing.

They gave up trying to climb the tree after that and just went to attacking the balls attached to the low branches.