Getting into trouble...again

[Chatanuga]

Came home earlier this evening after a long day at work expecting to just relax with Casey and Smokey. Instead, I saw that they'd pulled two more books off the shelves, shredding the cover off one.



Again, they knew I wasn't happy. Needless to say, I'm about at my wits end with them since I can't move the books and the two bookcases into another room as I simply don't have the space for that. I also can't afford new bookcases with doors.

So, I'm currently improvising a temporary solution. I searched and found the 4-foot scat mat that I haven't used in about four years and laid that out in front of a good portion of the bookcases. I'm also going to take some cayenne pepper and sprinkle that on the shelves between the edges and the books since they hate the smell and taste of that. Hopefully that will teach them not to mess with the books until I can find a better solution.

[Karen]

Maybe they just don't like Dr. Phil? If you have any spare wire shelving around, that makes a good block for the bookshelves, too.

When Paul was a child, his dog preferred to eat "Make Way for Ducklings" - she would pick that one book out of his bookcase to chew, through several copies!

[Chatanuga]

Well, thankfully the only books that they've messed with are the Dr. Phil books.

I did put the scat mat down on the floor in front of the bookcases, putting a new battery in it. I turned it on, and Smokey walked right across it. Thinking something was wrong, I put my hand on it and got zapped.

I then put a line of cayenne pepper on the edges of all of the shelves. Even with no pepper left on it, Casey and Smokey refused to smell the spoon I had used. I then got an itch in my eye that needed rubbed. I should have washed my hands first. Thankfully the burning has subsided.

So far, they're staying away from the bookcases.

[kaycountrygal]

I'm sorry but I am laughing. The zapper and pepper did a job on YOU. You got zapped. Then you got an itch; you scratched and got itchy burning eyes from the pepper I assume. Have you learned your lesson yet to leave the books alone? Sorry, couldnt help it. Hope it's also working on the cats. Kay

[mrspunkysmom]

I, too, am laughing. That sounds like something I would do. I assume you are laughing, too.

Back to seriousness. Do you have any cat trees? My investment in cat trees has saved my furniture, my carpets, and my knick-knacks.

They could also be trying to tell you something. That the two of them are better therapy than Dr. Phil.

I'm sorry but I am laughing. The zapper and pepper did a job on YOU. You got zapped. Then you got an itch; you scratched and got itchy burning eyes from the pepper I assume. Have you learned your lesson yet to leave the books alone? Sorry, couldnt help it. Hope it's also working on the cats. Kay

[sasvermont]

How about taking the Dr. Phil books away from that area? Sounds like Dr. Phil is not the favorite in your house, at least with the cats!

I think it is rather odd that they pick on Dr. Phil. He isn't my favorite guy either, but I wouldn't chew on his book.