In the last few months, we humans have had a change in mindset, and as usual, the cats are taking complete advantage. The latest saga sees Tic Tac, Inkie and Target making hay from our new interest in home and furnishings shopping.
I was cruising online when an ad for a laundry basket popped up. Until recently, I’d not even noticed it. As we lived in rentals in Kuching, Melaka, Kajang, and Subang Jaya, and in Spain and Indonesia before that, we had a temporary mindset.
The cats always got the best: Premium cat food, top of the range scratching posts, expensive toys and their very own rugs and throws. Each time we moved, cat property was prioritised.
When we moved to Britain, we hand-carried 5kg of tuna for cats, because Malaysian cat food is the best, plus their bowls, cushions, treats and plush baskets. Tic Tac’s harness was in my handbag, and Target’s favourite cushion too.
The humans had a spare tee, undies, and our toiletries. Customs gave us funny looks – they made it clear they thought we were nuts, but we’re used to that.
With our comfort always an afterthought, and many moves meaning our things will be left behind, our mindset was to opt for cheap or basic. Now we are in our own home, we are indulging in the joys of "forever" buying.
So there it was, an elegant soft grey and white laundry basket. It was tall, made of rope, and from the closeups, the handles were solidly woven and neatly sewn in. Our laundry basket, a cute springy yellow affair, was falling apart. Clearly, it was my duty to replace it.
I clicked and a few days later, the postman delivered the package. Tic Tac took charge immediately. She adores parcels and sees herself as parcel inspector and mistress of the wrapping paper.
Inkie sniffed, ears back nervously at the foreign scents. Target walked past it with complete disinterest. If it isn’t shaped like cat treats, he’s not bothered.
But when Tic Tac and I opened it, revealing the laundry basket in all its glory, the boys put up their ears and flicked their tails. The soft rope was very much like the sisal that covers their beloved scratching posts. Also, the basket was delightfully tall and deep.
Tic Tac is the first to jump into the new laundry basket, leaving Inkie desperate to try too. Photos: Ellen Whyte
Inkie and Target sniffed, pawing carefully, and making sure there wasn’t a dog sitting inside it. But Tic Tac squeaked with delight and launched herself in the air. Landing inside the basket, she meowed in triumph. The whole thing shuddered as she clawed the bottom.
The boys instantly decided they wanted in too. Target jumped on the sofa so he could get a bird’s eye view while Inkie stood by, demanding he be allowed to have a go after Tic Tac, with loud meows.
While we tidied away the packaging, the cats had their fun jumping in and out. When Target couldn’t jump up high enough to get in, we put it on it’s side. The cats thoroughly approved. Tic Tac sat on top, and batted Target and Inkie who hid inside it. Everyone clawed the rope. Thoroughly.
I’ve given up reminding the cats that they have scratching posts. I let them enjoy themselves, thinking that they’d soon become bored.
However, three days later when I tried to take it upstairs, Tic Tac jumped into the basket, digging in her claws, and marking her protest loudly. Inkie and Target complained too.
We agreed to leave it just one more day. That stretched into two, then three.
Complicating the issue, every time I went near the basket, Tic Tac jumped in. It took me a while, I can be a bit dense, but what she wanted was an old kitten game.
Inkie playing in the laundry basket.
When Tic Tac was tiny, she would help me unpack our wet market buys. After liberating the veg from my large green reusable bag, she’d jump in and I’d swing her backwards and forwards very gently.
With the fabulously sewn rope handles, the new laundry basket was perfect for kitten games. Tic Tac crouched in the basket and chirruped with glee as I swung it. Inkie had a go but didn’t like it. As for Target, he gave me a look that said, "How old am I again? No thank you!"
The added attraction turned the basket from a passing fancy to a firm favourite. Each time either of us humans went near it, Tic Tac demanded to be swung. She also slept in it, groomed in it, and all of them played conquest, hiding inside and jumping out at each other, and trying to conquer the basket with wild whappy paw battles.
A week later, when I found Inkie marking the handles with his fangs, while Target was deep inside, stretching his claws, I knew I was beat. I bought a second laundry basket.
When it arrived, Tic Tac helped unpack as usual while the boys lounged on the sofa. I intended to carry my treasure off upstairs but I made a tactical error. Gathering up the packaging, I put the new basket down for a moment. Inkie’s eyes widened and with a purr of contentment, he jumped off the sofa and into the basket.
Honestly, I considered letting him have it. I didn’t want to disappoint him or hurt his feelings by taking it off him. But when I considered the outcome, two laundry baskets in our living room, my heart hardened.
Having lived with cats for so long, I have also learned some of their cunning. I announced, “Treat!” and as the furries trooped into the kitchen and sat down to indulge in their favourite creamy snack, I hightailed it back to the living room, grabbed the new basket and legged it up the stairs.
Possession is nine-tenths of the law, the adage says, and although Tic Tac was a bit pointy-nosed about the ruse, and Inkie looked shocked, I’m proud to say I got away with it. We finally have a gorgeous rope laundry basket in the bedroom and the cats are happy to maintain theirs in the living room.
It may be unusual deco but there’s a bonus: Explaining why we have a laundry basket living next to the sofa will afford our friends and guests amusement. Life’s for laughing, right?
Adopt Me
Bippy is a sweet lady cat, born mid November 2023, which makes her a Sagittarius. Like her star sign, she is loving, sociable, spontaneous, curious, and always up for an adventure. Bippy is also a huge fan of toys, and loves people. She will sit with you and follow you around.
Bippy is fully vaccinated and already spayed, so she’s in perfect health. Interested adopters, please contact SPCA Penang, Jalan Jeti Jelutong, 11600 Jelutong, Penang. (Phone: 04-281 6559 / website: spca-penang.net).
