As much as I love the ongoing plots and world-building, it’s the strips like these I particularly savor. Genuine cat behavior, through the lens of someone who understands cats so well, in the voices of cats. “Authentic” is an overused word of late, so I’ll say instead that this strip feels particularly real in the best way.
Shirins, how are things going? Your situation has been heavy on my heart all Saturday. Carmela asked me what I was thinking as we came back from the store and I said Shirins and Nushi. Been there a few times and we both feel along with you. Peace be with you in all that happens.
Those things are made to drive cats crazy, aren’t they. She-Whose-Many-Titles-Are-Not-Sufficient-To-Portray-Her-Full-Magnificence usually ignores hers, but occasionally she has a tussle with it, and then scowls with frustration.
Ah yes, I remember getting one of those. XD (Single level, but still.) It drive one of our cats – Tiger – crazy trying to get the ball out the first day she saw it. The rest us started laughing and joking “It’s not a toy! It’s a kitty torture device!” She hasn’t played with it since – too smart to fall for it a second time. X3 (Our other cats haven’t taken an interest.)
As well as the race-track toy we have a snake version that we put a solid wooden ball into that is smaller. Our little girl is just able to reach through the access slots and spread her claws enough to grip and remove the ball. Then we all play hunt the missing ball. Oh what fun!
Years back we had a one row version with a mouse on an arm that ran around the central core. The mouse was actually covered with fur fabric. Our then cat was entranced and batted it around all night. Swish, whrrr, swish, whrrrrrrrrr all night. In the morning the cat was sleeping the sleep of the exhausted and all the mouse fur was in shreds all over the living room. It still spun around the center but was only occasionally played with. Must not have been as much fun minus the fur.
My little girl loves her one level toy and I`ve been thinking of getting her a multiple level one. She can get the ball out of the toy and then she plays with the ball, batting it around on the floor.
Lupin: “You’re strong, you survive. You stay alive, no matter what occurs! I will free you. No matter how long it takes, no matter how hard, I will free you!”
When I saw that toy, I thought it was brilliant. But my cats didn’t give it a second look. Their response was “Ho, hum, you got any string or wads of paper we can play with?”
Is this why all the cat toys wind up under the couch or TV stand? It was just the cats escorting the toys to safety? So the toys wouldn’t get stepped on by the humans?
Most cats don’t like a game they cannot win, such as catch the laser dot. For most cats, hummingbirds are like that. Older cats realize they are just an optical illusion.
Jungle Empress about 5 years ago
Such brave, selfless boys!
Jungle Empress about 5 years ago
SPOILER ZONE
LuvyaBebe05 about 5 years ago
I love the way they state their channel affiliation to their coworkers.
Le'letha Premium Member about 5 years ago
As much as I love the ongoing plots and world-building, it’s the strips like these I particularly savor. Genuine cat behavior, through the lens of someone who understands cats so well, in the voices of cats. “Authentic” is an overused word of late, so I’ll say instead that this strip feels particularly real in the best way.
Gloria Fleming about 5 years ago
My money’s on Lupin!
Charliegirl Premium Member about 5 years ago
I haven’t seen a three-tier racetrack but my girl LOVED her one-tier track for a long, long time; my boy ignored it.
Sue Ellen about 5 years ago
Did Elvis fall off the top tier in panel 5 or did Lupin push him off? Panel 6 is SO realistic looking. That’s how real cats roll.
Olive O'Sudden about 5 years ago
OMC. Elvis in the fifth panel, upside-down with his little feets in the air and his tie flipped over. I am ded from cute.♥
kangtourcat about 5 years ago
Shirins, how are things going? Your situation has been heavy on my heart all Saturday. Carmela asked me what I was thinking as we came back from the store and I said Shirins and Nushi. Been there a few times and we both feel along with you. Peace be with you in all that happens.
about 5 years ago
Don’t worry, family, the boys will rescue you eventually.
RAGs about 5 years ago
I always like it when a cat does something clumsy, and then pretends that it never happened. “I meant to do that.”
Aunt Banana about 5 years ago
Lupin is doing EXACTLY what my Luna does. The other cats stare at her like she’s gone crazy
Arianne about 5 years ago
Lupin in perch position is just too adorable!
And, in panel 3, is Elvis transferring the mike to his other, non-dominate paw, so he can get paws-on?
What attention to detail!
And then the mike crashes, poor Burt! (He’s the AV guy, right?)
Robin Harwood about 5 years ago
Those things are made to drive cats crazy, aren’t they. She-Whose-Many-Titles-Are-Not-Sufficient-To-Portray-Her-Full-Magnificence usually ignores hers, but occasionally she has a tussle with it, and then scowls with frustration.
WelshRat Premium Member about 5 years ago
Sudden Lupin leap-ins for the win!
infranscia about 5 years ago
Ah yes, I remember getting one of those. XD (Single level, but still.) It drive one of our cats – Tiger – crazy trying to get the ball out the first day she saw it. The rest us started laughing and joking “It’s not a toy! It’s a kitty torture device!” She hasn’t played with it since – too smart to fall for it a second time. X3 (Our other cats haven’t taken an interest.)
RayWebster1 about 5 years ago
As well as the race-track toy we have a snake version that we put a solid wooden ball into that is smaller. Our little girl is just able to reach through the access slots and spread her claws enough to grip and remove the ball. Then we all play hunt the missing ball. Oh what fun!
Robin Harwood about 5 years ago
Of course, the balls will never escape. They are doomed to roll around the track forever.
Gent about 5 years ago
Oh you goofballs!
wolfiiig about 5 years ago
I read an article on how cats love that toy, so I bought it. Kitty looked at it, took one swipe, and so much for that toy. I should have know better.
arolarson Premium Member about 5 years ago
Years back we had a one row version with a mouse on an arm that ran around the central core. The mouse was actually covered with fur fabric. Our then cat was entranced and batted it around all night. Swish, whrrr, swish, whrrrrrrrrr all night. In the morning the cat was sleeping the sleep of the exhausted and all the mouse fur was in shreds all over the living room. It still spun around the center but was only occasionally played with. Must not have been as much fun minus the fur.
tweety6677 about 5 years ago
My little girl loves her one level toy and I`ve been thinking of getting her a multiple level one. She can get the ball out of the toy and then she plays with the ball, batting it around on the floor.
cat19632001 about 5 years ago
Mine played with their one track version when they were kittens. Now the ball member is on its own.
cat19632001 about 5 years ago
Lupin: “You’re strong, you survive. You stay alive, no matter what occurs! I will free you. No matter how long it takes, no matter how hard, I will free you!”
cat19632001 about 5 years ago
Elvis hind toe beans!
cat19632001 about 5 years ago
Pucky’s so concerned about the poor ball family. “No, don’t run away. I’m a reporter from CN and I’m here to help you.”
Snowy&Finlay about 5 years ago
I think it’s time to call ….. Tabitha !
GaryCooper about 5 years ago
When I saw that toy, I thought it was brilliant. But my cats didn’t give it a second look. Their response was “Ho, hum, you got any string or wads of paper we can play with?”
cat19632001 about 5 years ago
♫ Shake, shake, shake
Shake, shake, shake
Shake your racetrack, shake your racetrack …♪ ♪
xsintricks about 5 years ago
Actually had to look the toy up. Interesting.
tremor3258 about 5 years ago
Our cats have one. We usually need to remind them it is there but then it keeps them busy for 20 minutes.
davanden about 5 years ago
Nice to see them acting like cats.
Kitty Katz about 5 years ago
Attention all paws: Trapped ball family alert! All available cats report for bunny kick duty!
skipper1992 about 5 years ago
Me: “Here, Ember, I went to PetSmart and bought some new toys for you!”
Ember: “Oh my … is that an ice cube that fell on the floor?! It’s my lucky day!”
sugordon about 5 years ago
I just love today’s strip. It captures the personalities so well.
Portmanteau about 5 years ago
Is this why all the cat toys wind up under the couch or TV stand? It was just the cats escorting the toys to safety? So the toys wouldn’t get stepped on by the humans?
Cleementine about 5 years ago
“You’re going to make them sick!“ Hahahahahahaha!
ladykat about 5 years ago
Kill the toy, Lupin!
scaeva Premium Member about 5 years ago
Georgia does it again! So true, so hilarious!
miscreant about 5 years ago
Ball racetracks are very loud. Add 3 cats and 3 tracks and I’m not sure I could hande all that noise.
DennyWheeler about 5 years ago
Maybe OT, but: Happy Birthday to Sue Ellen and LizandMax!!!!
KL about 5 years ago
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA! One of the funniest episodes ever! I laughed so loud I woke Sammy up. (She went right back to sleep, of course.)
tricksterson about 5 years ago
All reactions to this crisis are in character. Elvis concerned but businesslike, Puck worried and caring, Lupin: This is a challenge!
Aspen_Bell about 5 years ago
And that’s exactly why I’ve never bought one of these toys for my cats… because they make me feel this way!
DennyWheeler about 5 years ago
I’ve had various cats with a single level one of those—not one of ’em ever would play with it past maybe two paw-swipes. String, now, or the red dot..
davanden about 5 years ago
Makes you wonder if what we see as “playing” is actually cat frustration.
willie_mctell about 5 years ago
Cat science.
BillJackson2 about 5 years ago
OT: Diego
pchemcat about 5 years ago
My Cuda was able to reach her paw around the back of the balls and flip them out of the track at will. She was a pretty smart cat.
FrannieL Premium Member about 5 years ago
“You’re Going to Make Them Sick” is the best line of the day and a brought a wonderful giggle to me. Thanks.
mistercatworks about 5 years ago
Most cats don’t like a game they cannot win, such as catch the laser dot. For most cats, hummingbirds are like that. Older cats realize they are just an optical illusion.
lim95 over 3 years ago
Our cats have one, they’re not too interested…
LinhCinder123 about 1 year ago
My friend has 2 cats, and when I go to their house I end up playing with those more than their cats