Month: February 2013

I finished the cat tree last weekend. I even managed to haul it upstairs, though I took the pictures while it was downstairs after I picked up the bits of scrap carpet.

Dash was in no way helpful while I was carpeting it – he always had to be on the highest spot. Since I was rotating it and laying it down flat to make it easier to staple the carpet on I kept having to remove him from whatever perch he’d decided on.

Dash appreciates the lower box, but other than when I’m playing with Dash I don’t think they’ve used much of the new carpeted space yet. And as I was typing that Dash got to the top by climbing the carpet (as I’d intended it for), so maybe I’m wrong.

I got the heated bed for Talore and she loves the warmth. Unfortunately Dash decided Talore looked comfortable, so clearly he should sleep there too.

I sized it for Talore, so Dash doesn’t quite fit. He also doesn’t always appreciate the warmth: the first time I saw him in it Dash was stretched out mostly on his back with his legs kicked up in the air like he was uncomfortably warm. I just ordered a larger bed for them in the hopes that Dash will take to that one and leave Talore to hers, but it’s big enough that they might both be able to sleep in it without Dash completely smothering Talore like he’s been doing (at least until she bites him and leaves).

I finally got back to work on the cat tree, which means that I had to evict both cats and haul it downstairs (moving it was the primary reason I’ve been putting it off for so long). I didn’t have much plywood left, but measuring it revealed that I had enough to add the lower shelf and the slanted part using the thicker plywood (used on any climbing/sitting areas). I also started on the sides to the lower box using the thinner plywood.

The narrow shelf next to the hammock is thinner plywood – I just tacked it on to give Dash a shelf to use to get to the top since he can’t jump as high as Talore. I’ll replace it with thicker plywood when I’ve finished the lower box.

I titled the post “Unhappy Cats,” but really only Talore seems put out by me taking away her perch. Dash just followed me to the garage and curled up in the hammock there to watch. I really thought I had a picture of him in it while I was working, but apparently not.

I went and got another two small sheets of plywood today so I have enough to finish, but it’s cold tonight so I just finished the side and back of the lower box (which should be the last place I need the thinner plywood). That was a pretty good stopping point since it’ll probably be easier to install carpet in the box before all the sides are on. Tentative plan is to do most of the carpet this week then finish it next weekend if it’s not too frigid in my garage.

This is the current state right after I got it inside from the garage and put it down:

I suspect that once I’ve finished it I’m going to need help getting it up the stairs to where I plan to put it. I can still move it now, but it’s really awkward and getting heavy, and the turn on the stairs is sharp enough I have to lift it over the railing to make the corner. I’ll figure that out when I get there.