Michigan is having a few days of ultra-warm weather. I figured it was a good time to fit out The Cat Hotel for the upcoming cold season, and had The Hubby pull it out from under the new awning he'd created.
To my horror, I found mold. I pulled back the silvery insulation that we'd attached on the inside, and found it. DAMMIT!
The Hubby said, "Okay, let's pull off the old stuff, give the inside a quick coat of 'die-mold-die' paint that we have. In an hour, it will be dry, then we'll tape in new insulation, you'll fill it with fresh straw, and VOILA!" Included in that list, was to insert the warming pad on the bottom floor.
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| MOLD! |
Unfortunately, the paint didn't dry fast enough, but dusk was falling soon. Between the two of us, we cut and taped, while Sweetie and Paddy snoopervised.
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| Painted! |
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| Even the lid was painted and repaired |
It was about 8 pm when we slide the new, improved Cat Hotel back into its slot. I put out some kibble for the cats, and explained to them what we'd done, and how the mold abatement procedure will keep them comfy and cozy. I apologized profusely for allowing things to get in such a state, which is why I had insisted that we build a new awning and wind breaks.
Both cats seemed purrfectly fine with everything. In the past, I had freaked out every time I replaced the straw in the old Mama's House, thinking that I'd scared them off. Yet, they returned every time.
Except last night.
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| The 'O' Cats's overnight quarters |
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| This morning |
Both cats slept in the cardboard boxes that we set out for them, and replace often. While filling The Cat Hotel with straw last night, I threw some into one box, and forgot to fill the other. But that's where they were when I left them last night around 9 pm, and where they jumped out of, for breakfast this morning.
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| The Cat Car window, dripping with fog |
And, we have FOG this morning. Everything is dripped with moisture, and visibility is low. And my cats stayed outside all night! WHA! *sob* *sniffle*
I am beside myself, worried that I've screwed it all up, and they won't use The Cat Hotel!!! Neither cat seemed too distraught, but you know how well they hide their feelings! The Hubby has reassured me...several times...that they will go in once the paint finally dries (it didn't 'dry in an hour').
And now, I look outside, and it's pouring rain at my office. If it's raining at home...
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| The New Awning, with old windows used as windbreaks |
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| The PO'M sleeping under the awning, on top of The Cat Hotel in July |
Am afraid, and quite sure, that I've screwed up this time...
