Cats and Christmas trees
By Mary Jo
Cats have been around since time immemorial and Christmas trees became popular in the mid-19th century, when Victoria and Albert introduced the German custom of decorating trees into the British royal palaces and from there to most of the English speaking world. (In other words, they went viral. <G>)
And if Victoria had a cat, it probably climbed her tree. But cameras, especially easy 
to use cell phone cameras, have really helped cats in Christmas trees become a true internet meme. (The image of the black and fallen tree is from Facebook and I think of it as "My work here is done. <G>)
At least a couple of times when I was a kid in our farmhouse, cats brought down our tree and very messy it was. That hasn't happened in many years because tree stands are much more stable now.
I've had a few cats who were Christmas tree climbers, and many of them enthusiastically bat at low hanging ornaments. ("Look, they hung all these nice play toys just for me!")
The cat below, right, is the Mayhem Consultant's cat, Reggie the Rascal. Don't believe that innocent look. He has climbed trees and he loves scooting up tree decorating ladders, then prowling the valances.
But mostly my cats are content to lounge underneath and possibly check the tags to see who gets what. 
(That's PandaMax on the left, doing exactly that.)
The number of jokes about cats climbing trees and sometimes pulling trees them over got me to thinking about pets in Christmas trees in general. Cats are small and agile and have claws designed for climbing.
Probably a ferret would also be a climber, but they aren't that common as pets. Parakeets and other pet birds can fly across a room and land on a branch and perhaps cause some damage if they're larger types like macaws.
Dogs aren't built for climbing, but a friend of mine assures me that the enthusiastic wagging tail of a Labrador retriever can reap a serious harvest of ornaments!
Thus, the number one rule for pet owners who put up trees it to PUT UNBREAKABLE ORNAMENTS ON THE LOWER BRANCHES.
We have a nice collection of lightweight, hard to break plastic apples that look pretty and have a high tolerance for being knocked across a room. (They make a distinctive rattling sound as they roll merrily across a hardwood floor at 2:00 am.
So the bottom line is that with decorating care it's possible to have both pets and trees which is good for those of us who love both.
Do you have experiences with pets and Christmas trees? Tell us about them!
Mary Jo
My sister and I spray our fake tree with a product called Bitter Apple Spray( found at pet stores) and that helps a lot! The majority of our ornaments are unbreakable .
My sister and I spray our fake tree with a product called Bitter Apple Spray( found at pet stores) and that helps a lot! The majority of our ornaments are unbreakable .
My sister and I spray our fake tree with a product called Bitter Apple Spray( found at pet stores) and that helps a lot! The majority of our ornaments are unbreakable .
My sister and I spray our fake tree with a product called Bitter Apple Spray( found at pet stores) and that helps a lot! The majority of our ornaments are unbreakable .
My sister and I spray our fake tree with a product called Bitter Apple Spray( found at pet stores) and that helps a lot! The majority of our ornaments are unbreakable .
I bought a black metal pet playpen, which was exactly the same circumference as my tree (plastic trees are popular in Australia, as we can only buy awful pine trees, and hot weather means that real trees don’t last long).
It didn’t stop any batting at the ornaments, but no more tree climbing!
I bought a black metal pet playpen, which was exactly the same circumference as my tree (plastic trees are popular in Australia, as we can only buy awful pine trees, and hot weather means that real trees don’t last long).
It didn’t stop any batting at the ornaments, but no more tree climbing!
I bought a black metal pet playpen, which was exactly the same circumference as my tree (plastic trees are popular in Australia, as we can only buy awful pine trees, and hot weather means that real trees don’t last long).
It didn’t stop any batting at the ornaments, but no more tree climbing!
I bought a black metal pet playpen, which was exactly the same circumference as my tree (plastic trees are popular in Australia, as we can only buy awful pine trees, and hot weather means that real trees don’t last long).
It didn’t stop any batting at the ornaments, but no more tree climbing!
I bought a black metal pet playpen, which was exactly the same circumference as my tree (plastic trees are popular in Australia, as we can only buy awful pine trees, and hot weather means that real trees don’t last long).
It didn’t stop any batting at the ornaments, but no more tree climbing!
Most of my animals limited themselves to messing with whatever was on the bottom limbs or underneath the tree. The first Christmas in my house my two puppies managed to escape their confined area and tore all of the ribbons and bows off the presents under the tree, brought them in and deposited them on my bed. I woke up to find them playing with them on my bed. They seemed so proud of themselves, I couldn’t be angry with them. If you love animals I guess it goes with the territory.
But then there was Angel. She was a cat I inherited from my nephew when he went off to school. She was a bit small and she managed to climb up the tree and lay on one of the limbs. Didn’t hurt anything – just laid there. I’m thinking she thought that this was the only reason there would be a tree in the living room.
She is also the one who managed to climb into my fridge one morning. I guess she got in there when I got some milk out for my coffee. Fortunately, I needed something from the fridge before I left for work. It was so disconcerting to open the fridge door and see my cat sitting on the shelve. It was like – one of these things does not belong here.
Most of my animals limited themselves to messing with whatever was on the bottom limbs or underneath the tree. The first Christmas in my house my two puppies managed to escape their confined area and tore all of the ribbons and bows off the presents under the tree, brought them in and deposited them on my bed. I woke up to find them playing with them on my bed. They seemed so proud of themselves, I couldn’t be angry with them. If you love animals I guess it goes with the territory.
But then there was Angel. She was a cat I inherited from my nephew when he went off to school. She was a bit small and she managed to climb up the tree and lay on one of the limbs. Didn’t hurt anything – just laid there. I’m thinking she thought that this was the only reason there would be a tree in the living room.
She is also the one who managed to climb into my fridge one morning. I guess she got in there when I got some milk out for my coffee. Fortunately, I needed something from the fridge before I left for work. It was so disconcerting to open the fridge door and see my cat sitting on the shelve. It was like – one of these things does not belong here.
Most of my animals limited themselves to messing with whatever was on the bottom limbs or underneath the tree. The first Christmas in my house my two puppies managed to escape their confined area and tore all of the ribbons and bows off the presents under the tree, brought them in and deposited them on my bed. I woke up to find them playing with them on my bed. They seemed so proud of themselves, I couldn’t be angry with them. If you love animals I guess it goes with the territory.
But then there was Angel. She was a cat I inherited from my nephew when he went off to school. She was a bit small and she managed to climb up the tree and lay on one of the limbs. Didn’t hurt anything – just laid there. I’m thinking she thought that this was the only reason there would be a tree in the living room.
She is also the one who managed to climb into my fridge one morning. I guess she got in there when I got some milk out for my coffee. Fortunately, I needed something from the fridge before I left for work. It was so disconcerting to open the fridge door and see my cat sitting on the shelve. It was like – one of these things does not belong here.
Most of my animals limited themselves to messing with whatever was on the bottom limbs or underneath the tree. The first Christmas in my house my two puppies managed to escape their confined area and tore all of the ribbons and bows off the presents under the tree, brought them in and deposited them on my bed. I woke up to find them playing with them on my bed. They seemed so proud of themselves, I couldn’t be angry with them. If you love animals I guess it goes with the territory.
But then there was Angel. She was a cat I inherited from my nephew when he went off to school. She was a bit small and she managed to climb up the tree and lay on one of the limbs. Didn’t hurt anything – just laid there. I’m thinking she thought that this was the only reason there would be a tree in the living room.
She is also the one who managed to climb into my fridge one morning. I guess she got in there when I got some milk out for my coffee. Fortunately, I needed something from the fridge before I left for work. It was so disconcerting to open the fridge door and see my cat sitting on the shelve. It was like – one of these things does not belong here.
Most of my animals limited themselves to messing with whatever was on the bottom limbs or underneath the tree. The first Christmas in my house my two puppies managed to escape their confined area and tore all of the ribbons and bows off the presents under the tree, brought them in and deposited them on my bed. I woke up to find them playing with them on my bed. They seemed so proud of themselves, I couldn’t be angry with them. If you love animals I guess it goes with the territory.
But then there was Angel. She was a cat I inherited from my nephew when he went off to school. She was a bit small and she managed to climb up the tree and lay on one of the limbs. Didn’t hurt anything – just laid there. I’m thinking she thought that this was the only reason there would be a tree in the living room.
She is also the one who managed to climb into my fridge one morning. I guess she got in there when I got some milk out for my coffee. Fortunately, I needed something from the fridge before I left for work. It was so disconcerting to open the fridge door and see my cat sitting on the shelve. It was like – one of these things does not belong here.
When I was growing up, my family used to hang edible ornaments on the tree, like chocolates wrapped in foil. Either the dog or one of the cats would eat them, we found the little balls of foil that they spit out on the floor. Yes, I know chocolate is supposed to be very bad for them, but we didn’t know that back them, and they seemed to suffer no ill effects.
When I was growing up, my family used to hang edible ornaments on the tree, like chocolates wrapped in foil. Either the dog or one of the cats would eat them, we found the little balls of foil that they spit out on the floor. Yes, I know chocolate is supposed to be very bad for them, but we didn’t know that back them, and they seemed to suffer no ill effects.
When I was growing up, my family used to hang edible ornaments on the tree, like chocolates wrapped in foil. Either the dog or one of the cats would eat them, we found the little balls of foil that they spit out on the floor. Yes, I know chocolate is supposed to be very bad for them, but we didn’t know that back them, and they seemed to suffer no ill effects.
When I was growing up, my family used to hang edible ornaments on the tree, like chocolates wrapped in foil. Either the dog or one of the cats would eat them, we found the little balls of foil that they spit out on the floor. Yes, I know chocolate is supposed to be very bad for them, but we didn’t know that back them, and they seemed to suffer no ill effects.
When I was growing up, my family used to hang edible ornaments on the tree, like chocolates wrapped in foil. Either the dog or one of the cats would eat them, we found the little balls of foil that they spit out on the floor. Yes, I know chocolate is supposed to be very bad for them, but we didn’t know that back them, and they seemed to suffer no ill effects.
Hi, Martha–
I’ll have to look for the Bitter Apple spray, but unbreakable ornaments are probably the best strategy!
Hi, Martha–
I’ll have to look for the Bitter Apple spray, but unbreakable ornaments are probably the best strategy!
Hi, Martha–
I’ll have to look for the Bitter Apple spray, but unbreakable ornaments are probably the best strategy!
Hi, Martha–
I’ll have to look for the Bitter Apple spray, but unbreakable ornaments are probably the best strategy!
Hi, Martha–
I’ll have to look for the Bitter Apple spray, but unbreakable ornaments are probably the best strategy!
/anne–
Sadly true that live Christmas trees don’t do well in the Southern Hemisphere, but it sounds like you’ve found feasible solutions. Batting ornaments is fine as long as they’re the unbreakable sort!
/anne–
Sadly true that live Christmas trees don’t do well in the Southern Hemisphere, but it sounds like you’ve found feasible solutions. Batting ornaments is fine as long as they’re the unbreakable sort!
/anne–
Sadly true that live Christmas trees don’t do well in the Southern Hemisphere, but it sounds like you’ve found feasible solutions. Batting ornaments is fine as long as they’re the unbreakable sort!
/anne–
Sadly true that live Christmas trees don’t do well in the Southern Hemisphere, but it sounds like you’ve found feasible solutions. Batting ornaments is fine as long as they’re the unbreakable sort!
/anne–
Sadly true that live Christmas trees don’t do well in the Southern Hemisphere, but it sounds like you’ve found feasible solutions. Batting ornaments is fine as long as they’re the unbreakable sort!
Mary T–it’s hard to school a proud puppy. *G* But EEK on Angel getting herself locked in the fridge! She must have used one of her nine lives up in summoning you back to the fridge before you left for work.
Mary T–it’s hard to school a proud puppy. *G* But EEK on Angel getting herself locked in the fridge! She must have used one of her nine lives up in summoning you back to the fridge before you left for work.
Mary T–it’s hard to school a proud puppy. *G* But EEK on Angel getting herself locked in the fridge! She must have used one of her nine lives up in summoning you back to the fridge before you left for work.
Mary T–it’s hard to school a proud puppy. *G* But EEK on Angel getting herself locked in the fridge! She must have used one of her nine lives up in summoning you back to the fridge before you left for work.
Mary T–it’s hard to school a proud puppy. *G* But EEK on Angel getting herself locked in the fridge! She must have used one of her nine lives up in summoning you back to the fridge before you left for work.
Karin–
Dose is what matters most, so small dose chocolates were obviously okay. Now that you’re older and wiser, that means more chocolate for you!
Karin–
Dose is what matters most, so small dose chocolates were obviously okay. Now that you’re older and wiser, that means more chocolate for you!
Karin–
Dose is what matters most, so small dose chocolates were obviously okay. Now that you’re older and wiser, that means more chocolate for you!
Karin–
Dose is what matters most, so small dose chocolates were obviously okay. Now that you’re older and wiser, that means more chocolate for you!
Karin–
Dose is what matters most, so small dose chocolates were obviously okay. Now that you’re older and wiser, that means more chocolate for you!
Mary Jo – I think dark chocolates are worse for dogs than milk chocolate. My dog, Chloe, stole 90 pieces of foil-wrapped, milk chocolate Hanukkah coins. I called the vet, and he told me not to worry – dark chocolate is more dangerous. I used to worry about my cat hopping on the counter and endangering my Hanukkah menorah, but she was more interested in watching the flicketing candles, not catching her fur on fire, thank goodness. I have no experience with Christmas tees, except for the fun times I helped a good friend decorate her tree – and watched her cat do the climbing thing. Merry Christmas to all Wenches, Wench fans, and pets alike!
Mary Jo – I think dark chocolates are worse for dogs than milk chocolate. My dog, Chloe, stole 90 pieces of foil-wrapped, milk chocolate Hanukkah coins. I called the vet, and he told me not to worry – dark chocolate is more dangerous. I used to worry about my cat hopping on the counter and endangering my Hanukkah menorah, but she was more interested in watching the flicketing candles, not catching her fur on fire, thank goodness. I have no experience with Christmas tees, except for the fun times I helped a good friend decorate her tree – and watched her cat do the climbing thing. Merry Christmas to all Wenches, Wench fans, and pets alike!
Mary Jo – I think dark chocolates are worse for dogs than milk chocolate. My dog, Chloe, stole 90 pieces of foil-wrapped, milk chocolate Hanukkah coins. I called the vet, and he told me not to worry – dark chocolate is more dangerous. I used to worry about my cat hopping on the counter and endangering my Hanukkah menorah, but she was more interested in watching the flicketing candles, not catching her fur on fire, thank goodness. I have no experience with Christmas tees, except for the fun times I helped a good friend decorate her tree – and watched her cat do the climbing thing. Merry Christmas to all Wenches, Wench fans, and pets alike!
Mary Jo – I think dark chocolates are worse for dogs than milk chocolate. My dog, Chloe, stole 90 pieces of foil-wrapped, milk chocolate Hanukkah coins. I called the vet, and he told me not to worry – dark chocolate is more dangerous. I used to worry about my cat hopping on the counter and endangering my Hanukkah menorah, but she was more interested in watching the flicketing candles, not catching her fur on fire, thank goodness. I have no experience with Christmas tees, except for the fun times I helped a good friend decorate her tree – and watched her cat do the climbing thing. Merry Christmas to all Wenches, Wench fans, and pets alike!
Mary Jo – I think dark chocolates are worse for dogs than milk chocolate. My dog, Chloe, stole 90 pieces of foil-wrapped, milk chocolate Hanukkah coins. I called the vet, and he told me not to worry – dark chocolate is more dangerous. I used to worry about my cat hopping on the counter and endangering my Hanukkah menorah, but she was more interested in watching the flicketing candles, not catching her fur on fire, thank goodness. I have no experience with Christmas tees, except for the fun times I helped a good friend decorate her tree – and watched her cat do the climbing thing. Merry Christmas to all Wenches, Wench fans, and pets alike!
For quite a few years, our trees was decorated with the lower half being all ornaments hand made by my children. Then the cats and dogs could not hurt themselves or the tree. There was the year we made baked flour and water ornaments,,, some were so heavy the branch dragged on the floor. I think that was the princess one with the large heavy skirt. We had felt stars and bells….and they were clawed, but everyone including the tree survived.
The dogs just wanted to pull things off and play soccer with the ornaments. They were sort of benign.
Baby, the sweetest cat in the world, loved to make nests under the tree in the presents. She loved getting the bottom of the tree naked. But, she really was the sweetest cat in the world…it was only Christmas trees which brought out her Ninja Kitty persona.
Life has changed, but I still remember the laughter at that sweet cat becoming a vicious beast to protect the nest she had made. She never understood that we did not believe she was a killer just to save a bunch of stuff wrapped in colorful paper.
I loved all those pets.
For quite a few years, our trees was decorated with the lower half being all ornaments hand made by my children. Then the cats and dogs could not hurt themselves or the tree. There was the year we made baked flour and water ornaments,,, some were so heavy the branch dragged on the floor. I think that was the princess one with the large heavy skirt. We had felt stars and bells….and they were clawed, but everyone including the tree survived.
The dogs just wanted to pull things off and play soccer with the ornaments. They were sort of benign.
Baby, the sweetest cat in the world, loved to make nests under the tree in the presents. She loved getting the bottom of the tree naked. But, she really was the sweetest cat in the world…it was only Christmas trees which brought out her Ninja Kitty persona.
Life has changed, but I still remember the laughter at that sweet cat becoming a vicious beast to protect the nest she had made. She never understood that we did not believe she was a killer just to save a bunch of stuff wrapped in colorful paper.
I loved all those pets.
For quite a few years, our trees was decorated with the lower half being all ornaments hand made by my children. Then the cats and dogs could not hurt themselves or the tree. There was the year we made baked flour and water ornaments,,, some were so heavy the branch dragged on the floor. I think that was the princess one with the large heavy skirt. We had felt stars and bells….and they were clawed, but everyone including the tree survived.
The dogs just wanted to pull things off and play soccer with the ornaments. They were sort of benign.
Baby, the sweetest cat in the world, loved to make nests under the tree in the presents. She loved getting the bottom of the tree naked. But, she really was the sweetest cat in the world…it was only Christmas trees which brought out her Ninja Kitty persona.
Life has changed, but I still remember the laughter at that sweet cat becoming a vicious beast to protect the nest she had made. She never understood that we did not believe she was a killer just to save a bunch of stuff wrapped in colorful paper.
I loved all those pets.
For quite a few years, our trees was decorated with the lower half being all ornaments hand made by my children. Then the cats and dogs could not hurt themselves or the tree. There was the year we made baked flour and water ornaments,,, some were so heavy the branch dragged on the floor. I think that was the princess one with the large heavy skirt. We had felt stars and bells….and they were clawed, but everyone including the tree survived.
The dogs just wanted to pull things off and play soccer with the ornaments. They were sort of benign.
Baby, the sweetest cat in the world, loved to make nests under the tree in the presents. She loved getting the bottom of the tree naked. But, she really was the sweetest cat in the world…it was only Christmas trees which brought out her Ninja Kitty persona.
Life has changed, but I still remember the laughter at that sweet cat becoming a vicious beast to protect the nest she had made. She never understood that we did not believe she was a killer just to save a bunch of stuff wrapped in colorful paper.
I loved all those pets.
For quite a few years, our trees was decorated with the lower half being all ornaments hand made by my children. Then the cats and dogs could not hurt themselves or the tree. There was the year we made baked flour and water ornaments,,, some were so heavy the branch dragged on the floor. I think that was the princess one with the large heavy skirt. We had felt stars and bells….and they were clawed, but everyone including the tree survived.
The dogs just wanted to pull things off and play soccer with the ornaments. They were sort of benign.
Baby, the sweetest cat in the world, loved to make nests under the tree in the presents. She loved getting the bottom of the tree naked. But, she really was the sweetest cat in the world…it was only Christmas trees which brought out her Ninja Kitty persona.
Life has changed, but I still remember the laughter at that sweet cat becoming a vicious beast to protect the nest she had made. She never understood that we did not believe she was a killer just to save a bunch of stuff wrapped in colorful paper.
I loved all those pets.
Happy Holidays to all Wenches and Wenchly Readers from Sammy-the-Siamese and me! We have not had a tree or other shiny-objects-display for, oh, 12 years now. It is not a coincidence that Sammy is 12 years old.
Happy Holidays to all Wenches and Wenchly Readers from Sammy-the-Siamese and me! We have not had a tree or other shiny-objects-display for, oh, 12 years now. It is not a coincidence that Sammy is 12 years old.
Happy Holidays to all Wenches and Wenchly Readers from Sammy-the-Siamese and me! We have not had a tree or other shiny-objects-display for, oh, 12 years now. It is not a coincidence that Sammy is 12 years old.
Happy Holidays to all Wenches and Wenchly Readers from Sammy-the-Siamese and me! We have not had a tree or other shiny-objects-display for, oh, 12 years now. It is not a coincidence that Sammy is 12 years old.
Happy Holidays to all Wenches and Wenchly Readers from Sammy-the-Siamese and me! We have not had a tree or other shiny-objects-display for, oh, 12 years now. It is not a coincidence that Sammy is 12 years old.
Thanks for a fun post, Mary Jo! We have no pets, so the tree is safe (one hopes).
Best wishes to all the Word Wenches and the readers for a wonderful winter season!
Thanks for a fun post, Mary Jo! We have no pets, so the tree is safe (one hopes).
Best wishes to all the Word Wenches and the readers for a wonderful winter season!
Thanks for a fun post, Mary Jo! We have no pets, so the tree is safe (one hopes).
Best wishes to all the Word Wenches and the readers for a wonderful winter season!
Thanks for a fun post, Mary Jo! We have no pets, so the tree is safe (one hopes).
Best wishes to all the Word Wenches and the readers for a wonderful winter season!
Thanks for a fun post, Mary Jo! We have no pets, so the tree is safe (one hopes).
Best wishes to all the Word Wenches and the readers for a wonderful winter season!
Binnie, it makes sense that mild chocolate is less toxit. Lucky Chloe! Nice that you had a nice Jewish cat who respected candles!
Binnie, it makes sense that mild chocolate is less toxit. Lucky Chloe! Nice that you had a nice Jewish cat who respected candles!
Binnie, it makes sense that mild chocolate is less toxit. Lucky Chloe! Nice that you had a nice Jewish cat who respected candles!
Binnie, it makes sense that mild chocolate is less toxit. Lucky Chloe! Nice that you had a nice Jewish cat who respected candles!
Binnie, it makes sense that mild chocolate is less toxit. Lucky Chloe! Nice that you had a nice Jewish cat who respected candles!
Annette, pets add so much joy to our lives! Baby proved that within every sweet cat lives the heart of a Tiger!
Annette, pets add so much joy to our lives! Baby proved that within every sweet cat lives the heart of a Tiger!
Annette, pets add so much joy to our lives! Baby proved that within every sweet cat lives the heart of a Tiger!
Annette, pets add so much joy to our lives! Baby proved that within every sweet cat lives the heart of a Tiger!
Annette, pets add so much joy to our lives! Baby proved that within every sweet cat lives the heart of a Tiger!
Kareni, thanks for the best wishes! I hope your holidays are lovely, and that you and your tree are safe in your home.
Kareni, thanks for the best wishes! I hope your holidays are lovely, and that you and your tree are safe in your home.
Kareni, thanks for the best wishes! I hope your holidays are lovely, and that you and your tree are safe in your home.
Kareni, thanks for the best wishes! I hope your holidays are lovely, and that you and your tree are safe in your home.
Kareni, thanks for the best wishes! I hope your holidays are lovely, and that you and your tree are safe in your home.
My cats always enjoyed being around a tree so much that it became my custom to do the tree for them, not me. I would get a fresh tree, not too tall, and decorate it with light strings (carefully watched) and paper, plastic and ribbon ornaments that wouldn’t break or hurt them. Sometimes I came home from work to a tree tipped over, a few stray chewed-on ribbons on the floor and such, and I’d know they had enjoyed their gift. At night they’d often curl up on the red felt throw under the tree
Usually they’d tire of it after the tree aroma was gone and we would curl up on the sofa with a good book.
After the last one passed I no longer felt capable of caring properly for one, so I don’t have any cats now, but I remember them and miss those peaceful evenings with the tree lights on and the glaring, slightly loaded cats glaring out from under its boughs.
Merry Christmas to all and may you all find some chewed up ornaments on the floor 🙂
My cats always enjoyed being around a tree so much that it became my custom to do the tree for them, not me. I would get a fresh tree, not too tall, and decorate it with light strings (carefully watched) and paper, plastic and ribbon ornaments that wouldn’t break or hurt them. Sometimes I came home from work to a tree tipped over, a few stray chewed-on ribbons on the floor and such, and I’d know they had enjoyed their gift. At night they’d often curl up on the red felt throw under the tree
Usually they’d tire of it after the tree aroma was gone and we would curl up on the sofa with a good book.
After the last one passed I no longer felt capable of caring properly for one, so I don’t have any cats now, but I remember them and miss those peaceful evenings with the tree lights on and the glaring, slightly loaded cats glaring out from under its boughs.
Merry Christmas to all and may you all find some chewed up ornaments on the floor 🙂
My cats always enjoyed being around a tree so much that it became my custom to do the tree for them, not me. I would get a fresh tree, not too tall, and decorate it with light strings (carefully watched) and paper, plastic and ribbon ornaments that wouldn’t break or hurt them. Sometimes I came home from work to a tree tipped over, a few stray chewed-on ribbons on the floor and such, and I’d know they had enjoyed their gift. At night they’d often curl up on the red felt throw under the tree
Usually they’d tire of it after the tree aroma was gone and we would curl up on the sofa with a good book.
After the last one passed I no longer felt capable of caring properly for one, so I don’t have any cats now, but I remember them and miss those peaceful evenings with the tree lights on and the glaring, slightly loaded cats glaring out from under its boughs.
Merry Christmas to all and may you all find some chewed up ornaments on the floor 🙂
My cats always enjoyed being around a tree so much that it became my custom to do the tree for them, not me. I would get a fresh tree, not too tall, and decorate it with light strings (carefully watched) and paper, plastic and ribbon ornaments that wouldn’t break or hurt them. Sometimes I came home from work to a tree tipped over, a few stray chewed-on ribbons on the floor and such, and I’d know they had enjoyed their gift. At night they’d often curl up on the red felt throw under the tree
Usually they’d tire of it after the tree aroma was gone and we would curl up on the sofa with a good book.
After the last one passed I no longer felt capable of caring properly for one, so I don’t have any cats now, but I remember them and miss those peaceful evenings with the tree lights on and the glaring, slightly loaded cats glaring out from under its boughs.
Merry Christmas to all and may you all find some chewed up ornaments on the floor 🙂
My cats always enjoyed being around a tree so much that it became my custom to do the tree for them, not me. I would get a fresh tree, not too tall, and decorate it with light strings (carefully watched) and paper, plastic and ribbon ornaments that wouldn’t break or hurt them. Sometimes I came home from work to a tree tipped over, a few stray chewed-on ribbons on the floor and such, and I’d know they had enjoyed their gift. At night they’d often curl up on the red felt throw under the tree
Usually they’d tire of it after the tree aroma was gone and we would curl up on the sofa with a good book.
After the last one passed I no longer felt capable of caring properly for one, so I don’t have any cats now, but I remember them and miss those peaceful evenings with the tree lights on and the glaring, slightly loaded cats glaring out from under its boughs.
Merry Christmas to all and may you all find some chewed up ornaments on the floor 🙂
Mary M, Siamese cats are so elegant that who needs a Christmas tree? It does sound as is Sammy and shiny objects are not compatible. *G*
Mary M, Siamese cats are so elegant that who needs a Christmas tree? It does sound as is Sammy and shiny objects are not compatible. *G*
Mary M, Siamese cats are so elegant that who needs a Christmas tree? It does sound as is Sammy and shiny objects are not compatible. *G*
Mary M, Siamese cats are so elegant that who needs a Christmas tree? It does sound as is Sammy and shiny objects are not compatible. *G*
Mary M, Siamese cats are so elegant that who needs a Christmas tree? It does sound as is Sammy and shiny objects are not compatible. *G*
Janice, what lucky cats to have an owner who would put up a tree for them–and not freak out when they ravaged it! I’m glad you have so many lovely cat-and tree memories.
Janice, what lucky cats to have an owner who would put up a tree for them–and not freak out when they ravaged it! I’m glad you have so many lovely cat-and tree memories.
Janice, what lucky cats to have an owner who would put up a tree for them–and not freak out when they ravaged it! I’m glad you have so many lovely cat-and tree memories.
Janice, what lucky cats to have an owner who would put up a tree for them–and not freak out when they ravaged it! I’m glad you have so many lovely cat-and tree memories.
Janice, what lucky cats to have an owner who would put up a tree for them–and not freak out when they ravaged it! I’m glad you have so many lovely cat-and tree memories.
I’m late to the game on this story, sorry.
When I was about 3 yrs old our dog knocked down our Christmas tree. The following year I was the one to repeat that feat. After that my parents wrapped a thin wire around the top of the tree and fastened it to the wall.
In defense of the dog and myself, my mother made colorful decorated gingerbread cookies which were hung on the tree.
I rest my case.
Happy New Year, everyone
I’m late to the game on this story, sorry.
When I was about 3 yrs old our dog knocked down our Christmas tree. The following year I was the one to repeat that feat. After that my parents wrapped a thin wire around the top of the tree and fastened it to the wall.
In defense of the dog and myself, my mother made colorful decorated gingerbread cookies which were hung on the tree.
I rest my case.
Happy New Year, everyone
I’m late to the game on this story, sorry.
When I was about 3 yrs old our dog knocked down our Christmas tree. The following year I was the one to repeat that feat. After that my parents wrapped a thin wire around the top of the tree and fastened it to the wall.
In defense of the dog and myself, my mother made colorful decorated gingerbread cookies which were hung on the tree.
I rest my case.
Happy New Year, everyone
I’m late to the game on this story, sorry.
When I was about 3 yrs old our dog knocked down our Christmas tree. The following year I was the one to repeat that feat. After that my parents wrapped a thin wire around the top of the tree and fastened it to the wall.
In defense of the dog and myself, my mother made colorful decorated gingerbread cookies which were hung on the tree.
I rest my case.
Happy New Year, everyone
I’m late to the game on this story, sorry.
When I was about 3 yrs old our dog knocked down our Christmas tree. The following year I was the one to repeat that feat. After that my parents wrapped a thin wire around the top of the tree and fastened it to the wall.
In defense of the dog and myself, my mother made colorful decorated gingerbread cookies which were hung on the tree.
I rest my case.
Happy New Year, everyone
Alison, you’re right: no child or pet could be blamed from turning rowdy at the sight of such gingerbread cookies! The ceiling tie was genius.
Alison, you’re right: no child or pet could be blamed from turning rowdy at the sight of such gingerbread cookies! The ceiling tie was genius.
Alison, you’re right: no child or pet could be blamed from turning rowdy at the sight of such gingerbread cookies! The ceiling tie was genius.
Alison, you’re right: no child or pet could be blamed from turning rowdy at the sight of such gingerbread cookies! The ceiling tie was genius.
Alison, you’re right: no child or pet could be blamed from turning rowdy at the sight of such gingerbread cookies! The ceiling tie was genius.
I haven’t had a Christmas tree in years other than a foot tall fake one with lights which didn’t work this year. When I did have a tree and cats, the cats always won. Even when I had a house with many rooms, it did seem as though putting up a tree was a waste of time and money. The kids liked the idea of a tree but didn’t want to decorate it. We put it in the living room but we sat in the den. We would turn on the lights for a few hours before we went to bed but our neighbors were the ones who saw the lights. They and the cats.
I haven’t had a Christmas tree in years other than a foot tall fake one with lights which didn’t work this year. When I did have a tree and cats, the cats always won. Even when I had a house with many rooms, it did seem as though putting up a tree was a waste of time and money. The kids liked the idea of a tree but didn’t want to decorate it. We put it in the living room but we sat in the den. We would turn on the lights for a few hours before we went to bed but our neighbors were the ones who saw the lights. They and the cats.
I haven’t had a Christmas tree in years other than a foot tall fake one with lights which didn’t work this year. When I did have a tree and cats, the cats always won. Even when I had a house with many rooms, it did seem as though putting up a tree was a waste of time and money. The kids liked the idea of a tree but didn’t want to decorate it. We put it in the living room but we sat in the den. We would turn on the lights for a few hours before we went to bed but our neighbors were the ones who saw the lights. They and the cats.
I haven’t had a Christmas tree in years other than a foot tall fake one with lights which didn’t work this year. When I did have a tree and cats, the cats always won. Even when I had a house with many rooms, it did seem as though putting up a tree was a waste of time and money. The kids liked the idea of a tree but didn’t want to decorate it. We put it in the living room but we sat in the den. We would turn on the lights for a few hours before we went to bed but our neighbors were the ones who saw the lights. They and the cats.
I haven’t had a Christmas tree in years other than a foot tall fake one with lights which didn’t work this year. When I did have a tree and cats, the cats always won. Even when I had a house with many rooms, it did seem as though putting up a tree was a waste of time and money. The kids liked the idea of a tree but didn’t want to decorate it. We put it in the living room but we sat in the den. We would turn on the lights for a few hours before we went to bed but our neighbors were the ones who saw the lights. They and the cats.
Nancy, it sounds like you and Christmas trees were karmically mismatched! It does sound as if the cats enjoyed them.
Nancy, it sounds like you and Christmas trees were karmically mismatched! It does sound as if the cats enjoyed them.
Nancy, it sounds like you and Christmas trees were karmically mismatched! It does sound as if the cats enjoyed them.
Nancy, it sounds like you and Christmas trees were karmically mismatched! It does sound as if the cats enjoyed them.
Nancy, it sounds like you and Christmas trees were karmically mismatched! It does sound as if the cats enjoyed them.