BS: Nesting in a banjo case

Subject: BS: Cats and instrument cases
From: Charmion
Date: 28 Feb 10 - 08:27 AM

What is it with cats and instrument cases? Was feline ever born who could resist nesting in a banjo case?

Our enormous tomcat, Bill, is currently overflowing the sides of my tenor banjo case although his own special cushion is less than 18 inches away. From the moment I headed to the kitchen for a spot of practising, I doubt it took him more than 30 seconds to arouse from snoring oblivion, spot the open case, and insert his very considerable bulk therein.

Fortunately, it's such a tight fit that he can't deploy his claws to indulge in his second-favourite activity: a thorough kneading and shredding of his slumber surface.

Subject: RE: BS: Nesting in a banjo case
From: Bill D
Date: 28 Feb 10 - 09:40 AM

Put your banjo on his cushion, and see how long it takes him to change his mind.

Subject: RE: BS: Nesting in a banjo case
From: jacqui.c
Date: 28 Feb 10 - 09:48 AM

You mean the banjo wasn't IN the case when he sat in it?


























DAMN!!!!!!!!!! Thought that was one less banjo in the world.:0)

Subject: RE: BS: Nesting in a banjo case
From: Charmion
Date: 28 Feb 10 - 10:08 AM

Oh, Jacqui -- what an attitude! What did my innocent banjo ever do to you?

Subject: RE: BS: Nesting in a banjo case
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 28 Feb 10 - 11:48 AM

I'd have thought the easiest answer would have been to close the lid of the case after you'd taken the banjo out. Before the cat climbed in there of course.

Subject: RE: BS: Nesting in a banjo case
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 28 Feb 10 - 11:51 AM

Sounds like he's been watching "Romance with a Double Bass", and thinks he's Connie Booth.

Subject: RE: BS: Nesting in a banjo case
From: Little Hawk
Date: 28 Feb 10 - 12:13 PM

Cats adore empty instrument cases of all types and will head straight for them. They will also leave a whole lot of messy little cat hairs inside upon their departure.

Subject: RE: BS: Nesting in a banjo case
From: GUEST,Charmion's brother Andrew
Date: 28 Feb 10 - 01:17 PM

I seem to recall that Noodnik used to infest our brother's bagpipe case if he left it open.

Subject: RE: BS: Nesting in a banjo case
From: Charley Noble
Date: 28 Feb 10 - 02:14 PM

Charmion-

Sometimes cats leave more than hair in the case: a pile of hacked up hair ball or something worse from the other end. Consider yourself fortunate.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Nesting in a banjo case
From: Alice
Date: 28 Feb 10 - 02:45 PM

the cats are just getting revenge

Subject: RE: BS: Nesting in a banjo case
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 28 Feb 10 - 11:51 PM

Your cat, no doubt is happy that you don't use gut strings.

Subject: RE: BS: Nesting in a banjo case
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 01 Mar 10 - 01:03 AM

one of the Member pics shows a cat in a fiddle case - can't remember the member's name tho.

When I had a cat way back in the 70s, someone gave me a gi-normous box that had contained a huge TVs. I heard a thump & a faint meow & opened the top & saw a moggie looking up at me, so I had to keep the box upsidedown until I filled it with blankets etc. & was able to fasten the lid.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Nesting in a banjo case
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 01 Mar 10 - 10:37 AM

"What is it with cats and instrument cases?"

The cat is looking for a den, the sheltering home he would have found himself in the wild. In the house, a box is the closest thing. A cushion is nice, but a box is a hide-out.

Imagine how you would feel if you lived in a home full of creatures so huge that you came only halfway up their shins. In addition, these creatures are not very intelligent and not very graceful. They lose their balance far easier than you do, and they are so high in the air that they sometimes step on you because you are too far down to see.

In addition, you have share your dwelling with a hereditary enemy. (For a cat, that's a dog.) Wouldn't you sometimes long for a hide-out?

Subject: RE: BS: Nesting in a banjo case
From: Midchuck
Date: 01 Mar 10 - 10:52 AM

In addition, these creatures are not very intelligent and not very graceful.

For a moment there, I thought you were talking about the cats, and said "What is this person, nuts?" Then I realized you were talking about the people, from the cats' perspective. That's perfectly correct, of course.

Peter

Subject: RE: BS: Nesting in a banjo case
From: SINSULL
Date: 01 Mar 10 - 11:50 AM

Stop complaining. He could just do an Alice and piss in it.

Subject: RE: BS: Nesting in a banjo case
From: Charmion
Date: 01 Mar 10 - 01:22 PM

Good point. Besides, he looks almost sickeningly cute -- quite an accomplishment for such a fierce beast.

The instrument case he likes best is the Martin guitar case. It's a perfect fit, and the forest-green plush lining sets off his sparkling white fur.

Subject: RE: BS: Nesting in a banjo case
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 02 Mar 10 - 12:08 AM

Thank you, Midchuck. You are gracious and percipient. Also you know how to do italics. Very good.

Charmion, the white cat in a green hideout is a delightful image. Is he aware that St Patrick's Day is coming?

Subject: RE: BS: Nesting in a banjo case
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 02 Mar 10 - 03:49 AM

Imagine trying to locate a black cat in a black melodeon bag.. it's only when the claws get you in the ankle as the melodeon descends upon his head, that you realise he's in there.... Many's the time I've picked up a melodeon case only to have an irate puddy fall out of it... It's Manitas's fault for leaving them open so if the fur gets in his bellows, it's his problem.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Nesting in a banjo case
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 02 Mar 10 - 02:11 PM

You take a box that copy paper comes in. Cut a doorway in it with a rounded top, being sure to leave a sill for protection from rising flood waters.

cut a few airholes in the top. Add a nice, soft, piece of cloth, such as a worn-out towel. Put in a bit or two of dry cat food so he gets the idea it's for him.

You can cover it with cloth if looks are a factor.

Kitty heaven!

Not a bad idea for a small, nervous dog, either.

Subject: RE: BS: Nesting in a banjo case
From: Charmion
Date: 02 Mar 10 - 02:17 PM

Bill is actually much too big for a copy-paper box; he's a large, tall tomcat weighing in at about 9 kilos (20 pounds, more or less), and not much of it is fat. He requires half a queen-sized bed, or perhaps a La-Z-Boy chair, all to himself, and when he sits on your lap you are occupied like France in 1943.

Black cat in melodeon case ... Hmmm. At least Bill is easy to see.

Subject: RE: BS: Nesting in a banjo case
From: frogprince
Date: 02 Mar 10 - 05:22 PM

Is the little sweetums as cute as Bill the Cat from Bloom County?

Subject: RE: BS: Nesting in a banjo case
From: Anne Lister
Date: 02 Mar 10 - 05:35 PM

Our cat doesn't get into boxes, no matter how comfortably lined. Cardboard boxes are for deconstructive art. My guitar case, however, is quite another thing, but unluckily for her it isn't often in use these days as the guitar tends to be in a gig bag most of the time and that has no appeal whatsoever.
We have found that anything bought or made especially for the cat (such as one of those furry cat shelter things or the cat scratching post) is totally ignored.

Subject: RE: BS: Nesting in a banjo case
From: ranger1
Date: 02 Mar 10 - 06:55 PM

Some cats know what kitty entertainment items are for. Then again, it was free. If I'd actually paid for it, she'd never be caught dead near it.

Subject: RE: BS: Nesting in a banjo case
From: Charmion
Date: 03 Mar 10 - 06:49 PM

After more than 10 years as a Mudcatter, I am now about to post my first photo: Bill doing what he does best

Subject: RE: BS: Nesting in a banjo case
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 03 Mar 10 - 07:47 PM

Cats love to sit in boxes, even better if they're upholstered. Rufus, however, doesn't sit in cardboard boxes -- he eats them. Slowly. A few bites a day. Now what is HE lacking in his diet?!?

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Nesting in a banjo case
From: Anne Lister
Date: 04 Mar 10 - 11:41 AM

Linn, as I said in my post, Persia doesn't sit in them either. She shreds them, slowly and efficiently. No dietary concerns, but it's not good for the vacuum cleaner.

Subject: RE: BS: Nesting in a banjo case
From: Charmion
Date: 04 Mar 10 - 12:24 PM

We used to have a small black tomcat named Cecil who delighted in gnawing paperback books. When I take an old detective story off the shelf I always check it for deckle edges -- the Mark of Cecil.

Subject: RE: BS: Nesting in a banjo case
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 04 Mar 10 - 08:46 PM

Maybe the box eaters are just looking for something to do.

Subject: RE: BS: Nesting in a banjo case
From: Charmion
Date: 05 Mar 10 - 09:37 AM

Cats who gnaw and bite need to exercise their jaws, I believe. Perhaps a very small rawhide chew-bone (chihuahua size?) might help, or a pig's ear.

Subject: RE: BS: Nesting in a banjo case
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 05 Mar 10 - 10:23 AM

"Bill is actually much too big for a copy-paper box; he's a large, tall tomcat weighing in at about 9 kilos..."

See if you can get a box that a Volkswagen Beetle came in.

Subject: RE: BS: Nesting in a banjo case
From: Charmion
Date: 05 Mar 10 - 01:02 PM

He actually likes containers that are just a little too small for him, such as the banjo case, but the sides have to be low enough to allow him to overflow. I have seen him trying to nest in a copy-paper box and it's not a pretty sight -- eventually it ends up on its side as Bill stomps off in disgust.

Subject: RE: BS: Nesting in a banjo case
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 05 Mar 10 - 08:18 PM

I can understand that. Maybe he wants to feel secure but wants to watch the world go by at the same time.

Subject: RE: BS: Nesting in a banjo case
From: ranger1
Date: 05 Mar 10 - 09:09 PM

We once watched Caitlin wedge herself into the shoebox my 6.5 (US) sneakers came in. If I had only had a camera at that point...Maybe she and Bill are related?

Subject: RE: BS: Nesting in a banjo case
From: LadyJean
Date: 05 Mar 10 - 09:30 PM

My first cat, Perandy, who weighed over 30 pounds, liked a dolls bed somebody had given us. He just barely fit in it. As my sister said, my cat runneth over.

He also slept in my bed. It was crowded with the two of us, but very warm in the winter.

My two boys, Hamish and Viggo like to wrestle on my bed, usually while I am in it. Fortunately they aren't as big as Perandy.