My Feline Friends

I notice that the Shark 10″ battery operated sweeper is one of the advertised specials in Canadian Tire’s flyer this week. It is selling for $24.99.

Several months ago I purchased one of these sweepers, and have been using it diligently ever since. Even though I brush my cats every couple of days, cat hair still accumulates throughout our home. Our furnace has been working overtime with the steady cold spell we’ve experienced this winter. The heat and the dryness seem to contribute to the shedding, plus of course with the doors and windows closed, all the hair stays indoors.

This little machine has been a valuable tool in our home. It is lightweight, portable and very convenient. It picks up dust and dirt with ease and even larger bits such as litter and rock salt. It can also be used on floors and has a low noise level. The swivel handle is a great feature that makes it possible to clean under furniture, where my upright can’t reach. The handle can also be effortlessly removed to facilitate use on stairs and sofas. The dust cup can be emptied without trouble. It is a bit surprising but gratifying to see how much dust and hair is picked up in a single use.

My carpets are all low-pile, so I can’t testify as to how well the Shark sweeper works on thicker rugs. It comes with a cord and should be recharged only after the battery has fully discharged. By following their instructions and charging the battery for at least 20 hours before the first use, Shark claims that the batteries should last for up to one year. Replacement batteries can be ordered from their website, and hopefully can be purchased at Canadian Tire stores, though I have yet to confirm that.

The only complaint I have is that human hair tends to get wrapped around the roller, and has to be pulled off manually. I use a scissor blade to pry it off, therefore I do not find it much of a problem

Push the black button to remove the handle

The sweeper with the handle removed, ready to clean the stairs

All finished, slide out the dirt cup and empty

Did you know that Canada’s prime minister, Stephen Harper is a cat lover? When he first met his then to be wife, Laureen, they discovered that their love of cats was one of the things they had in common. Not only do they actively support the SPCA and the humane society but they foster kittens that need a temporary home. Last year the PM and his family adopted one of these kittens, an orange tabby who they named Cheddar.

It has just been released by macleans.ca that Jack Layton has recently adopted a feline friend. It is a full-grown black cat named George that was previously owned by the assistant to Jack’s wife, Olivia Chow. Apparently, the poor fellow had to give up his cat due to allergies.

I wonder if Jack plans to teach his new pet any tricks. Maybe if he trains his black cat to run across the PM’s path it will improve his chances of becoming the next prime minister. On second thought, cats are very adept at recognizing cat people, so that plan could backfire, with George ultimately rubbing against the prime minister’s legs and purring.

George

Seriously, though, there could be some fur flying tomorrow when those cats get together up on Parliament Hill to discuss how they are going to spend our tax dollars. Hopefully things will settle down before they start using their claws and fangs. After all, someone could get hurt.

We hosted a visitor this past weekend, a female dwarf rabbit, the grade 6 class pet. Missy stayed clear of the newcomer, but not so for Dandelion, the inspector. He showed immense patience, as he kept guard outside the bedroom where bunny was located in her cage. When allowed in the room, he was quite gentle as he made friends with bunny. He actually tried to rub his chin against her through the cage.

You don't smell like a cat

Can you come out and play?