So the old cliche goes something like: “If you buy a child a very expensive gift they will have more fun playing with the box the gift came in than with the gift itself.”

Back at the old house we had hardwood floors so being the concerned parents we are we bought our cats two very nice, very reasonably priced pet beds. They were an appropriate size, had comfortable padding, and we placed them in a low traffic area where the cats would not be bothered. Needless to say the cats never used the store bought beds which collected dust and neglect and were eventually donated. How ungrateful.

Eventually, we found our cat’s ‘cardboard box’.

We had two old drying racks that we left setup in the corner of our bedroom even when not in use.  I noticed that Samuel and Elizabeth liked to sit under the wire frame, so one day I threw two old towels over and voila! Cat tents were born! Now whenever we go to sleep the cats are in their tents. Whenever we are home on a Sunday afternoon the cats are in their tents. Whenever we wonder where they are - yup - the cats are in their tents.

Let’s recap:

Price of store bought cat beds: ~$40
Price of cat tents: $0 (plus two old towels)

Could this be a view into parenthood?