-- Cats in the Zone ... the Construction Zone --
This morning started with the sound of an electric drill bit , near the front of the shop . Hector and I were already at work inside , so we were a bit surprised by it . I opened the front to find the crew that did the asphalt work last week attaching my porch supports and removing the temporary wood that was holding the roof up . Hector settled next to me on the computer and reminded me to write about cats and construction work in the home and yard .
Now , the reason he wants this information out there is to act just a little bit superior ( a common cat trait ). You see , as a bookshop cat , he is not afraid of new people and most new sounds . Equipment , even heavy equipment , doesn ’ t bother him . He even gets on all the big machines and checks them out when the crews are done for the day . When the work crew from Avis replaced the culvert next to the house and the paving crew paved the road and the parking area , he watched from his outside hiding spot .
But he has several advantages that most cats don ’ t have . He has a big area , a whole house , the bookshop , and even the trees and bushes outside where he can hide away if he feels the need . If the crew is working in the kitchen , which happened in January , he can be in the shop . This last week , the noise and people were right in front of his shop . He went out by the patio door only , and headed to the back yard , away from the commotion and the smell of the tar . Jasper , who is a little more afraid of new things , curled up above my bed in a little window , where he could see outside , and was away from all the commotion .
They have what most cats need when there is construction in their home . They need a place where they can get away . If the construction is where the food bowls , water bowls , scratching posts and / or litter boxes normally are , the best thing to do is move all these things to a safe , quiet place . Now , this needs to be done well before the routine is disturbed . A great way to do this , especially for anxious cats , is to make TWO areas for about a week - one in the usual spot ( s ), one in the new spot ( s ). Let your furry friend feel that everything is okay in the new spot , then when the other area is a construction site , remove their things . Remember that the stress of new people in your house , especially with electric tools that are so noisy , may frighten your cat . Make certain they have good , quiet hiding spaces . If the space is elevated and not on the floor , it is even better .
If your cat is particularly anxious , you may need to use a pheromone scent diffuser to help your best friend combat the stress hormone that is created when they are alarmed . Planning ahead , along with lots of patience , understanding , and love , will help your sweet one cope . May any work done around your home go smoothly and make life even better for you and your furry friends .
- by Linda Roller , Bookseller , Writer , & Owner of Liberty Book Shop in beautiful downtown Avis , PA .
LIBERTY BOOK SHOP Linda Roller
Hours : Thursday & Friday 10-6 , Saturday 10-3 , or by appt .
“ Where yesterday ’ s books are today ’ s treasures .”
LibertyBookShop @ comcast . net www . thelibertybookshop . com
570-753-5201
Pawsitively Pets -- October 5