Cat condos are one of the best feline supply investments that I've made over all the years that I've adopted cats. (Sturdy stacked boxes acting as condos can provide the same purpose.) I have them in various shapes and sizes in almost every room of the house. All of our cats use them. Most of the condos are positioned near or in front of a window to provide ample viewing access to different areas of our yard.
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| Zoie and London share the living room condo for an afternoon nap |
This week we added a new cat condo to to our collection because a years-old one was tilting precariously whenever any of the felines jumped on it. Paddy laid first claim, but Halo and Zoie Joy were close by assessing the new arrival.
It spent several days in the middle of the dining room before it could be moved to its window spot in the kitchen because Paddy seemed to be perched on it every time we were ready to reposition it. 
Paddy has her favorite condo in my office. Although she has outgrown it, she sleeps in it every night. It's hard to believe three kittens at one time slept in that little circle!
Since bought condos are an investment, when I choose a new one, I carefully surf the Internet until I find exactly what I need. I look for sturdiness as well as a good carpet cover because all of our felines prefer to scratch on that rather than sisal. When we built a new addition to our home a decade ago, I searched for a floor to ceiling model. Well-built, all the fur babies still use it. When Halo's kittens were born two years ago, I searched for a smaller condo that they could safely climb and play on. 
I assess the space where the condo will be placed to determine it I want shelves, play areas, or cubbyholes. For example, I wanted the newest condo to provide a shelf for Zoie to use as an intermediate step from the floor to the table. I also play close attention to the dimensions of the shelf size. Zoie is weighty at 16 pounds and I wanted a shelf she could comfortably jump to and nap on. The new condo with a 17 inch shelf was adequate. |
| Zoie tries out the new condo. |
As you can tell from this weeks photos, our cat condos have given our furry family abundant play and sleeping areas where I can capture a photo or two!
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| Zoie perches on the top shelf of the floor-to-ceiling condo. |
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| Halo and Paddy rest after a wild dash up the floor-to-celing condo. |
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NOW AVAILABLE!
THE WEDDING PROMISE
Book 8, SEARCH FOR LOVE Series
Sequel to HER SISTER
Beth Crandall has known trauma. Kidnapped from her birth family when she was three, abandoned at a mall by her kidnapper a few months later, traumatic amnesia has prevented memories from plaguing her as she was adopted and ushered into a "normal" life. But a twist of fate reunited her with her birth family recently and now she's attempting to move forward in a way she couldn't before.
As a teenager, Beth's face was scarred in an attack at a group home where her best friend lived. Now Beth is seeing a plastic surgeon, Dr. Sam Benedict, so he can remove the scar. Sam volunteers his time to the foundation Kids Cause which sends doctors all over the world to help children. Sam, who came from an abusive home, feels children need to be listened to and fixed. He and Beth connect on a deep level from the first moment they meet.
Beth has believed a romantic relationship is impossible for her given her background. But during integration into her birth family and throughout a search for her teenage best friend, Sam remains by her side. He helps to heal more than the scar on her face. Neither of them realize that Beth's search for her friend with the help of psychic Gillian Bradley (continuing character from other SEARCH FOR LOVE books) will land them in a fight for their lives.
THE WEDDING PROMISE is now available in print and audiobook formats, too.
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| Karen and Paddy |
USA TODAY Bestselling Author Karen Rose Smith is an only child who delved into books at an early age. She learned about kindred spirits from Anne of Green Gables, solved mysteries with Nancy Drew and wished she could have been the rider on The Black Stallion. Yet even though she escaped often into story worlds, she had many aunts, uncles and cousins around her on weekends. Her sense of family and relationships began there. Maybe that's why families are a strong theme in her novels, whether mysteries or romances. Her 95th novel will be released in 2016.
Readers often ask her about her pastimes. She has herb, flowers and vegetable gardens that help her relax. In the winter, she cooks rather than gardens. And year round she spends most of her time with her husband, as well as her four rescued cats who are her constant companions. They chase rainbows from sun catchers, reminding her life isn't all about work, awards and bestseller lists. Everyone needs that rainbow to chase.
Karen looks forward to interacting with readers. They can find her at the links below.
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©2016 Karen Rose Smith
2 comments:
I have one large condo that used to be Samhain's favorite spot to perch and was taken over by Angus after she died. Everyone uses the scratching post part though. I recently got another, smaller one for the kitchen.
Finally someone on my level of cat loving. I made a trip to the Cat Cafe recently and it gave me all sorts of fun ideas for decorating my place for my little furries.
Jasmine V | Belgravia Group
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