Maintenance & Restoration

Gina D. · 10-24-2010, 12:49 PM

Living and traveling with 3 animals is rewarding and challenging. Especially when one has totally different needs than the other two.

At my stix-n-brix, this was not an issue. The cat vs. 2 dogs problem was non existent. I had a doggie door and the cat would go outside to doo his doo and to escape the sometimes whirlwind playing that two beagles can do., but in the trailer, he is restricted to the indoors. The dogs get to playing and it frightens the cat.. he really had nowhere to hide..often jumping on the counter to get out of the way.

Now, counter surfing and lounging is a HUGE no no at my house. Litter box snacking is also a big no no. So, my problem to find a solution for is how to give the cat a comfy hiding space AND keep the snack box out of the reach of the dogs.

I have a sticky, but this could translate to an egg as well. You just have to find a proper sized space and balance cosmetics and storage at the same time.

The Kit used to have a furnace. Some previous owner of a lower IQ removed it and created a huge empty space, opting to surface mount a Wave heater right in front of it..blocking the whole space. It was just there..open and unused and inaccessible. What a waste.

I am not opposed to Wave heaters. If I had to pick JUST one type of heater, I would go with the Wave instead of a furnace. In fact, that is what I have done. I am not re-installing a furnace in the space.

I did reroute the gas line and move the heater, put it on stands and place it in a better spot. It will be bolted to the floor sometime today.

THIS got hung where to heater was.

Gina D. · 10-24-2010, 12:59 PM

A food dish and litter box will not fit thru that hole.. no. I hinged the entire "door" assembly and used hooks and eyes hidden from the outside to keep it closed and to prevent beagle noses from unlatching them (Yes, beagles are very resourceful when a smelly snack is to be had)

The cat door swings in and out with a magnetic close function. The dogs head can go in, but thats all. They can not fit thru it, and all "Temptations" are out of reach from the opening.

Inside, at the back, is the box. I can swing the door assembly open and reach it easily. The food dish sits back in a space that was conveniently pre framed to the correct size and out of reach. The cats bed is out front, serving two purposes. Its his bed, but it also catches litter from his paws after he reads the morning news.

Gina D. · 10-24-2010, 01:04 PM

Its been awhile for him, but he was already pet door trained from my house. It didn't take long for him to figure it out.

Happy cat with his own space. None of the rest of us has our own room! Spoiled brat.

Mom no longer has to let the cat in and out of the bathroom when he needs to eat or "Create". Mom no longer has to MOVE litterbox when SHE needs to "Create". Cat no longer paws under bathroom door to grab that scrap of kibble he dropped but can't access.

Mom also stays warmer as the heater is now in the living area instead of pointing at the front door.

Donna D. · 10-24-2010, 01:38 PM

You're such a good mom taking care of all the needs of your fur kids

Gina D. · 10-24-2010, 01:45 PM

I just have to stub out the electrical for the big screen TV and install the wireless internet for him. He said something about a lack of a wine cooler too...