This is Why People Have Pets

Hello! I am not an infant!
Originally uploaded by wavybrains.

How to get your cat to help you test baby gear: First, locate a used sling either free or cheap, cheap, cheap. This will come in handy if one of your two cats thinks the way to freedom is by clawing a new exit.  Don't mind the garish patriotic print (so me! so very very me! I may actually switch my primary registration for 2008!), this is your PRACTICE sling--to determine if you actually have the manual dexterity to operate one of these puppies or whether that $60 beauty you pine for will go unused.

Good news! You do indeed have the talent for threading the loops and getting the sling over your head. This is not nearly as complicated as the pouch and carrier people would have you believe.  Bad news! You lack something suitable to place in the carrier.  Freak suggests that a rain boot (an Oregon necessity) is about the size of a newborn.   Practical, especially wrapped in a swaddling blanket (free is so wonderful, I love my friends), but it lacks the cuteness appeal.  My stuffed duck and elephant work admirably, but they are more like toddler sized.  Their large fluffy heads kept getting in the way of serious sling practice. 

That and Freak, who has decided that he is a definete sling dude, as opposed to a Moby Wrap dude (also Cheap!Cheap!) kept wrenching poor Hortense the Duck out by her neck and beating her large fluffy head into submission. And I kept collapsing in fits of giggles. Not exactly proper parenting practice. 

Enter the sleeping cats, all cuddled up, unsuspecting the nature of my thoughts.  If you plan to try this at home, a sleeping cat is a non-negotiable element. Later in the evening, I was all set to repeat this with the Moby Wrap, for more photo shoot fun, but they ran at warp speed. Sleeping though, you can sneak up on them.  Have the pouch ready to go, and lower in all four feet together. This part is also non-negotiable as leaving two free feet, even for a second, will leave you very sorry. 

So, all four paws are in. Now, tighten the sling immediately to prevent fast escape, THEN adjust the cast into a more comfortable, truly, hands-free position.  Now, is when you want to make a mad dash for the camera phone. No time to primp.  No time to pose. The cat may escape in 45 seconds. Or he may stick around for 45 minutes and fall asleep. This is only if you have a weirdo cat like Mingy.  Per cat mileage may vary--Mungy merely looked at the sling and went into convulsions. 

Lots of other funny cat-sling-pictures on flickr--click the link. Also, dare to admire my 15 + week belly.  Ignore the awesomeness of my expanding rack.

Comments

[Erin O']

We got a backpacky-type carrier for our toddlers, and I desperately want to put our dog in it, since he's only slightly smaller than our smaller son-to-be.

Now I have the courage. Thanks!

e

[SarahD]

That is completely hilarious--Mingy looks just like my kitty Beau, especially with that Angry Owl look. But, if it had been, horrible things would have definitely ensued.