Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-29
This and That
By Charles Z. TraceiUeU.

House cats need plenty of exercise.
but how to give 1t to them is the
question. Perhaps the best way is to
use a mouse-on-a- string.
This is strictly our own invention.
1t was evolved as a method of playing
with the cat Jack Spratt, and has
proved of such utility as an exerciser
that we are happy to pass it along.
The catnip mouse has long been a
cat toy. The average cat, however
will play with one only spasmodically.
What we want is something with
which we can exercise the cat at will,
to keep the creature in good health.
When catnp mouse is first
brought home the cat will play with
it freely, but, after the taste of the
catnip wears off, the animal will allow
it to go days unregarded.
1t was while casting around for
something with which to remedy this
that we hit upon the happy device of
the string and the mouse. Through
this combination a perfect cat toy is
evolved. one that will make the cat
owner do a little work. too.
Ordinarily one does not get out of Il
thing any more than he puts into it..
The mouse on-a-string makes the cat
owner work, and thereby makes him
think all the more OF his pet. Ant
the cat enjoys the play.
To make a mouse on-a- string, Sc
cure catnip mouse, to be purchased
for a small sum, and then get a long
piece of string or Irvine. preferably
at least 10 or IL feet long. Bisect the
mouse by tying one end of the string
very tightly around its body, about
amidships. 1t is necessary to make
the connection very tightly, causing
the mouse to take on the appearance
Of two small. stuffed bags.
Then, holding the cord in the left
hand, bangle the mouse In the air
over the nose Of your cat. and sud
denly throw the mouse forward. The
chances are that the animal will
spring forward after it.
Now comes your chance. Just as
he sticks out his paw to impale the
mouse pull on the cord and draw the
article rapidly away. A little practice
will allow the human member of this
exercise team to learn the various
ways in which the mouse may be
thrown.
The bounds and leaps the cat will
make, If the string is dexterously han
died, are astonishing, even 10 one who
is acquainted with the speed and
grace of the common domestic cat.
Sometimes the cat Will spring into
the air, stiff legged, whirl around and
go bounding across the room. Again
he will slide after the mouse, whlrling
rugs in his mad dash.
The faster the cat plays. of course.
the faster the mouse must be cast and
hauled In again. The more speed you
can work up, in the feline member
of the team, and the longer it can be
kept up, the more exercise for the
cat and the more amusement for both.
y X x r
A large cork will do. instead of a
mouse, although the latter Is better.
There is a proper length for the
string, which one must learn through
experience The danger is mostly in
getting the cord too short.
What particularly pleases the cat is
to slip the string under Il small rug.
so that the mouse Is about 3 feet
on the other side. then to slowly be-
gin to pull the cord, edging the mouse
toward the rug. 1t helps if the rug
has been previously "hooped up" at
the edge. so that the mouse appears
to be entering a hole,
This Is guaranteed to enliven the
latest, most lethaI-gic cat. He will
sit at the edge. and reach under the
rug time after time, catching the
mouse just as il disappears. Play
fair with the cat. however, and do not
pull too fast.
The real cat fan" will invent a
hundred ways to use the mouse-on-a-
string, and from its use will exercise
his cat and secure much amusement
for himself and spectators. This in
strument should be thrown several
times a day. for Is minutes or more,
whether one feels in the mood for 1t
or not. Generally few casts" will
put one in the mood.