Wed, 24 Apr 2024

  

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ADVENTURES > A LAUGH AT FABRICS

As is well known, some time ago Djavi entered my household. He is now over eight months old and starts to get more and more beautiful and even more precious, if that's possible. He likes each and every one and if you can tickle well, you're his best friend. Every now and again he has his quirks. That started early, but quite innocently.

Besides the cat gang I own a whole collection of teddy bears, each dressed in jumpers, pents, socks and the like. As little as he was, Djavi took off with the bears. Even if they were four times bigger, he dragged them to his secret hiding place, were they remained until I found them again.

A little later he discovered that they were dressed. Especially the socks were interesting. He pulled them, until they were taken off and hid them in the most unexpected places. It's inconceivable how many places there are in a house to hide things. I recovered things in the strangest places.

Still quite innocent, a bit awkward at the most, although I found some of the socks with holes in them. Until he didn't bother to take the socks of anymore. He just sunk his teeth in the bear paws and started chewing. Replacing socks is rather easy, chewed up teddy bears is not. I wasn't laughing at it anymore.

So the plant sprays were filled and positioned. At the first sounds of illegal chewing, I aimed and pulled the trigger. A fast patter told me I had hit the target. The spray was very successful, but only a short time. Within a few days Djavi took his prey and sat down with it under a chair, a table or the bed. I could spray all I wanted, but hitting him was practically impossible. Yes, it's quite a clever rascal.

When he started to have more quirks, I suspected him to have reached puberty. Time for castration? I e-mailed the breeder for advise. She recognized this all. Not as puberty, but as eating fabrics. She send me a piece of text (out of a book that was standing in my own bookcase, would you believe) and a tip. On the internet I could order “bitter apple”. Because of it's foul taste, his behavior would be discouraged. But ordering means waiting, and I didn't want to wait.

Of to the pet store. Yes, they knew bitter apple and sold it as well. A gigantic bottle for a huge price. Not funny. Luckily they also sold “bitter bite” and I bought that. At home I sprayed all the bears and waited in good faith. Because I accidentally sprayed my finger as well, I know it's taste is really very foul.

Right now I use the spray every 7 to 10 days and things seem to go reasonably well. In fits and starts Djavi gnaws right through the bitter bite and the bears. Thankfully there are also times that he doesn't bite anything other than his kibble. Most bears now sit in the naked fur, for all the chewed up clothes are thrown away. Replacing them is useless at this time. Only his new basket....it's too good not to chew.

Does anyone have any advise or tip? Please email me.

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