Looks can be deceiving

Meet Sniper.  On the Left.  And Sam.

They're very loving, and very tolerant, and generally speaking, very easy pets.

EXCEPT in December.

Last year, they managed to knock over our 7-foot Christmas tree.

THREE times.

They broke off the top.

This year, I brought that tree-of-bad-memories back into the house, and felt negative Karma each time I reached to fluff a branch.  Honestly, I wanted to throw it away last year.  I should have gone with my gut.  The top was still broken.  Somehow, it didn't fix itself while boxed away in storage for 12 months.  Huh.  We put it up.  No top, though, and duct tape was not the answer.  Everytime I left the room, a cat was leaping to the top.  There were tufts of cat fluff stuck to the wire boughs.  And that's how last year's tree became this year's garbage. 

Today we went to the firestation and picked out a REAL tree.  I'm afraid.  If the cats like climbing the artificial tree so much, what will a real tree bring to the party?

Mr. Dub called the vet.  He asked them what we should do about tree-climbing cats.  They recommended Boundary.  A cat repellant.  We're willing to try anything.

As of this afternoon, the tree is up.  No lights, no decorations, and plenty of boundary.  So let it begin.  Monday night we'll be festooning the evergreen.  If you don't hear from me, let's hope no news is GOOD news.