Dry food: We generally keep her dry food bowl full. The bag is under the kitchen sink. Kitty treats are in the left-most drawer in the kitchen, by the doorway.
Wet food: In the evenings she gets 1/4 of a can of wet food. You can put it in the little glass Pyrex dish on the kitchen floor. The wet food is stored in the fridge with a blue reusable lid. Feel free to use one of the knives sitting in the dish drainer to scoop it out -- just rinse it off well afterward!
Water: She drinks out of the fountain on the floor by the kitchen table. If you can hear water splashing in the fountain, then it could probably use more water. There's a blueish-purplish pitcher on top of the fridge: just fill it up and pour it on the fountain. We'll change the fountain's water filter before we leave, so you shouldn't need to worry about that.
Litter box: Please scoop out her litter box daily; the scoop hangs above the bathroom garbage can. Poop can go right into the toilet, but pee clumps should be thrown in the garbage (you can put pee clumps in the toilet but let them sit in the toilet bowl for about an hour so they can dissolve and not clog the toilet). She also pees in the tub occasionally, which is fine by us. If you need more garbage bags, we keep them under the kitchen sink. Cleaning products are either above the kitchen sink or in the closet by the bathroom.
Playing: She loves to have her toy mice thrown and to play hide-and-go-seek (she loves to pop out and scare people). She also loves to be pet. She loves all attention -- but especially playing chase! Try shooting Nerf suction darts at the window: she'll jump up and bat them off. (Just don't let her eat them, please!)
Snuggling: Atti probably won't sit on you, but she'll sit next to you. She's OK with being picked up as long as it isn't for too long. Watch her claws: she doesn't know how to retract them when she's playing.
Boundaries: Atti pretty much has her run of the place: the basket on the kitchen table is specifically for her to sleep in. We don't like her to be on the kitchen counter, though.
Outside: You're free to let Atti outside into the courtyard. She LOVES it and never wanders too far. Just keep in mind that she gets scared of dogs/other animals and will likely hide in a bush if one comes around. Usually she climbs up on the windowsill and meows when she wants to come in. However, she'll sometimes stay out for a couple hours at a time, so no worries if you choose to just keep her in.
We'll be mostly out of touch, but will probably occasionally check e-mail and things if we can find wifi. The best way to reach us is by e-mail: arielleandrobin@gmail.com.
If there is a medical problem you can take her across the street to Petsmart. All her medical records are on file there and we will pay you back for any expenses:
Banfield Pet Hospital 6800 Wisconsin Ave Bethesda, MD (240) 497-0027
If you could also get our mail and set it on the table, that would be great!!
Feel free to watch a movie or play Wii on our projector/speakers, although figuring out which cables to use can be a little tricky. You're also welcome to nap in the hammock, and there are lots of board games under the table in the corner of the living room.
There's also a bunch of liquor on top the fridge, which you're welcome to -- seriously! (Robin took a bartending class once and thought it would be a great idea to buy a bunch of booze. We drink very little, so it's been just sitting there for a looong time.)
Thank you so much!!