The Skinny on Dust Bunnies

by Sweetie, concerned, yet intrepid warrior against invading dust bunnies, leaves and other detritus.

Good morning dear friends.  
Oooo, that's such a great word, detritus.  Sounds so much better than stuff! But, I digress from my topic for today.  

I must tell you, I've been fighting a losing battle. Not that I'm giving up or throwing in the towel, but this issue is monumental, even somewhat overwhelming.

Are you aware that dust bunnies multiply faster than the cute little nose-wrigglers they're named after?  You aren't?  Well, let me tell you... THEY DO!!

I, Sweetie, spend most of my night-time hours chasing the insidious little beasties.  Of course, that's how I earn my room and board.  I'm not one of those chubby layabouts who expect 5 squares a day and in return flop onto my back for tummy rubs expecting to be payed for my cuteness. Nor am I a Queen or Princess to be waited on all day long.  I earn my keep. But again I digress.  

Dust bunnies... now, where was I going with this?   Oh yes. chasing the beasties.  If you will remember our very first blog was about invaders of a different sort.  Those critters flew at eye level, (Grammy's that is!) and insidious too... Oh, I won't repeat that story.  You can read about those flitters here.  These current invaders are silent floaters... they hover just above the floor, hide under furniture and come out to attack ankles, brooms and cats when you least expect it. ​

---

​I must say they are brave.  Braver than most cats. I've even seen a couple of them circling Grammy's feet in an attempt to trip her. If she ever landed on them they'd be goners.

And that greedy gobbler... they don't fear it either, until it's too late.  They are daring, I must say!  And yet, they haven't learned from their mistakes!  Why?  Because not enough escape that eating machine to adapt AND those that do are too busy repopulating their world.

In our house, well okay, our condo then!  In our condo there are no soft cosy carpets, mats or other accoutrement to warm kitty feet as we walk across the floors.  Oh, there's one set down for after a shower but then it is lifted again.  And I mustn't forget one inside each door for wet footwear. But those don't count. Nothing kept on the floor beside the bed for cold mornings, no livingroom/diningroom rug.  Nada!  Why?  Because we have a klutzy Grammy and have to keep the old girl safe.  Yep!  That's the truth.  And talk about keeping her safe... here's the skinny.

What do rugs and carpets have to do with dust bunnies?  Well just this.  They help control the population somewhat.  With no carpet DBs (dust bunnies) roam free and take full advantage of air currents to get from room to room. But, carpets are the original Velcro to the wee critters.  Float over a carpet and suddenly they get sucked down and held onto until they get stepped on or die of starvation.  Then the gobbler eats their dead carcasses.  It is a voracious omnivore and a scavenger so to him all is fair game, dead or alive.  AND we kitties know that.  That's why we scatter when he exits his prison cell for his hour in the 'yard' so to speak.  

Again I digress.  So back to those dust bunnies. Since there's nothing to stop them we kitties see them making their rounds, peaking out from under furniture - book cases, futon, armoires and bed.   Oh, and the fridge and stove.  We think they like the dispersed heat, especially under the fridge and the extra headroom beneath the stove.  The odd daring one or two will float on past Grammy to tease her but she's obliviously got her nose stuck in knitting or her computer.  

I give chase to them but without the carpet's help they are difficult to capture as they furl and slip into the nearest nook or cranny.  The Queen, Princess and Chubby layabouts could not care less... let them furl, unfurl, curl and wind their way around the condo.  No skin off their noses! But they should care!!!   They aren't thinking!

One day those DBs could smarten up and  amass an army under the furniture.  Then one day full battalions of them could trip and overpower Grammy, devouring her in revenge.   Then who's going to feed us!  Huh?

Comments are most welcome, as always. 

---