I really dont think I was being deliberately unhelpful KP!
I used to think , like Kathy, that the new arrival would be like a tennant
and would live to certain rules. Stay off a particular chair, stay off a
part of a certain setee and not climb up curtains. Oh Boy! Did I get a rude
awakening!
This was NO tenant who would obey rules.
THIS was a Law unto herself.
THIS - was a little 3 week old furby that didn't just talk back.
She would disappear for hours at a time - suddenly re-appear at a time when
hunger or the need for a cuddle prompted it or when bedtime arrived.
GET USED Kathy - to kitty climbing up beside you in bed - snuggling into
your ampit for a lick at your salty sweat and then YOU get a smoochy kiss
and a cuddle before settling down for a sleep - BEWARE of having  another
human sleeping partner - JEALOUSY happens. I know.
BEWARE of the little animal ambushing you just when you are ready to go out
for the night! - Ripped tights! - scratched legs!
Take on a little animal - you got a DAMN sight more to think about than
furniture!
She NEEDS to play - IGNORE that NEED - and you might as well not have a cat
at all.
IF you DO ignore the little one's needs - you would be like my brother's
wife - just have a cat(s) to wear like a false jewellery.
Please THINK LONG and HARD before taking a small Animal into your home.

I'd LOVE to think that Kathy and her wee animal will have as good a
relationship as I've had with my own wee 'Doughball' but I wrote to my own
brother recently concerning his wife's treatment of their own two older
doughballs.
Those little furballs are treated abominably since that family suddenly got
more affluent in the last couppla years - my Brother has no time for the
cats and barely tolerates them. His missus (wife) USED to think them the
centre of her life, but since human babies arrived, the cats are frequently
locked out at night _ even during the day - unkempt - never brushed any
more - kept OUT of the Living room because of the new Leather furniture
bought to impress visitors (And impossibly uncomfortable)
His wife now wears the image of being an "Animal Lover" like cheap jewellery
to impress others. The cats go uncared for and unloved.  No wonder the poor
buggers ignore them all now, snarl and spit at them all.
My own furniture has been ripped, shredded - peed on and so much more by my
own little bundle of fur.
I used to have HUMAN flatmates that were LESS considerate.
The Doughball KNOWS when I'm mad at that. She never repeats a wrongdoing -
but STILL - if left alone for too long - she deliberately sh.ts on my bed. I
have to accept that as a small punishment for leaving her for as long a
time.
Katy should get a "Play Station" for her kitty - spend QUALITY time with the
wee thing and show it WHERE to scratch - have lots of strings and other toys
for the wee thing and Katy to chase round about and HOPEFULLY - eventually -
to ignore that expensive furniture.
My own doughball's "Travel Carriage" - OK - Cat Box - although she
associates it with going to the vet - the box is placed UP on a table in the
"best room" and she enjoys going in there for her "Hide and seek"
playtimes - and for me to chase her from with a big feather duster.
LIFE with a Cat - is what you BOTH make it - just DONT base it on the cost
of furniture and people who can't appreciate what little furballs are all
about.
You'll get FAR more Joy and Love from kitty if you just accept her as a
flatmate to share your (Nice) world with.
Finally - get a 'Magic Duster' that picks up Cat hairs. They get
EVERYWHERE - even in the sugar and Butter pots.
HUGHIE.

You all act like I don't love my cat! Her name is baby and I have had
her almost 3 years....She has her own bed and she sleeps on the
furniture while I am gone to work. She gets anything she wants. I am not
concerned about my furniture, but a friend had given me a new afgan she
had made and I put it on the couch....baby loves it....I guess I will
just put it in my bedroom and close the door.Thanks for all your advice
and some misdirection to me. I love my Baby Girl!!