Our Pawhut Double Heated Portable Indoor Cat Shelter House arrived today. We just realized how each of us was worried about the barn cats, who live in the basement during the coldest days of winter (we can’t have three dogs and two cats in our living room, even if the cats wanted to share their space with dogs.)

It is comfortable down there and warmer than outside. There are windows for light and mice to chase and eat. We feed them twice a day.

They are pretty happy down there, but we couldn’t shake feeling queasy about them having any sun or other way of being warm when it’s – 15 or colder outside. We are so glad now.

But still, it’s a basement, chilly and dark in most places. The cats seemed content, but we felt worse and worse as this brutal cold spell hit. This weekend features a cyclone bomb storm and frigid temperatures.

We are impressed with the Pawhut heated house. Its walls and roof are made of fiber and foam, and there is a window on the front and the back for ventilation. I notice it’s already sold out on Amazon, so we are not the only people with this idea.

I imagine this would work well for cats in a chilly or drafty house as well as a basement.

The Indoor Pawhut is light and straightforward for anyone to put together. There is easily room for two cats, I think three might be pushing it. And the two windows, one in front, one in back, assure healthy ventilation.

The bottom is a heated think strip inserted in a soft lining; it needs an extension to read the nearest plug. Velcro straps tie it all together.

It took Maria about four minutes to assemble it, and we both went into the basement to see how Flo and Minnie would take to it. I’d be surprised if it weighs eight pounds.

Whoever put it together knows cats. Flo stuck her head in the minute she saw it but didn’t go in. She can probably sense the heat, knowing her.  This is the Palace Hotel next to the woodshed.

We left them alone and came back to check on them a few minutes later, and Minnie was inside, happy to sit on the warm pad. She figured it out right away.

Flo will follow suit shortly since the two of them sleep curled up around one another.

I don’t know why we didn’t t think of this earlier, but better late than ever. The house cost $139 including shipping.

This week we got some new things that mattered: a very comfortable mattress, a tea warmer, Sake cups, and I just gave Maria two more heavy winter socks from L.L. Bean for her birthday.

This winter surprised us with the severity of the cold, and more is arctic air is on the way.  I’m dreaming of my flower garden in the Spring.

We’ve done everything we can do to make our animals – and us –  dry, well-fed, and warm.

That’s what being a steward is all about, I think. We have to speak for them.