Cat-sicle Anyone?

My poor little puffballs just can't find any relief from the heat. At least not yet. My Mom being the Absolute SUPERMOM that she is found an ac for me and the boys, PURCHASED it and then had it shipped. She is an absolute dream.

However, until Wednesday when the new portable unit arrives, these are our options.

I was looking inside my fridge, not really for anything in particular, enjoying the cool air, when I realize Albert has plopped down at my feet and Elvis has his head down in the freezer. If that's what they need to cool off, it's well worth a few melted ice cubes.

Poor babies.

Ummm, please don't ask about the sanitary-ness of this one. I was holding Albert while looking for a popsicle and he LEAPED out of my arms and plopped right down into the empty section of the freezer next to the frozen hamburger patties. We lead an interesting life. And no, I did not leave him in there ;o)

FYI: It's Hot

I was sitting on the couch and caught a slight movement in the hallway from the corner of my eye. It was Elvis' toe. He was sleep running on his back. He woke up as I was taking the picture, but you get the jist. I have no idea what that face he's making means. He's an odd one.

P.S. It's at this junction in the hallway that the wind from four of the 5 fans I have running converge. This has become the boy's new sleeping place. I tried to find a portable ac today with no luck. Two Home Depots, a Lowes, one Target and a Best Buy later, I returned home empty handed. Ugh. And it's only going to get hotter.

Question and Answer Time

Question: It's getting really hot and I have no ac and the boys are super furry and it just seems like a recipe for disaster. Remember, I live on the top(3rd) floor of an ancient building and heat rises. Other than fans, does anyone have any stay cool summer tips for cats that they would like to share?

I keep a towel in the freezer and periodically take it out and let one or both of the kitties lay on it.

I also put ice cubes in their water.

I have fans strategically placed all over the apartment but the cats, mainly Elvis, are intimidated by the noise. It creates somewhat of a breeze, but a warm one if you know what I mean.

I keep the windows cracked when I am gone and wide open when I am home.

Shades always down.

I am just wondering what my options are. I might just break down and get a window unit ac or, and no one yell at me(too loudly), see if they are candidates for a haircut. Has any one out there ever had their pet shaved. Albert's fur is so dense, and his ears and nose get so warm, I just start to worry about him. So, to shave or not to shave, ac unit or no. Any tips, suggestions, or "OMG never shave your cats,"all advice will be welcome. The phone lines are officially open.

P.S. Although it has been in the upper 80's and 90's the past couple of days, that is not the norm for this time of year. I woke up today and and the high was supposed to be 74. I'm probably being overcautious, but whatever. Better safe than sorry. Besides, how cute would Albert look with the "lion" cut? Just kidding. Sort of.