Cats and Clocks do not mix well!

[bchaps]

Yesterday, I received a panic call from a friend and client who inherited a very nice 1960's tall case clock two years ago. At that time I overhauled the movement and helped him secure it to the wall, because the middle area is open and his two cats were fascinated with the pendulum and weights. I did warn him that cats do not make for good running clocks. Sure enough, within the first month, the movement was knocked badly out of beat....cats liked the weight well!

But yesterday, the call was different. the clock had been temporarily moved onto a hardwood floor in the dining room while the hall was being painted. Since the move was temporary, the clock was wedged into a corner and not secured to the wall. The clock would appear to be quite stable with a base measuring approximately 14" X 24". All the client can tell me is he heard a loud "CRASH" and found his clock laying at a 45 degree angle against an adjacent hutch after it slid off the dining room table. The floors are solid and not sloped. His only conclusion: the cat somehow pushed the clock out of the corner. Fortunately, the damage was minor and can be repaired. But a lesson for all, when there are active pets or children in the household.

[doc_fields]

My cat and dog used to take short cuts under my test stand, stopping the pendulums where they passed. That doesn't happen anymore now! That also explained unexplainable stoppages in the clocks when I thought all was well!........................doc

[shutterbug]

All the client can tell me is he heard a loud "CRASH" and found his clock laying at a 45 degree angle against an adjacent hutch after it slid off the dining room table.

You'll have to explain that part a bit more :D

I have a cat, and had to barricade him out of my shop room :)

[Scottie-TX]

Ailurophiles: Th' Cat's meow!

[Mike Phelan]

Ailurophiles: Th' Cat's meow!
Count me in, Scottie! Your avatar is obviously a clockwise one.

I've trained my mate Toby (see below) to leave the weights and chains on my cuckoo and BF alone, so he does, even though he sleeps near the BF at night.

[Dave B]

I have had to stop the cuckoos, with the weights pulled halfway up. I had them hanging in the hallway, and the dog's tail was catching either the chains, when the weights were at the top, or the weights, when the chains were at the top. She hasn't ever pulled one off the wall, but I am afraid that some day that might happen. I doubt they'd pass the bounce test.

[shutterbug]

I doubt they'd pass the bounce test.

The dog probably wouldn't pass it either :)

[Bruce Weeks]

I now also keep my cat out of the shop with a screen door closer that shuts it behind me if I am carrying something in both hands. She really like playing with the GF pendulums.

A long time ago I had a nice porcelain clock and a climbing cat. The clock was on the top shelf and he got behind it. It went down about 4 feet to the bench and while it didn't break, the "tweaking" caused cracks up from the feet on all four corners. I had an expensive lesson getting that one repaired by a porcelain expert.

That cat was always being found high up: top of the kitchen cabinets, step ladders, loft of the barn . . .

[Dave B]

The dog probably wouldn't pass it either :)
I doubt she'sd take kindly to being bombarded from above. :o
But I'd rather not subject her to that. :)

[harold bain]

I lost the bevelled glass out of a Becker mantel clock when my dog decided to chase the cat, and knocked a table over:o. I cut her some slack, she was a puppy at the time. She knows better now.

[laprade]

I had a pair of spinster clients who had a wonderful LC clock, which they wanted silenced.

Every time the rack lever dropped, their Jack Russell terrior would run into the dining room, sit in front of the clock, and as soon as it started to strike, the dog would start barking till it stopped. It wasn't very happy with the shorter hours, especially the "1". It would sit waiting for another ding, and eventually walk back to the sitting room with dissappointment.


Harold: I presume your dog now knows that there is a right time for everthing. (groan)

[Scottie-TX]

Yeah I know; My JIM BEAM Skye usedta do that too.

[Mike Phelan]

Tip: If any of your clocks are running too fast, make sure your cats or dogs don't have ticks! :eek:

[Steven Thornberry]

Tip: If any of your clocks are running too fast, make sure your cats or dogs don't have ticks! :eek:

I won't edit this post out, but it is tempting. That was bad! :thumbs_down:

[Mike Phelan]

I have to agree, Steven. Less than purrfect. |O

[Steven Thornberry]

I have to agree, Steven. Less than purrfect. |O

This'll teach you.

[Scottie-TX]

Hmmm; Yeah. Looks like a bad night at th' improv.

[Mike Phelan]

What's "improv", Scottie? :confused: I've only just mastered busboy!

[Scottie-TX]

pervert!

[Mike Phelan]

Hmmm ... I really must master US English - it keeps jumping out and biting me! :eek: There must be an alternative meaning for "mastered" and I still don't know what an improv is/are. :(

Back on topic, the cat on your avatar is very cold, and its total length is 39.14 inches. ;)

[Steven Thornberry]

If I remember, an improv is a place where wannabe entertainers got on stage and performed improvisationally (hence improv). It has now become a kind of nightclub where entertainment is provided by many, improvisationally or not. Am I right, fellas? I don't get out much.

[laprade]

I have just remembered, that in 71, when I bought my first LC clock, a sort of regulator, round white face, glass long-door, plain mahog case, with a carved crown on the hood top, 1 pound sterling (2.40 dollars).

The cat went missing, and we thought it had got out through the door of the shop.

My assistant then saw its tail hanging over the top of the clock hood. It slept there for the six months we had the clock. Never once upsetting its time keeping, when it jumped from a welsh dresser over to the clock hood!

If clocks have tics, do they get "Lyme's "desease?

[Mike Phelan]

If I remember, an improv is a place where wannabe entertainers got on stage and performed improvisationally (hence improv). It has now become a kind of nightclub where entertainment is provided by many, improvisationally or not. Am I right, fellas? I don't get out much.
Thanks for that, Steven. I'd never have guessed that! Don't think there's any equivalent here, but nightclubs are places I have always successfully avoided. :o

[laprade]

Mike,

They've got something worse; Karaoki!

The only clocks I know that do Karaoki, are cuckoo and trumpeter.