Last night I decided to use the fireplace. Arthur didn't find ANY comfort in the warmth

[Siwsan]

It was very cold, last night so I thought why not warm up the den with the fireplace and sleep on the sofa bed.

Arthur jumped up next to me and meowed, meowed, meowed. It was like he was saying 'Umm, Mom? Did you notice the HOUSE IS ON FIRE!?!?!?!?'

I think it was the noise from the fireplace insert fan that was scaring him.

I gave him some reassuring words and he settled down next to me, making sure to position himself so that I had one arm to hold him and the other to give him reassuring pets and scritches. It was a prolonged pet and scritch session. He fell asleep wrapped in my arms, watching the Djuma Dam Cam live streaming on the laptop.

Something tells me he's going to enjoy the next time I use the fireplace.

Of course, there's always the possibility I was being played.

[wnylib]

1. Poor little guy. A combination of

fire and noise was just too alarming for him.

Animals seem to have an instinctual fear of fire, at least until they learn which fires are ok.

Ember dislikes candle flames. She used to swat at them. At first I thought she was hitting them because they flicker and move. But then I noticed that she got anxious when she saw me take out matches to light one. She hadn't been playing with the flames. She was attacking them.

So, to protect her paws from getting scorched and to reduce the chances of her knocking over a candle when she hit it, I bought a container to burn candles in. It's a foot high metal cylinder with little holes in the sides to let out light and scent. Ember is ok with candles burning inside of it and leaves it alone. But, I still never leave one burning if I am going to be in another room. Don't want to take the chance that she might knock the whole thing on the floor.

[Siwsan]

2. Sophie and Boudicca used to settle down in front of the fireplace to absorb the heat

I used it just a few times, last year. Madoc and Gryff didn't seem too bothered but they stayed far clear until I closed the fireplace doors. Then they'd watch the flames through the windows.

I've always been afraid to burn candles - especially around Madoc. He pushes everything he can off of any flat surface he encounters.

[niyad]

4. My first kitties loved fireplaces. One of the girls would actually toast

herself from side to side as she lay directly in front. And they all loved candles and burning incense.

[wnylib]

5. Ember likes to knock things down, too.

That's why I never burn a candle unless I am nearby in the same room. She leaves the candle burning container alone, but I don't assume that she won't ever go after it.

I've never had a working fireplace, but have heard and read that cats like the warmth from them. Maybe it was just the fact that it was something different that bothered Arthur. And the noise.

Ember definitely does not like anything that burns or produces smoke. A friend of mine lit a cigarette when she was visiting. Ember swatted the lit end of it and later slapped it right out of my friend's hand. Better than a no smoking sign. She's a no smoking enforcer.

[DownriverDem]

3. Ours is

gas. I love when it is turned on.

[Mr.Bill]

6. Are you kidding about being played?

We get played by our cats and dogs every day.