Help me out here...ideas for keeping a cat entertained

[Tina B and crew]

Willow is the only cat now and she actually is enjoying that status I do believe. When we had several cats in the house she was always the low one on the totem pole and contentedly sat in the background while everyone else did their thing. Don't get me wrong, she had play time and plenty of it away from the other cats...and she seemed content with her lot in life to a point. Ok, now that Frodo is gone and she is the only cat she has really come out of her shell. She is enjoying having her humans all to herself, is more vocal, plays like the wind and has become quite an amazing cat..ok, she was always an amazing cat, but it's good to see her be able to just let loose.

Here's my dilemma. I start classes tomorrow and between work and classes I'm gone most of the day. So is my hubby. So Willow is here alone and I'll be honest with you, I think she knows I'm getting ready to be gone. She gives me these looks when I leave like "I know this is going to be a regular thing, but I'd really rather you stay here and give me all the attention"...LOL So, I'm trying to find ways to make sure she doesn't get bored while I'm gone. When I'm in school I make sure she has a good play session before I leave in the morning and one when I come home at night. Her favorite play thing is a long ribbon belt that I drag and she chases...or she hides in her tunnel and I flip it over the edge and she bats at it. She LOVES that thing! But I need ideas on how to keep her entertained while I'm gone since she can't play with the ribbon without a human. She has windows she can sit at and watch the squirrels, turkey and deer. She has different levels she can jump too (by the way of bunk beds in the back room). I have one of those round kitty toys with the ball in it for her to knock around and she has two tunnels to play in. I can't put a cat condo in here because their is not enough room. Anything you can think I could do with the bunks? Any safe toys to leave out for her while I'm gone? I don't want her to get too bored and depressed. I miss her when I'm gone all day so I know she misses me, but it can't be helped at this point.

[Cindy]

She will probably sleep a lot while waiting for you

Maybe tie the ribbon belt to the back of a wooden chair so it can hang and she can swat it?

[Traci]

I wouldn't suggest leaving any ribbon/belt/whatever out without supervision. When cats get energy spurts, they can really hurt themselves and get tangled in these quickly and without a parent there, .......

Actually, Tina, it sounds like all of her favorite things you already have out for her are sufficient. In addition to these, I would simply suggest leaving the tv on (low sound), or a radio playing softly. And, if you have an answering machine on your phone, call once or twice a day and "talk to her"

[Tina B and crew]

I guess I have guilty mommy syndrome I feel like I'm abandoning her and if you could hear here when I come home. She won't let me get my shoes off before she's running to me and giving me pressies and meowing like crazy saying "mommy, mommy...play with me, play with me...play with me NOW"!!! And if I don't play with her now she gets up on the arm of the couch and crouches there in that little kitty crouch position that they do, looking like a vulture waiting to pounce as soon as I get up and get her favorite ribbon belt to play. Wouldn't you know, a toy that isn't even a real cat toy and it's the favorite.

Ok...if you think she's OK then I'll leave it at that. I'm sure Willow will come on here and let you all know if I'm lax in my duties due to too much studying.

[Traci]

I know how hard it is, yes, yes, yes I do.

She really should be fine, but you'll be able to know in the first few days of your absence, she'll either drive you insane or be indifferent, the latter because she's mad at you.