I've decided not to declaw the cats.

I read up on the matter on lots of sites both for and against the procedure and I just won't do it. As far as I am aware and as far as these sites describe the procedure involves removing a bit of the cat's toe... I don't know how I thought it was done before but I thought it was more like pulling out a finger nail or something... I dunno.

So I have devised a couple of plans to work around my cats and their little dagger fingers.

For $20 I can order a set of Soft Paws. Basically they are press on fingernails for cats but they are supposed to prevent damage from clawing.

I can also take the kitchen table legs that Ed is so fond of scratching and turn them into scratching posts. The table is going to be discarded anyway... why not put some of it to good use?

What really got me though was reports of cats no longer using their litter box after the procedure because it hurt them to dig in it.... I don't know about you but I would rather put up with scratching than I would missing the litter box.

So yeah. Tomorrow bright and early I'll be calling the Vet to cancel the procedure.