It was seven in the morning when there was a crash of the front screen door and Irish appeared in the doorway with a parcel and a squirming Cornish Rex kitten under one arm. “You just got a parcel,” he said. “And someone’s excited.”

Of course, everything we do is exciting as far as Mei Mei is concerned.

“It’s the tunnel,” I said, wiping sleep from my eyes and tearing open the box. “I’m hoping it’ll keep her happy while I’m in Melbourne.” I was heading away for a month, and keeping Mei Mei from getting bored and destructive was on my mind.

After reading Miss T’s cat tunnel review we figured a crinkly toy tunnel might be a winner – after all, if Miss T’s somewhat more sedate cats will play with a toy, it’s almost a guarantee that our little bundle of mischief will have a go.

I pulled the brightly coloured disk from the box and untied the bows that held it together. Immediately the tunnel sprang into its full 130cm length and Mei Mei’s head started spinning around on her neck like Linda Blair in The Exorcist.

Best. Toy. Ever. Better even than a cardboard box! And that’s really saying something.

This is a much cheaper option than the stylish and sturdy Katzen Raschel Tunnel. It has two dangle toys at either end, and two holes for poking little heads out of. It also makes exciting crinkly noises that I suppose remind Mei Mei of the squeak of terrified rodents. All up, I call it a winner – it packs flat and is sturdy enough to be pounced on by an exuberant groodle puppy as well. My only complaint would be that it rolls over so that the dangle toys and holds are often floor-side down. But Mei Mei hasn’t complained once.RATING:
BUY IT: Devo’s Pet Products, Ebay
COST: USD$10.00/AUD $12.00