Painter's mouse
A painter's mouse is like a tiny distraction for cats, so the painter can do their job without being hissed at or clawed.
The painter threw the mouse. The cat pounced. The painter painted. The cat purred.
The mouse was a godsend. The cat stopped barking at the painter. The paint job was perfect.
The painter said, 'I'd rather fight a mouse than a cat any day.'