Some sad news. Bonkers, the black cat that brightened the lives of my son and his family, left this world suddenly yesterday. My son was naturally upset when he phoned to tell me, and my daughter-in-law must be sad because Bonkers had been her cat for a number of years. I always enjoyed giving that black cat a stroke whenever I saw her, she was a good ol’ cat with a sweet temperament. It’s a shame that I cannot download the snapshots I have of her on my phone/camera. Goodbye Bonkers, I’ll miss you. _________________________
Kennedy Airport has a problem. It has a large population of feral and stray cats. The cats got there because uncaring owners let them loose on the airport's 5,000 acres. Others are likely to be descendants of pets lost by passengers.
Airport management say the cats are a danger to the millions of passengers who use the airport because the food, put out by caring workers, attracts birds that might get sucked into aircraft engines. They are also concerned about the cats spreading disease. Birds being sucked into engines is a danger it can cause a plane to crash so it is right that the management want to control the cats. How they want to do it is not.
Animal Care and Control, an agency selected by the Port Authority to round up the cats, acknowledges that any cat not readily adoptable will be killed. Since most feral cats cannot be socialized, the stark reality is that a death sentence is waiting for hundreds of those cats. Airport management could instead accept offers of help from animal rescue groups, including the ASPCA. These groups have had success with trap/neuter/release policies, which stabilize the cat population through sterilization, which means that it reduces over time. Read the full story here - Sorry, news story no longer available. _________________________
Who knows when it was that collecting cat plates became popular, but cats, of course, have long been much loved household pets and put together with the interest in collecting plates, you have a subject with millions of devotees. Cat Plates
Wednesday 8th November 2007
When Mr. and Mrs. Davies and their 23 year old son moved into their new home in Gwersyllt, North East Wales they found that as well as the house they had also acquired Barney a six year old black cat. Barney had been left behind by the previous owners and proved to be very lucky for the Davies.
The family had only been in the house six days and were all asleep upstairs when a fire broke out in the kitchen due to an electrical fault on the cooker. Barney usually kept himself downstairs but that night he raced up the stairs and made as much noise as he could and managed to wake up the son. The house was filled with smoke and fumes from burning plastic but due to the heroic efforts of the back cat everyone managed to get out safely.
Barney was named ‘Cat of the Year’ at a ceremony in London in February 2003. The honor was given to the cat by the Cats Protection League an organization which rescues and re-homes unwanted and abandoned cats. _________________________
Kittens should never be taken from their mother (to be re-homed) younger than eight weeks, many vets in fact recommend a minimum of twelve weeks. It is very possible that a kitten will be weaned before eight weeks but will still need the time with mom to learn how to get on with other cats and those strange creatures called humans. Also kittens parted from their mothers too early will likely try to nurse on themselves, on fabric and on humans. _________________________
Cats can work out mathematically the exact place to sit that will cause most inconvenience.- Pam Brown.
Sunday 4th November 2007
Hearing aids for cats? Yes apparently there are such things (quite expensive at around $1000.) Some cats are born with impaired hearing, often white cats with one blue eye are totally deaf. Loss of hearing may be the aftermath of a serious infection in the cat’s inner or middle ear.
Often though, hearing loss is just due to the cat getting older and this is a gradual loss that cats adapt to very well by using other senses, such as smell, to compensate. So well do cats cope with this gradual hearing loss that humans may not notice until their cat is completely deaf.
A cat that has completely lost his or her hearing may sleep for longer than used to be the case. The cat may startled by your touch because it did not hear you approaching, it may meow loudly because it can’t hear itself doing so. It is important that cats with hearing loss should be kept indoors, even if they have been allowed outside all their lives. Outside there is too much danger for a deaf cat that could not, for example, hear approaching traffic. _________________________ Wishbone, a two year old chocolate point Siamese, is just fascinated by that printer! _________________________
A cat that is permitted to roam outside has the chance to satisfy climbing urges on fences and trees and the like. But what can an indoor only cat can do except to make use of your furniture, and in doing so leave a few scratch marks and maybe knock things down to the floor. Cat climbing trees give indoor only cats a place to satisfy their climbing urges without upsetting their humans. Of course many cats that can go outdoors also appreciate cat climbers even though they have many places they can climb outside. Why? Well cats are cats. Cat Climbing Trees. _________________________
Here they are, those cute and cuddly irresistible kittens, and they are all waiting for you in the pages of 2008 Kitten Calendars
Wednesday 31st October 2007
I never expected that. I’d left a couple of messages for my son Martin, on his home phone and his cell phone, but pretty much as usual I didn’t hear back from him. He works for himself and is pretty busy most of the time, at least that is his excuse for not phoning. This time I decided to be pig headed and wait it out until he phoned reasoning that if he can’t find time to phone his old dad . . .
Well eventually he did phone with some news . . . I’m to be a granddad yet again :-) I can’t believe it, this will be number five. You can imagine how happy I am. I’m going to see him, my grandson Jacob and my son’s girlfriend (whom I will congratulate) on Sunday. Life is great. _________________________
Enjoy Halloween tonight but please make sure your cat is safe. Cats and Halloween Safety _________________________
Here’s a terrific submission to the Your Funny Cat Pictures page - Baldy. Enjoy it and don’t forget to share your own funny cat pictures. _________________________
Constipation in cats is not too uncommon. A cat should not strain at the litter box, if it does it is a sign that something is wrong. Feline constipation could be a symptom of something serious or something simple such as a lack of fiber in your cat's diet. Other possible causes include metabolic and hormonal concerns such as low potassium, intestinal scars or problems due to medication the cat is taking - Feline Constipation
Sunday 28th October 2007
Evidence suggests that cats have a memory recall of sixteen hours, cats are able to remember tactics and use intelligence to reason their way out of extraordinary situations. In fact only monkeys and chimps and perhaps a few humans, have a higher IQ than cats! _________________________
Anna believes that it is not a question of you choosing your cat or your cat choosing you. . . You and the cat choose each other. _________________________
Cats cannot tell us what is upsetting them but there are many ways in which they can show their anxiety. A cat excessively grooming, perhaps to the point of causing hair loss, may be giving an indication that she is finding something to be stressful. On the other hand if a cat that normally keeps itself well groomed suddenly looses interest in cleaning her coat, this also may be a sign of stress. Refusing food may be a sign of stress, (although there are many medical reasons a cat may refuse to eat.)
Aggression from a normally sociable and well-behaved feline, whether towards you or other humans, or other of your cats or pets, is often a big clue that your cat is stressed. _________________________
Global warming gets blamed for lots of things such as melting polar ice caps and diminishing fish stocks. Sitting here on a rather chilly autumn evening I could do with a bit of warming but I’ve no doubt that it is a subject that must be treated seriously.
Here is something else that apparently can be blamed on global warming. An article written for Live Science says that the increase in temperatures could be the cause of increases in world wide cat populations. It is true that many shelters across the globe are reporting an increased intake in of cats and kittens. Cats are ordinarily warm spring weather breeders but due to rising autumn and winter temperatures they are becoming year round breeders. And that sadly means more and more people bringing kittens into shelters including in the wintertime.
Whether due to global warming or not the sad fact is that animal shelters are filled with unwanted kittens and cats and we know the usual fate of cats that do not have homes found for them. All of this could be avoided if only more people neuter their cats, it’s as simple as that. Then it would not matter how much the world warms up, there would be less stray and feral cats for which there really is little hope. _________________________
Not long now till the ghosties and ghoulies come out! Halloween Cat Pictures. _________________________
Litterboxes get old. Most boxes are made from one sort of plastic or another and over time will begin to absorb smells, particularly the odor of your cat’s urine. If this happens it does not matter how fastidious you are at keeping the box clean unfortunately your cat will still smell the urine odors and be repelled by them. If your cat suddenly starts going where she shouldn’t after happily using a litterbox for years the reason could easily be that the box has passed its smell by date. Cat Urine Problems.
Sunday 21st October 2007
PE of New York was walking in the park when he saw a black cat sitting in a tree. The cat gave PE a ‘scary look’ and the next day PE’s car got towed. Are black cats a bad omen? PE thinks they may be, what do you think? Leave a comment here or share your own black cat story. _________________________
Have you ever noticed your cat furiously licking herself after missing her footing when jumping off a piece of furniture, or taking some sort of tumble? Yes, it seems cats do feel embarrassment when they goof and often employ a quick licking session to cover it up. Much like humans really. OK we don’t lick ourselves but we do often use diverting tactics to hide embarrassment.
Lucky for cats that they don’t make as many mistakes as us humans do. Cats are very dexterous and sure footed so don’t take a tumble that often. In their feline world they rarely attempt to do things that they are not capable of doing so don’t embarrass themselves much. If they were human they’d be almost constantly licking themselves, bringing up hair balls and no doubt soon suffer from cat hair loss. _________________________ From now until the midnight witching hour, October 31 Site Sell are offering their Halloween Special. Subscribe to one SBI site at the regular price and get a second site at just a spooky $100.
If you have been thinking of changing your life with SBI now could be the time to do so. Half of SBI! owners own more than one SBI! site, an astounding success statistic in itself - so you just might want to save that second site for yourself – or - give it to a friend or spouse or colleague, Change your life, AND that of someone close to you, for the better. Halloween Special
Wednesday 17th October 2007
Thinking of getting another cat? You might consider getting an Ashera priced at a mere $22,000 with any applicable sales taxes on top of that! Yes if you want one of these exclusive designer cats that's what it will set you back.
Like Savannah Cats these felines are a cross of the African Serval and a domestic cat, only this time an Asian Leopard cat is added to the mix which all go to produce a kitty that has both stripes and spots and weighs up to 30lbs.
Ashera kittens are hand delivered to their new owners, cost of delivery is $1,500 if you are within the United States, anywhere else will cost you extra. Alternatively you could choose a beautiful loving kitty at your local rescue center and donate that $22,000. _________________________
What to see a magnificent cat striking a funny pose? Then take a peep at the latest post in the Funny Cat Pictures section. Thanks to K.K. of Ventura, California for sharing her photo of Weeka with us. _________________________
There is still a bit of 2007 left but folks are snapping up cat calendars, doing a spell of early gift shopping perhaps? Or perhaps folks are bagging those gorgeous calendars of cats for themselves so they don’t get left out, who knows. Black cat calendars, ginger cat calendars, Maine Coon calendars, tabby cat calendars, all kinds of fabulous cat calendars.
Sunday 15th October 2007
Another cat rescued from a tree, cats have no problem getting up trees but when it is time to get down . . . Calvin the cat went squirrel hunting and got himself in trouble stuck high in an oak tree. Jennifer Carello, the owner of the property where the oak stands heard Calvin's cries but could not locate him as it was dark. The next morning Calvin was seen clinging to the tree, not just a little way up of course but thirty feet up!
Ms. Carello tried the volunteer fire service, the phone company, her neighbors and anyone that she could think of to get someone to rescue the cat, all to no avail. But then she found a man with spikes on his boots and after about 20 minutes of climbing Calvin the cat was rescued. Here is the full story - Rescuer scales oak to save fearful feline. _________________________
Here it is the new page of female cat names. If you are naming a female cat take your pick from Aaralyn to Zoot you are bound to find one to suit your cat. Female Cat Names _________________________
Black and white photographs with their sharp contrasts or infinitely varying shades of gray can be amazingly beautiful. Of course glorious Technicolor is splendid too but think of all those black and white films made in the forties and how atmospheric they are. No less so with black and white cat photo art. A cute kitty photographed in monochrome makes a handsome picture. Cat Photo Art _________________________
Cat Angels Pet Adoptions is a new cat and kitten rescue and adoption shelter in Cary NC. They are an all-volunteer no-kill shelter. Every one of their cats and kittens has been spayed or neutered and is completely vaccinated, tested for Feline Leukemia or FIV, and dewormed. They have a Lifetime Return Policy for all of their cats and kittens.
Darrell, one of the shelter’s volunteers has created a promotional video for the shelter and asked me if I thought the visitors to best-cat-art would like to see it. I couldn’t resist posting it here for two reasons, one is that the shelter is doing a grand job and deserves the support, secondly – the calico cat named Pooki, right near the beginning of the video, looks very much like my son’s girlfriend’s kitten :-)
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In 1996 firefighters were called out to a blazing abandoned garage in Brooklyn, New York. As they were getting the fire under control one of the firefighters noticed a cat carrying he kittens away from the fire one at a time. The cat had been severely burned by the fire but that did not stop her from repeatedly returning to rescue her kittens. Her eyes were blistered shut, so she could not see her kittens so she touched each one with her nose, when she was sure that she had saved them all she collapsed unconscious to the ground.
The brave cat and her family were taken to a veterinary clinic where they were treated. Sadly one of the kittens died of a virus a month later. It took three months of treatment and recovery before Scarlett, as she had been named, and her kittens could be adopted.
The North Shore Animal League created an award for animal heroes in honor of Scarlett. The award is presented to animals that have performed heroic acts to benefit other animals or humans. _________________________
Cat clocks are fun and they can cheer you up, just like cats themselves! How often during your day do you need to look at the clock. Is it time to leave for work yet? Time for lunch? Time to go pick up the kids from school? . . . tick tick tick tick tick . . . . Is it time for this, time for that.
Yes, you spend a good chunk of your time looking at that old timepiece. If you are a cat lover, and how could anyone not be? Wouldn’t it be so much better to look at a cat clock?
Sunday 7th October 2007
As I was going to St. Ives I met a man with seven wives And every wife had seven sacks And every sack had seven cats And every cat had seven kits Kits, cats, sacks, wives How many were going to St. Ives?
I guess that we all know this children’s rhyme/riddle. The answer is usually taken to be one as only the teller of the tale states he is going to St. Ives. But the man with seven wives could have been going there as well, in which case the answer would be . . . err, a very large figure indeed! Just the sort of large figure that lawyers like to charge, and as it happens, the patron saint of lawyers is . . . St. Ives!
St. Ives appears in portraits with a cat at his side, and has sometimes been depicted as a cat. I can’t find any explanation as to why, perhaps it is because cats are thought to be crafty and cunning. Then again, when lawyers pick up their large checks they must feel like the cat that got the cream. _________________________
What do you think of this black kitten ? Isn’t he gorgeous. You can leave your comments right on the page. _________________________
Coming soon, a page of female cat names. I’ve had a page of male cat names on this site for a little while now so I suppose it’s time I redressed the balance. Of course, you can name a female kitten with any female name you like, such as Jill or Jane, but sometimes you want something a little unusual or a name that suits your cat’s personality.
Wednesday 3rd October 2007
Why is there no mouse flavored cat food? Is an old gag, but it does lead me to ask another question . . . “Why is there fish flavored cat food?” You could answer “Because cats like fish, you dummy!” And indeed most cats do, but why should that be?
Some of our domestic cats ancestors must have lived near rivers and streams but most would not have done, so how did they get the taste for fish? And cats (mostly) do not like water! This question has puzzled me for some time, so out on the WWW I went to fish for some answers.
Okay, the information can be a little confusing so I hope I’ve got this right. The African wildcat, the European wildcat and the Asian steppe cat which are all taken to be the ancestors of domestic cats, do not have fish in their diets. The Jungle cat, not taken to be an ancestor of domestic cats, does included fish but it mainly eats rodents.
So why then does your cat like fish? The answer must be that fish was introduced to cats by man. After all fish smells strongly so cats probably did not need much persuasion.
Fish for cats as an occasional treat is fine, usually they love it, and indeed some cats become absolutely hooked on caned tuna, but fish should not be their only food or even the main part of a cat’s diet. Fish do not contain enough taurine, which can mean a vitamin E deficiency that can produce an inflammation of the fat tissue in your cat’s body. _________________________
A celebration drink tomorrow night, an old mate has just become a granddad. Long gone are the years when all my mates were getting married and the years when they were celebrating the arrival of their first born. Now it’s our children that are having children. Time moves on, and on. _________________________
It used to be thought that instances of heartworm in cats are rare. Today it is realized that, although felines stand less of a chance of infection than dogs, if a cat does get infected, it is usually far more devastating. This is because there is as yet no approved treatment for cats. Just a few adult worms can severely cripple a cat because of the cat’s small heart size. . . Feline Heartworm
Sunday 30th September 2007
Herodotus was a Greek historian from Ionia who lived in the 5th century and is often regarded as the Father of History. His journeys took him far and wide over the ancient world and he told many tales of ancient Egypt the land where cats were worshipped and revered.
According to Herodotus, the Egyptians were once at war with the Persians and the Egyptians were getting the better of the Persian army. In desperation the Persian general came up with a cunning plan. He sent his troops to capture as many cats as possible and release them on the battlefield. When the Egyptians saw the number of their worshipped cats running lose they knew they could not fight without risking harming the felines. So they simply surrendered to the Persians! Now that really is treating cats with respect. _________________________
Is there soon to be a new baby in your house? In the run up to a new arrival it is easy to forget to give your cat the attention that she or he normally gets. Do your best not to let your cat feel it is being displaced and, even though you will have lots of extra things to do, try to find time to play with, groom and make a fuss of your cat. Remind others in the house to give kitty some attention.
On the other hand it is best not to give your cat too much extra attention because she will expect you to continue when baby is home and you won't have the time. Again others can assist when baby is with you, by giving your cat the attention that you wont be able to, that way both cat and baby can be kept happy.
A new baby in the house will mean many new sounds that may be unfamiliar to your cat. How will your cat’s reaction be to crying, squeals and gurgles? If you can, play recordings of baby noises when your cat is around, you may be able to tape the sound of a friend's baby. . . read more here - Cats and Babies _________________________
Here they are, those cute and cuddly irresistible kittens, and they are all waiting for you in the pages of Kitten Calendars
Wednesday 26th September 2007
What if you could teach a cat to talk - would you do it? What if a cat could not only talk but also hold conversations, question, discuss, harbor opinions, and gossip.
Saki did not think that it would be a good idea to teach a cat to talk. Saki was H. H. Munro, born in Burma and educated in England, he became famous for his humorous and satiric short stories. His mother was killed by a runaway cow in a country lane and so Saki was brought up by aunts who frequently used the birch and whip (nice aunties!) Saki's work is now in the public domain, and most of his stories are on the Internet. Nearly 100 years ago he wrote Tobermory the story of a particularly talkative cat. _________________________
‘Blue Peter’ is a very long running BBC children’s TV show. They held an online poll asking their viewers to name the show's cat and the popular choice was apparently Cookie. This name, for some reason, was rejected by the program’s editors and it was announced that the children had chosen the name Socks and so that was what the cat was called.
Cookie or Socks both great names for a cat but very bad of the editors to lie about the children’s choice. Considering all the wicked things going on in this world this story has been big news. Why the editors did what they did I don’t know, and agree that it was very wrong of them to do so but a cat is a cat and a name is a name . . . Blue Peter says 'sorry' over cat. _________________________
A couple of posts ago I mentioned that I was going to figure out how to download photos from my mobile (cell) phone, because I've got what I think is a great shot of Bonkers, my daughter-in-law's cat. Well technology still baffles me :-(I didn't manage to accomplish the task! To be fair to myself it could be this old computer that is to blame at least I'd like to think so. Shame because that photo would be ideal for a Funny Cat Pictures page. _________________________
There is a new cat at 10 Downing Street. Sybil, (yes the cat was named after Sybil Fawlty,) a black and white cat is the much-loved pet of the new Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling. The Chancellor, but not his family, has moved into the flat above 10 Downing Street from their home in Scotland. (What happened to 11 Downing Street being the traditional home of the Chancellor?)
Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife do not have a problem with the cat apparently and the cat will have plenty to keep her busy - there is said to be a mouse problem at both No 10 and 11. The last cat at No 10 was Humphrey, also black and white, who had wandered in during Margaret Thatcher's time in 1989. Humphrey stayed on during the Premiership of . . . err who was that bloke that was Prime Minister after Maggie Thatcher? You know who I mean, gray man dressed in gray, but was booted out by the Blairs the cat that is, not the gray Prime Minister.
A black and white cat back in No 10 and just last week Gordon Brown entertained Maggie Thatcher at his home! Coincidence?
Wednesday 19th September 2007
A couple of years ago I bloged about a news item concerning a psychiatrist who is claming a link between cat ownership and schizophrenia. The psychiatrist was investigating whether a parasite in cat poo could be one of the causes of schizophrenia. He says that people that suffer with schizophrenia were more likely to have had pet cats as kids, or their mothers kept cats during their pregnancies. I believe the theory remains unproven.
Well now it seems there is another report claiming that women who contract a particular parasite transmitted by cats may be sexier and more attractive! But, men who pick up the same parasite are grungy and grumpy! That one is easily disproved. Take me as an example, a man who likes cats and is extremely sexy and attractive, erhhhmp, not at all grungy and grumpy. Well perhaps one or two people have accused me of being a tad grouchy and I suppose when I’m not looking my best grungy might be a word that fits – but I’m sure that is nothing to do with cats. _________________________
Do you want a unique portrait of your cat? If you would like an oil painting that captures the very essence of your feline friend’s character and not just one of a cat of the same type and coat markings then Peggy Krizak can help you.
Saturday 16th September 2007
I was invited to go and see my granddaughters yesterday, yippee! My daughter-in-law had to put in an afternoon shift and the plan was that my son and I would play with the girls in the garden for a while, give them some lunch, put the two youngest up for a nap and then go to the park. The playing in the garden was fun but the girls (and granddad) got a bit over excited. Unfortunately Samantha had to be sent to her room by my son because she got a little out of hand, oh dear – temper tantrums!
Rebecca and Hayley were tired out of course and put to bed for their nap. This left a little time for my son and I to have a chat and catch up on some news. I also managed to capture a great shot of Bonkers the cat with my phone camera. If I can figure how to download from my phone (technology, it baffles me) I’ll submit the photo to the Funny Cat Pictures page.
Anyway, Samantha was allowed out from her room on the absolute promise that she would behave and my son went to wake the other girls. They were still tired right out so my son suggested that I take Samantha off to the park by myself. Now a granddad ought to be able to handle his five-year-old granddaughter, but I admit I was a little nervous seeing how she had been so stroppy earlier. I needn’t have worried; Samantha was a little angel, a proper little lady. She behaved perfectly and took care of her granddad. Even when it was time to go home there were no protests! What an enjoyable day I had. _________________________
Turkish Angora cats love to play, they are full of energy and enjoy racing about the place just for the sheer fun of it. These beautiful cats are born exhibitionists, and many an Angora cat has learned to do tricks. Many owners say that their cat opens closet doors, and some even say that their Angora can turn lights on and off! The Cats That Love to Play.
Wednesday 12th September 2007
Is your cat a howler? Does it drive you nuts? Some breeds are much more vocal than others of course, Siamese are well known for making themselves heard, but whether Siamese owners would describe it as howling is another question. Apart from the breed, cats are individuals and some will howl and some will not.
If your cat howls to get attention then who is to blame for that? Yes you. Harsh, but you have trained your cat to howl every time he or she wants to be made a fuss of. And it is difficult not to pet or cuddle your cat when she is making that noise, trouble is that cats are not silly and they will learn which behavior gets them attention.
So it is best not to respond to howling by giving your cat attention from the start and it will not become a problem. But what if the pattern is already established, can your cat be untrained? The good news is that you can, but it won’t be quick and easy. First thing is to stop rewarding your cat’s bad behavior. No matter how mad it drives you don’t pay attention to the howling, leave the room or put on some loud music. Get to know when your cat is about to start a howl and distract her attention; play with her using an interactive toy. Give your cat attention when she is not caterwauling never when she is. Over time you should be able to reduce the bad behavior if not stop it altogether.
Of course a female cat could be howling because she is in heat, the answer is of course to get her fixed but your cat, female or male, should be fixed anyway. What if howling is not usual behavior for your cat? What if your cat has a sudden bout of howling, could she be in pain? There is a chance that she is and if you cannot ascertain and end the cause then you will need to have a vet check your cat over. _________________________
Sue has sent in her story about Dotsy, her black cat If you enjoy Sue’s story why not give it a rating, leave a comment if you like. Why not tell us about your own black cat? You can do so at this page - Black Cats - just scroll to near the end of the page. We will love to hear about your mysterious (or not so mysterious) black cat.
Sunday 24th September 2006
A folk tale from Nigeria.
Why the Cat Kills Rats.
Long ago in the time when all creatures were friends there was a great and powerful king. This king had an old faithful cat that had been a favorite of his since he was a boy prince. The cat was charged by the king to guard the royal stores. The king also had in his service a young rat who was his house boy. The rat had fallen hopelessly in love with a young girl of the village, but felt that he, being a humble houseboy and also a rat, would not win the heart of the girl.
The rat thought of the royal stores and of the fact that the cat that guarded the stores was now very old. So the rat crept along to the royal stores and sure enough the old cat who should be guarding the stores was sound asleep. The rat stole some corn and sweet pears and made a gift of them to the young girl, who was suitably impressed.
At the month's end, the cat had to give an account of all the things in the royal store to the king. It was discovered that a lot of corn and sweet pears could not be accounted for and the king became very angry and demanded of the cat an explanation but the old cat could give none. The king relived the old cat of his duty of guarding the royal store saying that it saddened him that the cat had become a thief after all those years. The old cat went to live out his days in the village where he happened to see a young girl feasting on corn and sweet pears. The cat soon learned that it was the rat who had made the young girl a gift of the corn and sweet pears and the old cat knew what had happened. Without ado the cat found the rat and pounced upon him and killed him. And from that day to this whenever a cat sees a rat . . .
Ever hear of the Foldex breed of cat? No, neither had I. Apparently it is a cross of the Scottish Fold and Exotic Shorthair, hence FoldEx. The cat is said to have the folded ears of the Scottish Fold and to resemble an owl! (If you want an owl, get an owl, and if you want a cat get a cat is what I say, but. . .) These cats apparently have an agreeable temperament and are on the quite side. They have a round head, shortened neck and large bones.
Like with the Scottish Fold, a folded ear cat must be bred with a straight ear cat otherwise kittens with bone deformities will be produced. All the kittens are born with straight ears, at about four weeks roughly half of Foldex kittens ears will start to fold. _________________________
It really is quite spooky how the time rolls round. Halloween has crept up close once again, yes it is approaching that time of year, the time of shrieks and screams, of howling and halabaloo. Fun for us but maybe not so much fun for cats. Cats and Halloween
Friday 29th September 2006
Have you noticed your cat pawing the floor around her bowl after she has finished eating? Not all cats do this but it is a throwback to when cats were in the wild. They didn't always finish their meal in the one sitting and so they'd cover up or bury the remainder for later. Some of the 'big' cats do this, often their prey is quite large and too much for one meal, so they cover up what's left over so that it can't be smelled and discovered by other cats.
If you have a kitten or a litter of kittens running around your home exploring and investigating, please be extra careful with your refrigerator. Kittens are so quiet and so quick they can dart inside when you have the door open without you noticing. Little kittens cries are faint and refrigerator doors are thick, you would not know that the poor little thing is trapped until you next need the milk for that cup o' coffee. If she is not in there too long she probably won't suffer much more than a chill, but if kitty jumps in there just before you leave for the afternoon . . . _________________________
Have you left feedback telling me what you would like to read on this site yet? It will only take you a few seconds and will be a great help to know what folks want. What Would You Like To Read On This Site?
Cat psychology should help us recognize that when a cat misbehaves she is often only trying to tell us something. . .
Sunday 1st October 2006
My bones ache, every single one of them! I have also got scratches on my arms and grass stains on my jeans. You see, I have been doing something that I never do - gardening, and the hard work of today confirms why I never do it. But it was all part of a fantastic visit to see my son and my grandson who have just moved back into a house that they used to live in. Don't ask me to explain, it's far too complicated.
As soon as I arrived I was greeted with "Guess what granddad, we are going to do gardening." And that is exactly what my son had planned. It must be admitted that their back garden did need some work (it was in almost as bad a state as mine,) I don't think it had been touched since my son last lived there. I looked at the sky, rain clouds. And indeed there had been drizzle this morning, but that wasn't going to deter my son and my grandson from the task. I stalled by playing with Bluebell my son's beautiful part Birman cat, and she really is a beauty.
After about 10 mins of stroking and petting the cat I was more or less frog marched outside and put to work. We cut grass, we cut back bushes, we pulled things up, we carried things from here to there. We all tired ourselves out. " Do you fancy lunch at the pub?" asked my son. I readily agreed with this but forgot that we were out in the country, the nearest pub was a tramp across farms and fields. I can tell you I was more than ready for that Sunday roast when we eventually got to the Bricklayers Arms. The lunch was divine. My son and I enjoyed a couple of pints of cider, Jacob downed a couple of lemonades and then we made the long march back. I stayed awhile longer played with Jacob and the cat and then caught the train home. All in all a tiring but fantastic Sunday.
Tuesday 3rd October 2006
It's back! The is a certain cat book that I've had for more than a few years now, I'm always recommending it to people. I had noticed that it was out of stock at Amazon.com and began to wonder if perhaps it was now out of print which would have been a shame. But I'm pleased to see that the book is back on the (online) shelves. The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Cats doesn't go too deeply into any one aspect of cats but as a good all round read about felines you don't find many cat books as good as this Here's my review
"Cats, as a rule, don't like lawyers. They have great insight intohuman character" Kinky Friedman
Friday 6th October 2006
Cats do not like being stared at, they find it threatening. Often a cat will make for someone who doesn't like cats, yes there are such people, and avoid cat lovers. This is because folks who don't like cats will often turn their heads and not look directly at the cat, this makes the cat feel comfortable with them. Some people mistakenly believe that this behavior means that cats prefer people that do not like them. I've added this snippet to the cat myths page.
This is a very unhappy news story that fits in with the mention of the cat myths page. One myth this sad story exposes is that cats always land on their feet, they don't. Another is that cats always climb down from a tree if left alone. It is my belief that they usually do, but usually doesn't mean every time and this cat didn't. Some folks believe that firefighters will always come to the rescue of cats stuck up a tree. More and more often the firefighters are not allowed to turn out to rescue a cat because while they are doing that they cannot attend a fire, there is risk of the firefighters being injured and as said cats usually climb down from a tree if left alone. The story shows that this particular fire dept. does not rescue cats. Here is the story - Be careful if you're a cat in Santa Ana and get stuck in a tree
Sunday 8th October 2006
Things I have learned this fine Sunday. Freshly melted cheese on toast makes a heck of a mess when you drop it on the carpet. A mug of tea makes an equal mess when you knock it off the edge of the table when you bend down to clean up the cheese on toast. _________________________
I had an interesting email from a visitor to this site, they did not give their name. They have an 4 year old neutered male cat who has taken to jumping on their 8 year old neutered female cat and biting the back of her neck. They asked if this was 'dominance' behavior. I replied that I thought it probably was but couldn't offer too much information on the subject. Dominance behavior in cats is something that I will study up on, I'm sure that it will be a fascinating subject.
I do know that neutered male cats will sometimes 'hump' other male cats, doesn't mean that they are gay, it's all the "I'm the dominant cat" thing. When you think of it, cat mating is a pretty aggressive thing so no doubt the male thinks that he is dominant when he mounts the female. Even though a neutered male is no longer 'qualified' it seems he still wants to dominate other cats, of either sex, what better way than with sexual aggression? That does not seem to answer though, why many neutered cats 'hump' inanimate objects, pillows, cushions, furniture etc. Perhaps they want to dominate things as well as other felines. Hmmm, so much to learn about this. When I have the information I'll put up a "Why neutered cats hump" page.
No doubt that you have a few friends who do not like cats, cats are not their cup of tea. But there is a difference in not particularly liking cats and being downright afraid of them. There are folks that cannot stand even being close to a cat. They may start to perspire, have difficulty breathing and may become hysterical. They have a fear of cats.
Tuesday 10th October 2006
The great British war time leader and statesman Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965) absolutely adored his cats of which he had many during his long life. He apparently was found of other pets too, he was once seen working at his desk with a budgerigar perched on top of his head, a dog sleeping across his feet and a cat asleep on his lap.
Sir Winston received a ginger cat for his 88th birthday from a man whose nickname was Jock, so the cat too was christened Jock by Churchill, but also frequently referred to him as his "special assistant".
Jock had been with Sir Winston for only two years when the great statesman passed away in 1965, the cat was lying on his master's bed. But the cat was well provided for in Churchill's will, the states man decreed that there should always be a ginger cat called Jock at Chartwell (Churchill's stately home,) not just living there but in 'comfortable residence'. The present owners of Chartwell, the National Trust, have kept up Churchill's request the cat that lives there now is Jock 3 who by now must be a good age.
Sir Winston Churchill, great war time leader and great lover of cats. _________________________
Did you know that a healthy set of teeth and gums is essential for your cat's welfare. To help keep your cat's teeth strong and free from plaque, tartar and gum infections you need to routinely examine your cat's mouth and regularly clean her teeth. . . Cats Teeth
Friday 13th October 2006
Friday 13th, unlucky or not? I don't really believe in all that stuff but found myself taking extra care today (driving etc.) I wonder how careful I would be if I did believe in it, probably stay in bed all day ;-) _________________________
Here's a news story that I missed, it is dated 5 September 2005.
Cat in the pink. Hmm, interesting. If anybody ever found out why Brumas turned pink then I can't find any report about it. Seems this story caused some interest then faded away.
A prank? A hoax? A twisted sort of graffiti artist? The vet seems to rule out paint as the cat's fur was not matted but surely there are dyes (vegetable dyes perhaps) which would not mat a cat's fur. Apparently there was once a type of 'Oriental' cat in Thailand that was pink with a white band around its body.
I can't help it, I've got to sing it . . .
He's in the pink - the pink panther The rinky dink panther, and it's as plain as your nose, that he's the one and only, truly original, Panther-pink panther from head to toes!
Genetic Savings & Clone, a company set up in California to clone pets has gone out of business after cloning just two cats. They were hoping to charge up to $50,000 a time. The Humane Society of the United States is pleased that they have closed down and quite frankly so am I. If I understand it correctly, if a clone is produced from a deceased pet, the clone may not look exactly like the pet, but would likely have the same personality. I can understand someone missing a departed pet, and if that pet was a cat for example they would want to get another cat sooner or later.
Why not simply get a cat from a shelter. It would likely have a different personality than their lost feline but it would be lovable none-the-less. It would possibly save a great cat from euthanasia and save the cat owner $50,000. _________________________
It's very close once again. The time of ghosties and ghoulies, tricks and treats, witches and warlocks, pumpkins and candy and those spooky Halloween Cats
Tuesday 17th October 2006
It's fun to watch cats, they do such entertaining things, they are an animal that is both predicable an unpredictable at the same time, if that makes any sense ;-) Of course the best cat to watch is your own, but it is also fun to be entertained by other felines. And it is for this reason that I have obtained from a secret source, well YouTube actually, a collection of amusing cat videos just for your entertainment - Cat Video
The cat video page will be updated with new videos frequently and if it proves popular I shall build a page of kitten videos. _________________________
I have just been reading a news story about a cat that fell 60ft out of a tree and broke her leg near the hip. I won't post a link to the page because it doesn't seem to load properly and hung up my computer. Anyway, the cat's owners cannot afford the $4,000 it will take to have a plate and pin put in the cat's leg. They have been offered two alternatives, have the cat put to sleep or have her leg amputated. If they are unable to raise the $4,000 to save the cat's leg, they have an appeal going, I really do hope that they don't have the poor thing put to sleep. A cat can live a very full life with a leg missing as my Basil proved. In Basil's case the vet did not offer any alternative, there probably was none, he just went ahead and amputated and never once did I regret that, and I don't think that Basil did either.
Friday 20th October 2006
Pope Leo XII (1760-1829) was a cat lover. His favorite cat, Micetto was born in the Vatican and fed by the pope himself, Leo XII is believed to have hidden the tabby cat beneath his robes as he gave audiences. The present Pope Benedict XVI is also a cat lover, however unlike his predecessor he cannot keep his own cat, Chico, at the Vatican because no pets are allowed now a days. The back and white cat is kept instead at the pope's home in the town of Tübingen, Germany. _________________________
As cats grow older they tend to exercise less, hey just like us humans, but a little regular gentle exercise will benefit an older cat and help prevent her putting on too much weight. One way to ensure that your cat gets that gentle exercise is a daily play session. Read more here . . . Avoiding Elderly Cat Health Problems
Sunday 22nd October 2006
Tonight is a little colder than it has been lately, but usually in October I'm sitting here with the heating on and several more layers of clothing than I have at the moment. There must be something in this global warming thing. _________________________ Did you know that cats have the largest eyes, in relation to their body size, of any mammal? That, along with the fact that cats eyes are forwards on their heads, probably goes a long way in making them so appealing. Kittens especially, with their big round eyes look so vulnerable and in need of protection that you feel compelled to pick them up. Kittens are born with their eyes shut, when their eyes open they are always blue and, usually, change color over time. A cat's hearing is said to be five times better than the average human being. A human's hearing has a top range of about 20 khz, whereas a cat can hear up to 65 khz. A cat can rotate its ears around 180 degrees to aid its hearing, I bet you can't do that.
At this time of year SiteSell.com get a little scary. They offer a spooky good special on Site Build It! - the product that enables you to build a business, not just a website. BOO!
In August 1914 Shackleton and his crew set sail on the Endurance for the Trans-Antarctic Expedition. Also on board was a team of 70 husky sledge dogs and one tabby cat. The cat came aboard as a stowaway when he hid himself in the ship's carpenter's toolbox but was allowed to stay as a mouser was considered essential to keep the ship free of rats.
The cat was christened Mrs. Chippy by the crew and this name stuck even after it was realized the cat was in fact a male. Mrs. Chippy was much loved by everyone but particularly so by the carpenter, Henry McNeish, who Mrs. Chippy follow around the ship. The cat took pleasure in teasing the huskies often jumping onto the roof of a kennel and scratching, this drove the poor chained up dog bananas.
In January 1915 the Endurance became stuck in the ice and nothing Shackleton and his crew tried could free it. After a month, and with the ship beginning to break up, the crew left the ship and set up camp on the ice. They had three lifeboats but these were not suitable for the long journey Shackleton and his crew knew that they had to make to seek rescue. So Henry McNeish employed all of his carpentry skills to strengthen the boats to withstand a trip of 800 miles.
As there was barely enough room in the boats for the crew and the minimum of supplies Shackleton made the decision to shoot the dogs and, after feeding him a bowl of sardines, Mrs. Chippy. Henry McNeish was distraught, he never forgave Shackleton for shooting his cat. On the long voyage to the island of South Georgia the carpenter was uncooperative and would not obey Shackleton's orders. After a battle with the elements the crew reached South Georgia and safety.
Despite the fact that his carpentry had played a big part in the rescue, Shackleton refused to recommend Henry McNeish for a Polar Medal because of the carpenter's rebellion. Years later when he was on his death bed, the only mention Henry McNeish made about the Trans-Antarctic Expedition was that Shackleton had shot his cat.
Henry McNeish was given a naval funeral complete with a gun carriage and buried in an unmarked grave. Unmarked that is until June 2004, when the New Zealand Antarctic Society commissioned a life-sized sculpture in bronze of Mrs. Chippy to lay across the carpenter's grave, and now master and cat are reunited.
Friday 27th October 2006
Straight after work yesterday I made the trip to see my three little granddaughters. I don't need to say that I had a fantastic time, kids as young as them are so fascinating. They are mostly full of love and free from all the negative things that adults, and sorry to say older children, often are. Sure, they can be naughty, disobedient and selfish, but still there is no meanness about it. I suppose what I mean to say is that they are so innocent. I love them to bits. Bonkers the cat was about but keeping a pretty low profile, I expect that she has learnt that with three very young ladies in the house nobody has the time to give much attention to a cat, so she finds herself a quite spot out of the way. _________________________
Many of us believe that by choosing a cat from a specific breed we will be assured of a cat with specific personality type. Although it is true that most cat breeds are known to have certain traits, cats are very much individuals and a cat of a breed noted for its independence could be in fact very dependent. A cat's personality does not depend just on the breed but also upon . . . Choosing a Cat
Halloween can be a fun time for humans, especially the kids, but may not be such a happy time for cats. This time of year with jack o' lanterns, witch's costumes, ghosts, ghouls and trick-or-treats can be upsetting and even dangerous for your pet cat. Here are some tips to follow for your cat's safety and protection during the Halloween holiday. Cats and Halloween Safety
Monday 30th October 2006
Her majesty Queen Elisabeth 11 follows a royal custom of sending a congratulatory telegram to any of her subjects that reach the ripe old age of 100 years. The telegram service ended some years ago in the UK, so I suppose they must send a royal courier with some fancy birthday card. Anyway, this weekend one honored recipient of the queen's birthday telegram was not a loyal human subject . . . but a cat!
Chris Evans, of Windermere, wrote a rather tongue-in-cheek letter to her majesty informing her that his cat, a short-haired Burmese called Flook, would soon reach the grand old age of 16 - about the equivalent of 100 human years. To his great surprise his cat received a birthday message and the queen wrote that she was interested to learn Flook had reached "such a remarkable age".
I'm wondering if that has set some sort of royal precedent. Will all cats that reach 16 years now expect to get a telegram from the queen? Will there be feline tears if a moggy's owner neglects to inform Buckingham Palace? Actually, 16 years is not that old for a cat these days, so there could be lots of royal kitty telegrams.
Wednesday 1st November 2006
I start work fairly early and so also finish fairly early. The bus that I catch to get home passes lots of schools just as the kids are pouring out. Now I'm not about to claim that my generation behaved perfectly when we were kids because we didn't, and some like myself were quite badly behaved. But, and I've got to say it, this lot are completely out of control. Like most adults who use buses that kids travel on, I've learned that if you say anything all you get is a mouthful of abuse, so I keep quiet and try to pretend that nothing is going on. Cowardly and not the right attitude I know, but . . .
Tonight there was one kid of about thirteen who had obviously made up his mind to cause as much trouble as he could, to other kids, to other passengers and to the driver. The was also a bloke sat a few seats in front of me who was getting visibly very annoyed by this little monster, like me he did not say anything, but eventually he obviously had enough. The bus pulled up and the driver opened the exit, about a dozen screaming, fighting kids poured out the bus but not our particularly delinquent friend. Before the driver could close the door, this bloke stood up grabbed public enemy No 1 and threw him out on to the pavement, the driver, who I'm sure knew what happened and was very pleased about it, closed the doors and the bus continued.
Three cheers for the lone ranger, he did what I and I'm sure the rest of the adults on the bus would have liked to have done. The right thing to do? Probably not, he could get arrested for assault no matter how much of a little sod the kid was. But he did something. Will the kids behave any better on the bus tomorrow? No, of course not, but the bloke did something, and three cheers for him. _________________________
I'm working on a page about training a cat to walk on a leash, which is something that I've never done. Yes, cats can be trained to accept a leash so you can take them out and let them enjoy the open air without the fear that they will disappear. Not an easy job, you would have to be very patient with your cat, and not all cats would ever submit. It's taking me quite a bit of research but I'll get the page done.
It's nearly Nov.5th and that date is Guy Fawkes night (or bonfire night) in the UK. And around this time I usually climb upon my soapbox and lecture in this blog about keeping cats and other pets indoors on Guy Fawkes night. You may be getting bored with that so I'm going to hand this blog over to a cat to get the feline point of view . . .
" Hello I'm a pet cat, just an ordinary, if a cat can ever be ordinary, cat pretty much the same as your little kitty. Now I don't know what gets into you humans at this time of year, but off you go and spend quite a lot of your money on what you call fireworks, surely that money would be better spent on nice fresh fish for me. Anyway, after buying these strange things you wait until it is dark light the ends of them and then stand there making silly noises like ahhh and oooh as the confounded things explode, shoot sparks, fly into the air or in some other way terrify me!
I just don't understand what it is all about. The bright flashes, the loud noises and even the evil smells really frighten me. Please, can you keep me indoors away from it all if you must indulge in that strange custom. And could someone who loves me stay with me? It would make me a far less nervous cat if there were someone to pet and comfort me if I need it. If I'm left outside I'll panic and run to try and find somewhere away from the noise. Trouble is there will be humans being silly all over the place and I might have to run a long way. In my panic I could easily dash across a busy road straight into the traffic, please I don't want to be your ex cat! So I'm looking at you with my cutest expression to implore you to keep me, your loving cat, and all other pets indoors on Guy Fawkes night."
Sunday 5th November 2006
Can you train your cat to be walked on a leash? Probably, it's not a quick easy task but most cats can be persuaded to walk on a leash. Here is the new page > Cat on a Leash _________________________
Yesterday my granddaughter Rebecca celebrated her 2nd birthday with a party (her birthday is actually today.) I was lucky enough to receive an invitation :-) A jolly good time was had by all with pass the parcel and other games, jelly and cream, jam sandwiches, birthday cake and orange juice. By the time her little friends left mum and dad were a tad worn out, so too was granddad but very happy. Bonkers the cat didn't make herself scarce for once but joined in the fun, going from child to child and getting lots of petting.
Wednesday 8th November 2006
I'm glad to read that the Guinness Book of Records is no longer accepting nominations for the category of world's heaviest cat. They say that having this category might encourage owners to overfeed their cats in the hope of getting a mention in the book. Yes, some people would be irresponsible enough to do that so I for one applaud their decision. _________________________ Lots of news reports of cats and other animals being injured by fireworks on Guy Fawkes night. Some of the cats received their injuries accidentally, which is bad enough, but sickeningly some animals were deliberately hurt. How the dirt bags that do this sort of thing can live with themselves I do not know. Perhaps the people who call for the sale of fireworks to the public to be banned are right. With controlled public displays there would be less chance of cats and people being harmed by morons that should not be allowed out with hot dogs, let alone fireworks.
It's all Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, in the shops and if you are anything like me you think that the stores jump on the bandwagon to early in their efforts to get us to buy now, I know I do. But in reality it is not that long to go now and the lead up to the holidays are busy days, it's easy to find yourself close to Christmas and still having to find gifts for everyone.
Maybe it is not to soon to start planning what you will be giving to whom. If you have cat lovers to find gifts for this page may help - Cat Lover Gift Ideas
Friday 10th November 2006
I don't watch television at home, but I did manage to catch a brief snatch of a program that I would have loved to see right through whilst I was at work yesterday. Animal 24/7 is a program on the BBC that follows an RSPCA inspector (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) as he goes about his daily tasks.
Although I had missed the start, yesterday's program was clearly about a 'crazy cat lady', although you could tell that the elderly lady was not 'crazy', just had a few problems and was possibly very lonely. She had amassed about 20 to 30 cats and kittens, probably feral, and did not have a hope of looking after them properly, although the program made it clear that she was feeding them. The RSPCA inspector and his assistant were trapping the cats and kittens to take them to a shelter. The elderly lady seemed to accept that the cats needed more care than she could give and was not trying to hinder the RSPCA in carrying out their task.
Most of the cats were gathered in what appeared to be some sort of lean-to, or extension, on the lady's house. This lean-to was riddled with rot and in a very poor state of repair. A nice touch was that the RSPCA inspector said he would try and get the lady some help to repair her building because it was in danger of collapsing around her. It was at this point that I had to stop watching and get back to work (boo.) But I do hope that help was also found for the lady herself, otherwise at some point or the other, she will be likely to go back to taking in stray and feral cats, in numbers that she cannot look after, and things will be back to square one. An interesting program, I do wish that I could have seen more of it.
I just enjoyed a truly wonderful weekend. I spent Saturday evening and Sunday morning as a guest of my son and grandson, which was a good opportunity for them to introduce me to their new dog Princess, a Lurcher (Sp?) a breed related to Greyhounds, my son got the dog from a rescue center. Naturally I was more excited about seeing my son and grandson but have to admit that is a great dog they have. She is quite a handful when out for a walk though, she wants to attack every dog that she sees, large or small, so has to be kept on the leash except when out in the countryside where you can see there is no other dog for miles.
Princess gets on great with my son's cat though, they share the house with no problems at all. Talking of that cat - Saturday night my son and I watched a couple of DVDs and shared a couple of bottles of wine. I woke up early Sunday with a dry throat, due to all that wine, so I quietly crept downstairs to make myself a cup of tea. Bluebell the cat was in the kitchen and wasted no time in rubbing herself against my legs. Needless to say she was picked up and made a fuss of which she responded to with a deep purring and pressing her head against me. Of course I lapped all this attention up, even forgetting about the urgent cup of tea, thinking that I was truly loved by this beautiful blue eyed cat. I expect that you are ahead of me here, it was all cupboard love! My son feeds his cat first thing in the morning and so when I showed up Bluebell thought that I would make as good a cat food sever as anybody. When the penny finally dropped, I found her dried cat food, poured out some into her bowl and filled her water bowl. The cat attacked the food with enthusiasm, finished it off and disappeared through the pet door without a backward glance, that's cats for you! What a great weekend, I hope that your's was as good.
Wednesday 15th November 2006
I was having an email conversation with my friend Lesley, owner of the excellent East Devon Guide, when she mentioned that she had just put a new page on her site reviewing a admirable pub called The Hare and Hounds. Which led to a discussion about pubs with animals in their name, I remarked that I couldn't recall seeing one with Cat in the name. And so, I did a little poking around the web . . .
There is a pub called The Cat's Back not too far from where I am in South London, I shall have to check it out ;) I found plenty of pubs called The Cat and Fiddle and a few simply called The Cat, surprisingly I only found one Cat's Whiskers but quite a few named The Fat Cat.
There is a Cheshire Cat unsurprisingly located in Cheshire, but why there is a pub called The Devonshire Cat in Sheffield, Yorkshire is a bit of a mystery! The Cat and Custard Pot is I think a strange name but apparently it used to be called The Cat and Mustard Pot, ahh that makes sense, not! There is The Cat with No Tail on the Isle of Mann now that does make sense. There is a Kilkenny Cat in South Wales which seems not to make sense until you discover it is run by an Irish landlady and is an Irish theme pub. There is a Romping Cat, which suggests that pub is a lot of fun, and a Rampant Cat which might suggest something else!
But perhaps the oddest thing I found is that a pub in Colchester that for centuries was known as The Black Cat has had its named changed to . . .The George W in honor of you know who! Colchester is a army garrison town and the pub was renamed as a mark of mutual respect to USA and UK troops fighting in Iraq, President Bush is said to have thanked the townspeople and garrison of Colchester for the honor. _________________________
Calendars.com are running a rather good special offer from now until 30th November, it can save you 15% on orders of just $20 or more. Calendars are a great answer to the eternal problem of what to give as a Christmas gift to all those in your life that don't quite deserve the designer jewelry. There's Aunt Rose and Uncle Jack, Cousin Edgar, Madge from the office, Ken and Barbie from down the street. There is a calendar to suit them all. Of course there are terrific cat and kitten calendars and also movie, music, sports, humor, inspirational, motorcycles, just about anything you can think of and you can save 15% on them all. This page has details - 2007 Calendars Special Offer _________________________
Do you know Edgar Allen Poe's Cat? I found this parody very amusing (page no longer online) Unfortunately the flashing scrolling thingy at the top of the page can be a bit annoying but just scroll the page up till it's out of sight.
Tuesday 21st November 2006
Yes, you are at the right site. It's the same Best Cat Art but with a new site header, I hope that you like it. _________________________
I've been playing around with my cat books page. It now has an Amazon Store imbedded in it instead of all those graphic boxes, it now has a neater look to it I believe. Within the store there are pages for general cat books, cat behavior books, cat health books and cat books for kids. Take a look, see what you think - Cat Books _________________________
According to the BBC the EU (European Union) are planning to ban the sale of cat and dog fur in member states. The EU are not my favorite people, not by a long chalk, but that is politics and I suppose doesn't belong in a cat blog! But honestly I would have thought that they would have banned this disgusting trade years ago. The EU Commission says that different countries have taken various action on banning cat and dog fur, such as banning rearing cats and dogs for their fur, or trade and import bans, and compulsory labeling. The Commission says they have no evidence that cats and dogs are being bred inside the EU for their fur. Well that's one good thing, but unfortunately it looks like cat and dog fur is being sold. Wake up EU, you should have stopped this already. Here's the full story - EU proposes cat and dog fur ban.
Friday 24th November 2006
In 1927 Charles Augustus Lindbergh took off from Roosevelt Field, Long Island, New York, on his historic solo flight across the Atlantic. He landed 331/2 hours later at Le Bourget Field, close to Paris. Just before he took off someone took a photograph of Lindbergh sitting in his cockpit with 'Patsy' his kitten. This photograph has led many people to believe that the kitten accompanied Lindbergh on his flight, which is in fact not so. Charles Lindbergh is quoted as saying "It's too dangerous a journey to risk the cat's life."
However Lindbergh did take a cat with him on the flight, it was a Felix The Cat doll (some sources say a picture of Felix The Cat.) Some years later Spain issued an airmail stamp commemorating the historic flight. The stamp showed Lindbergh's plane, the Spirit of St. Louis, taking off with Patsy the cat sitting watching. _________________________
Don't forget about the very special offer from Calendars.com. Solve your problem of what to get all those on your Christmas gift list and save yourself a handy 15%. Details here - Calendars Special Offer
Sunday 26th November 2006
This year, Linda and Robert Berzok of Arizona will send out Christmas cards featuring a picture of their cat Rommie. The couple were driving home from their summer place in upstate New York to their winter residence in Arizona when they stopped for the night in Louisville Kentucky. As they opened their car door the cat took the opportunity to bound out into the big wide world and that was the start of a merry dance to get their cat back. It took the couple more than two weeks and a return flight to Louisville to be reunited with Rommie. Robert Berzok says that from now on the cat will be in his cat carrier every time the car door is opened. Here's the full story - Cat-astrophe averted _________________________
Had planned to visit my aunt who lives on the south coast yesterday with my son, daughter-in-law and my three granddaughters. Unfortunately little Rebecca and baby Hayley had not been too well over the last couple of days, nothing too serious just tummy trouble. So it was just my son, Samantha and myself. Still had a great time though, and my aunt was absolutely delighted to see Samantha who was a little bundle of energy and chatter through the day, so she slept like a log on the return home. My son tells me the other two girls are now both right as rain, which of course I'm very glad to hear. Shame that I missed them, ah well next time.
Wednesday 29th November 2006
Edward Lear, the man who popularized 'nonsense rhymes' and the author of "The Owl and the Pussycat" was the youngest of twenty children, (yes 20, count 'em.) Not surprisingly he did not see much of his parents and it was his older sisters who brought him up. He was not a well child and suffered from epilepsy, asthma and rheumatism, which meant that he spent a lot of time indoors so he taught himself how to draw and loved to play around with words. He left home at sixteen to live with his sister Ann and was able to sell enough of his drawings of butterflies and flowers to support them both.
He won a commission to draw and produce prints of the parrots at London Zoo and these became so popular that the Earl of Derby invited him to produce drawings of the animals in his private menagerie. While Lear was making his drawings he became friendly with the Earl's children and made up nonsense limericks for them. These rhymes were later published as the "Book of Nonsense." Lear then set off around the world creating landscapes of the places he visited. Queen Victoria was so taken with Lear's prints she requested that he gave her drawing lessons.
Later Lear settled in Italy where he painted and busied himself in his garden. He had a tabby tom cat called Foss for a companion. This cat was said to have a permanently startled expression and to have had the end of his tail cut of by a servant who believed this cruel act would stop the cat from straying!!! When Foss the cat died he was buried with honors in Lear's garden. _________________________
Today is the 29th and the 15% discount offer from Calendars.com ends tomorrow. So if you want to make a nice saving on all sorts of fantastic 2007 calendars do not delay :-) here is the link - Calendars Save 15%
Friday 1st December 2006
December is here. This is the time of year for preparation for the coming festivities, perhaps frantic preparation, busy, busy, busy. This is also the time of year when there are many worthwhile charities that need a little extra help, and so extra effort is made to solicit donations, at the office, door to door, at the mall and anyplace where crowds gather. Many of us give generously because we know that those donations can often make a huge difference to folks lives, to folks with cancer, to children in need, to the homeless, to folks with disabilities, the list of worthwhile causes goes on. As much as you would like to you cannot help everybody, so you give what you can.
Here is one more worthwhile cause and a way for you to help with a twist. The Animal Rescue Site provides food for some of the millions of unwanted animals in rescue shelters which includes, of course, many cats and kittens. What's the twist? They are not asking for your money, all they are asking for is a click! Visit their site and you will see a purple "Feed an Animal in Need" button, all you have to do is click it and you are helping to feed a rescue animal, no donation to make. The number of cats and other animals helped by the site depends on the number of visitors to the site. You can click once every day, and your click really is appreciated by the Animal Rescue Site and by the animals. Here is the link again - The Animal Rescue Site
Sunday 3rd December 2006
The church of St. Mary the Virgin, in the Gloucestershire village of Fairford is said to have the most complete set of medieval church windows in England. It also has something else that could be said to be unusual - a small memorial of a cat carved in stone that stands just outside the church porch. Tiddles was a stray that 'adopted' the verger and his wife, and became a familiar sight to the congregation for the cat loved to attend services and loved to sit on churchgoers knees. Tiddles the cat spent 17 years as a member of the congregation and when she passed away the local stonemason thought she deserved a memorial as much as some of the people who already had one. _________________________
I'm working on a page about 'cat treats'. We all like to let our cats know that we love them and sometimes we try to tell them that by giving them a tasty treat. Trouble is that if we give our cats treats too frequently then it is no longer a 'treat' but something that the cat has come to expect. Too many treats can lead to a very overweight cat. Anyway, I've a fair bit more work to do on the page.
I haven't got too far with the cat treats page. One reason is that this is the time of year when folks get together for a meal or a drink before Christmas. Last night was one such occasion. It was very pleasant meeting up with friends that I hadn't seen for a while and, whilst we didn't go too mad with the festive drinks, my head wasn't very clear this morning. Fortunately I had a light day at work ;-) _________________________
A new report is suggesting that older cats can suffer from loss of memory in the same way that humans can. It seems that a protein has been discovered that can build up in the cat's nerve cells in their brains and cause mental retrogression. They say that they have known for some time that cats can develop dementia, but now they think that older cat's nervous system can be affected in the same way as can Alzheimer's sufferers. They say to talk to your older cat to strengthen the bond between you and make your cat feel secure - good advice for cats of any age I would say. Here is the full story - Feline Alzheimer's
Friday 8th December 2006
Raymond Chandler the writer, author of The Big Sleep, The Long Goodbye, Farewell My Lovely etc. had a cat, a black Persian called Taki. He was said to refer to his cat as his secretary because she was in the habit of sitting on his manuscripts as he tried to revise them. And it is said that it is this cat that caused Chandler to make the quote "A cat never behaves as if you were the only bright spot in an otherwise clouded existence." _________________________
The page about Cat Treats is at last finished. Used in moderation cat treats are OK, they can be very useful as a training aid. Human food should be avoided though, never feed your cat scraps from your plate.
Sunday 10th December 2006
I'm not in such good shape. I've picked up some sort of viral infection I think, coughing, spluttering and a rasping raw throat. I took Friday off from the day job and have not ventured outside all weekend save to stock up on pills, remedies and a rain forest worth of Kleenex. If I were a cat I would take myself to the vets. Somehow I don't think I'll be fighting fit enough to resume work tomorrow.
Good job that I did most of my Christmas gift shopping on the 'net so I don't have to face dragging my germ ridden self around the stores, not that I need an excuse not to endure the crowds.
I ordered my favorite elderly aunt a particularly difficult jigsaw puzzle from Amazon and phoned her just a few days later to warn her to expect a package. To my amazement she had already received it, unfortunately she had opened it so no Christmas day surprise for her, but well done Amazon, that is first class service. The puzzle was not unlike this Classic Cat Jigsaw which should keep any cat lover quite for a while. Not too late to get your gifts delivered by Amazon to your family and friends. For cat lovers check my Cat Books Page. Not too late either to order those Cat Calendars or Cat Posters and Prints to arrive in good time for Christmas.
Right, I'm off to take another pill to clear my head, or perhaps a little slug of Scotch will work better ;-)
Wednesday 13th December 2006
Back at work now, the virus thing is still hanging on but at least I'm not coughing every second, just every other second.
Be careful what you give your cat. You'd think that cat grass was pretty harmless, just something for cats to chew on and frolic in. But apparently it's an addictive class B drug, before you know it your kitty will be on the slippery slope to addiction. Cat grass - the new drug
Well it's not long now, got all of your Christmas cards sent? (I haven't so I'll have to get cracking.) Looks like some of the posters and prints from Allposters and Art.com are now not available for guaranteed delivery in time for Christmas. Still time to order those last minute gifts from Amazon though, that is if you hurry.
Friday 15th December 2006
I'm going to visit my granddaughters, my son and daughter-in-law tomorrow, it is the Christmas visit of course so I will be laden down with gifts. I don't suppose that I will be wearing a big red suit and be sporting a long white beard (even though I have a suitable waistline,) but I might manage a Ho, Ho, Ho or two ;) I'd love to be watching my granddaughters when they open their presents on Christmas day but that cannot be, but I will get to see my grandson, and my other son, on Christmas eve. _________________________
I'm reading an article that says up to a third of all cat owners buy their cat a present for Christmas. Well that's nice. It must be fun watching kitty tear at the paper, and perhaps be more interested in the paper than the present. I wonder if that 'third' is a real figure or just hyped up by cat toy and accessories manufacturers. After all if you think that it is the usual thing to buy your cat a gift at this time of year, then that is likely what you will do, and nothing at all wrong with that. Just don't expect a present back from your feline.
Have you left feedback telling me what you would like to see on this site yet? It will only take you a few seconds and will be a great help to know what folks want. What Would You Like To Read On This Site?
Sunday 17th December 2006
My visit to see my granddaughters was a real treat yesterday. A big surprise was that my other son also turned up with Jacob my grandson :-) So I enjoyed all my grandchildren at the same time, it was a little hectic but I loved it. I even managed to get a few smiles from baby Hayley and that was a joy.
At this time of year lots of us spend time away from home. Sometimes this presents us with a bit of a problem if we share our life with a cat. Some cats just do not take to being boarded out, but if yours does not mind this may be the answer especially if it is just for a few days. Finding a cat sitter may be difficult over the Christmas period. Take your cat with you? Yes, it can be done. Many cats do not immediately take to traveling, but with a little preparation > Cat Travel Tips.
Police investigating a possible stalker leaving Beanie Babies, the popular children's toys, in residents' yards said they have a surveillance video of a suspect . . . the family cat! Beanie Baby bandit cat _________________________
Children in Iceland hope for all sorts of gifts at Christmas, iPods, bikes, skateboards and the like, just like children the world over. But Icelandic children specially hope for at least one item of new clothing for if they don't get a coat or a T shirt, or even just a scarf, folk-law has it that they will be eaten by the Christmas cat!!!
The Christmas cat is nothing like your own harmless kitty, but rather a fearsome beast, the pet of a frightful and gruesome troll. Each Christmas the cat escapes from the troll's sack and prowls around Iceland looking for kids who did not get new clothes for Christmas. Apparently this piece of folk law has been around since the nineteenth century. Hmmm, I'm wondering if the legend of the Christmas cat could have been started by Icelandic clothing merchants, no surely not. :-)
Once again SiteSell, the company that produces Site Build It! (SBI) has got into the Christmas spirit and is offering a two for one special. SBI is the software that makes building a website, that folks actually find, so sweetly simple.
Yes, that is two SBI's for the price of one, a true Christmas bargain. If You have been thinking about SBI!, do it now. Team up with a friend to get two sites and split the cost, or giveone to a son or daughter (or to a mother or father!). How often do you get to give a life skill as a gift?The Gift That Keeps On Giving... And Earning
Saturday 23rd December 2006
Here is something that you may enjoy. A story about a Siamese cat that was first published in print form in 1975 and now available to read online for free, well it is Christmas. A warm and gentle cat story (I must confess that I have not finished reading it yet,) with many fine illustrations - Gian Carlo, a Siamese Cat. _________________________
This is where I wish you a peaceful and enjoyable Christmas and that goes even if you celebrate another religious holiday at this time of year, or if you do not celebrate at all. Whatever you are doing for the holidays have a great time and keep safe and well.
Tuesday 26th December 2006
Well that's it, the Christmas break is almost over and it's back to work tomorrow, for me anyway. Of course some poor souls had to work yesterday otherwise there would be no medical or ambulance service, sadly needed at Christmas as much as any time. If you were at home for Christmas I hope that you were not as gluttonous as I was and now feel decidedly uncomfortable. _________________________
The Buchanan family was very upset by the disappearance of Vegas their cat. They searched high and low including all of the places that the cat used to haunt. Finally the family gave up any hope of finding their cat, choosing to believe that Vegas had been stolen at least that might mean someone was caring for the cat. Mrs. Buchanan's father offered to buy the family a new cat and so one was chosen from the local rescue shelter.
A new cat to replace the family feline that went missing . . . I bet that you can guess the happy ending to this news story. A white cat Christmas. _________________________
We know what happens right after Christmas don't we, out come all the bargains. As if we haven't spent enough over the festive season! Well, not to be left out here are some great pet products deals from Amazon.com. Some automatic cat litterboxes at nice prices. Pet Products Deals
Friday 29th December 2006
As it is the space between Christmas and New Year things are a little slow at work, (I don't mind that one bit.) Three old fogies, including me, have found plenty of time for standing around gassing. One topic of conversation was old movies.
One of our number mentioned seeing a film about a giant cat. We scratched our heads wondering what film that could have been, then it hit us. It wasn't a giant cat that our friend recalled but an ordinary pet cat menacing its human that had shrunk down to the size of a Barbie doll.
That movie was The Incredible Shrinking Man a 1957 b+w Sci-Fi adventure. The 'hero' of the film became contaminated by a radioactive mist, being radioactively contaminated was a must in 1950's Sci=Fi films ;-) Anyway, the man soon found that he was shrinking, his clothes did not fit and he had become shorter than his wife. Smaller and smaller he got and had to overcome all sorts of problems not least of all being trapped in his basement and being menaced by a cat.
For 1957 this scene was extremely well done, the camera shots and the special effects turned the cat into a real monster, the mouse sized man having to dodge this way and that to keep from getting swiped by giant cat claws. The fact that it was the man's own pet cat made it all the more terrifying.
What if you were the size of a mouse? Would your feline pounce upon you and try to devour you? "No, not my puddy cat" you may think, but remember this - a cat is a cat and prey is prey, no matter that the prey was once large enough to work the can opener. Just a thought.
Sunday 31st December 2006
Wooosh! There goes another one. It's true what they say, the older you get the faster they fly by, years that is. 2006 wasn't such a bad one for me. True that I did not achieve many of the goals that I had set for the year (including getting a new home suitable for keeping a cat,) but all in all I enjoyed myself. And . . .
. . . the year brought me a beautiful new granddaughter. I really hope that 2006 was as good for you. And now we all stand on the threshold of a sparkling new 2007. _________________________
I've uploaded two new videos to the Cat Videos page, and one to the Kitten Videos page. I hope that you enjoy them.
Tuesday 2nd January 2007
Have you ever heard of a Skookum cat? No, neither had I. Apparently it is a cross between a Munchkin Cat (A breed with very short legs,) and a LaPerm ( a breed of cat with a 'Rex' type curly coat.) Not surprisingly Skookum cats inherit the short legs and curly coats.
To sidetrack a bit here, I wonder what the sense is in deliberately breeding cats with short legs. I mean, if a cat happens to be born with short legs that's OK it is just as capable of receiving and giving love. But why deliberately breed short-legged cats? OK but to the Skookum cats.
These cats are not yet fully recognized as an official breed but are as an experimental variety, it can however compete at championship level in Australia. Skookum is a Chinook word which can have a range of meanings from 'strong' or 'powerful' to 'good' 'best' or 'reliable'. The cats are described as sweet and affectionate and love nothing better than a playtime. _________________________
Is a taking out a health insurance policy for your cat the best decision for you? Veterinary treatment can certainly be expensive, sometimes very expensive. But is the taking out pet health insurance the best thing that you can do to protect your self from unexpected veterinary costs? It may be that it is but the decision to insure your cat is not necessarily an easy one to make. Read more . . . Pet Health Insurance for Your Cat
Friday 5th January 2007
Old folk tale.
Why The Cat Always Lands Upon Her Feet.
A good and kind magician, who was always gentle with all the creatures of the earth, was traveling in the great forest of the north. As he looked far ahead he could see a great and fearsome serpent hanging from a bough that was about to drop upon and devour a little cat that was unaware of the danger above.
The good and kind magician softly whispered "Watch, little cat, watch". The whisper was barely load enough for the wasp that buzzed around the magician's head to hear, let alone the little cat ahead. But no sooner had the whisper left the magician's lips than the little cat leapt up and sprang away leaving the great and fearsome serpent to drop to the ground cheated of his meal.
The good and kind magician traveled on through the great forest of the north and the wasp continued to buzz around his head. The sun was now high up in the heavens and the magician felt the need to take some rest. He laid himself down at the foot of a mighty tree and soon the music of the forest lulled him to sleep.
As the good and kind magician lay slumbering a great and fearsome serpent, the very same that was deprived of the little cat, came softly from the thicket. It lifted high its ugly head and saw the magician slumbering at the foot of the tree. The serpent was mightily vexed "I will kill him!" it hissed. "I could have eaten that little cat if he had not called, "Watch, little cat, watch!" "I will kill him, I will kill him!"
Closer and closer the fearsome serpent moved. The good and kind magician stirred in his sleep. "Watch, little cat, watch!" he said softly. The serpent drew back, but the magician's eyes remained shut, and so the serpent decided to slither closer. It hissed its most terrible hiss still the sleeping magician did not move. Far, far up in the highest branches of the tree the little cat lay hidden. She had seen the great and fearsome serpent when it came softly from the thicket. She watched it as it went closer and closer to the good and kind magician and she heard it hiss its most terrible hiss. The little cat's body quivered and shook with anger and with fear, for she was so little and the serpent was so fearsome and ugly. "The magician was very good to me," she thought, and she leaped down and down upon the serpent.
The serpent was hissed and hissed with anger, and the flames shot from its eyes. It struck out wildly and repeatedly at the brave little cat, but now the cat knew no fear. Again and again she leaped upon the serpent's ugly head, and at long last the fearsome creature lay dead beside the sleeping magician whom it had so much wished to kill.
When the good and kind magician awoke, the little cat lay on the soft grass, and not far away was the serpent, just as ugly but quite, quite dead. He knew at once what the little cat had done, and he said, "Little cat, what can I do to show you veneration for your brave fight? Your eyes are quick to see, and your ears are quick to hear my soft whisper. I know what I shall do for you. You shall be known over this good earth as the friend and companion of man, and you shall always have a place by the heath in the home of man. And one thing more, little cat, you leaped from the high tree to kill the great and fearsome serpent and now as long as you shall live, you shall leap where you will, and you shall always fall upon your feet."
Ah Sunday. What a relaxing peaceful day it has been. Sometimes Sundays can be extremely noisy around here, with everyman and his cat shouting, playing loud music and making more noise than you'd think possible. But today perfect peace :-)
Just what do you say to your kids when they ask for a pet? It is perfectly true that cultivating good feelings towards pet animals helps kids to develop a sense of self-esteem and to establish trusting relationships with other human beings. But before you give in to your kid's demands there is plenty for you to think about. The Best Pets For Kids
There are many reasons a cat may lose hair. Cat hair loss on the stomach and inner thighs may be caused by the animal obsessively licking, biting or scratching due to irritation from fleas or other parasites. Many cats are allergic to parasites, one bite can result in a severe reaction, resulting in the cat tormenting the area so much that it loses hair and eventually . . . Cat Hair Loss
Tonkinese cats are renown for having the points of Siamese cats, but with softer contoured bodies and quieter, less assertive natures. These cats are said to be the perfect balance the between the length of the Siamese, and the slight inclination to plumpness of the Burmese. Tonkinese Cats
Tuesday 9th January 2007
Church the cat. I'd forgotten all about Church the cat from Stephen King's horror novel Pet Sematary. I read that book years ago and, oh boy, was that cat scary.
While the 'hero' of the novel's family are on a trip his daughter's cat gets run over. With a helpful but somewhat weird neighbor he takes the cat to a pet cemetery, he tells the neighbor that he doesn't know how he is going to tell his daughter about her cat's death, so the neighbor instructs him to bury it in another part of the cemetery. After the cat is put to rest the neighbor explains that pets buried in that part of the cemetery don't stay put!
He dismisses this news as bunk, but the next day Church is back and he ain't purring, he is snarling mad and stinks like crazy! How could I forget about a cat like that!
I love Stephen King's early novels and short stories but don't much care for his later works, they don't seem like they were written by the same man. _________________________
Here is a cat that spent four days up a tree. Aptly named Trouble, the cat was down from the tree in time for Christmas . . . Cat rescued after four days up a tree.
Friday 12th January 2007
I never knew that Peg-Leg Pete (AKA Black Pete, Pistol Pete) was supposed to be a cat! I'm talking about the big anthropomorphic animal with a wooden leg that appeared in many of the old Mickey Mouse cartoons.
He looked more like a bear or a dog than a cat, but as he always was the villain to Mickey Mouse's hero character it makes sense that he was a cat. You could have fooled me though. Apparently he didn't always have the wooden leg, the cat would often appear with two legs but was meant to be the same character. His name kept changing from cartoon to cartoon as well. Often known as Black Pete, Bootleg Pete, Pierre the Trapper, Terrible Tom and lots of other aliases as well as Peg-Leg Pete of course.
It seems that the big bad peg-legged cat featured in Disney's cartoons before the first appearance of Mickey Mouse making him the longest surviving Disney character. _________________________
At this, the outset of an exciting New Year we all need calendars, to help us plan out the amazing things that we are going to do. And I've got a feeling that 2007 is going to be pretty amazing for all of us.
How lucky then, that Calendars.com are offering 15% off their entire rage of magnificent 2007 calendars. All you have to do is enter the coupon code AF15OFF7 at the checkout.
I'm excited! Next Sunday my two sons, my daughter-in-law, my four grandchildren and me are going to take a trip on the Bluebell Railway. The Bluebell is one of those preserved steam locomotive lines that kids (and granddads) love.
It will be fantastic being with all those that I love at the same time. Everything depends upon the weather of course, but a picnic is being planned along with a visit to the pub at the far end of the track which I'm told is very good.
My son sent me this photo of my three gorgeous granddaughters a few weeks ago. Samantha (4) is the one posing at the back, Rebecca (2) has her cheeky smile in the middle and baby Hayley is looking perplexed at the front.
Enough of steam trains and grandchildren and on to cats.
They look like ferrets but they are every inch cats! Munchkin cats are those cats with incredibly short legs, in every other respect these cats are normal but they move very close to the ground.
Now, like me you may have reservations about breeding cats that have what would normally be thought of as defects. But these cats have not been genetically engineered but are a naturally occurring phenomenon. That does not mean I don't have concerns about them, I do, but apparently their owners claim Munchkins get about just as well as any cat and are outgoing, adventurous, playful and display a great deal of intelligence.
If you are easily upset you may not want to read this news story. I have mixed feelings about this. Yes it is terrible, of course, that somebody's pet cat was mistakenly euthanized. It was also wrong of the assistant to alter the records and to lie.
I don't know what the situation is in Delaware County, but I would think that in most places if a cat has ID then it would not end up in a shelter just because the cat was outside. So perhaps the cat should have had a collar and tag. We all wish that all rescue shelters had no kill policies. Many do, but unfortunately due to the high running cost and the never-ending stream of unwanted cats some shelters do not.
As a side note - this story highlights two important things, we should spay or neuter our cats and fit them with a collar and ID.
The assistant made a mistake, a bad mistake, but mistakes do get made. She should not have lied and tried to cover it up and she should not have been rude to the grieving owners. Perhaps it would have been best to be upfront about the mistake. A hard thing to do but the poor cat's owners probably would not feel as bad as they do now. Accidental cat euthanization
Don't forget to grab yourself a nice 15% discount at Calendars.com.All you have to do is enter the coupon code AF15OFF7 at the checkout.
I've just had the most fantastic day :-) Yes, I'm talking about that trip on the Bluebell Railway with my grandchildren, well not quite all of them because my son Martin and grandson Jacob couldn't make it. Disappointing but perhaps they may make it another time.
The three girls enjoyed it very much and so did their mummy and daddy. The weather was very kind to us, it was not a bit like January. Rather than go into detail here about the marvelous Bluebell Line I'll give you the link to their site - Bluebell Railway
Ah! You didn't think that I would have a day out without a cat coming into it did you? Yes I do have a little story about a cat.
We had enjoyed lunch and a taste of the local ale at Sheffield Park station at the far end of the line, and were taking a walk along the platform. A train was at the opposite platform and a steam locomotive was being unhitched from one end and another was backing up to be attached to the other end.
Sauntering up to the edge of our platform was a fine black cat. He is on the hunt, I thought. Then this station cat leapt down to the track, crossed to the other track and sat himself upon the rail between two wheels - with the train likely to move any time!
My son had his camera with him and so lined up a shot. Unfortunately just before my son snapped our feline friend dropped down from on top of the rail. And sat in front.
As you can see the cat does not look in too much danger in that shot. But then, with literally seconds to go before the train was to move . . .
. . . the cat jumped back on the rail and went underneath the train! (You can just about see one of the wheels in the top left corner.)
The whistle blew, steam hissed and the train chugged off. Did the station cat make it out the other side safely? We sort of knew that he had, after all he probably put on his little show for the tourists. We were relieved not to see any sign of a mangled cat anyway.
We then climbed the footbridge to the other platform to take a look in the souvenir shop. What did we see when we went inside? Our death defying station cat, safe and sound, lapping water from his bowl right by the counter! We learnt that his name is Vandal (what a great name for a station cat.) He sleeps in the souvenir shop and does a grand job of keeping the station free of rodents (and a grand job of entertaining the tourists!)
Wednesday 24th January 2007
Brrr snow. I hate the stuff, I can't walk on it and I hate driving on it. This morning I awoke to find London covered in an inch or so of snow, I know that is nothing to what some countries get but quite enough for me thank you. Fortunately by the time I had to do a little driving it had practically disappeared. I hope that tomorrow will be snow free.
Albert Einstein was once asked to explain how radio works, here is how the great scientist described it:
"You see, wire telegraph is a kind of a very, very long cat. You pull his tail in New York and his head is meowing in Los Angeles. Do you understand this? And radio operates exactly the same way: you send signals here, they receive them there. The only difference is that there is no cat." Hmmm, pull the tail of a long cat in New York and you'd likely get a hiss and a scratch in New York I should think!
I've updated this page - Cat color Photo Art. Much of the cat art linked to had become unavailable, now all links should go to items in stock. I'll continue checking through this site for other cat art links that need updating.
Saturday 27th January 2007
A Norwegian folk tale featuring a cat.
The Severed Hand
There once was a miller whose mill mysteriously burnt down on Whitsuneve one year and then again the next Whitsuneve. Just before the Whitsuneve of the third year the miller hired a tailor to make him some fine clothes for Whitsunday.
The miller asked the tailor if he thought the mill would burn down again. The tailor said that if the miller would give him his trust he would guard the mill and ensure that it did not burn.
This was agreed upon and when Whitsuneve arrived the tailor went to the mill, which was empty having just been rebuilt, and placing himself in the middle of the floor he proceeded to guard the mill. In the dead of night the door all of a sudden flew open, and there swarmed in a multitude of black cats.
The cats began hopping and dancing round and round the mill and set a large earthen pot in the chimney and lit a fire underneath it, so that it began bubbling and hissing as if it were full of boiling pitch and tar.
This is a strange thing indeed that these cats should be in the mill boiling tar thought the tailor. And scarcely had he the thought when one of the black cats put its paw behind the pot and tried to overturn it.
"Stop cat, you'll burn yourself!" cried the tailor. With the cry the cat ran from the chimney, and began again hopping and dancing round the mill with the other cats. But in a short time the cat again sneaked to the chimney and endeavored to overturn the pot.
"Stop cat, you'll burn yourself!" again cried the tailor. "And what is more, the boiling pitch and tar will set afire the mill." But this time the cat did not stop trying to overturn the pot. "Stop cat, you'll burn yourself and the boiling pitch and tar will set afire the mill." cried the tailor in his loudest ever voice. With the cry the cat again ran from the chimney, and began again hopping and dancing round the mill with the other cats. But in a short time the cat again sneaked to the chimney and for a third time endeavored to overturn the pot.
"Stop cat, you'll burn yourself and the boiling pitch and tar will set afire the mill." cried the tailor once again in his loudest ever voice. But this time the cat did not stop, and the tailor who could shout no louder than in his loudest ever voice took his knife and cut off the paw of the cat. The cat shrieked and hissed and ran through the door of the mill with all the other cats following.
The fire under the earthen pot went out and the pitch and tar ceased to boil. The tailor locked the mill door and proceeded to the miller's house where he found the miller and his wife were still in their bed, it being Whitsunday.
"Good morning miller" said the tailor, offering the miller his hand. "Good morning tailor" said the miller in return, and was surprised and pleased to see the tailor again.
"Good morning, mother" said the tailor holding out his hand to the miller's wife. "Good morning" said she, but appeared pale and aggrieved, and she kept her hand underneath the bedclothes but offered him her left hand instead. The tailor now saw how matters were, but what took place afterwards is not told.
This is the time of year that we get down in the dumps. The cold and dark of winter, the humdrum of being back in the daily grind after the Christmas holidays, and perhaps even the feeling of letting ourselves down by not sticking to our new year's resolutions. All these things and more can find us at a low ebb. However, it seems that it is not just us humans that get depressed Bullied cat is so depressed _________________________
Did you think that all Manx cats are born without a tail? This is a common misconception. In fact though, some Manx cats are born with a complete tail, others are born with a very short stump of a tail and some are indeed born completely tailless.
Manx cats are generally very sweet natured, friendly, intelligent, active and attentive to their humans. They love being picked up and made a fuss of. Many Manx cats will follow their human around and for that reason Manx are often referred to as dog cats. Read more here - The marvelous Manx. _________________________
The cat is somewhat unique among domestic animals in that it buries its droppings, (but it doesn't always do so.) A cat will scrupulously check out the scent after burying its waste matter, doing this lets the cat know that the feces are fully covered. Concealing the droppings does not cover up the scent, but prohibits the droppings from drying out too rapidly and so it extends the life of the scent. Tomcats, on the other hand, will often leave their droppings exposed in areas of dispute to declare their dominance.
Friday February 2nd 2007
Have you ever noticed your cat chattering her teeth when staring at prey that she can see out the window, or in some other way can't get at?
This is a very common reaction by cats when they are frustrated from attempting to catch birds, squirrels, mice and other prey. Many experts believe that the chatter is your cat reproducing the neck bite that cats use to kill a bird or small rodent swiftly and efficiently.
Sometimes you may also notice that your cat's tail is puffing up and twitching to further indicate her frustration. Along with the teeth chattering some cats also emit a soft 'bleating' sound. It is not only indoor cats that see birds through the window that do this, cats have been known to chatter at birds and mice that they see on the television screen. _________________________
Domestic cats do not need to burn energy hunting for food, we provided them with their daily intake of calories, and it is often the case that we over provide! Indoor only cats in particular don't have much to do but lay around all day looking beautiful with very little opportunity for exercise, small wonder then that so many cats are overweight.
Tubby cats run the risk of many health problems including many diseases, arthritis, skin conditions, and heart and liver disease. Also cats that are overweight cannot expect to be around as long as cats with the correct body weight. . .read more here - Overweight Cats
Sunday February 4th 2007
I wasn't going to make a blog post until tomorrow but I'm meeting up with my son after work for a pint and a bite to eat, which will be nice. So I'll make a short post today and likely catch up on Tuesday. _________________________
Some of you have visited this page Build Your Own Website that explains how and why I built this site. You will now find a new short video there (scroll to near the bottom,) made by a young mom who has created not only a web site but a business for herself that has got her out of the rat race.
It's an inspiring video, well worth watching, that shows what can be achieved with a bit of determination. I hope you enjoy it. Oh, and a cat manages to sneak into the video, see if you can spot it. _________________________
This is rich! A news story that implies that men being owned by cats is a new thing. I don't think so, many men throughout history have appreciated cats Winston Churchill was one.
The writer also claims that men prefer their women to act like cats - cool and aloof and not act fawning and adoring like dogs. I don't think that I agree with that either. As much as I like cats, I'm not that enthused by aloof women, in fact I don't object to being adored at all, I'm up for being adored at any time. Why is there no queue forming?
I think this news story was written a little tongue in cheek, it's a good read though - Sorry, news story no longer online.
Tuesday February 6th 2007
My son and myself had a jolly good time as we downed a couple of pints and enjoyed a meal last night; it was good to be in his company.
Across the other side of the pub was one of those giant TV screens, I happened to glance up to catch the middle of a commercial, about which product I don't know, and saw about 40 to 50 black cats prowling across the screen. Very impressive, but as the cats were all acting in unison as if following a script I can only think it must have been computer generated graphics, no way could so many cats be persuaded to perform like that! _________________________
Some folks are cat people, some are not, but some folks are afraid of cats, believe that or not. And the fear of cats is not as uncommon as you may think. People who have a phobia about cats may not tell others about it, perhaps they feel folks won't understand ... The Fear of Cats - Ailurophobia _________________________
I've mentioned this site before, but I don't think that I've mentioned it for some time now, > The Animal Rescue Site. They do so much good feeding rescue animals (including cats of course) all you have to do is click - you don't have to buy anything - and you're helping to feed an animal. You can click once each day.
Friday February 9th 2007
Paid a long overdue visit to my friends Geoff and Karen yesterday. They have bought a scratching post for Wendy their cat. Wendy is not a big cat by any stretch of the imagination which is just as well, because the base of this scratching post is unbelievably small. It would not take much for a cat to knock it over when using it, and when that happens the usual outcome is that the cat is put off from using the post again.
Also the post seems to be very short, no more than 18 inches, a short post may work okay for a kitten, but for a full-grown cat an upright of around 30 inches is preferable. Think how long your cat is when fully stretched out, and cats do like to stretch when they scratch.
I know Geoff and Karen won't mind me making these comments here because they agreed with my assessment of the post. Not that it is a problem apparently, Wendy did not use the scratching post very much at all, not surprising, but apart from a couple of occurrences a little time ago, does not scratch the furniture. Wendy is an indoor/outdoor cat so she can get scratching out of her system when she is outside. _________________________ Would you help me to make this site better for you? Visitor Feedback Survey
Monday February 12th 2007
What do you think of this feline beauty?
Gorgeous isn't s(he). But what breed of cat is it? If you answered 'Spotted Bengal' you'd be sort of close because this cat, like the Bengal cat, is the result of cross breeding between an wildcat and a domestic cat. The breed is the Savannah and the wildcats used in establishing the breed are the African Serval cats.
The Savannah breed is apparently only about 10 years old, its name comes from the plains of Africa. From what I'm reading these cats, apart from being stunning lookers, are loyal, inquisitive, intelligent and sociable. They are said to be great for families with children.
I'm definitely going to learn all I can about this cat breed and write a page about it, simply because I'm impressed with the feline, can you tell ;-) It may not be the next page that I do but it will get done.
At some time or other most children will ask for a pet. They will be adamant that they will look after the animal properly and take care of all the chores associated with keeping a pet.
Of course when they make these promises, they mean it. But kids are kids, and when the novelty wears off sometimes promises get broken. Perhaps they should feed the cat or clean the rabbit hutch as soon as they are home from school, but hey, the gang is about to go hang in the local park and so the pet gets forgotten about. And when that happens guess who has to take care of the chores, yes you do.
Growing up with a pet can be a marvelous experience for a child and all the care that goes with pet ownership can certainly help to teach a kid responsibility. But there are many factors to take into consideration before you give into your child's demands. Choosing the Best Pets for Kids _________________________
What do you do with a Rottweiler puppy that was rejected by its mother? Why you give the hungry pup to a nursing mom cat of course - Mama Cat Adopts Pup
Sunday February 18th 2007
I've just spent the day with my son Martin and grandson Jacob so I'm a tired and happy granddad. Their home has quite a collection of animals, cat, dog and now two budgerigars. Apparently Bluebell the cat has already been caught hanging on the birdcage with evil intent!
Bluebell rally is a splendid cat. I've written about her before and said how gorgeous she is, but a picture is worth a thousand words and Martin has promised to email me some snapshots of her. As soon as he does I will post them here. _________________________
I fully sympathize with the writer of the following story. Like her, I too cannot walk on ice or snow, I slip, I slide, I fall. But never in a month of Sundays would I think of the solution that she has. . . Cat Litter Gives Grip. _________________________
Before you introduce a new kitten into your home take the time to think about what your new pet will need, it is always wise to be prepared. You will need a supply of kitten formula food, a food bowl, water bowl, litter box and cat litter, cat carrier, toys, cat bed and bedding and so on. Read more here. . . Kitten Care
Wednesday February 21st 2007
I received a message via the Best Cat Art message form from a visitor who was reading a page on cat behavior, when an advertisement inserted itself over the content. The visitor says there was no way to get rid of the ad without responding to it, very annoying I agree.
Unfortunately the visitor did not leave their email address so I could not get back to them to ask for more details, I have now altered the form so that a message can't be sent without an email address. There are Google ads on most pages on this site, hey the rent has to be paid :-) These are most usually text ads but Google do serve image ads and occasionally video ads.
What you actually see depends upon where you are in the world. I don't see very many image ads on this site (I'm in the UK) and have never seen a video one. I don't think it could have been a Google ad, they don't, to my knowledge serve 'annoying' ones. Besides the visitor says the ad was for 'Dove Soap' which is not appropriate for a page on cat behavior, Google serves ads that are relevant to the subject of the page. They don't always get it quite right but soap is way off.
So where did the 'annoying' ad come from? I have two theories, but they are only theories. I have read about those 'fly-in' ads that have a timer that the site owner can set, say to 30 secs after the visitor arrives on the page. If the timer is set for a long time, say 500 secs, the visitor by that time could be on a completely different site but still have the 'fly-in' ad pop up!
The other possibility is that the visitor has something nasty, installed without their knowledge, on their computer. These little adware programs serve pop up ads randomly and can be completely infuriating. But then the visitor wouldn't just see the ads on this site but all the time they are online.
I'm sorry that the visitor's experience of Best Cat Art was spoiled and hope they get to the bottom of the 'annoying' ad mystery. _________________________
New Page. Do you need to find a name for a boy kitten or a male cat, looking for a name that's a little unusual? This page may help . . . Male Cat Names
I must admit I'd not heard of 'Rapcat' before or the promotion, probably because we don't have that particular drive in chain in the UK.
Is the chain encouraging cruelty? Could dressing your cat in a paper bag harm your cat at all? Many felines love to play with empty paper bags, they love batting them and chasing the bags across the floor. No cats should be allowed to play with plastic bags of course. Some folks like to dress their cats in costumes at Halloween and other occasions, I have mixed feelings about this, I think you have to be very careful that the costume is not tight around your pet's neck.
But does putting your cat in a paper bag with holes cut for the head, legs and tail constitute cruelty? I doubt that the cat would suffer any physical harm, but I do agree with Hillsborough County Animal Services when they say "putting an unwilling cat into a "Rapcat" bag could be considered felony animal cruelty." That is the nub of it I think, some folks may be so keen to go along with the promotion that they may try and force an unwilling and uncooperative cat into the bag. Of course they are quite likely to receive more than a few scratches as a momento of the occasion.
Tuesday February 27th 2007
Some time ago I posted about a television program for very young children, Prudence the Kitten, may have influenced my love of cats. I have remembered another such television cat that I don't think that I've mentioned before, if I have forgive me.
That other cat was another puppet, a glove puppet this time, Pussycat Willum. I don't think Willum ever had his own show but used to appear with certain presenters acting as a foil for their jokes. Two of those presenters were Wally Whyton and Muriel Young. Not much online about the cat puppet, I did find a site that said Willum used to receive up to 400 fan letters a week, which was more than any of the television company's human stars! I didn't find any pictures of the cat, as far as I can remember he was a pretty basic feline.
One of Willum's co-stars, Wally Whyton, started his showbiz life as the leader of a Skiffle group, the Vipers. Skiffle was a sort of folkish precursor of Rock 'n Roll and very popular in the UK. The Vipers enjoyed quite a bit of success and had their records produced by non other than George Martin long before he was involved with the Beatles. Quite why Wally Whyton went from being a record star to working with a cat glove puppet I don't know.
The other presenter that Willum worked with was the glamorous Muriel Young who I'd bet had a lot of dads watching children's television. I don't remember Pussycat Willum having a voice, I think the puppet just nodded or shook his head in answer to questions but I could be wrong, it was all so long ago. _________________________
I have made a start on the page about Savannah cats, hopeful that it will be online by the weekend. My son assures me that he will email me some photos of Bluebell his cat so that I can post them in this blog, she really is a stunning cat. If you are reading this Martin - hint, hint. :-)
Here is a video posted on Youtube. This has apparently stirred quite a bit of controversy and I'm not surprised. Harmless fun for both the owner and the cat, or potential cruelty?
As you will see the video shows a cat being spanked with paddles. The cat does seem not only willing to go along with it but also to actually enjoy it.
What are those paddles made of? Somebody suggested they are made of something soft, like foam, but the sound they make on the video suggests something more solid. The thing is, how on earth do you discover that your cat enjoys something like that (if indeed the cat in the video does enjoy it.)
I honestly don't know what to make of this. On the one hand, the cat does appear to be enjoying it and playing with a cat is not only fun but good for the cat. On the other hand, even if this particular cat is enjoying the spanking, should folks be encouraged to beat their pets even in fun?
At last the page is completed and is live on this site! (You knew that it would be eventually ;-) ) Savannah Cats - Exotically Good Looking. _________________________
Cat hairs, they can be such a nuisance they get everywhere and can drive you wild. And after you've spent all that energy cleaning them up what can you do with them but throw them away. I mean its not as if you can do something useful with them like save them up and knit them in to a jumper is it?
Well just in case you should want to do that here is someone that can help. Pam Gardner spins cat and dog hair into wool so pet owners can make jumpers from their animals' coats.
Pam says "It can take up to a year of daily brushings to have enough to make a garment. And hairs must be at least 5cm (2in) to be usable." Pam goes on to say that she has at least six jumpers made from the hairs from her Old English Sheepdogs. Ah yes, Old English Sheepdogs, big lovely hairy beasts that they are, are likely to give you enough hair for a jumper for an elephant, but if you have an average shorthair cat you would likely need a decade to get enough for a scarf.
Following up on the story I posted on Monday about the weird practice of turning pet hairs into clothing, my friend Lesley of The East Devon Guide tipped me off about an even weirder story.
We all love our pets and think of them as being more precious than diamonds, which indeed they are. After all a mere piece of rock cannot be as loving as a pet no matter how much it costs. Knock me down with a feather, now it seems that you can have your departed cats or other pets turned into diamonds!
I always thought that a diamond started life as a piece of coal and needed hundreds of tons of pressure, for hundreds of years, before it turned into a diamond. Pets did not come into the equation. It does not stop there, it gets weirder . . .
. . . not only departed pets are turned into diamonds but humans too, OMG! I'm tempted to make some joke about the mother-in-law being, or becoming, a gem, but I'll refrain from that. Here is the weird story - Dead pets give birth to diamond ring. _________________________
Cat treats can be used to good effect as a reward for your cat, when she behaves in the way that you want her to, such as using her litterbox, using her scratching post or allowing you to take her to the vet without too much of a song and a dance about it. But of course it is best to give your cat healthy treats and even then not give them that often - Why Give Your Cat Treats?
Monday March 12th 2007
Amanda Kline has kindly sent in the story of how she got her cat called Hobo when she was living with her grandma. It's a great story that has a very sad part and a very happy part. How I Got My Cat. _________________________
And talking of cat stories, here is an ancient cat tale from Ireland.
The Demon Cat
There was a wife of a fisherman in Connemara, and as her husband always had good luck at sea she always had plenty of fish to sell at market. But a great cat started to come at nights and devour all of the best and finest of the fish. So the woman found a big and stout stick and set herself to watch for the cat.
One day, as she and a woman friend were sat spinning together the house unexpectedly became very dark and the door burst open as if hit by a storm. Then in walked a huge black cat who went straight the way to the fire turned around and hissed and growled at the two women. "'Tis the devil, 'tis the devil!" cried the women. "I'll teach you to call me names," said the cat and with that he leaped at them and scratched away till they bled a stream. "There" said the cat "Next time a gentleman comes to call you will be a little more civil."
And with that the cat walked to the door and shut it to prevent any of them going out, for the poor women, crying loudly from fright and their pain, had made a hopeless rush to get themselves away.
Just at that time a man was going by, and hearing the cries of the women he pushed the door and tried to get in but the great cat stood on the threshold and would allow no one to pass. Frustrated the man struck the cat a mighty blow with a stick. The cat was more than up to the blow however, for it sprang at him and tore at his face and hands so viscously that the man took to his heels and ran as fast as he was able. "And now it's time for my dinner," said the great cat examining the fish that was laid upon the tables. "I hope the fish is oh so good today, now don't disturb me, and do not make a fuss, I can serve myself." With that the cat began to devour all the best fish, and all the while he growled at the women.
"Away you wicked beast!" they cried, giving it a blow with the tongs that would have broken its back, if the cat had not been a devil "Out of this! No fish, no fish shall you have today."
But the cat only grinned and went on devouring the fish, not a bit the worse for the blow it had received. At this, both the women attacked the cat with sticks, and struck many hard blows, hard enough to kill it. The cat glared at them and spat fire making a leap, tore their hands and tore their arms till blood came, and the terrified women rushed ashrieking from the house.
But before long the mistress returned, carrying a bottle of holy water and looking in, she saw the cat still greedily devouring the fish. So she crept quietly as she was able and threw the holy water on the great cat without a word. No sooner was this done than a solid black smoke filled up the house, through which nothing was seen save the two red eyes of the cat burning like coals of fire. Then by degrees the smoke cleared away and the woman saw the body of the devil cat burning slowly till it did become shriveled and blackened like a cinder, and finally it did disappear. And from that the fish remained untouched for the power of the devil cat was broken and was seen no more.
Thursday March 15th 2007
This story is all over the news. Two cats caused havoc Monday when they broke into a home in Nebraska and attacked two women and a boy, all of whom had to be treated at a local hospital. One woman was scratched and bitten on her legs, the other was bitten on her right calf, the boy was bitten on his forehead, nose, left ear and right cheek.
Quite understandably the cats were put down. This is a very unusual way for cats to behave. Yes, domestic cats with behavioral problems can bite humans but do these felines sound like domestic cats to you? Somehow I've got my doubts that stray cats, even feral cats would behave like this. Most of the news stories describe the cats as 'strays', however a couple of reports hint that the cats may have been, in fact, wild cats. Here is the story - Cats invade house, 3 injured _________________________
Have you ever wished that you had a little more than a photograph of your cat? Perhaps a permanent reminder of a feline friend that has passed on to another life. A portrait in oils perhaps.
Peggy Krizak is an artist with not only a passion for painting but also a deep love of animals. This enables her to produce pet portraits that are nothing less than stunning.
Peggy works from photographs and with you to produce a portrait of your cat that accurately portrays you friend's features and character and meets your expectations to your perfect satisfaction. Would you like to see Peggy's Feline Collection. Warning, you will fall in love with her cat portraits.
Sunday March 18th 2007
In case you have missed it I'll post this information about a recall of certain cat foods. It seems that the recall is limited to "cuts and gravy" style pet food in cans and pouches, sold under private-label and contract manufactured for some national brands. I think the recall is limited to the United States. Here is a link to a page that lists all the affected brands. Cat Food Recall _________________________
We have Rex from Wisconsin to thank for sending in this heartwarming story. A 10-month-old tabby cat named Xavier, is unable to walk because of an undiagnosed neurological disorder. Xavier can move his legs, but he has poor motor control and therefore can't support his own weight.
But life changed for the better for the little cat when he was fitted out with a custom aluminum wheelchair. The chair supports his weight so now Xavier can "walk" to his heart's content. Here's the full story - Disabled Cat Gets New Life
There are many pets that have all sorts of disabilities and yet are living a happy contented life and at the same time are bringing joy to their owners. How do pets with disabilities cope with life?
Wednesday March 21st 2007
Richard the III became the king of England in 1483 but the true heir to the throne was one Henry Tudor who at that time was a boy attending Eton Collage. Yes, Henry Tudor was later to become Henry VIII of the six wives.
Henry had a friend at Eton, Sir Henry Wyatt, who was rich and powerful. Richard the III was nervous of Sir Henry's influence, fearful that he would aid Henry Tudor gaining the throne. Richard decided against having Sir Henry murdered as it would attract too much attention so he had the young Knight imprisoned in the Tower of London.
Richard personally attended many of the torture sessions that Sir Henry suffered in his cold dank cell. The young Knight was given very little to eat and may well have starved to death had it not been for the actions of a cat. This cat crept into the cell and befriended Sir Henry who was glad of his company.
Before long the cat started bringing a pigeon with him when he visited. Sir Henry was able to persuade a friendly guard to cook and prepare the pigeons for him. If it wasn't for the cat Sir Henry may not have lived to see his friend Henry Tudor's coronation. King Henry granted Sir Henry a coat of arms and many royal positions including Master of the Jewel Office. _________________________
Abyssinian cats are very intelligent, bursting with energy and make devoted pets. These cats are known for their affection and loyalty and, being of even temperament, get along well with other family pets. Abyssinian Cats.
Saturday March 24th 2007
Tomorrow I'm off to see my three granddaughters, which I'm very happy about. It's a shame that the weather is not a bit more like spring though, if it is as cold as today I don't suppose that we will take the girls out, they will have to be content with playing with, teasing, and generally getting in the hair of their granddad indoors, should be fun ;-) _________________________
Some years back when I used to earn my living as a bus driver I occasionally drove a route that took me into the Camden Town area of London. There was a rather unusual building along the way that at that time was quite run down and neglected, but I could see that it once may have been rather splendid.
Having nothing more than a mild curiosity about the place I did nothing to find out about this strange piece of architecture. But now, all these years later, with the power of the Internet all is reveled and wouldn't you know it the building has a connection with cats.
In the early ninetieth century a Spanish nobleman, Don Jose Carreras Ferrer, moved to London and started a cigar trading business aimed at London's posh society. One of his best customers was the 3rd Earl of Craven. In 1899 the business moved on to making cigarettes by hand using a tobacco Carreras called Craven A Mixture. The logo that Carreras chose for the cigarettes was a simple drawing of a black cat.
In 1921 production was changed to machine made cork tipped cigarettes and business was so good that a new larger factory was needed. In 1926 work started on a large factory in Mornington Crescent, Camden Town, London, and the new facility was completed late 1928. The Egyptian style art deco building was inspired by discovery of Tutankhamen's tomb and had a pair of 7ft bronze cats guarding the entrance and ten black cats molded into the façade.
By 1959 business had fallen off for Carreras and the factory, which must have been expensive to maintain in the center of London, was closed. The building re-opened in 1963 as an office complex called the Greater London House but sadly with the bronze cats missing. And I suppose this is when the building went downhill and into the run down and neglected state that I saw it in. But . . .
. . . I'm glad to read that the building was restored in 1999 to its former glory with the cats back in their place. The restoration cost six million pounds a lot of dough but I'm sure that it was worth it. _________________________
A man was charged with 3 counts of animal cruelty and one of domestic assault against his former girlfriend, but after plea bargaining two of the animal abuse counts are to be dropped providing he pleads guilty to assault. He will also plead "no contest" to one count of animal abandonment.
It is claimed that the man would search the want ads looking for free kittens, he would then abuse the kittens then turn to his former girlfriend for help, making an appeal to her love of animals.
If guilty, this man is a beast. I do not understand "no contest", I don't think that is something that comes up under UK law. I also do not think the animal cruelty charges should be dropped, whether he pleads guilty or not. If there is enough evidence to make the charges in the first place he should face those charges. Here is the story - Man Accepts Plea Deal in Animal Abuse, Domestic Assault Case. _________________________
No surprise that I thoroughly enjoyed the day spent with my granddaughters on Sunday. The weather was very kind to us, much warmer than it had been on the Saturday, and we were able to spend some time at the local park where the girls wore us all out. When I arrived at my son's house, Bonkers the cat was sitting waiting on the doorstep. I'm sure that she has put on quite a bit of weight, like myself. Stroking her I could tell that she has filled out along her sides, quite the tubby cat.
Friday March 30th 2007
Whether it is a head cold or flu that I've got I'm not sure, but I haven't been to work since Wednesday. In fact I haven't done much of anything except cough and splutter and generally feel sorry for myself. _________________________
However, Iams say that all suspect products have been recalled and there is no danger with their dry pet foods.
To quote: "Veterinarians and pet owners should feel safe recommending and feeding Iams and Eukanuba dry foods and wet food products not involved in this recall."
As your cat ages you may notice change in its behavior. A cat that was once a timid kitten may become somewhat more aggressive with age, this could be due to pain. Joints may become worn and cause arthritis which can be very painful especially during cold and damp weather. A cat's ability to deal with change often decreases with age so an older cat may be less capable of dealing with new situations. < href=http://www.best-cat-art.com/elderly-cat-health-problems.html> Elderly Cat Health
Monday April 1st 2007
That head cold is clearing up now I'm glad to say but I've not stopped feeling sorry for myself because tomorrow I hit - the big Six Oh! Yes, I'll be officially old. There are some unkind folks who say that I've been sixty for years :-( _________________________
Feline heartworm is a parasite that is transmitted by a mosquito that is carrying heartworm larvae, the mosquito lands on the cat, bites it, and dispatches the larvae into the cat's blood stream. Eventually settling in the heart or lungs they grow to maturity and reproduce. The life span of these parasites is two to three years.
It was once thought that instances of feline heartworm were uncommon. Today it is realized that although cats stand less of a chance of infection than dogs, if a cat gets infected, it is usually devastating. This is because there is no approved treatment for cats yet. A few adult worms can seriously cripple a cat because of the cat's small heart size. Feline Heartworm _________________________
Everyone loves calico cats, the three color patchwork felines that are so appealing, so classy, so sassy, so individual with their orange, black and white coloration. Calico Cat Pictures
Thursday April 5th 2007
I hesitate to write about cat food with the bad news, and the present pet food recall, but I was having a conversation with someone at work today. He said that he fed a cat that he had some years back on dog food. He said he did this because dog food is a few pennies cheaper and it saved opening two different cans, he opened one can and fed both his cat and dog from it.
After I explained, or did my best to explain, why cats should be fed cat food he said that his cat did not come to any harm from it. Well he may have thought that he was not doing his pet any harm but I doubt that poor cat could have been in top health.
Cats are carnivores, which means they need a diet of meat, or mostly meat. Certain nutrients can only be found in meat and cats need these nutrients. Dogs, on the other hand, are omnivores, this means they have the capability to exist on a diet of meat and plant foodstuff.
Cat food is made for cats and dog food is made for dogs. Taurine (an amino acid) is essential for a cat's health and is not found in sufficient quantity in food made for dogs. If they don't get sufficient taurine cats can experience blindness, heart problems and breathing troubles. There are other essential nutrients that cats need that are present in properly formulated cat food.
As I said, I'm pretty sure that none of this got through to my friend. Fortunately he does not have a cat at present and doesn't plan on getting one anytime soon. Please, only feed your cat with properly formulated cat food. _________________________
Right, now to enjoy a nice long Easter weekend, the weather is looking very good with hardly a cloud in the sky. Whether you celebrate Easter or not, you enjoy the weekend too. And if you are in the unfortunate position where you have to work over the break, I sympathize with you but do try and find a little time to enjoy yourself.
Sunday April 8th 2007
What wonderful weather we have for the Easter break here in the UK (I hope that it is just as good for you wherever you are.) I only wish that I could be enjoying this great weather with my grandchildren, but you can't have everything, it's just great to be alive with days like these. _________________________
Most cats love to climb. No, this is not going to be another story about yet another cat that has got stuck way up in a tree, but those 'cat stuck up a tree' stories do underline how much cats love climbing.
The reason that I mention cats climbing is because I'm researching for a page about cat trees. Some cats are strictly indoor only cats so they don't have the opportunity of climbing fences and climbing (and getting stuck up) trees. A cat tree gives an indoor cat the opportunity to exercise their climbing skills, have a little fun and to sit and perch, perhaps looking down an observing their human companions.
My son's cat, Bluebell, loves to climb up onto the kitchen counter, a habit that my son should have trained her out of long ago. I suspect that she climbs up there to look for food but when she doesn't find any she stays and has a different perspective on things than she would have from the floor. Most cats love to perch up higher than that though and that is where a cat tree comes in. It gives the cat its own place up high where they can perch without causing any damage, by knocking things off high shelves for example. Most cat trees also give your cat an extra place to harmlessly scratch by being wound with sisal rope or by having a built in scratcher.
The cat tree page is being feverishly written at this very moment :-) But if you would like to peruse a selection of cat trees now here is a selection from Amazon - Cat Trees
Tuesday April 11th 2007
What does it mean when your cat meows? If your cat greets you with a meow it could mean hello, especially so if your cat makes the same sound each time she sees you after an absence.
With some cats it even sounds as if they are actually saying hello, at least it does to you if you think that is what you are hearing. I know a cat like that. She makes a few quiet meows and then comes a long meeeeow, which sounds like an unmistakable "helloooo". If you return the greeting with a clearly spoken hello she will repeat her salutation, this game can go on for some time.
Cats also use meowing to call for food, some are not at all shy in trying to persuade you to get busy with the can opener. Sometimes though, what we think is vocal pestering for food or treats, is nothing more than a call for attention. Most cats enjoy being made a fuss of or a play session, but sometimes we forget that and assume that they are being a greedy kitty and begging for edibles!
What if your cat is meowing a heck of a lot and is normally a quiet cat? This could be a big clue that something is wrong. Often this is a sign of stress, cats are very prone to stress and they can show this by exhibiting behavior that is unusual for them, meowing (or even howling) is one of them. If you can't find or figure out what it is that is stressing out your cat, you should take your cat to the vet just in case it is a medical problem. _________________________
'Tis here! The new page about Cat Climbing Trees and it's waiting for your approval!
Saturday April 14th 2007
A mom smelled smoke and then saw flames in her kitchen so she rushed her kids outside and then called 911. Firefighters arrived to find the family safe but worried about their cats, which were still inside the burning house. Two emergency medical technicians bravely rushed into the house and found the cats and kittens upstairs overcome by smoke.
Sadly one kitten was dead, and two died at the animal hospital, but the rescuers managed to save seven of the cats and kittens by using child-size breathing apparatus. Here is the story - Family makes a fresh start - rescued cats get new home. _________________________
Male orange cats outnumber female orange cats by about three to one. The reason for this has to do with chromosomes and genes, put simply the same pair of chromosomes that determine whether a cat is female or male, also determines the color of the cat's coat.
Do you actually call them orange cats or are you more likely call them ginger cats? Perhaps you refer to them as marmalade cats, rusty cats, tangerine cats or even red cats. Whatever your preferred term is for an orange feline you will simply love these orange cat pictures.
Tuesday April 17th 2007
Some cats are attracted like a magnet to the kitchen waste bin. Like all animals cats have a strong sense of smell and even the smallest morsel of foodstuff left in the bin will be irresistible to kitty. It's not often that a cat can actually get into the waste bin but with those bins with a swing lid it can happen. The cat jumps on top and before they know what is happening they have dropped down into the bin.
Usually though, the cat can't get at the waste and ends up managing to tip over the bin. So how do you cure this problem? Naturally you take out your kitchen waste every day, but if yours is a particularly busy kitchen try taking out the waste as soon as it has built up. Washing out the bin each time that you empty it ensures that the odor, which is attractive to your cat, doesn't build up.
Is there a cupboard or cabinet unit that you can keep the waste bin in? Could you replace the bin with one that is more sturdy and your cat can't tip over? Try a couple of large stones at the bottom of the bin to give it more stability. _________________________
Constipation in cats is often a sign of other bowel related problems and in itself it is not necessarily a serious ailment. Cats suffering from constipation can easily recover from the problem with the proper care and will not necessarily experience it again. Constipation in felines has many causes and as a general rule, takes place when normal bowel movements are disrupted for one reason or another. Read more here - Feline Constipation and How it Can Affect Your Cat
Friday April 20th 2007
Cats have life on a plate! Or so it sometimes seems, but in truth our kitties give back far more than they receive. They give companionship, they give affection, they often give a welcome greeting on your arrival home and so much more.
Cats do get their food on a plate though, or to be precise in a dish or bowl. Often, the first time that we purchase a bowl for our cat's food we pick a plastic one. And why not, plastic bowls are affordable, virtually unbreakable and often bright and cheery perhaps with 'Kitties Food' or a similar slogan printed or stamped upon them.
Some cats use a plastic bowl for year after year with no noticeable problems. Plastic bowls often present a few difficulties however. Plastic is lightweight so may not stay put when your cat tries to eat, a bowl that is forever skidding across the floor doesn't make for the best eating experience for your feline. Also plastic scratches quite easily. You may not notice the tiny scratches but bacteria collects in them which means that your cat's food will not stay fresh for as long as it otherwise might. Plastic also retains odors and again this does not give your cat the best eating experience.
Ceramic and glass bowls do not have the odor problem and they are heavy enough not to skid when your cat tucks in. However, unlike plastic, drop a ceramic or glass bowl and - smash!
A stainless steel bowl could give you and your cat the best of both worlds. Will not break even if you throw it at your spouse and will not have the odor problem. A stainless steel bowl should stay put but to make sure many have anti-skid rubber on the base. These bowls cost a good bit more than plastic ones but think how long the bowl will be in use, could be a terrific investment. _________________________
I occasionally receive an email from a visitor saying that they found a particular page on this site to be helpful. It's great when that happens, not just for the kudos but because it let's me know that I am putting up pages that folks want to read.
Likewise it is just as helpful when someone says that they didn't enjoy a certain page or that the information wasn't to their liking. Of course, I don't like to get emails that criticize as much as emails that praise, but both kinds help me to know what you, dear reader, would like on this site. And that counts for this blog too.
So, please if you can spare a moment or two to let me know what you would enjoy - more articles about cat health? Kitten care? Cat behavior? Cat Art? Just general cat stuff? And you don't even have to send an email, just use this form What would you like on this site?
Monday April 23rd 2007
Happy St George's Day to all who are reading this in Blighty and also to anyone really. I know that it is now-a-days not considered politically correct to celebrate England's patron saint but since when have I been p.c. _________________________
Why is it that so many people obtain a pet when they are not completely sure that they want to keep the animal for life? Surely when you welcome a pet into your home the pet becomes part of the family, and you don't get shot of a member of the family if you grow tired of them!
Okay, maybe that is a bit unfair. I suppose there are circumstances that arise that force you to very reluctantly find another good home for your pet. But there is a report out today from the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) that the number of unwanted pets is increasing. And, more disturbingly, often these abandoned animals are in a neglected state. Humans never cease to disgust me. Here is the full story - _________________________
On a happier note. I went to see my granddaughters yesterday and what a fabulous time we had. Of course, it is easy for a grandparent to see all the joy and love in three little cherubs, grandparents don't have all the headaches and hassles and, as angelic as the three girls are, I'm sure that they cause mum and dad plenty of problems. I did so enjoy myself though. Yes, Bonkers the cat was there too.
Sadly, distinguished Cornell University cat veterinarian James Richards has died in a motorcycle accident. He was thrown from his motorcycle when trying to avoid a cat in the road.
Richards was the director of Cornell's College of Veterinary Medicine's Feline Health Center and regularly appeared on television to discuss the world of cats. He was an authority on vaccinations for cats and the author of several books and articles on cats. If you read books about cats you will have quite likely read at least one of his books.
"He was the most competent feline expert, perhaps in the country, but even more than that he was just a wonderful caring person and a very dear friend to many, many people," said Donald Smith, dean of Cornell's vet school. Cat expert dies after crash _________________________
For bedlam, for mayhem, and most of all for laughs there's nothing like a cat and mouse chase. The hilarious possibilities of a cat chasing after a small and innocent looking mouse have long been exploited by animators, and never better and funnier than in the Tom and Jerry series of cartoons.
Tom was perhaps the ideal cartoon cat. Mischievous, impulsive, with more than a bit of a wicked streak but at the same time cute and lovable. The mouse Jerry, was the perfect opponent for Tom, whimsical, cheeky and in no way as innocent as he looked. Tom the cat nearly always came off the loser in any encounter he had with little Jerry mouse. Read more about the all time favorite cat and mouse pair here > Tom and Jerry
Sunday April 29th 2007
"Oh to be in England now that spring is here" so wrote Robert Browning and by golly he was right. I spent the day with my son Martin and grandson Jacob in the warmth of the English country sunshine. A very nice pub lunch and then a stroll across the fields back to my son's house to help Jacob with his homework, or did he help me with it? _________________________
I've recently got myself a new cat book, a downloadable ebook in fact. The book is "Complete Cat Training: Cat Training To Stop Your Cat's Behavior Problems!" which is quite a mouthful of a title.
I've had one complete read through and I must say that I'm impressed, the book gives a lot of cat information. What I will do is take my time and go through the book again and post a review. As suggested by the title the book concentrates heavily on cat obedience training, from litter box training to putting an end to excessive yowling. The book comes with a couple of very nice bonuses. If you want to check it out before I write my review here is the link - Cat Obedience Training Secrets to STOP Your Cat's Behavior Problems! _________________________
Should your cat start scratching the floor around the outside of her litter tray after she has used the tray, you can be sure that she is trying to tell you something. And that 'something' is likely that all is not well with the litter tray.
Has something changed? Remember that most cats react badly to change, they love routine. Change is likely to cause your cat stress. Have you recently changed the brand of litter? You may have swapped to what you consider a better quality litter, but your cat is not likely to think so at least not until she gets used to it. Always introduce a new brand of litter slowly, mixing a little of the new with the old and very gradually increasing until you are only using the new litter. There's a much greater chance that your cat will accept the change that way.
Have you moved the litter tray? Again, your cat may not agree with your decision. The new spot may be drafty, too heavily trafficked or without an adequate escape route. Cats like an escape route away from the place they do their business.
Have you moved her food bowl and moved it too near to her litter tray? Cats do not like to do their business close to where they eat. Has the plastic litter tray gotten old? After time plastic starts to absorb odors and, although you clean it regularly, it may start to smell and kitty will not want to use it.
These and other changes may cause your cat start scratching around the outside of her litter tray to tell you that something is wrong. Of course, her actions may be more severe, she may stop using the tray completely. Never forget that it could be a medical problem that is causing her behavior.
Sunday 7th May 2007
It's not unusual to hear about someone not getting their mail delivered because their dog attacks the mailman, but not that often we hear of a cat that won't let the post be delivered. Well it seems that Canada's postal system has ceased delivery of mail to a home in Winnipeg. Story no longer online. _________________________
Somehow I got distracted into writing a page about cat grooming. I forget how it came about but I realized that there is no information about how to groom a cat on this site, not one page. So I set to work researching all the information I could find on grooming a cat, and there is a lot of information.
Not content with researching I set to work writing and got absorbed with that. The net result is that I have a half-written page about cat grooming and not one word of the review. However, I hereby solemnly promise that by the time that I post here again I will have one or the other finished and on the site . . . I hope.
Thursday 11th May 2007
Last time that I posted I solemnly promised that I would have one of two pages finished and up on this site. I can't hide the fact that I've failed to do so. The Cat Grooming page is almost finished, and I did tell myself that I would rush home from work and complete the job before making this blog post.
Now that was my intention, but now that I am home I find there are a couple of things that require my attention. Plus, I can feel that I'm tired, I'm sure that it won't be long before I'm asleep in front of this computer. If I rush to get that page done, I'm sure that I would not make a very good job of it. I would prefer to take a little more time to do the job right. _________________________
Here is an ancient cat tale which is of Danish origin, I think.
It is said that there was once amongst the troll people that lived on a hill an old and wizened troll who was called Rumble Grumble by the rest of the trolls. Rumble Grumble was eternally the cause of much noise and uproar upon the hill.
It came to be that the old and wizened troll discovered what he deemed to be too great a degree of intimacy between his attractive young wife and a young Troll of the hill. Rumble Grumble vowed terrible vengeance swearing that he would have the life of the young troll, the latter thought it would be his best course of action to be down of the hill till better times.
Turning himself into a fine tortoiseshell Tomcat, he one fine morning left his home and journeyed down to the town of Lyng, where he installed himself in the house of an honest but poor man named Plat.
Here he lived comfortably with nothing to annoy him, and was as happy as any Tomcat or Troll crossed in love could be. Every day there was plenty of milk and good meat to eat, and he lay the whole day long in a warm armchair behind the stove.
It happened that one evening Plat came home rather late and as he entered the house the Tomcat was sitting in his customary place eating meat out of a pot, and licking the pot itself very carefully. "Listen Tomcat" called Plat, as he came in at the door, "Wait till I tell you what happened to me on the road. Just as I was coming down the lane there came out a troll, and he shouted out to me and said, "Hear you Plat, tell your cat, that Rumble Grumble is dead."
Upon hearing those words the Tomcat tumbled the pot down on the floor and stood up on his hind-legs becoming less Tomcat and more troll. As he hurried out of the door, he cried out with exultation, "What! is dead? Then I may go home as fast as I please."
The moment the cat heard these words, he tumbled the pot down on the floor, sprang out of the chair, and stood up on his hind-legs. Then, as he hurried out of the door, he cried out with exultation, "What! is Rumble Grumble dead? Then I may go home as fast as I please." And as fast as a troll could scampered off to the hill, to the amazement of honest Plat; and, as he had once been a Tomcat, it is likely that he lost no time in making advances to the young widow.
Sunday 13th May 2007
Yes, it is finished and on this site. After chaining myself to this keyboard and pounding away on the keys until the small hours of the night I've finally finished How to Groom a Cat
Of course those of you that are subscribed to the Best Cat Art.com site feed will already know about the new page. If you are not subscribed just click on the orange button at the top left of this page. If you are not sure what it's all about then this page will help you - What is RSS? _________________________
Many of us enjoy having houseplants around our homes to nurture and bring a bit of the outdoors indoors. Sometimes our cats like to nibble at the leaves and stems and this results in the plants looking less than their best.
What can you do? Well, you can try keeping your plants up high but many cats are expert mountaineers and will make efforts to munch your greenry anyway. There are citrus sprays available that may work, cats are repulsed by citrus, but test out the spray on a few leaves first as I've read that some plants are affected. You can also try putting a few pieces of orange or lemon peel in the plant pots. A tray of cat grass might be the first thing to try. Cats eat grass and vegetation to provide themselves with vitamins and minerals, and to help get rid of furballs. If they satisfy that need with the cat grass, which they find tasty, they will be less likely to attack your plants.
Keep in mind that there are plants that present a danger to cats, this applies to both houseplants and plants found in the garden, it is comparatively rare for a cat to eat something harmful, but if it should do so your vet needs to be contacted quickly. Plants that can prove poisonous to cats.
Wednesday 16th May 2007
Just got back from the dentist. I'm a real coward when it comes to visits to the dentist but today was just a check up. And, I'm very pleased to say, I don't need any work doing :-) However the dentist did tick me off about the color of my teeth - must smoke less and brush teeth more. _________________________
When it is time for you to get a new cat please consider adopting an adult cat from a shelter. If you do you could be saving that cat's life. Yes, we know that kittens are cute and irresistible but kittens don't stay kittens of course, so you end up with an adult anyway.
You may have a particular breed in mind and it is unlikely that you will find a cat of a particular breed up for adoption. But must you have that breed? Would not a cat of any, or more likely no breed, be just as lovable? Of course she or he would. And if you are choosing a breed for a particular personality trait please keep in mind that although breed can give a clue as to a cat's personality, it is by no means guaranteed. Adopting an adult cat on the other hand will let you know, with a degree of certainty, what sort of cat you are taking on.
And, no matter what personality traits your adopted cat has you will love him or her. A lively and affectionate cat that runs to greet you when you arrive home you can't fail to love. A quite cat that prefers to keep herself to herself you will also love and respect her for the cat that she is.
A simple thing like a change to your cat's diet can cause your cat a bout of diarrhea. Make any change to your cat's diet gradually, even when changing to a better quality food. Feeding your kitty table scraps is not at all a good idea, food for humans is not always suitable for felines, and diarrhea can be a result of your cat eating table scraps.
If your cat goes outside well-meaning neighbors may feed your cat inappropriate food, or she may eat something from the garbage can and get an upset stomach. Read more about cat diarrhea here - Causes of Cat Diarrhea _________________________
Each year, thousands of caring families rescue and adopt an orphan kitten or kittens. Orphan kitten care is not complicated, but there is an element of commitment involved. However, this commitment is worth it and it is guaranteed that you will feel the same way, each time you look into that fuzzy little face!Orphan Kitten Care _________________________
Have you ever dreamed of owning an oil painting of your cat, a work of art that captures the individual character of your special little pet? Perhaps you have considered commissioning a cat portrait, but dropped the idea because you don't think that someone who does not know your cat would be able to put your cat's personality into the painting, then meet Peggy Krizak _________________________
What a nice day today has been, very hot and sunny, a bit of sunshine makes even a day spent at work all the more pleasant. Now that summer is arriving let's hope that there will be many more hot and sunny days. Please do not forget about your pet's needs on hot days.
Cats need somewhere cool and shady to rest up and sleep during the hotter weather, and plenty of clean, fresh water which must be available to them at all times. Cats, without access to water can become dehydrated very easily during hot spells and that's not a good thing. It is best to feed your cat in the cooler hours of the day if at all possible. _________________________
A 14 year old cat, Lucy, survived for seven long weeks trapped beneath a kitchen cabinet after its owners moved house. The poor cat had been left behind when the Duke family moved from Stone, near Dartford in Kent up to to Inverness in Scotland.
Geoff Duke and his wife, Debbie, and their children, Bradley (13) and Melissa (18 months) stayed in a hotel the night before catching the plane from Heathrow to Inverness. They had arranged to pick up the cat from the house en route to the airport.
"Morning came, the taxi was in the driveway with its engine running," Mr Duke recalled. "We all hunted high and low but the cat could be found nowhere in the house." The family assumed that Lucy had escaped when the enthusiastic new owner started stripping walls with a sander the previous afternoon. The family had to make the very hard decision to continue to the airport to catch their plane.
Their old neighbors took up the search for the cat, fixing posters to lamp-posts and details were entered on "lost cat" websites.
"Several weeks went by, life went on, and we became resigned to the fact that we would never see Lucy again," Mr. Duke said. Read the full story here - Lucky Lucy is back from the dead
Saturday 26th May 2007
Look! Up in the sky. Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a cat!
As a kid I used to read super-hero comics, you know the sort of thing, Batman, MarvelMan and especially Superman. I can vaguely remember Superman having a Super dog named Krypto that sometimes accompanied the man of steel in his battles against super-villains. (This is the intellectual stuff you are reading here folks.)
But I don't remember a super cat. But apparently there was one that accompanied SuperGirl. And that's why I don't remember the feline of Steel, I would not have read SuperGirl comics, that would have been sissy! A bit of research on the 'net reveals that the cat's name was Streaky and he had super speed, super strength, super vision, could fly and all that stuff. Streaky was given his super powers by an unusual form of kryptonite.
I don't know if Streaky the SuperCat had a secret identity. All the super-heroes had one but I did the super-pets? I guess there must have been times when Streaky wanted to be an ordinary Tom cat. Did SuperGirl have to open cans of cat food for her pet? Or did the cat with super powers open his own? Surely a cat that could fly could work a can opener. And what about neutering? Usually super heroes are indestructible, that would be a problem if Streaky was taken to the vet wouldn't it? _________________________
Calico cats are so attractive, they look classy with their orange, black and white coats. It is no surprise that calico cat pictures are very popular, they make such an appealing display, adding a splash of color and interest to any room in your home. Calico Cat Pictures.
Wednesday 30th May 2007
I forgot to mention it last time that I posted but I received feedback from a visitor via this form What would you like on this site? that she would like to see more funny cat videos on this site. OK, it certainly is about time that I updated both Cat Videos and Funny Kitten Videos. There must be plenty of new cat and kitten videos available, as soon as I get a spare moment I'll search some out and get them on this site. _________________________
I could dimly remember seeing an animated cartoon about a kitten that tried to be a robber but failed, could not remember much else about it or when or where I'd seen it.
So I put the power of the Internet to work and bingo, I found all the information that I needed. It seems that the cartoon was entitled "The Robber Kitten." It was in fact a Disney cartoon made in 1935, now hold on a second, I may be long in the tooth but I certainly did not see this in 1935! Likely I saw it as a kid sometime in the '50's.
The robber kitten was a cute little chap called Ambrose who runs away when mother cat attempts to give him a bath. He decides to support himself by becoming a robber. He also decides that he would prefer to be called Butch, a name more in keeping with a bad guy kitten.
Before long he meets up with Dirty Bill the bulldog who is a real robber. At first Bill seems to befriend little Butch, but it is not too long before the bulldog wants to rob the kitten of his bag of cookies. This brings home to Butch the nastiness of robbery and he high tails it home to jump into his bath much to the surprise of mother cat. I must have enjoyed that cartoon as a child, and I think that I'd probably quite enjoy seeing it again now.
Saturday 2nd June 2007
My son's girlfriend Suzy is a paramedic and one of her patients has a cat who has produced a litter. My son says that when it comes to animals Suzy has a soft heart, and so, there is now a cute new occupant at my son's house.
Here she is . . .
Her name I am told is now Marble. Apparently when she first arrived her name was Minx but that got changed. Minx or Marble I'm sure that you agree that she is a cute little kitty. My son's home is becoming quite a menagerie. There is Bluebell their older cat. Bluebell is not that impressed with the new addition apparently. Ah well, that is normal and given time the older cat will get used to the new arrival.
Then there is Princess the Lurcher. Princess is a lovely dog and gets on famously with all humans - but she usually hates anything with four legs. But she has taken to Marble and the two of them curl up in bed together! I don't know what the two budgerigars think of the kitten.
Martin, that's a beautiful kitten you have there, please get her spayed as soon as possible. _________________________
It's late but it is now finished, my review of the ebook Complete Cat Training. Now it will not have taken a Sherlock Holmes to work out that my review was going to be a positive one. After all I have been promoting this book on this site and would not do that if I was not impressed with it, which I am. But still I've tried to be as objective as possible.
This book really does have cat training covered. From correcting bad behavior problems to teaching your cat cute tricks. But there is no point in saying more here - have a read of the review. . . Complete Cat Training
Tuesday 5th June 2007
I was telling a friend at work about my son's new kitten. "What is it?" he said. "It's a young cat" I replied. What he was getting at, of course, was which breed is the kitten. I told him that she is no particular breed just a lovable little kitty. He then proceeded to tell me that his sister-in-law will only entertain purebred cats and that she seems to think that purebred cats are superior felines.
My view is that cats are cats, purebred or mixed. There many terrific purebred cats of course but likewise plenty of wonderful mogies. Some people believe that by choosing a cat of a specific breed they will be assured of a cat with particular personality. Yes, most breeds do have certain personality traits but cats are very much individual creatures, so a cat of a breed known for its independence could be in fact very reliant.
Hey, a cat is easy to love no matter what its personality, except perhaps very aggressive cats. And curing a cat of aggressive behavior is usually a matter of patient training. What you do know when choosing a particular breed of cat is what the cat will look like, its size, weight and coat pattern. If, for an example, you want a large muscular cat with a splendid mane you would perhaps choose a Norwegian Forest Cat. _________________________
Did you know you can buy cat and kitten food online at Amazon.com? They seem to have quite a range, not sure how their prices match other stores but they do seem to have some bargains. Here's a link to check it out. Cat and Kitten food
Friday 8th June 2007
Animal Control officers seized nearly 50 cats from a house on Thursday. Officers said they obtained a search warrant after complaints from neighbors of a foul odor emerging from the house.
The house was soon condemned as it was overtaken by mildew and a half-inch layer of cat feces also covered the floor and many other surfaces in the home. Officials were trying to determine the condition of the cats, most were ailing and had ear mites. Here's the complete story - Nearly 50 felines seized from condemned home _________________________
The Russian blue breed is not a common breed of cat. It is bred mainly for showing and the numbers bred are strictly controlled. The few Russian Blues that are sold to the public are spayed or neutered or sold subject to a spay or neuter agreement. But if you should be fortunate enough to get one as a petthen you will have a cat with a very devoted and affectionate nature after you have managed to win the trust of your Russian Blue that is. You will need lots of patience but once a Russian Blue decides that a human is worthy of being its friend then a very special human-feline bond is formed. Russian Blue Cats
Tuesday 12th June 2007
I went to see my granddaughters on Sunday. I've no need to say that I had a fabulous time and really enjoyed seeing them, I always do. Baby Hayley will be one year old on Thursday and Samantha will be five on Friday. Where does the time go, where does it go? _________________________
The Cat Video and Funny Kitten Videos pages have been updated. Sorry if any of your favorites have gone but I'm sure that you will enjoy the new additions. Take a look at the Tortoise and Cat video it's hilarious.
Poor cat, tortoises are supposed to be slow and pretty docile. Not so the one in this video, he's super fast, very mean and he is not going to allow the cat to invade his territory, no way! Then there is the kitten in a box whose littermate won't leave him alone. _________________________
On a pet forum that I sometimes visit a poster was having problems with ants invading her cat's food bowl. The suggested answers to the problem were interesting.
Draw a line in chalk around the cat's feeding area, or if ants are getting in the house draw the line right around the house. Apparently ants will not cross the chalk line! I must say I'd not heard that before, I wonder if it works.
Create a honey trap. Fill a small jar with honey and leave it a few feet away from your cat's food. The ants will prefer the honey and leave kitty's food alone. Sounds like it should work.
Place the cat bowl in a large shallow dish filled with water. Put a little soap or detergent in the dish which will break the surface of the water. The ants won't be able to march across the water. Again, sounds like it should work.
Ants are supposed to be repelled by cinnamon, cucumber, lemon or orange peel.
Saturday 16th June 2007
Patsy a 13-year-old tabby cat became firmly stuck in a gap between two houses chased by a neighbor's dog. Firefighters had to knock a wide hole and take up flooring to rescue the cat who had been trapped there for 16 hours.
A vet had to sedate Patsy for 20 minutes to make it easier to free her. Patsy's owners now have to call in the builders to repair all the damage caused by the rescue but the good news is that the cat is now recovering well from her ordeal. Here's the story . . . Demolition job to save trapped cat _________________________
Many studies have confirmed that taking care of a pet is good for you. In fact one such study found that people's health could improve in as little as three months after getting a pet.
Pets that require exercise gave their humans the greatest increase in good health. But even owning a pet that does not require much extra physical effort from an owner can boost your well-being.
The act of giving a cat, dog or other pet, affection or grooming them has been shown to help lower stress levels and lower blood pressure. Taking care of a pet can give you a sense of purpose in life and that can only good for your mental wellness. It is believed that sharing your home with a pet means that you will be less likely to need the services of your doctor and be less liable to feeling isolated or lonely. _________________________
Who knows when it was that collecting cat plates became popular, but popular it is. Cats are, of course, beautiful creatures and put together with the appeal of collecting plates, you have a hobby with millions of devotees. Collecting Cat Plates
Tuesday 19th June 2007
I'm on leave from work this week, lucky me. Yesterday I went to visit my aunt who lives in Selsey a small town on the south coast of England. As the afternoon proved to be quite sunny and pleasant I suggested a short stroll along the sea front.
My aunt who is getting on a bit does not move as fast as she once did (neither do I for that matter,) and as we were slowly making our way down to the sea we passed a garden with a well manicured lawn. I spied a bewhiskered black and white cat purposefully but slowly making its way along the edge of this lawn. Also on the lawn was a bird, a thrush I think but what do I know about birds, singing its head off.
The singing bird did not fly off until we were within a few feet of it and it had not seen the cat, of that I'm sure. But the cat most certainly could not have failed to see the cat but took no notice of it whatsoever. The cat reached the pavement, gave my aunt and I a dismissive glance and proceeded to wherever it was determined to get to.
Who said cats always chase birds? Well I might have, but this cat didn't, that cat could have pounced upon the warbling bird with ease but instead decided to ignore it. Maybe it was because it was such a pleasant afternoon. _________________________
I received an email from Kim telling me about her new kitten that she is thrilled with. Kim says the kitten is black but in bright light stripes can be seen in the kitten's coat. Here is part of my answer to the email . . .
Often if you look closely at the coat of a black cat in bright sunlight you will see faint stripes or swirls. These are "tabby" markings. Yes, all cats carry the tabby gene! Domestic cats developed from the African wild cat, these wildcats had similar markings to those we see on tabby cats, which gave them a very effective form of camouflage that kept them safe from their predators. _________________________
Are you a Work At Home Mom or perhaps a stay at home mom who has chosen to stay home to bring up the kids? You would not have it any other way but you sometimes wish that there was a little more in your life? If so this short video may be of interest to you . . .
Val Richardson has kindly sent in the story of her kitten Robert J Splat Cat, alias Bobcat, but affectionately known as Bobby. Bobby was a very special little kitten but alas his story is a sad one and if you are easily upset you may not want to read it.
Val, I was very sorry to read of what happened and I think you are very brave to send in Bobby's story. You ask a question in your story, not to me of course but I'd like to answer if I may. Yes, I agree that keeping a dog that has been trained to be vicious should not be allowed. I can understand, in these days of high crime, that some people feel they would be safer with a guard dog. But a trained 'Watch Dog' is a safer idea. The dog is trained to bark a warning (but not to attack) and it has been proved that does scare off many burglars. A dog may be trained to attack burglars, but it is asking too much to hope that a dog will always know in what circumstances it is OK to be vicious. Here is Bobby's story - So long little friend. _________________________
New Page. Many cats spend a good part of their day asleep they like nothing better than finding a comfortable and warm spot and settling down to enjoy a little catnap.
This may be especially true with indoor only cats whose humans are out at work all day. Without any company or stimulation to keep the cat awake she or he sleeps quite a lot of the time.
This will often mean that the cat is full of life in the evening and at night, and this means a problem when it comes to you getting your needed sleep. Your cat awake and active in the night can mean broken sleep or even entirely sleepless nights for you, the result is that you are constantly tired. This is a far from ideal state of affairs, is there anything that can be done about it? Cat Awake
Monday 25th June 2007
On April 8 2003 West Hollywood City Council voted 5-0 to ban the declawing of cats within their city limits, declaring that the "mere convenience (of declawing) to the pet's guardian does not justify the unnecessary pain, anguish and permanent disability caused (to) the animal."
Unfortunately in January 2006 this ban was overturned. The California VMA sued West Hollywood City Council, declaring the city had infringed on veterinarians' rights to practice within the range of their license. The Los Angeles Superior Court agreed and directed against the city ban on the declawing of cats on November 30th 2005.
But now the good news . . . On Friday, the Second District Court of Appeal in Los Angeles ruled two to one that a city can regulate the conduct of professionals, as long as it does not prohibit procedures that state law expressly allows.
Justice Dennis Perluss said West Hollywood has the authority to "set minimum standards for the humane treatment of animals within its borders."
This is totally off the topic of cats, but humans matter too. Over the weekend there were three murders in this city. One of them, a boy of just sixteen was killed not too far from here. Just sixteen . . . he did not get a chance to find out what life is all about. Why, oh why is it that young men/boys have to think it necessary to carry knives and guns? _________________________
July 1 is Canada's Independence Day. July 4 is USA's Independence Day. And now July 6 is "SBI! Independence Day" huh? What's that all about?
SBI! is all about personal and financial Independence. So they are holding the Summer Sandals Special over to the stroke of midnight, July 6, now officially "SBI! Independence Day"! :-) Site Build It! has delivered personal and financial Independence to thousands - come join the party, bring a friend and you can both declare your independence.
I received an email from Teri of Sri Lanka. Teri is a cat person and is currently looking after a lot of rescue cats. Within the message was the following cry for help:
Am looking for a site or collection of drawings or illustrations depicting a suave looking black cat in a diamond collar with cigarette holder. Its a very French drawing and I know I have seen it somewhere before and is ideal as the logo for a fundraising fashion show am organizing in aid of disabled children in Sri Lanka.
I thought and I thunk but could be of no help, although I can't help feeling that I have seen a cat (or rather an illustration of a cat) that looks like that. Sounds like the sort of illustration produced in the late fifties or early sixties. The only help that I could offer is to . . .
. . .ask you! Anyone know of an illustration of a "suave looking black cat in a diamond collar with cigarette holder"? If you do then please Contact me and I'll pass the information on to Teri. _________________________
Traveling can be a cause of apprehension and perhaps even stress for cats, but this can be reduced with preparation, love, and the choice of a suitable cat carrier.
There is a great variety of styles and types of cat carrier available today, choose a model suited to the needs of your cat and yourself. The carrier needs to be large enough to allow your cat to lie down, and be able to turn around. But it must not be so large that your cat will feel insecure inside. If your pet has not yet reached full growth, allow for this when deciding which cat carrier to buy.
It is important that the carrier that you select has adequate ventilation. A cat is likely to become stressed when traveling and this could mean an increased breathing rate, so vents on at least three sides of the carrier (to enable air to flow through,) are pretty much essential. Read more here. Cat Carriers
Monday 2nd July 2007
England's anti-smoking laws came into force yesterday :-( This means I can't go to the pub and enjoy a pint and a smoke - I don't think I will be going to the pub much. But worse, if I want to smoke at work I have to get right off the premises and smoke on the public pavement. And with the weather like it was today, torrential downpours, I can see myself spending a lot of time away from work due to pneumonia! Rant over. _________________________
More people, than thought, develop allergic reactions to cats research by the Imperial College, London, suggests - and this applies even to those not specifically allergic to felines. About 15% of the UK population are allergic to cats.
Lead researcher Susan Chinn said the findings were "surprising" and went on to say . . .
"We presupposed that we would find increased responsiveness only in those individuals who were exposed to cat allergen and whose blood tests showed that they were allergic to cats.
But our study suggests that all allergic individuals have signs of asthmatic responses if exposed to cat allergen, even if blood tests show that they are not allergic to cats. It appears that many individuals could benefit from reduced cat ownership and exposure."
However, Muriel Simmons of the charity Allergy UK says that in many ways the findings are not unexpected. She points out that cat allergens are extremely sticky, which means they affix themselves to people easily and could cause the sort of problems reported. Muriel is not recommending that folks should get rid of their cats (I should hope not,) but advising sufferers to keep their cats out of their bedroom, but there is no way to avoid the problem altogether. Here is the story - Warning over cat allergies. _________________________
I’ve reworked a page that I should have paid attention to a long time ago. When I built the Felix the Cat Pictures page, all the posters were in stock. Not unusually, every now and then a poster would go out of stock so I’d replace it with something else, no worries. But then Felix the Cat posters started disappearing and there were no new posters to replace them. When I checked the page this morning I found that it was a page full of deleted items, not good. So I’ve given up on just showing Felix the Cat posters and linked to eBay instead. The page has been set not only to show posters but anything Felix related. At the moment it is not showing too many Felix the Cat posters but lots of interesting Felix stuff. Some non-Felix cat items do show but I don’t think that matters. At the moment I’m looking at an original piece of artwork for the Felix the Cat daily strip, very nice and I’m sure would only increase in value. The starting bid is $24.99, I wonder how much it will go for. See what you can find - Felix the Cat Pictures. _________________________
Cats always know whether people like or dislike them. They do not always care enough to do anything about it. Winifred Carriere.
If a cat does something, we call it instinct, if we do the same thing, for the same reason, we call it intelligence. Will Cuppy.
After scolding one's cat one looks into its face and is seized by the ugly suspicion that it understood every word. And has filed it for reference. Charlotte Gray. I believe cats to be spirits come to earth. A cat, I am sure, could walk on a cloud without coming through. Jules Verne.Wednesday 5th September 2007
Want to see a really funny cat picture? Then take a look at Pookie and the Mouse Kindly sent in by Maryann.
Got your own funny cat picture? Then don’t keep it to yourself, share it here - Funny Cat Pictures. _________________________
Here’s a news story with what I think are two fantastic highlights. Dogs and cats are often thought of as natural enemies but often that is not the case at all. It was Susanne Cantone’s dog barking furiously that alerted her that her cat was in trouble.
The second highlight that I get from the story is the dedication of all those involved in the rescue of the cat. The firefighters, the highway superintendent and the team of veterinarians simply did not give up. They went the extra mile to ensure the cat was rescued and received proper attention. A big thumbs up to them. Here is the story - Cat stuck in a storm drain is freed. _________________________ Here they are, those cute and cuddly irresistible kittens, and they are all waiting for you in the pages of 2008 Kitten Calendars
Saturday 1st September 2007
I understand that it is Labor Day weekend in the USA and Monday is a public holiday. If you have this break from work go all out to enjoy it, you deserve the free time. We don’t have this weekend as a holiday in the UK but we can’t complain, because last Monday was a holiday here (known as August Bank holiday.)
It was a great public holiday for me, I spent it with my granddaughters and I always enjoy that. :-) I didn’t blog about it because there was no way to mention any cats, but then that’s never stopped me before. Anyway, whether it’s a public holiday for you or not, enjoy the weekend. _________________________
They're here! The 2008 cat calendars. Yes, I know that we're only just into September but the publishers like to get these calendars out nice and early so folks can get their orders in well ahead of the new year.
This season's selection includes some really magnificent calendars. There are wall, desk and engagement calendars offered that are specific to one cat breed or coat type and also calendars sporting a variety of beautiful cats. Want to take a peep? - 2008 Cat Calendars Following on behind the cats come the kittens and the 2008 kitten calendars are also sumptuously splendid. Only thing is I haven't updated from the 2007 collection yet - but I'm doing that as fast as I can, honest. Wednesday 29th August 2007
The passing away of a much-loved cat is always distressing no matter what the circumstances. Many owners are further distressed if their cat has hidden itself away somewhere to die alone. They may feel that in acting this way their cat has indicated that she or he did not trust, or love, them as much as they believed it did. Grieving owners really should not feel that way, many cats do indeed seek out a secret place to die but by no means all cats do. There have been many theories as to why some cats do this, most theories seem to center around the fact that cats do not understand what is happening to them. They only know that all is not well, and so they try to find somewhere alone and which is, to their way of thinking, safe from danger. _________________________
Some very nice savings at Art.com, but only until September 3rd and only if you use one of the following coupon codes. Lots and lots of cat and kitten prints and posters. Here’s the link - Art.com!
up to 30% off $45 off $150+ order. Use code GUA45 up to 25% off $15 off $60+ order. Use code GUA15 up to 20% off $6 off $30+ order. Use code GUAT6
Offer expires September 3, 2007 11:59PM PST. Promotion applies to order total before shipping and sales tax. This offer cannot be applied to previous or pending purchases. It cannot be combined with any other offers and discounts and does not apply to the purchase of gift certificates. One coupon per customer. Gift certificates may not be combined with this offer. Art.com reserves the right to cancel any order due to unauthorized, altered, or ineligible use of discount. This offer expires September 3, 2007 11:59PM PST.
Sunday 26th August 2007
A stray Tom started appearing on a quite street in Wigan, Lancashire. This was one baaaad cat, he fought any other cat that he came across and left a foul smell about the street. Some of the householders tried to make friends with the stray but he wasn’t having any of that, he was just out to behave badly. He earned himself the nickname ASBO, which stands for Anti Social Behavior Order a type of restraining order imposed on delinquents as a last warning.
But then suddenly ASBO was not around the street terrorizing the local cats. But seven weeks after disappearing he showed up – a completely changed cat! ASBO was friendly, allowed himself to be petted and smelled a lot sweeter. What had happened was one of the householders had got fed up with his own cats being attacked and had called in the Cats Protection League. The CPL took ASBO away, performed a little operation on him and returned him. He was now so much of a well behaved cat that he was soon adopted by one of the residents and is now loved by everyone in the street. _________________________
A woman has been banned from operating a pet shop ever again after being caught selling cats without a license and while she is still serving a ban from trading.
Trading Standards officers went into the shop last October and bought a kitten who was in a neglected state. Apparently officials have been dealing with this woman from as far back as 1998 for neglecting to keep animals in reasonable conditions. As well as the lifetime ban she has been given a two year community order with supervision to prevent her from opening up another pet shop.
Do you think that a ‘two year community order’ will stop someone, who seems to continually flout the law, from unlicensed trading in animals? I know what I think. Here’s the full story - Story no longer online. _________________________
Does your cat drool when you pet her? You start the stroking session and before long kitty is dribbling. Yuk, it can be messy but most likely there is nothing wrong with your cat, many cats drooling when being petted. All that happens is that your cat enjoys the petting session and her jaw relaxes. The result is that all that drool comes dribbling out. Nothing much you can do except spread a towel over yourself each stroking session and save your clothing.
If on the other hand your cat is constantly drooling and has bad mouth odor she could have a problem with her teeth. Best let your vet check it out. There are other ailments that can cause your cat to drool constantly all of which need your vets attention. _________________________ Do you share your home with a black cat? Is she or he a mysterious moggy? Why not share the story of your black with the visitors to best-cat-art.com, we would love to read all about her/him. And if you have a photo of your dark feline so much the better, you can share that with us too.
And if you do or if you don’t have a black cat share with us whether you think black cats are luck or unlucky. There are many different superstitions about these gorgeous felines in many different pats of the world. Let us know about the black cat superstitions where you live. . . Tell Us About Your Own Black Cat (Scroll to near the end of the page to find the form.) _________________________
"If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat." - Mark Twain
Sunday 19th August 2007
All cats are daft at times. They try to convince us that they are such cool customers that are in complete control but every now and then they do something funny. Maybe you catch your cat with a silly expression on her face, or you turn around to find your cat stretched out in the most awkward, and funny, pose. And then there are the times when your cat has a mad moment and through being silly gets herself stuck somewhere.
And if you have your camera handy you capture the moment and secure yourself a funny cat picture.
Of course you don’t keep your funny cat picture to yourself, you show all your friends and neighbors, you take the photo in to work to show the whole crew how silly your cat can be. People enjoy funny cat photos, it’s good to smile and pictures of cute cats being funny bring a smile to folks faces.
Now you can share your pictures of your cat being daft with a lot more people, all the visitors to best-cat-art in fact. You’ve got them and folks would love to see them. Make your cat famous :-) Your Funny Cat Pictures. _________________________ Have you ever seen a cherry colored cat?
So there are tricks in all trades Except in yours and mine And even showmen, sometimes Come rather near the line
We paid to see a marvel A cherry-colored cat Whatever else we passed by We thought we must see that.
The thing was quite a "take-in," We claimed our money back But we were then reminded Cherries are sometimes "black." W. K. Burford Wednesday 15th August 2007 Feral kittens, by their very nature, are very hard to tame and so it is difficult for shelters to find adopters for them. Naturally when folks consider adopting a kitten they are picturing a sweet natured little pet that takes to human company. Feral kittens are not like that, born in the wild and having to fight for survival, they are fearful of humans and require a lot of patience before they will accept love.
Here is a story about how the inmates of a prison for women are helping make feral kittens ready for adoption. Inmates have so far have socialized 145 semi-feral kittens. What a wonderful program. Cats behind bars are a 'win-win' situation _________________________ Is your cat a fast mover? Probably not, most cats do like to saunter about with an air of "Hey, I'm important, why should I hurry myself?" Sure, sometimes when going from A to B a cat will move with a determined trot but still without breaking any land speed records. When fleeing from a predator though a cat certainly can move, the survival instinct kicks in and our little feline friends are capable of achieving speeds of up to 25 mph.
There is a domestic breed that can run much faster than that though and that is the ancient Egyptian Mau breed. These long legged cats are said to reach speeds of up to 36mph! Now that really is running like a scalded cat! The Egyptian Mau is a delightful looking cat with a heck of a past history that involves the story of an exiled Russian princess and her fight to save the breed. Perhaps I should create a page about these cats for the cat breed section. _________________________
Which cartoon cat has a huge red nose and speaks with a very pronounced lisp? His most famous adversary is an innocent looking bright yellow bird with an enormous head and big blinking blue eyes, but he also has adventures with a little mouse who can move at super speed and a baby kangaroo. You know who it is don’t you? Sufferin' Succotash!Sunday 12th August 2007 Wolverhampton Bus drivers have named a white cat Macavity because it has started using the Walsall to Wolverhampton bus several mornings a week.
Macavity wears a purple collar and has one blue eye and one green eye (they could have called him Bowie), gets onto the busy bus at the same stop most mornings he then jumps off at the next stop down the road, near a fish and chip shop. The cat first caught the bus in January and always gets on and off at the same stops. Here’s the story - Mystery cat takes bus _________________________ New page added to this site - A Cat Water Fountain is a Great Way to Encourage Your Cat to Drink Enough Water. _________________________ Here’s an expression that I’d not heard before “turn a cat in the pan”, which apparently means to turn sides in trouble, or put another way be a turncoat.
Are cats turncoats? Felines are not noted for their loyalty in the same way that dogs are, but I think that if you treat a cat well you can count on their fidelity. So how come they are associated with traitorous disloyalty in this saying? And what pan? What sort of pan would a cat get turned in? Oh no! You turn things in a pan when cooking to prevent burning . . .
But thankfully this saying has nothing to do with cooking moggies. It is a misinterpretation of a French expression - tourner cote en peine which literally means to turn sides in trouble, nothing to do with cats. And if you take the first two words, tourner cote, you have (what sounds like) turncoat.
Wednesday 8th August 2007 Yet another report warning us that we are overfeeding our felines. This one, a study by Edinburgh University, reports that a rising number of cats are diagnosed with obesity-related diabetes and that one in 230 pet cats in the UK are now diabetic. Pampered cats are three times more likely to develop the potentially fatal condition than cats of a normal weight the report says.
The study was based on an analysis of more than 14,000 cats and 760 questionnaires completed by owners who had taken out pet insurance. Oddly, Burmese cats were found to be three times more likely to develop diabetes than any other pedigree breed. Fat Cats Facing Soaring Diabetes _________________________
I have started writing a page about cat water fountains. If your cat likes to drink from the tap (sorry faucet) then you will know how much some cats prefer running water over water that has been left out in a bowl all day. You know how yucky water tastes when it has been left in a glass, it’s the same for cats they like their water fresh too. _________________________
A new kitten should not be introduced to other cats for at least seven days. This quarantine, far from being mean is common sense. Young kittens have weak immune systems and are quite likely to pick up a cold or other nasty in the cattery. Keeping the youngster apart from your existing felines will prevent the spreading of any "nasties".
Another benefit of a short isolation interval is that your new and old pets will get on with each other better. Allow your new kitten to explore your home while your cat is out of the way in another room. Make the introduction bit by bit, it is a good idea to let your existing cat sniff your new kittens' blanket a few times before they even meet. And don’t forget to give your old cat plenty of fuss, make her feel she is still very much loved.How much kitten care does a kitten need? Sunday 5th August 2007 Yesterday I played hooky. I didn't work on this site at all instead I caught a train down to the coast. I went to Hastings, you know the Norman Conquest, 1066 and all that. I had some business to attend to in the town and as the sun was out yesterday I decided that the time was right.
The 'business' involved far more walking than I'd done in a long, long while, so I found myself a pleasant pub and enjoyed a cold pint of cider and a very good meal. As I was by the sea I just had to lie out on the beach and roast myself.
With the thought of another glass of cider in mind I started to walk along the beach, I could hear music, good music. It was Rockabilly, one rocking song after another. It's rare that Rockabilly gets played on the radio these days even just one track, but these tunes were so note perfect they could not be live. Wrong! A large stage had been set up at the end of the beach and a band, stand up bass, two guitars and drums were belting out Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent, Johnny Cash, and all manner of wang-bang rocking tunes. They were all old blokes, about my age, and call themselves 'Lucky Strike'. The show was a benefit gig for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, those that risk their lives rescuing people in trouble in the sea. What a great show I absolutely enjoyed myself and caught a much later train home than I intended. Just to get a cat reference in here one of the numbers they did was Stray Cat Blues. _________________________ She was born in an alley outside the Oliver Street firehouse, the only survivor of a litter. The firefighters found her when she was 5 weeks old, a scrawny cat, with a mangled tail and one eye barely intact. They fed her and took her to a veterinarian who amputated her tail. They named her Maxine and gave her their hearts, as well as her own miniature condo. At the holidays she had her own Christmas tree. They treated Maxine like a queen and in return, she cuddled up in their coats and on their beds. Firefighters' Feline Queen. Warning, sad ending. _________________________ Abyssinian Cats. Abyssinian cats look very much like the cats of ancient Egypt. They are an active breed known to be very devoted and loving.
Thursday 2nd August 2007
I’ve been reading that Australia and Antarctica are the only two continents without any native wildcats. I’m not too surprised about Antarctica but never realized that there is no native Australian member of the cat family, no cougar type creatures or even the smaller wildcats that are found in Europe. Australia does have a very large population of feral cats though. _________________________ I’ve just got to give you a link to this. Maybe it’s my silly sense of humor but I think this is hilarious - Do your feet stink? _________________________
Those of you who, unlike me, take pride in your garden know that there is nothing more tempting to a cat than freshly dug soil. You break your back turning over the sods (why do you do that?) and along comes a cat, your own or someone else’s, and does her business there.Instead of using a branded cat repellent, try orange or other citrus peel around where you have been digging. Cats do not like it, oh no. It’s a harmless way of keeping cats away and, of course, completely biodegradable. _________________________ If your cat wanders through tall grass she will possibly pick up ticks. These bloodsuckers bite into your cat's skin and bury their heads, they then gorges themselves on your cat’s blood. When fully gorged the tick can swell to the size of a small bean, then drop off to complete the rest of its life cycle. It can exist on the stored blood for some days and then wait for another opportunity to jump onto an animal and start the process once again. Cat Parasites – Ticks
Sunday 29th July 2007
I spent yesterday in the company of my son Martin, his girlfriend Suzy and my grandson Jacob. As soon as I arrived I was pressganged into helping with their gardening. Yes, believe it or no, I was mowing the grass (not too bad with an electric mower, easier than the push type that I used to use,) and pulling up weeds!
There was time for chatting and a spot of lunch of course and the weather was the sunniest, and certainly the driest, that it’s been in the UK for some time. I was the first chance I’ve had to meet Marble their new kitten. She is a sweet little thing and, like all kittens, so amusing to watch, full of life. Her antics really are amusing. Bluebell their older cat, a beautiful blue eyed ball of fluff, is a lot more affectionate and more willing to be petted since Marble arrived. Previously the older cat was quite aloof, now she needs reassurance. Princess the dog was also being amusing. Jacob discovered that the dog would run after the fallen apples from the neighbor’s tree if they are thrown like a ball. She charged after them, brought them back but instead of giving them up took delight in crunching them to smithereens and then barking for another to be thrown. What a great day. _________________________ Cat pregnancy last for just nine weeks. Yes, it's that quick. It'll seem like one day there was just you and your cat, and the next day it's you, your cat and a bundle of cute little kittens. So, how do you know if your cat is pregnant, what are the signs to watch out for? - Cat Pregnancy - The signs to look out for. _________________________ According to a recent poll, over 72% of adults are seriously considering about starting ahome-based business. Extra income is always on many people's wish list, is it on yours? Maybe you want to vacation somewhere really special, save for your children's education, stay home with the kids or maybe you would like to retire comfortably.
Oscar the cat is reported to be able to sense when a nursing home's patients are about to pass on to the next life. Oscar is said not to be generally friendly to patients but curls up next to them in their final hours.
According to the author of a New England Journal of Medicine study the two year old cat has been correct in 25 cases so far. A doctor who treats patients at the home said she believed there was probably a biochemical explanation for Oscar’s predictions, rather than the cat being psychic.
Biochemical? I’m not at all sure what that means, but however the cat does it, it’s spooky - Cat Predicts Patient Deaths _________________________ Healthy teeth and gums are necessary for your cat’s well-being. To help keep your cat’s teeth strong, healthy and free from plaque, tartar and gum infections you need to routinely examine your cat's mouth and clean her or his teeth each day.
Way back when the ancestors of today’s cats had to tear through skin and bones to get their daily nourishment and that prevented tartar and plaque building up. Modern cat food, even dry cat food, does not prevent build up so your cat needs your help in keeping as free as possible from dental problems.
Back when your cat’s ancestors fended for themselves, all that tearing through skin and bones prevented a build up of tartar and plaque which is something that modern cat food, even dry cat food, does not do.
Never cleaned your cat’s teeth before? Your cat has never had her teeth cleaned? OK, there’s help for both of you on this page. Keeping Your Cat’s Teeth Clean.
Monday 23rd July 2007
For the next two days only - 20% Off your favorite prints and posters at Art.com (yes including cat and kitten prints and posters.)
Promotion applies to order total before shipping and sales tax. This offer cannot be applied to previous or pending purchases. It cannot be combined with any other offers and discounts and does not apply to the purchase of gift certificates. One coupon per customer. Gift certificates may not be combined with this offer. Art.com reserves the right to cancel any order due to unauthorized, altered, or ineligible use of discount. Discount does not apply to Thomas Kinkade. This offer expires July 25, 2007, 11:59 PM PST. _________________________
Cat pee smells and it stains. When your cat starts urinating outside of her litterbox it can make you think that your feline friend has suddenly become your enemy, that your cat is peeing where she knows that she shouldn’t simply to give you problems. This will not be so, a cat urinating inappropriately is a sure sign that something is wrong.
The reason for your cat urinating where you don’t want her to could be medical. If your cat is suffering from a urinary tract infection this can make passing of urine very painful. It is often the case that cats associate this pain with the litter box and so they stop using it.
There are several other medical conditions that may cause your cat to pee around your home. Sometimes a cat will look perfectly OK when in fact they are ill and only a visit to your veterinarian will confirm if the reason for your cat urine problems are medical. Read more at this brand new page - You Can Overcome Cat Urine Problems
Thursday 19th July 2007You may have been owned by a cat that had to run to the phone every it rang. Lots of cats do that, they get to know that when that phone rings you will go to it and you will be talking. You must be talking to them of course, after all there is nobody else there :-)
Well here is a news story about a cat that does a little more than run to the phone when it rings . . . Phone Rings – Cat Attacks
Thanks to Rex for the heads up on that story. Rex is the webmaster of HorrorStew.com If you love horror movies, as I do, you’ll love HorrorStew. _________________________
The present Lord Mayor of London is a cat lover. I emphasize Lord because, in case you do not know, London has two mayors, the Lord Mayor is in fact mayor of the small district known as the City of London, the financial district. It is an appointed not elected position.
The other mayor is the elected Mayor of the whole of the Greater London area and as far as I know is not a cat lover. Anyway, the Lord Mayor has become involved in a row between the counties of Gloucestershire and Shropshire. Both are claiming to be the birthplace of Dick Whittington a former Lord Mayor of many centuries ago. Although he was a real person a folk legend/fairy tale grew around the story of Dick Whittington and his cat.
The Mayor points out that the legend has it that Whittington heard the bells of Bow Church that seemed to be saying to him “turn again Whittington Lord Mayor of London”, when he was on Highgate Hill and you would only go that way if you were going to Shropshire, not Gloucestershire. The Mayor has two British Blue cats, Spot and Cato both six.
Sunday 15th July 2007
Back on June 2nd I wrote a little about my son’s new kitten Marble (to be precise it’s my son’s girlfriend’s kitten.) I explained how Princess, my son’s lurcher dog, has taken it upon herself to look after the little kitten when normally she is quite aggressive towards anything with four legs. Well here is a news story about another dog that is mothering a kitten. I think the kitten in the story is much younger than Marble, I don’t think Princess is mothering as much as the dog in the story . . . Dog Nurses Stray Kitten _________________________
When the Mayflower braved the journey to the New World it had cats on board to keep the rodent population under control. As the settlers moved across North America the cats moved with them, the arduous life of the settlers had to be endured by the cats as well, and so the ancestors of American Short Hair cats had to be tough in order to survive. By the 1700's these cats were entrenched as part of American family life, they were both working cats and family pets.
By the early 1900's foreign cat types, often Persian and Siamese, were being imported into North America. Some of these newcomers roamed free and soon kittens were born exhibiting various coat lengths and body types. Several cat fanciers who wanted to ensure the continuance of the strong lithe body, and pleasant nature of the native shorthaired cat decided action needed to be taken. . . American Short hair cats show their working cat ancestry _________________________
It is estimated that 40% of animal abusers also commit acts of abuse against people. In a survey of abused wives who kept pets, over half disclosed that their abusing spouse had harmed and in some cases even killed, their pets. The fear of the abuser harming the pet for revenge if she left, prevented many of those wives from leaving.
Sadists that deliberately harm animals do so because it gives them a feeling of power. Perhaps these scum feel undervalued within their family, or within society itself. Perhaps they have an overblown sense of how much they should be valued by society, so these sick beings take out their frustrations on helpless pets. . . Animal Abuse _________________________
A cat infected with FIV is in the early stages of feline aids, much the same as human who is HIV positive is in the early stages of Aids. FAIDS is the terminal degree of feline immunodeficiency virus infection.FIV destroys a cat's immune system preventing it from fighting off other infections and ailments. Cats with the virus will, over the course of time, succumb to a range of secondary afflictions that most usually prove fatal in the end. Sadly there is not a cure for FIV or feline aids, however, infected cats can survive for many years with proper care perhaps even with a good quality of life, before they pass on. . . Feline Aids _________________________
Animal Den - Animal Lovers Gift Shop What a wonderful range of cat products Animal den has, as you would expect they stock cat tee shirts, cat calendars etc., and not so usual cat items, such as cat clocks, cat wind chimes, coin banks, picture frames, cat jewelry, cookie jars, mugs, mouse pads, floor mats, and even cat umbrellas!
Sunday 8th July 2007
Have you ever heard about the Moscow Cats Theater? No, neither had I but it seems this feline spectacular has a cast of more than 100 cats, clowns and a couple of dogs. Each evening in a building on Kutuzovsky Prospekt, a prestigious address in central Moscow the cats come leaping, climbing, springing, swinging and somersaulting their way across the stage.
Yuri Kuklachev, the theater's founder is also the head clown and cat trainer, his wife is a clown, his son is a clown and his daughter creates sets for the show which has traveled across Russia and the rest of the world, including many places in the United States and Canada.
But things are not purring along nicely for Kuklachev and his cats. The Cats Theater is housed in a state owned building and the cat-training clown believes that certain interests want the show moved because the district is considered prestigious. Recently the theater was raided by men who, according to the family, identified themselves as officers of the city's Department for Combating Economic Crimes. Read the full story here – Russian cat theater feels claws of greed. _________________________ It is amazing that many people still believe that female cats should be allowed to have one litter before being spayed. There are many reasons why the exact opposite is true, female cats spayed before first coming on heat generally enjoy better health. With the advances that have been made in anesthetics over the years many vets now recommend spaying cats as young as eight weeks.
There is no evidence at all to suggest that your cat will benefit from producing a litter before spaying. There are however millions of unwanted kittens born each and every year. You may think that it would be easy to find good homes for the kittens if you allow your pet one litter. This is very often not the case and the kittens would end up as feral cats or in an overcrowded shelter, only to be put to sleep because, sadly, nobody wants them.
Female cats do not need to have one litter before being spayed that is just a cat myth.
Thursday 5th July 2007
10,000 years ago, an intrepid wildcat or two crept into the villages of early human settlers. There these cats felt safe from many predators like hyenas and larger cats, and the rodents that infested the settlers' homes and the wheat and barley granaries were succulent and easy prey.
An arrangement beneficial to both parties, the cats got good hunting and the humans got help with the rodent problem. It is believed that it was the cat that instigated the arrangement, it was not the humans encouraging the cat to hunt on their settlements.
At least five females, of the wildcat subspecies known as Felis silvestris lybica, accomplished this transition from forest to village, scientists have concluded, based on new DNA research. And from these five matriarchs, all the world's 600 million house cats are descended.
Five subspecies of wildcat spread right across the Old World. They are known as the European wildcat, the Near Eastern wildcat, the Southern African wildcat, the Central Asian wildcat and the Chinese desert cat. The DNA of all domestic cats falls within the Near Eastern wildcat cluster, making clear that this subspecies is their ancestor.Or to put it another way . . .
Automatic cat litter boxes, the kind that automatically rake away cat waste do not need as much litter as ordinary litter boxes. Most cat owners who have tried automatic litter boxes are pleased with them and would not want go back to the daily task of scooping out the litter.
However some owners or their cats find that they just can't get on with them. These litter boxes are not super quiet in use and the noise of their operation might take a little getting used to. The price of these boxes is somewhat higher than standard trays and may put some people off, but a little saving can be made on the amount of litter that is used. Love ‘em or hate ‘em? Would you and your cat get on with an Automatic Cat Litter Boxes
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which should keep any cat lover quite for a while. Not too late to get your gifts delivered by Amazon to your family and friends. For cat lovers check my 
