Outside number 17 Gough Square, London, stands a statue of Hodge the cat of Dr. Samuel Johnson. Dr. Johnson compiled the famous ‘Dictionary of the English Language’. It was not the first English dictionary but the first one that was anywhere near complete. The doctor was contracted to write the dictionary by a group of booksellers. It took him nearly nine years to complete the task for which he was paid £1575 which must have been and astronomical amount in the 18th century.

Dr. Johnson doted on Hodge who he described as “A very fine cat, a very fine cat indeed”. The doctor fed the cat on oysters every day, which he went out and bought himself, fearing that if he sent the servants they may take a dislike to Hodge for the trouble the cat causes. When he learnt that the cat was dying Dr. Johnson went out to buy valerian, a plant similar to catnip, to make the transfer to the next life as agreeable as possible.

Hodge’s statue stands guard outside the doctors home, whilst a statue of Dr. Johnson stands outside the church of St. Clement Danes in the Strand.

Monday 6th February 2006

Kids will be kids and do things that they should not do. Unfortunately the results of kids (or adults for that matter) doing what they should not do can be serious or even tragic. Here is a news story of a cat that has lost a leg through kids doing what they should not do with an air rifle. Kids should not have air rifles, plain and simple. Also children should be taught to respect animals. OK, I know that you can be a responsible parent and spend time teaching your children right from wrong and they still go and do things that they shouldn’t. But I do suspect that too many parents do not take the time to raise their children as they should, in fact I suspect that some just don’t spend any time at all with their offspring.

The cat has lost a leg, which of course is a bad thing. But as the RSPCA officer says “there's no reason he can't have a full and active life." And that is true, Basil never let it stop him.

On a lighter note. It will be Valentines day sooner than you think. Those nice people at Site Build It! have a special for Valentines day, just ‘cause they love you!

Saturday 4th February 2006

Cats are picturesque creatures, whether they are common place mixed breed tabbies or exotic purebreds. In no small part it is their coats that make them so pleasing to the eye, magnificent colors, amazing patterns. It is such a shame therefor to see a cat that has bald patches or areas of hair loss. But far more important than spoiling the aesthetic look of the cat is the fact that hair loss is an indication that all is not well with the feline.

There are many ailments and problems that can cause a cat to lose its hair. I’ve covered some of the more usual reasons here > Cat Hair Loss In all cases it is best to take your pet to the vet for diagnosis and treatment.

Thursday 2nd February 2006

Seems like they have a book promotion at Amazon.com 4 for 3, buy three books get a fourth one for free. For a limited time (doesn’t say when the promotion ends,) buy any four eligible books under $10 and get the lowest-price book free. Cat books, top selling fiction, kids books etc. I don’t think every book is included but Amazon have thousands upon thousands, could be worth taking a look. Buy Three Books, Get a Fourth Free

I’ve updated the links to prints and posters on this page Color Cat Photo Art. So now they should all take you to items that are in stock :-)

Monday 30th Jan 2006

Ugh! Mondays. Why is it that no matter what you do, or don’t do, between punching the clock out on a Friday and punching back in on a Monday, the weekend has gone in a twinkling? It’s OK, no need to cover your ears, I’m not about to break into a chorus of “I don’t like Mondays”

This news item mainly concerns cat lovers in the UK, but may be of interest to cat lovers anywhere. It seems a new law about animal cruelty is about to be put before parliament. Under the law as it is legal action can only be taken against someone if an animal is actually suffering. With the proposed law action could be taken if “an animal is being kept in such a way that will inevitably lead to suffering in the future.” I think that will be a good thing, a very good thing. Let’s hope that the law does get passed, rather than just talked about. Here’s the link > PETS could get rights under Government proposals to change animal cruelty laws.

Saturday 28th Jan 2006

I don’t watch much television, I wrote about that a few days ago. Recently I caught a snippet of a program people have often mentioned to me because of my interest in cats. This program, they told me, features a talking black cat. Sabrina, the Teenage Witch is not a new program I know, but that was the first I’d seen of it. Did not seem a bad show although not aimed at my age group.

The cat? Yes I saw that in the 10 mins or so I watched. Its name was Salem, how appropriate. From what I saw they used a real cat for long shots and a puppet, or model for when the cat ‘talked’. Reminded me of another TV show from long, long ago – Mr Ed the talking horse. Witches have long been linked with cats especially black ones.

Ever heard of cat getting stuck up a chimney? A tree yes, but a chimney! Ever heard of a firefighter barking like a dog to get the cat free? Here’s the story Making a bad impression frees cat . . .

Saturday 11th February 2006

Tomorrow I get to see my son, daughter-in-law and my two lovely granddaughters. Can't wait for that because it's been a wee while since I've seen them. Actually we are all going to descend upon my elderly aunt (she would not thank me for calling her elderly,) who has not met little Rebecca before. I know that my aunt is immediately going to fall in love with her.

I have been attempting to write a new page for the past week or so, it has been slow progress. Writing is not my forte and the words don't exactly flow from my keyboard. But I did think that I'd have it done and dusted by today, not so. Ah well, I'll just keep plodding on and when its finished in all its glory it will be on the site, and announced in this cat blog of course.

Tuesday will be Valentines day. Have you got a special someone? Give them a gift to change their life. With SBI's Valentines offer you get a second site at romantic price. You can both build the web sites of your dreams - How Romantic.

Monday 13th February 2006

Had a fantastic day yesterday with my two granddaughters, they really are little darlings. I'd say that I wish I could be with them all the time, but I know that I don't have anywhere near enough energy, kids sure do wear you out.

I have no idea whether this tale is true, or not. A man invited several of his friends to a dinner party. With his guests seated around the table he served up a giant mushroom quiche. He proudly announced that he had collected all the mushrooms himself from the local forest and assured everyone that the mushrooms were safe.

All his guests tucked into the dish and commented on how tasty it was. There was one small piece left over which the host fed to his cat. When everyone had finished eating and were sipping their wine and chatting, the cat started meowing and wailing, pacing up and down looking very distressed. Convinced that the mushrooms were not in fact 'safe' the man and his guests rushed to the local hospital and had their stomachs pumped. When the man finally returned to his home he found that the cat, far from being poisoned by the mushrooms, had giving birth to a litter of three kittens!

It seems that special offer is still running at Amazon.com Buy Three Books, Get a Fourth Free

Thursday 16th February 2006

Some pages that you may not have visited for some time . . .

Taking a trip with your cat can be troublesome, or it can be a relatively hassle free experience for both you and your cat with the right preparation for the journey.Cat Travel Tips

Veterinary treatment can sometimes be very costly. So, is the foresight of taking out pet health insurance the best thing that you can do to protect your self from unexpected veterinary bills? It might be, but the decision to insure your cat, or not, is not necessarily a simple one to make.Pet Health Insurance for Your Cat

Egyptian cat art does not show cats as being lovable pets, the cats are regal and majestic. The art suggests felines that were treated as royalty, kept perfectly groomed and showered with jewels and precious stones. Egyptian Cat Art

Often referred to as 'parlor panthers' these black coated, copper-eyed cats look like miniature versions of panthers. Bombays with their calm, easygoing temperament are very suited as indoor cats. Intelligent and can, with patience, be taught tricks, some Bombay cats have been trained to walk on a leash. Bombay Cats

Sunday 19th February 2006

Yuk! A cat with the runs. Not nice but it happens. Is diarrhea in a cat serious? Diarrhea is not a disease itself but a symptom that may show the presence of one or even several different ailments or problems. On the other hand it may not be anything serious at all and the problem can be self-correcting. How can you tell, this page may help > Cat Diarrhea But, of course, any doubts and you should contact your veterinarian.

Fish for your cat as an occasional treat is fine, usually they love it. But it should not be their only food or even the main part of their diet. Too much fish can lead to vitamin E deficiency. Fish don't contain enough taurine which cat's need in their food.

Tuesday 21st February 2006

A story in yesterday's newspapers here in the UK is that four out of ten pets are obese, I don't suppose the situation is any different in the rest of the world. The report says that we are over indulging our animal companions by super sizing their meals and softheartedly feeding them too many treats, particularly fatty ones.

This, says the report, is causing a record number of pet insurance claims for diseases and illnesses brought about by obesity. One insurance provider says it has had a 60% increase in claims for overweight pets. They go on to say that more and more owners are feeding their pets the same unhealthy food they eat themselves. That, of course, is unforgivable. There is a vast array of all kinds of cat food for all kinds of cats available, no need at all for them to eat human food which will do cats no good at all. Same for all other pets.

Sometimes your kitty just plain deserves a treat; treats are also useful with behavior training. But those treats should be specially formulated cat treats, not the sugary or fatty treats we make ourselves overweight with!

The report concludes with a warning from the insurance companies that they may start making exclusions for podgy pets.

Friday 24th February 2006

Brrr it's cold outside today. Still it's good to be home from work with the heating turned up. If I had a cat I know where it would be, right there in front of the fire, not bothering to move except to occasionally wash a paw and then go back to absorbing the heat.

A husband detested his wife's cat and planned to get rid of him one day by driving 5 miles from home and leaving the cat at the park. As the man arrived back home the cat was walking up the driveway.

The next day he decided to drive the cat 10 miles away. He put the feline out of the car and drove for home. Turning into his driveway he was mortified to see the dreaded cat waiting! Each night he drove his wife's cat further away but the cat would always beat him back home. Finally he decided to drive a few miles then turn right drive a few more miles and then turn left and then another right and just drive and drive such a distance that he thought it impossible the cat could find its way back.

Some hours later the man phones home to his wife. "Darling is your cat there?" he asks, "Why yes" his wife replies "why do you want to know?" "Put the little beast on the line will you, I'm lost and I need to ask directions."

Sunday 26th February 2006

How do cats misbehave? When I say misbehave I mean from a human viewpoint, cats do feline things, it ain't misbehaving as far as they are concerned. Cats have litter box accidents, sometimes because they are unwell. Cats bring home their prey, that's a cat thing. Cats sometimes scratch up the furniture, again that's a cat thing.

Trouble is with the last of those misbehaviors, some folks think that the way to beat the problem is declawing. Maybe those folks don't realize that there are other, far less cruel, ways. And maybe also those folks don't know exactly what declawing is. There is already one page on the issue on this site, I've just put up another one. I believe that the message - Don't declaw cats - has to be spread, it's an unnecessary and inhumane practice. Here is the page > Stop: Don't Declaw That Cat!

Tuesday 28th February 2006

Well, that's February nearly done and dusted. Two months of the shiny new year gone already. How many of those new years resolutions have you broken so far? :)

Checked my email tonight and found one from someone who is not happy with this site. Whoever it was didn't leave their email address so I can't reply direct, perhaps they read this blog. Seems that there is too much for sale on this site, it's all a plot to get you to buy something.

Well it is true that I try and make this a little business and I'm certainly not unhappy when somebody buys something. And web sites do have their cost to run. Now I won't pretend that I just hope to cover my costs, I hope to do much better than that. In fact it's my hope and dream to one day earn my living from the Internet, maybe not just from this site but from several others as well. But I hope that I do publish content that interests you, as well as wickedly trying to sell you stuff, otherwise you'd have no reason to visit here.

After all, you watch television, what do you see? Commercials. The TV station wants and needs to make money, is there anything wrong with that?

Friday 3rd March 2006

Folks of my generation don't know a Game Boy from a hole in the ground, well I guess I mean that I don't know much about them. Perhaps I should 'cause I believe that my grandson has one, but I've never been invited to play on the thing with him. No doubt he thinks the technology will baffle me!

The reason I mention Game Boys is because I'm reading a news release about a new game (if that's the right word in this case) for the machine called Catz. The game allows the player to "adopt" a kitten from one of thirteen different breeds and then learn how to raise and care for it. Players earn their chosen kitten's love by remembering to feed, groom and play with it. Toys and accessories for the kitten can be bought from the built in store. The kittens communicate with owners through a variety of simulated sound effects such as purring and several different meows.

Good idea? Bad idea? For some reason I want to be against this 'game'. After all, why raise a simulated kitten, you could enjoy a real one. But then, remembering that these are for kids, perhaps I didn't ought to be against the idea. A child could learn that kittens, as well as being very cute, do take a lot of care and commitment. If this game teaches even just a few children that cats need care and stops them pestering their parents for a kitten before they are responsible enough, then it's not such a bad thing.

Coming very soon, a page about cat diabetes. Cats with diabetes need not face death if they have the right care.

Sunday 5th March 2006

I've just been rooting around eBay. I've never bid on anything or sold anything there. What took up my interest was things from my childhood. It's amazing, the ordinary everyday stuff that folks bid on. The comics and books that I used to read, postcards from the places that I used to go on holiday to. Of course not everything gets a bid, whatever it is has to be in fairly good condition. But these are things that I would never dream would have any value. In the past I must have thrown away stuff that is now sought after. It's not as if these things are of any great age . . .

. . . Oh, but then my childhood was some time ago :-(

The page about diabetic cats is finished and on the site > Diabetic Cats : The good news . . . Good news? Diabetes is a serious condition, what's so good about that? The good news is that although diabetes in cats is indeed a serious condition it can be controlled and the cat can lead a long and full life. The owner of a kitty with the condition will have to devote time for their pet's care but the reward will be worth it.

Tuesday 7th March 2006

There was a multiple shooting this morning in a street that I pass on the bus on my way to work. Two dead, two seriously wounded. Judging by the time that the news reports give it must have happened not long after I passed by. There are meant to be strict gun control laws here in the UK but it's beginning to seem that every crook, thug and hothead has one. Something is terribly wrong.

I can't wait for the weekend - I'm going to get to see all three of my grandchildren :-) Saturday I'll be seeing Samantha and Rebecca, Sunday I'll be seeing Jacob.

There were some very nice cat plates on this page > Cat Plates unfortunately it seems that they are no longer available. My thanks go to a kind visitor to this blog for pointing it out to me (you know who you are). I've removed the links and replaced them with links to equally nice cat plates. I do try and test all the links on this site every so often, but if you should come across links that don't work or lead to out of stock items, please do let me know.

Thursday 9th March 2006

Just reading a news report from about a year ago (I'm a slow reader,) about a man in Italy who believes he is a cat and got himself stuck in a tree. The local kids tried to coax him down with a saucer of milk but when that failed to work the firefighters were called. He was successfully rescued with a ladder and then taken to a psychiatric hospital. Madness to think that you are a cat? Let's remember that most cats do live a pretty lazy life ;-)

Talking of firemen (sorry, let's be p.c. firefighters) and cats in trees, have you ever witnessed a cat being rescued from a tree? No, neither have I. I wonder if firefighters do still provide this service in most places. I do seem to remember reading about firefighters in some place or other, not being allowed to attempt rescuing cats because it may delay them from a fire, and they may suffer scratches and catch something. Wouldn't most cats find their own way down the tree eventually? Sure, they will stay there all the time that the owner is getting distraught, probably enjoying the attention. But, and I may be wrong, I can't imagine that many cats would just remain there, after all as somebody once asked, "Have you ever seen a cat's skeleton in a tree? (sorry about that.)

Sunday 12th March 2006

More cats in trees. After posting about whether or not firefighters still attempt to rescue cats that have got themselves stuck up trees I was on the train yesterday, on my way to see my son and grandson, when a headline in someone's paper caught my eye.

Although I would not have the cheek to read the whole story over someone's shoulder it was clear, from the headline and sub-headlines, that a cat had been hosed down from a tree. So first thing this morning I went searching the news sites, and viola not one, but two such stories. The first concerned a tabby cat named Candy, who had been camped up a 10 meter pine tree in the grounds of a school in Exminster, in the county of Devon, for two days. Concerned owners Mark and Beverley Digby phoned the firefighters from the nearby town of Topsham.

The firefighters arrived, the school pupils came out to watch, up a ladder went a firefighter with a catching net and, unfortunately, further up the tree went Candy the cat. So, out came the fire hose. The jet was carefully directed at the cat and the result was a soggy tabby landing unharmed in the catching net.

The second story was about a blue cat named Bo who had been chased up a tree in Soldiers' Park, Collie, Australia. The distressed Bo began meowing loudly and soon the whole community had gathered to try a coax the cat down. Defying the efforts of the police force, the Special Emergency Services, the shire ranger and the fire brigade, Bo refused to be moved from the tree. So the firefighters tried squirting her with water. This time it did not work.

Up stepped local teenager, Brian Dean, who offered to climb the tree to get the cat. Up the, by now, wet and slippery tree went Brian to the topmost branches where the distressed Bo was clinging. . . and success, Brian managed to grab Bo. Unfortunately Brian could not climb down whilst holding Bo. Ms Windows, Bo's owner, remembered that her cat had fallen from a balcony, which was higher than the tree, and had landed safely on her feet. So she shouted up to Brian to drop the cat. Down came Bo and landed on her side. "We all thought she was dead because she didn't move." Said Ms Windows. The cat was taken inside and . . . thankfully woke up. The cat was examined by a vet and declared to be A1, not even one broken bone. Ms Windows says that Bo now does not go near Soldiers' Park.

Wednesday 15th March 2006

I've just been spying on a magnificent black and white cat. I'd say it was a he judging by the size of him. Looking out my bedroom window I saw him perched on the fence, his attention was taken by something in my garden/jungle. His gaze was going from side to side as if he was carefully watching prey, ready to pounce.

Whatever the prey was had a lucky day, for the huge mouser had his attention diverted by another cat, a tabby, scampering over a fence a few gardens down. When the black and white cat (not quite a tuxedo but lovely markings just the same) returned his focus the creature had gone. Which left our friend nothing to do but slowly saunter a little way along the fence and drop down the other side. I do like black and white cats.

Wimpey, one of the UK's biggest builders wants to build 27 trendy apartments close to an important bird nesting site in Crowthorne, Berkshire. The plan was initially rejected by Bracknell Forest Borough Council on the grounds that the site is home to ground nesting warblers which would be vulnerable to prowling felines.

So Wimpeys have appealed saying that they will write a covenant into the deeds of the appartments banning buyers and all subsequent owners from keeping cats. I know the birds must be protected, but stop folks owning cats - no way!

Friday 17th March 2006

Oh yes! Work is over until Monday. It is more than a little chilly outside but I've got nothing to do but stay inside where it is warm. My computer desk is right by the fire, I don't think that I will be moving from here all evening. But wait! The date is 17th March - St Paddy's night. Perhaps it will be just as warm in the pub.

Could you use some good luck? I know that I could. Have you heard about the Japanese lucky cat? These little kitties are seen all over Japan, in stores, restaurants and other businesses. These cats have their paws raised up as if they are beckoning, they are believed to bring in new customers to stores and good fortune into homes. They are not just in Japan anymore, these days they are found all over Europe and America. Maneki Neko, the Japanese lucky cat.

Sunday 19th March 2006

Spent some time with my friends Geoff and Karen today. Had a bit of a chat and caught up with things, enjoyed a few beers. Most of my time though was spent playing with Wendy their cat. Her favorite toy is a balled up piece of paper, not just any paper will do, she is not interested in newspaper, it has to be a sheet of fresh writing paper, 'cause it crackles.

You throw the ball of paper and the cat lunges after it, pounces on it, bats it around and then gets a free corner in her mouth and tosses it. That's when you have to get up retrieve the paper ball, return to your seat and throw it again. It's no good throwing it from where you pick it up, oh no, Wendy is not interested in that. You absolutely have to return to your seat and throw it from there. And only Wendy can decide that the game is over, after all she's the cat.

I hadn't looked at this page Persian Cats in a while, too long a while, it needed some tidying up. It was one of the first pages that I built for best-cat-art. I still haven't got it exactly the way that I want it but it will do for now.

Tuesday 21st March 2006

Humphrey the Downing St. cat has sadly passed on. Humphrey was one of the most famous cats in the UK. Found as a stray in Downing St. by a civil servant in 1989, he was taken in by No 10 and given the job of official mouser. Even hard nosed Margret Thatcher took a liking to the cat, her opponents claimed this was only because keeping Humphrey was cheaper than employing a rodent catcher. When Thatcher left and John Major took over the Downing St. cat remained in office. When Major's government was in trouble with some scandal or other, the popular cat often made the headlines to take the attention away from the government - "Humphrey kills four Robins" " Humphrey has been put on a diet" etc.

However when Tony Blair came to power Humphrey the cat was suddenly 'retired' and the rumor was that Cherie Blair found him "unhygienic". No 10 denied this and the official reason was given that the cat had kidney failure. Some newspapers doubted this reason and demanded to see Humphrey and finally an inspection party was given permission to pay him a visit. After nine years of retirement the famous cat is no more. Downing St. says requests for an inquest will be refused.

Thursday 23rd March 2006

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. Information about the subject on this new page > Feline Constipation

Saturday 25th March 2006

What! Another cat up a tree? Yep, where there are trees and where there are cats . . .

Piper clawed and climbed her way up the tree with no problem at all. Getting down though was a different matter. Owners Rodney and Scottie Colvin and their two daughters tried calling and coaxing the cat down, no luck the cat stayed put. They even ingeniously rigged up a hoist and sent Piper up her favorite treat, tuna, no good, there the cat sat. Piper, despite all attempts to liberate her stayed aloft for . . . eight days!

By this time the cat had become quite a celebrity feline. A news crew, complete with TV cameras was dispatched to cover the story. With the cameras running a rescuer shinnied up the tree and eventually reached Piper. The cat, of course, attempted to go higher but the branch she climbed on to snapped. Down she fell - a full eighty feet, and the camera captured it all. But the lucky cat wasn't even dazed, and scampered off before anyone could catch her. Eventually the Colvin family found Piper in a neighbor's yard, safe and sound albeit a little shaken by her acrobatics. The cat was dehydrated after eight days in the tree but no bones broken, a lucky cat indeed.

Tuesday 28th March 2006

Did you know that a cat once held joint leadership of a political party in the UK?

Screaming Lord Sutch was a rock 'n roll singer who went on to form a political party - The Monster Raving Loonies. Their slogan "Vote for insanity, you know it makes sense!" sort of sums them up. They came up with all sorts of crazy policies that they vowed to put into practice if elected, they stood at hundreds of elections but never had a candidate elected, always managed to win quite a few votes though. Folks voted for them because they enjoyed their irrelevant antics and as a sign of no confidence in the 'main' political parties.

Screaming Lord Sutch was quite a character, he always wore a top hat and a fake leopard skin coat, and he certainly liked a drink or two. (Where does the cat come in? It's coming.) When I was employed as a bus driver I pulled up alongside Trafalgar Sq. one morning and the unmistakable Lord Sutch was standing on the square being interviewed by a man with a microphone. I shouted out to the madcap politician and he responded with a thumbs up and an indecipherable remark, it was obvious that even that early in the morning he'd had a drink!

Sadly, Lord Sutch took his own life in 1999. The party needed a new leader and the only candidate was the chairman Alan Hope, who changed his name to Howling Lord Hope. He decided that taking the leadership just by virtue of being the sole candidate was not on. So he put his cat, Mandu, forward to stand in opposition. Howling Lord Hope and the cat received exactly the same amount of votes and so Mandu the cat became the first feline to jointly lead a political party. Tragically Mandu was killed in a road accident in 2002.

Friday 31st March 2006

In the works is a page about feline kidney disease. I really should have finished it by now but my excuse there is that I was out celebrating a friend's birthday Wednesday. Another friend has a birthday celebration tomorrow and it was also my son Alan's birthday in the week (I wish I could have helped him celebrate that). Seems like it's everyone's birthday at this time of year. There is someone who I've forgotten . . . ah yes, me . . . but I won't be out celebrating, I'll save that for next year when it will be one of those big milestone birthdays.

And so on to cats. I've just been reading that our beloved cats do not get a mention in the Bible. The big cats do, lions, tigers etc. but not the domestic house cat. I wonder who spent their time reading through the whole of the Bible to check if and how many times cats make an appearance?

Sunday 2nd April 2006

As I noted in my last post all the parties have come a once, and so I was out celebrating friend's 50th birthday last night. Lots of folks there that I haven't seen in a few years, almost all of them remarked on how much weight I have gained. Except they did not actually put it as politely as that, the usual remark being "You fat * * * * *".

Can't deny the fact, I have been piling it on. Lack of exercise, middle age, bad eating habits, what excuses do you want? What made the remarks worse was the very tempting spread of food laid on last night. The usual party stuff, pork pies, cheese things, pasta, spicy chicken and the like. Of course I tucked away more than my fair share - did somebody say overweight?

Despite getting up a little late and with a slightly fuzzy head I have at least managed to get the Feline Kidney Disease page onto this site. Feline kidney disease is a common problem in cats and in particular, but not restricted to, senior cats.

Tuesday 4th April 2006

Somehow a cat got stuck in the wall of a house under construction in Collierville, Tennessee. The news report says that a prospective buyer arrived at the house, heard a frantic meowing and saw the little cat's paw waving from out of a small hole in the wall. The local animal services were called and supervisor Nina Wingfield was able to free the cat by cutting away the wallboard with a knife.

The cat had been stuck there without food long enough for his ribs to be showing. It is believed to be a lost pet, he will be offered for adoption if nobody claims him. The shelter has given him a new name, Wally.

The folks at Art.com have got springtime sales fever - 25% (yes one quarter) off if you use coupon code CL25X for the next couple of days only.

There are a few exceptions but it does include Cat and Kitten art prints and posters. And movie posters, vintage posters, sports posters, travel posters . . .

Don't forget to use coupon code CL25X .

Discount is applied total order. Offer excludes Photos into Art, Vintage Originals, Thomas Kinkade Limited Editions and Anniversary Collection. Offer cannot be combined with other discount. Offer ends April 6, 2006 11:59pm PST.

Friday 7th April 2006

Jumping Cats! Question - what do Brad Pitt, Tina Turner, James Bond, Madonna, Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael Jordan and Arnold Schwarzenegger have in common?

Answer - they are all cats that jump. They live in a Buddhist monastery in Burma (Myanmar) and apparently are all descendants of one single jumping cat. The story is that 22 years ago a young monk was preparing to meditate when a cat came and curled up in his crossed legs. His concentration broken the monk opened his eyes and attempted to will the cat to move. The cat moved all right, it leaped high in the air. The very same thing happened the next day, and the next, each time the monk tried to meditate the cat would jump. The monk made friends with the cat and began to encourage it to jump as high as it could, at first over his hands, and then over bamboo sticks then finally, to jump through hoops.

The descendants of the original jumping cats carry on the tradition and attract up to 200 visitors a day to the monastery. Often the visitors bring offerings of cat food. The monastery has ancient Buddha statues which are more than 2000 years old but there is no doubt that the biggest attraction is the jumping cats.

Sunday 9th April 2006

Does your cat sleep just where she likes? Perhaps leaving a collection of her hairs? Maybe you have tried a cat bed in the past but your cat has refused to use it. This new page gives you a few tips on how to persuade your cat to use her cat bed, plus links to where you can order your cat a bed that she will be snug and warm in.

Warning may contain nuts! I don't think I'll eat peanuts whilst sat in front of my computer again. I was idly stuffing my face with dry roasted nuts, when a small piece of one dropped onto the keyboard and lodged itself betwixt the 'J' and 'K' keys. 'kkkkkk' is what I got when I wanted a simple 'k'.

So, I set to work to remove it with a precision tool, a ball point pen. You would not believe how firmly that tiny piece of nut was wedged in there. It took an age to remove it and the thought that I needed to replace the keyboard had me sweating. I could have simply crunched it with the pen, but that would mean the fragments would have fallen inside the keyboard, I don't know what that would have done. Anyway, it's out now and all's well. The piece of nut? . . . I ate it of course.

Tuesday 11th April 2006

The Leuthold family was moving home across the USA from California to North Carolina. They stayed at a motel in Checotah a thousand miles short of their destination when Ashley the family cat got loose. The cat somehow managed to hide out for three weeks at the motel before it was discovered and taken to the local Animal Care Clinic.

Crystal Fletcher and Emily Farmer veterinary assistants looked after the back and white feline for a month to ensure that she was OK, and then drove the 1000 miles to reunite Ashley with her owners! Mrs. Leuthold said she is going to wait a week or so to get Ashley settled before she takes her to the veterinarian. She said she is grateful for the extra miles the veterinary assistants went to get Ashley home. "It's just phenomenal," she said. "We need more people like them in the world."

Ever since there has been television in the UK there have been 'Public Information Films'. These short advertisement style films are issued by the Government's Central Office of Information (COI) and over the years have covered thousands of topics. One that sticks in my mind from the 'cold war' years was 'How to survive a nuclear attack' (stay calm!).

Anyway, as it's the sixtieth anniversary of the creation of this government department the COI recently held a poll to find the most popular of their films. The winner was a series of films staring Charley the Cat, who gave kids advice about not talking to strangers, not playing with matches etc. I can't remember the cat at all, but the character must have been popular not only to win the poll but also apparently his catch phrase "Charley Says' is well remembered.

Friday 14th April 2006

Happy Easter. Here's hoping that whatever you have planned for the Easter break will bring you joy.

I love the Internet, you need to find out about something and almost always the information is available. Looking out of my window doing a spot of catwatching I began to wonder about the relationship between cats and the other animal life that frequents my, and neighboring back gardens - foxes. There certainly seems to be plenty of both around here, I'm glad to say because I find foxes to be fascinating creatures, but are they any danger to cats? On to the 'net to find some answers.

It seems that urban foxes and cats co-exist very well and, generally, foxes are no danger to cats. Sometimes cats will chase foxes away from their food bowls and vixens will obviously defend their cubs from inquisitive cats. Fighting does sometimes occur, if the fox is cornered, and in such cases the cat usually comes off best on account of its sharp claws. People sometimes report seeing 'packs' of foxes chasing a cat presumably to kill it, but this apparently just does not happen. Foxes do live in family groups and do socialize but they hunt alone. What you are likely to see are fox cubs chasing a cat out of curiosity. Although it can't be said that urban foxes never kill cats or kittens, the two species are not in conflict with each other and both go towards making life more interesting for us humans.

Sunday 16th April 2006

A cat has saved the life of a newborn baby that had been abandoned on the doorstep of a house in Cologne, Germany, says a news report. The cat was described as a 'hero' by a police spokesman. The baby had been left in the middle of the night and it was the loud and persistent meowing of the cat that woke up the householder. The baby, a boy, was taken to hospital and found to have suffered mild hypothermia. So far the baby's mother has not been traced.

Tomorrow I'm off to see my granddaughters, my son and daughter-in-law. I'm told that we are going to a kids 'farm', I know that will delight Samantha, and I've been warned that I'll need a change of shoes because of all the mud and stuff! I can't wait :-)

Mothers Day is coming up soon in the USA, (already passed here in the UK). How wonderful it is when you have a mum (mom) to make a fuss of for a day, they deserve a fuss at all times though. Here are the Top 10 Mothers Day Gifts! from Collectibles Today that have guaranteed delivery for Mothers day.

Wednesday 19th April 2006

I absolutely enjoyed the trip to the kid's farm with my granddaughters (I think they did too!). The pigs, goats, rabbits and other animals captured Samantha's attention for about 30 seconds each before she was eagerly urging us to see the next enclosure. The most fun was had from the Easter egg hunt. Samantha was excitedly collecting the required names and numbers on cards pinned around the farm. This is where I found out why my son advised bringing a change of shoes, mud, mud and more mud! We all got covered in the stuff. All of us that is except little Rebecca who stayed in her baby stroller, gurgling and laughing at the rest of us. A great afternoon out.

If you use natural remedies for your cat, and many cat owners do, here is a coupon from PetAlive that is good for the rest of April.

Friday 21st April 2006

I have decided to write a page about songs about animals, or maybe specifically pets. My first thought was songs about cats, but I fear there won't be enough of them, so I'll broaden out. Lots of songs come to mind with animals in the title, but often the song is not actually about the animal. Elvis Presley's "Hound dog" for example, great song, but not about a dog, whereas Cat Steven's "I love my dog" is. It will probably take me a while to research the subject, and then I'm not the worlds fastest writer so who knows when it will be finished.

Teddy the cat was supposed to fly from London Heathrow to Bahrain and he was indeed put on board the plane along with his owner's two other cats. But alas when the plane touched down Teddy was missing. The search is on . . . but is the missing cat at Heathrow, Bahrain or is he still hiding on the plane? Airports on 'Cat' alert

Monday 24th April 2006

Unexpectedly spent Sunday with my son and his family (which is one reason that I haven't got very far with the article about cat songs.) My two little granddaughters were a delight as usual, so full of smiles and energy. It was the first time that I'd seen Bonkers the cat in a while and I was struck by how brown her normally deep black coat was looking. Probably it's her summer coat showing through with the weather being a bit warmer at last; either that or she is getting rusty from the April showers.

And April takes us into May . . . the folks at SiteSell are already celebrating May Day with their May Day Madness! For only $100 more than a single subscription you get not one but two SBI sites - Save one for yourself and make a friend, child or parent May Day Mad with happiness, anyone can build a successful online business with SBI

Wednesday 26th April 2006

On the 4th April I posted about a news story of a cat that got stuck in the wall of a house under construction in Collierville, Tennessee. Well it could be a new feline craze because another cat, this one in Dallas, Texas, has done the same thing.

The Brown family found Miss Kitty alone and owner-less in the street ten years ago. Recently Miss Kitty went missing and the Browns spent two weeks looking for her and putting up flyers in their neighborhood with no success. Just as they were beginning to lose hope they heard a familiar meow while checking out an under construction home nearby. They quickly contacted the builders of the home, who broke through a wall and found the cat, now seven pounds lighter, but alive. Mr. Brown said the cat's experience has made him a believer in the old saying 'cats have nine lives'.

Well I've finally got the 'Songs' page finished. As it has turned out it is a page about Cat Songs and Songs with the word Cat in the title. I could not have written it without the help I received from my friend Lesley of the East Devon Guide Thanks very much Lesley. If you have never visited Devon, you most definitely should it's a green and beautiful place. Lesley's site will give you fantastic information about the many, many things to see and do.

Friday 28th April 2006

After doing the Cat Songs page I got the notion in my head to do a page about Cat Movies. Perhaps I will do that at some point but not just now, having done a bit of research I find that there are many more films with cats in them than I ever imagined. So that project can wait until I have a tad more time.

Anyway whilst searching all those cat films I came across one released in 1952 called 'Rhubarb'. The title does not ring any bells with me but the plot line does. A cat is adopted by a cranky millionaire who leaves the feline his fortune in his will (this does seem familiar). The cat also inherits a baseball team who have not been winning too many games, but under Rhubarb's guidance they become champions. Making an appearance, as one of the baseball players, was a young Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy). Orangey, the cat who played Rhubarb went on to star alongside Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany.

Only a few days left to take full advantage of Site Sell's May Day Madness

Sunday 30th April 2006

Spring has sprung and the grass is riz, I wonder where the birdies is . . .

. . . well there is one bird that I've just read about that I hope is safely back in captivity by now! This news story is not up to the moment fresh, as I said I've just come across it, but I think it is pretty astounding.

PET owners in Scotland were recently warned to keep their pets indoors, after one of the largest predatory owls in the world made an escape from captivity.

Lock up your pets... eagle owl on the loose! A European eagle owl, which has a 5ft wingspan and 4in talons escaped from a garden near Linlithgow, and has not been seen since. The owl, which had not eaten for two days before its escape, is apparently capable of carrying of cats and dogs! Police have warned that an attack on an infant is also a possibility. Good grief, I thought all owls were quite small things! The owl, which is named Fergus, has attacked Staffordshire bull terriers while exercising, its owner said. Amazing, Staffs are lovely dogs but not to be messed with, certainly not by an owl of all things.

The news site says eagle owls are one of the most powerful birds of prey. They make a distinctive sound and bark or growl if threatened. That explains it, the Staffs growled and the owl growled back so the fight started. I can find no news of the birds capture, so I assume that it is still on the lose. I don't know about cats being kept indoors and I don't know how long it would take an owl to fly from Scotland to South London, but I'm sleeping with the window shut tonight. Twit-a-Wooooooo.

Wednesday 3rd May 2006

I've just been reading that several animal rescue centers are having to close their doors to abandoned and feral cats due to folks still not being responsible about spaying and neutering. How different this is on the island of Guernsey where they have had so much success with their neutering program that there is now a shortage of kittens, (I'm pretty sure that I've written about this before.) I know that the island accepted a consignment of kittens from a shelter in Sussex back in 2004. Whether Guernsey is still short of cats I do not know but if they can be so successful with getting the neuter message home, why can't most other places?

I added a new page of Cute Cat Pictures to Best Cat Art.com last night. Of course, if you are subscribed to my RSS feed you will already know that :-) What Is RSS?

Friday 5th May 2006

In 1936 a stray tabby and white cat wandered into St Augustine's and St Faith's Church near to St Paul's cathedral, London. The cat was after food and warmth but she was found by the verger, who didn't want a cat in the church, so she was put outside. The cat however had made her mind up that the church was the place for her and found her way in again. This time she managed to avoid the verger and spent the night warm inside.

The next morning she appeared upstairs in the rectory where the verger was talking with Father Ross. Noticing the cat, Evans the verger said he would put her outside at once, but Father Ross stopped him. The Priest pointed out that the cat was very thin and in need of nourishment and despite the protesting verger the cat stayed. The name Faith was chosen for the tabby and white cat, and Faith became a very efficient mouser keeping the church and rectory free from vermin. The parishioners loved Faith and she would sit at the feet of Father Ross as he gave his sermons. Even Evans became found of the church cat.

Four years later in 1940 Faith gave birth to a single kitten a tom, white with black ears and black tail. It was decided that Panda was the most appropriate name for the new arrival. On the 6th of September of that year Faith made it clear to Father Ross that she wanted the door to the basement opened. The Priest could not imagine why but indulged the cat anyway. Fait picked up Panda by the scruff of his neck and carried him deep down into the basement. The basement was damp and cold, just used to store old books and sheet music, and Father Ross thought it no place for the feline family, and so took them back upstairs. Before long Faith and Panda were back in the basement. This performance was repeated several times and in the end Father Ross thought that Faith must believe that her kitten was in some sort of danger so he let them be.

The following night brought an intense bombing raid by the Luftwaffer. Many homes and buildings around the church were destroyed and many people lost their lives. On the 9th of September Father Ross had to go on business to Westminster. As he was returning on his bicycle in the evening the air raid sirens started to wail and he was forced to spend the night in a shelter. This was one of the worst nights of the blitz and there were reports of many casualties and buildings destroyed, including eight churches.

On reaching St Augustine's and St Faith's Father Ross had his fears confirmed. His beloved church had been hit with only the tower left standing. Firefighters told him to keep clear as the ruin was still very dangerous but the Priest told them he had to search for the cat and kitten. He was told not to risk his life for cats and that nothing could be alive in there anyway. Remembering that Faith did not give up when insisting on shelter in the basement he did not give up on his search for her and Panda. The Priest dug away with his bare hands until eventually he uncovered Faith with Panda beneath her for protection. The two cats were smoke smudged and dirty but otherwise quite unharmed.

Monday 8th May 2006

Many animals were used to test the feasibility of manned space flight. The first was way back in 1949 when the USA sent up a monkey named Albert in the nose cone of a captured nazi V2 rocket. Albert survived the upward flight but unfortunately was killed when the parachute did not open and the nose cone hit the ground. Then there was all the sputnik launches containing Russian dogs.

It was not until October 1963 that the very first cat was sent into space by the French. Most sources say the high-flying feline was a stray Tom, named Felix, from the streets of Paris. But there does seem to be a bit of confusion, because others think the cat may indeed have been a female called Felicette. Whichever cat, it was blasted off in an AGI rocket from the Algerian Sahara desert. The rocket traveled 130 miles before the capsule separated and descended safely by parachute - Felix (or Felicette) was found alive and well. During the space trip the cat had electrodes implanted into its head transmitting neurological impulses back to the launch pad. A second cat was launched into space just a few days later, sadly this time the cat did not survive.

The cat's space flight has been commemorated by a couple of former French colonies on their postage stamps. The Comoro Islands issued a stamp showing Felix (saying it was the Tom cat) in 1992, followed in 1997 by Chad.

Cat Lover Jewelry - just because you love cats.

Thursday 11th May 2006

I think that I remember posting in this blog that most of the cats that are seen outside around these parts are not feral, but inside-outside cats. Whether I posted that or not, I think that generally that is the case. Well, there is a monster of a ginger tom cat that I've seen more than once that I'd now say was definitely a wild one.

Leaving my flat as the sparrows were coughing their welcome to the dawn, I spied this colossus of a cat a bit further on ahead. He stopped in his tracks and gave me a glare that dared me to come closer. He held his ground too, right up till I was pretty close. He then darted under a parked car, still not taking his eyes off of me. I was able to notice the state of him, very disheveled, a patch of fur hanging from his side and it looked like something had taken a bite at the middle of his forehead. Any cat can get itself into a fight of course, but an un-neutered feral tom is more likely to.

Saw our friend again yesterday and I'm sorry to say he was still in the same state, which, to me, confirms he has no one to look after him. A great shame, with love and care he could be a terrific cat.

All that leads very neatly to a new page Cat Skin Problems

Saturday 13th May 2006

What a glorious weekend it has been so far, it has clouded over now but I'm being optimistic that it will be fair weather again tomorrow 'cause I'm hoping to see my granddaughters.

Back at Easter I made a post about foxes and cats. I commented on the fact that they seem to coexist ok together, and speculated that if a fight did occur then the cat would likely come off best. I just chanced upon this page Stumpy which is the story of one cat that argued with a fox and definitely did come off best.

"He invented a cat style, a cat society, a whole cat world. English cats that do not look like Louis Wain cats are ashamed of themselves."H G Wells 1927.

Monday 15th May 2006

An eight year old girl was playing in Regina, Canada, when she saw a cat carrying around a plastic shopping bag. The bag contained a litter of kittens. The bag was tied and the mother cat had been trying to get into it to rescue her kittens. Here's the full sad story > Bag of kittens found

We all know that cats need to drink water. In fact all animals, including the human animal, can go far longer without food than they can without water. Have you ever put a bowl of fresh water down for your cat and he, or she, has shown little interest in it? One of the reasons or feline friends do this is because tap water is usually treated with chemicals. We humans don't notice but these chemicals have an odor. Cats however have a far keener sense of smell than we do and they are often put off drinking the water because of the additives. Is there anything you can do about this? Yes there is cats drinking water

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Saturday 20th May 2006

Another wet weekend ahead by the looks of things. If the weather had been fine I may have chosen to go out somewhere, had I made the decision to go out I would have to choose where to go. Sometimes making a choice is a relatively simple business, other times not.

Your old car has been letting you down quite often lately and the decision to trade it in was a fairly easy one to make, but which replacement should you choose? Something more economical? A model that is roomier and more comfortable? A compact car that can get you through the traffic? Which cat food are you going to feed your cat? Which brand? Dry or wet? Is it better for your cat to be an indoor only cat, or an indoor-outdoor cat? Where are you going to take your vacation? Sometimes the options you have make coming to a decision rather difficult and even frustrating.

Help is at hand. This page gives you access to a very useful decision making tool that is really fun to use. It will save you a heck of a lot of that frustration.

Monday 22nd May 2006

I have received several emails (over the course of time) from folks who have a male calico kitten. All these folks are basically asking the same question "Is my male calico kitten worth a lot of money?" I assume that they got the impression that their kitty may be valuable from reading this page Calico Cats . I thought that I'd made it clear on the page that, although they are rare, male calico kittens are not valuable because they are invariably infertile. But perhaps I did not do a very good job of that, and I ought to alter the information to make things clearer.

One thing has struck me though. If there are so many folks emailing in who have male calico cats, male calicos can not be as rare as everyone says they are.

I have spent a little time tidying up this page Cat Health It had grown a wee bit disorganized and was a little slow to load. A few things have been taken off and a few things added. I'm not saying it's now perfect but I hope that it is improved.

Wednesday 24th May 2006

I've found some 'interesting' possible explanations of two well known nursery rhymes both of which concern cats and both could be connected to Queen Elizabeth Ist (Good Queen Bess). Nursery Rhymes! Just shows you the intellectual way that I employ my free time :-)

It is said that a Lady in Waiting had a cat that she let roam free around Windsor castle. One day this cat got into the throne room and installed itself under the throne. Enter Elizabeth Ist who sat down on her throne and commenced to give her royal commands to court. After a time the queen felt the cat's tail brush against her royal leg and discovered the feline intruder. Greatly amused by the discovery, Good Queen Bess appointed the cat as the royal mouser and granted it free access to the throne room provided it hunted mice.Pussycat pussycat, where have you been.
I've been up to London to visit the Queen.
Pussycat pussycat, what did you there?
I frightened a mouse under her chair.
One problem with this explanation for the rhyme. Windsor castle is not in London, it's in . . .Windsor.

The other rhyme and theory is not so kind to Elizabeth Ist.
Hey diddle diddle,
The cat and the fiddle.
The cow jumped over the moon.
The little dog laughed
To see such fun
And the dish ran away with the spoon.

The 'cat' is supposed to be the Queen and the 'little dog' the Earl of Leicester, who she referred to as her 'lap dog'. She was said to have 'fiddled' with the affections of her ministers always changing those that did or did not have her favor. It was also said that the queen herded her ministers like 'cows' and that they would 'jump over the moon' if she so commanded. There is no theory however as to who the 'dish' and the 'spoon' may have been.

Saturday 27th May 2006

When I was a schoolboy I used to rush home when school ended flop into a chair and switch on the television. It never occurred to me to do a few things around the place to ease the burden for my mother when she got home from working all day. Yes, I was a charming little chap just the sort of son every mother wants.

Anyway, many of the programs that I watched were the Hanna-Barbera cartoon series. One of these, that was one of my favorites, was called Boss Cat. The star of this show sounded, and acted, a lot like Sergeant Bilko and was often referred to as TC by his cartoon friends. If you are American you are probably thinking "That show was Top Cat, that's why he was called TC you dummy." Yes, the show was indeed Top Cat, but could not be shown by the BBC using that title because there was, and as far as I know still is, a top-selling brand of cat food called Top Cat in the UK. The BBC may have been accused of advertising had it aired the show with its original title. So new title cards were produced naming the series Boss Cat. I think the name Top Cat was left in the theme song though, all very confusing for kids.

Not only did Top/Boss cat sound like Bilko, but also many of his feline gang were similar to characters from the Bilko show. In fact I've just learnt that Maurice Gosfield who played the handsome Doberman on Bilko, actually provided the voice for 'Benny the Ball' the little fat cat. The plot of each episode usually centered around Top Cat's gang (Benny, Fancy Fancy, The Brain, Spook and Choo Choo) getting one over on long suffering Officer Dibble.

Monday 29th May 2006

I saw the ginger monster that I wrote about on Thursday 11th May as I was on my way to the shops this morning. I'm glad to say that he is looking in better shape. The patch of fur hanging from his side appeared to have gone, he still has evidence of the wound on his forehead but I expect he'll carry that for life.

A cat sneezing means there will be rain, or so the folklore says. But what if your cat is sneezing, does it mean he or she has a cold? Or does your kitty have an allergy to something? Mostly, a cat sneezing is not an indication of anything serious, but to be sure you may want to take a look at this page > Common Causes of Cat Sneezing

Thursday 12th June 2006

Should you pick and carry a cat by the scruff of its neck? I would have said definitely not . . . but a lot of experts seem to think that it is OK. Some of these experts point out that mother cats carry their kittens this way and that's true, but does that mean that it is a good idea for humans to do so? I'm glad to say that not every authority says that this is the way to carry a cat, and that the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says "Don't pick a kitten or a cat up by the scruff of its neck; only mother cats can do this safely, and only with their kittens." I'm sure that the RSPCA would give the same advice only I can't find it on their site.

One site points out that if you are trying to clean your cat's eyes or ears, or give your cat a pill, and have no one handy to hold your cat for you. Then holding your cat's head still by grasping the scruff is allright providing that kitty's feet are firmly on a surface and supporting her weight. Always carry your cat by supporting the weight of her chest and hind legs. If you are trying to pick up a cat that is being aggressive the best way is to use a thick towel or blanket. Make sure that you have all four paws covered and cover the cat just tightly enough so she can't bite at you.

Saturday 3rd June 2006

I've just noticed that I promoted last Thursday as being the 12th of June. I do not need to think too hard as to why that happened; I start a weeks leave from work on the 12th and guess where my mind was.

Yet another case of serious cat hoarding > More than 200 cats seized from home All the cats were in poor health, suffering from malnourishment and upper respiratory infections, one poor cat was found dead inside the home. The cats were too sick and too feral to be suitable for adoption and sadly all were destroyed.

Hoarders of cats generally have kind intentions. Maybe they start out by trying to provide a home for a single stray, then another stray comes to their attention and they figure if they are taking care of one cat. . . . Before they know it they have far more cats than they can care for, and the taking in of strays and feral cats has become an obsession. Soon there is a problem with the cats becoming unhealthy, parasite infested and diseased.

In 1999 a study found that just over half of animal hoarders live in urban areas, and the rest evenly divided between rural and suburban areas. An estimated 46% of cat hoarders are single women, and a large proportion of the rest are couples. People that hoard cats often suffer with obsessive/compulsive disorder and that over 75 percent of hoarders homes were said to be cluttered with an extensive accumulation of non-animal-related objects.

Monday 5th June 2006

There is more than one way to skin a cat. How did this popular old saying, meaning there is more than one way to do something, come about? Oh no! People didn't actually do that did they? I hope not!

There is a version of this saying recorded in a collection of English proverbs way back in 1678. Across the Atlantic the expression was used in "John Smith's Letters" in 1839 and by Seba Smith in 1854 in the book "Way down East or, Portraitures of Yankee Life." In 1855 Charles Kingsley used another form of the saying in "Westward Ho!" "There are more ways of killing a cat than choking it with cream". Mark Twain wrote in "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" in 1889: "she was wise, subtle, and knew more than one way to skin a cat"

The saying is used in the US South with reference to skinning catfish (shorted to cat). I'd like to think that this is how the saying came about but alas, as seen above, it seems the expression was in use in the old world before it was in the new world.

Thursday 8th June 2006Michelle Larsson has sent in her story about her cat Truly a tortoise shell Persian. You can read how Michelle got her cat here > Truly the Cat

I've been working on a page about Cat Psychology. You can't push a cat into doing something (or not doing something). You can't threaten, yell at, or scare them into doing what they don't want to do. All you can do is try a little cat psychology. The page should be finished soon.

I'm looking forward to Saturday. I'm going to a family gathering to celebrate my granddaughter's 4th birthday. As Samantha's mum is heavily pregnant the celebrations are being held at a mega bowling alley, this will save all the work and mess of a party. Not sure if four year old Samantha is into bowling, but I'm told that there is a choice of places to eat and that everyone should have a good time - I know that I will.

Saturday 10th June 2006

Just back from to celebrating my granddaughter's 4th birthday. What a delight kids are, when they are at the sweet and innocent stage anyway. We all had a magical time, lots of laughter and being silly (right up my street), at the end of it the kids were tired out and one granddad did not have too much energy left either.

The Devon Rex, if you are not familiar with it, is no ordinary looking cat. For a start its ears are far bigger than you would expect to see on a domestic cat, then there's its coat. But rather than tell you about this extraordinary but charming feline here I'll point you to this page> Devon Rex - an extraordinary cat which will reveal all. The page is not on a cat site but on a brilliant guide to the county of Devon, which is appropriate for the Rex.

It's finally ready (drum roll please) my page about Cat Psychology. If the page helps you to understand your cat a little better or helps you to tempt your cat away from doing something she shouldn't, I'll feel please that I wrote it.

Tuesday 13th June 2006

It is estimated that there are 10 million people in the United States alone who suffer from being allergic to cats. Cat allergens can provoke attacks for up to 30 percent of asthma sufferers, and prolonged exposure can lead to the asthma becoming chronic.

But now a new strain of cats are being developed that are 'hypoallergenic', which as far as I can make out does not mean absolutely allergen free, but 'having a decreased tendency to provoke an allergic reaction.' An independent laboratory claims that highly allergic cat allergy sufferers showed no signs of reaction when placed in close contact with these newly developed cats. A news report states that these cats have not had their genes altered in some Frankenstienish way to make them less of an allergy risk, but have been bred from cats that are naturally low allergy producing.

So does this all mean that folks that suffer from being allergic to cats can now enjoy sharing their home with a cat and even being able to pet their feline? Only if they have fat wallets it seems. The low allergen cats are currently priced at $3,950 each, you read that right! Oh, and don't forget the $1,000 for shipping. Here is the full story > Hypoallergenic" Cats For Sale.

Tuesday 13th June 2006

Two postings to the cat art blog in one day? Most irregular! But I just had to post about this.

I do not watch television. Television has become unwatchable; it is no longer entertainment. Instead of entertainment, rubbish such as reality shows are broadcast, can't stand them. And now this . . . Cats in Reality TV Show Bah!

Wednesday 14th June 2006

Having made two posts yesterday I wasn't going to post anything today - but I have some news. It is off topic to cats, but I'm so pleased with the news I'm telling the whole world via this blog, well maybe not the whole world :-)

The news is . . . I'm a granddad again. Yippeeee.

Haley Ann was born around one o'clock this afternoon. Mum and baby are doing well. I now have three granddaughters and one grandson. I'm a very lucky man :-)

Friday 16th June 2006

Mum and baby should be leaving the hospital today or tomorrow, I'm waiting on a call from my son. And then my big question will be "When does granddad get to meet little Haley Ann? When oh when" ;-)

As you can guess I'm obsessed with being a granddad again but I am going to bring this post around to cats. As you will know if you are a regular reader my daughter-in-law has a cat, Bonkers. And Bonkers must be used to new babies arriving home by now with Haley Ann being the third. But what about the first time you bring a baby home, how does your cat take it? There are a lot of folk sayings about cats and babies, 'a cat will steal the breath of a baby' being one. Any truth to these sayings? Does a cat always accept the addition of a baby into its home without a fuss? Are there any health hazards?

You can guess what the subject of the next page I write for this site will be, in fact I've already started it. It will be finished when it's finished, my one typing finger is not too fast.

Cat Plates, no not something for kitty to eat from ;-)

Sunday 18th June 2006

OK, it is done. At great personal sacrifice and after taking many risks I've got the page finished > Cats and Babies - Is There a Danger?

When writing about cats I'm always tempted to designate the cat to be a 'she'. Many writers do this, refer to cats as being 'she', unless they are writing about a specific male cat. I do sometimes write 'she or he' but that can be a little awkward. Calling the cat 'it' solves the problem but somehow doesn't seem right. When writing about dogs most writers tend to call them 'he'. My old mum, god bless her, always called dogs 'he' even when she was talking about a dog she knew to be a bitch. Just the way things are I suppose; the cat is in the human subconscious as being a feminine animal, and the dog as masculine. Now that for me is a slightly unsettling thought. Cats tend to have a degree of independence, of free will, if they want to do something they will, but if they don't . . . Dogs on the other hand are programmed to obey, to sit, stay, fetch! :-(

Wednesday 21st June 2006 I found the following tale on the 'net. It is, I think, a charming story well worth retelling. It reminds me greatly of those Aesops fables.

A very old and wise traveling priest was badly allergic to cats. At the same time each year his travels brought him to a certain village. The villagers, knowing of the priest's allergy, had fallen into the habit of catching and tying up the village's one and only cat. This they did out of respect for the old priest so the cat would remain out of his way.

After some years the old priest died and his disciple took over his duties. The villagers had been catching and tying up the cat for so long they had clean forgotten why they did it. So at the arrival of the new priest, who had no allergy, the cat was ceremoniously tied up. Eventually the cat passed away and as it was the only one in the village, the villagers clubbed their pennies together and bought a new cat.

The villagers, not remembering why they did it, were anxious that the poor cat be properly tied. So after much debate and arguing they appointed an official cat tie-upper. The years went on and the second cat died and thus a cat buyer was appointed then special silken rope for the tying ceremony was obtained. Not one person in the village could remember why they tied the cat.

As the years past the second priest died whilst on his travels and his disciple took over his duties. It was his first visit to the village when he arrived on the due day. He sat himself upon the ground and began to preach, much as the priests before him had done. Not one villager noticed his arrival for this was the great sacred cat tying day. The whole village was occupied with watching the sacred silken rope being paraded around the village, the sacred cat catcher catching the sacred cat and the very solemn and sacred ceremony of the cat being tied up.

The priest stopped preaching, for none heard, and was convinced that he had arrived at the wrong village for the people of this one were obviously devoted cat worshipers.

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Friday 23rd June 2006

I've made a few postings about cats being stuck up trees, but now . . .something completely different (cue Monty Python music.)

A black bear met its match in the shape of a tabby cat when it wandered into a garden in West Milford, New Jersey, USA. The cat, who is named Jack, likes to defend his territory and often chases away small animals, but a black bear? How big are those? Jack chased the bear up a tree where it stayed for 15 mins. only to be chased up another tree as soon as it came down. The bear came down out of the second tree when Jack's owners called him indoors. Now you can call the fire department and tell them your cat is stuck in a tree, that's quite normal, but how do you call them and say there's a bear stuck in a tree? Here's the full story> Pet Cat Chases Away Black Bear

Tomorrow I'll be up bright and early to go and visit my new granddaughter for the first time. :-)

Monday 26th June 2006

Saturday was a beautiful day just perfect for me to meet my new granddaughter. Hayley Anne is absolutely gorgeous, just like her two sisters. That's the correct way to spell her name, not like I spelt it in this blog, silly granddad.

OK, on to cats. I have just been reading about the town of Prestonpans, Scotland which at Halloween 2004 gave official pardon to 81 'Witches' that it had executed - along with their cats. In the 16th and 17th centuries tens of thousands of witches and cats were put to death. The unfortunate victim's cats were often tortured along with them before being burnt, or buried alive. Sometimes merely owning a cat got you branded as being a Witch. Prestonpans is said to have had had one of the largest numbers of Witch trials in Scotland, and now all these centuries later the town court has pardoned all those convicted and their cats. Fifteen known descendants of some of the executed were invited along to attend the ceremony. I think that's descendants of the Witches, not the cats.

Witches are often associated with black cats. If you have a gorgeous black cat and are searching for a suitable name for your feline friend this new page may help you - black cat names

Wednesday 28th June 2006

A lead story in many of the UK newspapers today is about a man attacking a house with a mechanical digger. The house was more or less demolished, two cars parked at the house were crushed and a police car with two constables inside was damaged. One newspaper said that there was a dispute over rent owed. Janice Gledhill who owns the house along with her partner was inside at the time, fortunately she managed to escape without injury. The morning papers were reporting that the couple's eight-year-old pedigree Korat cat was missing and presumed to be under the rubble. I'm glad to say that the cat has been found alive and well. Here is the BBC's repot on the story - Man questioned over digger damage

Is your cat scratching at your best furniture? That can be maddening, but cats scratch instinctively, give your cat somewhere to indulge this behavior and save your beautiful furniture from ruin. Cat Scratching Posts

Friday 30th June 2006

Here's a little opportunity to save a little cash. If you fancy a nice new cat art print to add a little something to your décor then you have until July 4th to save up to $6 when you spend $30 - use coupon code 4THJ6Buy Cats & Kittens posters and prints at Art.com

Sunday 2nd July 2006

"A cat may look at a king." I've been researching the origin and meaning of this saying or at least trying to. I seem to remember there is a second line to it but I can't remember exactly what. Two possibilities come to mind. "But would prefer to look at (or eat?) a mouse" and "but a king may not look upon a cat".I plumb for the second of the two because a cat will usually turn away if stared at.

The expression is usually used to mean that one person, no matter how low their station, is just as good as another, no matter how high their station - the lowly cat staring at the mighty king. One theory as to the origin suggests that the Emperor Maximilian made a visit to the city of Regensburg where he wandered into a woodcarver's shop. The woodcarver dutifully bowed his head, for it was not considered proper for commoners to look directly at nobility and royalty. The woodcarver's cat, who had been disturbed from his slumber by the royal visit, knew no such convention so glared insolently at the Emperor. The Emperor's servants observing that the Emperor took no notice of the cat's stare concluded that 'A cat may look at a king'. Unfortunately history shows that the expression was in use before Emperor Maximilian visited Regensburg, but it's a good explanation anyway.

Tuesday 4th July 2006

To all of you in the United States who are celebrating the 4th July I hope you are having a blast. I hope too that you are enjoying the same fine summer weather that we are experiencing in the UK at the moment, it is very warm and magnificent.

Call out the army, the Cat Army. A group of villagers in Guangdong Province, China, are celebrating an extra good harvest this year thanks to the army of cats they recruited to deal with a rat problem. The villagers spent more than 12,000 Yuan (about $1,500) to buy more than 200 cats, which they released onto their farms to get rid of the rats. The cats did such a good job that a banquet of fish was laid on for them.

In previous years the cats were not needed because local snakes kept the rat population under control. But the snakes caused problems for those working in the fields so bit by bit the villagers killed the snakes. Now they have no snakes and they have no rats. Hmm, I'm wondering what the rats ate? Whatever it was I wonder if, now that there is nothing to keep it in check, it will become a problem for the villagers . . . 'There was an old woman who swallowed a fly . . .'

Thursday 6th July 2006

Why do cats eyes shine in the dark? Well cats eyes don't actually emit light themselves (if they did it would be us humans who'd have the job of changing the batteries,) but reflect back whatever light there is. The light need only be moonlight or even less. No only cats but all animals that hunt at night have these reflective eyes, they multiply the animal's proficiency in seeing in poor light. Cats cannot see in total darkness they do need some light but a lot less than humans.

Cats have three-dimensional vision, very important for hunting, but are a little more nearsighted than humans. Therefore movement in the foreground will interest a cat but stationary objects in the distance will usually be ignored. It is believed that cats do have some color vision. They do not see colors all that intensely and red, orange and brown are just different shades of gray to them. Blue, green, yellow and purple however seem to be seen very clearly by felines. So, you can wear what you like if it's red or brown, your cat won't run down your dress sense. Wear a clash of yellow, green and purple though and watch for that critical look in your cat's eyes.

Sunday 9th July 2006

How do cats cope in the heat? Equipped as they are with their very own fur coat, to keep them cozy in normal temperatures, their natural outer garment can be a problem when the heat goes up. Never leave a cat, or any pet, alone in a parked car even for a short time. Parking the car in the shade doesn't help because the sun shifts. If you allow your cat out in to an enclosure make sure that there is plenty of shade available no matter where in the sky the sun is.

Make double sure that your cat has a supply of clean and fresh water. Yes cats will often ignore the water you leave them and drink from a puddle, but in hot spells there is unlikely to be any puddles. Cats can be just as vulnerable to the heat as humans and need special care during hot weather. If your cat does show signs of distress from overheating lower its body temperature by applying an ice pack or a cold towel to its head, neck and chest only. Or dip your cat carefully and briefly in cool NOT cold water, cold water actually slows cooling.

Tuesday 11th July 2006

There once were two cats from Kilkenny
Each thought there was one cat too many
So they fought and they fit
And they scratched and they bit
Till, excepting their nails
And the tips of their tails
Instead of two cats, there weren't any!

An old rhyme to depict two opposing people or countries that fight on and on until the two sides have destroyed each other. Seems just as appropriate for today's world as it did for whenever it was written. The rhyme comes from the ancient town of Kilkenny in southeast Ireland. There are several claims as to the origin of the rhyme the most likely to be correct comes from when the town was divided in two, one half called Irishtown the other Englishtown.

Political, religious and cultural differences meant that the two sides did not get along with each other at all. Nobody knew for sure which half of the town had responsibilities for this and that and for three centuries they fought and did each other down. In the end all the squabbling between the 'Kilkenny cats' meant Kilkenny became impoverished so neither side benefited.

Thursday 13th July 2006

Is your cat fit . . . or fat? Many of us are amused by pictures of fat cats but the stark truth is that a cat that is carrying excess weight is not a healthy cat. And apparently far too many of our feline pets are too pudgy by far. Obesity in cats can lead to all sorts of feline illnesses and ailments, diabetes being just one. I've had it in the back of my mind to write a page about the perils of obesity in cats for some time. Should I make it the subject of the next page that I create? You think I should, OK it will be done.

So, what is it that has brought on this interest in tubby tabbies? A good look at myself, that's what! Good grief, have I piled on the pounds! Over the last couple of years I've had to by ever increasing jeans sizes and yet still have to breathe in to get them on. I should have taken the warning some time ago, now the middle age spread is way out of control, the beer belly looms large, way too large! If obesity is no good for cats, it certainly is no good for me either. I'm now repeating 20 times - I must do something about my weight.

Sunday 16th July 2006

If a cat is overweight it is mostly the fault of the owner. We usually feed them foods that cats were not designed to devour and usually we feed them too much of it. To make matters worse we indulge them by feeding them tidbits. Also, many cats are kept indoors permanently and are deprived of exercise. Is it any wonder that a large proportion of domestic cats are overweight if not obese. Here is the new page > Overweight Cats

Right that's the cats sorted out. What about my own weight problem? I suppose that I have taken the first positive step by admitting to myself that I am overweight. At the supermarket yesterday I filled the basket with salad stuff, lettuce, cucumber, celery and tomatoes. I also bought fruit, low fat cheese, reduced fat sausages, low calorie cereal (why does low fat stuff cost so much more than regular fat stuff?) and pasta, I don't suppose the pasta was a good idea. I've eaten the low fat cheese and some of the sausages, the salad stuff is still in the fridge. That's going to be a very healthy fridge! I guess exercise better come into my plan at some point, oh dear.

Sunday 16th July 2006

Wow! You would not believe how hot it was at work today. I don't usually moan about the heat, let's face it this country does not get enough of it, but it was really difficult to work. I had to slow right down. Now some people, not of a kind nature, would say that it is not possible to work any slower than I normally do. Well today I proved them wrong. This heat though ought to be a help in my quest to loose weight I think I must have perspired off a pound or two.

Cats get into all sorts of places. Here is a news story about a litter of kittens that were born in an attic space. Kudos to the firefighters who rescued them and to the animal center that is taking care of them. Couldn't they have come up with some names for the kittens though, instead of calling them Kitty 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5? Ruth (roof) for one of the female kittens perhaps, OK that might only work with a cockney accent like mine ;-) Firefighters save kittens in attic

Monday 20th July 2006

The hot weather continues, I've never known dear old England to be so hot. Question - why is it always a heat wave and a cold snap? Why not a heat snap or a cold wave? Things like that worry me :-|

If you have a long haired cat don't forget to get him or her trimmed when hot weather hits, some owners go so far as to shave their long hair cat's stomach to help them stay cool. Fresh water should be available for cats at all times but particularly so in the heat. In addition to water you may want to try leaving your cat some ice cubes. Most cats love playing with them, chasing them around the floor, and they will lick the cubes. This will help prevent kitty from becoming dehydrated. Your cat will appreciate a bowl of ice left in front of a small fan (with a guard). When the heat is up cats groom themselves a little more than they usually do, this helps in cooling them down.

Cat Lover Gift Ideas

Sunday 23rd July 2006

I'm still battling on with this weight loss thing. The latest advice seems to be to eat s-l-o-w-l-y. I seem to have some difficulty with this probably as a result of years of unconsciously bolting my food as fast as I can. The other thing recommended is not to eat later than three hours before you go to bed. This is really hard. It's a habit I've got - to eat something, anything, just before I hit the sack. It sort of rounds off the day.

If you are new to this blog and are wondering what my losing weight has to do with cats it started when I was researching the subject of overweight cats. It drove home to me that if flab is so bad for cats it can't be that good for me either! And so, on to kitty cats . . .

I've just been reading this news item about cats in shops. [** please see note below] It's a grand idea. Make friends with the cat and you are likely to use the shop regularly, yes I like that. The article starts by highlighting a few bookstores that have shop cats. Now if I know cats, try opening a book and start to read. It is almost guaranteed that before you have read one paragraph - Plonk - that feline will have installed itself on the book preventing you from any chance of reading and putting your attention where it should be, on the cat. The stores don't mention that as a problem though, they say the kitties are a great attraction and are a boon for business. The article reports about a funeral parlor of all places that has two cats one of which is listed among the staff, as a grief counselor! And I love the name of the resident cat at a nursing home - Capt. Whiz Bang, now that is a name and a half!

** I've removed the link to the news item because when I checked it just now, it led to a page saying the item was no longer there. There one minute, gone the next! Shame it was a fascinating read, and now you think I made it all up!

Another new page on best-cat-art.com - Have you got Time for cats? Of course you have, so here is a page introducing some fantastic Cat Clocks

Tuesday 25th July 2006

It's back! But then it probably didn't go anywhere in the first place. What am I talking about? The link to the news story that I tried to post on Sunday, I now think that it was me that was at fault, I think that I did not formulate the link properly. So here it is . . . Cats in Shops I hope that works, it should do. If it doesn't try this one . . . Google News

Back in May I wrote about a big ginger tomcat that prowls these parts that had obviously been in a fight. He had his fur hanging off and a big bite mark right in the middle of his forehead. I saw him about a week later and his fur was in better condition but the bite had turned into a nasty looking scab. I was convinced that if that cat survived, he would carry that big wound on his head for life. When I arrived home from work yesterday 'ginger' was in my garden. I'm pleased to say that he is looking in fine form with a magnificent red coat and I had to look very hard indeed to see the very small residue of that bite.

Friday 28th July 2006

Two readers sent in their own cat stories this week. First Kristy Jones tells us about a Box Full of Happiness a sad tale but also very touching. Then Michelle Larson tells us all about Three Mysterious, Outgoing Cats. Mysterious cats indeed, but wonderful all the same.

Did you ever lose a glove? You find just one glove of a pair, a single glove is useless, just what happened to the other one? Or how about socks, I've got a draw full of odd socks. Was it a gremlin that carried off those odd gloves and socks or something a little more feline? Feline felon suspected in glove thefts.

This weekend I shall be updating the Cat Calendar and Kitten Calendar pages, the 2007 cat calendars have been published. Yes, it doesn't seem possible but this year is more than half way over already. Where does time go? It must get carried off like those gloves. Perhaps by a mischievous cat!

Sunday 30th July 2006

I like Sundays. Peace, quiet and relaxation. That's the theory anyway, it doesn't always work out that way. Somebody in this street needs to readjust their car alarm, I'm not sure exactly how early it first went off this morning, but it's been sounding off about every half hour since. Then there's the bloke who is fixing his car. Every time that he makes an adjustment to the engine he has to rev the thing at full throttle. . . Am I sounding like a miserable old moaner? Well perhaps I am.

Cat and kitten calendars, just the things to cheer up any miserable old moaner! I've updated both 2007 Cat Calendars and 2007 Kitten Calendars and both pages are filled with the 2007 editions. And sumptuous calendars they are too full of cheery kitties. There are cat wall calendars, desk top calendars full of kittens, pocket planners and cat enhanced engagement calendars - feast your eyes!

Well, you wouldn't believe it. That bloke seems to have finished working on his car. The other car's alarm is not sounding off at the moment, nobody is playing their radio! Except for the distant sound of traffic all is quiet and peaceful! Bliss, pure bliss. I hope that you are able to enjoy a blissful Sunday too.

Tuesday 1st August 2006

I don't believe it! I have just read that Korky the cat is no more! Who is Korky the cat? You may be asking. Korky was the cover character of a comic book of my childhood. The cat stood upon two legs, as most cartoon cats do, but never uttered a word, there were no speech bubbles in his strip, none of the characters spoke.

Now I have to admit that Korky was not my favorite character from that comic despite him being a cat. Korky looked like a cat all right with large eyes and whiskers, but did not really have many cat like traits. The humor, such as it was, did not come from the naughty or cunning antics of the cat but rather from Korky sagely looking on as other characters got into hot water by their foolishness. But even so that cat was a familiar friend through many years of childhood, he was always there on the cover.

Korky remained the cover character for decades, I can remember him being there when my own children bought the comic. Then in the '90's it was decided that the cat was not pulling his weight and he was relegated to the inside pages. Now I read that in a recent poll today's kids gave Korky a big thumbs down, his type of humor doesn't connect with them and so he was asked to clear his litter tray and leave the comic. Sad, but only for an old timer like me I suppose. Taste change and what was entertainment for one generation is just boring for another. Well at least that cat had a long career, he was 65 years old when he was forced to retire.

Friday 4th August 2006

Herrmann has gone missing and is very much missed by the Harber family of Lafayette, LA. So much do they miss the ex-feral cat that they are offering a $5000 reward for his return. The Harber's four dogs also miss Herrmann the cat despite the fact that Herrmann bosses them around. This cat is a tough cookie and has had battles with foxes, larger cats, snakes, coyotes, dogs, owls, eagles and hawks.

Herrmann has appeared on television and makes friends with anyone he meets, although his owners say he does have a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde personality. Here is the full story . . . Owner pledges $5,000 for missing cat.

Art.com are offering 20% off of their mighty fine cat and kitten prints and posters (actually off of all their prints and posters,) that's worth having, but you had better move to take advantage 'cause the offer ends Sunday. Use coupon code

AG2P

Sunday 6th August 2006

It's been a busy and enjoyable weekend. Yesterday I managed to get lots of stuff done during the day and then in the evening I went to a party. My friend at work is retiring and moving to Spain, just as soon as he sells his house. The subject of cats came up in conversation with my friend. He claimed that nobody keeps cats as pets in Spain and that all the cats that you see there are feral. I said that I did not believe that, and though there may, or may not, be more feral cats than in the UK, cats are definitely kept as pets there as they are the world over. He would not have it, he is not a cat lover and was trying to use his false belief to somehow prove that cats are unworthy pets. I didn't argue too far with him after all it was his party, and very enjoyable it was too.

I've also managed to get another page on this site. It's about getting your cat fixed, in other words spayed or neutered. Yes, it's a subject that has been covered and covered again at length and by now we all should know that we need to get our cats fixed. But the message does not seem to have gotten across to everyone because the number of unwanted cats in the world remains alarmingly high. Here is the page > Why you absolutely should get your cat fixed.

Today was nicely rounded of by a visit from my son and grandson. It's my grandson's birthday tomorrow, the little man will be eight. It was a real pleasure to see them and, as always, I did not want to say goodbye.

Tuesday 8th August 2006

It's 'raining cats and dogs'. It isn't, it's actually a very pleasant evening, I was just wondering about the origin of this saying. 'It's raining stair rods' I can understand that saying, because very heavy rain can indeed look like the metal rods that keep stair carpet in place. But why cats and dogs?

One theory is that when folks lived in houses with thatched roofs cats used to make warm homes for themselves in the thatch. Very heavy rain washed the cats out from the thatch and stray dogs used to chase them. Hmmm, a cousin of mine used to live in a cottage with a thatched roof. The thatch was very tightly packed together, it has to be to keep the rain out, a job that it does very effectively. I don't think that cats would have an easy time getting into thatch and I don't think that even a very heavy downpour would wash them out.

Another theory is that it is a corruption of a French word 'catadoupe' which means waterfall. The saying could have started as ' It's raining like a catadoupe' and morphed into 'raining cats and dogs'. Perfectly possible I suppose.

Yet another involves witches and their medieval persecutors believing that witches could turn themselves into cats and ride the wind. This got mixed with Viking mythology and that Odin, the god of thunder and storms had dogs as attendants and you have heavy rain associated with felines and canines.

The theory that I think is the most plausible is that in the 17th century street drainage was non-existent and heavy rain meant a river running through the streets. The flowing torrent would carry along the bodies of dead animals, and possibly drown a few. When the people saw the drowned cats and dogs they would conclude that they had come down with the rain. Well it's possible ;-)

A cute kitty photographed in monochrome makes a handsome picture. Cat Photographic Art

Friday 11th August 2006

Somebody at work today mispronounced the word 'mouthorgan', what they said was 'mouseorgan'. That led to a discussion of where that word came from, the children's TV show Bagpuss which was about an old fat cloth cat. Now, I don't actually remember too much about this program, despite the fact it was about a cat, that's because it was broadcast long after my childhood had ended. But I do remember seeing a few episodes and I must have watched them with my own children when they were kids.

From what I remember the cat, along with other toys, lived in a shop. When the shop was closed the toys came alive including the aforementioned 'mouseorgan', which I think was a big wooden organ decorated with mice that squeaked musically. The old cloth cat, if I remember right, was quite lazy and just lay around bossing the other toys about, seems that the program makers got the cat personality about right. Isn't it strange what folks talk about when they should be working.

I haven't mentioned my attempt to lose weight lately, that's because I haven't actually lost any :-( I'm finding cutting down on food quite difficult. If I do eat less then I'm always tired. I have however, been eating a lot more vegetables particularly salad stuff. Most advice on loosing weight tells you to exercise as well as eat less. Exercise! I don't like the sound of that.

"He invented a cat style, a cat society, a whole cat world. English cats that do not look like Louis Wain cats are ashamed of themselves."
H G Wells 1927

Sunday 13th August 2006

I'm reading a web page that says over a third of criminals own a cat, but only a quarter of criminals own a dog! I don't know if this is a provable fact or not, you can't believe everything that you read on the 'net, or in print or on the television for that matter. But if it is true it seems to suggest that we cat lovers are not the most law-abiding citizens. Hmmm, what about those that own neither cat nor dog, that do not own a pet at all? What percentage of that section of the community are criminals?

I would have thought that having an appreciation of animals would have meant that you would be more of an all round responsible citizen and be less likely to transgress laws. I don't know where logic comes into that but that's what I feel. To try to disprove the statement that a high(ish) proportion of cat owners are criminals I've been Googling for famous gangsters and the like that owned cats. So far I've drawn a blank, Al Capone doesn't seem to have own one anyway, so it appears that cat lovers are of the hook :-) On the other hand there is the fictional criminal mastermind, from the 007 stories, Blofeld, he is fond of a feline!

Tuesday 15th August 2006

Here's a tip. If your cat is not fond of going to the vets, try taking her along a few times just to get her more used to the trip. When you are there give her plenty of praise and a (healthy) treat. This might also help if your cat does not willingly wander into her cat carrier, the more times she has to do it the more used to it she gets. Your vet may even agree to you bringing kitty into his/her surgery and placing her on the table, again it's all good for getting her used to it.

Here is a story of a teenager who doesn't go around causing himself or others trouble > Local teen making a difference at shelter Instead Nathan Branam spends hours each week doing voluntary work for a cat rescue center. "Did you know that one unaltered cat can potentially produce 420,000 offspring in seven years?" young Nathan says, adding that if you help neuter one cat, you have potentially saved 420,000 lives. The teen has only missed one week of helping the shelter since last August, well done Nathan you can be proud of yourself.

Friday 18th August 2006

Look at that cat, cute little feller, mainly black with white markings. Cute yes, but his markings do make him show up against most backgrounds. Why would nature give him a coat that his predators can easily spot? Not that your average domestic cat has many predators, if you don't count dogs that is and the worst they are likely to do is chase kitty up a tree. But a cat is an animal that once lived in the wilds, so why the wonderful variety of coats that do little to hide and protect the cat.

Let's look at another cat. This one has a brown tabby patterned coat. Does this one show up so well? Isn't this cat a little more camouflaged? In fact the tabby pattern would be at home on a modern army uniform. This makes sense, this is nature protecting the species. Domestic cats descended from the African wild cat These wild-cats have similar markings to those we see on tabby cats.

All cats in fact, carry the tabby gene. With cats of a solid color, or with coat patterns and markings other than tabby, the patterns and colors are masking the tabby pattern. You can sometimes see this with some cats, say an all black cat, when very strong sunlight shines on it you can make out the tabby pattern.

Why then all the other colors and patterns? In the wild, these colors and patterns would be mutations, and you can't imagine an all white cat, for example, surviving for very long. It would be easily seen and hunted down. For domestic cats, this is not a factor, it's no big disadvantage not to be camouflaged. Mankind has also played a part in the development of the variety of cat coats, selecting those that he liked for breeding programs.

Sunday 20th August 2006

Your cat is purring, so it must be happy. Is that statement true? Your cat never refuses a saucer of milk, she laps it up, so milk must be good for cats. Is that right? Doesn't matter where a cat falls from they always land safely on their feet. That is a fact, isn't it?

It's amazing, the amount of myths and misinformation that you read and hear about cats. I've spent the weekend writing a page > Cat Myths that answers the above questions pus a few more. The page doesn't address every myth about cats but I can always add to it as time and the cat prowls by. I hope that you enjoy reading it.

Tuesday 22nd August 2006

Oh heck! I've just realized that it is both my son's and my other son's wife's birthday on Thursday. I was good, I remembered and bought cards last week. What did I do with them? I tossed them on the table and there they have sat ever since. I will, of course, write them out tonight and post them first thing in the morning. Will they get there in time? Not a chance. That's me all over, if there is a choice of doing something now or leaving it till later, I'll leave it every time :-(

Ever noticed just how long a newborn kitten will spend sleeping? Little kitty will spend pretty much all day and all night pushing out the z's. This is mother nature's way of protecting kittens when they were born in the wild. All that time sleeping means that there is less chance they will stray when mom cat is off hunting, less chance too that they will make a noise and alert a predator of their presence.

We all know, of course, how much time adult cats spend taking a nap during the day, this is because they are by nature nocturnal hunters. Often this means that when we humans are trying to get our beauty sleep our cats are wide-awake and full of beans. If your feline is over active in the night and causing you to lose your sleep try a play session with your cat a hour or so before your bedtime, this may just tire your cat enough to allow you to drop off. There are many good reasons for playing with your cat - you getting your sleep is an extra one.

Friday 25th August 2006

And so a long weekend begins. Here in the UK Monday is a 'bank' holiday, no work (except for the poor souls who have to nurse the sick, drive busses, taxis and trains, serve customers in the many stores that will open, police the streets, put out fires, guard buildings and many others.) But that's not me, I will enjoy the day off. And, best of all, I will get to see my three little granddaughters :-)

What do you do if two of your cats get into a fight? It happens, and the more cats that you have the more chance that it can happen. Maybe one of your cats has challenged the 'Boss' cat, perhaps deciding that it is time to make a play for the Alpha position. Whatever the reason for the conflict it is not something to be desired, fights can leave your cats with nasty wounds, abscesses resulting from those wounds can be a serious risk to your cats' health.

Two things that you don't want to do. Try not to become stressed out, this may not be easy but if you can stay calm you will not agitate your feuding felines any more than they are. Secondly, you don't want to try to break up the affray by picking up one of your cats. . . your cat is likely to turn its aggression towards you, and that could be exceedingly painful for you. Instead, try separating the cats by gently nudging (guiding might be a better word) out of the room with a broom. I don't think that I have to say don't use the broom to hit at the cats, that would not work, it would make them both more aggressive. When you have one cat out of the room, close the door and keep the cats separated for a good length of time. Avoid picking up either of the cats even when they have been separated, they may take some time to calm down.

Throwing down an object that makes a load startling noise may cause your cats to run in opposing directions. Needless to say, don't throw it at the cats. Neutered cats are much less likely to fight. Get any wounds, on the cats or yourself, treated promptly.

Sunday 28th August 2006

Oh my goodness! Here is another 'cat up a tree story', this time with a bit of a difference. Firefighters Shot at for Not Helping Cat

Some fire departments forbid their crews to rescue cats from trees. Fair enough, plenty of firefighters must have been hurt attempting to get a cat down from a tree and usually the cat only comes down when it is good and ready to anyway. So, your cat decides it wants to view the world from the top of a tree and you get a little anxious. You know that if you phone the fire dept. and ask them to rescue your cat they will refuse. So you lie, you tell them a tree is on fire.

When the fire crew arrives and discovers that there is no fire, and you want your cat out of the tree, they rightly prepare to leave. What do you do? Get a revolver and start shooting at them? Not if you have the required amount of marbles you don't! Not if you have respect for human life as well as cat life you don't. The news report does not say what happened to the cat. I wouldn't mind betting that as soon as those shots were fired it was down from that tree and away. The cat will need someone to look after it whilst Mr. Shoot-at-the-naughty-firemen spends some time away, probably a long time away, perhaps in a nice little room with nice soft walls.

Tuesday 29th August 2006

In the year 1665 the Black Death visited London. Londoners were dropping like flies, panic set in and those with the means to do so left the city for the countryside. Royalty moved to Hampton Court, most of the clergy suddenly found that they could preach better in rural areas and, worst of all, most doctors removed themselves from the sick. Those left behind soon found themselves forbidden to attempt to leave under the pain of death (which is ironic!)

Nobody realized it at the time but it was fleas that lived on rats that spread the Black Death. But naturally folks wanted to know what it was that was causing the plague, it must be spreading by something, it must be something's fault. And before long folks came to the conclusion that the culprit was . . . you've guessed it, cats (and dogs as well actually). Cats were the perfect scapegoat. At that time cats were associated with witchcraft and thought to be witches familiars. And so an estimated 200,000 cats and 40,000 dogs were slaughtered.

This meant that there were no predators to hunt the rats that carried the fleas that spread the plague. And so the Black Death took more and more lives, bodies were piled high in handcarts that took them off to plague pits. It was not until the following year, 1666, that the plague was halted. On the night of September 2nd a fire broke out in a baker's shop in Pudding Lane. The fire spread rapidly from timber and thatch building to timber and thatch building, until London was a sheet of flame a mile long. The Great Fire destroyed 80% of the city but also killed most of the rats, and at last the plague was stopped. If only they had let the cats do the job.

Friday 1st September 2006

There is a handsome longhaired breed of cat that you may mistake for the Maine Coon. Norwegian Forest Cats are one of nature's hardy breeds of felines that developed to endure the harsh climate of the Northern Hemisphere. Large with very powerful legs that help these cats to be exceptionally skilled at both climbing and hunting. Norwegian Forest Cats like to get their nose into everything; they do not like to miss out on what ever is going on.

Forest cat owners often teach their cats to walk on a leash and to fetch a thrown toy. These cats enjoy sharing their home with other cats or other pets, very much including dogs. Read more about them here > Norwegian Forest Cats

As I understand it folks in the USA will be enjoying a public holiday this weekend. We won't be enjoying a holiday here in the UK, we had our holiday last weekend, it's over, back to the grind. Holidays are great but unfortunately they are but a respite from the nine to whenever if you don't love what you do to earn the pennies. Here is something that may help - a Labor Day Special from Site Sell. No promises of getting rich quick, you have got to work at building your business. But, who knows by the time next Labor Day rolls around . . .

Sunday 3rd September 2006

I'm just back from the local shopping center, or mall, even on Sunday's it seems the whole world shops. I try to avoid the place if I can but I desperately needed a new pair of jeans or two. As I have mentioned in this blog a few times I have put on the pounds over the last couple of years, but I never thought that I would have difficulty in buying jeans that fit. I mean, I am overweight but we are not talking Oliver Hardy here! And yet it seems unless you are trim you can't buy clothes.

Theophile Alexandre Steinlen the artist was fond of animals especially cats, and he often used his own cats as models for his paintings. He was Swiss born but accepted a job in eastern France. It was not long though before he was persuaded to move to Paris and try to establish himself as an artist. He became best known for his commercial posters portraying Parisian life, and many of those posters featured cats. You can read about the artist and the cats here > Steinlen's Cats

Tuesday 5th September 2006

There are two types of English pub that could be called traditional. One type, is usually found in the back streets of towns and cities, they are not very far removed from the 'spit and sawdust three ale bars' of yesteryear. They don't serve many different types of drinks (ask for wine and they will think you are a poof!) If you want food, you have a choice between a pack of nuts or a sandwich with the corners curling up. (Yes, this is leading to something about cats)

The other 'traditional' kind of English pub is the kind I love. Usually found in the suburbs or in the country. All horse brasses, low wooden beams and a welcoming open log fire on winter evenings. Both the staff and customers are friendly and these pubs are brim full of atmosphere. Good traditional English food is on offer and a wide range of drinks including, beers, ales, ciders, wines and sprits. Often you will see rows of pewter pots hanging on hooks above the bar. In days gone by, beer was always served in pewter pots before pewter was ousted by glass. The pots that you see hanging up belong to 'regulars'. When a regular comes into the pub and orders 'a pint of the usual' the barmaid or landlord knows what 'the usual' is, and serves it in the customers own pewter pot.

Apparently, in days of old, these pots were known as Cats and Kittens, depending upon the size of the pot. I don't know if a pint pot was a cat and a half-pint was a kitten, or perhaps a cat was a quart and a kitten a pint. Many of these cats and kittens used to go missing and the pilfering of the pots was known as cat 'n kitten stealing. Perhaps that's why pubs switched to the less expensive glass mugs.

Is your cat infuriating? Does kitty stress you out? Well there are many things that cause cats to be stressed too. From you rearranging the furniture to someone in the house passing away to you trying out a different brand of cat litter, all these things can stress your cat. Here's a new page > Stress in Cats

Friday 8th September 2006

Looks like it is going to be a fine weekend. Not that you can trust the weather but it certainly is a nice evening to start the weekend off with. I arrived home from work to find a message waiting on my phone, at first I could not make out the voice but it soon became clear that it was Samantha my 4-year-old granddaughter. I'm going to be honored tomorrow with a visit from all 3 of my granddaughters plus their mum and dad of course. I told you it is going to be a fine weekend ;-)

Do you know what "fissiped" is? No, neither did I when I came across the word being used in relation to cats. According to the dictionary fissiped means "any member of the suborder Fissipedia, carnivorous mammals that have separate toes, as bears, badgers, dogs, cats, and raccoons." So there you have it, cats have toes, and with those toes come claws - ouch. So your cat is not only a member of the Feline family, but also a member of the suborder Fissipedia. When kitty misbehaves tell her to "Stop that, and don't be a naughty Fissipedia." She will immediately obey you, but only because she will be as nonplused by the word as I was.

Have you seen the collection of vintage posters at Art.com? There are some stunning and very stylish examples on offer, including vintage travel posters, film posters, magazine covers and vintage advertising. Some of the examples feature cats. If you want to take a look here's the link > Vintage Art posters and prints

Sunday 10th September 2006

I don't need to tell you how much I enjoyed the visit from my three granddaughters yesterday. Samantha who is now four and one half (and very proud of it) is an absolute chatterbox and so full of energy, it's amazing. She is quite a conversationalist and keeps me amused with the things that she comes out with. Rebecca is coming on nicely with her talking and is fascinated with cats, every time that she sees one she points to it and says 'cat'. Trouble is that she does the same for any four-legged creature. She is learning though, I was holding her when she spied a dog, pointed to it and exclaimed 'cat.' But immediately looked at me, smiled and shook her head and said 'doo', which is the nearest she gets to dog for the moment. Baby Hayley just sleeps, smiles, burps and looks beautiful.

Tom and Jerry the cat and mouse cartoon duo have been in the news and in hot water again recently. In the past the terrible two have been censured for alleged racist content and now the PC police are after them again. This time the crime is that in a few scenes in a few of the old cartoons Tom the cat is seen . . . smoking.

Now, even as a smoker myself, I know that children should be shielded from any influence that may encourage them to take up the habit, but honestly is a glimpse of an old cartoon cat with an exploding cigar in his mouth going to encourage them? I think not. What about all the old movies from the forties and fifties? It was not just a naughty cat or kitten that smoked in those, everyone did, it was compulsory. Are we going to be denied the pleasure of watching those old films?

Tuesday 12th September 2006

As I neared my flat on the way home from work a large car stopped just ahead. It was pretty obvious, from the way that the car had stopped at an angle and from the hazard lights coming on, that the driver intended to grab a parking space to his left. It may have been obvious, but that didn't prevent the driver of the car behind stopping pretty close. Observing all this was a cat sunning itself on the window ledge of a house on the left.

To be honest, the gap was pretty small and the car was large, this did not prevent the driver being determined he was going to have the space. The driver of the car behind could have reversed back a few feet but was probably thinking that the other driver was not going to get in there anyway. The cat looked on. Then the honking started. By this time I had reached my door but took my time finding my key so that, like the cat, I could look on. Now the second driver winds down his window and stars swearing and hurling insults. The cat looked on. The first driver is now hanging out of his window and returning the insults and waving his fist. The traffic is now backed up to the junction and plenty of horns are blaring. The first driver having satisfied that he had got the last word gives up on trying to park and roars off down the street, the second driver does the same but continues blasting his horn. The cat blinked three times and continued to sun himself, probably thinking how stupid the human animal is.

That cat is right, the human animal is stupid, and senselessly and needlessly cruel Horror attack on cats.

Friday 15th September 2006

Well, you live and learn, so they say. Battersea Dogs Home probably qualifies as being a London landmark, possibly not quite on the average tourist's itinerary but most certainly famous with Londoners. You want a dog, and you are not fussy as to whether the dog is pedigree or not, you go to Battersea Dogs Home. They rescue dogs, thousands of them.

I can't tell you how surprised I was to find out that their official name is actually Battersea Dogs & Cats Home! Yes, they rescue cats as well. Now, I could be wrong but I would bet that only one in a thousand Londoners knows that. It's not like rescuing cats is something that they have only just started to do, it seems they have been doing it since 1883. Their web site says they house up to 150 cats at any one time, I could not find information on how many dogs they have at one time, but they say they take in 10,000 dogs a year, so it looks like they don't save nearly as many cats as dogs. No matter which kind of pet that is an awful lot of animals being abandoned or turned out into the street.

When I was a child an aunt of mine got a dog from the Battersea home. I was very fond of that mongrel, looked like a mix of Boarder Collie and Corgi. My aunt enjoyed 'Laddie's' company for many years before he passed on. Now that I know that it is Battersea Dogs & Cats Home I know where to go when it is time for me to get a cat.

UpDate: Just learnt from a news site that it was only last year that they re-branded to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. One of their spokespersons says: "Many people are still unaware that the home rescues, reunites and re-homes hundreds of cats every year, and has done since 1883." The home also has centers in Old Windsor in Berkshire and Brands Hatch in Kent.

Do you like White Cat Pictures.

Sunday 17th September 2006

Cats need play, especially indoor only cats. It gives them the exercise they would get if they were fending for themselves and having to hunt. If cats don't get the opportunity for exercise they tend to become overweight, pretty much like humans really. Cat toys encourage a cat to chase and pounce and in doing so work out their muscles and burn the fat. There is an amazing assortment of cat toys available in the stores, but a cat just needs something to catch his attention and keep him amused, he really doesn't care if it came from a store or if it's something you put together yourself. Here are a few ideas > Homemade Cat Toys

Well, that's another weekend almost over, the fastest two days of the week. Blink and you miss it. Tomorrow your body has to wake up a couple of hours before your spirit is ready, you make the dash to get to work, punch the clock and switch off your mind. Just how many lottery tickets do you have to buy before you get the one that sets you free?

Tuesday 19th September 2006

I've been scratching my head - it's dangerous, I could get splinters! I've been sitting here completely at a loss as to what to write about. I even thought about putting of posting on this blog until tomorrow, but then I might not have a clue then either.

Sometimes this is easy, I might have read something in the news about cats that I want to pass on to you, or I may have an idea all worked out before I even fire up this ol' computer. Other times are like this evening.

But what if I knew what it is, about cats, that you want to read. Knowing that would surely make it easier to come up with something. And as well as the entries on this cat blog, what about the pages that I add to this site, how do I know that I'm covering the subjects that you want to read about?

This site was to be about Cat Art, but it has sort of drifted into many different things about cats and kittens. How do I know that I'm giving you what you want . . . unless I ask you :-)

And so . . . I've created a small feedback form just for you to tell me what you want to see on this site.

Could you spare the very little time it takes to fill in and submit the form? You don't even have to give your email address if you don't want to and your answers really will help me to make this a better site.

Thanks, here is the form . . . What Would You Like?

Friday 22nd September 2006

This is not news, this story happened in April of this year, I don't know how I missed it, had I have seen the story I would have posted about it back then.

In April 2006 a media circus, including a half-dozen television crews and radio crews as well as newspaper reporters and photographers had gathered around a store in Greenwich Village, New York City. Must have been a fashion show, the unveiling of new creations by top designers right? No. Well, it must have been a monster sale, people queuing around the block to get huge discounts when the store opens? No, not that.

The store in question was a small specialty food shop. And what caused all the interest from the media was . . . a cat. Molly a black, 11-month-old cat had got herself stuck in the wall of the shop and had been there for 11 days. The plaintive cries of the cat could be clearly heard but no one could get to Molly to rescue her. The news spread and the world's press took an interest. At one time Google had at least 359 articles about Molly on its search engine.

Dozens of folks had tried to liberate the trapped mouser, including a pet psychologist, and psychics. Molly could not be enticed out by offers of raw fish, miniature cameras proved fruitless as did playing recordings of whales and sea gulls! Finally an anonymous donor worried about the poor cat's fate pledged to cover the cost of the rescue, including the drilling of holes in the wall where Molly was trapped.

After drilling several holes rescue workers found the cat, very much afraid and very hungry, and she was lifted out to freedom and the cheers of the waiting crowd. Her relived owner said that he did not think Molly would repeat her disappearing act and that she had learned her lesson. The cat was fed a slap up meal of lean belly pork and sardines in olive oil.

Hey! Please, somebody fill in the feedback form to let me know what you would like to read in this blog and on Best-Cat-Art.com. There is no need to leave your email address if you don't want to. If nobody uses the form I'm going to think that there is nobody reading this blog. :-(

What Would You Like?