Katie's Kitties

Abyssinian Cats and Kittens

2009-12-19T10:07:00.000-08:00

Abyssinain Cats and Kittens

History, Care, Photos, Breed Discription

My cat Pepper always looked slightly Abysinnian to me. She always had a slightly "exotic" look. People often asked what her breed was.

I knew she wasn't purebreed or anything close to that. I adopted her from a rescue that specializes in pregnant and new mom cats with their newborn litters. Mom was a black and white "tuxedo cat" but Pepper and her litter mates were all striped so I assumed daddy was a tabby. Although starting out as a gray striped kitten, her coat has evolved into a brown ticked coat.

Time to research Abysinnian cats!

The earliest account of an "Aby" is when British soldiers brought home cats after serving in the Abysinnian War in what is now Ethiopia. Mrs. Captain Barrett-Leonard received her cat "Zula" in 1868. This breed is first mentioned in literature in 1874 and was officially recognized as a breed by England in 1882.

Aby's were crossed with British Shorthairs and the Oriental breeds once in Britain so their original appearance has changed over the years from what Zula looked like. Every once in awhile there is a dominant gene mutuation for long hair. This trait has since been bred into what we now call the Somali breed which got it's jumpstart in the 1970's.

Geneticists have determined that Aby's are very closely related to the small wild cats along the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia countries. Their appearance and bone structure makes them very similar to the Egyptian Mau cats, the ones we all know from the statues, art, hieroglyphics, mummified cats and worship of Bast in ancient Egyptian culture. Mau's are considered to be the Adams and Eves of modern domestic cats.

Aby's come in several different colors. Abyssinian kittens are born light and without ticking. As they get older, their fur darkens and gets the tri-color ticking. Sometimes stripes appear. Adult Aby's have a little longer tuft of hair at the tips of their large, wide set ears, large, almond eyes and a wedge shaped head. They have extra long legs and small feet which give the appearance of walking on tippy toes. Aby's have a long thin tail that ends in a point and black along the backs of their legs. There is a certain elegance to their bone structure.

Usual/Ruddy/Tawny coats are the most common. There are 3 colors on each hair - brown, dark brown or black, and burnt orange. Noses are a brick red with a black outline.

Sorrel/Red/Cinnamon coats are various shades of apricot and red with brown ticking. Pink noses are outlined in dark red.

Blue coats are a combination of cream, light and dark gray. Noses are gray or reddish with a gray outline.

Fawn coats are a pinkish cream color with darker shades of cream.

More rare shades of Aby coats are tortiseshell, chocolate and lilac.

Aby's are very intelligent cats. They are curious but cautious. They are quite loyal and need to be with someone. Lots of toys and interaction is best. Males tend not to mind other cats but females prefer to be divas. If you aren't home very much and go away on business trips or vacations alot, Aby's aren't for you because loneliness can cause depression in an Aby.

The Abyssinian cat is very playful and loves to climb and jump. Outdoor Aby's love trees and fences. Be sure an indoor cat has a kitty tower and other high places to hang out. At our house, it's a carpeted cat tower, the top of the washer and dryer, the back of the couch, and even the top of the china cabinet where I find my Pepper! She also loves to jump high to catch a feathery toy attached to one of those kitty cat fishing pole toys. Some Aby's can be trained to play fetch. Some love playing in or with water.

Abysinnian cat care is very easy. They shed very little. During the beginning of summer, brush your Aby once a week using one of those rubbery brushes and follow with a wipe down with a slightly damp cloth. Trim nails every 2 to 4 weeks as necessary.

Make sure your kitty gets it annual vet appointments and keep an eye out for the following conditions~ Progressive Retinal Atrophy (a recessive gene that can cause blindness), Neurological Storage Disease and Renal Amyloidosis (kidneys). Be watchful for a breed-related stress disorder called Psychogenic Alcopecia (overgrooming causing hairloss).

The Abyssinian cat life expectancy is 9 to 15 years. The males tend to weigh 9 to 12 pounds and the females a few pounds lighter. Altered cats weigh a little more.

If you would like to adopt a pure bred Abysinnian, there are lots of reputable breeders. Find someone in a cat magazine or contact an association who specializes in Abysinnians. Make sure the cattery allows the breeding cats lots of room and a great, interactive environment. You don't want to patronize anyone who keeps their cats permanantly jailed in cages, treated like baby machines! The breeder should be in the business because they love cats. The kitten you adopt should be 12 to 16 weeks old and have received it's first round of shot from the vet. Also make sure that the breeder doesn't breed cats suspected to have any of the genetic disorders mentioned above.

If you have no intention of breeding or showing your new cat, then check out the rescues like I did to find a kitty that has the look of an Aby.

So, does my Pepper have some Abysinnian in her? Perhaps. Maybe her great, great grand daddy sowed some wild oats. She does have tiny extra long hairs at the tips of her ears, a wedge shaped head, extra big eyes, little feet, brown ticked fur and black at the backs of her legs. On the flip side, her ears are not wide set nor does she have extra long legs.

MEOW!

Tails-R-Wagging

2009-06-14T10:09:00.000-07:00

Tails R Wagging is an amazing pet store in New South Wales, Australia. They offer supplies for dogs and cats as well as services such as doggie grooming, boarding, walking, taxi service, housesitting and a daycare.

Supplies are also available online~ accessories, bedding, clothes, collars and leashes, kennels, dog and cat food, travel needs and toys. You can also buy pet medication. They have online sales and a VIP club that you can join.

Puppies are offered. TRW has a strict policy of waiting until puppies are at least 8 weeks old before being adopted. That's a great policy - it helps socialization and eases the transition to a new home. You can see the adorable puppies on their website which also has a puppy cam! Right now they have Cavoodles for sale! (Cavaliers x Poodles)

Cats With Wings

2009-06-02T06:43:00.001-07:00

Every once in awhile we hear stories about unusual cats. This post is about cats with "wings."

First of all, there are zero documented cases of cats that have true wings that can flap. Blame the hype on our longing to find unicorns and other romantic, fantasy creatures.

The truth is actually very simple:

1. If longhair cats aren't brushed regularly and properly, they will develop matts. Brush them just right and you can create matts in just the right spot to make it look like the cat has wings. In the past, some cats with "wings" were shaved and found to have nothing more than matts.

2. Some cats have conjoined, incomplete twins (Siamese twins that didn't develop completely) and the result is a single cat with extra limbs. If the incomplete twin's legs are growing out of the back or shoulders of the complete twin, then it looks like wings. If the cat has long hair, it has a featherly, angelic appearance. You might remember stories in the news about cows and sheep with extra limbs. Same thing.

3. There is also a genetic skin disorder called "Feline Cutaneous Asthenia ." The human version is called "Ehlers-Danos Syndrome." Its basically areas of skin that stretch really far and turn into flaps of skin. If a cat has this disorder, stretched out flaps of skin can occur such that it looks like wings.

You might also be interested in these articles:

Yoda the Four-Earred Cat

Kitten With Two Faces, Donated to Science

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All About FIV - Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

2009-05-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

FIV is a slow-acting virus. It's a cat's version of HIV that results in AIDS for humans. People cannot catch FIV, so don't worry!

Many times FIV is not detected until the cat has become quite sick. The virus reproduces inside white blood cells (the ones that fight infection) and spreads throughout the lymphatic system. Swollen lymph nodes and fever is the initial result. Over time, the immune system becomes increasingly weakened and the cat loses it's ability to fight even the simplest of infections. Healthy cats can fight off the normal bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi of their environment but FIV cats become severely ill or can die from such infections.

The most common means of transmission is through bites. Free-roaming and feral males who are aggressive (they bite and get bit) are at highest risk for getting and passing on FIV. A less common way of transmission is from pregnant mother to newborn/nursing babies.

Signs and Symptoms of FIV:

Recurrent illness or infections. Skin, bladder, and upper respiratory tract infections are common.
Poor coat condition.

Persistent fever and loss of appetite.

Inflammation of the gums and mouth.

Persistent diarrhea.
Eye infections and other conditions.

Progressive weight loss and eventual wasting away.

FIV cats are more likely to suffer from cancer and blood diseases.

Miscarriages of litters of infected pregnant mothers.

Seizures or other neurological problems.

Unexplainable behavior changes.

FIV Testing:

To diagnose FIV, the vet simply takes some blood to be tested in the office or a lab for the presence of a certain antibody. If the result comes up positive, then a second test (different method) will be ordered to make sure the first one wasn't a false-positive.

Kittens born to FIV-positive mothers are not necessarily infected but must be tested every 60 days until they are at least 6 months old to be certain.

A cat that have been infected within the previous 12 weeks might have a false-negative result because it's body hasn't started producing the FIV antibodies yet. If a cat has been exposed to an FIV cat or has gotten bitten or into a fight with an unknown cat, it should be retested again no later than 60 days from the incident. Two tests are best.
Cats in the late stages of an infection have very weakened immune systems and may not be producing detectable levels of the antibody anymore. This would create a false-negative result.

Protecting Your Cat from FIV:

Keep your cat indoors and away from unknown cats.

Never adopt a cat that hasn't been tested for FIV first.
Cats that were feral or of unknown backgrounds/parentage should be tested twice for FIV before bringing them home.

If one of your cats has FIV, it needs to be quarantined away from the other cats. Rough play or a fight could result in a bite which spreads the FIV to other cats. Gentle cats who don't play this way are less likely to spread the disease.

Make sure your cats receives its FIV vaccinations on schedule. Note-vaccinations are not a guarantee of protection but they do put the odds in kitty's favor.

Taking Care of an FIV Cat:

Keep FIV cats indoors and away from other cats and animals. They need to be protected from injuries, germs, viruses, bacteria, fungi and protozoa that might cause infections.

Talk to the vet about spaying or neutering.

No raw meat, eggs or unpasteurized dairy products. These items might have parasites or bacteria that an FIV cat is unable to fight off.

Dry food is less likely to spoil or become contaminated while sitting out. Avoid canned food.

See the vet every six months for a thorough checkup, blood count, serum analysis, urine test and weight check. FIV cats need constant watching because their health is always in jeopardy. Call the vet asap with even the smallest of concerns.

Keep kitchen and bathroom counters and floors clean and disinfected. Take shoes off at the door and vacuum carpets often. Dirt brings in all sorts of nasty stuff.

Wash and disinfect water bowl and food dish every day.

Keep the litter box super clean and disinfect it once a week.

The lifespan of an FIV cat depends upon how soon the disease is caught and the nature of the cat's infections. Some cats can live many more years under ideal conditions.

After the passing of an FIV cat, the home needs to be cleaned up before a new kitty can join the family. It's not the FIV you will be cleaning up. It's the various germs that your HIV left behind during it's final months of poor health. Disinfect all kitty supplies by washing thoroughly with hot soapy water and drip drying. Give these items a second wiping down with bleach water and air drying. Throw away soft toys and get new ones. Spray cat towers and beds with a disinfectant spray. Give all floors a very thorough vacuuming or mopping.

Siamese Cats and Kittens

2009-04-14T06:49:00.000-07:00

There is a theory that Siamese cats originated in Egypt and entered Siam via trade routes during the reign of Cleopatra. The people of Siam called their cat, "Wichien maat" which translates into "moon diamond." Europeans first discovered these beautiful cats in Siam during the 1800's and renamed them "Siamese."

The original Siamese cats had strong bodies, rounded heads with prominent cheeks, almond shaped blue eyes, large ears, and kinked tails. There are two legends to explain the kink:

One legend tells the story of a stolen goblet from a Buddhist temple. Two cats were sent to find it. Upon finding the valuable goblet, one cat returned to the priests to tell them and the other cat remained behind, to guard it. She wrapped the end of her tail around the goblet to make sure it didn't go missing again and that is how she got her kink.

The other legend has two versions: One is about a Siamese princess was bathing and forgot to take her rings off. Her cat kinked it's tail, offering it for the princess to place her rings upon. The other version says the princess put her rings on a smooth tail but they slipped off into the water and were lost. In the future, the princess tied the cat's tail in a knot to make sure rings were not lost again, thus creating the kink.

Once exported to Europe and the USA, breeding changed the appearance of Siamese cats. There is the "traditional" or "old world" look as mentioned above and there is the "modern" version that is now the standard for European and American cat shows and competitions. This newer look is a long, thin body with a short, flat coat, and wedge-shaped head with chiseled features. Both have the blue eyes. There are breeders who strive to preserve both versions.

A mutated enzyme, involved in melanin/color production is the reason for the Siamese cat's bi-color appearance. It does not work at body temperature which explains the pale torso. Because the ears, legs, face and tail are a little bit cooler, their color is expressed. Siamese cats that live in cold climates tend to be darker colored than those that live closer to the equator. These darker/colored areas are called "points."

At first Siamese cats were preferred to have "seal point" coloring, which is a very pale body with very dark brown points. Occasionally other variations of color occurred but these cats were removed from the breeding effort. That has since changed and now different colors are just as valuable. Chocolate points have a creamy body with brown points; blue points have a white body with gray-blue points; and lilac points have a white body with pinkish gray points.

Siamese cats have become quite important to the science of breeding. They have contributed to the creation and maintenance of several other breeds - Balinese, Burmese, Himalayan, Javanese, Ocicat, Oriental Shorthair and Longhair, Snowshoe, Tonkinese and Thai Cat. Without the Siamese cat, none of these other breeds would exist.

Today's typical Siamese cat can weigh anywhere from 8 to 15 pounds. If kept indoors and properly cared for, the Siamese cat life expectancy is into the early 20's. They are the perfect companion cat - they love to be with their owners, adore playing and interaction (they even play fetch!), and enjoy conversations. Siamese cats are highly intelligent and curious. They are the most popular shorthaired cat and the third most popular of all breeds in Europe and the USA.

Siamese cat care is simple. They are very low maintenance. Only bathe them if they get into something. Otherwise, they can take care of themselves. Brush only sparingly with a rubbery brush or wipe down with a slightly damp wash cloth to remove loose hairs. This is probably only necessary in the spring. Keep their ears and eyes clean as needed.

Siamese kitten adoption is best done between 12 and 16 weeks after they've received their first round of vaccinations and are weaned. The transition to a new home is easier if they are closer to 16 weeks old.

If you are looking for Siamese cats for sale, make sure you are buying from a reputable, humane breeder. Inspect the parent cats and their living quarters. Make sure they have a good quality of life and the mom isn't spending her life constantly pregnant and confined in a cage. There are also many rescues that specialize in cats and Siamese cats.

Presidential Daughter Susan Ford...........................Presidential Daughter Amy Carter

.,,and Shan /...............................................................and Yin-Yang

Kitten and Crow Become Best Friends - Video

2009-04-08T05:58:00.000-07:00

This video was taken by a couple whose kitten was befriended by a crow. It's true, just check it out...

Tax Write Offs for Your Cat - Video

2009-04-06T05:19:00.000-07:00

Sheba and her owner discuss various tax write offs. I think they need to get a second opinion!

Persian Cats & Kittens

2009-03-31T06:29:00.000-07:00

It is believed that Persian cats originated in western Asia as the result of a gene mutation. The longer coat became a survival advantage in the cold climate. There are references to long-haired cats in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. Some experts say that the longhair cats of Persia (Iran) might have been cross bred with the lushly coated cats from the Angora region of Turkey to get what we recognize as a "Persian" cat today. They started showing up in Europe during the 1500's. Documents from the 1600's have been found that show importing of these beautiful cats from Persia into Italy and from Turkey into France. These cats were used as a valuable commodity in trade. Persian cats started being exported to the USA in the late 19th century.

Today Persian cats are one of the most popular breeds. Over the years, I personally have owned a red tabby Persian, a white Persian, a black & white Persian, and two Himalayans/Colorpoint Persians. Below is a picture of my Ashley. She's the only one that had papers (purebred). The others were rescues. You can find Persian cat pictures in calendars, on greeting cards, in books dedicated to the breed, and on clothing. My daughter has a sweat shirt with a blue Persian on the front.

These cats are admired for their great beauty. They need us humans to help them stay beautiful and healthy. An indoor environment is a must. Persian cat care includes wiping the eyes with a damp wash cloth as well as brushing and combing their coat to remove loose hair and tangles/mats every single day. A monthly nail clip and bath with diluted cat shampoo followed by a gentle drying is also recommended. Hair dryers must be set on low/cold. If the kitty is afraid of the sound, use a towel instead. It's best to start this beauty routine when they are kittens so they can get used to all the pampering.

Their coats can come in a combination of every color and marking you can imagine. There are solid colors, patchwork, tortiseshell, tabby, chinchilla and pointed. The pointed coats are called "Himalayan" in the US and "Colorpoint" in Europe. These are the result of crossing Persian cats with Siamese. It's the same cat, just two different names.

Famously recognizable is the Persian cat's adorable "Pansy Face." There are actually two different kinds of faces: The very flat face with a little frowny mouth is called "Ultra" or "Peeked" and the version that has a little bit more of a muzzle and large, round eyes is called "Doll" face.

The body of a Persian cat is a little different from that of other cats. They have broad, short bodies and large heads. Their short, heavy-boned legs prevent giant leaps but they can still jump pretty good. Of course there is the shortened or almost non-existent muzzle as well as smallish ears and a straighter, shorter tail. The Persian cat life expectancy ranges 15 to 20 years, perhaps more if their health remains good.

There is nothing more adorable than a Persian kitten! The average litter of Persian kittens is about four. Like all kittens, they should stay with their mother and siblings until their first round of vaccinations and are fully weaned. I recommend giving a small towel to the breeder or rescue to put into the nursery box for a few weeks before the adopted kitten comes home. It'll pick up the smells of mommy, brothers and sisters and become a security blanket to help your new family member get used to their new home.

Persian cats have a wonderful, gentle personality. Although they have their share of friskiness, they do not get hyper like other cats. They tend to be calm and docile, loving a home that is quiet and peaceful. Persians are very loving. Sitting next to their owner or in the lap, being gently stroked is just heaven to them.

Here Come the Easter Kitties!

2009-03-25T16:33:00.000-07:00

Kitten with Two Faces, Donated to Science

2009-03-25T09:33:00.000-07:00

The Rawson family's cat had two kittens. One was "normal" and the other had two faces. The double-faced kitty had passed away before being discovered. Rather than bury it, the Rawsons have decided to donate it to science, to teach students about DNA.

This is not the mother cat's first litter. The Rawsons have wisely decided to get her spayed.

Here's a video of the news broadcast:

You might also be interested in these articles:

Yoda, the Four-Earred Cat

Cats with Wings

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Spring is For Babies (especially adorable kittens!)

2009-03-19T19:02:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd share some pictures of baby kittens with you to celebrate the beginning of spring!

Happy Spring!

The Genetics of Tri-Color Cats - Calicos & Klinefelters

2009-03-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

Are all calicos female? Are males calicos worth millions of dollars? So say the urban myths. I will try to explain these cats without going into genetics too deeply and giving myself (and possibly you) an aneurism, stroke or too much brain damage!

Everyone has DNA. Half came from mom and half came from dad, passing down their own genetic information to their children. DNA is made up of individual units called chromosomes. These chomosomes describe how the child will look - size, color, shape, all kinds of stuff.

The chromosomes for gender (sex) are named X and Y. Everyone has two of these, one came from from mom and one, from dad.

Females are XX and males are XY. Mom (XX) gives one X to every child. She does not have any Y's to dole out. Dad (XY) either gives an X to make a daughter or a Y to make a son.

Chromosomes are made up of genes. Genes hold the characteristics mentioned above. The genes for colors of cat fur (except white) are on the X chromosome. The white color gene does not live on a gender chromosome.

Now I will start oversimplifying because I don't want anyone to fall out of their chair with an intense headache:

The genes for the colors black/gray and brown/orange/red live on the X chromosome only. They do not live on the Y one. A female cat has 2 X's so she can therefore inherit a gene for black on of her X's and for brown on her other X. She can receive both colors. However, a male only has one X and can therefore only inherit one color (either black or brown, but not both).

Since the color white does not exist on the X and Y gender chromosomes, all cats can inherit white.

Let's say a female cat inherits white from one of her parents. She also inherits black on one of her X's and brown on the other X. She has all 3 colors going and can be a calico. Woo-hoo!

It's a bit trickier for a male cat. Let's say he inherits white from one of his parents. Since he's a boy, he only receives one X (from mom) and it might have black or brown on it. Dad gave him a Y which does not have color genes on it. This is what usually happens - you get a white male cat plus brown or black but both.

Enter the world of the Klinefelter cat. These are male kitties with all 3 colors. It's not a magic trick, just a genetics oopsie daisy. What happened is Klinefelter male cats have 3 gender chromosomes: two X's and one Y. He's a white cat who received brown on one of his X's and black on the other X. This is rare but does happen every once in awhile.

Klinefelter male cats are rarely able to become fathers themselves. I'll spare you the details and just say that their hormones and manliness are affected. Klinefelter's Syndrome has side effects beyond just coloring. It exists throughout the animal kingdom, even in humans.

I hope you enjoyed this information and that I didn't cause you any brain damage with the mini genetics lesson.

>^.^<

Cat Gets Donated with Couch. Oops!

2009-03-13T06:12:00.001-07:00

Vickie Mendenhall bought a used couch for $27. Little did she know it came with a surprise inside. It started moving from within and meowing! Mendenhall's boyfriend Chris Lund pulled the couch out away from the wall and lifted it up. There was a calico kitty inside!

Mendenhall contacted the store where the couch was purchased but it did not have any information on who donated it. She took the cat to the animal shelter where she worked and contacted members of the media to post the story and, hopefully, find the kitty's owner.

Bob Killion's cat, Callie, disappeared about the same time and he had recently donated a couch. His friend saw on the story on tv and the mystery was solved.

Green Cats for St. Patrick's Day

2009-03-03T19:05:00.001-08:00

Is this the real thing or a bunch of blarney? I don't care. I just like looking at these pictures. They make me smile! Here are photos of green cats to help you enjoy St. Patrick's Day...

A big THANK YOU to:

Nebraska Man Puts His Cat Into A Bong

2009-03-02T17:16:00.000-08:00

Dude! Where's my cat?

Acea Schomaker of Nebraska stuffed his cat into a plastic box that was part of a homemade bong. He was smoking marijuana at the time of his arrest. His excuse for putting the cat inside the bong was that he was trying to calm her down.

A Lancaster County sherrif's deputy took the cat to the Humane Society. Executive director of the Capital Humane Society, Bob Downey, says the kitty is doing fine now. Schomaker was cited for Cruelty to Animals and paid a $400 fine. Of course, he's also facing drug charges.

The judge needs to order that he never own or take possession of a pet ever again. Schomaker should also do some community service helping out pets that are suffering. Maybe he'll learn a little empathy!

California's Spay/Neuter Law

2009-02-24T09:27:00.000-08:00

State Senator Dean Florez is starting up his statewide legislation today that would require animal owners to spay or neuter their pets. Florez says SB 250 will hold pet owners accountable for their pets’ health and welfare. The goal is to reduce a $250 million annual bill for catching and euthanizing unclaimed stray and unwanted pets in the state.

From an animal lover's point of view, this law would save thousands of future unwanted dogs and cats from a life of starvation, poor health and quality of life, and euthanization.

“It will come down to personal responsibility,” Florez said. “If you’re doing the right thing, don’t worry about it. If you have an unaltered animal, license it.”

There will only be two ways to get out of this requirement:

1. A licensed veterinarian can certify that such an operation creates a strong risk of death to the animal.

2. The bill would require animal breeders and sellers to obtain "unaltered licenses" for the cats and dogs they have. Those licenses could be taken away if, for example, the owner neglects his animals, lets them run free on the streets or if the animals are declared dangerous. In these situations, owners would then need to spay or neuter their pets. The legislation does allow for appeals of the license action.

The unaltered license for a dog can be denied or revoked if:

there are two verified reports an owner has allowed an animal to run at-large or is neglectful of animals in general.
the owner has been cited for violating state or local animal control laws.
the dog has been declared dangerous.
another unaltered animal license held by the same owner has been revoked.
the license information contains incorrect or missing information.

The proposed legislation also requires a person who “owns, keeps or harbors” an unaltered cat six months or older to keep the animal inside. There will be extra regulation on owners of unaltered cats, which represent the majority of euthanasias performed in Kern County Animal Control shelters.

Activists for animal breeding, shows and business activists killed a mandatory spay-neuter law for all animals last year. Florez said SB 250 will have a different fate because it does not mandate sterilization. Animal activist Judie Mancuso said last year's legislation opponents will not have their rights restricted in this new bill.

Florez used Kern County as the perfect example of where irresponsible animal ownership has created a massive problem. Kern County Animal Control euthanized 19,742 animals in 2008 — an annual increase of 5.7 percent, powered by a 10.3 percent increase in the number of animals that flowed through county shelters.

Florez hopes to see this bill in the Assembly in June.

Kitty & Fawn Video - What a Wonderful World

2009-02-15T13:46:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time there was an orange kitty and a spotted fawn...and they were best friends. Add in Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" and you have a beautiful video. If you are sentimental like me, grab a tissue, and click HERE for a happy moment in your day. ENJOY!

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Authorities Seize 118 Cats from Hoarders!

2009-02-12T06:02:00.000-08:00

Stanley and Cheryl Saladis of Minnesota are animal hoarders. They are unable to maintain a clean environment for the cats and themselves, nor meet the cats' physical and medical needs. Each cat is being individually assessed for psychological and physical health. Many of the neglected cats are dying and unable to be saved by current medical knowledge. They will have to be euthanized, saved from their pain and suffering.

The Saladis surrendered 118 cats recently from their tiny, dirty mobile home in St. Anthony. This wasn't the first time. In 2002, they had to give up 72 cats from their home in Coon Rapids.
This cycle will continue forever until the courts put a stop to it.

"If I'm still here in six years, I guarantee I'll be dealing with the Saladises again," said Keith Streff, investigator with the Animal Humane Society, the agency rescueing the emaciated and diseased kitties.

The floors and doors in the Salidis' 500-square-foot trailer home were rotted from poop and urine. The humans slept on a mattress, on the floor of their tiny kitchen. They had cat potty on their clothes, bedding, everything. The home was also crammed with hundreds of dolls and garbage. The toilet didn't work and there was no running water.

"The conditions were absolutely deplorable," said Kathie Johnson, director of animal services for the humane society. "It was one of the worst houses I've ever been in. It was literally wall-to-wall cats."

There were few signs of the population outside the home, other than a whiff of urine that some residents smelled while passing the home.

Help is hard to find for animal hoarders. "Recidivism" or animal hoarding usually happens to people who have had very dysfunctional childhoods and have issues of abandonment and neglect. Their hearts go out to any abandoned creature, losing sight of the limits to their capacity to offer proper care to the animals. Reinforcing the hoarding behavior, the animals give their humans a feeling a security and stability.

Hoarding is a psychological problem and the Saladis need help. They, and the cats of the world, need a court order forbidding the Saladis from ever owning an animal again. They also need regular visits, forever, to make sure there aren't any new cats.

Funny Cat Pictures with Captions

2009-02-06T06:09:00.000-08:00

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Enjoy these funny pictures. Hopefully the smiles they give you will last all day!

Pets Affected By Peanut Butter Recall - FDA List & Health Tips

2009-02-04T06:33:00.001-08:00

Pets can get sick from eating your tainted PB foods or pet snacks with PB flavor. Some pets have died by eating tainted human or pet food. Best to just throw it all out!

HERE is a link to the PB recall, updated constantly the the FDA. I strongly suggest you check this list out every single time, before you go shopping.

If your pet becomes sick, it can transfer to you via saliva and waste. Most pets lick themselves clean, so the coat can become contaminated, too. Best to consider the whole body as contaminated. Here are some safety tips that you should always follow anyway:

Regularly wash your pet’s feeding bowls to prevent growth of bacteria.
Thoroughly wash your hands and your children’s hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds after handling dry pet foods, including pet treats.

Avoid letting any human food and utensils come into contact with pet food.

Make sure to thoroughly clean any counters and utensils you use to prepare your pet’s dinner.

Handle litter boxes carefully, and always thoroughly wash your hands and keep the area around the litter box clean.

Cat Myths

2009-02-01T13:18:00.000-08:00

Cats can have cow's milk
Many cats are lactose intolerant & giving them milk will result in them getting an upset tummy and/or diarrhea. This is especially dangerous in kittens who can dehydrate quickly.

Cats can have fish
It is perfectly fine to give your cat the occasional treat of fish, but it should not become their regular diet. Feeding too much fish can lead to Yellow Fat Disease (steatitis), caused by Vitamin E deficiency.

When you move to a new home, put butter on your cat's paws to stop it from roaming or getting lost.
The safest bet is to keep your cat either exclusively indoors or allow it to go out in a purpose built cat enclosure for at least 2 months.

My cat will get fat and lazy if it is fixed.
They might, on average, weigh a little bit more than other cats, but their level of friskiness is not affected.

My female cat should have one litter before she is spayed.
Not at all, in fact it is better to have her spayed before 6 months of age to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. Letting her have a litter is a human sentimental notion.

Cats must be 6 months before they can be desexed.
With modern anaesthetics, cats can now be safely desexed as young as 8 weeks of age. It's more an issue of size and weight than of age.

Cats always land on their feet.
They try to land on their feet but it there's not enough time and distance during the fall, they can't. And landing on their feet is no guarentee they'll land without injury. Can you fall 20, 40 or 60 feet and not get injured just because you landed on your feet?

Declawing hurts my cat.
Just like any other operation, the cat is under anesthetic and can't feel the actual operation. There is some post operative pain, just like any other proceedure. Unless the vet botched the surgery, your cat will be fine and ready to run and jump in no time soon. Using the litter box again is no problem.

Cats can eat dog food.
Dog food is missing the essential nutrients taurine & arachidonic acid. Taurine deficiency can lead to blindness & arachidonic acid can lead to dry, scaly skin. Cats require a higher protein & fat content in their diet.

A cat purrs because it's happy.
Cat also purr when they are in pain. Cats have been known to purr when they are giving birth and they will sometimes purr when they are dying. Purring is more an expression of an emotion than an expression of happiness.

Cats will not mate with their siblings/parents/offspring.
There are no rules in the cat world about who mates with whom. Anything goes.

All calico cats are female.
There is the occasional male. However, virtually all of these males are sterile. The calico color is sex linked. For a cat to be calico it must have two X chromosomes ergo the cat is female. In rare instances however a male calico will be produced. This usually happens because the cat has an extra chromosome. So, instead of him being XY, he is XXY. These cats are known as Kleinfelter males.

All orange cats are male
No, it is possible to have an orange female. Unlike the orange male, who only needs one copy of the O gene to produce an orange coat, the female requires the O to be on both chromosomes. If she has only one O, the resulting coat colour will be calico.

It's okay to release your pet cat into the wild because cats can fend for themselves. Pet cats who find themselves dumped into the outside world to fend for themselves will most likely die of either starvation, injuries caused by fights with other animals, disease or be hit by a car. Some cats survive because there is an abandoned place of shelter and kindly neighbors put food and water out.

All male cats spray.
Intact male cats are much more likely to spray than desexed ones but this is not a 100% rule. Also, some female cats spray.

You can't convert a cat to the indoors only.
It is easy to do as long as you ensure your kitties have enough mental stimulation. They like a 3D world with high places and places to hide. All cats need some companionship. Get two cats to keep each other company if you aren't home very often.

Cats smother babies.
Statistically, it parents who sleep with infants that do most of the smothering. There are no verifiable records of a cat ever smothering a baby.

Devon Rexes, Cornish Rexes & Sphynx's are hypoallergenic.
It's the saliva that causes the allergic reaction and all cats have saliva. All cats lick themselves to take a bath. These breeds just have less shedded hair laying around the house to aggravate your allergies. If you have allergies and want a traditional cat with hair, wear a mask and vacume a little more often and keep the kitties off your bed and out of the laundry hamper.

Indoor cats cannot get diseases/parasites.
Many heebie jeebies are airborne and some are found in the soil. They can enter your home through the air system, an open door, your clothes, garden gloves and tools, and your shoes.

Pregnant women shouldn't own cats.
There are many sources of toxoplasmosis. Pregnant women should take precautions such as avoiding cleaning the litter tray, ensuring their meat is thoroughly cooked, washing vegetables properly and wearing gloves while gardening to avoid contracting toxomoplosis. This is just incase she has not yet developed a resistence to it.

Putting bells on a cat's collar will stop it catching mice & birds
Your cat will actually learn to move without the bell making a sound and become even more stealthier than before.

All cats hate water.
Most cats hate water but not all. Turkish Van's, Bengals and real live tigers are known to be fond of water and sometimes even enjoy swimming.

Siamese cats are mean.
This is one of the world's most popular breed of cat. Temperament is the result of genetics, nurturing and socialization. For every mean Siamese you show me, I'll show you 10 mean kitties of other breeds!

Petition For Pet Insurance - Please sign

2009-01-29T11:26:00.000-08:00

My friend, Jackie, works for an insurance company that is considering whether or not to introduce a discount plan for pets. Jackie is in charge of collecting signatures to see if America has enough interest.

I signed the petition by filling in my name, state and email address.

Please, everybody, lets collect as many signatures as possible. Click on the link below and please pass this on to every pet owner you know!

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/APVetPlan?e

Thank you!

Fun Kitty Cat Brain Teaser!

2009-01-29T07:24:00.000-08:00

On a beautiful spring day in the park, there were five female cats walking together and gossiping about their humans. Up ahead, there were five males walking together bragging about their conquests.

When the two groups met, there were five cupids flying through the air. Next thing ya know, there were five couples walking away in separate directions. The couples began talking and soon found that they had amazing things in common.

The next Spring, kittens are everywhere!

Can you figure out who the couples were, what treats they liked, what their favorite activity was and how many kittens each couple had in their litter?

The males' names are Punkin, Batman, Billy, Jake and Dobie.
The females are Pepper, Sally, Ruby, Spot and Starbuck
Snacks: Chicken, Mice, Tuna, Ice Cream, Chips
Activities: Laser, String, Sleep, Beat Up, Ball
Size of Litters: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9.

Here are your hints-

Jake was the cat who liked tuna fish & had five kittens, the one who liked Spot, the one who liked to beat up other cats, and the one who loved ice cream.

Starbuck is the kitty that had nine kittens, the one that liked to eat chicken & chase a ball, the one that liked to sleep, and the one that liked Punkin.

Dobie (who had three kittens) liked to chase the laser light but not mice.

Sally loved to chase mice but not string.

Batman didn't have a thing for Sally nor did he have seven kittens.

Billy, who thought of himself as very big & tough, had the most kittens & wasn't about to chase some stupid string around - what a waste of time!

Ruby loved to cuddle up to her male for a long afternoon nap in the sun but hated it when he ate his chips in bed. That may be the reason they didn't have the most kittens (they didn't have the least either).

Pepper & Punkin didn't have one kitten but they did like tuna fish.

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Cats - To Declaw or Not to Declaw - That is the Question

2009-01-26T16:47:00.000-08:00

When I was a little girl back in the 1960's, whether or not to declaw a cat was a simple yes or no decision, but it wasn't an issue that anyone argued over. Today the topic of declawing brings up emotions and heated debate and, sometimes, people on one side or the other will resort to rudeness, lying and false propaganda in an attempt to persuade others. It can get downright nasty.

I've owned several cats in the past 25 years, plus I grew up with cats. Some had their front claws and some didn't. About 2 years ago I wanted to adopt two kittens from Stray Cat Blues, a rescue that displayed their cats at our local PetSmart store. I filled out a very long application and had to ask my vet to write a letter of recommendation. He told me he wrote a "glowing" letter, highly recommending me as a future adopter. I also had to fill out a questionaire about every pet I've ever owned, ever.

At the time I was working in the grooming salon inside that same PetSmart. A few days after I had submitted my paperwork and the vet had given SCB my recommendation letter, one of their volunteers popped into the salon to tell me my application was being denied because of owning a declawed cat in the past and that they didn't trust me not to do it again. That decision was out of left field for me. I had no idea declawing was even an issue.

I pride myself in taking good care of my pets, keep them current on shots, taking them to the vet whenever they seemed sick and had even spent over $800 a few years ago for a bladder operation for one of my kitties. To tell me I wasn't good enough to adopt a cat was a kick in the stomach. When I told my vet what had happened he was livid!

Well, that's the end of that, I thought. Don't let the door hit me on my way out!

The next day at work, another volunteer from SCB came into the grooming salon and gave me a stack of photocopied articles, about half an inch thick. What is this?

OMG - it was a ton of articles explaining why cats should not be declawed. During my break I started reading them, thinking that I have been given scientific information written by veterinarians and scientists.

Well, most of it was lies and rubbish. Scare tactics. Propaganda to trick you into believing declawing was some terrible, medieval torture. These people are off the deep end, I thought. They think they are holier than thou and are on a mission! I was really pissed off, not because they rejected my application, but because they handed me a bunch of lies and sensationalism! I totally disagreed with their tactics!

I can only describe the information they gave me as creative writing essays based upon opinions, misinformation and outright lies. None of the articles were written by scientific experts with any studies to back their claims up.

Here are examples of what they gave me:

One article said cats are given medication such that they can't move but feel everything during the surgery. That is a bunch of hogwash!

One article goes on and on about the terrible pain of the surgery and that this terrible pain can linger for years as a phantom pain, causing terrible suffering. Puh-lease! My declawed cat was running and playing pretty quick! If anything, it was the spaying that was more painful, post surgery (and rescues definitely push spaying).

I remember one weird article that stated toes were broken/removed and this would affect the cat's ability to stretch and, as a result, there would be orthopedic problems. I beg to differ! My Blue and Pepper are declawed and love to jump and can jump a good 6 feet from my dining table onto the top of my china cabinet! They knead their paws (some call it Making Biscuits) and purr alot.

I am not siding with the declaw side or the anti-declaw side so I guess you could say I am pro-choice. But I am pissed at how these anti-declaw people are behaving - spreading lies, guilt and fear in an attempt to prove themselves right (self righteous, I say!) as well as denying good homes to homeless kitties which is supposed to be their number one goal. They have gone too far - soon enough, they'll be just like the extremist Greenpeace and Pro-Life people who resort to violence!

So that's my two cents, maybe even a dime's worth of ranting. Bring it on!

Pee Wee the Survivor

2009-01-25T19:38:00.000-08:00

This is the story of my little boy. But he's not so little anymore and after the appointment with Mr. Snippy, he isn't a boy anymore either.

I was in the backyard one autumn, talking to my next door neighbor. She told me that she heard meowing all night long and asked if I had heard anything. Honestly, as soon as I told her I hadn't heard anything, the meowing began - and it came from underneath a mum bush that was right next to us!

I reached into the bush and pulled out a tiny kitten, hissing. It reminded me of the little tough-guy sidekick in "Gay Purree," a cartoon about cats starring the voice of Judy Garland. Then my new-found kitty started meowing, no - screaming, as loud as he could. His tiny, high-pitched voice echoed through the whole neighborhood. He was the cutest, most pathetic looking thing I'd ever seen!

At that point in time, I already owned 3 cats, 2 of which were sisters adopted just a few months before. I also volunteered with an animal rescue called Pet Guardian, specializing in fundraising. Time to put on my super-hero cape and get into action!

I brought the little fella into my house and checked him out. He was so darn bony - I could feel every bone in his body, every bump on his backbone, his pelvis, everything. He was also very tiny. He fit in the palm of one hand. This kitty was way too young to be away from it's mommy or given away to a new home. I decided that he was probably a feral kitten and, for unknown reasons, got separated or abandoned by his mom and siblings. Maybe something happened that I didn't really want to know about!

I called Mary at Pet Guardian and she told me to take the little kitten to my own vet and she'd reimburse my cost. I will be the foster parent. Once he's old enough and healthy again, we can put him up on Pet Guardian's website and adopt him out.

I set out some of my own cat's kibble and water and the little kitty went right for it. What's so funny is that he made loud yum-yum-yum sounds when he ate! It was hysterical!

I held my little charge in my arms, wrapped in a snuggly towel, for the rest of the day. My own cats jumped up and smelled him now and then. He was very interested in them but I wanted to keep them apart because he was so frail.

When my daughter arrived home from school, she fell in love with him. She'd never seen such a tiny kitten before and decided we should name it something that means "small." We ended up with "Pee Wee."

That night I had to take my daughter to a school event, so I made Pee Wee a little bedroom in the downstairs bathroom with the door closed and a note on that read, "There's a kitten in here. Don't worry-we're not keeping it" for my hubby who already thinks we live in a zoo.

That night I put Pee Wee up in a box to sleep in. It had an 8" square aluminum pan with litter at one end and towels and beanie baby "siblings" at the other end to sleep with. I placed the box on the floor, right next to my side of the bed. What a night - it brought me back to when my own daughter was a newborn. Pee Wee would wake up every 2 or 3 hours and make these pitiful little mews. I'd pick him up and snuggle him and then set him next to some food and water which he'd eat, again making his cute yum-yum-yum sounds. Next I'd put him on his litter box to do his business, then wipe his behind with a babywipe (made for pets) and then put him in bed with me, next to my chest so he could hear my heart beat. Once he seemed passed out, I'd transfer him to his little box again.

I didn't get much sleep that week. Pee Wee had the same schedule as a newborn. Also - he had diareah. I'd be drifting off to sleep and alot of a sudden...kitten farts! I got the giggles so bad! Only a mommy would find this cute!

The next morning I took Pee Wee to the vet who estimated his age at 4 weeks. I told him Pee Wee was walking funny on one leg, perhaps because he's a toddler and/or he's weak from malnourishment. The vet said both were good reasons but it ended up Pee Wee had a broken leg - not just a little crack, but almost broken into 2 pieces! The vet said his bones were too tiny and very brittle (because of malnutrition) and to touch them - they'd just break more. My eyes welled up with tears. He'd need "cage rest" for a month.

Pee Wee was also flea infested and would need baths in Dawn. He was too young for commercial/chemical flea treatments.

Cage rest? How on earth do you tell a little kitten to lay down and not to play or jump or frolick?!!! Even when alone in the bathroom, he attacked the print on the wallpaper!

So little Pee Wee came home and got his first bath in the kitchen sink. I ended up giving my other 3 cats (Ashley, Blue and Pepper) baths, too, just incase they got some hitchhikers. Poor Pee Wee got weekly baths for a month, just to make sure I got all the fleas. I also sprayed the carpets, sofa and curtains and washed all my bedding.

Back to the issue of "cage rest." I felt this little guy needed socializing and to keep him away from other cats for a whole month would be detrimental. It also broke my heart. I decided to bring him out of his bathroom world every hour for about 10 minutes. I held him mostly and let everyone sniff each other. He was so fascinated with the other cats! I'd let him walk a little, but running was a no-no.

Pee Wee's first shots were delayed a few weeks because of his ill health. When he was finally ready, Pet Guardian put him up on their website, noting him as a special needs kitty because of his leg. No takers! Usually kittens get instant responses and go fast. Mary thinks it's because people were scared off by the possiblity of high vet expenses in the future.

Well, after a month of loving little Pee Wee, I fell in love with him. I called Mary and asked if I could keep him. I sent her the adoption fee to help reimbuse the money she'd already spent on him, even though she said I could have him for free.

Pee Wee is now 2.5 years old. His leg healed completely but it's crooked a little. This hasn't hindered him a bit - he can jump onto the kitchen counters just fine. His favorite place to nap is the bathroom sink!

He still has a very strong survival instinct. It all started with his loud screams for help, rather than lying down and giving up.

Nowadays, he "covers" his kibble by pawing at the floor after he eats. He also does this right after I fill the bowl, even if he doesn't eat, wanting to save some for later. If the bowl starts looking a little empty, he'll tell me even if he's not hungry, to refill the bowl. His favorite way to get my attention is to wiggle the toilet handle until I get up and refill the bowl. I can get up, give him attention or whatever, and he'll start right back up with that noisy handle if I've failed to fill the kibble bowl.

Oh, I should have knocked on wood when we named Pee Wee. He's now about 2 inches taller and longer than my other cats and now weighs 17 pounds. The vet calls him, "Moose!"

He's my little boy and I love him!

Top Names for Cats in 2008

2009-01-22T17:02:00.000-08:00

1. Max

2. Chloe

3. Tigger

4. Tiger

5. Lucy

6. Smokey

7. Oliver

8. Bella

9. Shadow

10. Charlie

A Little Pet Humor for the Ladies

2009-01-21T07:57:00.000-08:00

If you want someone who will eat whatever you put in front of him, and never say it's not quite as good as his mothers...
then buy a dog.

If you want someone always willing to go out, at any hour,for as long and wherever you want...

then buy a dog.

If you want someone who will never touch the remote,doesn't care about football, and can sit next to you as you watch romantic movies . . .

then buy a dog.

If you want someone who is content to get on your bed just towarm your feet and whom you can push off if he snores . . .

then buy a dog.

If you want someone who never criticizes what you do, doesn't care if you are pretty or ugly, fat or thin, young or old, who acts as if every word you say is especially worthy of listening to,and loves you unconditionally, perpetually . . .

then buy a dog.

BUT ...

If you want someone who will never come when you call, ignores you totally when you come home, leaves hair all over the place, walks all over you, runs around all night and only comes home to eat and sleep, and acts as if your entire existence is solely to ensure his happiness . . .

buy a cat!

Now be honest! You thought I was gonna' say... marry a man, didn't you?!

...........................................................................

Finding Cat Food & Supplies Online

2009-01-14T16:23:00.000-08:00

In the past, when you've wanted to buy food or supplies for your pets online, you've had to visit one store's website and search for the item. If that store didn't have what you were looking for you had to visit another store's website. Going back and forth to find who has the best price can be a real time-consuming pain.

No more!

Shopwiki.com has made shopping for your pet as easy as doing a google search. Shopwiki crawls the web, finding every store that sells your product and then presents the item, how many stores are selling it, and the lowest price, all at once. It's one-stop comparison shopping.

Other shopping websites will only show you the stores that pay them a percentage of their sales. Shopwiki is different - they will show you all the stores, regardless of any sales commission arrangements.

That being said, please check out http://www.shopwiki.com/wiki/Pets and you'll see that they can find supplies for dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians, small pets, horses and livestock. Supplies for cats include food, bedding, bowls and feeders, litter, litter boxes, grooming, toys, bedding, stain removers, collars, carriers and scratching posts. A further click on one of these catagories brings up several choices and helpful information.

It's comparison shopping made easy.
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Coupons & Discounts for Cat Owners

2009-01-13T15:18:00.000-08:00

Here are some websites that give online coupons, printable coupons, and discounts for online shopping for pet food and supplies.

Here are some coupons from Animal Planet - http://www.animalplanetpv.com/

Coupons and savings from Cats Pride- http://www.catspride.com/prideclub.php

Coupons for pet food and supplies from Coupon Surfer- http://www.couponsurfer.com/pg_show.cfm?pg_id=101

Sign up for a coupon from Iams- http://www.startsampling.com/sm/100327/captureAddress.iphtml?item=100327&source=

Sales, discounts and promotions for cat products at PetCo- http://www.petco.com/Cat-Home.aspx

Sales, discounts and promotions at PetSmart-http://www.petsmart.com/

Pet Coupons from Coupons.com-http://print.coupons.com/couponweb/Offers.aspx?pid=13374&zid=lg03&nid=10&bid=090113150147mruoszaq

Pet Coupons from Cool Savings.com-http://www.coolsavings.com/PetCouponsAll.aspx?SessionID=e7f7d5d5-9c03-42a7-bb70-c9dd15b69b5f-3

YODA - The Four Earred Cat

2009-01-09T13:39:00.001-08:00

A week before Halloween 2006, Ted and Valerie Rock were in a Chicago bar, watching a football game when in came someone trying to find a home for an 8-week old kitten. The little one caused quite a commotion - it had four ears! Actually - one set of true ears plus an extra set of flaps.

Ted let the kitten out of its cage and it proceeded to fall asleep in Ted's arms. It was love at first sight and little "Yoda" had a new home with the Rocks.

The Rock's son, Glenn, posted pictures of Yoda on a website and the little kitty became instantly famous in several countries.

Just in case you are wondering, Yoda is very healthy and there's nothing wrong with his hearing!

***********************************

You might also be interested in these stories:

Cats with Wings

Kitten with Two Faces, Donated to Science

Himalayan & Colorpoint Persian Cats

2009-01-04T17:26:00.000-08:00

This is a photograph of my cat, Ashley. This article is about her breed. In the USA they are known as Himalayans, nicknamed Himmies, and in Europe they are called Colorpoint Persians.

The first deliberate attempt to cross a Siamese with a Persian cat was done in 1924 by for Swedish geneticist. Much was to be learned about the genetic characteristics of cats's bodies and coat colors. Long hair and Color Points were discovered to both be recessive traits. It wasn't until 1935 that a kitten was produced that looked like the Himalayans or Colorpoint Persians of today.

This "new" breed of cat was officially recognized by the GCCF (Governing Council of Cat Fancy) of England in 1955 and by the CFA (Cat Fanciers Association) in the USA in 1957. The CFA began allowing competition of Himmies as a sub-group within the Persian classification. The TICA (The International Cat Association) classifies this breed as unique and separate from the Persians.

The white or cream-colored bodies of Himmies are medium to large in size, sometimes weighing up to 12 pounds. They have short legs which sometimes restricts how high they can jump. They have darker fur on the face, ears, legs and tail. Their fur is very long, especially on the tail.

The original "Himmies" had seal, blue, chocolate and lilac points. Today's cats can be solid color, tabby-striped or tortoise-shelled. The colors come in chocolate, seal, lilac, blue, red/flame, cream-tortie, blue-cream, chocolate-tortie, lilac-cream, seal lynx, blue lynx, red lynx, cream lynx, tortie lynx, blue-cream lynx, chocolate lynx, lilac lynx, chocolate-tortie lynx and lilac-cream lynx colors.

There are two kinds of faces. "Peeked" or "Ultra" faced Himmies have squashed in faces, a frown look to the mouth and squinty eyes. "Doll Face" Himmies have large, round eyes and a little bit of elongation of the muzzle. Over the generations, Himmies tend back to longer snouts, so every once in awhile a Persian needs to be bred into the line to keep the flat face.

Inbreeding has caused some genetic problems - breathing problems called Brachycephalia due to the flat face (flat faced dogs have the same problem), some joint problems, organ abnormalities, Polycystic Kidney Disease and Progressive Retinal Atrophy. Not all Himmies get these problems.

Himalayans were named after Himalayan rabbits that had the same color point coat. That's how they got their name. They originated in England, not the mountains of Asia.

The personality of a Himalayan is very gentle and sedate, but not so lethargic as a Persian. They have their frisky moments and like to play. The tend to love human companionship and want to be in the same room, if not right there in your lap. They tend not to be as independant or aloof as other breeds.

Himalayan cats need their humans to help care for their eyes and coats. Their fur needs to be brushed every day and they need regular baths, once a week sometimes. Their eyes tend to tear which results in a build up of crust. Eyes need to be wiped clean every day. The presence of crust build up invites bacteria into the eye area which is dangerous to eye health.

If you don't mind the brushing and bathing, a Himalayan cat can be a beautiful addition to your family. He or she will give you lots of love. Petting such a soft coat is relaxing and luxurious. I know - I've owned two Himalayans and they are right up there with diamonds, dark chocolate and silks.

Cats in the Movies

2008-12-29T14:51:00.000-08:00

I've seen a lot of movie about cats, some as a child growing up in the 1960's and some with my daughter who is almost 12. We both love cats and we currently own three. Just for fun, here is a listing of movies starring cats. My favorite is The AristoCats and my daughter's favorite is The Cat Returns.

The AristoCats (animation with Eva Gabor, Phil Harris)
Gay Purree (animation with Judy Garland, Robert Goulet, Morey Amsterdam, Red Buttons, Mel Blanc)
The Three Lives of Thomasina (Patrick McGoohan, Karen Dotrice, Elsbeth March)
Cats - The Movie (Jeremy Piven, Michelle Rodriguez, Dominque Swain, Jeremy Sisto)
Cats - The Musical (Elaine Paige, Rosemarie Ford, John Mills, Ken Page)
The Cat Returns (Hiroyuki Morita animation with Anne Hathaway, Cary Elwes, Elliot Gould, Tim Curry)
Top Cat (Hanna Barbera animation)
The Cat From Outer Space (Ken Berry, Sandy Duncan, Harry Morgan, Roddy McDowell)
Fritz the Cat (adult content animation)
Felix the Cat (animation)
Cats Don't Dance (animation with Rene Auberjonois, Scott Bakula, Natalie Cole)
That Darn Cat (Hayley Mills, Dean Jones, Dorothy Provine, Roddy McDowell)
Garfield-The Movie and Garfield-Tail of Two Kitties (Jennifer Love Hewitt, Breckin Meyer)
Cats and Dogs (Jeff Goldblum, Sean Hayes, Tobey Maguire, Elizabeth Perkins)
Milo and Otis (narrated by Dudley Moore)
The Cat in the Hat (Mike Meyers, Spencer Breslin, Dakota Fanning, Kelly Preston)
Homeward Bound-Incredible Journey & Lost in San Francisco (Michael J. Fox, Sally Field)
The Lion King (animation with James Earl Jones, Whoopie Goldberg, Ernie Sabella, Moira Kelly, Matthew Broderick and Jeremy Irons)
Born Free (Elsa the lion, Joy Adamson)
Two Brothers (Jean-Jacques directs Guy Pearce and Jean-Claude Drefus)
Rhubarb ( Ray Milland and Jan Sterling)
Oliver and Company (animation with...)
Feel free to contact me to add another movie about cats to this list!

VIDEO - DOGS DECORATE THE CHRISTMAS TREE

2008-12-26T07:34:00.000-08:00

My friend, Debi sent me a video of dogs decorating a Christmas tree and putting presents under it. Really! It's well edited, has music, and is adorable! Please click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUtPKbMwnRo

2008-12-21T08:30:00.000-08:00

GOTHIC KITTENS FOR SALE ON EBAY?!

2008-12-20T06:56:00.001-08:00

Did you read or hear about the lady in Pennsylvania who came up with the stupid marketing strategy of selling "gothic kittens?" The poor dears had ear, neck and tail piercings and were being sold on Ebay. Ebay doesn't allow the sale of live animals so I guess someone came across their ad and tipped off Ebay to immediately cancel the listing. The SPCA raided the house after receiving a tip and took three kittens and an adult cat. The stupid lady was running a grooming salon out of her business. Talk about bad business decisions!

I hope she pays a fine, does time and serves community service for animals (how about making her scoop elephant poop for the circus?). I hope the judge orders she never own, babysit, or handle another animal for the rest of her life. Is there such thing as a restraining order to keep her 1000 feet away from any kind of animal?

CATS AND CHRISTMAS

2008-11-28T08:27:00.001-08:00

Cats and Christmas don't mix! It's a disaster waiting to happen! I have come to the conclusion that kitties are either not Christian or they disapprove of the pagan decorating that I do.

My first cat, Elise, was okay with all the decorating. Perhaps she was the exception. She'd walk around, give everything a sniff, and sit under the tree as if she were a present herself. Perhaps this high opinon of herself is why she allowed the decorating.

My second cat, Heimie, was born in the late summer so I knew I'd have issues of friskiness when it came to the Christmas tree. As a precaution I only put ornaments above knee level which worked great. I've seen photos of cats hanging out deep in the branches. I was okay with that - until Heimie decided to walk way out on the end of the limbs. The tree came crashing down twice! The following Christmas Heimie didn't climb the tree. Instead he continued his hobby of bow crunching. He could smell it when I got the bows out - he'd come running and pick out a bow to play with. For those of you old enough to remember IBM punch cards, that's what my bows looked like after Heimie got done with them! Gifts to be shipped out had to be wrapped and boxed up immediately. I had to remember to keep the lid on my huge bow box or Heimie'd get into it and crunch away. Heimie was a bow cruncher for 16 of his 17 years.

Ashley also liked to hang out under the tree and was okay except for one thing... on the years that it was way too cold and Christmas trees were freeze damaged, we used a fake tree. Ashley loved to chew on the ends of the branches and later cough up the little pieces of fake needles. So gross!

Pepper and Blue, sisters, are quite the handful. My sister says it's because they are tabbies. Blue eats/barfs/digests/poops ribbons and strings. During their first Christmas, Blue was running around the house like crazy, scooting on her bum. I thought maybe a little messie was stuck to her rear so I picked her up, ready to wipe, and there was a 2 inch piece of red curing ribbon sticking out. A mommy's gotta do, what a mommy's gotta do - I carefully pulled out about a foot of ribbon! Blue is a disaster (and trip to the emergeny room) waiting to happen! Because Pepper and Blue both chew ribbons and strings - all friends and relatives have been told "no ribbons or strings" on our gifts. These sisters also chew wires. We've had to replace phones, headphones, alarm clocks, Nintendo rechargers and computer wires. I don't dare put lights up on the tree. Do you remember the scene when the white cat chews on wires in National Lampoon's "Christmas Vacation?" I do not want to relive that scene!!

Blue and Pepper are terrors in other ways. Neither of them outgrew climbing or taking running leaps onto things. They play fiercely with anything that they deem to be a toy. Blue loves things with strings. Pepper loves things with fringe or feathers and anything that can be treated like a soccor or tether ball.

PeeWee is especially attracted to noisy things and will whack at them for half an hour. (try listening to the toilet handle wiggle at 3 am!) He also loves to knock things off countertops, dressers and the mantle for the sport of it.

So no tree or tabletop decorations for us. At least we have the front porch and front yard to decorate!

Send me your stories!

THE FIRST PET - The Obamas are considering a Labradoodle Dog

2008-11-10T18:52:00.001-08:00

So now that Barack Obama is going to be the President, there is pressure on the Obama family to have a "First Pet." All presidents must have pets. It's an unwritten law. There is discussion on what kind of pet they should get. It gets complicated when you factor in First Daughter Malia's allergies.

Dogs and cats are the most popular pets, especially for First Families. There are several breeds that don't bother people with allergies. Rule out the bald-looking cats and dogs - too ugly! That omits cats completely. Bummer. (I'm a cat person).

What's left are the few breeds of dogs with minimal shedding and dander. None is even better. Poodles fit the bill. They're very intelligent and highly trainable, too. They come in lots of sizes and colors.

Unfortunatly one thing about pure bred dogs is that genetic problems abound because of inbreeding. Another argument against getting a pure-bred dog is that there are so many homeless dogs in shelters that need adopting.

I have always felt a mixed breed is better. The more mix, the better, I say. Mixed dogs have more genetic diversity and tend to be healthier and less high-strung. Obama even said he'd like to get a mutt, "just like (me)."

The only problem with a mutt is that the First Family needs that strong poodle gene to accomodate Malia's allergies and, with a mutt, you just don't know what you're getting.

Solution - a Doodle Dog! This is any dog mixed with a poodle - a 50/50 dog. I did a little research to do this article. I learned quite a lot. It's a very comprehensive and informative website.

This is what I learned:

Labradoodle Dogs were the first Doodle Dog. An Australian man named Wally Conron back in 1989 was trying for a cross-breed of dog that would be great as a guide dog for owners who were allergic. Specifically a Labradoodle is a cross between a Standard Poodle and a Labradore Retriever. They come about two ways: some breeders use a pure Poodle and pure Lab to keep the genetics diverse so as to keep out genetic problems. Other breeders want to breed Labradoodles with Labradoodles - but that just invites the genetic problems common to inbreeding.

Labradoodles come in so many different looks. They can have straight or curly/wavy hair. They come in every color you can imagine because of their parents' breeds. You don't know what you're going to get until it's here. Even then a puppy's hair texture can change as it matures into an adult dog.

The Obama Labradoodle...a kind, loving, highly-intelligent dog that won't send Malia away sneezing. That's the goal.

President-elect Obama said the First Family will probably check out rescues in search of their Labradoodle. If that doesn't work out after a period of time the Obama's will have to find a reputable Labradoodle breeder and ask lots of questions about the parents' lineage, living conditions, as well as inspect the place to make sure it's not a puppy mill. That website http://www.labradoodle-dogs.net/ also has a listing of breeders that could be checked out.

Wonder what color they'll pick?

What's a good name? How about "Yankee" or "Dandy" (as in Yankee Doodle Dandy)

Male or female? (Barak could use another guy in the house but eventually the doggy will have to get neutered).

Good luck to the Obamas and to the Obama Labradoodle!

My resources for this article- my friend Jen who owns a Golden Doodle, my experience working in the grooming salon at PetSmart, Wikipedia's page on Labradoodles, and the website www.labradoodle-dogs.net/.

BLUE, THE INSANE HUNTER!

2008-10-28T07:35:00.000-07:00

Blue, my silver tabby, is such a hunter. I should have named her Diana (goddess of the hunt). Although she's never been outdoors a minute in her life, she still finds time to show off her feral instincts.

Her favorite toys are little mice, covered in rabbit fur, with little strips of rawhide for tails. For her birthday I threw a handful of brand new ones on the floor and she immediately bit off their tails, wasting no time. We never find the tails so we assume the worst/grossest. Of course she likes to play with her mice but she also walks around the house with one in her mouth and take them on trips wherever she goes (upstairs, downstairs, basement). When she's not spending time with her "catch" she deposits them into either the kibble bowl or water bowl. To any visitor who doesn't "know" about Blue, they freak out when they see what they believe to be a real dead mouse in the food!

Blue, Blue, Blue...what are we going to do with you?

XOXOXOXO

Tag! Your turn to share a crazy cat story!

Please Share Your Tails of Adoption

2008-10-25T09:19:00.001-07:00

How Did You Get Your Kitties!

Here are my adoption stories-

My 4th grade teacher's cat had kittens and my mom said we could have one. I picked a little girl who had all white, long fur except for a little black dot on her forehead. I named her Puss-in-Boots because that was the only cat name I ever heard of. My mom started calling her Gertrude whenever she got into mischief and that name stuck. When she was little and could fit under the couch, she loved to get on her back, dig her claws into the lining and race back and forth as fast as she could. Us kids thought it was pretty funny.

In 6th grade my art teacher had to get rid of her red persian-tabby named Toby. Her huge dog kept chasing Toby into a corner and Toby ripped the dog's nose open (ha, ha!). Dad renamed Toby to Heathcliff. I was aware of Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights. Later, I learned that the comedian Red Skelton had a running story about 2 seagulls named Gertrude and Heathcliff. Heathcliff was quite the lover boy (to Gertrude, too!)

When I was all grown up and moved into my first house, I was pulling weeds one weekend and I heard MEOW coming from under my car in the driveway. It was a longhair Tuxedo cat. I pet her and removed some of the burrs from her fur. I assumed she belonged to someone and that was that, or so I thought. The next morning she was under my bedroom window meowing. She actually learned the sound of my Datsun 210's engine and came running whenever I arrived home from work. The neighbors told me she hung out on my roof during the day! I started feeding her and put a Found Cat notice up but nobody responded. We took her to the vet for shots and spaying and renamed her Elise, after the heroine in my favorite movie Somewhere in Time.

A few years later we moved cross country with Elise. We were visiting a cat-themed store in New Hope, PA and there was a persian kitten hanging out on the counter. It was so darn cute. My husband really fell for it. It wasn't for sale but I asked my husband if it were for sale, and a cheap price, would he give in? He said Yes. Later on we were at a fall festival and they were giving away adorable kittens for free but all were spoken for. Darn! So I got on the phone with the SPCA and pound - no kitties! Darn! A few weeks later the pet store had a kitten for cheap - no papers or pedigree (rescues hadn't been "invented" yet) but looked like a purebred Himalayan. He was gorgeous and very laid back. And he was mine! We named him Heimie (think of the handsome robot/android from Get Smart). He was a very cuddly boy who slept by my neck every night.

Shortly after losing Elise, I called the SPCA and pound again. No kitties. Just before Christmas the pet store got in two Himalayan kittens. (Still no rescues!) We chose a little girl, lighter in color than Heimie so we could tell who was who, and named her Ashley. Sometimes I called her Lee Lee. She was a very gentle soul who loved to sit in the sunshine and sleep at the foot of our bed. She LOVED to have her armpits rubbed. Around strangers she was a Nervous Nelly and hid. Some of my friends never saw her so I put a picture of her in a frame in the livingroom.

After Heimie went to heaven, he got replaced by two sister tabbies. This time there were rescues to contact. We found Pet Guardian and visited their "nursery" for pregnant/new mothers. My daughter picked a gray tabby baby who was named Blue by the foster. She also picked a gray tabby with a little bit of brown on her nose and chest. This one was named Paprika by the foster but my daughter's friend suggested we change the name to Pepper since no one (in the world of kids it seemed) knew what a Paprika was. Pepper's brown eventually took over her whole body - now she's a brown tabby with huge almond eyes. Blue and Pepper sleep together, groom each other, and love to run around the house, sounding like a herd of charging buffalo!

A few months later I was out in the backyard talking to a neighbor who told me she heard meowing all night long. And all of a sudden it started again - right next to us from behind a chrysanthemum bush. I reached in and pulled out a tiny longhair black tabby kitten - he was absolutely beautiful but very bony and too young to be away from its mother. I called the rescue we got Blue and Pepper from and they said to take this baby straight to the vet. The little boy was estimated at 5 weeks old, was very malnourished and underweight and had a broken leg. I was his foster mom for about a month but nobody wanted him (probably because of the broken leg/future doctor expenses issue). I ended up falling in love with him and keeping him. Ends up the doctor ordered "bed rest" and there were no operations, just follow-up xrays. We named our new little baby boy Pee Wee because he was so tiny. I should have knocked on wood when we named him. He's now very tall, very long, and weighs 17 pounds! Our vet, Dr. Dave at Banfield, calls him Moose! Pee Wee is now on special food to lose some fat. Once he gets to normal weight he'll still be huge because of his skeleton size. He and Pepper love to groom eachother and wrestle. Pepper always wins even though she's several pounds lighter.

So now I have 3 cats, all just over 2 years old. Hopefully we'll be able to enjoy all of them for another 15 to 20 years!

Let me know your adoption tails!