I Am Kitty

I am Kitty is Sophia. She's a kitty alright. Well were are going to talk about other things today. Like today is the last day of June. Independence Day is right around the corner. I wonder how many pets will be freed from their cages on that day. I sure hope that some of the shelter animals will be adopted by then. I know as well as everyone else that there are hundreds, thousands of animals looking for a forever home. I also know realistically that some of them never well. On that note if you have the space in your heart and your home please consider a shelter pet. My rescued animals are the best because I was able to save them, and they return the love ten fold. Especially Mr. Pees A Lot. He greeted me with cat litter all over the floor today. It was just a reminder that Momma cat forgot to do her job yesterday. Sorry Jekyll. But all in all that was such a little thing for me to do for my kitties. Remember too that with the temperatures like they are now that your kitties and doggies have plenty of fresh cold water and a cool spot to relax. Oh and all you horse people same goes for you. And again do not leave animals in your car, it is way to hot. Death can occur in a very short period of time. Okay that's all the harping I am going to do today. So stay hydrated, and don't overdue it outside, make sure to check on your elderly neighbors as well, and if they don't have air, find a place for them to go if at all possible, you will be rewarded ten fold.

I Got A New Cat. Meet Totem Kitty.

Well a new cat joined the clan on Sunday. Meet Totem Cat. Isn't he just delightful? I think so. I can take this cat anywhere, it won't mind riding in the car, or being left alone overnight. It doesn't care what I do. It doesn't require food, nor does it need the litter box. My kind of cat. This very special cat came all the way from another state, and is so awesome. I received this from a very dear friend, who I hadn't see in years. So all I can say is I was so happy to see her, and the gift of Totem Kitty was very unexpected but very much appreciated. Friends, the true kind who even though you may not see for awhile or even speak to are the best. You keep them in your thoughts and prayers, and wonder what they are doing, and by some fate of nature, or whatever you believe, well you will reconnect. I am sad that we didn't keep in better touch. But just knowing that she has done well and is healthy and has a good life makes me very happy. I want to travel to her home next year and I really plan to make it there. Not sure the cats will be so happy that I am planning a trip, but I won't tell them if you don't. So to my friend who I have known practically all my life this is for you. May your journeys always be right and your life unexpectedly fun and not chaotic. That you have good friends and better friends, that you will always awaken on the right side of the bed, and that the sun shines upon your days. If in your travels you meet a cat who looks and acts like me know I am by your side no matter where we are. I will still be causing mischief like always. Take care my friend. Happy Cat.

Scratchy and Itchy.

No this is not about the Simpson's show. Remember on that show they have a cartoon that Bart and Lisa like called the Itchy and Scratchy Show. This is about cats who have a skin condition. So the cat is scratching and you know that you took care of the flea situation with flea treatment. Nope this is different. Todays information is brought to you by Petplace.com. This is a great web site for people with pets. Not just cats but all sorts of pets. Check it out. In some cases of chronic itching or biting, you may find your kitty is suffering from a skin condition called Pruritus. They could be dealing with allergic dermatitis, another common skin condition. Pruritus is an unpleasant sensation that causes a cat to scratch or bite himself. It is caused by chemical reactions that occur in the skin and stimulate the nerves, causing the brain to send a signal that says I itch. Sort of like humans. Pruritus is associated with other secondary skin diseases including secondary bacterial infections. But the main symptoms are caused by skin conditions like allergies and skin parasites. WHAT TO WATCH FOR. Scratching or biting, that can lead to hair loss and scabbing. If it gets this far you haven't been paying attention to your kitty. Just saying. Also chronic licking of their feet. DIAGNOSIS. Complete medical exam. Skin scraping to rule out mange mites or other parasites, fungal cultures to rule out ringworm. Yuk. TREATMENT. This may include medications for the skin condition. Antihistamines, Fatty acid supplements, Soothing Shampoos, (good luck bathing a cat). And Corticosteroids. HOME CARE. Keep their coats clean and brushed. I find that there are cat wipes that help in cleaning the cats coats. I like them. Nontoxic as well. And of course flea treatment. For the full article go to Petplace.com for more information, I of course just touch on the basics. So tomorrow I think I will surprise you so check back. I hope you enjoy your day. Happy no Scratchy and Itchy here.

The Top 8 Health benefits from owning a pet.

The following information was taken from Cattime.com. Very nice website. Has lots of info. So if you have thought about getting a pet, do it if you can. Keep in mind that they are like children and need care, your time and do involve expenses. Some of the info is the websites, and of course some of it is just plain ole me. 1. MORE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. If you own a dog this requires walking. In my case I walk the cats. They do enjoy it. So get out there and take Fido or Fifi for a walk and get some exercise. Couch potatoes don't make great pet owners. Hey I have opinions. 2. LESS STRESS. Yes pets can be stressful, if you let them. But don't. For the most part a pet can reduce stress. Just pet a furry creature, no not bears, for awhile and see how calm you can become. Now I'm not saying when you get done petting them they won't want you to stop but, deal with it. 3. LOWER BLOOD PREASSURE. Along with lifestyle changes and maybe medications a pet can help reduce your blood pressure. Have some fun get down on the floor and wiggle along the floor with your dog, or roll around like a cat. It's fun and will make you laugh. And we all know laughter is good medicine. Just be silly sometimes. Your cat and dog are. 4. LOWER RISK OF HEART DISEASE. Your fluffy fur ball could be helping you fight heart disease. Studies have found people with cats are 40% less likely to have fatal heart attacks. Does that mean I am really less likely, hey I have 5 cats. Probably not. 5. ALLEVIATE DEPRESSION. When feeling down I know that it helps to snuggle with a cat. My bunch are always doing something to brighten my day. The National Institute of Mental Health recognizes animal assisted therapy. Rejoice pet owners a pet can make you feel less isolated. 6. ALLERGY PREVENTIVE. A seven year study found children who where raised around pets from birth were less likely to develop allergies or asthma. 7. LOW BLOOD SUGAR DETECTION. Having a dog who is trained to detect low blood sugar would be a bonus to those who are diabetic. Dogs can sense a change in your body smell when you are in danger of low blood sugar. I am not really sure what all of this involves, as the article didn't go into great detail. 8. LESS RISK OF STROKE. This must be payment for all of those times you have to clean a smelly litter box. Owning a cat cuts a person's risk of having a stroke by more than a third, unless of course that cat wants to sit in the middle of your notes and head butts you while you are trying to type. Well that is all for now. I hope you learned something today. Tomorrow I will continue with information until you are so bored you will beg me to talk about how silly the cats are. Happy Cat.

Scat Cat.

Scat cat is a game we play at our house often. If someone is occupying a certain piece of furniture, someone always wants it. I don't have a chair I like, but it seems when I do want to sit in the living room the chair I desire is always occupied by a cat. If I want to sit at the counter there is always a cat in the chair. Wait, there are always cats where I want to be. Bed time I always have to move a cat, and in the bathroom, someone is always wanting to occupy the sink I need to use. So scat cat is a very popular game here in the Catdom. As you can see by the picture, Jinx was on the cat furniture, and Sophia wanted to be there as well. This went on for days, one cat would get on it, and someone else wanted to be there as well. I thought by buying another one it would solve the problem. Nope. I have a lovely sewing machine in a very nice stand, it is also become cat furniture. I guess it's a good thing I don't feel like sewing anything, at least not at the moment. I really have a great pattern for a Halloween costume, maybe I can get it done in time. I really am not counting on it though. I'm sure once I get that sewing machine out someone will want to investigate and try and help. Scat cat. Seriously I wonder how Jekyll would feel if I tried to get in his box. He is very protective of that box and no one else can get near it, so I'm sure he would tell me scat human if he could. Scat cat. I don't need help typing, scat cat. Well that is all for now. Tomorrow we will be bring you cat facts, and some interesting information on animal health. Happy Cat.

Celebrate the Cat.

Today I celebrate my cats. They are funny, annoying, and the best part of my life. I enjoy their company and the fact that they do not judge me as a human would. I am who I am and they except me as I am. I am middle aged, opinionated and a bit overweight, I have many flaws, but they do not see that. I know that they probably would be content in another home if something happen to me, but at the moment they are well fed and very much loved. So today is a celebration of my cats. All five of them. They are special in their own ways and each of them has something that makes them special. Jezzebel is momma's girl and likes to be with me all of the time, if she could go to work with me she would and I would take her. Jinx is my fluffy consoler, if I am sad she snuggles up to me and comforts me. She will touch her nose to mine and tell me everything is okay momma. Sophia is my aloof little girl and a seeks me out when she wants attention, but I know when she needs me, she is a special girl. Jekyll is my alarm clock, he will lick my face or arm and paw me until I shut off the alarm and get up. He hates the noise I am sure, so I get up pretty quick or risk cat licks. Phantom is my needy pants boy, who rubs against me and looks at me with those baby blues till I break down and pet him and fuss over him. They all have little quirks that make them very endearing to me. So today I celebrate my cats. I am grateful that each of them came into my life. So when my human family is busy with their own lives, I know I have the cats to entertain me and keep me busy. They make me slow down and take a breath after a crazy day at work. I celebrate my cats today. Happy Cats.

Picture of Lies

Now you certainly think that you are looking at two very loving sister kitties. Hmmm think again. I snapped this picture as they were just laying on the floor looking so cute and cuddly. One cat was grooming the other, kind of like little monkeys looking for bugs. All was peaceful until another cat decided to join in, one of course being Mr. Pees A lot, and no one wanted to check him for bugs, let alone groom him, so hissing and spitting started and each cat chose their corner. I sort of felt like the guy who referees at a boxing match. So out of my comfortable chair I arose with such a clatter and broke up the melee. Oh goodness, I sure do love a good fight but not today. Besides who was I going to place my bet with, there are no sure winners here. Everyone thinks they have one the battle but no one actually does as they don't get to finish the fight. Thank goodness for Momma Cat. So even though a picture may tell a thousand words, this one only says "Until next time my little pretty." (Yes I like the Wizard of Oz). Happy Cats.

A Feral Cats Journey.

Today I decided to look up information on Feral Cats. So here is the definition of a Feral Cat. A feral cat is one that has been born in the wild and has had no human contact during it's impressionable kitten period. They are difficult an maybe impossible to domesticate later in life. So born to a feral momma cat is a kitten or two. The life of this kitten is fraught with danger. His mother must leave them to hunt for food, she must hide them so that they are not found by other animals and carried off and eaten or just plain killed. The mother may not be able to find enough food to sustain herself so the kittens may perish because their mother cannot feed them, or she may just abandoned them, not knowing how to be a mother. She being a very young cat herself. In this country alone there are probably a million feral cats. Some of these cats may have been pets at one time and returned to the wild. They may not be feral but can become wild and revert to their natural state if they are capable. A Feral Cat has a very short life span on the average it is around 4.7 years. If you type in Feral Cats on Bing it will take you to various sites that show information about these cats. I can only say that what I saw made me sob like a child who fell off her bike. My heart is broken. Feral cats have caused some communities to put bounties on them as they have caused destruction, and can of course can be diseased. Or just be a nuance to the community. I figure that the cat didn't ask to be put into that position in the first place, I figure that all they wanted was to be loved and cared for. People unfortunately have cause this situation themselves. Adopting a kitten, and then throwing it out with the bath water because they didn't realize that it would require care, and couldn't be left alone for a week while you went on vacation. Or maybe you just hated changing the litter box. A Feral Cat has no journey, all he has is a life of misery. I am only one person, I cannot solve this problem myself, and I am weary just thinking about it, but I will. I have hope, but I know that today one more lost cat will perish. So maybe just maybe you will donate that expensive cup of coffee money to help all of the lost animals in your community. I am Sad Cat.

Need Help

At any given time I can count on having a helping hand. It usually doesn't matter what I am doing. I take a shower I have help, I do the dishes I have help, if I am doing laundry I have help. Jinx is so helpful. She likes to help type this blog and play games one the computer, she is Momma Cat's little helper. Alright then, not so much. Cats have a natural curiosity. They stick their noses into everything. Into dresser drawers, closets, the garbage I am getting ready to take to the garbage bin. Into the computer they like to stick their little paws, and try to type, or mess up what I am trying to do. I even have a cat who likes to help me color my hair. That gets a little hairy sometimes, cats and hair dye don't mix. My cats also like to help put away the groceries, now they really don't accomplish much but Sophia can get items out of the bags, I think that is only because she want's to get into the bag. So the next time your little furry child wants to help, hand them the litter box scoop and see how fast they high tail it out of the room. Sort of like my family, "What you want us to clean the litter box?" My cats make my life better and interesting, I enjoy the crazy night runs through the house, helping in the bathroom and all of the other things that they think that I need help with. So yes Jinx I need help. Happy Cat.

Tragic

I am going to start this story with a story. I received a phone call from my office. They had received a call from the hospital that one of my employees was bitten by a cat while at work. Now anytime someone is hurt I am to be informed. So I of course am thinking something just is not right with this whole story. So I contact a family member of this person, as she goes to college during the day I didn't want to bother her. I get the story from her dad. She was going to her car after work and found a cat, that was very skinny and she decided to get it and take it to the police station. Of course they don't want it. Anyway she was rewarded for her efforts by being bitten and scratched pretty good from what her dad said. The moral of this story is "Why would you try to pick up a feral cat, if not feral so scared out of it's mind it will attack"? So later I was walking out to my car to run to the bank, and here sits a cat. The cat is near a curb just watching the world go by. I am pretty sure that this very skinny but beautiful creature is the cat in question. So now that I have seen him or her I am very angry that this poor cat is wandering the earth alone. My co-worker and I decide to buy cat food and feed the cat, not really a great idea, but I cannot not let this animal starve. I know that I will have to gain the trust of this cat and try to capture it and find it a shelter. We do have a no kill shelter in our area, so I will do what I have to. I work on a very busy road, so I don't even know if the cat will survive until I can get it to safety. Let me just say this again, if you cannot afford your pet or do not want them anymore, please be responsible and find a new home for them. Better yet don't get a pet. Pets are like children they need you to be responsible and care for them, they cannot do it alone. Really if your child acted out and was bad, would you put them out to wander around alone and without your guidance? I don't think so. So if you are not up to the job, don't get a pet. And if you are get them fixed so that they don't bring anymore unwanted babies into the world. There are enough cats and dogs to go around. So please I beg you be responsible. Sad Momma Cat.

I'm retinking the whole cat thing.

Now of course over the last day and a half the cats have been testy. Why? Beats me. Yesterday Mr. Pees A lot decided to pee in one of my flip flops. Perfect aim that one, nothing on the floor just my flip flop. Weird. And gross. So I sopped the mess up and disinfected my flip flop, but you know I only paid a buck 99 for it so well I may just throw that puppy away, not a puppy the flip flop. Well we also went on an adventure outside. I took Jezz and Jinx both outside at the same time and what an adventure that was. Jinx acted like she had never ever been outside. She has but not as much as Jezz. So it didn't go really well and they had to go back inside. I then took Jekyll outside and he did good until he got tangled up in something on the deck freaked out and I got scratched. Just minor, but as always I get it cleaned up right away to avoid infection. So today I don't think I want to be a cat. Maybe tomorrow. Happy Cat.

Momma Cat Blues.

Hi I'm Momma Cat, and I am tired. It seems as though I never have enough hours in my day to do everything I need to do. At the end of the day I am tired. I am tired of work, doing laundry, keeping up with cats and litter boxes and cat food and cooking, and I could go on. I won't though. As the top cat in the house I have to break up cat fights, and smooth out ruffled fur, I sometimes wish I was a real cat. Then I would hope that I could have a nice cozy home and a loving pet parent. I could curl up in a sun beam, or cozy a warm blanket, lay on the couch, or bed or any where I wanted to, someone would feed me, pet me and care for me. I could be aloof if I wanted or a fluffy bundle of fun. I could run around the house and cause chaos or chase imaginary butterflies. I could knock things off the counter and who would really scold me, I want to be a cat. I wouldn't have to clean house, go to work or do laundry, I want to be a cat. I could turn up my nose at the cat food if it didn't suit me, knock over the water dish, scatter cat litter everywhere, and hack up fur balls, and who would really care. I could terrorize the other cats or be sweet and cuddly. I think I want to be a cat. I could hide in the cupboards and scare the humans, or open the dresser drawers and pull everything out of them, and would only getting a small scolding and really who would be mad for long at me, I would only be just a cat prone to mischief, and HAVOC would be my name. Happy cat.

My Sweet Sophia

This is a picture of Sophia, and this is how she sleeps most of the time. She is my sweet girl and a shy girl until Jekyll comes near and then she is all teeth and claws. Sophia is the youngest member of the family and she is also the smallest. I know she was an orphan and didn't have her momma long enough and that maybe is why she is so small. As I mentioned Sophia was found in a barn wall with her brother. A kind lady found them and nursed them until Sophia was old enough to have a new forever home. I was happy to have her. When I brought her home she would lay on my chest and snuggle under a blanket, content to be held. The girls Jezz and Jinx felt betrayed. I had to leave Sophia in the bedroom while I was at work so that they didn't attack her. I am sure she was very lonely, but I made up for it when I got home. Sophia was given her own little litter box and when she was introduced to it she proceeded to jump in it and roll around in the litter. Thankfully it was a brand new box and fresh litter. It was a very funny sight this little kitten playing in the litter box. She soon made friends with Jinx being Jinx who is the most forgiving as far as new members coming into the house. they will sit and groom each other and chase each other around. Sophia likes to be petted on her terms but will sit still for a long time for a kitty massage. She is a very big part of our family and we are glad she lives with us. Happy Cat.

Quite Reflections.

Phantom is a Siamese Cat. He is actually what is called a Snowshoe Siamese. There are many varies of Siamese cats, and they are all very beautiful. Phantom has the bluest eyes, and when he looks at you it makes you just want to pick him up and cuddle him. He is a very loving cat and does seek attention a lot. I don't know if that is a trait of the breed. I have heard people say that Siamese are a mean breed. I have never had the opportunity to meet a mean Siamese. Well any cat can have a mean streak. Phantom likes to lay in the sun and sunbathe. He enjoys curling up and sleeping at the end of my bed, and he snores. Over all he is a gentle cat and loves to be petted and groomed. He will sit regally and seems to have deep thoughts. What they are is beyond me, I'm sure he is really thinking about taking over the world, oh wait that's my 7 year old grandson. My Phantom can make me crazy in a heart beat, but then when he is just sitting and looking out a window I just want to grab him up and snuggle. He is a quite reflections on the world. Sleepy Mom. Good Night.

Hey what is that?

Well what is under the couch? Hmm must be something good, I can't reach it. Well it has to be something Phantom was just over here and reaching under the couch. Okay need some help here, what is that, maybe food, a furry mouse, catnip, no. Mom I can't reach it, was is it? This is Jezz's problem. She just happens to be nosey, and it can tend to get her into trouble. My sock drawer gets her in trouble, my closet and the drawer in the bathroom. If a drawer is open just ever so slightly she gets herself into it and slips somewhere she shouldn't. The way dressers are made especially the not so expensive ones that have a space that a cat can finagle her way from one to the other, and then become trapped. I have know her to be trapped by another cat shutting the top drawer and then Jezz is stuck in a drawer until I finally realize she is lost somewhere. So what ever was under the couch can stay there, as I certainly wasn't sticking my paw under there. Hey it could have been a big spider. And we don't do spiders in my world. Well anyway the couch was moved about two days later and hmm there wasn't anything under it. Unless it was that spider and well he went to Goodwill with the couch. Thank goodness. Someone else's problem. Cat's are masters at nothing and everything. They are agile and slinky. They go where no man has gone before and become trapped like a rat when they become to sassy for their fur. So watch out for whatever lurks under the couch and if it is a spider, I do not want to know.

Beauty within.

Jinx is one of the most beautiful cats. She is a Tri-Colored long haired cat. Though Jinx has a few minor flaws, like running through the house as though she is on fire, this is the one cat who is the most loving. Jinx likes to cuddle and knead on your chest when she is on your lap. When you are sad she likes to give kitty kisses. She will touch your nose with hers as if to say "I understand your sadness". Let me share it with you. She is the least likely to cause trouble among the other cats, but if another cat comes in the yard, she is all over that. We have a neighbor who lets their kitty out at night and it comes over here and sits on the deck. Well first off I am distressed that these people do this as it distress Jinx that someone is in her territory. If I could figure out who it is I will be knocking on their door, preferably with said cat in hand. Ahh Jinx has decided to help write today. Now if she could just help without her fluffy tail in my face I would be all set. Jinx does a dance when she is trying to settle in near me and it does involve tail and butt in face, then she head butts me and does this till she is satisfied that I know she is here. Usually I know right away, but this is her thing. After she settles in and that is right in front of the keyboard she will lean her head back and look at me. Now even though this is difficult to type I put up with it because she is the one cat who is so loving and kind. Yes a cat can be kind. She is always looking out for all of the other cats and if a free for all starts up she will go and investigate and seriously try to help the victim. Doesn't always help but she tries. I hope that if you are lucky enough you have your own Jinx. Happy Cat.

Every Tail Has a Story, or who's Butt is that anyway?

At my house we have a lot of butts, mostly cat butt's and tails. Five to be exact. Cat's will chase their tails and oh what fun that is. Why you ask? I think that they see it and wonder "where the heck did that come from". I need to chase it and catch it. They never do, or at least I have never seen it happen. Usually it is a matter of the cat spinning furiously around and around trying to catch up with that thing attached to their butt. At least this is how I see it. As far as butts someone is always sniffing someone else's butt. Why? Another one of those questions that probably will remain unanswered. Jezzebel will sneak up on Phantom or Jekyll while they are sleeping and sniff their butt. All I can think is you hate them why are you doing that? Then when one of them wakes up and looks at her she is all righteous and hissing at them. I'm like you where all up in there behind, so what's the matter with you. I sometimes watch the cat's tails and I think that for the most part it is an elegant part of the cat. Watch a cat's tail and it curls, waves, and bobs around so regal like. It gets twice it's size when being confronted or scared, and looks funny. Pull a cat's tail expect to be bit, smooth it and be caressed. Some cats don't mind their tails touched, others not so much. A cat's tail can tell a tale. Happy Cat.