Hi we had a malfunction.

Just wanted to say that I had a malfunction when I was doing todays blog. Not sure what it was, but I thought that I would just leave it like it is. So sorry. Happy Cat Momma anyway.

Indoor versus Outdoors.

We all enjoy fresh air and sunshine. Animals do as well. My cats love sitting in a window when it is sunny and there is a breeze. So we all know that having indoor animals like cats can either be very good or well it depends on where you live. So here are some pro and cons on indoors versus outdoor cats. Oh my Sophia will not go outdoors. The risks to outdoor cats is that they do not live as long as indoor cats. Outdoor cats live an average of 2 to 5 years. Indoor cats can live 10 to 14 years. I do know that a friend of mine has a cat that is 18. Indoors cats advantages. Won't get hit by cars. Get lost. Be attached by dogs or other predators. Think hawks, owls, or coyotes. Eat poison left out by careless or malicious neighbors. Pick up fleas or ticks. Catch diseases from other cats. Some disadvantages. They are more likely to be overweight. Boredom can make them lazy, destructive or depressed. So go get a cat collar and a leash, then you can take them outside. Jekyll loves this. Outdoor cats benefits and disadvantages. outdoor cats get more fresh air and sun. They aren't bored, and get more exercise. The downsize is they can be hit by cars. Shot by crazy neighbors, or poisoned, and get lost. So unless you have a perfect outdoor space that is safe for your cats really think about indoor versus outdoor. As a child I did have outdoor, indoor cats, but we lived on a good sized farm that had great spaces outdoors for them and we took good care of them. My own children had indoor outdoor cats and they kept a really good eye on them. We were very fortunate that they didn't like to stray to far either, which is unusual for outdoor cats. So if you have a good outdoor space for cats, that is great. As for your indoor babies, try and keep them entertained when you can provide, cat condos that they can climb up they like high, and provide a sunny window. Happy Cats here.

My Wide World of Cats.

To say the least I like cats. I saw an adorable black and white kitten yesterday. Just the right size to bring home. Silly you I didn't do it, but you know crazy is as crazy really wanted to bring that pretty baby home. Now we all know I wouldn't do that to my brood. I know I wouldn't make it out of the house alive if I did, not mentioning any names, Jezz, because there is one cat here who would make my live miserable if I did, not mentioning any names, Jezz. I truly do not have room for one more cat. I would save cats all day long if I had money and the place for them to dwell in peace and quite. So of course that brings me to the same old same old. Get your cats fixed, we certainly do not need any more cats without homes in this country or any other country. I eat, sleep, read and do everything else with the cats I have under foot. Reminds me when my children where young. I never thought I would have this many furry children, but I do and don't regret one minute of any of it. This week we are babysitting Misty. Misty is a dog. Of course the only one who doesn't like her, you guessed, Jezz. But as you all know Jezz doesn't like anyone but me. Misty is an older dog, and not much trouble. She doesn't like being away from her family though, and I really don't think she has ate much since she has been here. I can tell you, she won't waste away, she is kind of heavy. I think too heavy for the type of dog she is. I can't remember if she is a Springer or a Brittany Spaniel. Nice dog, but she has taken over the cat bed, cat's not to happy, are you Jezz. I don't think it is washable either, so she may take it home with her. Well that's it for today, I know we haven't kept in touch, but will try harder. Happy Cats, Tired Mom, and Good Dog.

Cats are from Jupiter?

Parts of this blog today are by Alison Gwinn. Most is just my mind working overtime. If men are from Mars and women are from Venus, cats and dogs must be from Jupiter. How else do you explain their alien behaviors. Question can cat's be trained like dogs. Answer, why bother. Cat's could care less if you are pleased by their actions. Of course if there is something in it for them, that changes things for them then sure, maybe, well whatever. The cat whisperer (really?!) or cat behaviorist Mieshelle Nagelschneider trained her cats to give high fives. Interesting. Now I have never read her book but I will check it out for you. I have only one to thing to say as long as my bunch uses the litter box and doesn't scratch up the new couch I am good to go. Cats do have behaviors that everyone does find strange. Chasing a tail why, it's attached to your butt for cripes sake. Burying your food, who wants it, especially since you live in a cozy home, and don't really have to worry that there won't be any. Scratching the wall behind the litter box, what is that all about anyway, is litter going to fall out of the wall, no. Waking me up before the alarm goes off, I just don't get it, I still have 15 minutes left, just wait, I'm not going to get up any sooner. Licking your butt and then sticking your nose in my face, seriously why? I love you but not your butt. Walking up to the cat you despise and sniffing him, and then hissing at said cat, your the one who decided to sniff the fore mentioned, so why get all irritated when he looks at you, and by the way he could care less. Running through the house like there is no tomorrow, well that is always possible, but why are you doing that? I'm not sure but I think that no one is chasing you, and it looks like fun but why do you do that? Then there is baiting the one cat who really dislikes you, walking up to her and pretending you need to be in that one place she is at. You really don't want to be there you just want to irritate that cat. So yes I do believe that cats came from some far off planet and where put here by an alien race just to see how we interact with them. Jokes on the aliens, we like cats and all of the crazy things they do, so sorry your experiment didn't work. Happy Cat.

It's Mine, Give it back.

This is a game that we play at our house a lot. It is mine I want it back, no you can't have it, leave it alone, get off I was here first, and on and on it goes. Jinx and Sophia play this game a lot, they always want what the other one has. Unless of course it is nail trimming day, then no one wants to play. But my two youngest are very much like all young children. It is always a competition to see who can win and who is the better cat. Neither actually wins, or so it seems, as one or the other tires of the game and goes about her business somewhere else. They do not fight over me though. Each of them has their own way to be with momma, and each are very good at sharing time with me. But if it's a window sill or food dish, it can become a battle. I have seen them curl up together like the angels I picture in my mind that I think that they always are. So even though my children are grown, my babies will always be my babies, and always act like two year olds on occasion. This is the life you lead when you have cats. Still think you want a cat? Of course you do. Happy Cats.

So Much For My Nap.

So who wants a nap, well it certainly isn't me. Yes I came home tired, because my devil children decided to cat fight at around 11:30 last night. So much hooting and hollering, and that was just my son. The cats were running thru the house like elephants, and fighting, real fighting not play fight or just hissing. I am not sure who started it, didn't care but when a cat landed on the bed and started to fight on the bed, I had to get up and figure out what was going on, well wouldn't you know by the time I put my glasses on and got to a light, everyone was laying on the floor like the angels they are not. So now everyone thinks they need to crash on my bed, and spread out. No room at the inn for me. I need a nap. I am not one to shove cats off the bed either, so it really is my own fault. I guess I will just curl up in the cat bed. Sleepy Mom, Happy cats.

It's Around Here Somewhere.

I know I just saw it, it's around here somewhere. I had it a minute ago. Well mom I know that I saw it, maybe wait it's right over there. Nope that wasn't it. Hmm maybe I should look somewhere else. This is something cat's do. They focus on something and you of course have to go over and check it out. It could be a big ugly spider(I'm deathly afraid of them), or a wasp that let itself in, also a big concern with cats around. Or it is just a cat with an imaginary friend. Heck I don't know, but whatever they are looking at a human most often has to go and check it out. I cannot even tell you how many times I have had to look and see what a cat is looking at. It sometimes is something most often not. Sophia has a real bad habit of looking over your shoulder at things. I can never figure out what it is. Sometimes it just creeps you out, because whatever it is she can see it and you can't. Makes me wonder if my old ghost friend is back. Alright at this point I know what you are thinking, just keep that thought to yourself. Maybe around Halloween we will tell you a ghostly story. So for now I never did figure out what Sophia was looking at, I may not even want to know. Spooky Sophia.

WOW! That's some good stuff Mom.

Jekyll just loves his scratch box. I had to buy him a new one as he had totally destroyed the old one. They are pretty inexpensive at a local store, and they come with catnip to pour on it. Well all I have to do is unwrap the thing and sprinkle catnip on it and the big guy is in seventh heaven. As you can see by the picture he is mellow, I mean mellow. Kind of like a junky on drugs. Bad reference sorry. So I guess catnip is what Prozac to some people. Alright I will quite with the wise cracks. Jekyll becomes so mellow even Jezz can walk right up to him and sniff him, and he doesn't even care. I like those odds. She will sniff and walk away. I know some people have opinions on giving cats catnip, and I don't have one. My cats like it and act mellow and not stupid like some cats do. I have a friend who's cat becomes nuts and races around the house like it's butt is on fire. It really is funny, as long as the cat doesn't harm themselves. Some cat's cannot tolerate catnip and you will know if you try and give it to your cat. It will act very offended that you stuck something near it's face and actually thought your cat wanted it. Sophia is like that sometimes, she didn't care for it at first and then she warmed up to it, and now will eat fresh catnip. When buying catnip make sure that it is from a reputable source. American made. Fresh catnip is the best and you can grow it very easily, the best why is in a container, if you plant it in the ground expect that in a few years it will take over everything. It comes back year after year, and is easy to grow. Sometimes a friend may have some and all you have to do is dig it up and away it goes. So as long as my big black cat is happy, I'm happy. He does need a new box though. He breaks them down pretty quick. I try bigger boxes so he fits better, but he prefers the smaller ones. Well have a fabulous night. Happy Mellow Cats.

Smart Pet Solutions Part Two.

Okay this is for all you Dog Lovers out there. Yes I know this is a cat blog, but hey I figure if I have helpful hints why not put them out there. Here is one for keeping fleas at bay. For some this works well. I know that citrus is good for killing fleas in the carpeting, so I think this makes good sense. Place a few drops of lemon essential oil on the inside of your dogs collar, in a spot your dog cannot lick. Fleas hate the scent of citrus, so they should steer clear. Do not use this on cats as it is toxic to them. Need to keep your pup cool on his walk. Make your pooch a cooling collar. take a tube sock or two depending on your dog's size and fill with some crushed ice, doesn't take a large amount, and tie loosely around your dogs neck, cool dog. Need a new dog bed. Make sure you see how Duchess sleeps. If your dog sleeps with her legs out you will want a flat bed with no sides, have one that curls up and tucks in, get a bed with a bumper side. Hopefully dog likes bed and sleeps there instead of on your side of the bed. Good Luck. Now of course the next tip comes solely from me. Remember how hot it can get in your car. I know Fifi likes to ride, and you like her company, but leaving a dog in the car for any length of time in warm weather can cause a horrible death for your animal. If your just running to the gas station or corner store, not so bad, but that trip for groceries or a hair cut, forget it, they may be upset, but at least they will be safe. Also with the warm weather you and your pooch like to be outside to play, just take water and rest breaks. This is recommended for you both. Enjoy your summer and your pets.

Smart Pet Solutions.

Every time I think about the summer months I know the cats are going to shed, and shed they do. Some worse than others. Jekyll sheds and has dry skin. Well I found a solution in one of my magazines. Cats loose a large amount of hair with every heat wave. There are at least 130,000 hairs per square inch on your kitty's body. Oh My! That is a lot of hair. I have mentioned that I go to work hair free or so I always think only to see that it is all over me again when I get to work. So now I know why. To help curb some of that shedding try this. Pour 1 cup of water into a spray bottle and add 1/4 teaspoon of pure almond oil or olive oil. Shake well and spritz over the cats coat after a good brushing twice a week. Then rub your fingers through the cat's fur to evenly distribute the solution. The oil will help replace lost moisture in the cat's skin and help reduce shedding of the cat's coat. Also the oil is not toxic and can help with the hair balls your cat may have. This spray works well for dogs also. so I guess we will see how good this works for my bunch. I'll let you know. Here is another tidbit for you with pets. When warmer weather hits animals loose their appetite just as humans do. Sometimes you feel like having just cold food for supper well maybe your pet does as well. Try putting some wet food on a dish and set it in the freezer for awhile, this will possibly pique your pets interest in the food, and keep them cool as well. I am sure not every pet will appreciate a cold dinner, but you could give it a try. I have found that with dogs it is also good to put ice cubes in their water dishes. Need to take the cat to the vet's or just transport to a sitter's and don't have a pet carrier. Try this trick. If you have two square laundry baskets of the same size and use bungee cords to secure. This is also easier than trying to put a cat into a regular carrier especially if they are ill. Place a cozy blanket in the bottom, and away you go.

We are Family.

What can I possibly say about these two. They are not litter mates, but are truly brothers. They groom each other and play with each other, and defend each other from the sassy girls. They are both loving and annoying at the same time. They are large cats and really not lap cats. Each of them shed badly, but only Jekyll likes to be brushed. He will lay down and you can brush him till he's bald and he wouldn't even care. They like to sleep on the end of my bed and they take up a lot of space on the bed. I get a small space, good thing I'm not to big, and have the room for them. Some day's everyone piles in. The boys are really good cats and are a joy to have around, well most days. But if you asked Jezzabel she would tell a different story. Cat's are cat's and either you like them or don't. They are entertaining most of the time, and can make you laugh when they do something like hop sideways at another cat to try and intimidate it. This does not always work, as most of the time the other cats just looked bored. Happy Cats.

Medications and Your Pet.

Question? How common is medication among cats? Answer. It is estimated that 10% of all pets are on medication. This doesn't include flea or heartworm medication. About one in ten companion animals take antibiotics, heart or thyroid disease medication or other treatments. So it is very important that you understand the type of medication that your pet is taking and why. You need to speak to your veterinarian and make sure that he or she explains everything so that you understand . Also if you have more questions make sure to call the vet. Another excellent place to find answers is from PETPLACE.com. They have a lot of great information for pets of all types. This website is a great place to find fun facts and lots of information you will find helpful. I will answer questions as well if you leave them for me. So the next thing is how the heck do you give Kitty a pill. Hopefully if the vet okays it you can use food, to hide the pill in. Try some cooked chicken or cream cheese. Maybe even the pumpkin would work. Watch to make sure Kitty doesn't spit out the pill. If so you will have to give the cat the pill yourself. So ask a friend or family member to give a hand. Unless of course you have a very helpful cat. Bahahaha, not in my world. So have the friend hold the cat's front legs and chest, the cat must like whomever is holding it. Gently but firmly grasp your cats head use your left hand. Put your thumb on one side of your cats face and fingers on the other. Avoid holding the lower jaw, and don't squeeze the cat's throat, you'll choke the cat. Place the pill between your thumb and forefinger, use your little finger to open the cat's mouth by applying pressure to the lower teeth. Be as gentle as possible. The cat is liable to be freaked as it is. After the cat's mouth is open put the pill as far back as possible without gaging the cat. Close the cat's mouth, gently rub your cat's nose to make the cat lick it's nose to cause it to swallow. Praise the cat after this and maybe reward it with a treat so it doesn't seem so bad to the cat. Well good luck with that if you need to give meds to your pets. The bulk of this information comes from Petplace.com Ha.ppy Cats

Flower Me.

Some time ago I posted a similar picture, it was sometime during the winter. This picture is a new one from a few days ago, this flower has been going strong since last summer, and when my Mom decided to get rid off it in the fall I brought it home and took it to work where it has happily bloomed ever since. It is beautiful. So lets return to beauty in nature. Nature is a clever girl, and she can be fickle as well. Look for beauty every where you are as Mother Nature has blessed us with plenty. I'm sure God had something to do with it, but I will just say we will not talk politics, religion or sex in this blog. Just making a point. So cats are some of the most beautiful creatures in the world. The colors come straight from nature, and the are every hue you can imagine. I have seen pictures of cats that are white, with what looks like heart markings on their coats, cats with orange swirls, that are very intriguing. Black and white cats who look like they are wearing tuxes, and cats with black eye brows above their eyes, but are fully white everywhere else. Cats with orange boots and tiger markings, calico cat with a half black face and half orange. Very pretty. Siamese cats have a variety of markings. They can be very light tan colored, with what are called seal points on their ears, and dark paws and tails. Phantom is a Siamese and he has very strange dark markings, white paws, chest and nose. He has a beauty mark on his lip, and the bluest eyes. Jekyll is a sleek black cat. Jezzebel and Sophia are tiger marked, but Jezzebel has a very orange belly, where as Sophia has a gray belly. Jinx is orange, white, tiger striped and well she is a big ole mish mash of colors, but very beautiful, and the face of an angel cat. So again look for the beauty in your world, even if the outside is ugly the inside may very well be beautiful and have a big heart. Happy Cat.

Natures Beauty

Beauty can be found in the strangest places. You just need to look. I know this is a bit different this evening, but I found this big beautiful moth attached to the wall outside the building where I work. When his wings were closed he had these two huge white spots on the sides that looked like eyes. Animals of all types have camouflage. Especially animals in the wild. Lions blend in with their surroundings, as well as Leopards with their spots. My cats have camouflage as well. Hey when those kitties want to hide, they cannot be found. I always feel like one of them have escaped but they just hide really well. As I said there is beauty every where in nature, you can find it almost anywhere. Usually when you least expect it. I try to find something each day that is beautiful or if not beautiful something that makes me smile. So as you go about your day try and find the beauty in your world, weather it be a bouquet of flowers, a strange looking moth, your children or friends. The saying "Take time to smell the roses" makes alot of sense, it helps to chase away the blues. Take a moment and believe.

Feed Pumpkin to Your Kitty.

Brought to you by Dr. Gary Weitzman. Ever wonder what you are going to do with the extra pumpkin you may have when you buy pie pumpkins and cut them up to make a pie, and have way to much after it has been cooked? I know give it to your kitties. But only the part that hasn't been sweetened yet. Sure you could make two pies or three, but the health benefits to your kitty is really great. Fresh cooked cooled pumpkin and cooked pumpkin seeds can offer the needed fiber your cat needs. The pumpkin also is a good source of antioxidants for your cat. This will give them nice shiny healthy coats and improved skin. I can see Jekyll will be getting some pumpkin real soon. Hope he will eat it. My poor boy has very dry skin. I think if I mix it with his daily ration of canned food it may just work out. The pumpkin could also aid in weight loss for that overly large cat you may have, and again Jekyll fits the description. Also when you get around to it make yourself a pie, pumpkin is really good for humans, just watch the extras, like whipped cream. go for the low fat stuff or just enjoy plain.

We Miss You.

We are so sorry that we took time off, and missed filling you in on what we have been doing. We couldn't find Momma Cat's computer, she was hiding it. But Jekyll found it, Jezzebel remembered the password, and I can type, I learned how. It's all that time I spend in front of the computer when mom is trying to type. She thought I was just hanging around trying to get her attention. A lot she knows. We have all been pretty good, don't know why but everyone is sniffing my butt lately, mom checked it's not dirty, and I groom more than the rest of those goof balls. Who knows, weird bunch anyway. Maybe they just think I smell good. We had a really nice 4th of July until everyone was shooting off loud sounding things which scared Jekyll and he hid in the closet. Jezz was in her bed under the pie safe. Hey that's what mom calls it, I've never seen a pie in it. Phantom could have cared less and Sophia just lounged on the floor waiting for someone to pet her. Mom went to bed early as she had to get up really early on Saturday and go away for the day. We hate that. Oops gotta go mom found us using the computer. See ya.

I'm So Pretty.

This is Jinx, my constant fluffy companion. She is a fluffy one and is usually in my face when I am on the computer or reading ,watching television, or trying to sleep. She has this thing she does when I go to bed. Gets on the bed, swirls around my head, leans against me and touches my nose with hers, and finally settles down after this ritual. Then about the time I am almost asleep she walks over me and gets off the bed which wakes me up fully. Sometimes she decides to get back on the bed and the ritual starts all over again. I don't mind so much, and enjoy her company. She is the most even tempered kitty that I have, she likes to tussle with the other cats, but isn't mean about it, like Jezzebel is. She isn't much for playing, but enjoys petting and getting brushed. She is the easiest cat to have her nails clipped, and has only one thing she hates, and that is being picked up and walked around the house, or just picked up. This is fine Jezzebel likes to be carried around. Jinx is a beautiful cat and fluffy, her colors are like a rainbow, but I cannot say that she would be considered a Calico. Well that is all for today. We will check in tomorrow and hope if you are on the roadways tomorrow, we want you to be safe. The cat's and I enjoy our time with you, so be safe.

July 3rd, one more day.

Yesterday we talked about fireworks and your pets. I received a few comments via Face Book about some other pets who have a fear of loud storms and fireworks. Poor babies. Considering animals, down Jinx I can type myself, have an acute sense of hearing it is no wonder that loud noises frighten some animals. I cannot even imagine having hearing so good that you can hear something outside, and run from window to window in search of that sound. Jinx is that way. She will hear something I can't hear and try to get outside, and I know she doesn't see it. But it's there. So it is no wonder I have two cats who at the first rumble of thunder can scatter to the wind, and not be found. That thunder may not even be that close and yet there they go. So if you and Uncle Ludwig are setting off firecrackers in the driveway, the cat and or dog is probably cowering in the house somewhere, terrified that their little world is about to end. So as you enjoy your holiday think of your furry babies.

Pets and the 4th of July.

We all know that on the 4th of July there are some really good firework displays in our communities. We all enjoy the festivities, and of course the great food. All of the above can be bad for your pets. As I have said before our pets rely on us for so many things. Food, shelter, comfort. They do not like to be sick any more that you or I and certainly not stressed out. Having the family over for a BBQ can certainly have an effect on Fido or Fluffy. It is best to keep them out of harms way, and from Uncle Ludwig who likes to torment them and feed them everything bad for them. Or little cousin Sissy who thinks the kitty is just so cute and likes to pull the tails of said kitties. And then there is Ludwig Jr. who is a master at setting off firecrackers next to Fido and Fido runs out into the street narrowly missed getting hit by the car Aunt Zelma is driving, which she isn't even suppose to drive. Get the picture. So lets take some safety measures for Fido and Fluffy. Find a nice comfortable spot in the house for them and provide soft music, food and water, and of course a litter box for Fluffy. Get their favorite toy and blanket, heck give them that ugly sweater of your husbands that you really hate, and check on them as often as possible. Keep all of the crazy relatives away from them and they should be good to go. Oh and pat down Ludwig Jr. for contraband while your at it. Okay so we are off to a good start for the 4th of July, more on this tomorrow so check back. I need to go and let Jezz out for some fresh air, making me crazy she is. Happy Cat now.