Back to The Basics: What I have Learned and Read for a Happy Cat

She thinks she knows cats, hahahahahaha!!!

Cat Behavior Modification Tips & "Tricks": Read Psycho Kitty by Pam Johnson-Bennett I completed this book to discover some cats are not vertical but horizontal scratchers, thus rejecting most scratching posts; litter boxes need to be one per cat especially if there are territorial issues causing a new cat to the family to be harassed where he/she cannot use the litter box in peace; cats need space and cuddling; sleep in packs; cats are very sensitive creatures with many unique needs. I highly recommend this read.

Vaccination Schedule for your cat can be found at: http://www.petfinder.com/cats/cat-care/disaster-cat-vaccination-schedule/ There are core vaccines that must be given frequently at the beginning and then less frequently as your kitten reaches age 1 or more frequently if there is greater exposure risks. Remember, even your indoor only kitty needs deworming-mosquitoes come inside too!

Keep water available in multiple stress free locations.

Ice on the kitchen floor is a favorite toy.Remember to clean it up.

Cats love peering in the toilet bowl once they get over the fear of the flush.

Cats hate spray bottles.
Spray bottles keep cats out of open dishwashers and off of plants in the home.

!!Some poisonous plants to keep away from cats!!: Azalea, 
Caladium, Christmas rose, Clematis, Delphinium,
Dieffenbachia, Ivy,
 Lupine,
 Mistletoe,
 Oleander, 
Philodendron, 
Poinsettia, 
Cherry Laurel,
 Rhododendron, 
Solanum; 
Sweet Pea.

Cat communication: Peering into purring

The topic of many sites-Cat communication: purring.

What a puzzling activity! It has been said that even though we view purring as a sign of a happy or pleased cat, there are times when cats are healing from injury and they purr. Here is an excerpt from ScientificAmerican.com:
"Scientists have demonstrated that cats produce the purr through intermittent signaling of the laryngeal and diaphragmatic muscles. Cats purr during both inhalation and exhalation with a consistent pattern and frequency between 25 and 150 Hertz. Various investigators have shown that sound frequencies in this range can improve bone density and promote healing.
Because cats have adapted to conserve energy via long periods of rest and sleep, it is possible that purring is a low energy mechanism that stimulates muscles and bones without a lot of energy. The durability of the cat has facilitated the notion that cats have "nine lives" and a common veterinary legend holds that cats are able to reassemble their bones when placed in the same room with all their parts. Purring may provide a basis for this feline mythology. The domestication and breeding of fancy cats occurred relatively recently compared to other pets and domesticated species, thus cats do not display as many muscle and bone abnormalities as their more strongly selected carnivore relative, the domestic dog. Perhaps cats' purring helps alleviate the dysplasia or osteoporotic conditions that are more common in their canid cousins. Although it is tempting to state that cats purr because they are happy, it is more plausible that cat purring is a means of communication and a potential source of self-healing."
Now if only we could understand their communication....they must think we are so dumb, not knowing how to hunt or purr....what's that Juno? Purrrrrr.

New Poll: What Sort of Humane Human Style Do You Have?

It is so interesting to me how we have humanized animals (Mickey Mouse, Goofy, and all the Disney characters; Grape Ape, Tom & Jerry, The Lion King, Snoopy, Tigger, Winnie the Pooh, and so forth). I took special note of this as I was creating the previous post of days to celebrate animals. We (humans in general) have glorified animals and made them seem human. Even our word for being kind and maintaining animals is HUMANe.So, I decided to do a little research as to the etymology of the word humane. It is, according to Online Etymology Dictionary (http://www.etymonline.com),:
a variant of human used interchangeably with the word human until the early 18th century when it specifically came to mean having qualities befitting of humans. It is interesting to note the Humane Society est. in 1774 was originally formed to rescue people who were drowning. Then humane societies began taking care of animals in the late 19th century. Some people are just plain cool.....that's what Juno says anyway. :)

Catstop:And I didn't even know it....Kid2Kid Oleander Dr

Long time no blog.....

I have been busy, sorry! :) One yard sale, a sunburn and several  normal mommy activities have kept me away.So my first thing to post is a catstop I made with out even realizing it. My toddler and I were in the local Books-A-Million when he fell in love with a toy by Melissa and Doug. I didn't have the $25 to purchase it so we managed to distract for a while until he kinda forgot about it.We went to eat dinner and then we stopped here:

3501 Oleander Drive Suite 12 Wilmington, NC

Okay, you say.How is this a cat stop? Well, remember cat stops on this blog are places where animals are helped, supported, or items are sold that portray/feature cats and/dogs in some fashion. (Remember to keep your eyes peeled for animal friendly shops-even ones that aren't obvious) Kid to Kid not only recycles items within our area but they donate to several places. For one, they donate clothes they don't wish to sell to the Salvation Army in town-right across the street. Then, secondly, they donate extra books to the Leland Library, which are then sold to the public in Leland each month at the monthly sale they have. And, last but not least, they donate their shoes to the New Hanover Humane Society-that's right, doggy toys!! I love it. It was music to my ears and lit a blogging fire under my tush. So, run by to the local Kid to Kid franchise and don't forget your little ones old shoes!

The Melissa and Doug Latch Puzzle Board that started it all.

    It teaches numbers, colors, animals and hand-eye coordination.                                          Labeled for ages 3+.

Behind door 3 is a trio of Juno's tabby relatives- what's behind the other doors? Not saying.....

Here is my little one enjoying his new toy at home.

Days Devoted to Animals

For the animal lover whether it be cats, pigs, whales, dogs, 

oceans (which of course are animal habitats) or even moles 

that you favor, there is a day to celebrate:

World Whale Day (Part of Maui Whale Festival)February 16th


                                             




                                   
                     National Pig Day in US March 1st






World Sparrow Day March 20th                                                                                            No, Juno,not that sparrow.......

THIS sparrow!

World Penguin Day April 25th
                                                                                 

                                             

World Turtle Day May 23rd

   

                                         

                                            

                

                                 

World Oceans Day June 8th

                                        

World Snake Day July 16th

Global or World Tiger Day July 29th

                                                 

                                             

World Lion Day and World Cat Day August 8th


                                       



World Elephant Day August 12th

                                       








World Mosquito Day August 20th

                                                   






World Dog Day  August 26th 




 






World Animal Day  October 4th












Mole Day October 23rd