Musings of a Mad Macedonian

Carnival of the Cats #274

Lick...Lick...Lick...Lick...Lick...Lick...Lick...

Gotta get ready, Gotta get ready!

Nibble...Nibble...Lick...Lick...Nibble...Swallow...

Ewww, Gross!

Nibble...Nibble...Lick...Lick...Lick...

Almost done! Just a little bit mo

Oh, um, Hi!!

Um, geez, how embarrassing!

Sorry, but a guy has got to look his best for the Carnival, and I was running late.

The ladies in the audience understand completely, I'm sure. ;-D

Anywayyyy...

The Carnival of the Cats is a weekly roundup of cat-related posts on weblogs, in America, and around the world, who choose to submit a post for inclusion.

For us Cat Bloggers the Carnival is a chance to discover blogs we might never have heard of, on subjects of all kinds, and you can learn more about the carnival, and how to participate, here.

Before we begin...let us all join Mog, and Meowza, in a moment of silence, and say a prayer, for their pal Cece who recently went to Rainbow Bridge...Memorium, in words, and pictures, What happened #1, and What happened #2.......................

Ok, Let's get this show on the road!

I have not been blogging a lot, since April, but I hope to do so more often in the future.

Part of the reason is that Daddy has been horning in on my Computer Time with his Genealogy Research!

When he's not, I'm not interested in Blogging because I'm more interested in napping. ;-D

Anyway...here are my most recent posts, including 2 songs, and the latest entry, inspired by Daddy and his Genealogy Research, yesterday:

Undercat! Protector of Pussydom Assembled!

Hiss! I Had None (Don't worry, Daddy treats me right!)

10 Reasons a Cat Should Get a Belly Rub!

Cat Genealogy: Prowling Past in Purrsuit of Pussy Paternity

Now, on to the Main Event!

1. Alex, of Home Life Weekly, sets out to tell your Human, in an easy to understand way (Including a wonderful photo!), How to make Flea Powder.

2. ****WARNING*** Disturbing content...in the form of extreme cruelty to a Cat, a Dog, and a Goldfish, are discussed. Read at your own discression. ***END WARNING***

THAT being said...As readers of this blog know I do not shy away from controversial, and disturbing, subject matter, when it comes to us Felines, our welfare, and treatment (Remember my report on Cats as Dinner Table fare around the world?), and it is for that reason that I encourage you to read this report, and commentary by Nandita, of Cold Snapdragon, on the subject of "Torture as Art, Hate Mail, and Privacy."

In reporting on the treatment she discusses how the person involved with the Cat eventually responded to the reactions to her dastardly deed.

She writes:

People who don't get why that isn't acceptable to do such things are unlikely to have enlightenment dawn simply because they're told that it isn't OK or because such legal enactments as the (Dutch) Health and Well-being Act for Animals exist. And the trouble is that there really doesn't seem to be a shortage of people who engage in torture masquerading as art....................

What's creating a stir in legal circles is that she's not only published the mail itself but that she's also published information about its senders.

Read: Torture as Art, Hate Mail, and Privacy.

3. Elisson, of Blog d'Elisson, shares a couple of delightful, and touching, photos of a Canine Mr. Mommy, and the 2 kittens he has taken a shine to.

Ok, everyone, repeat after me! AWWWWWW, how cuuute! ;-D

Thunder and Lightening.

4. We Cats like good stuff to make living good, don't we? Damn right we do! ;-D

Well, Jordan, of Guffly, thinks that some Cats might take a shine to these eco-friendly and fair trade lifestyle Cat Scratch Pads.

Wonder how much they paid the Kitty in the picture to pose, or how long it took for them to wait until the Kitty took notice of their product? ;-D 

5. Jams O 'Donnell, of The Poor Mouth, share a beautiful close-up of Robyn getting a Chin Rub. ;-D

6. - 8. For a moment this next submitter had me wondering if they were unclear on the concept of what a Cat Carnival is all about...CATS...KITTY spells CAT. ;-D

2 of the 6 submissions by The Pets Central Website were about Dogs!!! What the ??? ;-D

1 other submission I won't post because...

A. Every Human has their own notions about which Cat Breeds are the Most Lovable.

B. Every Cat, and I mean EVERY CAT, thinks he, or she, is the Most Lovable.

Anyway, Lovable Ol' Nikita decided that the other 3 submissions made for worthwhile reading:

Dealing With Obesity In Cats, Dealing With Hyperactivity In Kittens, and How To Develop Strong Bond With Cats?

The only thing I take strong issue with, in the last entry, is the following un-educated statement:

Talk to your cat, I know it sounds weird but cats are very sensitive. They can’t understand what you are saying but they will sense that you are relaxed and enjoying their company.

There are several things that are factually inacurate, and make one wonder just where in the hell these folks are getting their information, and why would they want to disseminate it on their site?

1. We Cats ARE very sensitive. Nothing "Weird" about it.

2. We can't understand human speech??? If you believe THAT then why in tarnation are you advising your readers to TALK to us? Ceiling Cat on the Cat Tree! I swear, sometimes I wonder about Humans. ;-D

Look, we not only understand every word you say... we reply. It's not our fault that some Humans are un-educated Dolts, and never learned our language.

Not only do we understand you, but we Blog, and Tweet, and even have Facebook Pages, like you do as well. ;-D

If some of us were allowed anywhere near a Cell Phone we would be on the damn thing all day long, just like some humans. ;-D

Cat Genealogy: Prowling Past in Purrsuit of Pussy Paternity

Hello, Nikita here!

For weeks now Daddy has been digging into my computer time with his genealogy activities, but my feelings about this were easily taken care of with a simple bribe.

What can I say?

I love belly rubs, so sue me! ;-D

But Daddy couldn't hog the Computer forever!

I have to host the latest Carnival of the Cats tomorrow, afterall. ;-D

So what is this thing called Genealogy?

For all you Cats who don't know I did some research!

According to the Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary this is the definition:

1. An Account of the descent of a person, family, or group from an ancestor or from older forms.

2. Regular descent of a person, family, or group of organisms from a progenitor or older form.

3. An account of the origin and historical developement of something.

According to The Oxford Dictionary of Word Histories "Genealogy" has "Middle English" origins: "This came via Old French and late Latin, from the Greek word "Genealogia", from genea 'race, generation' and -logia 'speaking, discourse'.

This all got me to thinking...Cats...that means me, you dear reader, the stray in the alley down the street...we are all organisms.

A "Something" that developed over centuries, from a much, much earlier "Something".

So I went Googling!

I did a search for "Cat Genealogy", and came up with some interesting stuff. ;-D

Now We Know Why Stray Cats Love LA!

Nikita here!

Daddy went to Los Angeles, and Burbank, today, and took a couple of pictures which will blow your mind!

 

He found proof positive that Pigeons can read! ;-D

The Pigeons of Los Angeles have for decades had a reputation for daredevil, verging on the suicidal,  behavior.

Daddy says that anyone who drives a car, truck, bus, Motorcycle, or Bicycle, in the historic Downtown area, can vouch for how these birds dare you to run them down in the street, and somehow have a knack for leaping out of harms way at the last possible moment.

Are they stupid, or is there something else at work here?

A possible method to their madness?

 

Daddy was walking on 6th Street, between Hill and Broadway, when he came upon an amazing spectacle at an alley newsstand.

He seems to have found proof that Pigeons are a hell of a lot smarter than they let on. ;-D

While Downtown LA is for the Birds, it thereby also is a popular Buffet for Stray Cats, making it a whole lot easier to find a meal, in good, as well as bad, economic times.

Daddy says the Human homeless problem, especially around Skid Row, may get all the headlines, but there is a whole secret world, made up of elements of the Animal Kingdom, that can be seen if only one opens their eyes, and really looks around. ;-D

10 Reasons a Cat Should Get a Belly Rub!

OK, my fellow Kitties, repeat after me!

The Belly Rub is my friend! ;-D

10 Reasons to Get a Belly Rub!

1. It can prevent Feline PMS! Now, that alone should be reason enough to go get one, for you Lady Cats!

2. It reduces stress while making you feel good! Fido giving you a hard time all day? Get your Human to scratch your belly!

3. No pain, all pleasure.

4. Your heart going all superfast, pitty patter, in reaction to the visit to the V E T? Get your Human to scratch your belly!  It slows your heart rate.

5. Pissed off at some affront to your dignity, or just mad you didn't catch that Mouse that ran across the garage floor? Get your Human to scratch your belly! It reduces blood pressure.

6. Can't sleep?  Get your Human to scratch your belly! It eases insomonia. You will be conked out, in blissful dreamland, in less than 10 minutes, guarandamnteed!

7. Afraid of germs? Or just not hip to too frequent trips to the V E T?  Get your Human to scratch your belly! It boosts immunity.

8. Sprained an ankle wrasslin' with your kitty, or canine, roomy, or pull a muscle leaping from the floor to the 3rd, or 4th, level of your Cat Tower?  A Belly Rub increases blood flow to muscles, which can help them heal.

9. A Belly Rub eases the pain of cancer, labor pains, and migraines.

10. Hard as it is to believe a Belly Rub increases brain wave activity that is linked to improved attention. It's true! I don't know about you, but when Daddy starts rubbing my belly he's definitely got my FULL attention!

Now go get your Human and have a sensuous Belly Rub! ;-D

Hiss! I Had None

 

The Food Bowl...Outside anything slathered in Catnip, this may be the most favorite thing in the daily life of a Cat.

But what happens if your human forgets to fill it when scheduled, or for a whole day, or...?

With apologies to Archie Campbell, Buck Owens, and Hee Haw fans everywhere...;-D

Hiss! I Had None

Down here in the city, a place that tries a cats soul
Laying in the window waiting for you
When you went out for the weekend, you didn't fill my food bowl
I'm starving here, what am I to do?

I rubbed your leg, danced a jig, and wiggled my tail
As I looked at your face
I hoped you wouldn't be remiss, feeding me without fail
But your attention was scattered all over the place

Chorus:
Where, oh where, are you tonight?
Why did you leave me here with no food, all alone?
I searched the house over,
And thought I found the grub.
But the door was locked and
Hiss! I had none.

I know that you love me, here's my way of knowing
The proofs are the many toys on the floor so fine
When I play with the catnip and feel my mind blowing
You're nightly hugging this body of mine.

The noises you make when I jump on the table
The things you do for me that some think absurd
But how many times do I have to tell you
Kibbles are a dish that I love 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.

Chorus:
Where, oh where, are you tonight?
Why did you leave me here with no food, all alone?
I searched the house over,
And thought I found the grub.
But the door was locked and
Hiss! I had none.

Remember you rescued me, a-sobbin' and cryin'
From a dog that bit my maw, and drug me around
You said I looked frail and thought I was dyin'
I said "Don't worry, I won't die, and will long be around."

I had six kittens, not 8 or 11
They were boys, and they climbed all over the Cat Tower
I wish you'd hurry back, without you ain't heaven
'Cause if you don't I'm afraid you may need some Flowers.

Chorus:
Where, oh where, are you tonight?
Why did you leave me here with no food, all alone?
I searched the house over,
And thought I found the grub.
But the door was locked and
Hiss! I had none.

I searched the house over,
And thought I found the grub.
But the door was locked and
Hiss! I had none.

Undercat! Protector of Pussydom Assembled!

 

Earlier today I wrote about the amazing case of the Flying Chihuahua.

This got me to wondering if there are any Flying Cats out there.

This inspired me to poetry! ;-D

With apologies to a famous Cartoon Dog, a Caped Crusader that even a Cat could love, I present...

UNDERCAT!

When Canines in this world appear
Who flex their paws and spread great fear
And frighten all Cats who see or hear
The cry goes up both far and near
For Undercat! Undercat! Undercat! Undercat!

Speed of lightning, Meow of thunder
Fighting all who growl or rip asunder
Undercat. Undercat!

When in this world the CatBlogs read
Of those who cause Cats to bleed
Who rob and steal from bowls of feed
To right this wrong with blinding speed
Goes Undercat! Undercat! Undercat! Undercat!

Speed of lightning, Meow of thunder
Fighting all who growl or rip asunder
Undercat. Undercat!

 

 

 

 

Underdog Lives!

Hello, everyone! Miss Me?

Daddy has been hogging the computer with all sorts of stuff on Genealogy, and Tea, for the last month, so I just relaxed on the bed, and in my Cat Tower, and let him have at it. ;-D

I'm back now! ;-D

"When Dogs Fly!" is no long just a phrase of indignation, it seems, but a reality!

A 70-mph gust of wind picked up a six-pound Chihuahua puppy, and tossed her out of sight, a mile down the road! ;-D

Underdog Lives! ;-D

Where's a Flying Cat when ya need one? ;-D

If Pussydom Assembled Held a Million Cat Stare-In Would Anyone Notice?

 

Ever wonder what would happen if the Felines of the World chose a day, and time period, and we had ourselves a Million Cat Stare-In?

Conquering the world, for Pussydom Assembled, 1 Cat Stare at a time!

Just sayin' is all. ;-D

Something occurred to me the other day.

Up on the top of my Kitty Tower, snoozing the day away, I had a dream...

No, it did not involve the Ultimate Catnip, or chasing a Mouse, sorry to disappoint. ;-D

The day dawned like any other...

It was 5 O'Clock, and Daddy needed awakening, don't ask me why, it's a Cat Thing, and unless you are a Cat who is reading this you wouldn't understand, if I tried to explain, anyway.

As is often my wont I settle down close to where Daddy is under covers, asleep, and begin to stare,  and then to purr, then purr loudly...

Usually this doesn't last long as I do it only until he awakens, and skritches me, or I get bored.

15 minutes, tops. ;-D

Not this time, though, this time was differrent.

In my dream, I stared, and stared, and stared...

Utterly silent.

6am came, and went.

So did 7, and 8am.

I didn't so much as trot to the Litter Box, the food bowl, or the water bowl.

You'd think that Daddy would awaken on his own, as he often does...with the help of his Non-Feline alarm clock, the one he plugs into the wall, and programs every night before he goes to bed, but noooo...

You'd think that I'd get bored, run around the apartment a couple of times, just because, jumpe in the windowsill, lookng outside at who knows what, and Meow at Daddy....LOUDLY, but noooo.

9am comes, and the alarm goes off, and Daddy awakens, takes a shower, fixes, and eats his breakfast, turns on the TV while he checks his e-mail, Twitter, and Facebook, and works on his Blogs.

10am, 11am, and Noon come and go, and I still lay silently and Stare at Daddy.

He continues to go about his day as if nothing unusual is happening around him, not even stopping long enough to give me a Chin Skritch, or a Belly Rub!

Somebody is not acting normal, here, and just as I'm beginning to wonder who...I wake up from my snooze. ;-D

Carnival of the Cats #261

It's in the bag!

This, the latest edition of the Carnival, that is. ;-D

We've bagged a lot of fine felines for this edition, so settle down, and enjoy the show. ;-D

The Carnival of the Cats is a weekly roundup of cat-related posts on weblogs, in America, and around the world, who choose to submit a post for inclusion.

For us Cat Bloggers the Carnival is a chance to discover blogs we might never have heard of, on subjects of all kinds, and you can learn more about the carnival, and how to participate, here.

Let's get started!

 1. In case your human has this notion of training you to use his, or her, litter box, Raising Whiskers says "Yes! It CAN be done!"

You, if you are so inclined, and your human, can study, then put into practice, Five Steps To Cats Toilet Training. ;-D

2 things caught my attention, and are of special concern: This post only teaches Girl Kitties, and there is no instruction concerning how to flush the toilet. ;-D

2. Blog d'Elisson poetically shares a cool photo of a neighborly Kitty of Mystery.

3. Nothing like "A Bit of Tail for Purim!"

Yup, Rahel, of Elms in the Yard, shows off her friends Pussy, in this series of wonderful collection of photos. ;-D 

3A. By the way, "Pussy" is NOT a word we Felines should shun. I've mentioned this before, but Rahel gives me the perfect opportunity to talk about it again. For years, I, Daddy, and other Feline loving Humans, have been Fighting the Good Fight of reclaiming an honorable word, with a several hundred year connection to our species, from the Vulgarians: My old story will clue you in: You Adore Your Pussy, Admit it!

***3/16 - WE INTERRUPT THIS EDITION OF THE CARNIVAL FOR SOME VERY TRAGIC NEWS!***

2AM -- Yesterday evening Rahel posted sad news on her blog, regarding the beautiful star of the above story:

My friend’s cat, lovable, delightful Missy, has died. The probable cause is rat poison, which people sometimes put out in their gardens in order to deal with pests, with sometimes tragic results. It appears that this is one of those times.

Although the vet worked all morning to save her, despite his best efforts Missy died at around noon today.

I’m in shock. I still can’t get my mind around the fact that I will never see Missy again.

You can see a pictorial tribute to Missy, of Blessed Memory, and leave words of comfort, and condolence, which I'm sure all Missy's friends can use right about now.

10AM - In Response to the above Update, an e-mail sent her, and my comment, left on her post of sadness, Rahel sent me the following:

Dear Nikita,

Thank you so much for writing, and for your sensitive revision to your Carnival post.

Although Missy was not my own cat, I loved her as if she had been and used to take care of her when my friend, her human companion -- who is also my neighbor --
traveled on occasion.

Since my friend and I live in the same building, we see each other often, and I saw Missy nearly every day from the time that my neighbor rescued her from the local university campus and brought her home.

Thank you for your words of consolation. They give me the strength to deal with Missy's sudden and unexpected death and to offer what comfort I can to my friend, for whom Missy was family and who is mourning her loss very deeply.

All the best,
Rahel

***WE NOW RETURN YOU TO OUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED CARNIVAL***

Holy Mackerel!! I'm 11 Today!!

 

MWROAARRR!!! I'm KING OF THE WORLD!

Okay, THAT was embarrassing.

But I promised Daddy I would post it today. ;-D

Despite appearances I was NOT having a Howard Dean Moment!

 

I spent part of Monday morning exploring my Kitty Condo. I tried to settle down for a nap on the 4th floor, yawning and everything! Then "FLASH"!!!

Daddy had grabbed his camera, not knowing what he'd get, when he took the shot, because it was too dark to see me.

To the surprise of both of us he caught me YAWNING!!!

There I was, climbing from the 3rd floor to the 4th floor, of my Tower, on my way to take a nap...

11 years of hard work to avoid being captured in just such a compromising situation...

Shot to hell!

Down the drain!

How embarrassing!

A sure sign that I AM truly getting old.

Anyway, I awoke this morning to hugs from Daddy, and a treat of a morning meal.

Mackerel!!!

Cool! I've only had Tuna, or salmon, before.

I smelled what was coming from across the room, dashed off the bed, and stood at Daddy's feet plaintively asking him to hurry up already and set my bowl down!

But nooo, he had to try and get another picture of me in a compromising postition!

Luckily that photo was too blurry, and he settle for the one you see above.

Much more dignified, thank you very much! ;-D

 

With the meal out of the way It was time for an early morning nap.

Here I am, atop my Castle, on this very special day, King of All I Survey! ;-D

***UPDATE - 5PM***

Do you have a fascination with...ENVELOPES???

You are NOT alone! ;-D

I explore this phenomenon here.

***END UPDATE***