Sparkle the Designer Cat's Blog, page 436

Wordless Wednesday: Paw Play

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Having problems with your human or the other cats in your house? As the internet’s “Dear Abby With Claws,” I have answers to many annoying problems in my two award-winning books! Visit my author’s page on Amazon to buy one or both of my awesome Dear Sparkle books!

Blogging Cats Step Up to Help Rescue Devastated by Fire

On Friday, January 24 — a bitterly cold evening — one of the worst situations imaginable happened at STOP (Stop The Overpopulation of Pets) in Mansfield, Ohio. A fire broke out in the basement of the small cat rescue. The fire department rushed to the scene and quickly put out the flames, but the cats remained in the smoke-filled house. In fact, many of the kitties in this free-range facility rushed into the basement — the very place they should have avoided. Because of the cold, firefighters had to work in shifts to rescue the cats, and neighbors pitched in to help. It took a couple of hours, but most of the 42 surviving cats were rounded up. Three died onsite of smoke inhalation.

All these cats were taken to Hull Veterinary Hospital for assessment, and that is where most of them still remain, being carefully watched for developing issues from the fire. Eighteen of the 42 cats have now been deemed stable, one of them being Fanny, the sweet-faced girl in the photo above. One of the other stable kitties, a three-legged youngster named Tracey, is being fostered by a firefighter and his family, who were already planning adopting another kitten in their care, Maddy. Another firefighter is hoping to adopt Charlie, a big Himalayan mix he personally saved from the rescue.

That leaves 39 cats being cared for, some in very serious condition. You can imagine the kind of vet bill that is being run up. And the building where the rescue was located is unusable.

Awful tragedies like this can bring out the best in everyone. Artist Bz Tat brought the plight of STOP and their kitties to the cat blogging community and word has spread. Dash Kitten, A Tonk’s Tail and Random Felines blogged about STOP. Paws and Effect and Cat in the Fridge (Crepe’s blog) both posted on their Facebook pages. Even BlogPaws did a post about the rescue. Not only did Bz Tat write a blog post, she helped out by setting up a Go Fund Me page to help raise money for the vet bills.

As of this post, the Go Fund Me page has raised $4,600 of its $10,000 goal! That is pretty amazing, when you consider that just before the fire, STOP, a local cat rescue that offered low cost spay and neuter services, was completely unknown to anyone outside of its area. It had no social media presence, just a Petfinder page. Now, this group is getting help from all corners of the earth.

If you want to help the kitties of STOP, there are several ways to do it. You can donate through the Go Fund Me Page. Or you can donate funds, food, litter or other supplies to the Hull Vet Clinic, 1300 Middle Bellville Road, Mansfield, OH, 44904. Or you can give directly to the shelter: Stop The Overpopulation of Pets Inc., 1152 Lexington Ave., Mansfield, OH 44907.
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Having problems with your human or the other cats in your house? As the internet’s “Dear Abby With Claws,” I have answers to many annoying problems in my two award-winning books! Visit my author’s page on Amazon to buy one or both of my awesome Dear Sparkle books!

The Cat Show and the Miracle Cat

I could tell you all about my human’s weekend at the San Diego Cat Show — about her hard work selling my books (that sometimes paid off), and the awesome show cats she saw, including some crazy Abyssinians (she may yet share a video somewhere) and gorgeous Somalis. I could tell you about the great time she had sharing the booth there with fellow writers Amy Shojai and Arden Moore. But my human’s favorite part of the cat show wasn’t any of that. It was the fact that she got to spend time with Arden Moore’s very special cat, Zeki. My human has been one of Zeki’s fangirls since she saw her at last year’s Cat Writers Conference.

Zeki is a therapy cat, but she is also much more than that. First, however, I want to tell you a little about her background, because that makes all the difference. When Zeki was less than a year old — still a kitten — she was discovered in a Texas neighborhood, horribly injured. Some unspeakably cruel human had skinned part of her back end. Through the kindness of a nice older lady, this little cat got the care she needed to save and heal her. This lady, although on a limited income, put up the money for the wounded cat’s expensive surgery and aftercare. Zeki spent time healing in the foster care of a well-known cat writer named Dusty Rainbolt. After having Zeki at her house for a while, Dusty realized that this lively, sociable kitty was very special and she contacted Arden, who had recently lost a beloved cat. The rescue that was in charge of Zeki’s adoption made an exception to their usual rule about not allowing out-of-state adoptions, and Zeki came to live with Arden in Oceanside, CA. It was Arden who came up with Zeki’s name, which means both clever and courageous in Turkish (with her distinctive markings, it is believed that Zeki has some Turkish Van blood).

Now comes the amazing part. In spite of her horrible ordeal, Zeki is not only a friendly, gentle cat — she is patient, intelligent and infinitely calm. Arden not only had her certified as a therapy cat, she also uses her in pet first aid demonstrations — in addition to being a noted author, broadcaster and speaker, Arden is a master pet first aid instructor and gives classes all over the U.S. Zeki is the only cat in the U.S. who helps teach cat first aid. And she is brilliant at it.

Arden was able to slip this muzzle on Zeki several times over the weekend as a demonstration. Zeki did not mind at all.

She did not care about getting wrapped like a burrito either.

What did she mind? Being put in her pop-up shelter when she was in the mood to be social. She loved visiting with people and sometimes it was really moving, like when she spent a long time in the lap of a terminally ill man. Out of respect for the family’s privacy, my human did not take photos, but it was clear Zeki made a deep connection with him — and many others.

It was a long weekend for Zeki. She is used to being one-on-one with people, and in small groups for classes, so after a big cat show with so many humans coming and going and so many strange cats, she was very tired.

Zeki is a very gifted cat, and my human felt really lucky to spend the weekend with her.

And even though the horrible event that began her journey was over four years ago, which is a very long time in cat years, I wonder sometimes if Zeki does not occasionally dwell on it, and purr for a day when no cat will ever have to suffer like that again.
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Having problems with your human or the other cats in your house? As the internet’s “Dear Abby With Claws,” I have answers to many annoying problems in my two award-winning books! Visit my author’s page on Amazon to buy one or both of my awesome Dear Sparkle books!

Sunday Catinee: A Cool CATastrophe

You may remember last week I shared a really fun video — co-starring my pal Crepes — that is a Catdance Festival finalist. Well, her humans have a whole new web series they are doing called CATasrophes, in which kitties appear in unexpected situations. Their new entry is called “MagiCATastrophe,” and it is about a magician who can’t stop conjuring kittens. The really cool thing about it is that the kittens were cast from Chicago Cat Rescue, and there is a big plug for them, and cat adoption, at the end. Crepes’ humans will be promoting cat rescue in all their CATastrophe films.

If you can’t see the video above, click here to watch at the CATastrophes website!

Now, I want to give a big plug to last week’s film, “The Inheritance” — it really needs your votes, every day! As of the time I am writing this, they are in second place and need seriously to catch up! Crepes’ humans are very talented, and love to help kitties in need — I would really like them to win! You can vote for “The Inheritance” here. Remember click through to “Yes, enter me” or “No, but count my vote anyway” — that is the only way to make sure your vote counts. You can vote once per day per email address from now until February 28th.

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Having problems with your human or the other cats in your house? As the internet’s “Dear Abby With Claws,” I have answers to many annoying problems in my two award-winning books! Visit my author’s page on Amazon to buy one or both of my awesome Dear Sparkle books!

I Sent My Human to the San Diego Cat Show

My human said she did not want to sell my books and cards at cat shows anymore, but I got an opportunity she couldn’t turn down! I heard that a couple of other members of the Cat Writers Association (including Zeki the Cool Cat!) were going to have a booth at the San Diego Cat Show, and I made sure she joined them!

Technically it is not in San Diego — it is at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, and it is one of the biggest cat shows on the West Coast. It is where she was last year when she saw my distant relative who now lives in Russia. I told her she had to go there this year to help make me more famous.

This time, my human bought some inexpensive cardboard displays. The company wanted to charge her 50 dollars to put me on them, so she made up the cards herself at FedEx Kinkos and cut them to size. I hope nobody notices that she is not the handiest person with an Xacto knife.

So if you are in southern California, please stop by the San Diego Cat show this weekend and say hi to my human and Zeki the Cool Cat! And buy my books and cards!
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Having problems with your human or the other cats in your house? As the internet’s “Dear Abby With Claws,” I have answers to many annoying problems in my two award-winning books! Visit my author’s page on Amazon to buy one or both of my awesome Dear Sparkle books!

Caturday Art: the Sketch App

My human has a bunch of sketch apps on her iPhone. At this point, she is not sure which one she used to make this! It was a while ago.

Click here for more of the Caturday Art Blog Hop!
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Having problems with your human or the other cats in your house? As the internet’s “Dear Abby With Claws,” I have answers to many annoying problems in my two award-winning books! Visit my author’s page on Amazon to buy one or both of my awesome Dear Sparkle books!

Awesome Yeowww! Catnip Cigar Tin Giveaway

Yeowww! is exactly what I said when this arrived on my doorstep!

What’s better than one Yeowww! Catnip Cigar? Three of them in a special designer tin!

As many of you already know, Yeowww! catnip cigars are especially potent. Well, imagine that tripled!

This must be what cat heaven smells like.

And with three cigars, there is enough to go around here! Even so, I’m not inclined to wake up Binga from her nap just now.

The best part of getting to try out this amazing tin of catnip cigars is that the Yeowww! humans said I could give away five of them to my readers! I am going to pick four winners using the Rafflecopter widget below. All you have to do is comment on the blog and say you did on the Rafflecopter widget (or let me know if you are having a problem with the Rafflecopter widget and I will enter you manually) — Rafflecopter also has other ways to get more entries if you want. And one winner I will choose from my newsletter subscribers (watch for an email on Monday!). That means if you already subscribe to my newsletter, you have an even better chance to win one of these awesome tins!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The giveaway ends Monday, February 3, at midnight Pacific Time. I’m sorry, but this is for U.S. residents only — I will have to make it up to you international readers another time. Good luck!
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Having problems with your human or the other cats in your house? As the internet’s “Dear Abby With Claws,” I have answers to many annoying problems in my two award-winning books! Visit my author’s page on Amazon to buy one or both of my awesome Dear Sparkle books!

Valentine’s Cards and Gifts at My Zazzle Shop

Valentine’s Day is coming up and I have lots of cool love-themed cards and gifts in my Zazzle shop, so I wanted to tell you about them!

I have a bunch of cards  here are the more traditional ones:

Be My Valentine Kitty Card

Valentine Kitty U R Cool Card

Tortoiseshell Cat and Rose Greeting Card (Yes, Binga snuck in there!)

Kitty Candy Hearts Valentine's Day Card

I also have some cards that are humorous!

Love Offerings Somali Cat Card

Valentine Kitty Heartbreaker Card

Valentine Kitty Kissing Booth Greeting Card

Some of these images are also on mugs:

Sparkle's Somali Cat U R Cool Mug

Valentine Kitty Kissing Booth Mug

The Valentine Kitty Heartbreaker image is also on a mug!

My Kitty Candy Hearts design is on lots of things, like this tile box:

Kitty Candy Hearts Tile Gift Box

And this keychain:

Kitty Candy Hearts Keychain

There is also a and a refrigerator magnet!

Come visit my shop on Zazzle and check out everything I have!
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Having problems with your human or the other cats in your house? As the internet’s “Dear Abby With Claws,” I have answers to many annoying problems in my two award-winning books! Visit my author’s page on Amazon to buy one or both of my awesome Dear Sparkle books!

Dear Sparkle: Why Does Late Night Box Play Make Humans Mad?

Dear Sparkle,

I love to play in my boxes, and I especially love to scratch around in my favorite ones at night when I can’t sleep! I don’t understand why my human gets so annoyed — she is going to get up eventually anyway, so what’s the big deal? Is there some way I can convince her that late night box play is a great boredom cure?

Signed,

Box A Lot

Dear Box A Lot,

Here is more proof that cats are superior to humans (as if additional proof was needed). While we kitties can do whatever we want at any time of day, humans are forced to adhere to self-imposed schedules. They believe they have to sleep certain hours, and work at other hours, and if they get off their schedule, it makes them cranky and unpleasant to be around. We kitties do like routine, but the way humans approach it is completely against their natural body rhythms. So there you are, in the middle of the night when your human is on the sleeping part of her schedule and you’re bored. I don’t blame you for playing with your boxes. I mean, what else are you going to do in the middle of the night?

I think you might already know where I am going with this. The problem is clearly not your box play at all, but your boredom. And of course, that is your human’s fault. She should be coming up with fun games for you to play close to her bedtime. And I don’t mean rolling around with a little catnip toy type of fun — I’m talking all-out interactive action! You and your human should play chase and attack, stalk and hunt, or any other game that involves full body exertion. After you are tired out, then your human should give you either a treat, or part of your dinner that she has set aside as a post-play meal. That is your reward for showing off your fine prey-hunting skills. After all that, it will be way more likely that you will sleep through the night and you won’t wake up bored. And you won’t have to deal with human crankiness. This is the kind of “schedule” I can get behind, because it is quite satisfying.

I will tell you a little secret: my favorite time to play and go crazy is around midnight and my last meal of the day is usually right around that time too. And I go to sleep and wake up at exactly the same time as my human. Actually, sometimes I sleep in even later than she does, which is really saying something!
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Having problems with your human or the other cats in your house? As the internet’s “Dear Abby With Claws,” I have answers to many annoying problems in my two award-winning books! Visit my author’s page on Amazon to buy one or both of my awesome Dear Sparkle books!

My Human Answers Your Cats’ Questions!

Why does my face look so funny in the photo above? Because I was trying hard not to laugh when my human saw all the questions you kitties asked her for National Answer Your Cat’s Question Day! She was amazed, and more than a little disturbed about having to answer so many. There were a lot. Let’s see how she does!

Georgia and Julie wanted to know: Do you have the kitties sleeping on the bed with you?

Thank god the first question is an easy one! All three of them, Binga, Boodie and Sparkle sleep on the bed. Sometimes Sparkle sleeps by the floor heater instead. She always has to be different.

The Florida Furkids asked: Why do humans think they have to ration treats? Treats are made to be enjoyed!!

I agree about treats being made to be enjoyed, which is why I occasionally have a slice of carrot cake or half a red velvet cupcake for breakfast. But if I do, I also eat a light lunch. Most humans want their cats to eat more healthy than that. Yes, it’s a double standard. So sue me.

The Island Cats’ query: We wanna know why the humans annoy us with the flashy box so much. Sheesh.

If you cats would pose nicely the first time, we humans wouldn’t have to pester you so much with our cameras. Just sayin’.

The Punapippuri cats had lots of questions! Let take them one at a time.

Pekka: Where are all the mousies?

Pekka, if you want year-round mousies, you will have to convince Äiti to move to California, or another place that is warm year-round. And I don’t think that’s going to happen.

Mirsku: I want to know why my nickname is “fatboy.”

Um… have you looked in the mirror lately? Although I am assuming it is all muscle, kind of like a Sumo wrestler. Yeah.

Aila: I want to know why the mancats are mean.

They are just jealous.

Punapippuri: I want to know why girlcats are meanies.

Probably because you were mean first.

Sampo: Why does Äiti have to move so often when I want her lap?

You are probably like Sparkle and don’t weigh very much. I bet she would not be able to move around as much if it was Mirsku on her lap.

Seppo: Why don’t I have fur?

That is something you need to ask your mother. I mean, your birth mother, not Äiti.

Sampo (again): Where are the girlcats?

Ask your breeder — I bet she will help play matchmaker for you.

Marg’s kitties asked: Do cats really make friends with other cats and keep them?

Apparently they do — in spite of the liberal application of smacky paws here, Sparkle, Binga and Boodie are pals. Although Sparkle tends to pick on Boodie a little too much sometimes. (I am so going to get it for that last comment.) Anyhow, I’m sure that is also the case with other cat families, with or without the smacky paws.

Katie Isabella asked: Why do I gravitate every day to the places my mom says I shouldn’t be? Ergo, atop the modem and atop the external HD she uses for storage and atop the UPS big box on the floor? What’s the deal? They are warm. Now she has figured out baffles to keep me off! Airy basket-like things!

It sounds to me like you already answered your own question. If you want to figure out how to deal with those baffles, you should probably ask Sparkle.

Mario wanted to know: Why do humans think their kitties are fat when they themselves are fat? Along with that, why does the cat have to go on the diet and the humans not?

Mario, there is a weight problem in the U.S. and elsewhere that involves not only humans, but cats and dogs. Sadly for you, humans can control your intake of food. Meanwhile, we humans are faced with unlimited food choices — no one is controlling us. Lucky us.

Kiki had a rather long-winded question: Why did you replace the living room furniture with this stuff? I had it all worked in! How do you expect me to sleep on the top of this couch? It is much too narrow for my liking! And why is my comforter on the floor now? This is my room! Why didn’t you consult me? And why did you change the dining room chairs at the same time. It’s caused me to find a whole new route to the window. And will you PLEASE tell me why you won’t spend all your time with me in MY room as I ask??? What’s so great about that den anyway??? What is a good kitty to do???

I am assuming, Kiki, that you are directing your question to your human and not to me, since I wasn’t the one who replaced your living room furniture with pieces that are not satisfactory to you. So I am sorry, but you will just have to have to go to your own human for those answers.

From Gattina: The only questions my kitties have is, “When do we eat?”

The answer to that is easy — whenever Gattina feeds you, or you catch your own food. Or when Mr. G pulls out the mortadella.

Crepes’ question: I want to know if the house was decorated around Sparkle. It matches so well!

To be honest, Crepes, if I had thought about it when I first looked at this house, I might have picked one with a different color scheme — I think the decor and Sparkle are too monochromatic. I would have preferred a color scheme that complimented her instead.

I am assuming that Grace is asking for BB and Frankie when she wanted to know: Why do humans think that cats want different food everyday? Why don’t they understand that kitties like what they like and unlike humans, variety is not the spice of their lives.

Actually it is better to change up a cat’s food now and again, otherwise they become picky. Binga and Boodie get lots of different selections. Sparkle actually gets the same food more frequently because, well, she is picky.

From Katie: Please ask your human if she would rather I send Waffles to to your house via UPS or Fed Ex. I am more than happy to pay extra for early morning delivery.

Katie, I would be more than happy to have Waffles. I have always dreamed of having a therapy cat that I could take places. Unfortunately, I don’t think Glogirly will allow you to send him to me.

William asked: Do you believe in cats on other planets?

I thought you kitties already were from other planets. You mean there might be more?

Mr. Puddy asked: I want to know who really is the BOSS for your human?

I am my own boss, literally. I own a corporation and I am the president. Sparkle is not listed on one of the officers. (I am really going to get it for this one.)

Emma and Buster had a bunch of questions: Do any kitties sleep with you? If not, which kitty would you want to sleep with you? Which kitty likes the bf more than you? Which kitty misbehaves the most? When did you realize you were a cat person?

I wish Sparkle would sleep with me, but it is more often Binga who sleeps beside me, or between me and my boyfriend. Binga likes my boyfriend and me equally, and she is also the one who misbehaves the most (really, how can you not tell from this blog?). I was a teenager before I realized I was a cat person. Before that, I was more into snakes and lizards.

Oui Oui said, My questions concern scratching: Why can’t I lie on my back & scratch the under side of the bed? Why can’t I scratch boxes in the middle of the night? I’m not tired then!

I don’t know why you can’t do these things. I know the cats here would do them if they were so inclined. Maybe you should ask your own human about this.

The kitties at Manx Mnews asked: Why do you keep removing my fur after I have gone to all the trouble to put it there in the first place?

This is another question you will have to ask your own human. I have sort of given up on the fur thing. Which is unfortunate, since I mainly wear black.

Angel and Isabella said: We want to ask your human what she enjoys doing besides working for you, Sparkle?

I enjoy writing best, and actually do not get to do enough of it! I also love vintage films, especially silent comedies from the 1920s.

Cathy Keisha wanted to know: Which of Sparkle, Boodie and Binga has the best singing voice at 3 AM?

Funny enough, all three cats have nearly the same sleep schedule I do. Binga and Boodie go to bed a little earlier, with my boyfriend, and Sparkle goes to bed at the same time as me. We are all usually asleep at 3 AM, humans and cats, and everyone sleeps through the night.

Karen Jo’s cats had several questions. Here goes…

Bambino: Why did Mom take me to the cat torture place when I already wasn’t feeling good?

Probably the same reason I do with Sparkle, Binga and Boodie — because I can’t find a good vet who does home visits.

Oja: Why does Mom keep bringing stinky boycats home?

Because she can’t find any stinky girl cats?

Spyro: Why can’t I have all the treats I want?

I think The Florida Furkids asked the same question.

Rocio: Why don’t Oja and Horus like me?

Maybe it’s your behavior or your scent… why don’t you ask them?

Horus: Why can’t I sit in Mom’s lap all the time?

Because then she would never be able to get up to feed you.

Julius: Why does the Lady keep trying to get close to me when she knows I’m afraid of her?

Because she thinks if she keeps doing it, you will stop being afraid of her. Time will tell if that works.

Another cat family — this one belonging to Rachel L. — had the following…

Snickers: Why doesn’t my mommy want me to go outside even if it is cold?

You want to go out in the cold? What, are you crazy?

Reese: Why can’t I go on the table?

I don’t know, Reese. Binga and Sparkle do it all the time. Especially when we are eating.

Miss Skittles: Why do the other cats pick fights with me? I want to be left alone!!

It sounds to me like you are an easy mark. Maybe Binga should give you some Kung Fu lessons.

Pippi, the Feline Yogi, asked: Human, since you work for Sparkle (like my human works for me) please make a case for why Sparkle should continue to give you the honor of letting you work for her?

I don’t know, Pippi. She may actually fire me after this blog post.

Even though she is not a cat, Pricilla the goat wanted to know: What about goats? Why do you forget the goats? Can I maaaaa a question? Why do the cats dig around in my pen? What is up with that?

Maybe their litter box is dirty.

Spitty asked: Do Sparkle and Binga and Boodie ever play together? Is Boodie the calm, collected peaceful one? Why does Sparkle talk so mean about Binga?

They all hang out together, but tend to play separately. Boodie is actually quite neurotic — she runs away if you try to touch her, but if you grab her and start petting her, she wants more. Binga is always putting herself in the middle of Sparkle’s photo shoots, whether she is wanted or not. Wouldn’t that make you mad too?

Moosey, Gracie and Zoe asked: Why do the humans ration our food? Why can’t you just leave the faucet running 24/7 (you know we love playing in it)?

Honestly, we ration your food because we can. As for the water thing, water actually costs money and the more money humans spend on water, the less money there is for treats. Which would you rather have?

Nellie’s question was: Hmmm, my question is why does people say No all the time?

Actually, it feels good to say no. I say it loudly and often… to Binga.

Kitties Blue said: We want to know why Lisbeth doesn’t like Astrid anymore? Though not siblings, they were both raised by Lisbeth’s mommy and were inseparable when they moved in with us. But now they don’t like each other at all.

It could possibly be redirected aggression — one day when the humans weren’t around, maybe something happened to startle one or the other of them, and they freaked out on each other. That can be a friendship-destroying incident. Or it could be something like what happened with Boodie and Sparkle — they used to be much closer, but Sparkle got very nasty a couple of times when I brought home from the vet and they haven’t been as close ever since.

Team Tabby wanted to know: Why do our humans not feed us some of those yummy things we see and smell in our coldbox? Just a taste, would be good!

Maybe some of those things aren’t good for kitties. Or your humans could just be selfish and not want to share. I’m not big on sharing myself, unless it’s KFC. Then I am sort of forced to.

Marianne’s cats asked: How can we convince our mom we’re responsible enough to get pet mice? We promise to keep a close eye on them and lick them clean.

Your human probably does not want to pick up the parts left over after you “licked them clean.”

Pasha asked: I was wondering? Where do kittens come from?

They come from mom kitties. No one ever told you?

Baby Tali asked: I wants to know how come if the treats is for us kittehs…why doesn’t we has 24 hour access to them treats?? Huh Miss Sparkle’s Lady Human??

Because then they wouldn’t be treats anymore.
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Having problems with your human or the other cats in your house? As the internet’s “Dear Abby With Claws,” I have answers to many annoying problems in my two award-winning books! Visit my author’s page on Amazon to buy one or both of my awesome Dear Sparkle books!