Mollie Hunt's Blog, page 12
December 15, 2023
CLARENCE THE THREE-LEGGED KITTEN
He’s sitting on my lap, purring away. Now he wants down, to explore. He inspects the perimeter, finally slipping into that place under the table where cats like to go. Is it because it’s dark and quiet, or do they know what a pain it is for me to get them back out?
Clarence comes out of his own accord to do another run around the room. If you ignore his stunted gate and the way he hobbles, he would seem much like any other cat. But Clarence is different. Clarence only has three legs.
Clarence, a six-month-old kitten, came to the Oregon Humane Society with a 1.5” round wound on his right hip. Tests traced its origin to a mass attached to the bone which may have occurred when a previous fracture healed badly. The left hip had also been affected by the trauma. The upshot was surgery on the left hip and the amputation of the entire right leg. Two days later, the call went out for a foster parent, a call that I happily answered.
It had been several months since I’d fostered a cat, and I was excited to begin again. I have a designated foster room with a pleasantly equipped kennel where I’d cared for many cats with mobility issues. I thought this one would be similar—limited movement, no running or jumping, and a twice-daily set of physical therapy exercises. I wasn’t worried about the fact he had only three legs. I’ve seen tripod cats who got along just fine, not limited by their disability as humans tend to be. I understood this would be a new experience for me, but I forgot to take into account that it was a new experience for Clarence too.
We didn’t do much the day I brought him home. Clarence seemed happy to lie in the big bed in the kennel and watch the birds and squirrels. He didn’t eat much, but that wasn’t unusual for a foster cat’s first night. He was sweet, friendly, and loving, and my heart went out to him from the start.
The next morning I took him out of the kennel and put him on the floor next to his food bowl. He took a few steps and went into an absolute panic. He fell onto his side and tried to rise. I could see him attempting to work that leg that was no longer there. Baffled and scared, he stumbled around the small room until I scooped him up and placed him back in the safety of his kennel bed where he curled around himself and looked at me with huge yellow eyes as if asking me WTF.
To be continued…
December 9, 2023
What it Means to be Part of an Organization
This is the time of year when we begin to receive renewal notices for the organizations we belong to. It’s the perfect time to think about what being a member of those organizations means to us.
Photo by Austin Chan on Unsplash
Join.Belong.Those are words associated with becoming a member of an organization. But what do they mean? We’ll get to that in a minute.
I’m no different than anyone when looking to join an organization. The first thing I want to know is what the group can do for me. What are the benefits, both those promised and the subtler advantages, such as status or comradery? It’s natural. Like anyone, I want to get something for my membership fee.
I currently belong to various writers’ groups. One has a retreat on the coast for members only. One takes my books to events and sells them for me. One is cat-oriented, and I win awards in their yearly contest. One presents monthly speakers on subjects a mystery writer can use.
I also belong to another group, an anonymous one. That’s where I learned a truer meaning of belonging. The group is run by its volunteers on a rotation of leadership, dedication, and care. No one person does it all, nor should they. The leader is the group itself. Everyone gives, thus everyone receives.
Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash
So back to our words, join and belong. When one joins in something, one becomes a part of it—ideally a working part. The same goes for belonging to a group. Both belonging and joining imply participation. If everyone in the group took only the rewards and didn’t return the favor by helping the group function, there would be no group. Being a member of an organization is not a one-way-street.
In any group, you will find those who care deeply, volunteering their time and expertise over and over again, but sadly they are often few in number. They become overloaded and overwhelmed. When they burn out, who will take their place?
Their burden would be lightened if everyone shared responsibility for the health of the organization. You don’t have to be president, secretary, or treasurer. It can be as simple as volunteering for a committee that interests you or assisting someone who is overworked. Choose tasks you like, you care about, and that fit your mental and physical ability. Most organizations have diverse needs. Participate in meetings and listen for ways you can help. By getting further involved, you will begin to have a greater appreciation and understanding of your group. Volunteering is a benefit not listed on the info page.
Photo by Denise Jans on Unsplash
Here are some ways I’ve found to give back:
For the group with the coastal retreat, I am a member of the board. I help with their yearly raffle. I made a photo book about their guesthouse for them to take to events when I noticed there was a need for one. These were things I could do and have fun with.
For the group that sells my books, I produce two features for their newsletter each month and go to their monthly meetings where I offer ideas if I have them and listen to others when I don’t. I participate in some of the book events, manning the booth and telling readers about the group. Unfortunately my health makes this job difficult for me, so I only do it sparingly. Thank goodness there are other members who are willing to assume those responsibilities.
For my cat-oriented group, I have taken the role of Librarian organizing their extensive book list. I am also a member of their Blog Team, doing my best to solicit submissions of content from our members to publish on our website. I have been a past member of their board as well.
For the group that presents monthly speaker events, I go when I can. I’ve made a few posters for members. It’s not much, but it confirms my involvement.
These positions and small acts of helping have given me so much, so if you think joining an organization is all about what you get, you’re missing out on all the things your group could do if only you pitched in too. They say volunteers live longer. Show you care, about yourself and your organization. That’s what it means to join and belong.
Photo by Ben Wicks on Unsplash
DefinitionsBelong:
To be a member of a club, organization, or set. —the Merriam-Webster Dictionary
To be in the right place. To feel that you are in the right place. —the Cambridge Dictionary
Belonging means that you feel accepted, included, or a part of something else. —Frontiers for Young Minds
Join:
A place where two things meet or are fastened together. To do something with or be with someone or something. To get involved in an activity with another person or group. —the Cambridge Dictionary
To come into close association or relationship. —the Merriam-Webster Dictionary
December 6, 2023
IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE…
This time of year, it’s always fun to look at old Christmas cards, the ones that convey the feelings we had when we were kids.
This one looks like a card my dad would have given me.
I love the ones of decorated trees, especially those that are outside scenes with houses and churches in the background.
Indoor scenes are nice too. Can you believe they used to put lighted candles on the tree?
Of course my favorite cards include cats. It’s amazing how many designs feature a cat staring at their refection in the mirror surface of a Christmas ball.
Or sometimes they are just playing with it. Look out, little kittens! Those things can break!
Vintage Christmas cards were found online and from Pinterest. Sorry, I don’t know who the artists are.
Enjoy your December!
November 24, 2023
SANTA-CAT’S HOLIDAY FAVES – TYLER’S WISH LIST 2023
This year, Tyler has outdone himself collecting noteworthy items for the holiday season. As Tyler eases into his twentieth year, his taste grows more varied. See what you think of his latest offerings.
Cats love their beds, don’t they? (Either that or they shun them completely.) This Cat Cave by Pet Adobe is one of Tyler’s favorite haunts. Situated next to the heater vent, it’s the purr-fect winter hideaway, but even in the hot summer, Tyler loves the dark seclusion. Two door holes provide an alternative exit. Tyler’s model was passed down to him from his brother, Angel Ginchan, and I couldn’t find the exact same thing for sale now, but the above picture is close.
There are wands and there are wands, but this Wiggly Wand has become Tyler’s current favorite. At nearly 20, he still jumps after the fuzzy worm like a kitten. Designed to excite your cat’s hunting instinct, the Wiggly Wand Worm cat toy mimics “live” prey with its realistic movement. The telescoping wand combines with a polyester tail featuring natural paper strings making it unique.
About book 1, A Spell of Murder:
“It’s Harriet’s fault. It’s always her fault, not that she’ll ever admit it.” So begins A Spell of Murder: A Witch Cats of Cambridge mystery, the first in a new cozy series that mixes feline fiction with a touch of the paranormal, and a little romance as well.
Becca, newly single and newly unemployed, wants to believe she has psychic powers. With nothing but time – and a desire for empowerment – she’s studying to become a witch. What she doesn’t know is that her three cats – Harriet, Laurel, and Clara – are the ones with the real power. And when Harriet – “a cream-colored longhair with more fur than commonsense” – conjures a pillow for her own comfort, Becca believes her spells are finally working. Could that be why Trent, the coven’s devilishly handsome leader, has been showing her special attention? Or why Suzanne, a longtime coven member, draws her aside to share a secret – a confidence that may lead to murder?
Favorite non-fiction cat book: Catwoods: Stories and Studies of Our Feline Companions, by Leah AlfordA book for all seasons, Catwoods is about a couple who rescue, adopt, and love cats in their deep woods home in the southern US. These cats are all such original characters that they make every day blissful, giddy, poetic, or even somber, the way the moods and phases of real life unfold.
Leah Alford observes domestic felines indoors and later studies wildlings like foxes and raccoons who live outdoors amidst the glowing, dense leaves of the Appalachian jungle. A screaming non-entity in the night might well have been a cougar.
Communication between animals and humans is the core of Catwoods. Alford also writes of the natural world, the luxuriance of birds, insects, and yelling frogs, art, music, and writing in a changing South.
Are you looking for more cat-themed books? Check out the Cat Writers’ Association Book Directory for everything cat.
I love glass, the way it shines, reflects, and glimmers in the sun, so when I saw this cat memorial suncatcher by Seawah, I was entranced. I appreciate the simple but cat-perfect design. The cat is about 4.5″ square and the golden star hangs above. This doesn’t have to be a tribute piece and could work equally well for any cat lover’s decor.
Yukiko Hunt, the artist behind Cataround Stamps is known for her unique and beautiful cards, but she makes a limited number of matted prints as well. This one reminds me of my childhood dreams where I would float around among the stars with my cat.
Some cats don’t go for catnip, about 30% of cats don’t have the catnip gene, but if your cat does, there is nothing like a hand-made mousie loaded with fresh organic catnip to get them playing like a kitten. Mousies available from houseofdreamspdx
The Sleepypod Mobile Pet BedThe Sleepypod is the ultimate pet travel multi-tasker. It’s a carrier, a pet bed, and a crash-tested car seat. Ultra Plush bedding surrounded by a luggage-grade, ballistic nylon base forms the cozy bed that easily becomes a carrier by zipping on its mesh dome.
A CatioMaybe someday my contractor husband will build us that catio in the back yard, but until then, I’d settle for one of the gorgeous catios by Cat Topia.
A Pet StrollerLook at this cat zipping around the neighborhood in one of Amoroso’s pet strollers. I’ve always wanted to try one out on Tyler, but he’s not so sure. Oh, well. Maybe someday.
What else does a cat want for Christmas?Who knows? The cats fortunate enough to have a home and a family who loves them are already getting most everything they want and need. Healthy meals, toys and treats, medical care when required. But what about the other cats, the ferals and strays, the ones lingering in shelters because someone deems them too old, too shy, too feisty, too much trouble or expense because of medical conditions? If Tyler could speak, he would ask the following:
Shameless self-promotion: My New Books for 2023!
Cat House
the 10th Crazy Cat Lady Cozy Mystery
An off-limits room, a suspicious phone message involving drugs, and the sudden appearance of a missing man’s cat arouse Lynley’s suspicion, but how far can she go before the consequences of her cat-like curiosity turn deadly?
This Halloween, the cats are hiding, and the monsters don’t wear costumes.
Cat Autumnthe Cat Seasons Tetralogy, Book 3
A mysterious portal. A race of techno-medical felines. An alien war fought with felid robo-soldiers. Only Niva and her three psychic shelter kittens can save the multiverse from annihilation.
Tyler found it hard to choose among all the lovely and useful items available, especially the ones made by independent craftspeople, so his list is a bit arbitrary. He would love to hear about your favorites. Please post comments.
***Note: None of the businesses or artists mentioned in this blogpost have solicited my endorsement, nor have I received compensation of any kind for listing them.
November 19, 2023
AN ALPHABET OF THANKS
I am blatantly stealing an idea from “Purrs of Wisdom” by Ingrid King. It’s such a good idea, I believe everyone should try it.
My Alphabet of Thanks, 2023.
A: Alcoholics Anonymous, the group that showed me a better life.
B: Books, especially cozy cat mysteries. (Yes, I read what I write.)
C: Cats, all of them, including the mean ones.
D: Donuts/Doughnuts. No matter how you spell it, they are a sugary lifesaver sometimes.
E: The Earth. Thankful beyond words for this unique and miraculous journey.
F: Family. I don’t say it enough, but I love them.
G: Garden, where the food and flowers grow.
H: My husband Jim
I: Income. Though mine is small, it is sufficient. It’s also something we can never take for granted.
J: Yes, Jim again, my patient and wonderful husband of 28 years.
K: Kindness
L: Love. Where would we be without it?
My mother and cat Paddy
M: Mommy – Angel Mommy for the past 20 years, she established my love of creativity and so much more.
N: NIWA, Northwest Independent Writers Association. This group gives me more than all my other writers’ groups combined. They sell my books for me too!
O: October, the month my new book comes out.
P: Purr.
Q: Quiet.
R: Read/reading/readers.
S: Shelters, specifically cat shelters, but all shelters are the backbone of kindness in our society.
T: Tyler
U: Understanding.
V: Vegan/vegetarianism. Though I’m not either, I appreciate those movements toward practicing kindness in all affairs.
W: Writing, the thing that gets me up every morning.
X: It’s either X-rays or X-Men. X-rays because ones such as the mammogram keep us safe, and X-Men, because so much fun!
Y: You, my readers, mean the world to me.
Z: Zoom, my meeting place where I never leave my home.
A Happy and Peaceful Thanksgiving to you all!
November 18, 2023
Mango the Cat: From Illness to a Happy Life
Reblogged from Katzenworld
Photo by Alvan Nee on Unsplash
I had to share this wonderful success story about another FIP Warrior, Mango!
November 14, 2023
CAT AUTUMN, Now Finally Available
A mysterious portal.
A race of techno-medical felines.
An alien war fought with felid robo-soldiers.
Only Niva and her three psychic shelter kittens can save the multiverse from annihilation.
It’s been a long time coming. Over twenty years, to be precise. But it’s finally here, the third book in the Cat Seasons Tetralogy, Cat Autumn. There will be one more, Cat Spring, eventually, which will complete the Four Seasons.
From the back cover:
In the wild coastal forest lies a mysterious portal.
Neither Niva nor her three psychic rescue cats have seen the like. Though Niva and kits Axtel and Flaxrud tremble in fear, shy Sandstrom is mesmerized by the phenomenon. When Sandstrom leaps in and disappears, Niva has no choice but to save him.
The portal leads to another universe where a race of techno-medical felines is fighting a bloody land war. Sandstrom, swayed by propaganda, is eager to join their alien army, but soon he learns he has a higher duty. When Niva is captured and sent to a gruesome surgical ward, Sandstrom must be the one to do the saving.
Aided by a sympathetic alien and a powerful shadow-panther, Sandstrom sets out to rescue Niva, but there is more at stake than he knows. Niva’s presence in the alternate universe has tipped a precarious balance. One wrong move could mean annihilation for all.
Niva didn’t recognize the small clearing, well-hidden behind a glossy macrame of huckleberry leaves. Even in the red cast of her new vision, it was marvelous. The floor, carpeted with thick moss and lichen, resembled a Gulliver’s landscape, tiny mushrooms with hair stems and caps like gnomes’ hats pushing up through the plush. The center of the clearing dipped down toward what seemed to be a shallow pool. Niva couldn’t be sure, however—when she tried to look closer, her gaze averted of its own accord, and she would find herself staring up at the pines or out at the near-bare alders.
“Can you see it?” asked Flaxrud.
“I can see the clearing, but the thing in the middle… I can’t make it out. What is it?”
“They call it a mirror well,” he replied, softly ominous. It was Niva’s turn to wonder who they were, but she didn’t ask.
Axtel pressed close. “We were hoping you could tell us.”
Niva squinted again at the illusive vortex, this time finding her gaze shifted to the black clouds directly above. As a drop of water hit her eyelid, she realized it had started to rain.
“Why can’t I focus on it?” she cursed in frustration.
“Keep trying,” Axtel bade her. “You have to believe.”
Niva wasn’t sure what the little cat meant by ‘believe,’ but she tried again. This time, her vision held a few moments longer.
The enigma began to brighten.
“What’s happening…?” Niva began, watching the eerie light unfurl like a lotus flower.
No one answered, nor had she expected them to.
The mirror well shimmered, iridescent silver like mercury, and like mercury, it seemed to have a life of its own. Pulsing and expanding, its luminosity was becoming greater than the organic eye could endure. Even so, Niva could not look away.
Murky shapes writhed within the circle of light, great serpent shadows that rose and died inside the throbbing radiance. Then one of the shapes broke free of its lucent bondage, emerging with the violence of a hard birth. It squirmed upon the wet ground, the nebulous form changing into something understandable, something Niva recognized even before it had solidified: a cat.
This was no new-born kitten, however. This was a full grown beast. With a shiver of fear, Niva placed it. Like the ones who had accosted her in her garden, this one was big. She knew as it opened its eyes that they would be fluorescent orange.
The orange glare turned as if seeking.
The stare stopped. The huge orbs focused.
Niva watched the black pupils telescope into hunting mode. Their stare, alive with malice, was trained directly on her.
Other shapes were laboring from out of the mirror well, their amorphous forms solidifying, their orange eyes opening. Niva held her breath, but the felids cast their gaze in different directions. Maybe she was not a target after all.
With a low moan that sounded at once vicious and sickly, they began to rise. Flexing powerful muscles, working lethal sets of claws, stretching magnificent jaws wide, they readied themselves. Then, one by one, they moved out. Single file, nose to tail, they made off through the woods toward who-knows-where. Niva didn’t care as long as it was away.
Four books. Cats save the world. Each book contains a fresh cast of characters facing new challenges. A deadly evil, a vengeful space anomaly, an enemy from an alternate universe, and a plague that doesn’t just kill—it annihilates!
Be glad the cats are on our side.
You can purchase Cat Autumn at this link, or check the whole series at this link. Books need not be read in order.
November 8, 2023
IT TAKES A VILLAGE – The Amazing Sponsors of the CWA Conference
Thanks to the CWA’s 2023 Sponsors!2024 was the 30th anniversary of the incorporation of the Cat Writers’ Association, and we celebrated with a great conference, awards ceremony, and fundraiser for the Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary, but we didn’t do it alone. Meet the many sponsors who supported us with their generous donations.
Sleepypod sponsored a special award (the Sleepypod Cat Safety Award), was a Silver-level sponsor of the conference, and donated a very generous package of their products for our fall charity fundraiser for the Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary. You can view a video about Sleepypod’s new harness here.
World’s Best Cat Litter sponsored a special award (the World’s Best Cat Litter-ary Award) and donated a prize for our fall charity fundraiser for the Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary. You can watch a video about their special award being presented here.
Wonderfold donated one of their P2 strollers to our fall charity fundraiser for the Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary. You can watch a video about this product here.
Zymox sponsored a special award (the Zymox Feline Skin & Ear Care Award) and was a Gold-level conference sponsor. You can watch a video about their products here.
The International Cat Association (TICA) sponsored a special award (the Kari Winters Rescue & Rehabilitation Award), and was a Platinum-level sponsor of the conference. You can view an excerpt from a video of a past interview with a regional director of TICA here.
Cat Topia was a Bronze-level conference sponsor. You can view a video of Simon wishing the CWA a happy 30th birthday here.
Sturdi Products donated one of their SturdiBag pet carriers for our fall charity fundraiser for the Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary. You can view a video about their donation here.
Red River Paper donated three $100 gift certificates for our fall charity fundraiser for the Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary. You can view a video about their donation here.
Pioneer Pet sponsored a special award (the Pioneer Pet Behavioral Training Award), were a Gold-level sponsor for the conference, and donated a prize to our fall charity fundraiser for the Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary. You can watch a video of Shannon wishing the CWA a happy 30th birthday here.
PetSafe donated a huge number of prizes for our fall charity fundraiser for the Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary. The total value of them was over $2,000. You can view videos about their prize donations here and here.
MIRA Safety donated one of their Animal Ark pet “gas mask” tents for our fall charity fundraiser for the Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary. You can view a video about their donation here.
Miblart donated a book cover design to our fall charity fundraiser for the Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary. You can view a video about their donation here.
Mau Pets donated one of their Cento cat trees to our fall charity fundraiser for the Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary. You can view a video about this cat tree here.
Karma Cat donated a prize package to our fall charity fundraiser for the Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary. You can view a video about their prize donation here.
K&H Pet Products donated an EZ-Mount Kitty Sill for our fall charity fundraiser for the Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary. You can view a video about this product here.
Hartz sponsored 2 special awards: the Hartz Kuykendall Image Award and the Hartz Newcomer Cat Communications Award They were also a Platinum sponsor for the conference, and donated a nice prize package of their products for our fall charity fundraiser for the Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary. You can view a video about the history of Hartz here.
Goodnewsforpets.com sponsored a special award (the Goodnewsforpets.com Human-Animal Bond Award). You can view a video of Lea-Ann Germinder congratulating the CWA on 30 years here.
Fran Pennock Shaw & Ray Shaw sponsored a special award, the Nancy Marano Senior Cat Well-Being Award. The $1,000 prize was the highest amount available for any of the CWA’s special awards this year. Fran is a past CWA president. You can watch a video of them wishing the CWA happy 30th birthday here, or one of their special award being presented here.
Flea Destroyer donated four of their lawn treatment kits to our fall charity fundraiser for the Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary. You can view a video about their product here.
Dr. Elsey’s was a Silver-level sponsor of our conference. You can view a video of Mat congratulating the CWA on 30 years here.
Cornell University Feline Health Center sponsored a special award (the Dr. Jim Richards Cornell Feline Health Center Veterinary Issues Award). They have sponsored an award on this subject since the very first CWA contest in 1997. You can view a video with information about them during the presentation of their special award during our 2023 awards presentation ceremony here. (It begins at the presentation of their award.)
The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) sponsored a special award (the CWA President’s Award), and was a Silver-level sponsor of the conference. The CFA has been a huge supporter of the CWA in many ways since our founding, contributing both funds and many in-kind services. You can view their special award being presented here (the video begins with their award).
CatWatch sponsored a special award (the Lorie Huston Health Award). The newsletter is published by Belvoir Media in conjunction with Cornell’s Feline Health Center for members of the center. You can view a video of their special award being presented here.
Catit sponsored a special award (the Catit Kitten Care & Rescue Adoption Award), as well as being a Bronze-level sponsor of the conference and donating a very nice prize package of their products for our fall charity fundraiser for the Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary. You can view a video about one of Catit’s PIXI line of products here.
The CATalyst Council sponsored a special award (the CATalyst Council Connection Award) and was a Bronze-level sponsor of the conference. You can watch their special award being presented here. (Look! It’s me!)
AmorosO donated one of their umbrella-handle strollers for our fall charity fundraiser for the Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary. You can view a video about this product here.
Alley Cat Rescue was a Silver-level sponsor of our conference and have already committed to do at least as much in 2024.
4TheWords was a Friend level sponsor of the conference. You can view a video of Ed congratulating the CWA on 30 years here.
October 29, 2023
FINALLY HERE! NATIONAL CAT DAY, CAT HOUSE LAUNCH, GRATITUDE CHALLENGE WINNER
HAPPY NATIONAL CAT DAY 2023!
For the past several years, I’ve released my Crazy Cat Lady cozy mysteries on National Cat Day, and this year is no exception. Today Cat House went live! If you preordered, you should have received the eBook on your Kindle device right now. If not, find Cat House in both eBook and paperback on my Amazon site.
I chose National Cat Day because I cherish the richness of this day. In my series which features the adventures of Lynley Cannon, cat shelter volunteer, I begin of each chapter with a cat tip, trick, or fact in hopes to educate and engage those who want to know more about cats. But be assured, Lynley rarely lectures. She prefers to lead by example, so if you learn something new about fostering, cat safety, general care and health, or a fun new cat toy, it’s only because she is practicing these things in her own daily life.
As a volunteer myself, I know the importance of the work. Our society is so adept at letting the vulnerable fall through the cracks, and cats are no exception. In my area, Portland Oregon, we are blessed with forward-thinking animal advocates who have come together to help save lives. Their aggressive spay & neuter program has all but wiped out cat overpopulation, making our Oregon Humane Society available to help cats from other areas, especially those affected by disaster.
All of us can help save lives. Whether we foster, adopt, volunteer, donate, or sew a cat blanket, we are helping with the big picture. Many hands make light work, so my mother told me, and I’ve seen it in action within the world of animal advocacy. In my lifetime, dogs have been unchained and cats have been moved to the safety of the indoors. Unwanted kittens are no longer disposed of. Declawing is becoming a thing of the past. There is more work to do, certainly, but kindness and compassion have taken root and are bound to flower.
So let’s celebrate National Cat Day in style. Lavish your kitties with love. Help a cat shelter or group if you can. And read a book that will take you into a world where cats always win.
GRATITUDE CHALLENGE—A NEW WAY TO SAY THANK YOU“National Cat Day is an awareness day to raise public awareness of cat adoption, taking place on August 8 in Canada and October 29 in the United States. The National Cat Day website states that the holiday was first celebrated in 2005 “to help galvanize the public to recognize the number of cats that need to be rescued each year and also to encourage cat lovers to celebrate the cat(s) in their life for the unconditional love and companionship they bestow upon us.” The day was founded by Colleen Paige, a pet and family lifestyle expert, who was supported by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which is a nonprofit pet adoption organization.” —Wikipedia
Thanks to all who entered the Gratitude Challenge, nominating someone they felt deserved recognition. The only way I could choose a winner was to utilize an online Wheel of Names, because everyone who entered deserved to win. The winner has been notified. Christine nominated her mother who cares for her since she suffers from health issues. They have a beautiful black cat who’s 16.
October 19, 2023
Discouraging Extreme Conformation in Cat Breeds: A Call for Responsible Advertising
In a follow-up to my post, THE CAT SHOW, I’m sharing this article from the UK Katzenworld site.
Source: Discouraging Extreme Conformation in Cat Breeds: A Call for Responsible Advertising
This article first appeared on iCatCare on the 14th of September 2023 here.
“International Cat Care’s veterinary division, the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM), is working with the Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations (FECAVA), the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) and the Union of European Veterinary Practitioners (UEVP) to discourage the promotion of cat breeds with extreme conformation in advertising… “
