Be Kind to Animals Week®
May 4 to 10, 2008

The American Humane Association created Be Kind to Animals Week in 1915 to celebrate the unique bond between humans and animals.
How Can I Be Kind to Animals?
Here are some simple things you can do during Be Kind to Animals week and throughout the year to show kindness to animals:

Speak out for animals. Get active in local animal welfare policies and legislation. Also, register with us to receive timely Action Alerts about issues affecting animals. You’ll be able to make a difference for animals with just the click of your mouse.

Report animal abuse. While acts of violence against animals are tragic in their own right, they are also a red flag for other violent behavior, including domestic abuse and violent crime.

Appreciate wildlife. Create an inviting space in your yard and garden for butterflies, hummingbirds and other creatures.

Share kindness. Teach the people in your life, especially children, about the importance of being kind to animals.

Make a donation to your local animal shelter. A donation can be your time, money, or needed items like pet food or laundry detergent. Call them first and see what they need.

Adopt a pet from a shelter or rescue organization. Approximately 8 to 12 million animals enter our nation’s shelters every year, and more than half of these pets will have to be euthanized because of a lack of homes. Local shelters are the best place to find companion animals, even purebreds -- one out of every four dogs in a shelter is a purebred.

Help solve the tragedy of euthanasia of adoptable animals by not contributing to the problem. If you have pets, make sure they are spayed or neutered. Pets should be microchipped and should always wear a collar with an ID tag, so they can be reunited with you quickly if they are ever lost.

Be a responsible pet guardian. Keep a collar with an ID tag on your pet, in case he or she gets lost, and take your pet to the veterinarian every year for vaccinations and a health check.

OH What a life! The only worries my fur-kids have is finding the perfect napping spot.

There is no reliable scientific method for calculating exactly how old your cat is in human years. It's often suggested that one human year is the equivalent of seven 'cat years', but in reality a one year-old cat is far more mature than a seven year-old child.

Experts generally agree that the first two years of a cat's life are roughly equal to the first 25 of a human. Thereafter, each additional year equals approximately four 'cat years'.

You can use this model to calculate your cat's approximate age in human years on the comparison chart below.

Source www.purina.com

I really hope he grows out of it. Nobody likes tattle-TAILS. The other cats could care less though, because he's not tattling on them, he's tattling on himself!

I'm a night owl. I go to bed around 4 to 5 am. I sleep, or try to, until 2ish then I get up and get ready for work. Lately my sleep has been disrupted. All of a sudden I'll hear a crash, or other types of kitty being bad noises. I'll yell "WHO'S BEING NAUGHTY?" To my surprise I hear Lucien answer me with his "murrr murrr", "urf urf" ,"mmmm mmmm" (yes, my cat whines). I roll out of bed and sure enough, Lucien is on the counter, in a plant, behind the couch where Steve keeps work stuff, or terrorizing his siblings. I'll yell at him to knock it off and then stomp back to bed. The little brat will follow me, wait until I've settled in bed nicely, then he'll jump on my chest and head-bonk me and give me "I'm sorry" licks on my face. GAH! Being mad at a cat is just not possible! Well, until he does it again.

Cat Ownership Facts

• The current domestic cat population in the U.S. was 81.7 million at the end of 2006, almost 10 million more than dogs.
• The number of owned cats has increased 38% since 1996.
• Cat-owning households represent 32.4% of all U.S. households.
• Cat-owning households had an average number of 2.2 cats in 2006, compared to 1.7 dogs per dog-owning households.
• Nearly half (49.2%) of all cat owners consider their cat to be a family member; 49.4% consider cats as pets or companions.
• In 2006, 36% of cats did not visit the veterinarian, compared to 17% of dogs.
• Overall veterinary visits for cats have decreased almost 11% since 2001. (Cats visited the veterinarian 63.3 million times in 2006).

From The American Veterinary Medical Association's 2007 U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook

  
You never feed me.
Perhaps I'll sleep on your face.
That will sure show you.
 
You *must* scratch me there!
Yes, above my tail!
Behold, elevator butt.
 
The rule for today:
Touch my tail, I shred your hand.
New rule tomorrow.
 
Grace personified.
I leap into the window.
I meant to do that
 
Blur of motion, then -
Silence, me, a paper bag.
What is so funny?
 
You're always typing.
Well, let's see you ignore my
sitting on your hands.
 
My small cardboard box.
You cannot see me if I
Can just hide my head.
 
Face to face, paws tucked
Purring on your chest
Wet sneeze
Where did that come from.
 
Small brave carnivores
Kill pine cones and mosquitoes
Fear vacuum cleaner.
 
I want to be close
To you. Can I fit my head
inside your armpit?
 
Wanna go outside.
Oh, crap! Help! I got outside!
Let me back inside!
 
Oh no! Big One
Has been trapped by newspaper!
Cat to the rescue!
 
Humans are so strange.
Mine lies still in bed, then screams.
My claws are not that sharp.
 
Cats meow out of angst
"Thumbs! If only we had thumbs!
We could break so much!"
 
The Big Ones snore now
Every room is dark and cold
Time for "Cup Hockey."
 
In deep sleep hear sound
Cat vomit hair ball somewhere
Will find in morning.
 
There's no dignity
In being sick - which is why
I don't tell you where.
 
Seeking solitude
I am locked in the closet.
For once I need you.
 
We're almost equals
I purr to show I love you.
Want to smell my butt?
 
The cat is not all
Bad - she fills the litter box
With Tootsie Rolls.
 
*taken from various sites in the internet

Why Own A Cat?

There's a danger you know.
You can't own just one, for the craving will grow.
There's no doubt they're addictive, wherein lies the danger
While living with lots, you'll grow poorer and stranger
One cat is not trouble, and two are so funny,
The third one is easy, the fourth one's a honey
The fifth is delightful, the sixth ones's a breeze.
You find you can live with a houseful, with ease.
So how 'bout another? Would you really dare?
They're really quite easy, but Oh Lord, the hair!
With cats on the sofa and cats on the bed,
And crates in the kitchen, its no bother, you said.
They're really no trouble, their manners are great.
What's just one more cat and one more little crate?
The sofa is hairy, the windows are crusty.
The floor is all footprints, the furniture's dusty.
The housekeeping suffers, but what do you care?
Who minds a few noseprints and a little more hair?
So let's keep a kitten, you can always find room.
And a little more time for the dust cloth and broom.
There's hardly a limit to the cats you can add
the thought of a cutback, sure makes you feel sad.
Each one is special, so useful, so funny,
The food bill grows larger, you owe the vet money.
Your folks never visit, few friends come to stay,
Except other cat folks, who live the same way.
Your lawn has now died and your shrubs are dead, too.
Your weekends are busy, you're off with your crew.
There's cat food and vitamins, grooming and shots
And entries and travel and motels, which cost lots.
Is it worth it you wonder? Are you caught in a trap?
Then that favorite comes up and climbs in your lap.
His look says you're special and you know that you will
Keep all of the kittens in spite of the bill.
Some just for showing and some just to breed
And some just for loving, they all fill a need.
Late evening is awful, you scream and you shout
At the cats on the sofa, who refuse to get up.
The cats and the cat shows, the travel, the thrills
The work and the worry, the pressure, the bills.
The Whole thing seems worth it, the cats are your life.
They're charming and funny and offset the strife.
Your lifestyle has changed, things just won't be the same.
Yes, those cats are addictive and so's the cat game!

~Author Unknown~

If I had a poetic bone in my body, I could have wrote this! Perhaps not, anyway, I wish I knew who the real author was so I could give proper credit.

One more! This is too cute not to share.

Politically Correct Terms for Cat Owners

• My cat does not barf hairballs; she is a floor/rug redecorator.
• My cat does not break things; she helps gravity do its job.
• My cat does not gobble, she eats with alacrity.
• My cat does not scratch; she is a furniture/rug/skin ventilator.
• My cat is not a "shedding machine"; she is a hair relocation stylist.
• My cat is not a chatterbox, she is advising me on what to do next.
• My cat is not a dope addict, she is catnip appreciative.
• My cat is not a ruthless hunter; she is a wildlife control expert.
• My cat is not evil, she is badness enhanced.
• My cat is not fat, she is mass enhanced.
• My cat is not hydrophobic; she has an inability to appreciate moisture.
• My cat is not underfoot, she is shepherding me to my next destination (which should always be the food dish).

Feeding hungry animals in Missoula along with most of Western Montana is a huge job for someone to undertake. Karyn Moltzen accepted, thus creating Animeals of Missoula. This excerpt explaining Animeals was taken directly from their fabulous website.

AniMeals began as a food bank for animals.

We recently expanded our work to include a rescue operation, which consists of saving the lives of animals marked for euthanasia.
We pull these animals out of overcrowded shelters and put them into our foster network until we can find forever homes for them. Once in our care, they are spayed/neutered, vaccinated for rabies and distemper, and micro-chipped so that they never have to face the threat of euthanasia again.

Ten million animals are lost or abandoned every year and five million of them are destroyed. The numbers are staggering. We are working to bring about a time when no more animals are killed just because they have lost their homes.

We need funds to continue this work. Please send your donations to:

AniMeals

1700 Rankin Street

Missoula, MT 59808

We are a registered 501 ( c ) (3) non-profit corporation. Our tax-exempt charitable organization is supported entirely by private contributions. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

According to the website over 101 lives have been saved to date. Even if you don't live in Montana, I urge you to visit www.Animeals.com. Even if you can't donate, please take in the information that they have and perhaps use it to create an organization like theirs in your community.

Life has been so crazy and BUSY lately. I'm basically chasing my tail!

*takes deep breath*

In the last month; I've had a cold, a birthday, cut 5 inches off my hair, then dyed and added black low lights to my hair, a colonoscopy, a migraine that sent me to the ER, trying to find a house, I am super close to promoting to district manager with Arbonne, took Lucien to the vet only to find out he had a bad cold, and trying to keep peace in the house with 5 very energetic/naughty cats. Who knew that adding two cats to our home would double the cat poo in the box and make the food dishes empty quicker? *lets out breath*
Speaking of our new additions...

Mac and Mimi are brother and sister. I believe they are part Siamese and 2-3 years old. I wasn't planning on keeping them. I was going to call Animeals the next morning. I've always wanted a Siamese baby, but 5 cats was not apart of my plan. The second I took Mimi out of her mom's arms a big "SUCKER" sign lit up above my head. Steve saw it and said it was flashing.

The first week was the most stressful for all of us: Me, Steve, my mom (grandmeowmie) and all 5 of the cats. As you can imagine, there was lots of hissing, growling and pissing matches going on. (figuratively speaking) We were told Mac was very protective of Mimi, but the roles reversed and she seemed to be the one protecting him. At times though, she was so stressed out that, he got a few smacks during her rampages. Having each other made the transition much smoother though. I feel sooo guilty that we couldn't introduce them to our brood the proper way. Well and I feel sorry for my other furkids too.

A month has passed. I'm learning that Mac is a big goofy teddy bear. I could have swore he was 20 pounds, but when I weighed him the scale lied on his behalf and said 16. I wish it would do that for me!! Grandma (my mom) accidentally said aloud that Mac was her favorite now. (It used to be Elvira) I think he heard her because he has now claimed her as his own slave. She is the only one that can pick him up, squeeze him and give him kisses. When I do it, he cries like a sissy girl and squirms to get down. BAH!

Mimi became my shadow right away. I'm not sure if it was because I was the one who took her and brought her inside from the car. She was clingy, but aside from being aggressive toward the others, she seemed to be ok. Then she gave me a scare. She wasn't eating like I assumed and seemed glued to the foot of the bed when I was gone. She growled at everyone and everything. I did everything to comfort and console her, but by day 3 she was vomiting yellow bile. It was late at night when we realized this. I decided to take her to the vet the next day. Mom was home and said she saw her eat a little and drink some water. I think the idea of "the vet" chilled her out. I let it go for another day, and sure enough, she's now eating, drinking and pooing like the rest of them. She's also leaving the safety of our bed when I'm gone.

Mimi is giving Pandora a run for her money in the bitch department. They fight over who gets to sleep ON meowmy. It's amazing how much alike they are. Their build is similar, their expressions say "leave me alone" and they both paw at you for attention, or stalk your hand to pet them. When fed, they both just take a few bites and walk away. When they play with toys, it's more like killing. They are meaner then the boys!

The only difference I've noticed so far is Pandora HATES to be picked up. She literally squeaks, then lets out a warning growl. Meems doesn't mind when I pick her up, unless other cats are around, then she acts tough and growls. If I walk away from the crowd she purrs and lets me pet, squeeze and give her my version of head bonks. OH and Mimi likes to burrow under covers and Pandora freaks out if you cover so much as her paw up.

This is the current scorecard. Mac likes everyone in the house, and everyone but Pandora likes him back. Lucien loves having a buddy to tear the house up with. The only time they really fight, is when they both want to be at the top of the cat tree. Go figure! Mac either sleeps with Mimi at the foot of our bed, or with Grandmeowmie.

Mimi loves her brother, and is starting to tolerate Lucien and Elvira. Sometimes she trips out and forgets that she likes them and hisses. She hates Pandora and whatever she dishes out, Pandora dishes it right back.

Lucien and Elvira love everyone.

Pandora loves Elvira. They nap together all the time and she bathes Elvira like a baby. She tolerates Steve when he follows her rules of petting ettiquette. Grandmeowmie is awesome when she's giving treats, but there is no question she loves her Meowmy.

For the record. NO MORE KITTIES!! I PROMISE. Well, at least until we find a bigger house. *giggle*

Taken by Steve's cell the night Lucien was brought to our house.

While at work one evening, Judy a housekeeper, came to my window and asked if I wanted a kitty. While replying yes, I was shaking my head NO. Elvira needed a kitty, but now was not the time.

Apparently a few of the employees were outside on a break and a little fuzzball ran across the street to hang out with them. He was a talker and purred up a storm as they took turns holding him. They tried to shoo him away, but he wouldn't budge. He had a collar, but no tags. On occasion they've witnessed cars drive by and swerve to hit squirrels and cats. They didn't want him to get hurt so what do they do? Yeah, you guessed it.

Judy had spent countless nights hanging out with me on her evening breaks listening me go on and on about my furkids. When they all agreed something had to be done with kitty, she knew where to go.

"Judy, I can't take a kitten right now. I don't have the room and the girls will hate me!" Once she told me about seeing cars swerve, the look on my face gave her the answer she wanted. Kitty wasn't allowed inside the hospital, so I called Steve to come rescue the fuzzy baby.

I was dying to know the sex of the kitty and what it looked like. I called and begged Steve to take pictures and text them to me. What a precious boy! He belonged to someone though. He had to! He had a collar. I had two hours left on my shift so I decided to place an ad on Petfinder.com and in the local lost and found in the paper.

When I got home I loved him up and down. He was in heaven! The girls were in hell. Pandora hated him at first sight. Elvira didn't know what to think. She was curious, as I knew she would be, but if she got to close kitty hissed at her. After awhile she said forget it, and started hissing back. *sigh*

Days went by and nobody called. Steve was already attached. OK, I was too. We decided he owned us now so I called the vet to set up a check up, shots and a snip snip.

I secretly had been thinking of names since the first night. I'm not stupid. I knew I'd get attached and he'd stay. I wanted to stay with the "vampire" theme. Pandora was named after a vampire in an Ann Rice novel. Elvira, well, I couldn't think of another female vampire that would be easy to yell and spell. She's all black so, that was that. Elvira, mistress of the dark. I didn't want to name the new kitty Louie or Lestat. To me it would be like naming a white cat snowball.

It finally hit me! His long face and the tufts of hair behind his ears made him look like a little Lycan. So from the movie Underworld, we named him Lucien.