Has a cat name doesn't mean you are our family! :)
rate me!
The following information is from the Cat Fancier's Association page on breeds. Text and pictures are copyrighted by the CFA. Layout and font may have changed to fit this page. Images (cat pictures) are copyrighted by the photographer. Please go to the CFA website for details. Enjoy the cats!
Breed Profile: Chartreux
Chartreux
Pictured: Best of Breed GC, BW, NW CHARLEVAL ALITTLE LESS CONVERSATION, Chartreux Male
Photo: © Larry Johnson
The Chartreux may be one of The Cat Fanciers' Association's oldest new breeds. Chartreux history is steeped in legend, even though the breed was only advanced to championship status in 1987. There exists a lovely old legend that the Chartreux lived with, and were named for, the Carthusian monks of France, and perhaps even shared a tipple or two of their famous Chartreuse liqueur! Recent research, however, indicates that because of the woolly character of their fur, they were given the same name as a well known Spanish wool of the early 18th century. Since this method of naming is common in animal husbandry, it is very likely the truth. Nevertheless, the presence of this natural breed of cat was noted in documents as early as the 16th century, and was acknowledged for its unique coat texture and color. Whatever the reason, the Chartreux adopted France with all their native vitality and intelligence, and the country adopted the breed.
The Chartreux is a study in contrasts. Often described as a "potato on toothpicks," the Chartreux has a robust body, broad shoulders and a deep chest, all complemented by medium short, finely boned legs. The Chartreux is well muscled, which would enable the cat to meet its obligation as the fine mouser it is reputed to be in French literature. Unlike any other cat, the Chartreux's blue fur is medium in length and woolly, with the proper coat breaking at the neck, chest, and flanks. A dense undercoat gives it resistance and a feeling of sheep's wool.
Chartreux
Pictured: Second Best of Breed GC, DW RE DESIDERIO JOYFUL JOY, Chartreux Female
Photo: © Oliver Graf
The Chartreux is known for its smile. The rounded head with its softly contoured forehead tapers to a narrowed muzzle. This gives the Chartreux an image of smiling. The nose is straight with a slight stop at eye level. The Chartreux's eyes are one of its most endearing features. They are rounded, but not as round as the Persian's. The outer corners curve slightly upward. Color ranges from gold to copper, the latter being most preferred by breeders. The ears should be medium in height and width, set high and erect on the head. Most importantly, the Chartreux should enjoy or at least tolerate being handled for exhibition.
Chartreux quickly become attached to one family and frequently follow their masters from room to room. Known for their dog-like behavior, these cats can be taught to fetch a ball, and most will respond to their names. By tradition, all kittens born in a given year are named beginning with a specific letter of the alphabet for that particular year. Breeders use only 20 letters, omitting K, Q, W, X, Y and Z.
The Chartreux is a quiet breed, chirping rather than meowing at things it finds interesting. This intelligent cat is fascinated by television and likes to participate in telephone conversations by chewing on the cord.
Chartreux
Pictured: Third Best of Breed GC, RW JANVIER BEARNAISE OF JOUVENCEBLEU, Chartreux Female
Photo: © Preston Smith Photography
Chartreux kittens are precocious. Physical maturity can be three years in coming, with a scraggly stage between kitten and adulthood that puts one in mind of a gawky, adolescent youngster. Then, almost overnight, they put it all together, with stunning results. Environment and attention have everything to do with this breed's adult manners and behavior. Brushing the double coat is a no-no. Instead, running your fingers through the fur on a daily basis will suffice and will also contribute to your cat's social demeanor at the same time.
Chartreux kittens are generally available by reservation only inasmuch as the breed is zealously protected by its breeders and demand for these endearing cats outstrips availability. During World War II, some French breeders tried to save the breed from extinction by outcrossing to Persians and British Shorthairs. However, the original Chartreux cats that were imported to the United States came from the French countryside, and only those cats were used in breeding programs to produce and preserve the natural status of the present pedigreed Chartreux. This lovely breed was brought to the United States through the efforts of John and Helen Gamon who were committed to finding and acquiring the beautiful cats. Today, many American-bred Chartreux are being returned to French breeders, thus reducing even further their availability in the United States.
Pricing on Chartreux usually depends on type, applicable markings and bloodlines distinguished by Grand Champion (GC), National, National Breed and/or Regional winning parentage (NW, BW, RW) or of Distinguished Merit parentage (DM). The DM title is achieved by the dam (mother) having produced five CFA grand champion/premier (alter) or DM offspring, or sire (father) having produced fifteen CFA grand champion/premier or DM offspring. Usually breeders make kittens available between twelve and sixteen weeks of age. After twelve weeks, kittens have had their basic inoculations and developed the physical and social stability needed for a new environment, showing, or being transported by air. Keeping such a rare treasure indoors, neutering or spaying and providing acceptable surfaces (e.g. scratching posts) for the natural behavior of scratching (CFA disapproves of declawing or tendonectomy surgery) are essential elements for maintaining a healthy, long and joyful life.
There are CFA clubs devoted to the promotion, protection and preservation of the Chartreux breed. For more information, please send inquiries to CFA, PO Box 1005, Manasquan NJ 08736-0805.
Text: Mary Ann Sweeters
Last Updated: Monday, May 14, 2007
The Cat Ice Age...
"Black Cat"
All the lonely nights I spend alone
Never around to love me
You're always gone
Cause you're hangin out
Breakin' the rules
Oh the man has come
Looking for you
You're a rebel now
Don't give a damn
Always carrying on
With the gang
I'm trying to tell you boy
It's a mistake
You won't realize
Til it's too late
Don't understand
Why you insist
On ways of living such a dangerous life
Time after time you stay away
And I just know that you're telling me lies
Black cat
Nine lives
Short days
Long nights
Livin on the edge
Not afraid to die
Heart beat
Real strong
But not
For long
Better watch your step
Or you're gonna die
You're so together boy
But just at a glance
You'll do anything
If given a chance
Scheming, plannin lies
To get what you need
So full of promises
That you never keep
Don't you tell yourself
That it's okay
Sick and tired of
All of your games
And you want me to stay
Better change
Makes no sense to me
Your crazy ways
Black cat
Nine lives
Short days
Long nights
Livin on the edge
Not afraid to die
Heart beat
Real strong
But not
For long
Better watch your step
Or you're gonna die
Read more
All the lonely nights I spend alone
Never around to love me
You're always gone
Cause you're hangin out
Breakin' the rules
Oh the man has come
Looking for you
You're a rebel now
Don't give a damn
Always carrying on
With the gang
I'm trying to tell you boy
It's a mistake
You won't realize
Til it's too late
Don't understand
Why you insist
On ways of living such a dangerous life
Time after time you stay away
And I just know that you're telling me lies
Black cat
Nine lives
Short days
Long nights
Livin on the edge
Not afraid to die
Heart beat
Real strong
But not
For long
Better watch your step
Or you're gonna die
You're so together boy
But just at a glance
You'll do anything
If given a chance
Scheming, plannin lies
To get what you need
So full of promises
That you never keep
Don't you tell yourself
That it's okay
Sick and tired of
All of your games
And you want me to stay
Better change
Makes no sense to me
Your crazy ways
Black cat
Nine lives
Short days
Long nights
Livin on the edge
Not afraid to die
Heart beat
Real strong
But not
For long
Better watch your step
Or you're gonna die
Are you well? At the heart of that casual question, asked in everyday conversation, lies the secret to living a life of optimum balance and vitality.
If you could taste wellness, what would it be like? Perhaps like the first bite of a crispy, green apple. If you could smell it, it might smell like a rainy day, or a fresh loaf of farm style bread.
If wellness had a sound, it would probably be like a purring cat, and if you could touch it, it would feel like soft, green grass under bare feet.
But you can’t taste, touch, hear or smell wellness. What you can do is feel it, in the all round glow of good health, zest and contentment that gives you the confidence to savour life to the full.
Far more than the simple absence of illness, wellness is a state of body and mind in perfect equilibrium. That noble and elusive ideal that goes all the way back to the Ancient Romans, whose prescription for the good life was ‘mens sana in corpore sano’, (a healthy mind in a healthy body).
Today we speak blithely about the body, mind connection, in an age when even the most humble spa or beauty salon takes pride in proclaiming itself a Wellness Center. But what does wellness really mean in practice, and how do you go about achieving it?
For one thing, wellness is the cornerstone of the Bodybuilding Lifestyle, which promotes and rewards healthier living in all its many facets. Wellness, and bodybuilding is a way for people to get more out of life. There’s a lot more to it than just the physical aspect. Wellness is physical wellbeing, mental wellbeing, and social wellbeing, all wrapped up in one.
But being well doesn’t mean you have to be perfect in every department. Wellness is a step by step process rather than an ultimate goal. There is never an optimal wellness level. Whatever you do to improve your wellness is better than nothing. It’s an individual, ongoing process that each person must look at in their own setting.
Even when your health status is not optimal, you can strive for wellness by tackling life in a positive way. That’s because wellness is not an ‘all or nothing’ concept. As long as you are striving for wellness you are, in some way, already achieving it. So what’s the best way of striving?
Wellness isn’t only your Insurance Policy for Future Health and Happiness. It’s your Chance to Feel Better Today.
Start with something tangible. Start moving. Unlike other forms of wellness, physical wellness can be quantified. So it’s a good place to start. Physical activity and a quality diet can have a profound effect on your mental well being as well. But, it’s the mental side that’s more important. Wait a second. What about exercise and physical health? Well, if you’re mentally healthy, you’ll want to be physical healthy.
Modern society places too much emphasis on the physical aspect of wellness, because we live in a culture of quick and easy solutions. Feeling unwell? Pop a pill and you’ll soon feel better. But there aren’t any pills to make you more socially aware, and there’s no generic panacea for mental indisposition. Exercise is good for you, but when it comes to achieving wellness, it does have its limitations. If you go out and exercise, you’ll feel much better for the next hour or two. But then you go home and fight with your wife, or get stuck in the traffic, and nothing physical’s going to help. Exercise can help you for two hours a day. What are you doing for the other 22 hours?
Even if you’re eating correctly and exercising enough, your body will be less capable of absorbing the right nutrients and maintaining the correct energy levels if your attitude is negative and your emotions are destructive. Obviously you need to eat healthy and exercise regularly, but high level wellness is all in the mind. Your emotions drive your actions.
So the road to wellness begins with a little introspection. Start by understanding yourself. Ego is the great destroyer of wellness. You can only get rid of your ego by understanding who you are, and identifying your needs and issues. How? By finding someone to share them with. As you get older, you realize that relationships are everything, and the rest is really much less important.
Maybe it all comes down to that age old equation. Balance. Wellness isn’t achieved by an absolute focus on any single aspect of wellbeing. It’s achieved by focusing on them all. Balance is the most difficult thing to achieve in our modern competitive world. You don’t get balance by exercising four hours a day, and you don’t get balance by exercising zero hours a day. Balance is somewhere in between. And it’s important to find that balance now, before future complications make it harder to achieve.
It’s not easy for people to change. You may feel well now, so you don’t worry about the potential risks to your future health, until it’s too late. But wellness isn’t only your insurance policy for future health and happiness. It’s your chance to feel better today. If you’re well, you’ll be happier and more productive, and you’ll enjoy every day of your life. Chances are your happiness will influence other people, too, making them happier and more productive.
So if you’re going to focus on something, make it the bigger picture. Wellness is a dynamic process. You may not be able to hear it, touch it, taste it, or see it. But you can live a life that encompasses it. And that is all the sense you need.
About the Author
Sandra Prior runs her own bodybuilding website at http://bodybuild.rr.nu.
The following information is from the Cat Fancier's Association page on breeds. Text and pictures are copyrighted by the CFA. Layout and font may have changed to fit this page. Images (cat pictures) are copyrighted by the photographer. Please go to the CFA website for details. Enjoy the cats!
Breed Profile: Devon Rex
Devon Rex
Pictured: Best of Breed GC, BW, RW KARMACATZ RAZZLE DAZZLE ME!, Cameo Mackerel Tabby-White Devon Rex Female
Photo: © Larry Johnson
In 1959, a Miss Cox of Devonshire England found that a stray cat in her care had given birth to a rather odd looking curly-haired kitten, the sire thought to be a curly-haired tomcat seen in the area. Delighted with the kitten's elfin features and wavy curls, she named him Kirlee -- the founding father of the unique and wonderful breed of cats known today as the Devon Rex. Today's Devon Rex maintain a look true to their founder -- huge ears, set low on the sides of the head frame, a pixie-like face with large, inquisitive eyes and a short slightly upturned nose. A coat of loose waves and curls covers a strong and supple body in a compact, refined form. These unusual features decorate a breed whose personality, intelligence, friendliness and inquisitive behavior are as unique as the package it comes in. A young breed, the Devon Rex is carefully crossbred to American and British Shorthairs in order to enlarge and strengthen the gene pool.
Nicely "mid-sized" cats, adult Devons average six to nine pounds, with males heavier than females. While an even, full coat of loose curls is ideal for the show ring, the Devon coat varies greatly between individuals, ranging from an almost shaggy mop of loose curls in some to a thin suede-like coat in others that may leave some areas nearly bare. The coat may vary over the life of the cat, with some kittens dropping much of their coat ("molting") during their development, and some adult coats changing seasonally. Even though their body temperature is the same as other cats, many Devons are surprisingly warm to the touch due to a lighter, less insulating coat. Not surprisingly, Devons tend to be "heat seekers," and are often found lounging on televisions, computer monitors and heater vents. On chilly nights, Devons make superb bed warmers, often sneaking under the covers to stay warm and share body heat with their favorite people.
Devon Rex
Pictured: Second Best of Breed GC, RW REX-N-FX AMERICAN IDOL, Chocolate Patched Mackerel Tabby Devon Rex Female
Photo: ©
The Devon personality has been aptly described as a cross between a cat, a monkey, and "Dennis the Menace." Devons are highly active, playful and involved with everything. Powerful jumpers, very few spots large enough to hold them will not be explored and occupied. Devons have been found climbing brick fireplaces and perching on top of doors. Although little escapes a Devon's interest, Devons are very people-oriented. Most Devons invite themselves along for every activity -- preferably perched on a shoulder, lap, or wherever they can be closest to their people. They are accomplished food mooches, with "anything they aren't supposed to be into" only slightly less appealing than "anything you are eating." Many a bag of snack food left unattended for an eyeblink has suddenly sprouted two legs and a tail, with a Devon contentedly grazing inside.
Devons are low maintenance, wash-and-wear companions. Their large ears occasionally require cleaning, but otherwise a quick shampoo and towel dry (or even a wipedown with a damp cloth) and a nail-trim is all the grooming most Devons require. Despite popular myth, Devons do shed (as does anything with hair), although their unique coat may make the shed hair less obtrusive than that of many cats. Devons have also gained a dubious reputation as being "hypo-allergenic," but this varies according to an individual's personal allergies. While some people with animal allergies tolerate Devons very well, anyone with allergy issues should arrange to handle a Devon before considering acquiring one.
Devon Rex
Pictured: Third Best of Breed GC, RW SHIR-SHI WHITE DOVE-OF THE DESERT, Gold-Eyed White Devon Rex Female
Photo: ©
Pricing on Devon Rex usually depends on type, applicable markings and bloodlines distinguished by Grand Champion (GC), National, National Breed and/or Regional winning parentage (NW, BW, RW) or of Distinguished Merit parentage (DM). The DM title is achieved by the dam (mother) having produced five CFA grand champion/premier (alter) or DM offspring, or sire (father) having produced fifteen CFA grand champion/premier or DM offspring. Usually breeders make kittens available between twelve and sixteen weeks of age. After twelve weeks, kittens have had their basic inoculations and developed the physical and social stability needed for a new environment, showing, or being transported by air. Keeping such a rare treasure indoors, neutering or spaying and providing acceptable surfaces (e.g. scratching posts) for the natural behavior of scratching (CFA disapproves of declawing or tendonectomy surgery) are essential elements for maintaining a healthy, long and joyful life. Colors: a wide array of colors in the solid, shaded, smoke, tabby, bi-color, parti-color and pointed patterns.
There are CFA clubs devoted to the promotion, protection and preservation of the Devon Rex breed. For more information, please send inquiries to CFA, PO Box 1005, Manasquan NJ 08736-0805.
Text: Chuck Lawson
Last Updated: Thursday, May 31, 2007
Top Reasons Why Your Cat Isn’t Using Their Litter Box
By: Mick
Unfortunately, the primary reason that cats are given away or abandoned is because they stop using their litter box. What is worse is that most of the time there is some root problem that is easily solved if the pet owner would take the time to figure out why they are doing this.
Besides physical problems which require instant action from your Vet your feline is probably trying to tell you something in a non-verbal way.
Top reasons your cat may not be using their litter box:
1) Your cat is sick and needs to see the Veterinarian - There are several health reasons your cat is not going in their box and your Vet can make the proper diagnosis and treat your cat as needed. If your cat is ill it is important to get them to the Vet as soon as possible.
2) Sharing the box with other cats – Most cat experts say that there should be one litter box for each cat in a house and some also recommend one extra box.
3) No privacy - Cats need privacy just like we do when going to the bathroom. A litter box with a hood might be an idea worth trying.
4) You started using a new brand of cat litter – Your cat might need some time to adjust to the new litter. The best litter to use is an unscented clumping type.
5) The litter box is hard to enter and exit – Older cats can have trouble getting in and of the box. If your cat is large the box could be too small and should be replaced with a larger one.
6) You have moved the box to a new location – Give your cat some time to adjust to the new spot.
7) The litter box is dirty and needs to be cleaned – Every cat has their own thoughts as to what makes for a clean litter box. Some cats need their box cleaned daily and others are satisfied if you clean it every couple of days. If you have the money you might want to get a self cleaning litter box.
8) The depth of the litter – A cat can get used to a certain depth of litter in their box and when this changes they react by not going in it. You will find that some cats like a shallow layer of litter while others want a deeper layer.
9) Kitty’s food and water are to close to the box – Just like humans, felines don’t like their food and water near their bathroom.
10) Your cat is upset with you – If your cat is mad at you they will go in a place where you are sure not to miss seeing it. In my experience I have seen cats go in bathtubs and right inside the front door for a special welcome home surprise.
Your cat not using their litter box can be resolved and with a little effort and love you will soon have them back in the box. Remember, punishing the cat will not do any good as they cannot make the connection as to why they are being punished.
Article Source: http://www.kokkada.com
For more information on automatic cat litter boxes visit us at www.cat-urine-remover.com/catlitterbox/.
Read more
By: Mick
Unfortunately, the primary reason that cats are given away or abandoned is because they stop using their litter box. What is worse is that most of the time there is some root problem that is easily solved if the pet owner would take the time to figure out why they are doing this.
Besides physical problems which require instant action from your Vet your feline is probably trying to tell you something in a non-verbal way.
Top reasons your cat may not be using their litter box:
1) Your cat is sick and needs to see the Veterinarian - There are several health reasons your cat is not going in their box and your Vet can make the proper diagnosis and treat your cat as needed. If your cat is ill it is important to get them to the Vet as soon as possible.
2) Sharing the box with other cats – Most cat experts say that there should be one litter box for each cat in a house and some also recommend one extra box.
3) No privacy - Cats need privacy just like we do when going to the bathroom. A litter box with a hood might be an idea worth trying.
4) You started using a new brand of cat litter – Your cat might need some time to adjust to the new litter. The best litter to use is an unscented clumping type.
5) The litter box is hard to enter and exit – Older cats can have trouble getting in and of the box. If your cat is large the box could be too small and should be replaced with a larger one.
6) You have moved the box to a new location – Give your cat some time to adjust to the new spot.
7) The litter box is dirty and needs to be cleaned – Every cat has their own thoughts as to what makes for a clean litter box. Some cats need their box cleaned daily and others are satisfied if you clean it every couple of days. If you have the money you might want to get a self cleaning litter box.
8) The depth of the litter – A cat can get used to a certain depth of litter in their box and when this changes they react by not going in it. You will find that some cats like a shallow layer of litter while others want a deeper layer.
9) Kitty’s food and water are to close to the box – Just like humans, felines don’t like their food and water near their bathroom.
10) Your cat is upset with you – If your cat is mad at you they will go in a place where you are sure not to miss seeing it. In my experience I have seen cats go in bathtubs and right inside the front door for a special welcome home surprise.
Your cat not using their litter box can be resolved and with a little effort and love you will soon have them back in the box. Remember, punishing the cat will not do any good as they cannot make the connection as to why they are being punished.
Article Source: http://www.kokkada.com
For more information on automatic cat litter boxes visit us at www.cat-urine-remover.com/catlitterbox/.
Be careful!
Freeze Sneaking Cat...
Now.. I'm a monk!
1.Cystitis Idiopathic
2.Urinary Infection
3.Urinary Obstruction
4.Respiratory Virus
5.Hairballs
6.Kidney Failure
7.Hyperthyroidism
8.Feline Leukemia
9.Feline Aids
10.Asthma
11.Cardiomyopathy
12.Dental Disease
13.Diabetes Mellitus
14.Ear Mites
15.FIP
16.Hepatic lipidosis
17.Lymphosarcoma
18.Ringworm
19.Allergic Dermatitis
20.Urinary Stones
see here for details information about cats diseases :
http://www.petplace.com/cat-health.aspx
Cats sure have interesting ways of expressing themselves. Some are cute, and some, well, can hurt. Most cat owners know about love chomps, those playful nips cats give at times. They are different than true, defensive bites, which draw blood and really hurt. Love chomps are given out of affection, and sometimes can hurt a little, depending upon kitty's mood. What is going on, and why do they do this?
My cat Beau is deaf and is very physical in expressing himself. He loves to be touched, petted and kissed. His reaction back is to "chew" on me, sort of gnawing his teeth against my arm, as he purrs. I soon realized that this is out of caring, not out of defensiveness. He does this whenever he is deliriously happy, and it's sort of like he's trying to kiss me back but does it with his little teeth. Lucky me. I appreciate him for being so loving, and just show love back, but back off if he chomps a little too hard.
When your cat does this, don't hit or get mad, just gently brush it off and distract him to do something else. Cats respond to suggestion, professional trainers rely on this principle to train them. By giving kitty something else to think about, he will forget about gnawing on you and put his attention elsewhere. Though I'm not an animal behaviorist, I know what works for my cats, and use information learned by those in the know. A good resource to contact if you need a real professional's advice on cat behavior is at your local chapter of the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Aniimals). I called my local chapter and asked who to talk to regarding certain behaviors and they told me a behaviorist would call me back. She did, and was very helpful in giving me tips on handling problematic cat behaviors of different kinds. The ASPCA has local chapters in most cities and is a good resource for help with animals of many kinds so I recommend them.
Learning better communication with our pets is always helpful in understanding what they do and why they do it. Many pets end up at the pound because their owners didn't take the time or energy to learn why the animal did certain behaviors, then just gave up instead of fixing the gap in communication. We have to show our pets what to do in order for them to know what is expected of them. Cats can be more independent, of course, but they can be trained to undo bad behaviors with time and practise. Some things take more time than others. It is important to be patient and kind, anger only makes pets fearful and less apt to learn what you want them to learn.
For example, my cat Beau didn't sleep through the night when I first got him. As soon as the lights went off, it was his time to party. He sang his lungs out, picked on the other two cats (who were trying to sleep) and made a nusiance of himself. So, to combat his nighttime rowdiness, I kept him up all day, by waking him up every so often as he tried to nap, getting out a string with a toy on the end of it, and getting him to play till he was tired. By the end of the day, he welcomed sleep. And, he slept through the night. It worked. After awhile, I didn't need put forth any effort anymore, he just automatically slept through the night. I still wake him up occaisionally during the day, just in case, to make sure he's truly tired by the end of the day.
Another strange behavior is leg climbing. Sometimes, kittens think your leg makes a good substitute for a tree trunk and try to climb it. O-u-c-h! That can make just about anyone mad at first but remember, it's just a behavior that needs correcting. Kitty isn't aware that he is clawing the heck out of your skin, and is trying to be energetic. Give him something else to play on, like a kitty condo/cat tree. Those are great for cats who love to climb. Sprinkle it with catnip, and the next time little kitty throws himself at your leg, quickly put him on the cat tree, and mimic scratching on it, to show him what to do with it. By showing him, he will learn that it's more fun to climb the cat tree than you. Cat trees are always a good investment, I got mine on Ebay, and the cats live on it, practically. They know it's theirs and never scratch the couch since they have a place to get out their scratching needs.
Do you have a cat who loves to rocket around the house as he knocks over knicknacks and other stuff in his way? It's kind of like having a herd of wild elephants go charging through the living room, making a load of noise as they go. This is just cat energy being spent, kitty is bored and finding something to do. Give him some toys, and throw them for him so he can play. One great way to get kitty's energy focused is to use a laser light pointer and aim it at the wall. Watch kitty flip and flop, hopping at the wall on his tiptoes, as he tries to get that light. Don't shine the light in his eyes, because it is a laser, but do use it as a tool to play. Beau loves the laser light pointer and will watch the wall for hours afterwards, waiting for the light to come back. They can be bought at any office supply or pet store, cheap.
Another great and cheap toy to get kitty playing and distracted is the cotton swab, or Q-tip, but only let your cats play with these under your supervision so they don't ingest the cotton fuzz on the end. My cats never have swallowed any, and we've used them as toys for all my life. These things make my cats go wild. Just throw it in the middle of the room, or tie it to a string and drag it around the room. Any cat in the room will be drawn to it like a moth to a flame. My cat Blackie will do gymnastic manoevers with Q-tips, as he picks it up and throws it for himself, when nobody else does it for him. He can leap and rotate in mid-air. Cotton swabs make cats do the funniest things.
Embrace the crazy things your cat does, don't punish, just retrain if they do things that really bother you. It just takes a little understanding and patience. See what they need - are they bored, are they trying to show caring but doing it in a way that hurts? Gently retrain or distract. When kitty knows what you want from him, he will eventually get the hint and learn..most of the time. Beau still chomps on my arm, but doesn't do it as hard as he used to. He doesn't like being ignored, and if he mistakenly chomps too hard, I just walk off and don't give him the attention he wants. That, in itself, is punishment to him and he has learned from it.
If you want to see what other funny things other peoples' cats do, just watch America's Funniest Home Videos. Cats and dogs are great material for funny videos because they are fun and entertaining. Enjoy them, and let them enjoy you back. Teamwork is the answer.
Carolyn McFann is a scientific and nature illustrator, who owns Two Purring Cats Design Studio, which can be seen at: http://www.cafepress.com/twopurringcats . Educated at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, Carolyn is a seasoned, well-traveled artist, writer and photographer. She has lived and worked in Cancun, Mexico, among other interesting professional assignments in other countries. Clients include nature parks, museums, scientists, corporations and private owners. She has been the subject of tv interviews, articles for newspapers and other popular media venues.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carolyn_McFann
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My cat Beau is deaf and is very physical in expressing himself. He loves to be touched, petted and kissed. His reaction back is to "chew" on me, sort of gnawing his teeth against my arm, as he purrs. I soon realized that this is out of caring, not out of defensiveness. He does this whenever he is deliriously happy, and it's sort of like he's trying to kiss me back but does it with his little teeth. Lucky me. I appreciate him for being so loving, and just show love back, but back off if he chomps a little too hard.
When your cat does this, don't hit or get mad, just gently brush it off and distract him to do something else. Cats respond to suggestion, professional trainers rely on this principle to train them. By giving kitty something else to think about, he will forget about gnawing on you and put his attention elsewhere. Though I'm not an animal behaviorist, I know what works for my cats, and use information learned by those in the know. A good resource to contact if you need a real professional's advice on cat behavior is at your local chapter of the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Aniimals). I called my local chapter and asked who to talk to regarding certain behaviors and they told me a behaviorist would call me back. She did, and was very helpful in giving me tips on handling problematic cat behaviors of different kinds. The ASPCA has local chapters in most cities and is a good resource for help with animals of many kinds so I recommend them.
Learning better communication with our pets is always helpful in understanding what they do and why they do it. Many pets end up at the pound because their owners didn't take the time or energy to learn why the animal did certain behaviors, then just gave up instead of fixing the gap in communication. We have to show our pets what to do in order for them to know what is expected of them. Cats can be more independent, of course, but they can be trained to undo bad behaviors with time and practise. Some things take more time than others. It is important to be patient and kind, anger only makes pets fearful and less apt to learn what you want them to learn.
For example, my cat Beau didn't sleep through the night when I first got him. As soon as the lights went off, it was his time to party. He sang his lungs out, picked on the other two cats (who were trying to sleep) and made a nusiance of himself. So, to combat his nighttime rowdiness, I kept him up all day, by waking him up every so often as he tried to nap, getting out a string with a toy on the end of it, and getting him to play till he was tired. By the end of the day, he welcomed sleep. And, he slept through the night. It worked. After awhile, I didn't need put forth any effort anymore, he just automatically slept through the night. I still wake him up occaisionally during the day, just in case, to make sure he's truly tired by the end of the day.
Another strange behavior is leg climbing. Sometimes, kittens think your leg makes a good substitute for a tree trunk and try to climb it. O-u-c-h! That can make just about anyone mad at first but remember, it's just a behavior that needs correcting. Kitty isn't aware that he is clawing the heck out of your skin, and is trying to be energetic. Give him something else to play on, like a kitty condo/cat tree. Those are great for cats who love to climb. Sprinkle it with catnip, and the next time little kitty throws himself at your leg, quickly put him on the cat tree, and mimic scratching on it, to show him what to do with it. By showing him, he will learn that it's more fun to climb the cat tree than you. Cat trees are always a good investment, I got mine on Ebay, and the cats live on it, practically. They know it's theirs and never scratch the couch since they have a place to get out their scratching needs.
Do you have a cat who loves to rocket around the house as he knocks over knicknacks and other stuff in his way? It's kind of like having a herd of wild elephants go charging through the living room, making a load of noise as they go. This is just cat energy being spent, kitty is bored and finding something to do. Give him some toys, and throw them for him so he can play. One great way to get kitty's energy focused is to use a laser light pointer and aim it at the wall. Watch kitty flip and flop, hopping at the wall on his tiptoes, as he tries to get that light. Don't shine the light in his eyes, because it is a laser, but do use it as a tool to play. Beau loves the laser light pointer and will watch the wall for hours afterwards, waiting for the light to come back. They can be bought at any office supply or pet store, cheap.
Another great and cheap toy to get kitty playing and distracted is the cotton swab, or Q-tip, but only let your cats play with these under your supervision so they don't ingest the cotton fuzz on the end. My cats never have swallowed any, and we've used them as toys for all my life. These things make my cats go wild. Just throw it in the middle of the room, or tie it to a string and drag it around the room. Any cat in the room will be drawn to it like a moth to a flame. My cat Blackie will do gymnastic manoevers with Q-tips, as he picks it up and throws it for himself, when nobody else does it for him. He can leap and rotate in mid-air. Cotton swabs make cats do the funniest things.
Embrace the crazy things your cat does, don't punish, just retrain if they do things that really bother you. It just takes a little understanding and patience. See what they need - are they bored, are they trying to show caring but doing it in a way that hurts? Gently retrain or distract. When kitty knows what you want from him, he will eventually get the hint and learn..most of the time. Beau still chomps on my arm, but doesn't do it as hard as he used to. He doesn't like being ignored, and if he mistakenly chomps too hard, I just walk off and don't give him the attention he wants. That, in itself, is punishment to him and he has learned from it.
If you want to see what other funny things other peoples' cats do, just watch America's Funniest Home Videos. Cats and dogs are great material for funny videos because they are fun and entertaining. Enjoy them, and let them enjoy you back. Teamwork is the answer.
Carolyn McFann is a scientific and nature illustrator, who owns Two Purring Cats Design Studio, which can be seen at: http://www.cafepress.com/twopurringcats . Educated at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, Carolyn is a seasoned, well-traveled artist, writer and photographer. She has lived and worked in Cancun, Mexico, among other interesting professional assignments in other countries. Clients include nature parks, museums, scientists, corporations and private owners. She has been the subject of tv interviews, articles for newspapers and other popular media venues.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carolyn_McFann
By Jay Grey
Cats are notorious for being clean. To achieve their high need to be clean they spend a large part of their everyday life grooming themselves. Grooming is done by licking its fur with a course brush. In this case the brush is their tongue.
A cat's tongue is a rough surface which is comprised of many small bumps that are similar to barbs. The barbs are called papillae that are made of keratin. Keratin is the same material that human fingernails are made of. The barbs are arranged on the tongue and lean backs toward the back of the throat. When your cat rakes its tongue against its fur these barbs are raised and form many backward type hooks. While these hooks are beneficial in combing through the fur it also catches lose hairs which are then swallowed.
Some of this fur is passed through to the intestinal track but most of it can not be ingested by the cat. The main reason cats can not readily pass the fur is because of a lack of fiber in their diet. Cats that suffer from a fiber deficiency will have an accumulation of hair in the back of their throat or stomach. The only recourse a cat has is to expel the hairball by throwing it up. These hairball episodes are preceded with gagging and retching.
The elimination of a hairball should be expected from time to time but if it is a regular occurrence it could be a cause for concern. Cats that have many bouts with hairballs can develop a loss of appetite and become constipated.
Your first course of action should be to cut down on the amount of hair ingested by your kitty. Brushing your cat will remove excessive hair. Short hair cats require 2 to 3 times of grooming per week while daily brushing might be advantageous for a long haired cat.
Increase the amount of fiber your cat receives. There are commercial products as well as natural remedies that can be tried. Specialized cat food and treats are available with the intent of reducing hairball build up. Some owners supplement their cat's food with canned pumpkin. Grass is another form of fiber that can be tried. The grass comes in a variety of types ranging from wheat, rye, and oat. These grasses can be purchased at pet stores. Please do not use lawn grass that has been chemically treated as this can be dangerous to your pet's health.
If your cat is frequently expelling hairballs and is exhibiting a lack of appetite you should consider consulting with your veterinarian. They will be able to determine if you cat is plagued by an under lying illness which needs to be addressed.
The elimination of hairballs may be reduced greatly with a little help from you. It is well worth a try and it will most certainly be a relief to you and your cat.
Jay Grey has owned and cared for his own pet cats for years. He is also owns and runs Cat Care Zone at http://catcarezone.com
For a free mini-course about cats delivered directly to your email box visit:
http://catcarezone.com/newsletter-home.html
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jay_Grey
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Cats are notorious for being clean. To achieve their high need to be clean they spend a large part of their everyday life grooming themselves. Grooming is done by licking its fur with a course brush. In this case the brush is their tongue.
A cat's tongue is a rough surface which is comprised of many small bumps that are similar to barbs. The barbs are called papillae that are made of keratin. Keratin is the same material that human fingernails are made of. The barbs are arranged on the tongue and lean backs toward the back of the throat. When your cat rakes its tongue against its fur these barbs are raised and form many backward type hooks. While these hooks are beneficial in combing through the fur it also catches lose hairs which are then swallowed.
Some of this fur is passed through to the intestinal track but most of it can not be ingested by the cat. The main reason cats can not readily pass the fur is because of a lack of fiber in their diet. Cats that suffer from a fiber deficiency will have an accumulation of hair in the back of their throat or stomach. The only recourse a cat has is to expel the hairball by throwing it up. These hairball episodes are preceded with gagging and retching.
The elimination of a hairball should be expected from time to time but if it is a regular occurrence it could be a cause for concern. Cats that have many bouts with hairballs can develop a loss of appetite and become constipated.
Your first course of action should be to cut down on the amount of hair ingested by your kitty. Brushing your cat will remove excessive hair. Short hair cats require 2 to 3 times of grooming per week while daily brushing might be advantageous for a long haired cat.
Increase the amount of fiber your cat receives. There are commercial products as well as natural remedies that can be tried. Specialized cat food and treats are available with the intent of reducing hairball build up. Some owners supplement their cat's food with canned pumpkin. Grass is another form of fiber that can be tried. The grass comes in a variety of types ranging from wheat, rye, and oat. These grasses can be purchased at pet stores. Please do not use lawn grass that has been chemically treated as this can be dangerous to your pet's health.
If your cat is frequently expelling hairballs and is exhibiting a lack of appetite you should consider consulting with your veterinarian. They will be able to determine if you cat is plagued by an under lying illness which needs to be addressed.
The elimination of hairballs may be reduced greatly with a little help from you. It is well worth a try and it will most certainly be a relief to you and your cat.
Jay Grey has owned and cared for his own pet cats for years. He is also owns and runs Cat Care Zone at http://catcarezone.com
For a free mini-course about cats delivered directly to your email box visit:
http://catcarezone.com/newsletter-home.html
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jay_Grey
Cuddling for the best feeding...
by Catherine Sadler, Ramah, CO, USA
--------------
VJ was hurting. His eye was injured and infected; his toe was injured and infected and there was a sore spot in the middle of his back. He remembered the fight with the fox; but he had gotten away with his life and left the fox hurting as well. But it was cold and he was hungry. During his flight he entered another neighborhood. He didn't know where to go for shelter or food.
Then he saw a human lady. She called softly to him, but he was wary and slunk away. Later he went back to hide in the bushes near the house. Lo and behold! There was a dish of delicious food waiting for him! He ate hungrily and bedded down in a box under the bushes. At dawn he left to explore the neighborhood. He kept going back to find more food and saw the lady again. She didn't threaten him; just talked softly. He was getting braver.
Then one day he didn't show up and the lady went looking for him for a few days. Finally she went to the local shelter and there he was! He had been picked up by the pound. But he was in sorry shape, adding kennel cough to his injuries. The lady came to him and talked again to him softly. This time he didn't shy away from her.
She gently took him out of the cage and took him to her vet. He went to sleep and when he woke up he felt woozy but didn't hurt. His eye had been removed and stitched shut and his toe also removed. He also felt tender under his tail. The lady took him to her home where it was warm and had a soft bed for him and wonderful food all the time. He became fat and happy.
One day the lady heard a ruckus outside and opened the door to see what it was. In streaked a small thin Tortishell with a fox on her heels! The door slammed in the fox's face and VJ had a companion. But she was very timid and shy. It didn't take long for her to find every hideyhole in the house. The lady named her Clouded Sky for her pale stormy colors.
Then the lady's mum came to live with them. She had a cat she had rescued from the streets many years ago. He was gray and white and named Professor Spats. (yes, he has spats!) The lady had to brush his long hair every day. Soon VJ wanted to be brushed. His hair was short and fawn colored but very dense. And the lady was very gentle around the tender spot on his back.
Then the lady's sister came with a present: a small black puppy named Cortez. The cats soon taught him his duties; to wit--guard the door and then entertain the people while the cats had their naps! They all got along famously and are still living happily ever after. And they never ever go outside.
Given that adopting a cat is a significant commitment - they live for an average of 15 years - it makes sense to learn more about cat breeds before you buy. Two extremely popular purebreds are the Siamese and the Persian, although both of these have characteristics that may make them unsuitable choices for some people. Fortunately, there are a large number of other breeds to choose from, many of them less well known. Two of these less recognized breeds actually give hope to feline loving allergy sufferers, as they have a low-allergy coat and are generally well tolerated.
Although not as popular as they once were, Siamese cats have many loyal fans, and for good reason. They are extremely beautiful and intelligent, although modern breeding practices have introduced an unhealthy leaning towards an overly triangular head shape. Siamese are very vocal, however, which can be a problem for some people, as they may be a little bit determined in putting their views across. This is not a cat for the owner who doesn't have a lot of time to spend with their pet, as Siamese are very people-oriented. They love attention, and they love interacting with their owners. They will follow them from room to room, and are naturally very curious and mischievous when bored.
Unlike Siamese, Persian cats are very even-tempered. They get along well with other dogs and animals, and integrate well in multi-cat households. They also tolerate children well. The biggest drawback - and also their most striking feature - is their amazing coat. A Persian's coat needs daily brushing. It mattes easily, and cats need to be sedated to have their coats clipped, so keeping their long coat in good shape needs to be a priority for Persian owners.
The Siberian cat, or croshca, is another long haired feline. It requires less grooming than the Persian, and needs to be brushed only two or three times a week instead of daily. Their coat is different too. Surviving in the deep cold of a Russian winter, the croshca has a waterproof, slightly oil coat. Siberian cats are very playful, and affectionate. Like the Siamese, they grow very attached to their owners, so this is something to keep in mind when selecting a breed. The Siberian is one possibility for those with cat allergies, as their coats are believed to be hypoallergenic.
Devon rex cats are another option for those allergic to cats. They have a very thin, soft, slightly crinkly coat that sheds very little. The coat itself is also hypoallergenic. Be warned however - devon rex are extremely playful and mischievous. They are also very fond of food, and have been known to be quite resourceful in finding it even when hidden away. The devon rex is very affectionate, and another people-oriented cat that will follow you around and 'help' with chores.
Feline breeds all have their own distinctive characteristics. This is something to keep in mind as you learn about cat breeds before you buy. Do you have children or other pets? How much time do you want to spend with a cat, and does your work schedule allow it? Getting two cats together (if you don't already have one) is never a bad idea as it provides companionship for both. But some cats still demand more of their humans than others do, though they often give at least as much back.
If you'd like more cat breed information, click here. Rebecca writes on topics like cat urine here.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rebecca_Prescott
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Although not as popular as they once were, Siamese cats have many loyal fans, and for good reason. They are extremely beautiful and intelligent, although modern breeding practices have introduced an unhealthy leaning towards an overly triangular head shape. Siamese are very vocal, however, which can be a problem for some people, as they may be a little bit determined in putting their views across. This is not a cat for the owner who doesn't have a lot of time to spend with their pet, as Siamese are very people-oriented. They love attention, and they love interacting with their owners. They will follow them from room to room, and are naturally very curious and mischievous when bored.
Unlike Siamese, Persian cats are very even-tempered. They get along well with other dogs and animals, and integrate well in multi-cat households. They also tolerate children well. The biggest drawback - and also their most striking feature - is their amazing coat. A Persian's coat needs daily brushing. It mattes easily, and cats need to be sedated to have their coats clipped, so keeping their long coat in good shape needs to be a priority for Persian owners.
The Siberian cat, or croshca, is another long haired feline. It requires less grooming than the Persian, and needs to be brushed only two or three times a week instead of daily. Their coat is different too. Surviving in the deep cold of a Russian winter, the croshca has a waterproof, slightly oil coat. Siberian cats are very playful, and affectionate. Like the Siamese, they grow very attached to their owners, so this is something to keep in mind when selecting a breed. The Siberian is one possibility for those with cat allergies, as their coats are believed to be hypoallergenic.
Devon rex cats are another option for those allergic to cats. They have a very thin, soft, slightly crinkly coat that sheds very little. The coat itself is also hypoallergenic. Be warned however - devon rex are extremely playful and mischievous. They are also very fond of food, and have been known to be quite resourceful in finding it even when hidden away. The devon rex is very affectionate, and another people-oriented cat that will follow you around and 'help' with chores.
Feline breeds all have their own distinctive characteristics. This is something to keep in mind as you learn about cat breeds before you buy. Do you have children or other pets? How much time do you want to spend with a cat, and does your work schedule allow it? Getting two cats together (if you don't already have one) is never a bad idea as it provides companionship for both. But some cats still demand more of their humans than others do, though they often give at least as much back.
If you'd like more cat breed information, click here. Rebecca writes on topics like cat urine here.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rebecca_Prescott
I give you a wink and a fang!
A medium-sized feline, Jungle Cat is believed to be the largest of the existing Felis genus wild cats. Distributed over a wide area extending from North Africa to Southeast Asia, the Jungle Cat is one of the most adaptable and versatile cats. Contrary to what its name suggests, the Jungle Cat is seldom seen in dense tropical rainforests - existing more on forest and river margins and marshy areas. A large, slender cat it resembles a serval in its physique with a weight ranging from ten to thirty five pounds, height at shoulders around fourteen inches and length nearing two and a half to three feet - though considerably bigger Jungle Cats have been recorded in the wild.
Color is uniform and quite similar to the domestic Abyssinian cats, varying across the cat's distribution, from a sandy grey to reddish. Legs are long and are often marked by some brown stripes. Tail is short, black-tipped and often ringed. Nose and chin are usually white and ears are large with dark tufts on the top like those of a lynx - giving rise to their common name 'Swamp Lynx'.
Felis Chaus, the Jungle Cat seems to have been bred of its ancestor African wild cat in ancient Egypt for the purpose of hunting wild fowl - afterwards it was mummified and entombed there. Primarily a predator of small mammals, fish, birds, rodents and snakes - the cat has been known to take down deer fawns and wild pigs. Hunting mostly in daytime, Jungle Cat has been known to swim and attack aquatic animals.
Often seen in groups, the Jungle Cat is perhaps the only feline where both male and female come together to actively partake in the rearing of the young. Kittens are born after a gestational period of around sixty five days with a large litter of up to six babies often recorded. They have a number of stripes to camouflage them in their infancy that disappear as they age. Males, the larger of the specie, are even more protective of the young than the females and emit loud barking sounds as part of their vocalization. The kittens are weaned off at three months and begin hunting at six months. Independence is reached at ten months and sexual maturity is gained at around eighteen months of age. Mating is believed to occur twice an year.
Several subspecies of the Jungle Cat are recorded, in accordance with its distribution in the wild:
Felis Chaus Chaus (Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Russia, Jordan, Israel, Syria, Lebanon and Pakistan)
Felis Chaus Affinis (Kashmir, Sikkim and Indochina)
Felis Chaus Fulvidina (Thailand, Burma, Cambodia and Vietnam)
Felis Chaus Furax (Syria and Iraq)
Felis Chaus Kelaarti (Sri Lanka)
Felis Chaus Kutas (Pakistan, western India)
Felis Chaus Nilotica (Nile Valley Egypt)
Felis Chaus Prateri (Pakistan, western India)
Felis Chaus Oxiana (Russia)
Despite having a large distribution in the wild, the Jungle Cat, also known as Reed Cat, is now being considered to be under threat owing to widespread hunting for its fur. It is estimated that as many as twelve adult jungle cats are killed to make one fur coat. It also comes in conflict with farmers over occasional consumption of domestic poultry. Many sport hunters do not hesitate to poison this beautiful cat since it preys upon the small mammals they like to hunt!
The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on jungle cat.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Omer_Ashraf
Omer Ashraf - EzineArticles Expert Author
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Color is uniform and quite similar to the domestic Abyssinian cats, varying across the cat's distribution, from a sandy grey to reddish. Legs are long and are often marked by some brown stripes. Tail is short, black-tipped and often ringed. Nose and chin are usually white and ears are large with dark tufts on the top like those of a lynx - giving rise to their common name 'Swamp Lynx'.
Felis Chaus, the Jungle Cat seems to have been bred of its ancestor African wild cat in ancient Egypt for the purpose of hunting wild fowl - afterwards it was mummified and entombed there. Primarily a predator of small mammals, fish, birds, rodents and snakes - the cat has been known to take down deer fawns and wild pigs. Hunting mostly in daytime, Jungle Cat has been known to swim and attack aquatic animals.
Often seen in groups, the Jungle Cat is perhaps the only feline where both male and female come together to actively partake in the rearing of the young. Kittens are born after a gestational period of around sixty five days with a large litter of up to six babies often recorded. They have a number of stripes to camouflage them in their infancy that disappear as they age. Males, the larger of the specie, are even more protective of the young than the females and emit loud barking sounds as part of their vocalization. The kittens are weaned off at three months and begin hunting at six months. Independence is reached at ten months and sexual maturity is gained at around eighteen months of age. Mating is believed to occur twice an year.
Several subspecies of the Jungle Cat are recorded, in accordance with its distribution in the wild:
Felis Chaus Chaus (Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Russia, Jordan, Israel, Syria, Lebanon and Pakistan)
Felis Chaus Affinis (Kashmir, Sikkim and Indochina)
Felis Chaus Fulvidina (Thailand, Burma, Cambodia and Vietnam)
Felis Chaus Furax (Syria and Iraq)
Felis Chaus Kelaarti (Sri Lanka)
Felis Chaus Kutas (Pakistan, western India)
Felis Chaus Nilotica (Nile Valley Egypt)
Felis Chaus Prateri (Pakistan, western India)
Felis Chaus Oxiana (Russia)
Despite having a large distribution in the wild, the Jungle Cat, also known as Reed Cat, is now being considered to be under threat owing to widespread hunting for its fur. It is estimated that as many as twelve adult jungle cats are killed to make one fur coat. It also comes in conflict with farmers over occasional consumption of domestic poultry. Many sport hunters do not hesitate to poison this beautiful cat since it preys upon the small mammals they like to hunt!
The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on jungle cat.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Omer_Ashraf
Omer Ashraf - EzineArticles Expert Author
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- Keywords : Mobile wallpaper, beautiful wallpaper, animated wallpaper
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Proceed or tireeed
Cheese...
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Just wanna make a better ancestry
As the holiday approaches, you start to think about the mistakes that you have made over the last year and what you would like to change in the New Year. New Year's resolutions allow us to put into perspective what it is that we actually want to achieve with our lives in the following year.
If you are a pet owner then one thing that you might like to do, is to make a New Year's resolution that involves your pet. This resolution should be that will make them even healthier and happier than they are today and there is no better way than to start with their diet.
Improving Your Pets Diet
Whether you own a cat or a dog, what you feed them has a direct effect on their health and well being. Many owners do not think about this when they look out for a type of food to feed their pet. In fact, many owners do not realize the difference between the various brands of dog and cat food. To them all dog and cat food is the same and it is all equally as good for their pet as the next brand. However, that is sadly not the case.
If you were to look into the ingredients that actually go into cheap pet food, you would soon realize just how bad for your pet it actually is. It is not just food either; pet treats can also be extremely bad for them. The effects that it can have on your pet can be devastating. So wouldn't it be kinder to pay a little bit extra for a type of food that will improve your pet's health?
Premium dog and cat food is designed with your pet in mind. Providing them with only the finest ingredients, premium pet food helps to keep your pet looking and feeling healthier. Generally meat is the main ingredient in healthy dog food, along with vegetables and anti-oxidants too. You can spot poor quality pet food by looking to see if it contains any artificial colorings and flavorings as well as BHA and BHT.
Generally poor quality dog food can cause your pet to become obese. This is not a laughing matter as obesity in our pets can cause:
• Heart and Respiratory Disease
• Joint Problems
• Diabetes
• Liver Disease
As you can see from the above list, you pet could be seriously ill if you do allow them to become obese. Giving them too many poor quality treats will result in obesity and so it would be a good idea to look at the alternatives available to you. Purchasing premium quality treats will help to keep your pet happy and healthy and it will also put your mind at ease, too.
Feeding your pet a healthy, premium grade pet food will really help to keep your pet well. Once you realize exactly what goes into cheaper dog food brands you will soon realize that it is a lot safer to opt for a slightly more expensive food, than it is to risk your pets health with a cheaper alternative.
Lori Matthews studies health, nutrition and wellness. She enjoys writing articles on health for both people and pets. Please visit healthy, premium dog food for more information.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lori_Matthews
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If you are a pet owner then one thing that you might like to do, is to make a New Year's resolution that involves your pet. This resolution should be that will make them even healthier and happier than they are today and there is no better way than to start with their diet.
Improving Your Pets Diet
Whether you own a cat or a dog, what you feed them has a direct effect on their health and well being. Many owners do not think about this when they look out for a type of food to feed their pet. In fact, many owners do not realize the difference between the various brands of dog and cat food. To them all dog and cat food is the same and it is all equally as good for their pet as the next brand. However, that is sadly not the case.
If you were to look into the ingredients that actually go into cheap pet food, you would soon realize just how bad for your pet it actually is. It is not just food either; pet treats can also be extremely bad for them. The effects that it can have on your pet can be devastating. So wouldn't it be kinder to pay a little bit extra for a type of food that will improve your pet's health?
Premium dog and cat food is designed with your pet in mind. Providing them with only the finest ingredients, premium pet food helps to keep your pet looking and feeling healthier. Generally meat is the main ingredient in healthy dog food, along with vegetables and anti-oxidants too. You can spot poor quality pet food by looking to see if it contains any artificial colorings and flavorings as well as BHA and BHT.
Generally poor quality dog food can cause your pet to become obese. This is not a laughing matter as obesity in our pets can cause:
• Heart and Respiratory Disease
• Joint Problems
• Diabetes
• Liver Disease
As you can see from the above list, you pet could be seriously ill if you do allow them to become obese. Giving them too many poor quality treats will result in obesity and so it would be a good idea to look at the alternatives available to you. Purchasing premium quality treats will help to keep your pet happy and healthy and it will also put your mind at ease, too.
Feeding your pet a healthy, premium grade pet food will really help to keep your pet well. Once you realize exactly what goes into cheaper dog food brands you will soon realize that it is a lot safer to opt for a slightly more expensive food, than it is to risk your pets health with a cheaper alternative.
Lori Matthews studies health, nutrition and wellness. She enjoys writing articles on health for both people and pets. Please visit healthy, premium dog food for more information.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lori_Matthews
Name : Pomeranian Puppy
other name : Pomerian puppy
URL : dogbreedinfo.com
Preview- No Download
Category : Puppy
Keywords : Dog breed, puppy breeding
General Appearance
The Pomeranian is a compact, short-backed, active toy dog. He has a soft, dense undercoat with a profuse harsh-textured outer coat. His heavily plumed tail is set high and lies flat on his back. He is alert in character, exhibits intelligence in expression, is buoyant in deportment, and is inquisitive by nature. The Pomeranian is cocky, commanding, and animated as he gaits. He is sound in composition and action.
Size, Proportion, Substance
The average weight of the Pomeranian is from 3 to 7 pounds, with the ideal weight for the show specimen being 4 to 6 pounds. Any dog over or under the limits is objectionable. However, overall quality is to be favored over size. The distance from the point of shoulder to the point of buttocks is slightly shorter than from the highest point of the withers to the ground. the distance from the brisket to the ground is half the height at the withers. He is medium-boned, and the length of his legs is in proportion to a well-balanced frame. When examined, he feels sturdy.....
read the last entry here
The Pomeranian is a compact, short-backed, active toy dog. He has a soft, dense undercoat with a profuse harsh-textured outer coat. His heavily plumed tail is set high and lies flat on his back. He is alert in character, exhibits intelligence in expression, is buoyant in deportment, and is inquisitive by nature. The Pomeranian is cocky, commanding, and animated as he gaits. He is sound in composition and action.
Size, Proportion, Substance
The average weight of the Pomeranian is from 3 to 7 pounds, with the ideal weight for the show specimen being 4 to 6 pounds. Any dog over or under the limits is objectionable. However, overall quality is to be favored over size. The distance from the point of shoulder to the point of buttocks is slightly shorter than from the highest point of the withers to the ground. the distance from the brisket to the ground is half the height at the withers. He is medium-boned, and the length of his legs is in proportion to a well-balanced frame. When examined, he feels sturdy.....
read the last entry here
Where's Lex Luthor?
By Brian E Hill
Luckily cats are exceedingly clean animals and broadly speaking you don't require to housebreak them at all. During the first few weeks after birth they'll start to use the litter box, especially if they observe their mother doing the same thing.
If they're going to the toilet out of doors, it's natural for them to cover up after they've finished.
For newborn kittens you need to provide them with a litter box because they will need to be kept inside the house till they get accustomed to their new place.
Fill a box with cat litter to an adequate depth that will permit them to dig, about 2 ins, and place the box in a quiet space where they don't sense that they're being watched as many kittens can become rather embarrassed whenever they believe people are looking at them as they're going to the toilet.
You should on a regular basis take out any wet litter and droppings, and ensure that the cat litter stays clean at all times otherwise the kitten will not be willing to use it.
When you have additional cats using the litter box you will need to empty it a good deal more often as they will tend to go more frequently, as cats tend to mark over each other in a similar way like they practice with marking their territory.
Whenever you discover that your cat or kitten isn't using its litter box as it should there are a few reasons why this could be occurring.
The most obvious reason is that the litter isn't cleaned adequately.
Instead the litter box could be in a location that the cat isn't happy with and placing it in a more secluded place could settle the problem.
Elderly or incontinent cats may necessitate a visit to the veterinarian to ascertain if they can resolve the problem and sick cats will frequently not bother going to the litter box.
Some of the times it can merely be a behavioral problem with your cat and this will need to be settled with appropriate action and the correct training methods.
Cats in estrus will also spray so as to attract mates and the only redress for this is neutering.
Go to How To Care For Your Cat to learn about caring for the welfare of one of our most beloved animal pets.
The author, Brian Hill, is a life-long lover of animals, and having had cats as pets for all his adult life, he is particularly knowledgeable of them. His last cat died a few weeks ago after a long (20+ years) life, and by caring for all the cats that he has had, he is very familiar with their habits, and especially of how to care for them. He has a website http://mycatcarestore.com/ where he has a variety of items that are especially geared towards the better care of cats.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_E_Hill
Read more
Luckily cats are exceedingly clean animals and broadly speaking you don't require to housebreak them at all. During the first few weeks after birth they'll start to use the litter box, especially if they observe their mother doing the same thing.
If they're going to the toilet out of doors, it's natural for them to cover up after they've finished.
For newborn kittens you need to provide them with a litter box because they will need to be kept inside the house till they get accustomed to their new place.
Fill a box with cat litter to an adequate depth that will permit them to dig, about 2 ins, and place the box in a quiet space where they don't sense that they're being watched as many kittens can become rather embarrassed whenever they believe people are looking at them as they're going to the toilet.
You should on a regular basis take out any wet litter and droppings, and ensure that the cat litter stays clean at all times otherwise the kitten will not be willing to use it.
When you have additional cats using the litter box you will need to empty it a good deal more often as they will tend to go more frequently, as cats tend to mark over each other in a similar way like they practice with marking their territory.
Whenever you discover that your cat or kitten isn't using its litter box as it should there are a few reasons why this could be occurring.
The most obvious reason is that the litter isn't cleaned adequately.
Instead the litter box could be in a location that the cat isn't happy with and placing it in a more secluded place could settle the problem.
Elderly or incontinent cats may necessitate a visit to the veterinarian to ascertain if they can resolve the problem and sick cats will frequently not bother going to the litter box.
Some of the times it can merely be a behavioral problem with your cat and this will need to be settled with appropriate action and the correct training methods.
Cats in estrus will also spray so as to attract mates and the only redress for this is neutering.
Go to How To Care For Your Cat to learn about caring for the welfare of one of our most beloved animal pets.
The author, Brian Hill, is a life-long lover of animals, and having had cats as pets for all his adult life, he is particularly knowledgeable of them. His last cat died a few weeks ago after a long (20+ years) life, and by caring for all the cats that he has had, he is very familiar with their habits, and especially of how to care for them. He has a website http://mycatcarestore.com/ where he has a variety of items that are especially geared towards the better care of cats.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_E_Hill
is this your tail?
Of course!
My eyes is sleeping, but claws aren't
In lover arms... every words was signed...
Banning wild cat/domestic cat hybrids
Recently the USA state of Iowa banned the keeping of Bengal cats. This ban included all cats with a wild ancestry meaning wild cat/domestic cat hybrids. These cats are the Bengal, Chausie, Savannah and Safaris for example. The Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) refuses to register domestic cats with "wild blood" in them. Fourth generation Bengal cats have about 12% Asian Leopard in them. The CFA is the most conservative registry. The International Cat Registry is more adventurous and registers more breeds including the Bengal. There is divided opinion about wild/domestic cat hybrids. The Bengal though is a very popular cat demonstrating the desire of the public to keep wild cat substitutes.
There is a continuing desire by the cat lovers to "own" (I prefer keep or adopt) unusual and valuable "objects" and that includes animals and one of the most popular animals to keep are cats. How do cat breeders keep up with the demand for the exotic and unusual while maintaining a moral code and high standards of animal welfare?
Moral issues/arguments
The moral issue is whether it is good for wildlife to create designer and exotic cat breeds by mating wild and domestic cats. The idea is that in keeping such a hybrid cat the keeper is reminded of the plight of the dwindling number of wild cats in the world.
The counter argument is that this form of breeding damages the wild cat in that the increased interest is fed by the breeding program which encourages malpractice by importers of wild cats into the West and increases the importation of wild cat breeds into Western countries. The biggest market for exotic pets and cats by far is the USA.
Genetic Mutations
Not only are there questions about exotic cats the same moral dilemma exists in relation to the breeding of cats that suffer from genetic defects (mutations). These cats such as dwarf cats, tailless cats and cats with malformed ears are interesting and rare. Once again the unusual catches the eye of the public consumer and cat lover and breeders feel an obligation to create more of these rare cats. But is it right to create more cats that have a major defect/disorder which sometimes (rarely with careful breeding) has fatal consequences and secondary conditions that harm the cat (e.g. flat chest kitten in dwarf cats). You can see links to articles about a number of mutated breeds at the Different Breeds Page of my website. Examples are the Bobtailed cats and the Dwarf cats.
Commercial pressure
There is then commercial pressure to breed more cats and it could be argued cats of the wrong type. The public's desires are being checked and controlled by the authorities (see the Iowa ban above).
Conclusion
It is not possible to make a cattery highly commercial and prioritize the cats welfare in my opinion. Catteries should be small and one litter should ideally be bred at one time. The exception appears to be the Allerca cat, a wild/domestic hybrid being bred by a company and which sells at high prices (up to $ 30,000 per cat or so). The company treats these cats as a product. I find this to be an incorrect moral attitude.
As to the exotics and mutated breeds; I can accept the exotic designer breeds provided the breeders observe high standards and can see the wider issues (effect on wildlife). I cannot, however, agree that creating more cats with disorders is acceptable and in that regard I agree with the CFA who don't register for example Dwarf cats for that reason.
The author is Michael Broad, as retired solicitor and cat lover, who runs his website http://www.pictures-of-cats.org for the charitable purpose of helping cats less fortunate than the majority of those in the Western World. The website is being continually added to and includes well researched facts and photographs by the world renown cat photographer Helmi Flick plus many other fine amateur made photographs from a wide range of legitimate sources.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Broad
Read more
Recently the USA state of Iowa banned the keeping of Bengal cats. This ban included all cats with a wild ancestry meaning wild cat/domestic cat hybrids. These cats are the Bengal, Chausie, Savannah and Safaris for example. The Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) refuses to register domestic cats with "wild blood" in them. Fourth generation Bengal cats have about 12% Asian Leopard in them. The CFA is the most conservative registry. The International Cat Registry is more adventurous and registers more breeds including the Bengal. There is divided opinion about wild/domestic cat hybrids. The Bengal though is a very popular cat demonstrating the desire of the public to keep wild cat substitutes.
There is a continuing desire by the cat lovers to "own" (I prefer keep or adopt) unusual and valuable "objects" and that includes animals and one of the most popular animals to keep are cats. How do cat breeders keep up with the demand for the exotic and unusual while maintaining a moral code and high standards of animal welfare?
Moral issues/arguments
The moral issue is whether it is good for wildlife to create designer and exotic cat breeds by mating wild and domestic cats. The idea is that in keeping such a hybrid cat the keeper is reminded of the plight of the dwindling number of wild cats in the world.
The counter argument is that this form of breeding damages the wild cat in that the increased interest is fed by the breeding program which encourages malpractice by importers of wild cats into the West and increases the importation of wild cat breeds into Western countries. The biggest market for exotic pets and cats by far is the USA.
Genetic Mutations
Not only are there questions about exotic cats the same moral dilemma exists in relation to the breeding of cats that suffer from genetic defects (mutations). These cats such as dwarf cats, tailless cats and cats with malformed ears are interesting and rare. Once again the unusual catches the eye of the public consumer and cat lover and breeders feel an obligation to create more of these rare cats. But is it right to create more cats that have a major defect/disorder which sometimes (rarely with careful breeding) has fatal consequences and secondary conditions that harm the cat (e.g. flat chest kitten in dwarf cats). You can see links to articles about a number of mutated breeds at the Different Breeds Page of my website. Examples are the Bobtailed cats and the Dwarf cats.
Commercial pressure
There is then commercial pressure to breed more cats and it could be argued cats of the wrong type. The public's desires are being checked and controlled by the authorities (see the Iowa ban above).
Conclusion
It is not possible to make a cattery highly commercial and prioritize the cats welfare in my opinion. Catteries should be small and one litter should ideally be bred at one time. The exception appears to be the Allerca cat, a wild/domestic hybrid being bred by a company and which sells at high prices (up to $ 30,000 per cat or so). The company treats these cats as a product. I find this to be an incorrect moral attitude.
As to the exotics and mutated breeds; I can accept the exotic designer breeds provided the breeders observe high standards and can see the wider issues (effect on wildlife). I cannot, however, agree that creating more cats with disorders is acceptable and in that regard I agree with the CFA who don't register for example Dwarf cats for that reason.
The author is Michael Broad, as retired solicitor and cat lover, who runs his website http://www.pictures-of-cats.org for the charitable purpose of helping cats less fortunate than the majority of those in the Western World. The website is being continually added to and includes well researched facts and photographs by the world renown cat photographer Helmi Flick plus many other fine amateur made photographs from a wide range of legitimate sources.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Broad
Kittens - weaning through raw feeding - importance of Taurine
Here’s a photo of the kittens at one of their first meals of wild minced rabbit (whole, with no tripe, bone-in).
It’s said that weaning kittens is relatively easy using a raw diet. I can only speak from personal experience and say that seems to be the case: the kittens seem to recognise what natural food is.
I know some sites on kitten weaning mention offering first meals of rice/rice pudding/milk/porridge. If those work, great! However, I don’t think rice/porridge are what cats would eat in the wild. And cats lack the enzymes to digest cow’s milk.
The first meal the kittens had was freshly-minced whole chicken with bone-in. The recipe was the same as the adult recipe, except that the chunks of chicken were cut into smaller, kitten-sized pieces. I also made sure that each chunk wasn’t joined to any other chunk. Last year, a kitten nearly choked when she swalloed a chunk which was joined to another by a tendon - she couldn’t chew on the second chunk and it stuck in her throat until I managed to hoick it out with a finger.
I tried them on lamb as well, but they didn’t like the mince as much as just chunks. And Poly, the black girl kitten prefers lamb to the chicken. When I feed lamb chunks I am careful to add some calcium supplement (Stress) to it because the lamb chunks don’t have minced bone to provide calcium. This is very important. When you look for suppliers of pet mince, make sure that it’s been minced with the bone-in.
Last year, I got my wild rabbit whole from my sister-in-law and her husband who have a smallholding which is overrun by rabbits.
This year, I discovered that Woldsway Rabbit have started offering wild rabbit in their pet food range. They already do a range with farmed rabbit, but my cats prefer wild rabbit. It’s got a richer look to it too. I’m usually cautious about using commercially-made raw pet food, but David Blythe of Woldsway assures me that he’s had to implement EU standards of food preparation that are usually used in human-food preparation.
The rabbit comes frozen in packs of 0.5kg. It’s a little on the large size to thaw out completely, so what I do is let it defrost slightly so I can break the pack up into smaller meal-sizd portions which I then defrost totally.
One caveat is that you should always vary your cat’s diet, so that it does not consist exclusively of one type of meat.
And if you do feed a frozen-type raw meat diet, you must supplement with taurine.
Taurine is an amino acid which helps cats digest fats. Unlike other species of animals, cats cannot use another amino acid for this function. Taurine is essential in healthy heart-functioning for cats.
A Winn Feline Foundation Report on diet and cats showed that feeding only ground rabbit led to a Taurine deficiency. This was possibly due to the fact that when meat is frozen, it loses taurine and Vitamin E.
So always supplement raw diets with taurine. You can buy powdered taurine in capsules. Solgar is one such brand. Michelle Bernard of blakkatz.com recommends adding at least 2000mg of taurine for every 2.5 pounds of meat.
source
Read more
Here’s a photo of the kittens at one of their first meals of wild minced rabbit (whole, with no tripe, bone-in).
It’s said that weaning kittens is relatively easy using a raw diet. I can only speak from personal experience and say that seems to be the case: the kittens seem to recognise what natural food is.
I know some sites on kitten weaning mention offering first meals of rice/rice pudding/milk/porridge. If those work, great! However, I don’t think rice/porridge are what cats would eat in the wild. And cats lack the enzymes to digest cow’s milk.
The first meal the kittens had was freshly-minced whole chicken with bone-in. The recipe was the same as the adult recipe, except that the chunks of chicken were cut into smaller, kitten-sized pieces. I also made sure that each chunk wasn’t joined to any other chunk. Last year, a kitten nearly choked when she swalloed a chunk which was joined to another by a tendon - she couldn’t chew on the second chunk and it stuck in her throat until I managed to hoick it out with a finger.
I tried them on lamb as well, but they didn’t like the mince as much as just chunks. And Poly, the black girl kitten prefers lamb to the chicken. When I feed lamb chunks I am careful to add some calcium supplement (Stress) to it because the lamb chunks don’t have minced bone to provide calcium. This is very important. When you look for suppliers of pet mince, make sure that it’s been minced with the bone-in.
Last year, I got my wild rabbit whole from my sister-in-law and her husband who have a smallholding which is overrun by rabbits.
This year, I discovered that Woldsway Rabbit have started offering wild rabbit in their pet food range. They already do a range with farmed rabbit, but my cats prefer wild rabbit. It’s got a richer look to it too. I’m usually cautious about using commercially-made raw pet food, but David Blythe of Woldsway assures me that he’s had to implement EU standards of food preparation that are usually used in human-food preparation.
The rabbit comes frozen in packs of 0.5kg. It’s a little on the large size to thaw out completely, so what I do is let it defrost slightly so I can break the pack up into smaller meal-sizd portions which I then defrost totally.
One caveat is that you should always vary your cat’s diet, so that it does not consist exclusively of one type of meat.
And if you do feed a frozen-type raw meat diet, you must supplement with taurine.
Taurine is an amino acid which helps cats digest fats. Unlike other species of animals, cats cannot use another amino acid for this function. Taurine is essential in healthy heart-functioning for cats.
A Winn Feline Foundation Report on diet and cats showed that feeding only ground rabbit led to a Taurine deficiency. This was possibly due to the fact that when meat is frozen, it loses taurine and Vitamin E.
So always supplement raw diets with taurine. You can buy powdered taurine in capsules. Solgar is one such brand. Michelle Bernard of blakkatz.com recommends adding at least 2000mg of taurine for every 2.5 pounds of meat.
source
Who's the Boss now?
No one has ever accused my cat Spike of being smart. It's not that he's excessively stupid, it's just that he has a one track mind and if he decides he wants something, it's full speed ahead for him. Forget about the consequences!
Last year during the great raccoon raids, he was dumb enough to be caught three times in the animal trap provided by the city. These are the kind of traps that do not hurt the prey, but lures them inside a cage with a tidbit of food. Then, when the varmint steps on the trigger near the bait, a trap door slams shuts and the animal is caught. They're then carted off to a better and safer environment away from humans. Pets that are captured are released to their owners. They're stuck with us!
A few nights ago just after dark, I baited a new trap with a can of cat food and explained to Spike that this trap was just like the ones I used last year and for him to stay away. Turning his back on the trap and the cat food, he calmly strolled to his bed in the garage. I took his silence to mean that he understood and agreed.
A little later in the evening I heard a pitiful yowling from outside the garage door. I knew immediately that I had not caught a raccoon. It was Spike again! As I approached the cage, I heard a rustling in the neighbor's yard and looked up to see two young raccoons sitting together and looking at the scene before them. They were no more than 75 feet from me and I would have sworn they were laughing at both Spike and me.
For the last two years I have had raccoon problems that have almost driven me nuts! Last year a family of raccoons decided that Spike's cat food that I kept in my garage was much tastier than anything they could find in the wild.
Even though I kept the exterior door of the garage closed and locked each night, they seemed to find the pet door I'd installed for my cat a great source of amusement. I watched from my hiding spot one night when all five of last year's litter crawled into the garage one at a time, then turned around and went back outside. After all were back outside, they turned around again and came through the little door again. It doesn't take much to entertain raccoons.
Raccoons are cute; I'll give them that. Regrettably, they're also slobs! There's nothing they won't eat, including my waders that I once used for fishing! They learned to crawl up shelves that held tools to get to cat food I had stored in 5 gallon cans. There were lids on the cans but they figured out how to chew them off. Often they wouldn't be content to just eat the food but would push items off the refrigerator, chew upholstery off a chair I had in the garage and generally make a nuisance of themselves.
Last year I tried trapping them to no avail. I even ordered some coyote urine over the internet that was guaranteed to keep raccoons away. This method of eradication is based on the premise that coyotes are natural predators of raccoons. When he gets a sniff of the coyote urine, he becomes so terrified that he runs for safer territory leaving my house and Spike's food alone. I sprinkled some around the perimeter of my house and hoped for the best.
It didn't work! Actually nothing drove the raccoons away until they latter part of autumn when the nights started getting cold. By Christmas all the cute little critters were gone to warmer climes.
Now, faced with two new masked terrors that have already begun tearing up my garage, I know that probably the only thing I would catch if I kept setting the trap would be my stupid cat. I'll keep trying to keep a raccoon free house, but there's no doubt I'll have to wait for winter.
Bob Alexander is well experienced in outdoor cooking, fishing and leisure living. Bob is also the author and owner of this article. Visit his sites at: http://www.homeandgardenbob.com http://www.redfishbob.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bob_Alexander
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Last year during the great raccoon raids, he was dumb enough to be caught three times in the animal trap provided by the city. These are the kind of traps that do not hurt the prey, but lures them inside a cage with a tidbit of food. Then, when the varmint steps on the trigger near the bait, a trap door slams shuts and the animal is caught. They're then carted off to a better and safer environment away from humans. Pets that are captured are released to their owners. They're stuck with us!
A few nights ago just after dark, I baited a new trap with a can of cat food and explained to Spike that this trap was just like the ones I used last year and for him to stay away. Turning his back on the trap and the cat food, he calmly strolled to his bed in the garage. I took his silence to mean that he understood and agreed.
A little later in the evening I heard a pitiful yowling from outside the garage door. I knew immediately that I had not caught a raccoon. It was Spike again! As I approached the cage, I heard a rustling in the neighbor's yard and looked up to see two young raccoons sitting together and looking at the scene before them. They were no more than 75 feet from me and I would have sworn they were laughing at both Spike and me.
For the last two years I have had raccoon problems that have almost driven me nuts! Last year a family of raccoons decided that Spike's cat food that I kept in my garage was much tastier than anything they could find in the wild.
Even though I kept the exterior door of the garage closed and locked each night, they seemed to find the pet door I'd installed for my cat a great source of amusement. I watched from my hiding spot one night when all five of last year's litter crawled into the garage one at a time, then turned around and went back outside. After all were back outside, they turned around again and came through the little door again. It doesn't take much to entertain raccoons.
Raccoons are cute; I'll give them that. Regrettably, they're also slobs! There's nothing they won't eat, including my waders that I once used for fishing! They learned to crawl up shelves that held tools to get to cat food I had stored in 5 gallon cans. There were lids on the cans but they figured out how to chew them off. Often they wouldn't be content to just eat the food but would push items off the refrigerator, chew upholstery off a chair I had in the garage and generally make a nuisance of themselves.
Last year I tried trapping them to no avail. I even ordered some coyote urine over the internet that was guaranteed to keep raccoons away. This method of eradication is based on the premise that coyotes are natural predators of raccoons. When he gets a sniff of the coyote urine, he becomes so terrified that he runs for safer territory leaving my house and Spike's food alone. I sprinkled some around the perimeter of my house and hoped for the best.
It didn't work! Actually nothing drove the raccoons away until they latter part of autumn when the nights started getting cold. By Christmas all the cute little critters were gone to warmer climes.
Now, faced with two new masked terrors that have already begun tearing up my garage, I know that probably the only thing I would catch if I kept setting the trap would be my stupid cat. I'll keep trying to keep a raccoon free house, but there's no doubt I'll have to wait for winter.
Bob Alexander is well experienced in outdoor cooking, fishing and leisure living. Bob is also the author and owner of this article. Visit his sites at: http://www.homeandgardenbob.com http://www.redfishbob.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bob_Alexander
It's fair to say that most R&B artists and rappers are looking for a record deal to take them to the next level. But the route to unlimited bling is tough one, and many artists fall by the wayside without ever getting anywhere near the A&R department of a record label. Whilst managing artists, I've learnt a few tricks, which I'm going to share with you now. I've even managed to get the head of Sony A&R to come to my house for a day visit. I kid you not. Like to know how? Want to attract the attention of a major record label? Read on..
Step 1: Record a collection of tracks. Properly.
Contrary to what some people may think, few people are going to notice your abilities as an artist by listening to a rough demo. Either hire some studio time, enter into an agreement with an up-and-coming producer, or buy some studio gear. Gear is not expensive nowadays, and $ 800 should get you up and running.
Haven't got the money? Save up for a while. There are thousands of artists doing the same thing - why not you? An A&R person wants to listen to a polished product. Represent yourself.
Step 2: Get some decent promo photographs made.
Myspace site got a picture of you taken with a web cam? Using your phone to shoot pictures? Not good enough, sorry guys.
You're going to need some great photos of yourself, airbrushed, the works.It's the first thing an A&R person sees, I've found it has a huge bearing on whether your music get listened to or not.
Sounds harsh? I think so too, but that's the way it is, so make your photos count.You can get great results with a digital camera, and some free photo software. It need not be expensive.
Step 3: Get a proper website.
This is a big one, and possibly one of the most important things you can do. Everyone has a myspace site, but to set yourself out from the crowd, I've found a proper website with domain (eg: www.youonline.com) is the way to go.
Web hosting is extremely cheap nowadays, and web development software is free, so there's no cost barriers to getting this done.Your website must display three things clearly.
1. Your music. Try to have a track start playing when the site is opened.
2. Your photos.
3. Contact information. This is make or break. Make it clear and obvious.
So why the website? Why not stick to myspace? Well, I've found that A&R people usually have a million things going on at once. Their offices look like a war zone for the most part. They won't be searching the web for sites - instead, they may have received a tip-off or recommendation about you.
Your website will be looked at in passing, so you don't want to cloud the A&R persons attention with a glaring, comment ridden myspace page. Secondly, everyone has a myspace page. My brothers cat has a myspace page..
So set yourself apart from all the other players.But keep the myspace page as well. It's good for everyone to see you have thousands of friends and fans too..
Step 4: Play out.
Now you've got your package together, start playing to audiences. Anywhere you think industry types may be. And it's not just A&R people you're after. Promoters, managers...all these people may see you perform. If you're good, word will get passed around quickly enough, and opportunities will present themselves. Which leads me onto..
Step 5: Attract the attention of a music attorney.
Want to know who are the most under-rated, yet important people in the music industry? The music attorney. These people know everyone...A&R execs, managers, the works. If you manage to meet one (and it's easier than you think..) doors will open for you, especially if the attorney becomes involved with you on a professional level.
Step 6: Go to industry days and events.
Here's a story. Whilst I was promoting an artist, there was a music event on in town: A gathering of music equipment manufacturers, open to the general public.
In the small print of the flyer, a "demo session" was advertised as part of the music event, giving folks the opportunity to take their demo CD's along for the critique of music professionals.
So I went to the demo session, armed with a CD thinking they'd be a huge demand for this, and that there was only a small chance my CD would get listened to. I was wrong. There were about 6 people there, including me.
So whilst downstairs, in the main hall, thousands of up-and-coming artists were playing with the new toys from instrument companies, I was upstairs with the attention of attorneys, managers and A&R men, all to myself. Can you believe this? It's true.
The moral of this point? Keep your eyes and ears open for every chance you get.
Conclusion.
Hopefully, this has given you some ideas on how to get the attention of A&R folks. So what happened when the A&R guy from Sony came to my house? Well, he wasn't impressed when he found out my artist didn't write her own material..but that's a tale for another day!
About the Author
Al Fraser is the Producer and Manager of Smoothbeatsonly.com, a website supplying R&B Beats and Instrumentals to up-and-coming artists. He also publishes tips on music recording and promotion via his blog.
Visit Smoothbeatsonly here: http://www.smoothbeatsonly.com
Visit the Smoothbeats blog here: http://www.smoothbeatsonly.com/blog
The following information is from the Cat Fancier's Association page on breeds. Text and pictures are copyrighted by the CFA. Layout and font may have changed to fit this page. Images (cat pictures) are copyrighted by the photographer. Please go to the CFA website for details. Enjoy the cats!
Breed Profile: British Shorthair
British Shorthair
Pictured: Best of Breed GC, BW, RW DANDYBLUE'S LORD HUDSON, Blue British Shorthair Male
Photo: © Larry Johnson
The British Shorthair, probably the oldest English breed of cat, traces its ancestry back to the domestic cat of Rome. This breed was first prized for its physical strength and hunting ability, but soon became equally recognized and valued for its calm demeanor, endurance and loyalty to man.
The British Shorthair is a comparatively rare cat in the United States. Around 1980 it was recognized for championship competition by CFA stimulating much needed interest in the breed. Recognized world-wide, many fine “Brits” are still imported today from England, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia to help widen the gene pool for breeders in the United States.
British Shorthair
Pictured: Second Best of Breed GC, RW EARENDIL BLU DAZE OF GERMAN BRITS, Blue British Shorthair Male
Photo: © Justine St. Arnaud
The British Shorthair is gaining in popularity every year as it is bred and exhibited by an increasing number of enthusiastic fanciers. Because of its easy-going nature and intelligence, it has become a favorite of animal trainers, for use in Hollywood films and television commercials. The British Shorthair has a short plush coat with a luxurious feel which is very easy to groom. A British Shorthair is always in quiet control of his or her environment, supervising everyone and everything that happens in the family. A larger sized cat that prefers to be on the ground, Brits are not known for acrobatics or speed. However, they are steadfast companions to the entire family and definitely look before they leap. When gracelessness is observed, the British Shorthair is duly embarrassed; quickly recovering with a “Cheshire Cat smile.”
Although first known as the British Blue, due to the breed’s original color, its native country incorporated a wide variety of colors under the term British Shorthair in the 1950’s. CFA also now recognizes the British Shorthair in many different colors and patterns.
Pricing on British Shorthairs usually depends on type, applicable markings and bloodlines distinguished by Grand Champion (GC), National or Regional winning parentage (NW or RW) or of Distinguished Merit parentage (DM). The DM title is achieved by the dam (mother) having produced five CFA grand champion/premier or DM offspring, or sire (father) having produced fifteen CFA grand champion/premier (alter) or DM offspring. Usually breeders make kittens available between twelve and sixteen weeks of age. After twelve weeks, kittens have had their basic inoculations and developed the physical and social stability needed for a new environment, showing, or being transported by air. Keeping such a rare treasure indoors, neutering or spaying and providing acceptable surfaces (e.g. scratching posts) for the natural behavior of scratching (CFA disapproves of declawing or tendonectomy surgery) are essential elements for maintaining a healthy, long and joyful life.
There are CFA clubs devoted to the promotion, protection and preservation of the British Shorthair breed. For more information, please send inquiries to CFA, PO Box 1005, Manasquan NJ 08736-0805.
Text: Karen Noble
Last Updated: Friday, July 27, 2007