Sparky, the Shy Little Kitten

Sparky was born one cold, rainy morning along with his four sisters and brothers.  He was very little and stayed close to Momma.  He felt very safe, happy, and warm when he was with her.  He missed her every time she would leave the box to get some food for herself.  She wouldn't be gone long though.  Sparky was always happy to have her come back.

As the other kittens grew older, Sparky saw them going further away from Momma and even trying to climb out of the box!  Not Sparky!!  He didn't want to leave Momma's side.  There were these big things called children that wanted to hold all the kittens and play with them.  They were too scary!  As if that wasn't bad enough, there was also a thing called a dog that would stick its big nose in the box once in a while.  Sparky didn't like the smell of him at all.

The dog decided that teasing Sparky was a lot of fun and started putting his head in the box every time he had a chance.  Sparky was growing bigger and bigger and grew tired of this.  He was also getting big enough to leave Momma and the box to go out exploring on his own.  Momma warned him to leave the dog alone because he might be taken away.  At first, he listened to Momma.  One day he decided that he'd had enough of this dog.  The dog was sleeping on a living room rug and didn't hear him coming.  Sparky crept up very slowly, took aim. and bopped the dog on the nose with his paw!!  The dog's eyes popped open in surprise.  He couldn't believe what Sparky had done.  As Sparky was taken away, he was thinking:

The family did take him back, and the dog never bothered him again!

Marion Lovato is the author of Sam, the Superkitty.  Her book describes an ordinary cat changing into a superhero to protect his family from things that go bump in the night.  Available on Amazon as a paperback or Kindle edition.  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1604588667

Why Do Cats Rule the Internet?

What is it with cats and the Internet? Dogs and their owners have tried to get the same amount of attention by singing, doing tricks, being dressed in silly costumes, etc. They seem to go out of their way to impress us.  Cats, on the other hand, just have to sit there and look grumpy.

 

Baby animals in both categories possess the same distinction of being cute, cuddly and fluffy.  Puppies even have the benefit over kittens of staying cuter for longer. Then again, this is true of almost all species and still cats retain dominance over the entire animal kingdom online.

Cat owners don't take their pets to the park and talk with other owners like dog people do. On the Internet, cat lovers can share and show off that is not possible in any other way. Some people are of the opinion that  those who sit at computers all day are cat lovers, with no need to walk, bathe or play with their pet and they share a nocturnal lifestyle.  The dog lovers are all outside throwing a ball. I don't agree with this as a cat owner; I play with my boys throughout the day would love to take them for a walk. But, I also don't want them exposed to all the dangers and diseases out there.

Perhaps cats rule the Internet because they resemble babies. What? Stop and think about it. They both have big eyes, small nose, and a dome-shaped head. Maybe this triggers a nurturing instinct in us humans.

Fascination with cats is not a by-product of the Internet, however. Before that, they were worshiped in
ancient Egypt as gods. (They've never forgotten it either!) Cats have been around in storybooks, cartoons,

and movies for many years. Some became very famous like Crookshanks in Harry Potter books and a cat called Cat in the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's. Among other immortalized cats are The Cat in the Hat, Puss in Boots, Tom Kitten, Moppet and Mittens, Scarface Claw, Mehitabel, Mog, Carbonel and the Cheshire Cat.

Cat lovers use the Internet to share and celebrate the laughter that these creatures can generate. Even though cats are hunters, they are also vulnerable. Perhaps this makes us realize how vulnerable we are also.

Whatever the reasons, it's hard to argue with the facts. Cats do rule the Internet. Like the old saying:

Marion Lovato is the author of Sam, the Superkitty.  Her book describes an ordinary cat changing into a superhero to protect his family from things that go bump in the night.  Available on Amazon as a paperback or Kindle edition.  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1604588667

It Was a Very Good Night!

Happy Halloween, everyone! Enjoy the story.

Tiger was the only cat in the family. There were also two dogs, and they got along with each other very well. Tiger had seen what happened with the dogs around the time of Halloween and he would hide. He didn't want humans putting all kind of costumes on him. Yuck! The dogs looked so silly, but they'd just wag their tails and act like they were all happy about it. That wasn't for Tiger. No, sir, cats didn't do that!

It was time for Halloween again. "Oh, no", thought Tiger. "Time for me to find a place to hide!" However, things were going to be different this year. The children had decided that the pets should go with them to carry their treat buckets. No costumes for the animals this year. Now, this sounded pretty good to Tiger! He liked being outside and decided he wouldn't hide. Being a cat, he was curious about what would happen,.

When it was time to go outside to trick or treat, Tiger was so excited that he could hardly stand it. He bounced from floor to couch, from chair to floor, etc. like he had springs in his feet. The children gathered him up along with the dogs and off they went. It was so much fun! Other children would pet him and love on him until he purring so loud he sounded like a freight train. "Yes!", thought Tiger. "I want to do this every year." He was so tired when they came home that he fell asleep in the chair. It had been a very good night indeed!

Marion Lovato is the author of Sam, the Superkitty.  Her book describes an ordinary cat changing into a superhero to protect his family from things that go bump in the night.  Available on Amazon as a paperback or Kindle edition.  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1604588667

How Are Cats and Kids Alike?

Cats and kids have more things in common than you might think!  I had been a dog person all of my life until ten years ago when my ex-husband introduced me to two female cats who were sisters.  What an adventure that was!  I am no longer around the females, but have two males of my own that I rescued.  Until I retired, I had been in the teaching profession for almost thirty years.  Watching my two sure reminded me of things I had seen children do.  Let's take a look at some of these similarities.

1.  They both like to play in cardboard boxes.

My two kids could have more fun with a cardboard box making it into whatever their imagination came up with.  My two males would rather have a box to play with than any fun toys I can buy them.  Doesn't matter what the size is.  Might have to squeeze in, but that's okay.

2.  They like to lie in the middle of the hallway when you're walking.

Both of my kids at home and in the classroom would love to be spread out all over the place when working on something.  At home, I'd have to step over kids on the floor with blankets, etc. while watching a movie.  One of my males loves to lie right in the doorway between the kitchen and the living room.  When Mother comes along with her walker, do you think he will move?  Absolutely not!  She has to pick up the walker and try to get around him.

3.  They like climbing on things!

Couches, chairs, beds, etc.  You name it and they'll want to climb it.  The higher, the better.  My youngest son did Motocross Racing when he was younger.  Watching him fly over the hills at 90 mph was more than this mom could take!  My mother was amazed one day when Sammy went from the floor to the top of the refrigerator in one single leap.  (We have since fixed that problem!)

4.  They squeeze into tiny spaces.

Sometimes my boys would use their closets as forts and cram all their "stuff" and themselves into these small spaces.  It was cramped, but they seemed to have fun judging from the talking and laughing going on.  Fortunately, they took a flashlight with them so they could see.  My cats can curl themselves around in the weirdest places and positions to take naps.  If the cardboard box is too small, they can still find a way to make it fit.

5.  They don't like to be "overly dressed".

I have been accused by a friend of mine of having more underwear pictures of my boys than anybody else she knows.  This was when they were young on Christmas morning, taking a nap, etc.  I tried once to put a Christmas collar on Kirby.  That did not go over well.  Could not imagine even trying to get actual clothes on him.

6.  They both like lying down in suitcases.

This is my great-granddaughter, Maycee.  Her mother was trying to get ready to go on a trip to visit family.

And you know what this is!

There are other way that cats and kids are alike, but I think this gives you a general picture.  Hope you enjoyed it.  What things do your cats do that remind you of your children?

Marion Lovato is the author of Sam, the Superkitty.  Her book describes an ordinary cat changing into a superhero to protect his family from things that go bump in the night.  Available on Amazon as a paperback or Kindle edition.  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1604588667

Flopsy and Mopsy Come Home

It's been a crazy week, folks, so I'm posting another original story that I've written. Enjoy and let me know what you think. Love the positive feedback and suggestions!


Flopsy, a dog,  and Mopsy, a cat, did not have a forever home.  They were born in different places and did know each other at first.  In fact, they didn't even have names to begin with.  Their mamas lived in old buildings that didn't have people living in them.  It was a very scary world to them.  The mamas did the best they could, but life was not easy.

One day, the mamas were hunting in the same alley.  They had their little ones with them, and that's how Flopsy and Mopsy met.  They liked each other right away and wanted to play.  However, they had to wait until the mamas were done hunting.  They all went back to where Flopsy and his family were staying to share the food.  This went on for several days until a human found them and took all of them to a shelter.

Flopsy and Mopsy were not in the same part of the shelter, so they didn't see each other any more.  They thought about each other and really wished they could play again.  A woman walked into the shelter on a bright, sunny morning wanting to adopt a puppy.  She loved animals and was a very kind person.  When the clerk showed her the dogs, she immediately wanted Flopsy.  The clerk told her that Flopsy had come in with a family of cats.  Would she be interested in a kitten?  The animals were so glad to see each other that the woman knew she needed both of them.  Life became very happy and good when Flopsy and Mopsy were in their new home.  They had a favorite story they liked to read:

Marion Lovato is the author of Sam, the Superkitty.  Her book describes an ordinary cat changing into a superhero to protect his family from things that go bump in the night.  Available on Amazon as a paperback or Kindle edition.  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1604588667

Even Cats Can Sometimes Use Therapy

I used this picture in my blog last week which gave me an idea when I read about cat therapy on the Internet.

Never had thought about that before, but it seems we're hearing more and more stories about cats becoming aggressive and turning on their owners.  In the case of the cat in Portland who turned on his family, it was learned that the baby had pulled its tail and kicked it.  Jackson Galaxy, star of Animal Planet's “My Cat from Hell”, states that cats don't become ferocious felines that turn on their families for no reason.  Having a tail pulled and then being kicked by the seven-month old could be a very good reason!  According to the owner, this cat has a history of violence.  Seems this was the straw that broke the camel's back.  Galaxy has agreed to provide therapy for this cat.

In New York City, three California family members were hospitalized after their unprovoked housecat freaked and began clawing their legs, faces and arms. And an Upper East Side bodega cat named February has been harassing pooches outside of the Running Paws doggie day care on First Ave. since last year.  Enter cat therapist, Carole Wilbourne, who has a range of approaches to make cats less frightened and less agressive.  She is ready to step in when owners are ready to give their sourpuss the heave-ho.

“Cats don’t like being dictated to,” says Wilbourne, “and people don’t know what to do with them.”  Single cats who are left alone all day or for several days at a time are liable to act out by pooping outside the litter box, claw furniture and act aggressively because they’re stressed from being alone.  Finding a companion for them that they can get along with helps with these problems.  If you're living with other people who also have cats, focus on your own cats instead of trying to make the other cat like you.  In her words, “It’s more important that the cats get along with each other than if they get along with you.”   “They feel betrayed because you are paying attention to a new cat,” she says. “It would be like if you were living with a guy, and he brought home another woman.”

Wilbourne’s house calls aren’t cheap — she charges $365 for the first at-home visit, and $175 for followups. Perks include treats like catnip and toys, and a postcard from her a few days later to see how the cat is doing.  In cases of violent cat behavior, she will refer patients to vets for Prozac or Valium.

 

Certain people can also bring on aggression in cats.  One lady told of her sister coming to visit and the aggression that her cat showed to her sister.  The sister is now afraid of the cat.  The vet's advice was this:

Some cats develop specific human phobias, which can manifest in fleeing when a particular person enters their environment or going into attack mode.The cat-calming room spray pheromone Feliway, dispersed a couple of days before your sister’s visit and sprayed on her clothes when she enters, might be worth trying.

Alternatively, have your sister visit wearing the same perfume as you. For several days before her visit, be sure that both your cats have some of the perfume rubbed into their coats.

Have you had to deal with an aggressive cat?  If so, what was the situation and the solution?  Please share your thoughts with us on this subject.

Of course, if you have a cat like this, you can talk about that too!!!

Marion Lovato is the author of Sam, the Superkitty.  Her book describes an ordinary cat changing into a superhero to protect his family from things that go bump in the night.  Available on Amazon as a paperback or Kindle edition.  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1604588667

Cats Have Definite Opinions About Things

Having been a cat owner for ten years now, I know this to be a fact!  The pictures that I see on the Internet that really crack me up are the ones with captions showing how strongly cats believe in having their own opinions of themselves and you.  Would like to share some of these now.

We'll start with this one because it seems to sum it all up in one picture:

Yup, that pretty well says it.  Let's see if we can find examples of other attitudes.  When I first brought my two cats here, my Mom had a lot of plants around the house.  Within a few months, some had to be removed because Sammy was eating the leaves.  I guess he was trying to tell us this:

We have many terms of endearment for our furry companions, but perhaps they have an opinion about that.

They have very definite ideas about showing love and affection!  That's mainly for when THEY are in the mood.

You learn very quickly about the moods of your cat and how to read them.  I've never tried to put mine in a tub of water for a bath (I use a wet washcloth), but I'm sure this is the reaction I would get!

They love to bring you gifts (?) to show they care.  I have friends whose cats bring in dead birds, lizards, and even a snake!  You should accept these gifts graciously because:

Did you ever notice how some dogs and cats get along?  Sometimes, it's okay.  Other times?  Well...........

And on that note, it's time to close down the blog for today.  Hope you enjoyed!  Please share any attitudes you laugh at with your cats.

Marion Lovato is the author of Sam, the Superkitty.  Her book describes an ordinary cat changing into a superhero to protect his family from things that go bump in the night.  Available on Amazon as a paperback or Kindle edition.  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1604588667