Cat Views

How about this? There is a life-size stuffed turkey that stands in the home of Smokey. Smokey loves to spend a great deal of time hunkered down under this turkey and peering out from between the legs. Does he regard this big bird as a protector or does he just feel comfortable and safe observing his world from between those two sturdy bird legs? Does this bird feel like a companion? Makes one wonder what they are thinking, doesn’t it? Perhaps a nice cat perch or cozy condo would provide another secure place for him to watch what goes on in his household.

There once was a cat named Chet
He really was such a special pet
To his owners he was quite a love
They even created a walkway high above
Up where he was free to roam
Feeling safe and comfy in his home
A beautiful cat tree for him was even provided
Giving him a wonderful place to hide in

I was sitting in my chair reading a book and my big white cat usually joins me on my lap, and she didn’t at least not right away. Suddenly, she came rushing in the pet door, into the room, and immediately started circling around the chair. She raced around and around the chair and paused several times and then continued to circle. Finally, she gave up, jumped in my lap, and settled down for a snooze. That I thought was the end of it, and wondered what had gotten her so stirred up. The next day, I found out what it was! I was in the kitchen running cleaner through my coffee maker and had placed a sandwich bag on the counter in preparation for use. Paying attention to the coffee maker I heard a rustling sound alongside me. Knowing that the sandwich bag was flat and wasn’t rustling, I ignored it the first time. The second time I heard it I turned just in time to see a small tail vanishing into a partially opened stack of saltine crackers on the counter. Oh no, I said to myself NOT another lizard! Grabbing the package by the top and pinching it closed, I saw the culprit. A little tiny MOUSE! So, mouse and crackers were removed from the premises to the outdoors. I realized she had brought it in to play with and that was what she was chasing around my chair. Enough of this, I decided it was time to go to My Cat’s Heaven and order her a cat gym to keep her busy and no more hunting for live toys!

Minou and Lori are housemates. Lori is a beautiful blue-eye Birman cat and Minou is a gorgeous red and white adoptee. He was homeless in the neighborhood and about a year old when he was adopted. He became leash trained so he could enjoy being outdoors from time to time. Lori, meanwhile had been the pampered pet and did not have to survive being on her own. This year Lori had a very special birthday on May 14th. She turned 14 years old! Her really special birthday gift (to be shared with Minou, of course), was a Salamanca Multi Level Cat Tree. It is being enjoyed by both cats, and she really doesn’t mind sharing with Minou.

A mother cat will often catch prey (usually a mouse or lizard) to teach her kittens how to hunt. Once she has the prey she takes it to her kittens and turns it loose for them to learn to catch. Older cats will catch small prey for food or sport depending upon their circumstances. Our household pets consisted of 6 active cats and one very large dog. One afternoon I walked into the kitchen and was surprised to find all six cats in a circle in the middle of the floor. They had a little mouse running around in the middle of the circle. It was quite a sight and they would bat at it as it came near them. I am standing there wondering what to do about the situation when all of a sudden I yelled, “will one of you guys catch that mouse and take it outside”! Well, the smallest of the cats ran and grabbed the mouse while the others just sat and looked at each other. He scooted out the door with the mouse and that was the last we saw of it. As a reward for his cooperation we bought him his own personal Baza Hammock which he loves and is very protective of.

My sister-in-law and her husband live in a beautiful RV Park in Florida. They will occasionally find Palmetto bugs inside and their cat, a Rag Doll named Big Boy, seems to have a personal vendetta against these intruders! She says he is an excellent “bug detector” and very good at capturing them as well. He will suddenly spot one and go tearing across the room and even half way up the wall to get it. If he spots one on the ceiling he wants to be held up to catch it and of course, my brother-in-law obliges him. When Big Boy is not watching out of the window, bug detecting, or demanding more than his share of the attention, he loves to curl up in his Baza Hammock and rest. The Hammock purchased from My Cats Heaven is his reward for his untiring work as a bug detector.

“Cateristics “of the Turkish Van . We all know that the majority of cats do not like to be wet! These gorgeous Turkish Van cats love water. They are beautiful white cats with red spots on their heads a red tails. They also breed true to their color. Turkish Vans or just “Vans” as they are called have unique personalities.  They are very intelligent and playful cats. Some Vans love to fetch and retrieve and will play with anything they find around and socks are a favored item. Opening cabinets and doors are no problem for them, and if they can’t do it easily the will work out a solution. Dog-like, they will follow their favorite person around. These cats are very adaptable and get along well with other kinds of animals such as dogs, birds and reptiles. Once they meet the other household pets and become a family member they readily establish themselves as the Alpha pet! They do not like being held, but will lie in your lap. Petting and stroking is always acceptable but prefer to have all 4 feet on the ground. Their most distinctive characteristic is the love of water! They love to swim and will swim in streams, ponds, pools, and lakes and even water troughs. Some people will even provide a kiddy pool for them to swim in. After exercising they love to curl up in a cozy cat bed.

Eddie, a black and white cat was given a lovely present by his owner, or shall I say “human” because anyone who has cats knows that they don’t “own” them! It is usually the other way around. In any case, Eddie was given a Cat Cocoon and discovered his playmates (ferrets) also loved the cocoon and he and the ferrets would hide, and play around in and out of the cocoon. Really something to watch, but Eddie’s owner feels that Eddie is really playing “Whack a Mole”. Even though the ferret is quick, I guess Eddie must get the best shots in.

There once was a tabby named Austin
Who was really quite trustin’
What a cutie he was
Literally creating a buzz
Chewing on wires was his thing
They must give him a real zing
Charging him up to start a race
And win over any cat in the place
A winner, he lolls in his condo supreme
Receiving accolades that cause him to beam

Isn’t it funny how everyday happenings and dreams can co-mingle? I am presently recovering from back surgery in a rehabilitation center. The staff is excellent, very caring and professional. One of my favorite night staffers is a young man with a professional manner and a very quick sense of humor. Prior to retiring for the night I had received a phone call from Nancy at My Cat’s Heaven. She is forwarding to me e-mails from “Ozzie” a handsome Russian Blue. I am anxious to read “Ozzie’s” e-mails and view his photo. Here is where dreamland takes over. My favorite staffer offers to take me to meet Ozzie (only in dreams, right)? Okay, I say and off we go to meet this cat. Every time I spot a possible objective, he says “No, over here” and we continue the search. Finally, I was exhausted and called off the hunt after catching only glimpses of a Russian Blue.

I am now awake and anxiously waiting to view the e-mails and photo of Ozzie! He must be a very interesting cat if he can send his own e-mails and talk about his cat tower from My Cats Heaven. I wonder if he has his own credit card too! This is Ozzie’s photo and he is indeed a very handsome cat!