A Cat's Blog

This was a really great “Tip Of The Week” that I found in my mailbox this week, just had to post it here and share. For all you cat lovers that visit this blog, I strongly recommend subscribing to these tips!

Can Cats Love?
Originally published on July 21, 2009 from Cat Age Tips Of The Week
If your cat could talk, he’d tell you he loves you, right?

Maybe. It depends on whether you believe that cats are “solitary” creatures that only connect with people to get food in their bellies and a roof over their heads or you believe that felines are very capable of feeling and expressing emotions — including love.

A peek at the data shows some support for the pro-love side. Here’s what a few studies revealed about cats’ ability to bond with humans:

Cats share our brain chemistry. When stroked by their owners, cats in one study produced more oxytocin, a hormone known to trigger feelings of trust, warmth, and togetherness in humans and other mammals.

Cats are like kids. When with their owners, cats behave in much the same way as toddlers do with their moms: They feel confident exploring their surroundings. However, cats tend to be more guarded when in the company of strangers.
Cats miss us when we’re gone. Contrary to popular belief, studies suggest that cats — like dogs — can suffer from separation anxiety. Learn how to recognize symptoms of this in your cat.

The Proof Is in the Purring

What are some telltale signs that your kitty is craving affection and wanting to offer some in return? He greets you at the door when you come home, snuggles up and purrs on your lap, or offers body rubs and “head butts” (especially when you’re blue). If that’s not love, what is?

We live in Louisiana… so…yes, from June 1 to November 1 every year, all eyes turn towards the Atlantic, the Gulf of Mexico, and the far tropics. We watch and we wait, and we pray that another year goes by and we are spared another Katrina, Rita, Gustav, or Ike.

With that being said, its very important for all pet owners to have an emergency plan in the event that evacuations are called for due to the threat of hurricanes. The Humane Society of Lousiana has a very good web page that can be used as a guide and a reference so that pet owners everywhere can ensure the safety of their pets.

We strongly encourage everyone to formulate a plan NOW… not when a hurricane strike is immediate.

I subscribe to the weekly Cat-Age tips of the week, and found this one in my email box today. I thought it was very well worth sharing. Please enjoy the reading and visit the Cat-Age website for more great CatAge Tips of the Week!

Cats Have Powers to Heal
Originally published on July 14, 2009
Cat-Age.com

Our cats make us happy. They calm us when we’re stressed, make us feel loved, and entertain us with their antics (except at 2 a.m.). But did you know that their special powers may also extend to improving our health?

It’s true. Here’s what the research says about how our pets — including cats — help watch over our well-being:
* TLC for your ticker: People with pets have a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease than do people without pets, suggests one study. In fact, related research tells us pets can increase 1-year survival rates in people recovering from a heart attack and can lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

* Cancer recovery made easier: In a study of women recuperating from breast cancer surgery, most who owned pets reported feeling a greater sense of support and control over their illness and treatment.

* Mind and mood boost. In older populations, research suggests that pets may help chase away loneliness and reduce symptoms of dementia. And in a study of men living with AIDS, research revealed that those who owned cats reported fewer symptoms of depression than the men without a pet.

* Overall health protection: People in a study who owned either a cat or a dog suffered significantly fewer minor health problems compared with people who were not owners. Similar research found that having pets also meant fewer trips to the doctor.

Pets and Fireworks – Not a Safe Mix
Originally posted at BestFriends.org on June 30, 2009 : 12:17 PM
Tips for keeping your pets safe on the Fourth of July
by Barbara J. Koll, Best Friends Network volunteer

At almost every fireworks display, you see someone who has brought their beloved pooch with them. That is almost never a good idea. Fireworks displays can be stressful, disorienting and frightening for dogs. Your normally calm pooch might get spooked and confused by the noise, crowds and bright lights and become afraid or aggressive or run off. Even if you leave your dog at home, dogs who are not normally frightened by loud noises may panic from the cumulative effects of fireworks, noisy crowds outside the house and being left alone.
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Diana and I have been volunteer foster moms for the Acadiana Humane Society / Cat Ranch since 2005. We’ve lost track of how many we have fostered and have adopted out, but we are proud of our personal record – we have only had 5 returned to us. A lot of our success lies in how well we match our foster-kids to prospective adopters who express an interest in any of our foster cats/kittens. The adoption process is usually initiated by a pre-screening application form that is emailed if the inquiry about a particular cat comes from Petfinder.com (or any of the similar adoption sites), or in the case of adoption events at Petsmart and/or Petco in Lafayette, Louisiana, the filling out of an adoption application form.

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Its that time of the year… again.  Its kitten season.  The Lafayette, Louisiana area rescue groups are overflowing with kittens, kittens, and more kittens. 

But adoptions of kittens are WAY down.  The lousy economy of 2009 is playing a big part, I know that.  But what concerns me, breaks my heart, and makes me angry, is the people out there that are offering “free kittens to good home.”

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The economy is tough out there for all of us. We’re pinching pennies, using coupons, brown bagging our lunches and doing everything we can while the new adminstration in the White House wrestles with the messes on Wall Street, mortages, and the auto industry.

Yet, many animal shelters and rescues across the country are counting on us to help them out. And, if you don’t already know about this, well, then, I’m glad you found your way to this blog.

There IS a way YOU can help. And it doesn’t cost you anything!
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Become an advocate for feral cats everywhere!

Welcome to A Cosmopolitan Cornucopia Of Cat-nastic Contemplations!

If you are a cat or a cat lover, then this blog is for you.
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