Domestic Shorthair, Q. Charlotte ~Vote Lady Dolly 222609 for COTM

My Cat Blog

My Dearest Furrend Charlotte
Oh sweetie, I hope and pray that your daddy is doing better and holding your momma close in our prayers, too. I didn't want to come by and bother you knowing the circumstances and I was very happy to see your blog this evening.

Please don't feel obligated to come by every day. Just when you and your blogger feel up to it. I do have a profile below called "Dollys Catpaign Blogs" if you ever want to read them. I just started the story today and will continue it tomorrow.
Hugs, Kisses & Love,
Your furrend Dolly

Come visit me, LADY DOLLY MARRIED TO K. MIKE-VOTE ME COTM 222609, A. SIR LEO LOVES A. RHUBY- VOTE DOLLY COTM 222609, MIKE & DOLLY'S WEDDING ALBUM & RAINBOW ROSE MANOR, ****DOLLYS CATPAIGN BLOGS***************- *, A.RANI LOVES A. TEDDY-VOTE SIS DOLLY COTM 222609 & A. LILY ROSE LOVS K SYLVESTER, VOTE DOLLY COTM.

06/17/2013 09:52.27 PM

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Dollys Daily & Nightly Delivery & Vote-- Day 17
by Jan Sterrett

HUMAN STORIES: A TALE (OR IS THAT TAIL?) OF LIFE EVENTS FROM THE CATS PERSPECTIVES.

"One thing I've learned, and I've lived here some time, is that my human person, isn't very reliable. She doesn't even get it, that I'm much smarter then she is!" pouted Skitzy, my smaller female tortoiseshell cat.

The human counterpart of this two cat household, that being me, inquired about Skitzy's current mood. "Skitzy, You don't seem to be as happy as you once were? You don't seem to be your sweet little loving self. What's going on with you?" I asked her, hoping I could get to the cause of this change in her personality.

"You're the one you brought in that big black bully brute of a Cat named Cole! Though you talked to me about it before you brought him here, I've suffered greatly since he's lived here. I think you love him more than you love me!"

"Oh Skitzy! How can you say that? I brought Cole in because I thought you needed cat company after Misty died. I had hoped Cole would be a good cat companion and a playmate for you."

"Well you thought wrong didn't you?" Skitzy got that haughty and hurt look on her face. "You've seen the way he goes after me? The minute I move, that big brute, Cole is all over me, like peanut butter sticks to jelly. How can you ignore the keening noises I've made when he aggressively goes after me?"

"Skitzy I haven't been ignoring you. Those noises are very distressing to me. That's why I started my Cat separation system, and my cat rotation system." One cat gets confined to a bedroom, while the other cat freely gets to roam the rest of the place. Then it rotates and they change places. The Cat that was previously out, gets confined to a different room, and the one who was previously confined gets the run of the rest of the place. It would be so much simpler if I could have built a cat revolving door. "I've done that to protect you from Cole's aggressiveness. My cat rotation system, was to make it fair to both of you!" I pleaded with Skitzy.

"You call this set up fair?" Skitzy asked in protest. "I get confined much more then Cole does. I used to volunteer to go into the room I get confined in, or didn't you ever notice? But why should I go in there voluntarily now, after his last vicious attack on me?"

Everything she said was true. After the last time I tried to reintroduce them to each other, Skitzy got the worst of it from Cole. She became traumatized and wouldn't come out from under my bed. Even opening a can of wet cat food, did nothing to entice her out as it had in the past. (coninuted tomorrow)

Love & Kisses,
Lady Dolly

06/17/2013 09:46.53 PM

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My Dear Charlotte
I know you're offline, sweetie, but wanted to come by with prayers for your Daddy and well wishes and healing purrs for him and to check on how your sweet Mama is holding up. I know you are a huge help and a comfort too. Sending love and all my good wishes, Gin Gin

Come visit me, Ginger Spicegirl-Loving My Angel Dad-Father's Day.

06/17/2013 06:55.12 PM

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On the road again ...
Along the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, straddling the ridgeline of the Great Smoky Mountains, lies the most visited of our national parks, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It sometimes seems impossible to find respite from the crowds touring and snapping photos in Cades Cove, Cataloochee, or Clingmans Dome, but we have found a unique piece of history begging for discovery away from the public’s eye. Near the northern border of the Park lies the Walker Sisters’ Cabin located in a narrow valley. Just past the Greenbriar School on a one way gravel road, we walk the remaining mile to this homestead steeped in history. The five Walker Sisters lived and worked off their land in the traditional way, even after the government moved in to purchase surrounding property for the purpose of establishing a national park. Instead of selling their property for a price, the Walker Sisters agreed to sell the land in exchange for lifelong leasehold on the cabin. When the last Walker Sister died in 1964, the National Park Service chose to embrace the homestead’s history and the testament to the pioneer spirit upon which our country was built by choosing to leave the cabin as it once stood.

We spread out blankets and open picnic baskets and enjoy what feels like a “Little House on the Prairie” moment in time. Short naps and a good deal of stretching later, we listen to a Park Ranger as she tells us the park encompasses 522,419 acres (816.28 square miles) making it one of the largest protected areas in the eastern United States. It was the first national park whose land and other costs were paid for in part with federal funds; previous parks were funded wholly with state money or private funds. The park is so big that scientists are still discovering some of the plant and animal species that live there. The park is home to more than 1,500 bears so we keep our eyes open when hiking the Smoky Mountain trails. Nothing beats seeing a bear in the park, but we think we might like to do that from quite a distance. There are plenty of other breathtaking sights here in the Smoky Mountains–waterfalls, winding valleys and, of course, century-old architecture.

There are three entrances to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Gatlinburg, and each one would take us into a different section of the 800 square miles of unspoiled Appalachia. Sweeping vistas, marching woodlands, tumbling streams and incredible cliff tops unfold as we wind our way along much of the 400 miles of mountain roads. Smoky Mountain trails, scenic overlooks, waterfalls and historic homesteads are everywhere. Loop roads hug the mountainsides before opening up onto breathtaking vistas. Whether we had arrived during the rich green days of spring and summer, the crazy quilt of autumn color or the sparkling white of winter, our drive through the roads of Great Smoky Mountains National Park was guaranteed to be an adventure in itself. Pics my page.

Come visit me, Q. Cherish - COTM March 2012.

06/17/2013 05:12.51 PM

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Wander With Whiskers – June 17-Hearst Castle
San Luis Obispo to Cambria
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Check out time at the Madonna Inn is later than the usual hotel. But then the Madonna Inn has been anything but usual! We’ll have time for breakfast & a game of tennis on the pink tennis courts, or just relax & stroll the grounds.

Back aboard the Royal Train to continue up the coast of CA. We’ll enjoy brunch as our train glides out of the depot & begins its journey to the town of Cambria. Here we will detrain to the waiting Feline Motor Coaches & head to San Simeon, home of Hearst Castle. If we’re lucky, we might catch an odd glimpse of a herd of zebras grazing alongside the highway. These are descendants of animals brought to California for William R. Hearst’s personal zoo. But don’t worry; they are well cared for by the Hearst Castle grounds men.

William Randolph Hearst, an American newspaper publisher who built the nation’s largest newspaper chain, told architect Julia Morgan that he wanted to built "a little something" on the CA coast. Three decades later, Casa Grande (commonly called Hearst Castle) crowned La Cuesta Encantada, Hearst's "Enchanted Hill" above tiny San Simeon. It's a 165-room Moorish castle with 127 acres of gardens, terraces, pools & walkways, furnished with Spanish & Italian antiques & art, flanked by three large guesthouses. In its heyday, Hearst Castle had a zoo, tennis courts & two magnificent swimming pools.

With a personal collection of ancient art, sculptures, furniture, relics & more, William Randolph Hearst amassed a collection that still rivals museums today, and used almost every square inch of the hilltop California estate to showcase it all.

Today Hearst Castle is a State Historical Monument, and we can all enjoy a glimpse into the Hearst's opulent lifestyle.

We’ll be taking the Hearst Castle Twilight Tour where costumed docents literally bring the Castle to life! Warm lighting & staff in 1930s costumes - women sipping martinis over their card game, reporters typing their days' stories in their bedrooms & lovers strolling the grounds - bring the massive house alive. We’ll wind our way through the Casa Grande’s social rooms, guest accommodations, the Office & Mr. Hearst’s own private Gothic Suite.

Hearst lived & entertained at San Simeon with his long-time girlfriend, actress Marion Davies. Their guests included Hollywood stars, politicians & dignitaries such as Charlie Chaplin, Clark Gable, Greta Garbo, Charles Lindbergh & Winston Churchill. On the Hearst Castle night tour, as visitors, we can pretend we've received an invitation to come to "the ranch."

Unfortunately, there’s no restaurant at the Hearst Castle. We have snacks onboard the Feline Motor coaches to tide us over until we’re back on the train, where our exceptional fine dining awaits us.
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See pics on my page.

*Vote COTM Candidate DOLLY #222609*

~Vote Serj & Leah #196985 COTD Mon 6/17~

Hugs & a vote.

Come visit me, K.Whiskers ♥ Talley *VOTE DOLLY COTM 222609 & saved blogs.

06/17/2013 06:58.52 AM

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Please Vote Serj & Leah #196985 COTD Mon 6/17
Please Vote Serj & Leah #196985 COTD Mon 6/17

Our Special Recognition cats today are Serj & Leah #196985 who were both adopted from Lolly Pop Farm Animal Shelter at the tender age of eight weeks old. Both quickly acclimated to their new forever home by making fast friends with their new furry siblings with Serj #196985 getting close to his sister Katie, who sadly is now an angel, and Leah being wherever her brother Gir is. Like all of us cats, both of these fine felines have their own personalities and likes & dislikes.

Serj is pretty outspoken but Leah #196985 is shy. Serj's morning routine is waiting for his mom every morning in the bathroom and after her shower, insists on head scratches and kisses and lovey dovey time.

Leah #196985 is a bit feral but she has relaxed enough that she will allow her mom to pet her on occasion without running away. Leah lets her mom know when their food bowls are empty by standing on the counter and meowing an alert to have the bowls filled. Leah only likes dry food and especially likes it when it is poured fresh into her bowl.

Serj #196985 will jump over the dog gate to get inside his mom's bedroom so he can cuddle with her even when he whacks at the ferrets during the night. Leah prefers the company of Gir and hides very well when she knows it is time for a vet visit. Please pounce over on Monday, June 17th, and leave a vote for Serj & Leah #196985 so they can proudly have a shiny new COTD badge to display on their page.

While out and about the CC, please visit our June candidate for COTM, Dolly #222609 and leave a vote for her collection so she can become our COTM for July. Dolly's stories are fascinating and exciting and we are sure you will enjoy reading her postings.

Also please visit and leave a vote for our June King, King Whiskers #227256 while we journey with him along the coast of beautiful California.

CC kitties and families, thank you for supporting our Special Recognition cats and our feline community. As a token of our appreciation we are leaving a big tub of fresh catnip flavored popcorn (not only is it good to eat, it is fun to play with) and grilled fish with tuna BBQ sauce on the side for your enjoyment.

This is Sienna and family along with Linguini and family wishing you all a good week. Oh! and don't forget to give big head bonks & purrs to all of the dads out there to let them know they are loved.

P.S. Hi beautiful friend! I'm sending big hugs with lots of love to you and your sweet Mom. Love ya, Boo Kitty

Come visit me, ♥ Angel Lucy MEMORY PAGE ♥ & Boo Kitty ♥ Beloved Angel Winslow.

06/16/2013 05:25.12 PM

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HELLO SWEET CHARLOTTE !
I sure do miss you ! I hope everything is OK with you, your mom & dad. I keep you in my Prayers always.
I'm sorry this is so late. Our mom has been out of sorts since the Crossing of our sweet Popeye. I know we will have a better season next year. I will be a more attentive Captain. I hope I see you at the rink tonight ! Take care & stay safe ! Angel Sugar !
game #1 Fri June 14 KA@OC
game #2 Sun June 16 KA@OC
game #3 Wed June 19 OC@KA
game #4 Fri June 21 OC@KA
game #5 Sun June 23 KA@OC **if needed
game #6 Wed June 26 OC@KA **
game #7 Fri June 28 KA@OC **

Come visit me, Angel Sugar (12-10-11)(Q !/13)Capt FF MHL, Jake,Elwood,MightyMa- ck(The Blues Brothers), Cisco, Fierce Felines- MHL-Team Page, Vinnie & Angel Casha.

06/14/2013 02:13.56 PM

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Wander With Whiskers – June 14 –San Luis Obispo
Another Day In San Luis Obispo
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After a great breakfast at the Madonna Inn, the female kitties all wanted to take a peek at the famous (top ten in the world) tom’s restroom. The girls had heard a trip to San Luis Obispo wouldn’t be complete without visiting the tom’s room at the Madonna Inn! In it, the urinals look like caves with waterfalls, which is activated when you break a beam of light. Yep, that's it!

Walk to Morro Bay -
There’s no better way to spend the day than out on the incredible estuary in beautiful Morro Bay. Strolling the bayfront, fishing, kayaking or simply sitting on the dock…it’s all here waiting for us. Morro Bay, along California’s Central Coast, is among the most visually spectacular communities in America. This is where we will start. It has a rich early history that stretches back to the adventures of the Chumash & Salinian Native Americans & visits by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo & the Manila Galleons of the 16th Century. Here we can see the famous “Morro Rock.” Morro Rock is also sometimes called the “Gibraltar of the Pacific.” It is the last of a line of long-extinct volcanoes formed about 23 million years ago, which include nine peaks ranging from San Luis Obispo to Morro Bay. Morro Rock is a State Historic Landmark, a bird sanctuary & home to nesting Peregrine Falcons. It is therefore closed to any climbing or disturbance.

Now let’s go on a driving tour. Our motor coaches will pick us up at Morro Bay. The uncrowded roads & stunning views in & around San Luis Obispo make for incredible scenic drives. We’ll get a mixture of vineyards, curving mountain roads, and coastal views driving up US 101 & loop back to San Luis Obispo via Highway 1 through cattle pastures & farmland. We’ll travel the scenic back roads into downtown Arroyo Grande. Stroll the historic Village, discover turn-of-the-century Victorians surrounding Santa Manuela Schoolhouse, and cross the suspended swinging bridge — the only one of its kind in California.

Let’s end our day with a visit to some wineries. Wine tasting should be a perfect blend of a great experience & great wine, and that’s just what we’ll get as we enjoy the hand-crafted bottlings of San Luis Obispo’s wine region. The moderate climate of the verdant, sunlit Edna Valley just outside town allows for an extended growing season, which give local wines lush, distinct flavors sure to please any palate. My particular favorite winery is called Talley Vineyard Wines! Enjoy sweeping views of the Rincon Vineyard & the fields of Talley Farms from the tasting room. The vineyard is just minutes away from Lopez Lake, a great place for an evening picnic. An ideal setting for tasting great Pinot Noir & Chardonnay.

Time to head back to The Inn.
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See pictures on my page. Have a Happy Father’s Day weekend!

*Vote lovely COTM Candidate DOLLY #222609*

^~^ Visit CMR #46883 for daily mews ^~^

Hugs & a vote.

Come visit me, K.Whiskers ♥ Talley *VOTE DOLLY COTM 222609 & saved blogs.

06/14/2013 08:03.36 AM

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Wander With Whiskers – June 13 –San Luis Obispo
Welcome To San Luis Obispo
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The Feline Castle Train takes us to the charming old city of San Luis Obispo. Founded in 1772, the city boasts numerous historic inns and theaters, and even a rare commercial building designed by Frank Llyod Wright. Whether to soak in the ambience or some of the delicious wines produced in nearby Edna Valley, we'll find that San Luis Obispo is a perfect place to end the southern part of our California Coast journey.

San Luis Obispo was named the happiest city in America by author and researcher Dan Buettner. A weekend in this charming and scenic town, situated halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles and nestled in the Santa Lucia Mountain Range, can be whatever you want it to be: a relaxing getaway or a buzz of activity. For serenity, pack a lunch and head north or south to picnic at one of the dozens of picturesque wineries. Head west for great beaches, perfect for a leisurely swim. For a dose of history, visit the birthplace and heart of this quaint town: the beautiful adobe-brick Mission San Luis Obispo. Kittens will revel in the plentiful fun activities, such as the Charles Paddock Zoo & the Morro Bay Aquarium. For a laugh or a gasp, stop in at the outrageously decorated Madonna Inn, where nothing in the garish décor is consistent except for an abundance of the color pink. All are welcome for a peek inside the lobby's men's room for more interior design surprises. Don’t laugh too hard because this is the hotel where we will be staying!

For over 50 years the charm of the Madonna Inn has been one of California’s landmark attractions and this will be our home for a few nights. The Inn offers very unique rooms, each decorated differently to suit many individual tastes...rock rooms, waterfall showers, rock fireplaces, European fixtures, and fine furnishings to name a few. Last year they added horseback riding, two pink tennis courts and a winter ice skating rink. The owner of the Inn said, "Anybody can build one room and a thousand like it. It's more economical. I want visitors to come in with a smile and leave with a smile. It's fun." Aiming to cater to a range of tastes, rooms were given unusual names such as the Love Nest, Old Mill, Kona Rock, Irish Hills, Cloud Nine, Just Heaven, Hearts & Flowers, Rock Bottom, Austrian Suite, Cabin Still, Old World Suite, Caveman Room, Elegance, Daisy Mae, Safari Room, Highway Suite, Jungle Rock, American Home & Bridal Falls to name a few. This should be a lot of fun!

So let’s settle into our rooms & meet for a nice dinner at the Madonna Inn’s Gold Rush Steak House. Tomorrow we’ll explore what San Luis Obispo has to offer.
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I posted some pictures on my page.

*Vote daily our beautiful COTM Candidate DOLLY #222609!*

^~^ Please visit CMR #46883 for daily mews ^~^

I left a vote with purrs & hugs.

Come visit me, K.Whiskers ♥ Talley *VOTE DOLLY COTM 222609 & saved blogs.

06/13/2013 07:42.11 AM

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Wander With Whiskers – June 12–Queen Mary
Aboard the Queen Mary -
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Before we leave, we must tour this fabulous floating hotel. Let’s all grab some pastry from the Starboard Bakery and enjoy our coffee while strolling the Promenade Deck before we begin.

On May 27, 1936, the Queen Mary departed from Southampton, England embarking on her maiden voyage. The Queen Mary had set a new benchmark in transatlantic travel, which the rich and famous considered as the only civilized way to travel. She quickly seized the hearts and imaginations of the public on both sides of the Atlantic, representing the spirit of an era known for its elegance, class and style. The increasing popularity of air travel helped signal the end of an era for the Queen Mary. By 1965 the entire Cunard fleet was operating at a loss and they decided to retire and sell the legendary Queen Mary.

Let’s go on the “Her Finest Hour: A WWII Tour,” for an in-depth look at the role the Queen Mary played in helping the Allied Forces win the Great War. Nicknamed the “Grey Ghost” after receiving a hauntingly stark paint job, the ship’s impressive speed and size made it an ideal troop hauler often carrying as many as 15,000 men in a single voyage.

With such a varied and intriguing past it’s not surprising that the Queen Mary has been voted one of the Top 10 Most Haunted Places in America. In fact, some say the Queen Mary is one of the most haunted places in the world with as many as 150 known spirits lurking upon the ship. Over the past 60 years, the Queen Mary has been the site of at least 49 reported deaths, not to mention having gone through the terrors of war, so it comes as no surprise that spectral spirits of her vivid past continue to walk within her rooms and hallways. Among the ghosts reportedly still hanging around are a sailor who died in the ship's engine room, a "lady in white," and children who drowned in the ship's pool. Other phenomenon occurring throughout the ship, are the sounds of distinct knocks, doors slamming and high pitched squeals, drastic temperature changes, and the aromas of smells long past. These are but a few of the many reports of apparitions and strange events occurring at this luxury liner turned hotel. There’s no doubt the Queen Mary is full of mystery and lore.

Let’s unwind our adventure-filled day with dinner at the Chelsea Chowder House & Bar. There’s nothing better than a juicy steak or fresh fish after a day at sea (or at port). We can watch the sunset and revisit the memories of our exciting stay aboard the legendary Queen Mary.
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I posted some pictures on my page.

*Vote daily our beautiful COTM Candidate DOLLY #222609!*

^~^ Please visit CMR #46883 for daily mews ^~^

I left a vote with purrs & hugs.

Come visit me, K.Whiskers ♥ Talley *VOTE DOLLY COTM 222609 & saved blogs.

06/12/2013 08:37.42 AM

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Wander With Whiskers – June 11 – Los Angeles
Welcome to Hollywood!
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Let’s all climb aboard our Feline Motor Coaches & head for Hollywood. Our first stop will be to see the famous Hollywood Sign. You can see the Hollywood Sign from many places around Los Angeles, but a quick drive up Mulholland Drive or above the Hollywood Reservoir will reward us with a glimpse of living in the Hollywood Hills & some great city views, too.

Next stop, the Hollywood Walk of Fame. We start the day by spending the morning on Hollywood Boulevard, following the path of bronze-and-marble stars along the Walk of Fame. Since 1960 more than 2,400 celebrities have been honored along the world's most famous sidewalk, but you'll need an old-timer to explain who a lot of the now-long-dead entertainers were.

Along the Hollywood Walk of Fame we’ll see Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. It's sort of a tourist rite of passage to compare your hands and feet with the famous prints set in cement at the entrance court to Grauman's Chinese Theatre, a tradition started when silent-film star Norma Talmadge "accidentally" stepped in wet cement during the premiere of Cecil B. DeMille's King of Kings. Go ahead -- compare your paws to footprints left by Humphrey Bogart or Marilyn Monroe.

We’ll take a lunch break & walk down the street to Musso & Frank Grill, Hollywood's oldest restaurant (since 1919). Part restaurant, part museum, this is where Faulkner, Hemingway, and Orson Welles derived liquid inspiration during their screenwriting days. After lunch, we can all waddle back to our motor coach, put in a ‘Best of the Beach Boys’ CD and slowly cruise the legendary Sunset Boulevard and The Sunset Strip.

This 1-hour drive takes us from sorta-seedy Hollywood to flamboyant West Hollywood, past the moneyed minimansions of Beverly Hills, winding our way into the secluded enclave of Pacific Palisades toward Malibu, and finally the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH).

We soon arrive at the Santa Monica Pier. Built in 1908 for passenger & cargo ships, the pier does a pretty good job of recapturing the glory days of Southern California. Buy an ice-cream cone at one of the snack shacks & stroll seaward past the wooden carousel, roller coaster, and arcades, then buy a ticket to ride the Ferris wheel.

From the pier, we’ll walk to the carnival-like stretch known as Venice Beach. For first-timers, this pseudo-bohemian scene is a bit of a shock to the senses: a surreal assemblage of street performers, musicians, musclemen pumping serious iron, apocalyptic evangelists, break dancers, stoned drummers, outlandish clothing—or lack of, and endless schlock shops. We haven’t seen it all until we’ve seen Venice! MOL!

Our paws should be tired by now. We’ll board our motor coaches & head back to our hotel for a leisurely dinner.
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I posted pictures on my page.

*Vote lovely COTM Candidate DOLLY #222609!*

^~^ Visit CMR #46883 for daily mews ^~^

Purrs & a vote.

Come visit me, K.Whiskers ♥ Talley *VOTE DOLLY COTM 222609 & saved blogs.

06/11/2013 06:26.56 AM

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Wander With Whiskers – June 10–Long Beach
Welcome to the Queen Mary -
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Relax on board the Castle Train after your sleeping rooms are assigned. Watch the scenery go by & listen to the rhythm of the rails. Keep a bag packed, because we won’t be sleeping here overnight yet.

We arrive to Long Beach CA in about 3 hours where we will be checking into the Queen Marry, our hotel destination for 3 days.

Once a world-class ocean liner, the Queen Mary Hotel offers guests unique accommodations & a wide array of attractions that simply cannot be found anywhere else. Each stateroom is unique with its own personality & offers a real glimpse into what transatlantic travel was like during the 30’s, 40’s & 50’s. On Oct. 31, 1967, the Queen Mary departed on her final cruise, arriving in Long Beach, California, on Dec. 9, 1967. She has called Southern California her home ever since. The Queen Mary is now a floating Hotel, Attraction & Event & Wedding Venue, home to three world-class restaurants & an icon in Southern California. With an impressive history & tradition of excellence, the Queen Mary Hotel is more than a place to rest one’s head – it’s an entire experience. There’s a wide variety of things to do on the ship, but we’ll save that for our last day.

Let’s Visit Catalina Island -
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California's only coastal island retreat is a short trip away from Los Angeles & part of the same county, but it's surprisingly different from its mainland counterpart. Most of its land is preserved as a nature conservancy, surrounding the small town of Avalon where about 3,000 people live. Avalon is a small, walkable town centered on the small boat harbor & waterfront, with enough hotels, restaurants & activities to keep visitors happy.

The most common way to get to Catalina Island from the mainland is to take a ferry, but we’ll take the glass bottom boat. These large, comfortable vessels bring the undersea world right to you. During our trip we’ll visit the Lover’s Cove Marine Preserve, where colorful fish & marine plants thrive among the kelp forests.

Upon arrival, we’ll walk along the waterfront from Casino Point to Lover's Point. Along the way, we'll see orange garibaldi fish swimming in the kelp beds & boats in the harbor, pass through the center of town & out again, to where the beaches are less busy & the views unobstructed.

Catalina residents drive golf carts because it's difficult to get permission to bring an automobile onto the island, but most visitors do it just for fun. We'll find rental places along the waterfront. While we've got wheels, let’s head up the hill to take in the vista from just below the Inn on Mt. Ada, run out to the Botanical Garden, then go across town toward the Zane Grey Hotel for a different point of view.

Time to head back to our hotel!
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See pictures on my page.

*Vote COTM Candidate DOLLY #222609!*

^~^ Vote JAKE#205858 for COTD tomorrow ^~^

Purrs & a vote.

Come visit me, K.Whiskers ♥ Talley *VOTE DOLLY COTM 222609 & saved blogs.

06/10/2013 08:40.39 AM

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Hi Q. Charlotte!
I hope you are enjoying the trip to California so far. My blogger and I are taking the weekend off, but we will be back Monday to continue the second part of our trip.

Not much new to report this morning. The outside kitties were waiting to be fed this morning, but for some reason they only ate their dry food. Mom hasn’t changed their brand of wet food, they just didn’t seem interested in it today. They did eat a whole bag of Temptations (My Mom always mixes it in with their regular dry cat food). I told Mom, us cats can be finicky!

I left a vote with purrs and hugs.

WAYS-YOU-KNOW-YOUR-CAT-RULES-YOU -

8. You want a bigger bed to accommodate your cat(s).

Yes, cats require your bed. Though they may have their own kitty-size beds (sometimes more than one), cats crave space on their owners’ beds — and the bigger, the better. A twin- or full-size just won’t do. Even a queen-size feels cramped when a cat drapes himself across the middle. Two cats are a crowd in a king. More than two cats: “Are you sure there isn’t a super-king size?” you wheedle at the mattress superstore. Not that a bigger bed means better sleep or getting up more easily. You can’t get up in the morning when there’s a cat pinned to your feet — or your head.

Come visit me, K.Whiskers ♥ Talley *VOTE DOLLY COTM 222609 & saved blogs.

06/08/2013 09:25.06 AM

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Wander With Whiskers – June 7 –San Diego
LA JOLLA & TIJUANA
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La Jolla, CA
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In Spanish, La Jolla means "the jewel," an apt name for a beautiful town ringed with blue waters. It's one of California's prettiest oceanside towns, and home to several of the state's best beaches.

La Jolla is popular with shoppers, romantics & outdoor adventurers who can surf, kayak, scuba dive & bicycle here. It's also a great foodie destination with some of San Diego's best-rated restaurants & a good place to go just to relax.

Beaches: When people say San Diego has great beaches, they really mean La Jolla has great beaches. La Jolla Cove, La Jolla Shores & Windandsea are not only the best in San Diego but perhaps the best in the state & La Jolla Shores may be California's most beautiful beach, with a wide, gently-sloping beach & panoramic views. A morning or sunset walk here is enough to relax the most stressed-out among us, and it's even better when the tide is going out, coating the sand with a mirror-like water layer.

We’ll go for a window-shopping stroll along Prospect Avenue & the side streets that run into it. With few chain stores in sight, we might just find something we can't leave without. To enjoy La Jolla at its scenic best, we’ll check the low tide times before we go, when the tide pools are revealed.

We only have a day, so let’s get back on the Feline Motor Coaches & head for Mexico!
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Tijuana, Mexico
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It's only a short drive from San Diego, but we'll feel that we've entered another world when we leave the United States behind & enter Tijuana, Mexico. This tour is a must for bargain shoppers & lovers of Mexican cuisine. All visitors to Mexico will be required to present a passport upon re-entry into the United States.
REMEMBER – Let’s all stay together while we are here!

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
Tijuana Cultural Center: The center is a multimillion-dollar showcase displaying exhibits about Mexico's people, events & culture, and is well worth a visit for the Mexican cuisine alone.

Shopping: The Tijuana terminal located on Avenida Revolucion makes it convenient to shop the many Bazaars & Boutiques. This is where we wheel & deal for shopping bargains. There are also ample opportunities to get your souvenir photograph taken with a Tijuana zebra (a donkey with black stripes) and cart. Good luck & be careful!

I hope you are all looking forward to riding the Royal Feline Castle Train next week, as we begin our journey up the CA Coast. My family & I will be returning to the Castle this weekend for some rest & relaxation. You are welcome to join us or continue your stay at the Hotel Del Coronado. Either way, we’ll see you back here on Monday!
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I posted pictures on my page.

*Vote COTM Candidate DOLLY #222609!*

-Vote ACOTD for ANGEL TINKIE #18386-

^~^ Visit CMR #46883 for daily mews ^~^

I left a vote with purrs.

Come visit me, K.Whiskers ♥ Talley *VOTE DOLLY COTM 222609 & saved blogs.

06/07/2013 07:47.09 AM

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Wander With Whiskers – June 6 –San Diego
The “Royal Feline Castle Train” -
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Our time is almost over in San Diego. I hope you have enjoyed its beauty & hospitality. Tomorrow we visit the picturesque town of La Jolla & its famous beaches. Lastly, we will cross over the border into Tijuana, Mexico, for some serious bargain shopping. This will give us one full day to enjoy our hotel stay on Coronado before we hop aboard the Royal Feline Castle Train to our next destination, L.A.! Let me tell you a little bit about the train.

Connecting San Diego through Los Angeles to San Francisco, the Castle Train offers a unique vantage on the California seascape. To get a closer look, you'd have to be on a surfboard! We can admire the Pacific views as we curl along the California coast. Our first stop will be in Long Beach where we will check into our hotel for 3 days on the Queen Mary.

The Feline Castle Train is 1st class, with exquisite fine dining & deluxe accommodations. The train's signature blue-and-gold rail carriages feature elegant lounge & dining cars, a dome observation car, and comfortable sleeping cabins. The interior is furnished in mahogany & brass, with rich upholstery. Our vintage train cars are an authentic slice of Americana, gliding over bridges & through tunnels in comfort & style.

Reminiscent of a scene from a glamorous 1940s Hollywood movie, the Feline Castle Train Dining Cars set the stage for exceptional fine dining experiences. Softly lit & intimate, the romantic atmosphere is elegant, yet relaxed. Your table, graced with fine china & fresh flowers, presents a personal view of the breathtaking vistas unfolding outside the window — a natural backdrop to complement every meal.

Best of all, our cuisine, prepared daily aboard the train, is truly superb. Essentially, the dining cars are regional restaurants on steel wheels. Hand-selected vegetables, herbs, seafood, meats & other ingredients are the freshest & finest available. The chef selects wines to complement the nuances of the evening's fare. The creative pastries served at Afternoon Tea & for dessert are freshly baked in the train's galley oven.

The Dome Car: Soak up the sun's rays or the starry velvet night in the dome car. The glass-enclosed dome car offers 360-degree viewing of the surrounding countryside & is equipped with a bar & library.

The 1940s-era Lounge Car is lavish with fresh floral arrangements, comfortable seating, and a full, professionally tended bar. Cocktails & light hors d'oeuvres are served here. Gather around the baby grand, where our kitty pianist plays your favorites.

Premier sleeping quarters are available to us on board the train & all cabins feature picture windows. So now you know what lies ahead for us next week.
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See picture of the train’s dining car.

*Vote our lovely COTM Candidate DOLLY #222609*

^~^ Visit CMR #46883 for daily mews ^~^

I left a vote with purrs & hugs.

Come visit me, K.Whiskers ♥ Talley *VOTE DOLLY COTM 222609 & saved blogs.

06/06/2013 06:54.43 AM

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Hi Q Charlotte
Pawing by to let you know that we are thinking about you & keeping you & your family in our prayers.

We miss you.
Purrs,
K Casper Todd

Come visit me, ♥K Casper Todd♥ COTM August 2008, ♥Q MerryBelle♥ COTM December 2008 & ♥Q Sissy♥ COTM July 2008.

06/05/2013 12:43.37 PM

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Wander With Whiskers – June 5 –San Diego
Wonders Of Wildlife At The San Diego Zoo –
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Founded in 1916, the San Diego Zoo located in Balboa Park, is an urban paradise for all ages. The Zoo is 100 acres in size and is home to more than 4,000 animals representing more than 800 species from around the world. It is also one of the few zoos in the world that houses the giant panda. We’ll spend 2 days monkeying around in the tropical oasis as we visit amazing habitats for animals such as gorillas, tigers, sun bears, flamingos, mandrills, polar bears, birds of paradise, giant tortoises, leopards and more. The observant visitor may notice that the zoo is also a botanical garden with more than 6,500 plant species, and some of its plants are more exotic than the animals.

It is viewed in several ways, first and foremost by walking along pathways, into aviaries, and through bioclimatic zones, but we'd have to walk about 3 to 4 miles to see everything, and some of the paths are steep. We can avoid the steepest climbs by using the moving sidewalks or take the Skyfari aerial sky ride to get up to the Polar Rim entrance and then walk downhill. Another option is a 35-minute Guided Bus Tour that gives a good overview of the Zoo. I chose the bus tour for all of us, in order to acquaint ourselves with the various areas where we would like to spend additional time.

Once our bus tour is over, we can grab some maps at the Visitor’s Center. It will be up to you to decide what you would like to see. Take a Panda Trek to visit the giant pandas and other animals that share their bamboo forest habitat. Go back in time through Elephant Odyssey to discover what animals used to roam Southern California and to see a herd of Asian elephants. Enjoy an aerial view from Skyfari or take the kittens to see animals up close in the Children's Zoo.

When is the best time to see the animals? There really isn’t any special time that more animals are in view, although many of the animals are “early risers” and may be a bit more active in the morning. In concern for the many endangered species that the Zoo houses at their facilities, they have built exhibits that mimic natural environments. Like natural environments, these areas give the animals plenty of room to hide. The ability to hide is important in the well being of many species, as we all well know!

We’ll meet back at the entrance at closing time. Have fun exploring!
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I posted some pictures of the SD Zoo on my page.

Visit the adorable Giant Panda's "pandacam" at http://www.sandiegozoo.org/pandacam/index.html.
(website info courtesy of Q. Cherish #17622)

*Vote daily our beautiful COTM Candidate DOLLY #222609!*

^~^ Please visit CMR #46883 for daily mews ^~^

I left a vote with purrs & hugs.

Come visit me, K.Whiskers ♥ Talley *VOTE DOLLY COTM 222609 & saved blogs.

06/05/2013 07:52.39 AM

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More travel ...
One or two days a week I will post a blog about one of our national parks, but this time we will visit a place in each park that offers not only spectacular views, but is also away from all the crowds. This way we can truly enjoy our visits without being distracted. The first park on our list is:

Acadia National Park – Schoodic Point

Located at the southern tip of Schoodic Peninsula in Winter Harbor, Maine, it provides one of the best places to view pounding surf during rough seas. Much of Maine’s Acadia National Park spreads across Mount Desert Island, so it surprises us that Schoodic Peninsula, the only portion of the Park on the mainland, is one of the more secluded areas of Acadia. Only 10% of visitors make the trip. Located at the very tip of the peninsula, it puts on a show at high tide for photographers, wave watchers, and explorers alike.

Steep granite walls and crashing waves collide throwing a wash of spray into the salty air, wowing us as we choose to journey out to this lesser visited section of the Park. It is also one of the best places to view diabase dikes. These are large veins of dark basalt that have forced their way through the older granite along the shore.

We carefully make our way down the slippery shore staying out of the wave’s wake. Careful here, the waves are powerful and deserve our respect. We don’t need a bath just now, do we? The shoreline consists of exposed and weathered red granite that varies from 10 to 100 feet in width from ocean to the beginning of plants and forest. The peninsula has a rocky granite shoreline containing many volcanic dikes.

The pounding of waves on the rocks, spectacular views of Mount Desert Island, and lack of crowds have made this a worthwhile destination for us adventurous hikers. Before making the trek back to our vehicles, we wash up in the restrooms, enjoy a picnic, time to take a few more pictures, and a few minutes just relaxing. There is a picture of Schoodic Point on my page.

Come visit me, Q. Cherish - COTM March 2012.

06/04/2013 09:45.00 PM

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Wander With Whiskers – June 4 –San Diego
“I Was Strolling Through Balboa Park One Day ...”
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Often referred to as the “Smithsonian of the West," Balboa Park is the largest urban park with cultural institutions in the United States. Encompassing 1,200 acres, Balboa Park exceeds even New York’s Central Park in size. Home to 15 major museums, renowned performing arts venues, beautiful gardens & the San Diego Zoo, the Park has an ever-changing calendar of museum exhibitions, plays, musicals, concerts, and classes—all in the beautiful & timeless setting of this must-see San Diego attraction. The museums cover topics including anthropology, art, aviation, natural science & technology.

Most of the buildings throughout the park are built in a richly ornamented Spanish-Renaissance style. The buildings here are beautiful enough to be considered attractions in themselves, but the real draw is the culture, history, science & arts held within their walls. We will be spending two days here & will try to explore as much of the park as time allows.

We’ll start by visiting a few museums. Our first stop will be at the Museum of Man, exploring the history of man through artifacts, folk art, and archaeological finds. Next, the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, a science museum, but with a very cool state-of-the-art planetarium. Later, a brief tour of the Air & Space Museum, where we can journey through the history of flight, celebrating aviation & space flight history & technology. And finally a visit of the Model Railroad Museum, housing the largest indoor model railroad displays in the world! All aboard!

Before lunch, we will spend time wandering the Botanical Gardens so we can have a picnic outside on the grass in front of the Reflecting Pool. If you look closely into the Reflecting Pool (or Lily Pond), you can see the tranquil waters move slightly from the movement of the Koi that fill the pond. Absolutely NO FISHING allowed! MOL! The view of the Botanical Building with the Lily Pond in the foreground is one of the most photographed scenes in Balboa Park.

Let’s all stop by to see the antique carousel after lunch before we all part to explore the park on our own. The 1910 Park Carousel is a menagerie of animals & is one of the few in the world still offering the brass ring game for everyone taking the 5-minute ride.

We’ll stop at the Park’s Visitor Center & pick up some event schedules & maps. We won’t be visiting the San Diego Zoo until tomorrow, so let’s try to see as much of the park as we can today. We’ll all meet back for dinner at the Prado Restaurant in the House of Hospitality Center around 6 p.m. Keep your cell phones handy (just in case) and enjoy yourselves!
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I posted pictures of Balboa Park on my page.

*Vote daily our lovely COTM Candidate DOLLY #222609!*

^~^ Visit CMR #46883 for daily mews ^~^

I left a vote with purrs & hugs.

Come visit me, K.Whiskers ♥ Talley *VOTE DOLLY COTM 222609 & saved blogs.

06/04/2013 07:05.15 AM

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Wander With Whiskers – June 3 –San Diego
Let’s Explore The Beauty Of The Hotel Del Coronado -
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During our visit to San Diego, we will continue our stay at the fabulous Hotel del Coronado. Our rooms for the week have oceanfront views & are mere steps from the Pacific Ocean. Let’s revisit the hotel & let me tell you a little bit about this National Historic Landmark that turns 125 yrs old this year.

With its iconic red turrets piercing an azure California skyline, Hotel del Coronado radiates with a confidence of gracious Victorian splendor that is without equal.

Built in 1888, this classic beachfront respite on the charming island of Coronado has long been heralded as one of America’s most beautiful beach resorts. The hotel is ideal for those who yearn for a memorable vacation getaway. The resort’s enchanting island setting & classic architecture form the perfect backdrop for a romantic escape.

The Hotel Del has served over half of the U.S. Presidents who have held the office since 1891. It has also served dignitaries from around the world, including King Edward VIII of England who relinquished his crown so he could marry Coronado resident Wallis Simpson.

Hollywood has been making movies at The Del since 1901. In 1958, The Del was the backdrop for the comedy classic "Some Like It Hot," starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis & Jack Lemmon. The resort has also seen a steady stream of celebrity visitors - from Charlie Chaplin & Humphrey Bogart to Brad Pitt & Madonna.

What Victorian resort would be complete without a resident ghost? Kate Morgan checked into the resort on November 24, 1892, & never checked out. Reports of ghostly happenings, all thought to be connected to the death of this beautiful young woman, have been circulating at The Del ever since.

The Crown Room, where we had the Coronation, is the same room where Charles Lindbergh & the San Diegans who built his Spirit of St. Louis celebrated the historic achievement of being the first to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. To the left of the lobby is the Ballroom with Ocean Views (for those of us who want to go ballroom dancing!). We can head downstairs to see a gallery of pictures & stories outlining the history of the Hotel del Coronado.

Finally, we can walk outdoors to the Windsor Lawn to enjoy views of the ocean & take some time strolling around the outside of this grand hotel. You can also take a walk along the nearly mile-long Coronado Beach, which you can access behind the Hotel Del.

We’ll be touring San Diego on our Feline Motor Coach tour buses, so let’s all meet in the hotel lobby at 9 a.m. sharp. Your new room keys are at the front desk. Enjoy dear furiends!
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I posted some pictures of the “Del” on my page.

*Vote daily our beautiful COTM Candidate DOLLY #222609!*

**Vote ~Puzzle # 256239~ for COTD tomorrow!**

^~^ Please visit CMR #46883 for daily mews ^~^

I left a vote with purrs & hugs.

Come visit me, K.Whiskers ♥ Talley *VOTE DOLLY COTM 222609 & saved blogs.

06/03/2013 07:42.57 AM

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Please Vote for Puzzle #256239 COTD on Mon. June 3
Puzzle’s Mom went to County Services to meet this handsome boy. She sat in the kitty room for a very long time hoping to make a special connection with a kitty but sadly she didn't find what she was looking for, as she was about to leave they wheeled in a cart of kittens and there in the middle of them was Puzzle. He didn't take his eyes off of her so she plucked him out and he instantly gave her Nose kisses and of course she decided he would go home with her that day. He still blesses her with this loving gesture every day. Puzzle #256239 is very athletic and likes to jump long distances, although he is not always successful, Mom hears an occasional thud but he shakes it off and tries again!! He loves to hunt the birds, bugs & lizards outside the sliding glass door, occasionally one slips in and mom ruins his game by pitching the offender back out. He also has a stuffed buddy that he carries around with him, chattering away to it the whole time. He loves to play with his favorite toys Kickaroos, Cat Dancers & Charmers. He is very laid back and loves his fursibs ButtonBlue, Add-A-Line, Blondie & his best playing buddy Lolapalooza Lili, although he does get disgusted with her dunking all of his toys in the water fountain. Please stop and give Puzzle #256239 your vote so that he may show off a shiny new COTD Badge.

We would like to Thank Queen Spunky #161265 who gave a wonderful two months of cat shows and travels. Please Stop by and Visit King Whiskers #227256 at the castle, we look forward to hearing more from this kind and caring leader. Please stop by daily and give your support to DOLLY #222609 on her quest to become our July COTM.

Thank you for your continued support of the CMR Special Recognition Campaigns and our outstanding candidates! These campaigns are chosen for families who are trying to help other CC members by visiting and voting. In appreciation, we are leaving you a Catnip Chip Ice Cream Bar. This is Mouse & Tucker with Mike #161232 & Mallow for the CMR page #46883.

Come visit me, Sir Tucker ~ #219145, Dot ~ # 247583, Dame Mouse ~ #219407 & Smoke's Angels~Please Vote Dolly # 222609 for COTM.

06/02/2013 04:22.59 PM

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Wander With Whiskers - June 2
California Coast Itinerary -
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We’ll be traveling via the Royal Feline Castle Train so we can all admire the Pacific views as we curl along the CA coast. This legendary Castle Train features domed observation cars, allowing us to see the sights while the train is moving, and comfortable, luxurious sleeping cars, along with numerous amenities. The Dining Car offers fresh cuisine served on real china & table linens, rivaling any fine restaurant.

Here is a brief breakdown of our CA Coast Itinerary:
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Week 1
San Diego. California’s second largest city, where blue skies keep watch over 70 miles of majestic coastline & a gentle Mediterranean climate. We will be staying on the charming island town of Coronado, visiting the resplendent & beautiful Balboa Park & the world famous San Diego Zoo. Time allowing, we will explore the picturesque village & beaches of La Jolla (The Jewel) with its beautiful coves & caves. For the adventurous kitties, we might spend an afternoon shopping across the border into Tijuana, Mexico!

Week 2
Long Beach-Los Angeles-San Luis Obispo. Begins with a leisurely morning cruise to Catalina Island, to stroll the quaint streets of the Mediterranean-flavored port town of Avalon. Of course, there's always plenty of reason to stop in Los Angeles. The home of the stars is also home to Hollywood, Malibu, and the people-watching wonder that is the Venice Boardwalk. Just remember to grab your sunglasses & watch for your favorite stars. After passing through the popular resort town of Santa Barbara, the train finishes its route in the charming old city of San Luis Obispo.

Week 3
Hearst Castle-Big Sur Coast Highway-Carmel-Monterey. Our first tour will be to the infamous Hearst castle in San Simeon. We’ll travel alongside the spectacular Highway 1 through Big Sur, designated American National Scenic Byway & California Scenic Highway, an honor reserved for highways that are so distinctive they are destinations unto themselves. Next, Carmel-By-The-Sea, famous for its European charm, white sand beaches & hundreds of shops, art galleries & restaurants. Lastly, a visit to Monterey, home to the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Week 4
Santa Cruz-San Francisco-San Jose. Santa Cruz is best known for its beautiful redwood forest & is home to the “Beach Boardwalk”, a popular seaside amusement park. Sightseeing in one of the world’s most beautiful cities, San Francisco is famous for its natural harbor, lush parks, cable cars, the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island & much more. Our tour ends in San Jose, the ‘Capital of Silicon Valley’. We will visit the revitalized downtown & stay at the fabulous Fairmont San Jose Hotel.
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I posted a map of our trip on my page.

*VOTE daily COTM Candidate DOLLY #222609!*

^~^ Please visit CMR #46883 for daily mews ^~^

I left a vote with purrs & hugs.

Come visit me, K.Whiskers ♥ Talley *VOTE DOLLY COTM 222609 & saved blogs.

06/02/2013 06:57.53 AM

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Dear Q. Charlotte & Gang,
JUST TO REMIND YOU:

The honour of your presence is requested at the nuptial vows of Ana and Malachi on Saturday, June 22nd. The hours will be 4:00am EDT, 3:00am CDT, 1:00am MST (Arizona) and 1:00am PDT. The hours are so early because my precious fiancee, Ana, wants to have a sunrise ceremony at her location in Massachusetts, Mt. Pollux Conservation Area . We certainly hope you are able to attend. There will be live blogging on the CMR page (#46883) where Sir Pushkin will be performing the vows.

The day before the wedding, Friday, June 21st. will be a Sports Day held at Ana's house (#151490). There will be games, sports, arts and crafts, and just general fun to be had by all. This will be an all day affair, so come as you wish. You are certainly invited to spend the night to be ready for the wedding on the morrow.

After the wedding there will be champagne and a wedding feast, but Ana and I shall slip off to leave on our honeymoon. You are all invited to stay and pawty as long as you wish.

On July 13th, a Saturday, there will be an after wedding pawty held for us by my furiend Manchester. It will be an all day affair so you may come and go as you please. It will be held at (#247289). We hope you all can attend.

That is all the information you need, and we fervently hope you will be able to attend this momentous of occasions with us. I'm leaving you a vote and wishes for a blessed day.

Purrs & furry paw hugs,
Malachi & Ana

Come visit me, Sir Malachi: Ana is my girl! Cheesy is my BFF!.

06/01/2013 08:23.56 AM

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A Word With Whiskers – May 31
CREATURE COMFORTS –(excerpt from Sarah Ban Breathnach)
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If you have pets, don’t just feed, walk, and ignore them. You invited them into your life, so open your heart. Pets need to be stroked, cuddled, caressed, indulged, pampered, and played with; dote on them & they’ll return the kind of devotion most of us can only dream about receiving from human beings. Talk to them & you’ll discover a trusted confidante who’ll never betray your secrets. Laugh at their silly antics–a sure stressbuster–and learn how to live by observing them. Cats are spontaneous, content to live in the present moment. They’re small, shedding, scratching, inscrutable Zen masters sent to teach us the paradox of undoing in a hectic world where things always have to be done. As the ball of fur presently curled up on my desk clearly demonstrates, the more naps you take, the more awakenings you experience.

Today, be grateful for the gift of sharing your earthly span with creatures who comfort. Animals are our spiritual companions, living proof of a simply abundant source of Love. None of us need feel alone. And if there is a gift, then surely, there must be a Giver.
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FINAL CATPAIGN DAY!
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Catpaigning for COTM has been an unbelievable month. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading my blogs about cats. My desire was to educate & inform you, as well as make you laugh, sometimes cry, and just proud to be felines.

My Mom & I both thank you for the heartwarming stories & words of encouragement that made my catpaign such a valuable experience. I owe a big thanks to the CMR crew (#46883) for coming by everyday to inspire me & for giving me the honor of being your May candidate. I’d like to say a special thank you to Boo Kitty (#154855) and her Mom Jane for the amazing royal pictography.

~ The Coronation will be held on SATURDAY, JUNE 1st at 9 A.M. (PST)/ Noon (EST) on the CMR Page #46883. ~

**Please visit Queen Spunky #161265 & let her know how much we’ve enjoyed her reign as our beautiful Queen for May!**
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To give you a sneak preview of what my reign as King has in store for all of us, I plan a sort of continuation of Queen Spunky’s fabulous tour of California, only we’ll be traveling via the legendary Royal Castle Feline Train up the California Coast. I will be posting an itinerary of the day-to-day events on Sunday. We will begin the tour early Monday morning & as luck would have it, my planned tour starts in San Diego at the Hotel Del Coronado, right where Queen Spunky left us!
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~ CONCATULATIONS to our COTD Bennie #208164~

**Vote ~Q.Sabrina Anne #175550~ for COTD tomorrow!**

^~^ Please visit CMR #46883 for daily mews ^~^

Thanks again for your furiendship & support throughout my catpaign. CC kitties are the absolute best! I left a vote with purrs & hugs.

Come visit me, K.Whiskers ♥ Talley *VOTE DOLLY COTM 222609 & saved blogs.

05/31/2013 07:15.29 AM

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A Word With Whiskers – May 30
…HAPPILY EVER AFTER
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I’m Saigon, one of the cats here at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, and this is my story.

My whole world turned upside down years ago in a storm I’ll never forget. Everybody else around here calls that storm Hurricane Katrina. For me I only remembered how frightened I was with all that water everywhere. Nothing looked the same anymore, and I didn’t know where to go for help. Thank goodness somebody found me and pulled me out of that mess!

I ended up coming to Best Friends, where I admit I wasn’t ready to trust people in the beginning. You’d think it wouldn’t be so hard, seeing how it was a group of kind people who rescued me from the big storm in the first place. I don’t know why but I was still nervous. I found a place to hide way up high in my new room at Best Friends, and I’m afraid I stayed there an awful long time.

But here’s the thing about the incredible people who work at Best Friends. They never give up on you! They knew I was too scared to come down and say hello, so they took care of me from a distance. I’ll always remember that.

I sat up there watching my cat friends play with people all the time. One day I got to thinking …these people always took good care of me, and want only to make me feel better. They can’t be so bad, can they? I finally decided to give it a go. And you know what? I couldn’t believe what I had been missing.

These days, when the caregivers bring in the food, I don’t even want to eat until I’ve had a chance to say hello. They’re so nice to me.

I guess I can share one more silly detail. For the longest time, I used to watch the other cats in the room play with toys all day long. I used to shake my head at them. It’s kind of odd, maybe, but I was too nervous to enjoy toys. Well, I finally got the concept!

You see, the amazing people in my life have helped me feel so much safer, so much happier, that I finally felt up to trying out some toys of my own not long ago. And guess what? I haven’t stopped playing with them since.

So that’s my story. It started out a bit sad, but thanks to the good people who support Best Friends, I’m living “happily ever after.”
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Best Friends Animal Society runs the nation's largest sanctuary for abused and abandoned animals. Visit them at bestfriends.org.
(See Saigon’s photo on my page.)

^~^ Visit daily COTM QUEEN SPUNKY #161265 ^~^

~A BIG CONCATULATIONS to our COTD Meiko #201282~

^~^ Please visit CMR #46883 for daily mews ^~^

Thanks for your support to my catpaign! I left a vote with purrs & hugs.

Come visit me, K.Whiskers ♥ Talley *VOTE DOLLY COTM 222609 & saved blogs.

05/30/2013 07:31.47 AM

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And now ...
… our cruise ship docks on the coast of California, but this is not the end of our adventure. We board … what else … my big pink jet … pawrents and kitties, both … and fly across this big land to New York City. Here we begin a trip like no other we have experienced.

Let me set the stage. On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright made history with the first controlled, powered and sustained heavier-than-air flight with a pilot aboard. This happened at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. With Orville Wright as pilot, the airplane took off from a launching rail and flew for 12 seconds and a distance of 120 feet. The airplane was flown three more times that day, with the Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, alternating as pilot. The longest flight, with Wilbur at the controls, was 852 feet and lasted 59 seconds.

Although not the first to build and fly experimental aircraft, the Wright brothers were the first to invent aircraft controls that made fixed-wing powered flight possible. In 1909, the Wright brothers were awarded the Congressional Medal for their contribution to the world of their flying machine. They started a flying revolution and proved that all things are possible. A Wright brothers airplane hangs inside the National Air and Space Museum. It is the original plane that made the first powered flight.

But it’s not possible for us to fly their plane, right? Wrong! We are about to take a tour of this nation with them. Buckle up, take a deep breath, and off we go to see some of the amazing places in our country! You will recognize many of them, and a few you will have visited during my time at the castle. Hope you have fun on this special flight. It is nearly six minutes in length and worth every second. Find time to join me and let’s go Flying Over America. See the two links below, select one, copy and paste, and let’s take flight.

I have posted a picture of the first flight on my page.

Click here: Flying Over America - YouTube

Or

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=KcuDdPo0WZk

Come visit me, Q. Cherish - COTM March 2012.

05/29/2013 04:40.18 PM

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A Word With Whiskers – May 29
CAT DREAMS – by Grace Tolson
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Have you ever wondered what the cat thinks as he sits with his paws folded under, eyes half closed, purring? Perhaps. Or with his tail flashing. I wonder does he dream of mice, of catching the worlds most ferocious mouse. Creeping softly on velvet paws, hush not a sound, closer ever closer, down on his belly, hiding in the long grass.

Now motionless he waits, patiently he crouches, not stirring, tail still, only the movement of his eyes shows that he lives. A sudden jump and he has won, he has caught the monster, holding it tight in his teeth. But the battle is not over yet, the monster will not give in, it wriggles and twists as it tries to free itself from the jaws of the cat, but the cat holds fast. But now he lets the mouse jump free then pounces and grabs it again, he tosses the mouse into the air and catches it as it falls to earth. He lets it go, paws slam it to the ground then he tosses it up again, this game he plays till the mouse falls limp. Limp and dead.

Is this the dream? Or is the dream of a bird gliding low, then snap and he holds it in his jaws. The bird struggles in its panic but iron jaws hold on. Cat the mighty hunter, would be a fitting dream.

Maybe the dream is of world’s far away, world’s lost in time, world’s only the cat knows. World’s where no human exists, world’s where the cat rules and all other animals bow down before him. Does he walk proudly through the jungle, eyes ever watchful, tail erect, head held high. Sometimes climbing trees often times chasing butterflies. Stopping to sit in a patch of sunlight, the sun warms his fur and he delicately washes his paws. Still the eyes are watchful, as a fly flirts with death and flits close as a paw flashes out to bat the fly. He misses, no matter twas only a game.

Now he stretches out, letting the sun warm more fur. His glossy fur, his coat of black shines beautiful in the sun. Night comes & cat awakes. Now he will wander his world, hunting small night creatures. Hush! There is a sound in the night, tiny feet scurry past, cat pounces & the creature is caught.

Is this what the cat is dreaming? Or is he dreaming of what might have been, of love perhaps, of a lady cat, of that which now can never be? Does he remember the feelings from before, does he feel them still? I ask him but he won’t tell. He closes his eyes, puts his head on his paws & sleeps away his day. For what else can a cat do, but be.
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We cats like to preserve that element of mystery.

^~^ Visit daily COTM QUEEN SPUNKY #161265 ^~^

~A BIG CONCATULATIONS to our COTD Domino & Wilson #251796~

**Vote ~Meiko #201282~ for COTD tomorrow!**

^~^ Please visit CMR #46883 for daily mews ^~^

Thanks for your support to my catpaign! I left a vote with purrs & hugs.

Come visit me, K.Whiskers ♥ Talley *VOTE DOLLY COTM 222609 & saved blogs.

05/29/2013 07:26.34 AM

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A Word With Whiskers – May 28
SHADOW KITTY – (A Thank You Note) - Anonymous
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Dear Whoever Left Me "Shadow”,

I work in public accounting and lead a pretty miserable life. We work horrible hours and I have almost no time to do anything else in life. One day after leaving work at one in the morning, upon heading to the parking lot, I noticed a box in front of my car. Scared of what was inside, I imagined it to be either a) a bomb, or b) full of baby kittens. Hesitantly, I gently tapped the box with my foot, nudging it knowing the chance of it being a bomb was pretty low. The box felt light - too light to be a box of kittens. In fact, no one meowed when it shook. So I took an even greater risk and peeked inside. I see a tiny baby kitten sitting inside with an empty water dish, soft pillow and warm blanket. Never having thought I would own a cat, I was about to leave the kitten there for someone else to find. However, it was approximately 35 degrees outside and with no food or water, the kitten would surely struggle through the night. So I placed the large box in my passenger seat and brought the kitten home with me.

The tiniest cat I have ever seen, she has the softest black fur, sweetest face and gentlest personality. On the box, in a child's handwriting an index card was scotch-taped to the side saying "Cat's home" and written on the box was "Shadow".

Whatever the circumstances were, since you packed the box with the water dish, pillow and blanket, I can only imagine how much you wanted her to have a good home. This note is a simple thank you, and letting you know she has a wonderful home now and she has brought so much joy into my miserable life. Things are starting to look up, and I will be making life changes soon and hope to find new employment. As far as I know, an angel left Shadow for me that night.
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MEMBER OF THE FAMILY – by Hope Harrington Kolb
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What would I do without you, my precious, furry friend?...
Part mischief, but all blessings, and faithful to the end!
You look at me with eyes of love; you never hold a grudge....
You think I'm far too wonderful to criticize or judge.

It seems your greatest joy in life is being close to me...
I think God knew how comforting your warm, soft fur would be.
I know you think you're human, but I'm glad it isn't true...
The world would be a nicer place if folks were more like you!

A few short years are all we have; One day we'll have to part...
But you, my pet, will always have a place within my heart.
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Cats are indeed a blessing.

^~^ Visit daily COTM QUEEN SPUNKY #161265 ^~^

~A BIG CONCATULATIONS to our COTD King Leo & Mai Lin #245322~

^~^ Please visit CMR #46883 for daily mews ^~^

Thanks for your support to my catpaign! I left a vote with purrs & hugs.

Come visit me, K.Whiskers ♥ Talley *VOTE DOLLY COTM 222609 & saved blogs.

05/28/2013 07:30.43 AM

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A Word With Whiskers – May 27
Rescued Afghanistan Cat – (Yahoo News)
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Cats & dogs far from home often comfort our troops more than any civilian will ever know. Staff Sgt. Jesse Knott risked his life while serving in Afghanistan, but it's the risk he took for a cat named Koshka that's getting him attention these days.

Knott met Koshka on base in the Maiwand District of Afghanistan, where the feline worked as the unofficial mouse catcher. But despite his service, Koshka wasn't always taken care of.

"He was showing some signs that people weren't taking very good care of him," Knott told CBS affiliate WBTV. "I found paint in his fur a couple of times. And then people took clippers and shaved his back."

Concerned for the cat, Knott made room for Koshka in his office, even though soldiers aren't allowed to have pets.

Then, on Dec. 8, 2011, a suicide bomber targeted a military convoy near Knott's base and killed two of the soldier's friends. Knott said he was struck by depression and was crying in his office when Koshka came to comfort him.

"With tears in my eyes he locked eyes with me, reached out with his paw and pressed it to my lips, then climbed down into my lap curled up and shared the moment with me," he told the Clackamas Review.

That was when Knott decided that Koshka couldn't stay in Afghanistan.

"He pulled me out of one of my darkest times, so I had to pull him out of one of his darkest places," he said.

The soldier was unable to get his feline friend on a military convoy, so he forged a plan with a brave local interpreter who agreed to take the cat to Kabul.

Both Koshka and the interpreter were at risk - if the man was discovered to be helping an American, the repercussions could be deadly.

"The risk to him was immense," Knott said. "This is a cat with a purple collar and an American-brand cat carrier, going halfway across Afghanistan, going across God knows how many Taliban checkpoints."

But the interpreter got Koshka to the Kabul airport undetected, and Knott's family paid $3,000 to fly the cat to their home in Oregon.

Since Koshka's rescue, Knott has left Afghanistan and is now stationed in Washington state. When his military service ends, he plans to reunite with the cat that helped him through one of his darkest times.

"He was my saving grace," Knott said. "He kept me alive during that tour."
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Memorial Day is a time to be very proud of all who fought for us. It is a time for remembrance and celebration. Please Support Our Troops! (See picture of Koshka & Knott on my page.)

^~^ Vote daily COTM QUEEN SPUNKY #161265 ^~^

~CONCATULATIONS to our COTD Sadie #25475~

**Vote ~Leo & Mai Lin # 245322~ for COTD tomorrow!**

^~^ Please visit CMR #46883 for daily mews ^~^

Thanks for your support! I left a vote with purrs & hugs.

Come visit me, K.Whiskers ♥ Talley *VOTE DOLLY COTM 222609 & saved blogs.

05/27/2013 09:22.40 AM

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Please Vote Leo & Mai Lin 245322 COTD on Mon 5/27
Please Vote Leo & Mai Lin 245322 COTD on Mon 5/27
K Leo and his sibling Mai Lin are two of the most cherished members of our CC family. They are always on hand to congratulate kitties who are celebrating. They console those who are sad, and they support all of the catpaigns and special events here on CC. They are very active in the Mouse Hockey League, promoting good sportsmanship and enjoying friendly competition.
We all fondly remember Leo’s Reign as King, which he won on his old account, along with two COTD badges. Now he has joined his presence on CC with Mai Lin and the two of them are very good friends to all of us. It is most assuredly time for all of us to join together to honor these two wonderful kitties with their own shiny new COTD badge.
Also, please keep those COTM votes rolling for Whiskers (227256) so this handsome kitty, can proudly wear the June COTM crown as our King. Remember to let him know how much fun it’s been sharing his wonderful blogs about inspiring animals and his great health tips. (There have been some laughs and some tears, but his daily word for us has always been from the heart and always very interesting.) His catpaign has been inspiring, and we look forward to more insightful blogs from our very special friend Whiskers.
Please remember to stop in to visit our current COTM, Queen Spunky (161265) to let her know how much we’ve enjoyed her reign and her great excursions to some amazing places.
So, On behalf of the whole CMR team, this is Pete and the Girls, and Princess and Sib's, thanking you for your continued support of the CMR’s special recognition COTD campaigns & our remarkable COTM candidates.

Come visit me, Talley COTD 01/02/2009, Ms Murphy COTD July 6th 2009, Angel Lucy-Fur COTD 10 18 2008, Pete COTM March 2011, Angel Maggie COTD March 7, 2013, Raven COTD 5/6/2009 & Angel Sylvia Seville (COTD June 12 2008).

05/26/2013 07:10.10 PM

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Hi Q. Charlotte!
You and your family are always in our prayers. Have a relaxing holiday weekend dear furiend.

Purrs and hugs.

CATS’ RULES OF LIFE (Part 5)

HIDING:
Every now and then, hide in a place where the humans cannot find you for a few days. This will cause the humans to panic (which they love) thinking that you have run away or are lost. Once you do come out, the humans will cover you with love and kisses and you will probably get a treat.

Come visit me, K.Whiskers ♥ Talley *VOTE DOLLY COTM 222609 & saved blogs.

05/26/2013 05:32.57 AM

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A Word With Whiskers – May 26
Four Famous Cats of War– (petmed.com)
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Cats are often overlooked in the history of military animals, and for the most part, all of our famous wartime cats became so during the 1st & 2nd World Wars, when cats were still very much a part of the naval service - both here in the States & abroad. These were the days when it was essential to have a good ratter/mouser on board to protect the food stores. Like their human counterparts, some cats performed above & beyond their daily service. In other cases, the cats were not official members of the service, but they showed courage under fire, or assisted in the survival of troops on the ground. Here are four cats that stand out for their exceptional wartime actions.

#4 Crimean Tom
Crimean Tom was an accidental hero. In 1854, when British & French troops occupied the Russian port town of Sevastopol, Tom led the famished troops to caches of food beneath the rubble, which had been hidden all along the waterfront by the Russian defenders. Though not an official military cat, Tom was adopted as a mascot by the grateful soldiers & was taken along to England when the troops were called back.

#3 Tiddles
Tiddles, a born & raised ship cat, served with the HMS Victorious Royal Navy aircraft carrier in the early 1940s as the official Captain’s Cat. It can be assumed that he performed his duties ably, since he traveled over 30,000 miles during his naval service. He may also be one of the reasons for why the black cat is considered lucky in Great Britain.

#2 Able Seacat Simon
Able Seacat Simon (his official title), of the Royal Navy’s HMS Amethyst, began his career in 1948 as the Amethyst’s formal ratter. Simon performed his duties so well that he was twice awarded in 1949. The first after a particularly grueling incident with Chinese forces, Simon was awarded an Amethyst campaign ribbon for his valiant service. The next was the Dickin Medal for animal gallantry. Simon is the only cat to have received the Dickin Medal, and when he died, he was buried with full naval honors.

#1 Pfc. Hammer
Even today, a good mouser is still cherished. Pfc. Hammer proved his mettle when he decided to move in with the troops of a U.S. Army unit in Iraq in 2004, killing & chasing away mice that would have devoured or contaminated the soldiers' food stores. The men were so grateful for Hammer’s hard work & affection toward them that they made him an honorary member of their unit, and applied for & received help from Alley Cat Allies & Military Mascots to bring Hammer home to America after their deployment. He now lives in Colorado with his old comrade, Staff Sgt. Rick Bousfield.
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Let’s put up our paws for peace! =^.^=

^~^ Vote daily COTM QUEEN SPUNKY #161265 ^~^

~ CONCATULATIONS to our COTD Lollapalooza LiLi #256238~

^~^ Please visit CMR #46883 for daily mews ^~^

Thanks for your support! I left a vote with purrs & hugs.

Come visit me, K.Whiskers ♥ Talley *VOTE DOLLY COTM 222609 & saved blogs.

05/26/2013 05:31.23 AM

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A Word With Whiskers – May 25
Marines Rescue Cats In Afghanistan – (taildom.com)
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In Afghanistan, in the midst of war, many animals are lost and separated from their family. Many are found later by troops from the US, UK and Canada. Soldiers rescue these animals and get help from rescue groups that help them send these animals out of the country and to a forever loving home that they deserve.

Two US marine soldiers, Brian Chambers & Chris Berry, started a mission to help bring home the kittens they have befriended while serving in Afghanistan. With generous donations from cat lovers and animal rescue shelters, Kiki and Keykey, two lovely ginger kitties, have successfully made it home in the US.

Kiki and his fursister Bones were found by Brian Chambers, a U.S. Marine. “At only 3 weeks old, their mother had disappeared and they were left alone to live rough and fend for themselves like the other cats in this area. We looked after them both and they lived in a box in the office, after a week they were allowed to roam around during the day and sleep with us in the hooch at night.” Bones vanished a week after, along with Kiki, but Kiki eventually returned.

Kiki was injured badly on March 8th. Brian found him in horrible condition. “He was too frightened to approach me. I ran to find some wipes to clean him and I then realized how bad this wounds really were.” A vet came the next day and put Kiki on a course of antibiotics. Today Kiki has fully recovered.

“Kiki is a very playful adventurous cat who loves to explore and is very curious. He enjoys sitting on my shoulder, chewing on my hand and running up my legs. He hasn’t been put off by what has happened to him.”

Keykey was found by another U.S. marine named Chris Berry. “I found Keykey tangled up in c-wire one day in the beginning of the deployment. I took him in and fixed his wounds. He was extremely malnourished so I constantly kept an eye on him, until he was back to good health. He has been by my side ever since.”

Both Keykey and Kiki have arrived in the U.S. Kiki is currently living with Brian’s parents in Texas. Keykey is living with Chris’ parents in Michigan.

For soldiers who are on duty overseas, often time the only chance they get to cuddle is when they meet these stray animals. These soldiers are lonely and longing for love from their family and friends. The kitties are abandoned, lost and have nowhere to call home. When they find each other, they become best friends.
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Another good reason to support our troops! See the 2 pictures of Kiki, Keykey, Brian & Chris on my page.

^~^ Vote daily COTM QUEEN SPUNKY #161265 ^~^

~ CONCATULATIONS to our ACOTD Angel Jason #228203~

^~^ Please visit CMR #46883 for daily mews ^~^

Thanks for your support to my catpaign! I left a vote with purrs & hugs.

Come visit me, K.Whiskers ♥ Talley *VOTE DOLLY COTM 222609 & saved blogs.

05/25/2013 07:27.38 AM

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A sweet treat ...
Today we visit the Dole Plantation. Originally operated as a fruit stand beginning in 1950, Dole Plantation opened to the public as Hawaii’s "Pineapple Experience" in 1989. Today, Dole Plantation is one of Oahu’s most popular visitor attractions and welcomes more than one million visitors a year.

Are you ready? We are going to take a whistle stop tour through Hawaii’s Pineapple story on the Pineapple Express! On this fully narrated, twenty-minute train tour we’ll learn the story of pineapple in Hawaii. All aboard! After a brief scramble to get a seat next to their best buddies, all kitties are seated and it’s time to go. Our custom-constructed, vintage-style engine whisks us across more than a century of the island’s agricultural history, from the days when pineapple ruled the plantation to today’s rich diversity of farming enterprises, from mangoes to coffee to cacao beans. The ride is two miles long, twenty minutes in length. Along the way, we learn about the history of the world’s most beloved tropical fruit. Our journey takes us through a working plantation of pineapple and other crops, often featuring fields in all stages of growth, from planting to harvest. We also experience some of the scenic panoramas of Oahu’s renowned North Shore from a perspective few Hawai‘i visitors ever get to experience. When we depart the train, we can still smell the sweetness of pineapples ready to be picked.

And now for THE MAZE! In 2008, Dole Plantation’s giant Pineapple Garden Maze was declared the world’s largest maze. The maze stretches over three acres and includes nearly two and one-half miles of paths crafted from 14,000 colorful Hawaiian plants. We walk through the flora of the islands as we seek out eight secret stations that each lead us closer to the mystery at the heart of this larger-than-life labyrinth, one of only a handful of permanent botanical mazes in America. The fastest finishers win a prize and enter into the history of Dole Plantation, with their names recorded on a sign at the maze’s entrance. Several of our guests have raced ahead to find spots where they can “surprise” their furriends and hopefully scare them. After yesterday’s jump from a plane, frightening anyone is not going to prove easy, is it? Once we have confirmed everyone finally is out of the maze and accounted for, we head over for a treat.

No stop to Dole Plantation would be complete without enjoying a world-famous Dole Whip! This refreshing pineapple treat is guaranteed to quench our thirst and cool us down after a sun-filled day. This is the same wonderful treat we enjoyed when we visited Disneyland’s delightful Tiki Room.

Our visit to the Hawaiian Islands is growing to a close. A magnificent meal has been prepared by the chef to commemorate our time in this magical place. We eat our fill and head for the lounge where we can relive the past days and share the photos we have taken. See some of them at the bottom of my page.

Come visit me, Q. Cherish - COTM March 2012.

05/24/2013 03:26.51 PM

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A Word With Whiskers – May 24
What I’ve Learned From My Cats- by Sue Resnick
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We, as Human-Americans, think that we are so much smarter than our pets. But think about it — who gets a belly rub just by purring; or, tells us when it’s time to eat without ever wearing a watch? That’s right: “Feline-Americans” teach us…that they are superior.

1) Feline-Americans (okay, cats) keep us in the moment. Cats make us realize how ridiculous it is to carry a grudge. They may fight with their “fur peer” one minute over kibble, & forget all about the brawl 5 minutes later. They live in the present. No, they’re not stupid, nor amnesiacs. They just know that carrying a grudge isn’t worth it in life. They have 9 lives and still won’t waste any of them staying mad.

2) Cats teach us patience. If you have the chance, watch a cat scope out a mouse. The kitty won’t run & run after the mouse. Instead, he’ll wait & steady itself for a pounce. That teaches us not to waste energy on something that can’t happen. Just wait for the right moment, & you’ll get what you deserve.

3) Always look attractive. Did you ever notice how big your cat’s eyes get when you open the cabinets where you keep her treats? Or, how she adorably cocks her head when she wants you to pet her? Cats are like supermodels: they can get everything they want by looking beautiful. Next time you need your office buddy to finish a report for you, look pitiful, dewy-eyed & speak softly. They’ll say yes, just because you look adorable.

4) Felines also teach us the value of sleep. We humans don’t sleep enough. You never see a cat wondering if it’s bedtime; they just go to sleep—with no worries. You get into bed, toss & turn, while Kitty snurrs (snoring & purring at the same time). Learn from your cat: your problems won’t go away while you’re dreaming, but you can be anyone you want with your eyes closed (yes, your buddy dreams he rules the Kingdom of Cats, with you as a royal servant).

5) Cats teach us the meaning of unconditional love. Kitties don’t care if you’re a CEO or a dishwasher; they value your heart, not your wallet. Felines won’t judge you if you don’t go to the gym; they’d rather have you home, eating while they have a snack too. If you have a bad day at work, your cat still loves you. Cats don’t think any less of you; they will love you as you are. After all, they think so highly of themselves—they couldn’t think less of you.

6) Lastly, cats have taught us that being a cat is wonderful—if they have a wonderful human to love them. But, I would never tell my beloved cats that fact, because THEY are my boss ….Uh, wait, they are meowing for a treat in the kitchen…gotta go…!
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^~^ Visit daily COTM QUEEN SPUNKY #161265 ^~^

~CONCATULATIONS to our ACOTD Angel Misty #62617~

**Vote ~Angel Jason #228203~ for ACOTD tomorrow!**

^~^ Visit CMR #46883 for daily mews ^~^

Thanks for your support! I left a vote with purrs & hugs.

Come visit me, K.Whiskers ♥ Talley *VOTE DOLLY COTM 222609 & saved blogs.

05/24/2013 06:53.40 AM

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A Word With Whiskers – May 23
5 Tips for a Slimmer, Healthier Cat – (petmd.com)
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Being a fat cat might seem cute, but it’s really not good for your feline’s health. If your kitty is a little chubby or beginning to look that way, we have some simple tips to guarantee a slender, healthier version in no time. And best of all, if you keep following these tips, you won't have to spend the big bucks it takes to feed a fat cat!

1. Diets Are Not All Equal
The cat is a strict carnivore. That means a diet mainly consisting of "fillers" (e.g., corn and rice), is just empty calories for kitty. Do a little light reading during your shopping expedition, and start paying attention to the cat food labels. Meat should always be one of the first ingredients. Better quality food means less filler and that means a more svelte cat.

2. Wet vs. Dry Debate
Some people swear by dry food, while others won’t touch it. Ultimately the choice is up to you, but you’ll find more and more experts are leaning towards the wet food end of the argument. Less filler, more water content, and a happier, thinner cat can all be yours.

3. Portion Control
Try not to "free feed" the cat. If the food is left out all day for the kitty to help herself to, then she’ll snack whenever she feels like it -- even when she’s not hungry. Engage the hunter instinct. Leave the food for 15 minutes. If there’s still food in the bowl, put it away in the fridge for dinnertime.

4. Exercise
Play with your cat! Get her to run around and chase string, toy mice, laser lights (cats love them!), balls, and other fun toys. We don’t recommend taking kitty for walks unless she’s the type who enjoys it, though. But just 20 minutes of play a day can make up for it. Not only will this keep kitty from being bored and depressed, but it keeps her mind sharp.

5. No Table Scraps
People food is for people, not cats! Those little morsels are similar to us scarfing down a pizza. So, curtail table scraps from your cat's diet, and those treats designed for cats down to a minimum. But if Princess absolutely cannot go without her treats, try to find healthy options in the natural or holistic section of your pet store.

So there you have it. 5 simple tips to keep your cat in tip-top shape.
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Did someone say simple?! Okay, now drop and give me 50 push-ups! MOL! (See the funny cartoon posted on my page!)

^~^ Visit daily COTM QUEEN SPUNKY #161265 ^~^

~CONCATULATIONS to our COTD Annabella #256090~

^~^ Please visit CMR #46883 for daily mews ^~^

Thank you for your support to my catpaign! I left a vote with purrs & hugs. Your family is always in our prayers dear furiend.

Come visit me, K.Whiskers ♥ Talley *VOTE DOLLY COTM 222609 & saved blogs.

05/23/2013 07:02.05 AM

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Dearest Charlotte
I think of you every day. I'm sending well wishes for your dear Dad and hoping your mama is holding up OK. You and your family are in my prayers, sweetie. Love, Gin Gin

Come visit me, Ginger Spicegirl-Loving My Angel Dad-Father's Day.

05/22/2013 06:16.49 PM

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Oahu - day 3
Today we will try something VERY different. Picture yourself seated next to a window in an airplane flying 14,000 feet over Oahu’s North Shore. The view is magnificent, but right now you’re a little distracted. The thought of jumping out of a plane is enough to sidetrack anyone — but that’s just what you’re about to do. You’re not going to jump solo, of course. You signed up for a tandem dive, and your instructor will be right there with you. You’ve been properly trained before boarding the plane, and your instructor has jumped hundreds of times, but the riskiness of it is still enough to leave your heart pumping.

Lady Dolly and King Mike are skilled at this sport and will jump in tandem, not with an instructor. Watch how it’s done. There is a picture of their jump on my page. Check out those two crazy kits.

You and your instructor, who is attached to you like a Siamese twin, shuffle to the edge of the hatch. It’s now or never, so out you go. Words cannot describe the sensation of jumping out of an airplane at 8,000 to 14,000 feet. How do you explain fear for a mere moment, soon to be replaced by exhilaration that cannot be compared to anything you’ve ever done?

The “drop” is over. Now you’re floating, enjoying the view. If you’re game, the instructor will perform some twirls and stalls, and even let you “fly” the parachute by yourself. Suddenly, you notice the ground is coming up sooner than you’d planned. The instructor pulls up at precisely the right moment and settles you gently on the ground for a perfect landing.

You can expect the adrenalin rush to last for a while. After all, you just jumped out of an airplane.

Time to watch someone else risking their neck. We attend a polo match on the beach at Mokule‘ia and see a historic game that has been played in Hawai‘i for more than a century. Considered one of the fastest, roughest and most dangerous sports played today, polo was brought to Hawai‘i in the 1880s. The polo field at Mokule‘ia is the only one in the world that is located on a beach. Here we have a tailgate picnic, play ball and fly kites on the field during halftime while watching a skydive performance. Live music takes the stage when the match has ended.

Come visit me, Q. Cherish - COTM March 2012.

05/22/2013 03:36.51 PM

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A Word With Whiskers – May 22
MIDNIGHT & STAY AWHILE – by A. Knight
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“Molly’s cat died,” said Denise’s tearful voice on the phone. “Midnight was hit by a car.” Molly, Denise & I had been friends for 10 years & we all loved Midnight.

Denise explained Midnight had somehow gotten out of Molly’s house & a car had hit him. A neighbor had found Midnight, put him in a box & taken him to Molly. Molly & Midnight had been together for 18 years. My own cat had recently died from old age & I was crushed.

“Let’s go to her house & have a little funeral service,” I suggested. “I’ll pick up flowers & make a little cross with Midnight’s name on it.”

We decided to meet at Molly’s house. I stopped by the flower shop to pick up a bouquet of daises. There was a pet store on the way & I thought they might have an appropriate sympathy card. In the shop was a small gray & black kitten in a cage. It was too soon to get Molly a kitten. You can’t just replace one cat with another as if it were a broken dish. Not yet. The kitten tried to climb over his cage to reach me & did a back flip, making me laugh.

“He’s cute, isn’t he? I don’t know why no one has bought him yet,” the storeowner said. “I guess he is going to stay awhile.”

“Stay Awhile.” I smiled. He had just been named. “I’ll buy him & the cat carrier too.”

If Molly didn’t want a kitten, I would keep him. As I drove to Molly’s, the kitten meowed loudly.

“Be quiet, Stay Awhile, you’re going to mend a broken heart today,” I said, hoping Molly would accept the kitten. Denise & Molly were waiting for me.

“Molly, I know I shouldn’t have done this, but I saw this kitten & couldn’t help myself. I know he can’t replace Midnight, but if you don’t want him, I’ll keep him. His name is Stay Awhile,” I said.

“Stay Awhile? What a silly, delightful name!” She kissed the kitten’s nose. “Of course I’ll keep him. I couldn’t bear one night not having a cat in the house.”

“We should probably-you know-bury Midnight now,” Denise said.

We solemnly dug a grave in the garden & gently placed the box in, covered it up & placed the flowers & little wooden cross into the earth.

Suddenly, a cat leaped over the fence & landed at our feet.

“MIDNIGHT!” we all screamed. Molly grabbed the black cat & lifted him up. “It’s Midnight!” She burst into tears of joy.

“Molly, didn’t you look into the box the neighbor gave you?”
Molly replied, “No, I couldn’t stand to see Midnight dead!” We all laughed hysterically. Some poor stray cat just had a 1st class funeral!

I was thrilled I could keep the kitten! A day that started with tears ended in laughter, thanks to a cat who came to his own funeral & a kitten named Stay Awhile. I bought Stay Awhile to help heal Molly’s broken heart, but instead he healed mine!
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^~^ Vote COTM QUEEN SPUNKY #161265 ^~^

~CONCATULATIONS to our ACOTD Angel Gypsy #114577~

^~^ Visit CMR #46883 for daily mews ^~^

I left a vote with purrs & hugs.

Come visit me, K.Whiskers ♥ Talley *VOTE DOLLY COTM 222609 & saved blogs.

05/22/2013 07:16.38 AM

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Oahu - day 2
Pearl Harbor, Honolulu … This memorial is a fitting tribute to those who lost their lives on a fateful day which launched the US into World War II when the Japanese military attacked on December 7, 1941.

Wikipedia tells us Pearl Harbor is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the United States Pacific Fleet. The attack on Pearl Harbor by the Empire of Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941 brought the United States into World War II. On December 8, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared war on Japan. In return, December 11, 1941, Germany and Italy declared war on the United States.

The USS Arizona Memorial is the most recognized icon of World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument, a unit of the National Park Service. Access is gained through the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. Upon entering the visitor center, we head to the NPS Tickets & Information desk where we obtain free tickets for the USS Arizona Memorial program. While waiting for the tour to begin, we rent an audio tour headset, and explore the bookstore and exhibit galleries.

We watch a 75-minute program in one of two theaters. It includes a brief introduction to set the tone for the visit and a 23-minute documentary film which includes actual footage of the attack. After the film, we climb aboard a Navy-operated shuttle boat to the USS Arizona Memorial. Note: There are no public restroom facilities on the Memorial so we make quick stops before boarding our shuttle.

The Memorial spans the USS Arizona, a sunken WWII battleship which is the final resting place for most of her 1,177 Sailors and Marines killed in the December 7th attack. In the shrine room, we find a marble wall with the names of all of these men. In addition, we see a smaller marble wall, which lists the names of USS Arizona Survivors who, since passing away, have returned to their shipmates by having their ashes interred inside the fourth gun turret by Navy and NPS divers.

It is important to realize this is not a tourist attraction, but a memorial and grave that deserves to be treated with respect and reverence. This is a place of learning, reflection, and quiet contemplation.

Following our Pearl Harbor visit, we dine at a Five Diamond Hawaii Regional Cuisine restaurant, enjoying wonderful fish and local produce. The pineapple here is so very sweet. Tomorrow, we must head for the Dole Plantation.

See two pics relating to Pearl Harbor at the bottom of my page.

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