American Shorthair, Pete COTM March 2011

My Cat Blog

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 05:24.36 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, Whiskers ♥ Talley * VOTE FOR WHISKERS HERE! & saved blogs.

05/24/2013 07:02.47 AM

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Hi Pete U Family,
This trip sounds pawsome! I am starting to check the web to see how many sights I can pack into a two-week vacation in Hawaii!
I'm thinking the helicopter could be used to look at volcanoes, and the 'Luz De Luna' for cruising around the Islands. I'm getting so excited just thinking about it.
I'm thrilled that Whiskers and Talley will be our pilot and co-pilot. We will all be in "good paws" flying out in the Royal Gulfstream G650. My family will be spoiled by the attention the cabin staff and flight chefs will show them on our flight. The perks of being a member of the Royal Squadron.
Thank you again so much.....kitty kisses, and a vote, Ammie

Come visit me, Angel Yum Yum & Ammie.

05/23/2013 07:44.49 PM

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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.

Come visit me, Whiskers ♥ Talley * VOTE FOR WHISKERS HERE! & saved blogs.

05/23/2013 06:34.45 AM

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Hi Pete,
Mom and I are jumping up and down...we are so thrilled that we won the trip to Hawaii. We are thinking of taking the trip in September, if possible. We're hoping Whiskers will be available to pilot a plane if one is available!
Thank you so much.....thank you Winchester for pulling our number....kitty kisses to all, and a vote, AMMIE

Come visit me, Angel Yum Yum & Ammie.

05/22/2013 06:42.51 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 04:11.36 PM

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Thanks K Pete & girls
Thank you for pawing by with such sweet ♪ Happy Birthday ♫ wishes & goodies for us. What two extra-fun days we have enjoyed! We celebrated with Minnie Mouse cuppycakes (Mommy’s furiend who owns www.rosebakes.com made them for us). MerryBelle got a mew stainless steel Drinkwell Zen water fountain and Sissy got a red Petzip Luxury Stroller/carrier/car seat all in one. We also got a pink wand toy with a blinky ball on the end of it. You can see pics on the bottom of our pages. Of course, Casper Todd has already drooled & slobbered on our mew wand toy.

Thanks again for sharing our special days with us. Proverbs 27:9 says “A sweet friendship refreshes the soul.” So true!

Love ya ♥
Q MerryBelle & Q Sissy

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

05/22/2013 01:35.34 PM

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hi pete and fam!!!!
wow we had some more nasty storms at home last night and it got one of our outlets that has a breaker and all the outlets on one side of the kitchen dont work and momma had to pull the fridge out and run a heavy drop cord to it.

momma also said she saw on the news this morning that a lady in oklahoma foune her two precious kitties after searching the debris for hours. one has a broken leg and the other is just fine. sure did put a big smile on momma's face
momma ordered and inspiron 15.6" with touch screen from dell. sure hope she likes it and it gets here soon so we can get to our hockey games again before playoffs are over.
purrs and love
shaddy

Come visit me, QUEEN JOSIEMAE 193862 VOTE SPUNKY FOR COTM, MONTGOMERY AND JOSIEMAE'S WEDDING PAGE, COUNTESS DAME ANGEL SCOOTER 194581, COUNTESS DAME ANGEL DOODLEBUG 189639, EARL SIR THUNDERFOOT 210289 & EARL SIR SHADOWFOOT 221094.

05/22/2013 01:23.14 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, Whiskers ♥ Talley * VOTE FOR WHISKERS HERE! & saved blogs.

05/22/2013 06:40.52 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.

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

05/21/2013 01:25.20 PM

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A Word With Whiskers – May 21
Top Reasons To Keep Cats Indoors – Part 2 (from cats.about.com)
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Next to declawing, the indoor-outdoor question is probably one of the hottest topics for debate, with both sides polarized to their own views. For those holdouts for letting cats roam free, consider more top reasons to keep cats indoors.

• Indoor Cats Do Not Get Hit by Cars. According to one source, more cats are killed by cars annually than are euthanized in U.S. animal shelters.

• Indoor Cats Are not a Danger to Wildlife. Let's face it; cats are predators, & left to their own devices outdoors, will eventually chase & kill birds, rabbits, & other small wildlife. Most of us would rather not see our cats cast in a killer role, & keeping them indoors will help protect wildlife to some degree.

• Indoor Cats Don't Get Lost. As outdoor cats widen their outdoor territories, they may become lost long enough to be "rescued" by other cat lovers, legitimate rescue groups, or picked up by animal control as strays. Statistics show that of "owned" cats turned in to shelters, only three percent are eventually relocated with their owners. Collars can break, & even microchips do not guarantee a cat will not be adopted & kept as an indoor cat by someone else. Why take the chance?

• Indoor Cats Are Not Stolen. “Bunchers” are people who sell cats to laboratories for animal experimentation or research. Their prime source of cats is on the street. Even a cat sitting on his front lawn is fair game for a buncher. Other people pick up cats for use as "bait" for training fighting dogs. Both categories of cat-knappers are the lowest of the low, but they are out there.

• Rarely mentioned, but equally serious, is the possibility of skin cancer from over-exposure to the sun. White & other light-colored cats can develop squamous cell carcinoma, a serious, painful disease.

I don't believe in wholesale statements beginning with, "If you love your cat, you'll do this & that for them." We humans feel different degrees of love for our cats & express our love in different ways. My stance on the indoor-outdoor issue is not "proof" one way or another of loving my cat more than the next guy, nor did my previous belief that cats deserve to be outdoors label me as a "bad" cat owner.

However, I do believe in personal responsibility for our decisions, & ultimately, our decisions may cost us the loss of a very good friend & family member. It's a matter of weighing the benefits against the risks, & being willing to suffer the consequences of our decisions.
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Remember that an indoor cat is always safer.

^~^ Vote daily COTM QUEEN SPUNKY #161265 ^~^
Please keep her family in your prayers as they mourn the loss of beloved GM.

~ CONCATULATIONS to our COTD Rosie #252822~

**Our prayers go out to victims of the recent tornadoes.**

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

I left a vote with purrs & hugs.

Come visit me, Whiskers ♥ Talley * VOTE FOR WHISKERS HERE! & saved blogs.

05/21/2013 08:20.29 AM

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Hi K. Pete! Whiskers here again
My Mom and I really enjoyed reading the poignant story of Koshka and Knott and we thought our furiends would enjoy reading it too. It is the perfect story to tell on Memorial Day. Do you think I might be able to use it for my blog on that very special upcoming holiday? I had been looking at a couple of other stories to tell for Memorial Day, but this one really tugged at our hearts. If not, that is okay too. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Purrs and hugs to you. See you later my furiend.

Come visit me, Whiskers ♥ Talley * VOTE FOR WHISKERS HERE! & saved blogs.

05/20/2013 01:45.30 PM

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Hi K. Pete! Whiskers here
What a beautiful story about Koshka and Knott. How wonderful that they found in each other. A sad and lonely soldier and an abandoned, helpless cat in a wartime country, are the perfect recipe to becoming best friends. Thank you for sharing that with me.

Purrs and hugs to you buddy.

Come visit me, Whiskers ♥ Talley * VOTE FOR WHISKERS HERE! & saved blogs.

05/20/2013 10:10.56 AM

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A Word With Whiskers – May 20
Top Reasons To Keep Cats Indoors – Part 1 (from cats.about.com)
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Many cat lovers are now savvy that indoor cats are safer cats, while others still think that cats deserve freedom to run in the great outdoors. When humans domesticated cats, we took on the responsibility for their health & welfare. Part of that responsibility is to keep cats safe & in good health. For those holdouts for letting cats roam free, consider these top reasons to keep cats indoors.

• To Monitor Your Cat’s Urinary Tract/Bowel Health. With an outdoor cat, pet owners are unable to monitor painful attempts to urinate or poop. The first, a red flag warning for UTI or urinary tract blockage; the second, a red flag for constipation, bowel blockage or mega-colon.

• Indoor Cats Are Safe From Predators & Dog Packs. Outdoor cats are below predators in the food chain, & they are sitting ducks for owls, raptors, coyotes, & native big cats. Dogs running in packs will consider a cat fair game; even one large dog can easily overpower & kill a cat. Remember that some dogs are also bred to attack; they are not really to blame when their instinct takes over. Even with a full set of fangs & claws, the cat rarely has a chance when caught outside.

• Indoor Cats Don't Create Neighbor Problems. Even "well-bred" cats will venture into neighbors' yards when allowed to roam free. People who don't like cats will not tolerate cats using their gardens as litter boxes, & will sometimes resort to extreme measures to keep the cats out.

• Indoor Cats Rarely Get Abscesses From Fighting. Cats are very territorial & will defend their territory to the death, if challenged by another cat. At the very least, these territorial battles often result in abscessed wounds, which can be deadly if not treated in time. There's also the chance, of course, of cats contracting FIV from deep bite wounds.

• Indoor Cats Are Safe From Human Abuse. Freely-roaming cats are easy targets for gangs of youths with time on their hands, for cat-haters, who seek cats out for target practice, & for neighbors who would think nothing of killing a cat for trespassing on their property. Although animal protection laws are beefing up, prosecution will never bring a loved cat back to life.

• Indoor Cats Can Get Plenty of Exercise. Cats do get exercise, but they can get it safely with interactive toys, climbing towers, scratching posts, & other indoor toys; all much safer than running from dogs or fighting with other cats. Remember also that there are safe compromises for the outdoor experience.
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To be cat-tinued tomorrow…

^~^ Vote daily COTM QUEEN SPUNKY #161265 ^~^
Please keep her Mom & family in your prayers as they mourn the loss of beloved GM.

~ CONCATULATIONS to our ACOTD Chumley #192486~

**Vote ~ROSIE #252822~ for COTD tomorrow!**

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

Thanks for your support! I left a vote!

Come visit me, Whiskers ♥ Talley * VOTE FOR WHISKERS HERE! & saved blogs.

05/20/2013 07:38.17 AM

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Oahu ...
Lovely Hawaiian ladies place leis on our necks as we disembark in Honolulu. These are a special gift of aloha - welcome, and love. The ladies receive those made of white ginger or jasmine … our choice. I love jasmine; my choice is simple. Oh, the beautiful fragrance. No wonder everyone wants one of these when in Hawaii. For the men, there are leis of kukui nuts. With our shirts and dresses from Hilo Hatties, we are ready to explore the final island of our Hawaiian adventure.

Here, Hawaii’s timeless beauty blends with the modern luxuries of today. We can swim in the warm waters of world-famous Waikiki one moment, then enjoy the dramatic mountain views of the Nuuanu Pali Lookout another; watch the surfers on the legendary North Shore by day, then dance the night away in vibrant nightlife spots around Honolulu; get a taste of local flavors in Kapahulu one night, then dine at a Five Diamond Hawaii Regional Cuisine restaurant the next.

Our first visit is to 350 acre Diamond Head crater, one of the best-known volcanic craters in the world, whose vantage point offers some incredible panoramas of Honolulu. We choose to start early to avoid the heat of the sun. Diamond Head State Monument encompasses over 475 acres, including the interior and outer slopes of the crater. This broad, saucer-shaped crater was formed about 300,000 years ago during a single, explosive eruption that sent ash and fine particles in the air. As these materials settled, they cemented together into a rock called tuff. The panoramic views of Waikiki and Oahu's south shore from the top are impressive. We will have many gorgeous photos for our memory books. We learn the crater was named Diamond Head by 19th century British sailors who thought they discovered diamonds on the crater's slopes. These "diamonds" were actually shiny calcite crystals that had no value. The volcanic crater, a major Oahu landmark, has been extinct for 150,000 years.

Next we travel to Iolani Palace, the only royal palace in the US. It was the official residence of King Kalakaua and Queen Liliuokalani, the last king and queen to rule Hawaii; the monarchy was abolished in 1893. We take the guided tour, which leaves us thinking our own Castle on CC is just as impressive and much more inviting to fun-loving kitties.

Time for an island luau dinner and then to bed as tomorrow we head to Pearl Harbor. See pics of Diamond Head and the palace on my page.

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

05/19/2013 06:55.46 PM

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Hi Pete
Please vote Rosie #252822 for COTD on Monday, 5/20

Recently a cat loving family had their red female cat, Angel Rhuby cross over the Rainbow Bridge. The cat mom of this family decided she would like to adopt another red female and as luck would have it, there was Rosie at the Petsmart Adoption Center. Rosie #252822 and her new mom bonded instantly and Rosie came to her new home that day. Rosie was at the shelter for over two months and was a bit wild. She didn't like being kept in a cage and would fight with the shelter workers when they tried to put her back in her cage. This was a big reason why Rosie #252822 wasn't adopted sooner; she was scared and the people looking at her were not patient with her until her new mom came along. Now at her new home Rosie #252822 is a cuddle cat with her daddy and loves to play with her brother Yogi. She gets along with the rest of her furry siblings and is a happy cat. Rosie #252822 will not eat dry food but she will eat any kind of wet food. She doesn't like dry treats either! Rosie loves to play with her furry mouse and the laser light. Rosie #252822 is happily spoiled now in her new home and we are very happy she has found a wonderful loving home. Rosie would be so honored to have a COTD badge to display on her page. Please visit Rosie #252822 on Monday, 5/20, and leave a vote for her so she can proudly have her own shiny COTD badge.
While making the rounds of visits on the CC, please go visit our May catpaigner for COTM, Whiskers #227256, and give his votey button a good whack so he can add your vote to his collection to become our King of June.. Also, please visit our Queen of May, Queen Spunky #161265, and letting her know we are all thinking of her and her family.

Come visit me, Angel Oscar - I love Angel Cloudy, Finster - I am engaged to Destiny 62594, Nosey -- I Love Orzo & Biscuit is my guy, Sweet Jake - Loving Memory- I will always love you, Angel Lucky - I love Angel Shadow, Angel Rhuby-I love Sir Leo- Welcome Angel Sparky, Q Linguini-I love A. Ditto- Vote Josie COTM & Pudding -I love Felix-Praying for Alexi &Doodlebug.

05/19/2013 09:46.13 AM

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A Word With Whiskers – May 19
6 TAX DEDUCTIONS YOUR CATS CAN CLAIM FOR NEXT YEAR - (from catster.com)
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Cats love to take advantage of anything that might work in their favor. What if they could file taxes and claim deductions? You better believe they'd be all over that. What exactly would they claim? We've got some ideas.

1. Therapy deduction -
Cats should be able to claim monies paid for any therapy occurring as a result of having to wear silly outfits. The deductions would substantially increase for those felines whose shame is shared via social media outlets. In case of an audit, they must save all receipts and screenshots of photos shared online.

2. Energy-savings deduction -
Masters at conserving energy, cats would get to reap the benefits of helping save the planet. They'd log their sleep hours and, using a specialized formula, claim accordingly. There would also be a unique tax credit for cats who log a certain number of hours while lying in a sun puddle. It would be called the Solar Cat Tax Credit.

3. Charitable donations deduction -
Kitties are excellent gift givers. They drop toys into our empty shoes, leave expired creatures at the back door, and greet our bare morning feet with cold piles of vomity hairballs. It's about time they received credit for those charitable donations!

4. Casualty deduction -
Unfortunately, cats must deal with a multitude of casualties each year, primarily lost toys. Balls are batted under the refrigerator, cloth mice are drowned in the water bowl, and feathered birdies are ripped to shreds. Mourning the loss of vanished toys is tough, but the load can feel a lot lighter when they can write those losses off and experience true closure.

5. Entertainment deduction -
It takes a lot of energy to entertain humans. Cats subject themselves to a fair amount of embarrassment in order to please the human with the can opener. As a way to help them feel their hours of performing for humans are not in vain, an entertainment deduction would be available to kitties.

6. Paid interest deduction -
Sometimes cats just want to sleep, birdwatch, or curl up and stare at a bug on the screen door. However, humans may have other ideas: "Kitty, kitty! Come sit on my lap!" The human is the bringer of the food, and so cats sometimes placate her whims. They really should receive credit for showing interest when really they'd rather flick their tail and go back to sleep. And most times, they do just that -- some deductions just aren't worth it.
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I hope you enjoyed today’s playful purring!

^~^ Vote daily COTM QUEEN SPUNKY #161265 ^~^
Please keep her Mom & family in your prayers as they mourn the loss of beloved GM.

~CONCATULATIONS to our COTD Wally #59966~

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

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

Come visit me, Whiskers ♥ Talley * VOTE FOR WHISKERS HERE! & saved blogs.

05/19/2013 07:00.06 AM

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Thank you for coming by to wish me a happy
birthday, Pete, Talley & Girls! I appreciate the special wishes and goodies that everyone is bringing. Hugs, Sasha and the Zoo Crew

Come visit me, Kissy Catz & Sasha***Vote WHISKERS #227256 COTM**, Angel Q. Miss Millie**VOTE WHISKERS #227256 COTM*, Jesse & Mystie**Vote WHISKERS #227256 COTM**, "King" Leo & Mai Lin**VOTE WHISKERS #227256 COTM*, Feather & Jack**VOTE WHISKERS #227256 COTM** & Angels Tiki,Mi Ping,Anna-RIP Jim, Sue, Kathy, Barb.

05/18/2013 06:21.36 PM

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A Word With Whiskers – May 18
Heaven Is...
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A man was riding his horse down a road, cat in his arms & his dog by their side. The man was enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead. He remembered dying, & that his horse, cat & dog had been dead for years. He wondered where the road was leading them. After a while, they came to a high, white stonewall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, was a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight. Standing before it, he saw a magnificent gate in the arch, made from mother of pearl, & the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold. He nudged the horse toward the gate, & as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk. Once close enough, he called out, "Excuse me, where are we?"

"This is heaven, sir," the man answered.
"Wow! Would you happen to have some water?" the man asked.
"Of course, sir. Come right in, & I'll have some ice water brought right up."

The man gestured, & the gate began to open. "Can my furiends," gesturing downward towards his horse, cat & dog, "come in, too?" the traveler asked. "I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept animals."

The man thought a moment & then turned his horse & dog back toward the road, cat in his arms & continued the way he had been going. At the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road which led through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed. As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree & reading a book. "Excuse me!" he called to the reader. "Do you have any water?"

"Sure, there's a pump over there" The man pointed to a place that couldn't be seen from outside the gate. "Come on in."
"How about my furiends here?" the traveler asked.
"There should be a bowl & a bucket by the pump."

They went through the gate, & sure enough, there was an old hand pump with a bowl & a bucket beside it. The traveler filled the bowl & took a long drink himself, then gave some to his cat & dog while he filled the bucket for his horse. When they all were satisfied, he led his furiends back toward the man who was standing by the tree waiting for them.
"What do you call this place?" the traveler asked.
"This is heaven," was the answer.
"Well, that's confusing," the traveler said. "The man down the road said that was heaven, too."
"Oh, you mean the place with the gold street & pearly gates? Nope. That's hell."
"Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?"

"No. I can see how you might think so, but we're just happy that they screen out the folks who’d leave their best furiends behind."
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^~^ Vote daily COTM QUEEN SPUNKY #161265 ^~^
Please keep her Mom & family in your prayers as they mourn the loss of beloved GM.

~CONCATULATIONS to our ACOTD Angel Crash #248838~

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

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

Come visit me, Whiskers ♥ Talley * VOTE FOR WHISKERS HERE! & saved blogs.

05/18/2013 06:12.27 AM

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Molokai
Serene seascapes, unspoiled coastlines, untamed wilderness. We visit Molokai & travel back to a timeless place. This is an island that stays true to its Hawaiian traditions - tucked away from the hustle of the outside world; where no building is taller than a coconut tree; there’s no traffic & no traffic lights; where you can feel the power of Hawaiian culture from an area near Maunaloa, said to be the birthplace of hula, to the natural wonders of Halawa Valley.

Molokai is only 38 miles long and 10 miles across at its widest point. It is a friendly & family-oriented island that has deep connections with its Hawaiian ancestors. Unlike the visitor industry on the larger Hawaiian Islands, Molokai has preserved its true Hawaiian culture. More than one third of this island's residents have over 50% Hawaiian blood. Molokai residents farm, fish, hunt & gather many of their basic needs & they enjoy this lifestyle. Here we need to slow down, be less demanding, & respect the Molokai way of life. Molokai is the real deal. We are visiting the true Hawaii. We will enjoy & respect Molokai & her people.

Lining the northeast coast are the towering cliffs of the North Shore Pali. At 3,600 to 3,900 feet from sea base to top, they are the tallest sea cliffs in the world; their near-vertical plunge ends 2000 feet below sea level. We step cautiously to the edge to peek over. Whoa, that’s a drop! Later in the day, we do some ocean kayaking along the face of the cliffs; this is amazing beyond belief! We also discover secret, secluded beaches, sea birds, & cascading waterfalls which provide incredible, photogenic scenery

We then hike into the East End’s classic cathedral valley to see Hawaii back in time. It is believed ancient Polynesians settled in lush Halawa Valley as early as 650 AD. This area, half a mile wide and three to four miles deep, and blessed with beautiful vistas and towering waterfalls, is one of the island's most historic areas. Roughly two miles up the trail is the impressive, double-tiered 250-foot Moa’ula Falls. If you’re considering taking a dip into the pool, drop a ti leaf into the water first. Hawaiian legend says that a giant moo (lizard) lives at the bottom of the pool. If the ti leaf sinks, the moo is in no mood for visitors. If the ti leaf floats, it’s safe to enter. Our ti leaves are forming a veritable flotilla, and we slip gratefully into the refreshing pool. Soon we are splashing and playing like … well, kitties.

We have been invited to a luau by the residents of a small village near Maunaloa, birthplace of the hulu. After dining on succulent roast pig, and all the tasty side dishes, we are given grass skirts to put on for a hula lesson. Soon we are dancing and telling the stories of the island, looking almost like natives.

Tomorrow we will head for the island of Oahu, where our Hawaiian adventure will eventually finish.

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

05/17/2013 07:30.55 PM

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A Word With Whiskers – May 17
Peas in a Pod - by Sue Young
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I’ll never be sure if it was wisdom or folly that struck that day, but I would think a little of both. We had been happily living with one cat for a couple of years, a fairly large black-&-white English Shorthair named Smedley. It was time for his annual exam & shots, so off we went to our local veterinarian’s office, puss in hand, or actually wrapped like up like an Egyptian mummy to save us from his dreaded claws.

“Ah!” Doc Pete said, with a twinkle in his eyes. “I’m glad you dropped in. I have a kitten out back that needs a home & I thought of you!”

Before I could stop him, his assistant brought out the tiniest marmalade tabby, weighing just over a pound, with a cast on his left front leg. He put him in my arms, looked up at me & said, “So what do you think?”

They say a sucker is born every minute & that was my minute. We took one look at the poor little thing & then at each other & we were done for. We found out that someone had broken his leg & tried to drown him in the nearest canal. A Good Samaritan had rescued him & brought him to the vet’s office.

“How will they get along?” I asked. “How do we go about introducing them to each other?”
“Oh, that’s no problem,” he said. “You just put him in a carrier, take him home, leave the carrier open & let Smedley think he is rescuing the kitten.”

Well, it sounded good. As per instruction, once we got home, we left the kitten in the carrier in the middle of the room. Then we sat back to watch. Smedley circled the box & growled deeper than I had ever heard him before. The kitten mewed plaintively while sticking a paw out of the holes in the side of the carrier. After about an hour, we decided to open the top of the carrier a little wider. Smedley walked up to the top, looked inside & was rewarded by a lightning strike from a small orange paw.

That was the last we saw of him that evening. I was convinced that the next morning would find us back at the vet’s office returning the little tyke. However, the next morning, we were in for a surprise. As I got up to put on the coffee, I saw the two of them curled up together on the sofa as if they were one cat with two smiling faces. From then on, Smedley watched over the little one as if he had given birth to him, and they went everywhere together.

Doc Pete was right!
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Cats are intuitive and can teach us to be gentle & patient.

^~^ Vote daily COTM QUEEN SPUNKY #161265 ^~^
Please keep her Mom & family in your prayers as they mourn the loss of beloved GM.

~ CONCATULATIONS to our COTD Princess’s maia & lia #163485~

**Vote ~ANGEL CRASH #248838~ for ACOTD 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, Whiskers ♥ Talley * VOTE FOR WHISKERS HERE! & saved blogs.

05/17/2013 06:23.42 AM

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Scoop. Vote Angel Crash #248838 ACOTD on 5-17-13.
From the cloud desk of Angel Sherman….Please vote ACOTD for ANGEL CRASH #248838! This sweet kitty joined the angels in February 2013 after losing his battle with complications that developed after being hit by a car the month before. He’d survived having both legs broken & surgery, but was unable to walk & had to drag himself to the litterbox. He was very brave & stayed a very sweet boy during all of the pain, infections, examinations & becoming a foster; but the angels knew that his life would not be a full one with his disabilities & thus called him home. Please pounce by to paw ANGEL CRASH #248838 a vote today so that his foster mom will have a fond memory to cherish & so that this sweet angel can earn the honor of making his star the most brilliant in the night sky tomorrow night.

Congratulations to our newest royal cat QUEEN SPUNKY #161265!! Your campaign about the details of cat shows was stupendous & we learned a lot about how things work for the fabulous show cats. We’re looking forward to some California sunshine during May as you reign from your house on the beach & look forward to hearing more letters to God from beloved pets. Have a great time as our new queen & thank you for an enchanting campaign month.

Congratulations to our new COTM nominee WHISKERS #227256!! We’ve been keeping a close watch on you sweet boy because you’re one of those special kitties that bring out the best in all the others whose lives you touch. We’re looking forward to seeing everything you have in store for us while you’re on the campaign trail. Good luck on your quest for the next crown!

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*Please let the BAC CENTRAL #73341 know if there are any missing crossing dates so we can get them posted in our next edition since we don’t want to overlook any of our precious angel friends! Also please note none that are inactive over 90 days are included.*

~*~MAY CROSSING ANNIVERSARIES~*~
Luckie #18600 - 5/1/2007
Tigger #233531 – 5/1/2012
Tattoo #37237 - 5/5/2008
Queen Mu #9976 - 5/11/2010
Casha #91523 - 5/13/2009
Chumley #192486 - 5/19/2011
Baby Knight #13286 - 5/20/2010
Francine #199862 – 5/20/2011
Misty #62617 - 5/23/2006
Bootsie #83222 - 5/24/2008
Sassy #125475 - 5/27/2007

From the staff and management of the RAINBOW BRIDGE SCOOP #63509 (Misty, PK, Jezebel, Pierre, Angel Smokey & Angel Cloudy)…this is Angel Sherman reporting on behalf of all of the angels as we send soft kisses and gentle hugs to all of you. Remember to always look to the Heavens and the Beautiful Rainbow Bridge!

Come visit me, Mittens. April showers bring May flowers..., *Angel Misty. Thank-you for my ACOTD Badge..., Minuette. Spring is sprung..., Greycee Mist. The birdies are singing... & Gypsy: Spring is in the air....

05/17/2013 06:06.11 AM

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Stopping by to say hi and leave a set of votes!

Come visit me, Vijay & Penguin.

05/16/2013 12:50.39 PM

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hi pete and fam!!!!
hhhmmpphh. thundie and josiemae told everyone yesterday they think i be strange cause i was gettin my own tail, well, i did growl and even hiss at myself, but i not strange, i was only entertainin myself!!!!!!!

another real nice day today but not a hot as yesterday yet is in the low 70's now.

am glad to get a chance to blog some as momma having a pretty easy day today

purrs
shaddy

05/16/2013 10:42.32 AM

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A Word With Whiskers – May 16
The Taste Sense Of Cats - (from PetSpeak)
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Cats are blessed with a keen sense of smell. So while humans can smell broiled lobster, a cat can smell something like “broiled Maine lobster shipped in brine.” Despite their incredible sensitivity to smell, cats aren’t too concerned about taste. Of all their senses, taste is probably the least important to cats. Humans seek culinary perfection, but cats are mainly interested in whether the stuff they’re about to eat is nutritious or dangerous.

Cats tend to be more picky than dogs. One reason for this is that they’re carnivores, and spoiled meat is best left behind for scavengers. Another reason is that they’re, well, cats, and cats are generally more particular about life than dogs. Because they care more about what they put into their mouths, it’s tougher to slip them day-old food or extras like medicine.

Cats do seem to have one blind spot when it comes to taste: They have a very limited ability to identify sweets. While most animals prefer food with sucrose in it, cats don’t seem to notice it. In fact, researchers found that cats could not tell the difference between sugar water and plain water, even when the sugar level was so high that it was potentially dangerous.

Although flavor isn’t the most important thing to cats, food certainly is. It gives them a sense of comfort and well-being even as it satisfies their appetites. And it can be a powerful tool for communication as well. If you give a pet food he really likes, you’ll get his attention in a hurry.

Cats are creatures of habit, which means they’re most comfortable when they’re in familiar surroundings, with familiar people and familiar tastes. Just because people want to try different foods all the time doesn’t mean cats do too.

It’s fine to change foods periodically. Cats may get bored with the same food after a few months and will crave a new flavor. Let them have it. But make the change slowly by mixing some of the new food in with the old food for a few days. This will prevent diarrhea or other digestive problems that may occur when pets suddenly start eating something new.

THE ABILITY TO TASTE: The reason dogs and cats snack out of the trash can with the same gusto that they have for cleaning out their food bowls is that the food we throw out often has appealing flavor & aromas. There’s a significant difference in the number of tastebuds between pets & people. Here’s the comparison:

PEOPLE: 10,000 tastebuds | DOGS: 1,500-2,000 tastebuds | CATS: 473 tastebuds
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Hey, who said cats don’t have taste?!

^~^ Vote daily COTM QUEEN SPUNKY #161265 ^~^
Please keep her Mom & family in your thoughts & prayers as they mourn the loss of beloved GM.

~A BIG CONCATULATIONS to our COTD Jesse #28989~

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

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

Come visit me, Whiskers ♥ Talley * VOTE FOR WHISKERS HERE! & saved blogs.

05/16/2013 06:14.36 AM

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A Word With Whiskers – May 15
CAT FUNNIES :) - Volume 1
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A Cat Heaven -
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One day a cat dies of natural causes and goes to Heaven. There he meets the Lord himself. The Lord says to the cat, "You lived a good life and if there is any way I can make your stay in Heaven more comfortable, please let Me know."

The cat thinks for a moment and says, "Lord, all my life I have lived with a poor family and had to sleep on a hard wooden floor." The Lord stops the cat and says, "Say no more," and a wonderful fluffy pillow appears.

A few days later six mice are killed in a tragic farming accident and go to Heaven. Again the Lord is there to greet them with the same offer. The mice answer, "All of our lives we have been chased. We have had to run from cats, dogs, and even women with brooms. Running, running, running; we're tired of running. Do you think we could have roller skates so we don't have to run anymore?" The Lord says, "Say no more," and fits each mouse with beautiful new roller skates.

About a week later the Lord stops by to see the cat and finds him in a deep sleep on the pillow. The Lord gently wakes the cat and asks him, "How are things since you arrived?"

The cat stretches and yawns and replies, "It is wonderful here. Better than I could have ever expected. And those Meals on Wheels you've been sending by are theeeeeeee best!!!"

The Cat Scan –
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A man runs into the vet's office carrying his dog, screaming for help. The vet rushes him back to an examination room and has him put his dog down on the examination table. The vet examines the still, limp body and after a few moments, tells the man that his dog, regrettably, is dead. The man, clearly agitated and not willing to accept this, demands a second opinion.

The vet goes into the back room and comes out with a cat and puts the cat down next to the dog's body. The cat sniffs the body, walks from head to tail, poking and sniffing the dog's body and finally looks at the vet and meows.

The vet looks at the man and says, "I'm sorry, but the cat thinks that your dog is dead, too."

The man, finally resigned to the diagnosis, thanks the vet and asks how much he owes. The vet answers, "$350."

"$350 to tell me my dog is dead?!" exclaims the man.

"Well," the vet replies, "I would only have charged you $50 for my initial diagnosis. The additional $300 was for the cat scan."
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I hope I put smiles on your faces today!

^~^ Vote daily COTM QUEEN SPUNKY #161265 ^~^
Please keep her Mom & family in your prayers as they mourn the loss of beloved GM.

~A BIG CONCATULATIONS to our COTD Cashmere #61835~

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

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

Come visit me, Whiskers ♥ Talley * VOTE FOR WHISKERS HERE! & saved blogs.

05/15/2013 07:27.02 AM

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Hi K. Pete! Whiskers here-last time!
Real quick so we don't miss the start of the movies - I wanted to plan something for this Saturday during our usual family weekend barbeque. I would need you and the girls there. It will be a surprise, for Talley and all of you, but I need your family there, just like any normal Saturday barbeque. Whiskers whispers to K. Pete, "I'll tell you, it involves an aerial advertising company, so timing is everything. If you could help me get everyone relaxing around the pool, say about noonish, I'd be forever grateful to you. We can talk more later...the girls might be getting suspicious.

Come visit me, Whiskers ♥ Talley * VOTE FOR WHISKERS HERE! & saved blogs.

05/14/2013 07:14.56 PM

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Hi K. Pete! Whiskers here again...
After talking with Talley this afternoon, Whisker’s heart was soaring! Whiskers and Callie would be spending the evening watching movies in K. Pete’s grand new home theater. Callie was already looking forward to guessing what great movie they would watch tonight. Whiskers was preoccupied with his thoughts. Tonight, he wanted to speak to K. Pete about a very important and serious matter, involving Talley.

When the kitties arrived at their furiend’s home, Whiskers took K. Pete aside and asked him for a moment alone. K. Pete was a good furiend and always made Whiskers feel comfortable, especially when he was obviously nervous. K. Pete told the family to start the movie without them and they would catch up later. The two cats walked to K. Pete’s den. K. Pete shut the door and offered Whiskers a brandy as they sat down.

Whiskers cleared his throat and began to speak. “I want you to know I love and admire your fursister Talley, more than I ever thought possible. She is the most beautiful, intelligent and loving kitty a cat could ever ask for. We've been together for five months now, and I can't imagine spending my life with anyone else but her. I would like to ask her to marry me and I'm here today to ask you for your blessing. I wouldn’t dream of proposing marriage to her without getting your family’s blessing first. I know Talley will feel the same way.

Whiskers took a sip of his brandy and continued, “I understand the seriousness of this commitment. Being able to spend the rest of my life with your fursister would make me the happiest cat in the world. I promise I will take good care of Talley for the rest of my life. I promise and commit to always honor, respect and cherish your wonderful fursister. I haven’t asked her yet, and I know the final decision will be hers, but your approval is very important to me. You are all like family to Callie and me. “

“You don’t have to give me your answer now. I just want you to know my honorable intentions toward Talley and how sincere my love for her has become. If you do give me your approval, I will be asking for your help, along with your family’s help, in surprising Talley with my proposal of marriage to her.”

“I appreciate and respect whatever you decide. We will always be furiends, no matter what your decision. I meant it when I said you and the girls are like family to us. That will never change.” With that, Whiskers stood up and held out his paw to K. Pete. The two cats shook paws and embraced. Whiskers felt relieved having spoken with K. Pete. Now his intentions were known.

Whiskers silently thanked God for now knowing that his beautiful Talley felt the same as he did. Maybe there really are such things as happy endings!

Come visit me, Whiskers ♥ Talley * VOTE FOR WHISKERS HERE! & saved blogs.

05/14/2013 04:52.04 PM

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Hello K Pete & family
Thank you for your kind words, prayers & sweet thoughts. Like many of you, Mommy knows all too well about kidney disease. Her Dot passed away at the age of 17 from kidney disease & hyperthyroidism in October 2000. Mommy had hoped it would be a very long time before she was faced with this awful disease again. She will do her very best to give me the greatest care possible & lots of TLC.

I am eating the k/d canned and dry foods pretty well so far. Mommy says it is extremely difficult having one baby on a special diet. But we are doing our best with this situation & taking it one day at a time.

Thanks again for your prayers & concern. We really do appreciate it. Job 12:10 says “In God’s hands is the life of every creature.” We believe this to be true.

Love,
Q MerryBelle & Mommy Angela

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

05/14/2013 09:09.31 AM

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A Word With Whiskers – May 14
Ugly the Cat - author unknown
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Everyone in the apartment complex I lived in knew who Ugly was. Ugly was the resident tomcat. Ugly loved three things in this world: fighting, eating garbage, and shall we say, love.

The combination of these things combined with a life spent outside had their effect on Ugly. He had only one eye, he was missing an ear and his left foot appeared to have been badly broken at one time, healing at an irregular angle. His tail was gone, leaving a small stub & he was covered with scabs. Humans reacted when they saw him with, “That’s one UGLY cat!”

All the children were warned not to touch him, the adults threw rocks at him, hosed him down when he tried to come in their homes, or shut his paws in the door when he would not leave. Ugly always had the same reaction. If you turned the hose on him, he would stand there, getting soaked until you gave up and quit. If you threw things at him, he would curl his lanky body around feet in forgiveness. If you ever picked him up he would immediately begin suckling on your shirt, earrings, whatever he could find.

One day Ugly shared his love with the neighbor’s huskies. They did not respond kindly, and Ugly was badly mauled. From my home I could hear his screams, and I tried to rush to his aid. By the time I got to where he was laying, it was apparent Ugly's sad life was almost at an end.

As I picked him up to carry him home, I could hear him wheezing and gasping. I must be hurting him terribly I thought. Then I felt a familiar tugging, sucking sensation on my ear- Ugly, in so much pain & suffering was trying to suckle my ear. I pulled him closer to me and he bumped the palm of my hand with his head. Then he turned his one golden eye towards me, and I could hear the distinct sound of purring. Even in the greatest pain, that ugly battled-scarred cat was asking only for a little affection, perhaps some compassion.

At that moment I thought Ugly was the most beautiful, loving creature I had ever seen. Ugly just looked up at me, completely trusting in me to relieve his pain.

Ugly died, nestled in my arms. I sat and held him for a long time afterwards, thinking about how one scarred, deformed little stray, could so alter my opinion about what it means to have true pureness of spirit, to love so totally and truly.

Many people want to be richer, more successful, well liked, beautiful; but for me, I will always try to be Ugly.
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All living creatures deserve our love & compassion.

^~^ Vote daily COTM QUEEN SPUNKY #161265 ^~^
Please keep her Mom & family in your thoughts & prayers as they mourn the loss of beloved GM.

~A BIG CONCATULATIONS to our COTD Gypsy & The Inside Cats #255012~

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

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

Come visit me, Whiskers ♥ Talley * VOTE FOR WHISKERS HERE! & saved blogs.

05/14/2013 06:57.01 AM

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Awww,Thank You,Pete!
We happen to think your family is very special too! Thanks also for the vote towards our COTD badge! We are VERY excited!~Soft Purrs,Gypsy,Ellie,Mindy,Andy and Moses

Come visit me, My Avatars, Bart & The Outside Boys, Charlie ♥ Raven.......The Enclosure Boys & Gypsy & The Inside Cats.

05/13/2013 07:10.21 AM

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A Word With Whiskers – May 13
CATS IN THE MEWS –
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ITALIAN CAT BRINGS GIFTS TO HIS LATE MASTER'S TOMB –
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ROME - The story of a cat who visits his master's tomb and brings him little presents on an almost daily basis a year after the man's death has moved the inhabitants of a village in central Italy.

"He brings little twigs, leaves, toothpicks, plastic cups. A bit of everything really," Renzo Iozzelli's widow Ada told AFP from Montagnana, a mountain village near Florence.

"Sometimes he comes with me and sometimes he goes on his own. The whole town knows about him now!"

Toldo the cat -- a grey-and-white three-year-old tomcat -- followed Iozzelli's funeral procession last year and has continued going to the cemetery ever since, a habit usually ascribed to dogs.

"He loved my husband. It was something else! Now it's just me, my daughter and my son-in-law and he's very affectionate with us too," she said.

Ada said the journey to and from the cemetery each day had tired Toldo out in the cold winter weather.

"He's not going out so much these days. He's caught a bit of bronchitis so he's sleeping next to me."
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BRAZIL INMATES TRAIN CAT FOR PRISON BREAK –
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BRASILIA - A cat trained by prisoners to deliver cell phones and tools to dig tunnels was caught at a jail in northeastern Brazil after sneaking in with forbidden items strapped to its body.

"An agent saw the cat and went to look at it closely because something about it seemed wrong," Marcelo Avelino, the head of the prison guards' union, told the O Globo newspaper.

The agent found a bag tied to the animal's body filled with saw blades and drill parts for concrete drilling and digging tunnels, along with a cell phone complete with battery and charger, Avelino added.

The cat had often been seen coming in and out of the Alagoas jail.

Prison officer Luiz de Oliveira Souza told the G1 news website that prisoners had raised the cat and that relatives would often take it home after a prison visit.

"We were very surprised by this new tactic of prisoners, who trained the animal so that it returned to the prison and even managed to carry materials,” the agent added.
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See photos of these unique cats on my page.

^~^ Vote daily COTM QUEEN SPUNKY #161265 ^~^
Please keep her Mom & family in your prayers as they mourn the loss of beloved GM.

~A BIG CONCATULATIONS to our COTD Paul #225583~

**Vote for ~Gypsy & The Inside Cats #255012~ for our 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, Whiskers ♥ Talley * VOTE FOR WHISKERS HERE! & saved blogs.

05/13/2013 06:14.17 AM

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HI Pete
***Vote Gypsy & The Inside Cats 255012 Mon May 12
Our gang of COTD candidates consists of Gypsy, Ellie Mae, Andy, Mindy and Moses - all found and resuced by their future daddy . Amazingly, they all get along great with each other and you can find them hanging out on window sills or table counters (forget the cat tree!) They are a high energy bunch, though, and love racing through the house early morning before leading their mom to the kitchen. Their favorite foods are Purina One and party mix. Please paw on by their page 255012 and leave them a vote for their very own COTD badge. And don't forget about our current COTM candidate, the handsome Whiskers 227256. I know he would appreciate your visit and vote. Thanking you with a catnip sprinkled crabcake. Love, Queen Angel Callie & Sibs for the Catpaign & Mews Room

Come visit me, Angel My Valentine is Eddie, Smokey Vote Whiskers 227256 COTM candidate for May, Angel Sassy Welcoming new Angels, Queen Spunky & Q.Angel Callie 4/2010 Proud of my Baby Sister.

05/12/2013 06:53.00 PM

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Hi Pete,
Well,today mom played with the G'baby a lot and dad rode her around in a little cart full of hay pulled by the lawn mower! She really loved that,and while mom waited for them to come back,I got lots of lap time and petting! Hope your day is a good one!~Purrs,Bart

Come visit me, My Avatars, Bart & The Outside Boys, Charlie ♥ Raven.......The Enclosure Boys & Gypsy & The Inside Cats.

05/12/2013 09:29.01 AM

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A Word With Whiskers – May 12 ♥
Feline Wisdom: A Mother’s Day Letter From My Cats - by Angie Bailey
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Dear Meow-my,

Today is Mother’s Day, and because we love and care about you, we have a few points we’d like you to consider:

1. You’re perfect just the way you are. Sometimes we see you worry about silly things and we think you should worry less and nap more. It works for us. And we’ll even nap with you – what a deal!

2. We love it when you let us sleep in your chair. Even when you need to sit there, you never move us – you just balance your butt on the very edge of the chair so you don’t disturb us. You are kind…and well-trained.

3. We know you want to develop a consistent yoga routine and we think that’s a great idea. Stretching feels fantastic and we just want you to know we’re here to help you. You know how we are – the minute you sit on the floor, we climb all over you. Sometimes this annoys you, but we are only trying to help you master the poses. You’re welcome.

4. We also think you should read more books. We notice you look more relaxed when you read, and we like that. Additionally, you reading a book means we’re charged with rubbing our faces all over it and lying on top of it, forcing you to eventually stop reading and pay lots and lots of attention to us. So please read, relax, but focus most of your energy on us.

5. We have a relaxation tip for you: Have you tried napping on a pile of warm laundry? It’s just the best! Try a load of towels – you’ll never go back.

6. Don’t feel guilty about eating a treat now and again. In fact, get really excited about it! You see us, right? Do you notice how we race around the kitchen and cheer when you show us the treat jar? You need to do some racing and cheering over cupcakes. We’ll grab the camera.

7. We love it when you play with us! We think sometimes you should close that computer-thingy and play more often – and not just with us! Take a walk, go swimming or meet friends for tea. And sometimes, we want to be your only laptop.

Hopefully you will find our suggestions helpful. We kitties are smart and know how to live happy and balanced lives and we want that for you, too! Thank you for everything you do for us. We don’t even mind a camera in our faces now and again – we know that makes you happy. Not to create more work for you, but we would like to suggest that you do a few more loads of laundry each week. What? You read #5, right?

Happy Mother’s Day! Love, your Furbabies
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^~^ Vote daily COTM QUEEN SPUNKY #161265 ^~^
Please keep her Mom & family in your prayers as they mourn the loss of beloved GM.

~A BIG CONCATULATIONS to our COTD Wolfie #59175~

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

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

Come visit me, Whiskers ♥ Talley * VOTE FOR WHISKERS HERE! & saved blogs.

05/12/2013 02:23.29 AM

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~: ♥ :~ Happy Mother’s Day ~: ♥ :~
THINGS MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME:

My mother taught me FORESIGHT:
“Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you’re in an accident”

My mother taught me RELIGION:
“You’d better pray that will come out of the carpet”

My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.
“Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!”

My mother taught me about WEATHER:
“This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it!”

My mother taught me HUMOUR:
“When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don’t come running to me.”

My mother taught me WISDOM.
“When you get to be my age, you’ll understand.”~Unknown

For all they teach us, we’re sending your Mom wishes for a Happy Mother’s Day along with a bouquet of pink carnations because they mean “A Mother’s Love” -- Mike, Mallow & Evie

Come visit me, COTM Scrapbook - Vote Whiskers #227256 in May!, Angels Jezebel & Pierre, K. Mike (6/12) ♥ married to Lady Dolly, Dame Mallow ~ Falling for Sir Oscar Jon, Angel Smokey ~ Love you all! & Dame Evie ~ thinks Angel Shai is Heavenly.

05/11/2013 07:27.08 PM

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A Word With Whiskers – May 11
CATS’ WHISKERS –
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If you were to put your cat in a darkened maze, she’d confidently stroll all the way through without knocking into the sides or bumping into the wall. Cover her eyes, and she’d still be able to locate a mouse in the field. Even if you covered her ears and nose as well as her eyes and then tried to sneak up on her, she’d probably be aware of you before you got close.

Are cats psychic? Lots of people think so. But scientists have found that cats’ rather astonishing powers of perception are due less to mental wizardry than to the wonders of the whiskers. (No, not me silly!)

Cats use their whiskers constantly. The whiskers act almost like sonar, telling cats how close they are to objects around them. Cats also use their whiskers to communicate. Depending on the position, whiskers tell other cats when to stay away and when to approach.

When you look at cats head-on, you’ll get a pretty good view of their intricate whisker systems. You’ll see a vast collection of long hairs sprouting from their eyes, at the base of their ears, along their cheeks, and under their chins. Some whiskers are specialized, and each set does a different job.

In a very real sense, whiskers are like several extra sets of eyes. They allow cats to see the world in greater detail. In fact, cats who lose their sight may develop whiskers that are longer and thicker than usual.

Because the whiskers have a hot line to the brain, they provide unique insights into your pet’s moods and actions. You can tell when she is contented, irritated, or ready to play. Cats will often broadcast what their next behavior will be with movement of their whiskers.

Whiskers straight out to the sides: This means nothing is stimulating their curiosity or distracting them. They’re happy and content.

Whiskers flattened: When the whiskers shoot straight back from the nose and lie flattened against the cheeks, your cat is afraid of something.

Whiskers fanning and swiveling: Cats who are curious use their whiskers almost like antennae.

Whiskers spread out and angled forward: When a cat points her whiskers straight out in front of her face, watch out. She is putting her sensors ahead of her to feel what she is going to bite.

Because the whiskers are so sensitive, petting or stroking them is the equivalent of shouting in your cat’s ear. It’s a good idea to let children know not to pull on a cat’s whiskers.
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And you thought whiskers were just an elegant accessory! =^.^=

^~^ Vote daily COTM QUEEN SPUNKY #161265 ^~^
Please keep her Mom & family in your prayers as they mourn the loss of beloved GM.

~CONCATULATIONS to our COTD Smokey & Molly #211603~

**Vote for ~WOLFIE #59175~ for our COTD tomorrow!**

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

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

Come visit me, Whiskers ♥ Talley * VOTE FOR WHISKERS HERE! & saved blogs.

05/11/2013 05:12.47 AM

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Darlin Pete
Thanks for clearing that up cause mom was going to have Raven entered!! MOL & HKL!! Guess she was having one of her on-going senior moments!! You are right, wish they could all win, but then, all CC kitties are winners!! Love, Sass

Come visit me, Duchess Sassy & the Angels! & KITTY GIRL CONTEST.

05/10/2013 04:20.02 PM

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A Word With Whiskers – May 10
Baby Socks – by Bonita Chambers
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The gray tuxedo kitten decided he would live with us after his feral mother was hit by a car and died. His tiny feet looked like little white socks so we named him Baby Socks. We fed him and talked to him until he finally trusted us enough to pet him and pick him up. We took him to the vet for shots and neutering. Even still, he was not an inside cat. He wanted to patrol his own domain outside. However, when I would sit outside, he would jump into my lap, his white feet kneading my legs.

We were also owned by a 10 lb Yorkie named Sugar. Baby Socks got used to her using ‘his’ backyard. They formed a truce where she didn’t chase him and he didn’t hiss at her. Baby Socks grew to weigh 20 lbs., twice the size of the dog.

At the same time, Sugar grew older. By age 16, she had cataracts in both eyes. Due to age and numerous health problems, Sugar went blind. Despite her blindness she knew how to navigate the rooms in the house, and we left the furniture in place so she wouldn’t get confused or hurt.

We did worry about her going out in the yard. A slope ran down to a creek where snakes or raccoons could harm her. We took her on trips to the bathroom and made sure she was able to follow our voice back to the door.

Eventually Sugar lost her hearing. We had to watch her every move when she was outside and pick her up to bring her back inside.

It wasn’t long before we noticed Baby Socks was following Sugar whenever she was in the yard. If she got too close to the slope, he got in front of her and nudged her in the right direction, safely to the door. He became her self-appointed “seeing-eye cat”! Sugar died when she was 17. Baby Socks seemed to know she was gone, but he watched whenever we opened the back door, just in case.

He still patrols the yard. I tell him what a good cat he is and maybe we might get another dog someday. He doesn’t seem impressed. If that day comes, I’m sure Baby Socks will once more work out a truce, and a friendship, with whatever new canine enters his domain.
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Cats have amazing empathy!

^~^ Vote daily COTM QUEEN SPUNKY #161265 ^~^
Please keep her Mom & family in your prayers as they mourn the loss of beloved GM.

~A BIG CONCATULATIONS to our COTD S #246680~

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

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

Come visit me, Whiskers ♥ Talley * VOTE FOR WHISKERS HERE! & saved blogs.

05/10/2013 05:58.01 AM

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Darlin Pete
I am confused - is Raven entering the contest or are you saying that Raven won out because Mindy is her boyfriend.............how can Raven's boyfriend, Mindy, be in the contest when it is a Kitty GIRLS only contest?? I think Raven will be in the contest!! Love, Sass

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