Yesterday's Post About Pictures and Their Stories

You see Emerald here; this was yesterday, July 7th. She slept all day! So much so that Winston was growing concerned enough to come check on her and meow at her to see if she'd respond.

Friday, she was outside all day; I always get my cats in for the night just because, in the rural area where we live, there are night predators like eagles and foxes. There are also a few dogs that go after cats... So I get them in whether they want to or not. Occasionally they will insist on remaining outside if the house is too hot or after a particularly hot day.  Generally, they are indoors for the night. 

Emerald decided on Friday to remain out of doors all night. It was apparently not enough to go gallivanting all day; but the night was cool and she was off across the road in the bush. She's quite careful in going across the road, she stops, looks both ways and darts! She doesn't stick around for cars, she's just gone. Anyway, by 7 and 8 am Saturday morning, I was getting worried. The night before I had called and called ~ No Emmy ~ and she still wasn't responding to my calls by the night morning. My husband came in from work at 9 am and shortly after he spotted her trotting up the drive!! 

Finally she'd decided to come home from wherever she was. She was both hungry and tired. So tired that she spend the entire Saturday slumbering indoors; actually because of the rain and threat of thunderstorm, all the cats stayed inside. When they wanted to go out in the mid-evening, they weren't allowed. The pictures in yesterdays blog show Molly greeting and looking after Em! I thought it was so cute because Molly is holding her head down... not that she had too, Emmy was passed out! 

Catspaw

Every Picture Has A Story To Tell...

...and this pair certainly have a Tall tail to tell. Can you imagine what kind of story?

Look at the pictures and try to guess. 

I will tell you the story tomorrow.

Catspaw

Priceless

I love my cats and any animal God created.They deserve our care and attention simply for being themselves and adding so much to our lives. 

Can you conceive of a world with no animals in it? Can you imagine your family without your pets?

What we consider a 'humble' animal; those that we raise for the purpose of killing for our tables, too often SHAME us with their own brand of compassion. 

Often they learn to get along better than we do...

Animals, of all species, add a grace to our lives that we would otherwise sorely lack. 

They grace us with their humor...

Their loyalty, love and companionship...

How DARE we treat them this way????

If we are SHAMED, we deserve what accompanies that shame!

Remember, this summer, to take extra special care of the animals ~ cats, dogs, cows... ~ and practice what YOU PREACH!

 Simple kindness to what we call 'dumb' animals is also simple compassion on our part. Do you lack that?

I find it extremely disquieting that in our day and age there are those among us who still need a whack upside the head as a reminder. What does this lack of compassion say about us?

Catspaw

Sailor and the Ruined Castle, Con't

The day became indistinct and bleak as the fog sank over the village. Everywhere a single activity was being practiced by the residents who hastened to street shops that were being secured. Doors to houses were closing and windows banged shut. In the space of an hour the beautiful little fishing village became unrecognizable as a ghost town. The fog was accompanied with the dampness of the ocean and not long after its descent, everything was wet and cold. Sailor crouched as far inside the alcove of a doorway as he could manage, his fur was damp and he was chilled to the bone. He squatted there in misery. A sudden, loud crack of thunder burst above the town, so close that it made the quaint little buildings shake. Sailor instinctively jumped at the piercing noise and pressed himself further into the unyielding wooden door-frame for what little shelter it offered him. Excited voices could be heard from within as children were admonished to be silent and go to their school studies while the evening meal was prepared. Since he had come to this village, looking for belonging, Sailor had known little kindness from its occupants. Other cats were noticed, even fed sometimes or taken in on nights like this, but Sailor never was. He had come to expect harsh treatment from humans and he usually received it. In fact, now that he thought on it, had the skipper of the fishing boat really welcomed him on board or had he nodded to his deckhand? The fish monger had never really noticed him either, he just finished gutting the fish and put the slop bucket down. Strange that he should consider this at such a time.

Abandoned Cat existing in the streets of people-filled cities around the globe. No one to care. No one to help.

 Catspaw

*~~* Future Plans for the Cat Collar With Bell Blog *~~*

The 'Over the Horizon' Future of My Blog

Originally my blog was intended to share different aspects of living with cats, as pets, as friends and as companions. To share with my readers and visitors cat stories, pictures and products; links, poems, videos; the humor and the pitfalls; recipes. Helping articles, commentary, information and... something more. The something more was to be encouragement, bravery to face life's tougher moments and situations, inspiration and spiritual mews. So far I think I'm doing fairly well though its taken a bit of time to find my way...


I'm looking at expanding on these aspects and adding to them as I grow into my blog so you can expect the occasional writing that has little to do with my topic and I hope you will forgive the diversion as I explore 'something more' along the way. Please be advised that I would never post a blog concerning something or about a product that I don't, myself, believe in; nor would I offer a link or ad that would mislead my faithful readers and visitors. 


The future of my blog is to become an expert in the eyes of my readers/visitors and become known for my love and respect of all animals. To share the knowledge and occasionally, the wisdom of what I have learned over my lifetime. This will include the occasional 'somethings more'. If there is a topic, subject or idea that you have that you'd like to see expanded on my blog, please let me know by leaving a comment.


Catspaw

Sailor and the Ruined Castle, Con't

He started off again picking his way and carefully jumping from rock to stone. At one point his hind leg slipped and went down into the estuary. Sailor hastily retrieved it and shook it wildly before licking off the rest of the moisture before continuing on. The sky was a pure dark blue as the ruins and trees reflected themselves in the waters below. Sailor paused a moment, squatting on a stone. As he pricked his ears to listen he heard nothing, absolutely nothing. No bird flew, no frog jumped, not even a cricket chirped. He look about nervously remembering the reason no one ever ventured this way.

Catspaw

A Cat's Prayer

I am very sensitive to animals and I never have really understood the reason until today. Everything the Lord made in creation reflects His honor but because we don't recognize God in our lives we don't see His hand in creation. When we dishonor animals and creation we dishonor, not only our Creator and Savior but ourselves. When we debase any part of the earth, we debase ourselves. However there are some pockets of God's creation, like animals because of their innocence, that remain untarnished by us and its these that some of us are sensitive to.

The growing mind, filled with the love of Jesus, searches creation for the message: God the Creator be praised!  Because of our spiritual and natural gifts each of us is able to see and hear them in particular areas more than in others. For me, its animals. And we are enabled to take this creation material and identify it, shape it, reconfigure it or in other ways use it so that God is further glorified. The carpenter works with wood; the physician listens to the body; the musician shapes sounds; the educator trains youth; the researcher analyzes, innovates and implements with the elements of the universe. We develop our minds for these tasks and rejoice as we do them for all that God is revealing to us out of His loving and forgiving heart.

What is your toughest decision today?  Pray over it and search God's word for advice. Its there for the accepting.

Catspaw

Stray Cat Poem

This was written by by Zachariah Atteberry of Hannibal, Missouri.

She was thrown away and found again...

The cat in the picture is a cat one of my friends rescued. She was found in a ditch in a trash can (that's really what its coming to these days!).

Well they gave her a good home.

 Fore When I grow old   
I shall become a stray
To live the mournful life,
As a cast-a-way.

Abandoned like all the rest
buried like past in the sand
I will surely remember the past
As I leave paw prints in the land.

Shipwrecked away far from my home
I meow, with a fellow purr at the door
they now have a kitten all cuddly and warm
A younger cat, for them to adore.

We grow old and dusty
Thrown away like trash
Why do I still ponder...
I figure I might as well crash.

I still wander this land
One day soon to depart --
I leave paw prints in the sand
Perhaps... for another human to take heart.

 Catspaw

A Tribute to Cats Who Served During Wars

This is a memorial to all the animals that were caught up and suffered equally in human wars, around the world and in different times, that has been erected in England's London's Park Land. In 1975 the British Royal Navy banned cats and all animals from serving on its ships to the tragedy of the death of a most beloved and highly missed tradition.

One extraordinary tail (that has no date attached to it) revolves around Bofors the rabbit and a female cat known as Preedy. Cat and bunny were on 'quite good terms' with each other and had all their meals together. Though Bofors, it seems, was indifferent to mice in general as Preedy learned to her eternal confusion, when she'd take pains to catch one, play for a while and drop it at the Bofors's feet. He, in his turn, would promptly ignore it completely and allowed it to escape. 

Both were the mascots of a Bofors Gun Team in the Royal Air Force Regiment. Preedy has been described as a 'beautiful pet' who had made herself quite at home with the Regiment in her time with them; she accompanied anyone who went on duty, day or night. But when the team received its marching orders for a different position and typical of most cats, Preedy was having second thoughts about joining them, seems she had taken a liking to where she was. After escaping six times from the luggage truck and ending up in a box the seventh time, one of the personal opened the box to check on her. Her moment came and she seized the moment; shooting out like flashpoint lightening, never to be recovered.Though I think we can all assume that she found herself another home that was happy to have her. She seemed to have the tenacity for it.

Then there's the tale of Wallad, a native of Syria. A handsome male with beautiful markings he belonged to a New Zealander, one George McAllister. Turns out that Wallad presented himself as a quite proper dandy and as such was desperately lazy, pooh-poohing the very notion of hunting. 12^th October 1942 with the assistance and cheering of a boisterous crowd of troopers, Wallad captured his very first mouse. However, there were moments during the chase when Wallad was manifestly circumspect about coming to grips with his quarry; the minute his enfeebled victim was writhing in his paws, he unhesitatingly curled up and went back to sleep. One can only assume the little mouse was unharmed by his harrowing ordeal, waited his chance, then dashed for Freedom!

Catspaw

Observations On Pet Questions I Have Answered

There are a number of question/answer sites online but I joined Yahoo Answers as a way to connect with the blogging community and get more involved. I have been answering questions about pets in general and cats in particular since February first of this year.

Having read the policies and guidelines I try not to be judgemental about the inquiries I select to reply to and make every effort to give the most beneficial responses I can that will help the person asking, as much as possible. I seem to favor query’s concerning animals in distress and owners that are vulnerable and in need of some timely and immediate advice.

My sympathy goes to those members who are requesting advice and being very honest about, perhaps something they did to their pet to cause the animal harm who are now desperately trying to make it right. While other members or just visitors to the site to browse and offer their input are not being sympathetic enough to some of these people, who are genuinely sorry for what has happened. They seem to give some of the worst and most harmful replies they can; even accusations, to the point that the asker adds a notation to their inquiry that such statements are not welcome.

Being new to blogging and the ask/answer site, I am never presumptuous about the person on the other end unless it is blatantly obvious that the subject matter of the question being asked is simply for trolling purposes. I did notice today that several of the questions I was browsing had been deleted, whether by the person or by one of the site moderators, I don't know.

I think it a shame that people refuse to simply follow the policies and guidelines that are meant to make the site the helpful place it was designed to be. No one who has joined the site or who just offers their opinion to what is being requested knows everything; some know far less then others, hence the Q and A. Since its supposed to be a place where you can ask and possibly get the best, most helpful responses you need quickly, shouldn't we all approach this issue with a little more seriousness and with a less judgemental/more concerned attitude by just providing superior assistance and resources? How upset would you be by a coarse or mean-spirited answer to a question you really needed a good, timely response to?

Catspaw

Its A Molly-Sneak!

I can always tell when Molly is bored, she picks up and plays with the blue plastic ring from a peanut butter jar, happily yowling and chattering to herself while racing after it, getting it lost under the mini carpet in the kitchen or tossing it in the air. 
Other times she amuses herself sneaking up on an unsuspecting Sassy. Its funny to watch as she stealthily picks her time to give Sassy a 'what for' swat and waits to the predictable reaction. 

Molly's stealthy sneak on Sassy...

Sassy's predictable snarl and yip reaction

...

...leads to their mutual distrust of each other.

Life is never boring living with 4 cats! 

Catspaw

Witnessing the Humanity of Animals Can Put Us to Shame As People

 Does anyone fully understand what motivates an animal to do this? 

Can we say the same about our own humanity? 

 February 2010, cat accepts and nurses squirrel.

March 2010 cat nurses her litter and seven orphaned pups, all born the same day.

September 2010 cat adopts a baby squirrel that had fallen from its nest.

 

Pomeranian who had a 2-week-old puppy of her own adopts four abandoned, motherless kittens.

Gorilla has loved cuddling and nurturing kittens since 1984, she became especially enamored with a tiny orange kitten. She does a deep purr and is so gentle with a  loving looking in her eyes. Kittens are very calm around her because she has a very strong motherly instinct, even toward a kitten.

How can anyone justify the claim that animals have no moral sensibilities and are simply dumb creatures for us to use and abuse as we see fit? Are we not supposed to be the more 'intelligent' species? I give it to you, my readers, to answer.

Catspaw

Reference    http://www.globalanimal.org/2011/01/27/unusual-animal-families-photos/27740/

Best Way to Adopt Your Next Pet

Considering pet adoption, I take my hat off to you! There are a few insights of note for you to reflect on while you are choosing both the place to adopt from and the pet you want to accept into your home.

Depending where you go to make your selection of a new cat, dog or bird some places start you off with a meet and greet program where you literally meet different animals and interact with them at the store, shelter or facility. The staff helps you decide using an application for adoption which includes a section that takes into account your lifestyle, current residence and experience with pets. Through this medium, they assist you in finding the best fit for you or you and your family. Understandably, they want 'forever' homes for the animals they allow to go to different people.

These new pets are either already spayed and neutered, including being given their shots or you can request it if the surgery has not already been preformed. Check with each place you visit as to their fees as they can range from $50 to $150; usually the cost is included on the animals paperwork. Its a good idea to phone ahead and get some information so you can choose which ones to pay a call to.

Inquire if the animal you are considering is sponsored through a program they offer like Furry Friends, it may be that the adoption fee has been pre-paid. The adoption of two pets can net you a discount for some 'bonded' pairs that the facility or store does not want to separate. Some pairs of animals are designated as bonded because they have already lived much of their lives together and therefore, must be adopted together at a special discount.

Ask also about what medical services are included in the adoption fee. Usually the spay/neuter is done prior to being taken by the new owner(s) but it might also include microchip registration, a preliminary vet check, vaccinations – some places provide at least one booster shot, a DA2PP for dogs and an RCP for cats. Request information about rabies vaccine and if they perform this or if you need your vet to administer it under your name. Other items that may be included are internal parasite treatment, a heartworm test for dogs at six months of age and FeLV/FIV tests for cats, flea medications.

A complete medial history of your new found friend with an itemized list of the regimen they have had is yours to take to your vet for a post adoptive exam and some shelters may provide a 30 day gift of insurance as well. Not a bad deal for them and for you, as the new master or mistress of a healthy animal and a happier home.

Catspaw

Introducing Zoomy a.k.a. Moggy

I got the story of Mr Sneakers and Moggy from friends of ours but was not informed of the cat's 'real' name, now so enlightened I will share it with my readers, in:

Mr Sneakers, the Newfoundland Mouse Meets Moggy... 

Mr Sneakers actually met Zoomy. I thought I'd better correct this oversight as I met Zoomy today at my friends place. 

Introducing Zoomy... one of the featured characters in the story.

Zoomy a.k.a. Moggy

Please let me know if you liked the story of Mr Sneakers and Zoomy as there could well be a sequel or two. 






Catspaw

Kitty Klip Art

I selected this free cat clip art from a free use site, I hope you like it.

free cat clip art - Google search were my parameters. 

cat book

getting a talking to...

working on my degree

the well read cat

They call me Mr. Boo

 Catspaw

 

My Profile

Dear Readers

I am working on getting information into my profile but I've been having some difficulty. Please bare with me, I'm new at this and will have it up as soon as I can. 

Catspaw