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Cat lovers, here’s something you’re going to get not just a kick out of, but a high kick. If you want to see what happens when animal lovers happen to have an unreal amount of artistic ability, you have to check out Pet365. Click through the adorable link below and take a FUN look at cat anatomy. You and your cat are going to love this.
Cat Anatomy graphic created by Matt Beswick for Pet365. Click below to see the full size version.
My husband, and father of our cats, e-mailed me this great article this morning. It’s always, always, always warm and wonderful to see other people who love their pets to distraction and back, too.
I could give a little background or set the stage, or patio as it were, but it’d be best if you read – and saw – firsthand what these cat lovers have done for their pampered babies.
Alexa’s only question is, “When do the patio renovations begin?”
Enjoy! – Catios Bring Cats Outdoors
Good (healthy) news for pet owners:
Dog owners have 8% fewer doctor visits than pet-free individuals, while those who share their lives and homes with cats (notice we don’t humor ourselves by saying we own them) have to go to the doctor 12 % fewer times than the rest.
Furthermore, in stressful situations, people with pets have half the blood-pressure surge animal-less people do.
[From the book Healing Power of Pets, The: Harnessing the Amazing Ability of Pets to Make and Keep People Happy and Healthy
If you happen to have $22,000 lying around and don’t know quite what to do with it…I’ve got a solution for you. You can buy an Ashera. I know, just what you were thinking, right?
The Ashera is a new breed of designer cat that does, indeed, sell for $22,000. This beautiful, high brow cat is bred by Los Angeles-based Lifestyle Pets. The Ashera “is a new ultra-exotic breed of domestic cat that already has wealthy animal devotees paying to get on the waiting list…” according to the company’s press release.
They go on to say “…the Ashera is unique in that genetic monitoring is used to standardize breeding and ensure that the defining features and size of the [animal] remain exceptionally consistent.” When I chuck out $22,000 I pretty much insist on it being exceptionally consistent. The Ashera, which can grow to 30 pounds, is said to have been produced by cross-breeding an African Serval and an Asian Leopard Cat with a domestic feline.
Whatever went into the cat batter, it makes for one handsome cat – I’ll give them that. But $22,000? Man, that’s 4400 trips to Starbucks.
Even if I had thousands upon thousands lying around, and even if I were mightily tempted by this beauty, I wouldn’t dare even think about it. Alexa would eat it. Then she’d burp dollar signs.
I was reading an interesting article on cat health recently – mostly about their reproductive habits. Within the article included a letter from a cat owner who wondered why the kittens in her cat’s litter all looked so different. Two were long-haired and black, one was a long-haired white kitten, and still another was a short-haired, orange-ish kitten.
The thought of the babies made me weak in the knees, but the experts response made them buckle. Below was the answer:
“Believe it or not, they probably all had different fathers! One of the more bizarre biological attributes of a female cat is that she can go into heat while she’s already pregnant. So a single litter of kittens can have more than one father.”
That explains why I’ve seen so many litters with babies that looked nothing alike. Carly’s own babies, apparently had two different fathers. Alexa and Adam are both long-haired beauties while Bo has a short beautiful coat. I actually wish he had more hair with the weather being as cold as it is. If I weren’t afraid it’d get hung on a tree, I’d get him a sweater – he’s all about fashion, you know, and would embrace the chance to be big pimpin’.
But…alas, as clumsy as he is, he’d end up hanging himself or facing some sort of catastrophe – so I’ll just keep giving him plenty of straw to bury himself in.
Joi
From the ASPCA News Alert Wire:
Each year as flea season approaches, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) receives thousands of calls from pet owners who have accidentally misused flea control products on their cats. There are almost 20 brands of products containing permethrin currently available that are labeled “for dogs only.” When used on cats—even in small amounts—these products can spell big trouble.
“The misuse of flea and tick products can be extremely harmful and even deadly to our companion animals,” says Dr. Steven Hansen, APCC Senior Vice President. Signs commonly seen with permethrin toxicity in cats include tremors, muscle fasciculation and seizures. These symptoms can develop within just hours, or may be delayed up to two days. Most cats have a good chance of recovering with prompt and aggressive veterinary treatment, which may include medication, IV fluids, bathing and other supportive care.
APCC experts urge you to consult with your veterinarian before purchasing products to control fleas on your pet or in your home—and always read the product instructions completely before using any product on your pet. Adds Hansen, “By simply taking the time to read a product label carefully, a pet owner could save his or her animal’s life.”
If you have used a flea control product and notice that your cat is exhibiting any of the above symptoms, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center’s emergency hotline at (888) 426-4435 for round-the-clock telephone assistance. For more pet poison prevention tips, please visit APCC online.
When you go to the link mentioned above (and you really, really should go to the link mentioned above!), get a load of the adorable kitten in the top banner – Those eyes!!!
Have a great, safe, fun weekend – especially all you fathers!
Joi
