Monthly Archives: June 2018

Oliver Opines on Friendly Fill Ins Week 111

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Hello  Furiends,
Oliver here. I’m doing the fill ins this week and I hope you like my answers. You can join this blog hop by going to visit one of the hosts, our furiends 15andmeowing or the good folks at our-Legged Furballs. You’re always welcome to opine about your answers in the “opining” section (comments) of this blog post.

Have a wonderful Independence Day!
Purrs & Head Bonks,
black and white cat Oliver

The Fill In Questions:

1. Fireworks ______________________.
2. My favorite 4th of July picnic food is _____________________.
3. I begin every day with _________.
4. _________ is the best thing since sliced bread.

My Answers:

1. Fireworks  are a tool of the devil.  Neither I nor any of the Tribe of Five like them. I run and hide when I hear them.
black and white cxat hiding under red and white rug
2. My favorite 4th of July picnic food is anything with beef in it; hamburger, hot dogs, you name it, I love beef and I rarely get any people food but it doesn’t stop me from hanging around when the Male Human is cooking meat on the upstairs grill. Note that I am presenting my cutest begging pose while keeping a close eye on the Male Human while he cooks.
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3. I begin every day with a little bonding time with the Humans. They always say good morning, feed us our soft food breakfast and give us attention before they leave for that place they call “work”. I have no idea what that place is and we felines do not have the word “work” in our vocabulary.
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4. Celebrating our country’s birthday is the best thing since sliced bread.
I am quite a purratriotic feline and even ran for Purresident! You can read about it on our website.  Will I run again in 2020? Only time will tell.

black and white kitten runs for president

Alberto Has His Whiskers in A Twist

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Hello Furiends,
A few weeks ago The Female Human went to the Cat Writer’s Association conference and we graciously allowed the Male Human to accompany her. The deal was, they would bring home our prize if we won and she’d learn how to be a better assistant to the Tribe. Imagine my dismay when I found out that the trip wasn’t always work. I am beside myself. Tell me what you think about this betrayal.
Purrs & Head Bonks,
Alberto
Siamese cat with blue eyes

Walk Through The Web Wednesday 6/27

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siamese cat on a leash walking through a garden

Hello There Furiends,
It’s that time again for me to sniff out some of the less publicized and more interesting feline related postings on the information highway. IO hope you enjoy this week’s finds.
Purrs & Head Bonks,
Siamese cat with blue eyes

Why Cats Make The Best Drinking Buddies, A Treatise – Vinepair
cats make good drinking buddies

Please understand that I am not promoting over imbibing for you humans. I am a cat of moderation and think you humans should be the same. I do have to say this article is clever, even if it does take some digs at us felines. But I say, if you can’t laugh at yourself, you’re going to be pretty miserable. After the author says that “cats are grumpy, they really only care about themselves, and boy, do they judge you. ” He redeems himself with, ” Once they’re on your side, however, they’re loyal. Feline camaraderie feels infinitely more meaningful than its barking equivalent.”

Cats love computers at Lakeland SPCA – Fox 13

CatsComputers

I love stories about the creativity of humans when it comes to shelter kitties. This was a new one and it’s great. The good folks at the SPCA of Florida discovered that a warm laptop and the glow of the screen captivates felines. They decided they’d play kitten friendly videos on laptops and the results were purrfect.

The kittens watch videos like “Barnyard Buffet” where mice run through pieces of cheese, birds flutter by and bugs are all over the screen. The kittens are reacting with the videos and their environment is enriched greatly.  Human experts say that the visual stimulation is good for the cats and that they love the computers because they are a nice place to snuggle and warm up.  When Oliver and I were kittens, we had an iPad mini to play with and we loved the Friskies app Jitterbug.  Maybe you humans should start donating your old laptops to your local shelter.

Cats on Catnip-The Amazing Photos of Andrew Martilla – Insider

andrew Martilla cats on catnip photos

Photographer Andrew Marttila is a photographer famous for capturing the awesomeness of us felines. His latest project is  “Cats on Catnip,” which allows you humans in to the realm of feline nip addiction. Now I realize I said earlier that I am a feline of moderation but I forgot to mention that does not include catnip! Each member of The Tribe of Five has a different reaction to nip but we all agree, Tucker can be a mean drunk!

Does Having A Cat Reduce Stress? Science Says A Feline Friend Can Definitely Help You Chill – Elite Daily

cats reduce stress in humans

You humans keep on debating this issue and I decided I’d put this issue to rest because science has proved it!  For instance, a 2009 study published in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Neurology found that having a cat can — get this — reduce your risk of having a stroke or heart attack by a third.  Professor Adnan Qureshi, a researcher from the University of Minnesota who led the study, told The Telegraph that even he and his team were amazed by the numbers in their findings. He also said that he believes that “stroking the pet could cut the level of stress-related hormones in the blood.”
So can we put this ridiculous argument to rest finally? Cats are good for your health humans. My Humans think insurance companies should offer a discount for those who live with felines.

Only a Few More Days to Celebrate June as Adopt A Cat Month

June is adopt a cat month

I’m sharing this ad from our local Panhandle Animal Shelter.  All of The Tribe of Five were adopted and Oliver, Lily and I came from Panhandle Animal shelter. Please consider giving a feline a furever home this month. If you’re in doubt, just ask our Humans. They love their furry family! I’m sharing pics from our feline family album. Now go adopt a cat!

June is adopt a cat month, black and white and siamese kitteen

 

 

 

 

 

 

Neighborhood Watch-Feline Style

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neighborhood watch feline style

Alberto: “Lily do you see any suspicious activities?
Lily:         “Nope. No barkies, no neighborhood felines, not even a bear.”

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Alberto: “So if we do see a bear or a bad guy, what are we supposed to do?
Lily:        “Hmm, good question. Without opposable thumbs we can’t call the police.
I think the best thing to do is run downstairs and hide in the Female
Human’s office.
Alberto:   “Good plan. I like this neighborhood watch thing. Sure hope the humans
appreciate all our hard work!”

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Oliver Opines on Friendly Friday Fill Ins-Week 110

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Hi Furiends,
Oliver here. I’m taking the Fill Ins this week. It’s really fun and I encourage you to purrticipate. Just head on over to our friends 15andmeowing or their co hosts Four-Legged Furballs and enter the blog hop. You are always welcome to opine about your fill in answers in the comments of my post too.  I hope you enjoy my answers.
Purrs & Head Bonks,
Oliver

black and white cat Oliver

Fill In Questions

1. My favorite scent is ________________.

2. I hope to __________________ this weekend.
3. _________ is music to my ears.

4. Home is where _________.

My Answers:

1. My favorite scent is fresh box. Ah, there’s nothing like it!
Black and white cat Oliver in a box

2. I hope to spend some quality time sunning on the upstairs deck this weekend. 

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3. The sound of a cat food can opening is music to my ears.

Black and white cat sits on stool waiting for dinner

Hey, is that the stinky sardine stuff I like?

4. Home is where all my toys are.

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The Female Human Opines

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Oh good grief. Evidently someone gave the Female Human the opportunity to talk about Feline Opines, the Home to Home program and other stuff. Seriously??!

If you want to hear the Female Human opine on the Humarian podcast, here’s the link (although The Tribe of Five is far more entertaining.

Purrs & Head Bonks,

Siamese cat with blue eyes

The Female Human Opines on the Humarian podcast.

 

Walk Through The Web Wednesday 6/20

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siamese cat on a leash walking through a garden

Well hello there my furiends! It’s Wednesday again and time for me to bring you the internet gems I’ve discovered.  I hope you enjoy this week’s web wanderings.
Purrs & Head Bonks,
Siamese cat with blue eyes

Feral cats put to work at Newport News Shipbuilding – 13 NewsNow

Newport News shipbuilding helps feral cats

Those of you who follow my Wednesday posts know that I’m a sucker for a working cat story. This is one with a bit of a twist. Instead of a shelter looking to find “jobs” for their felines, a company has taken the feral cat issue into their own paws.

There are hundreds of cats there but all are treated with love and care. This is a win-win situation for humans and felines. The cats are well fed, taken to the vet when needed and the shipyard has no rat problem.

The shipyard has one person who oversees all the cats and they also use the Trap Neuter Release (TNR) method as a human way to control the population. In the event kittens do make an appearance, they have fosters on standby who prepare the kittens for adoption. The shipyard has their own adoption program.

Paws Up award by FelineOpines.net for humans who do amazing things for catsNow if only more businesses would partner with feral cats and take care of them like the good humans in this shipyard it would be a wonderful thing. The Tribe of Five is so impressed with the work these humans we are giving them our “Paws Up” award.

 

 

Cats Owner is Away in Navy-and she has the most heartwarming reaction to his photo – Fox8.com

cat looks at photo of her owner who is away in the navy

So many times when our Humans come home from a trip, the first thing they ask is, “Did you miss us?” Well of course we did but we felines often get a bad wrap regarding our emotional attachment to our humans.

Well our furiend Yuuki has provided video evidence of the human/feline bond. She often meows and stares at the photo of Max, who left seven months ago for the navy.  Yuuki has lived with the family for about a year and is named after Max’s favorite musician.

Yuuki will be one happy cat as Max’s mom has a one day visit with her son and she’s taking Yuuki with her. Humans. never underestimate our love for you.

Russia’s ‘Psychic’ Cat Achilles Correctly Predicts the World Cup 2018 Opening Match Winner – HuffPost
Update

Russian cat Achilles correctly predicts Russia's world cup win

In last week’s Walk Through the Web Wednesday, I reported on the Russian cat Achilles was chosen to predict the winner of the World Cup matches. Well now he’s being called the “Psychic Achilles” because he predicted Russia would win…and they did!

And if you’re thinking this was a lucky one-off for Achilles, this isn’t his first rodeo. He  correctly predicted the outcomes of three out of four Confederations Cup matches played in St. Petersburg last year, including the opening and final matches, according to Tass.

Cat biographies for pet-sitter are truly riveting literature – Mashable

cat bios for pet sitters

Evidently the human who wrote this finds it amusing that her mother leaves a bio for the pet sitter. I was a bit incensed at the frivolity with which this writer approached the issue of cat bios for the cat sitter. IMHO this should be something every human does for their felines. Our Humans have a 7-page booklet for our cat sitter (it’s updated regularly and it includes photos).  I have included the first section of our cat sitter bio. cat sitter bio

 

Used hoods become winter homes for shivering stray cats – DESIGNBOOM

used hoods keep feral cats warm in the winter

This is another “Bravo Humans” report. Stray cats of south Korea have received little attention or support and the number of homeless felines continues to rise to unprecedented proportions. This sad situation prompted a national petshop chain ‘Molly’s Petshop’ to design a collaboration to bring an affordable, eco-friendly solution to cats in need in the winter.

Hood Houses for stray Korean catsLocal Good Will and other thrift stores collected hoods and other padded clothing and these items were then turned into amazing cozy homes complete with roofs, beds, bowls for water and food and finally, a weather proof, tent shaped cover.  Molly Customers received these Hood Homes and they distributed them in their local feral colonies.

Molly’s pet shop/e-mart saw a 1,254% increase in sales for stray cat food  awareness of the plight of strays was raised to over one million people in just two weeks time, and most importantly,  over 2,000 stray cats were provided with a warm shelter, food and water, during the middle of December, in Seoul.

So Humans who’s going to take on this project in your area?  We had to give the good people of Molly’s Pet Shop, their customers and all those who helped collect items and design these warm feline lodgings a Paws Up Award!

Paws Up award by FelineOpines.net for humans who do amazing things for cats

 

 

 

 

Jasmine Opines on Friendly Fill Ins Week 108

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Hello Furineds,
Jasmine here. I’m taking this Friday’s fill ins. You can play along too by meandering on over to the hosts 15andmeowing and Four Legged Fur Balls and entering the blog hop or, you can opine about your answers in our comment section. Have fun!
Purrs & Head Bonks,
design-3

Here are this week’s Fill Ins:

1. My favorite Disney character is ____________________.

2. If I could stay any age for life, I would choose to be age _________________.

3. _________ is my secret talent.

4. Life is like a _________.

My Answers:

1. My favorite Disney character is Marie from Aristocats. I don’t have a pink ribbon but I do have a pretty pink special collar.

2. If I could stay any age for life, I would choose to be the age I am now. I’m older and wiser and can offer advice to the younger felines in the tribe. This is me giving everyone my “wise look”.

siamese Jasmine Tribe of Five

3. Talking is my secret talent. I am quite the conversationalist and every night, when the Humans come to bed I talk about my day (I have Siamese in me so of course I’m a talker!) I also like to chat with the Humans during the day as well.  In this photo the Female Human just said something I found quite surprising.

Siamese on counter with flowers

4. Life is like an empty box. You never know what you’ll find inside but you have to jump in, take a chance and see the world from a different purrspective. Now mind you, I am far too much of a diva to jump into empty boxes myself so I’ve included a photo of my brother, Tucker in a box.

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Walk Through The Web Wednesday 6/12

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siamese cat on a leash walking through a garden

Hello Furiends,
It’s that time again when I purruse the web to find those little gems that I think you’ll like. I hope you enjoy!
Purrs & Head Bonks,
Siamese cat with blue eyes

Sharp to launch smart toilet for cats that can identify health problems – Japan Times

CatToilet

Ok, I have to admit at first I was a bit unsettled by the word “toilet” but I guess it must be a translation thing because this looks like a litter box to me. What is amazing about this litter box is several things. First, it is being sold exclusively in Japan (for the equivalent of $226.00). Why is this kitty potty so expensive you might ask. Well, it tracks the cat’s weight, urine volume, frequency and length of time spent in the litter box and analyzes the data.  And just when I was getting ready to say, “Gee, that’s great if you only have one cat” when I read that there is a sensor that can be added for each cat.

If there are issues. the humans will be alerted via an app on their smart phones.  Now our Humans would love one of these because whenever there is a health issue that includes litter box assessment, it isn’t easy when you have five felines in the house. What would your humans think about this?

New VR Demo Let’s You Explore Cat’s Innards – Futurism

VR explores inside of cats

Did you know that they are using virtual reality to train human doctors? Well, it stands to reason they’d soon try the same thing with cats.  There is also an entertainment feature that allows you to “rebuild” the virtual reality feline. Anyway, if you’re medically inclined, this might be a way to learn more about how your feline’s body operates.

Can This Cat Predict the Outcome of the World Cup? – Inside Edition

WorldCup

Now I’ll be the first to tell you that I agree we felines are uber perceptive. But predicting the winner of the World Cup? I’m not sure about that.  But that’s just what they’re saying about Achilles, a resident cat of the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg.

His method of picking the winner will consist of his choice between two bowls of food that are decorated with the flag of the competing nation.  Now this isn’t Achilles first rodeo, oh no. Last year, during the FIFA confederations cup, he correctly guessed three out of four major matches.

 

Role of Cats in Ancient Egypt is Focus of Carlos Museum Show – AJC

Divine Felines Cats of Ancient Egypt Michael C. Carlos Museum

We know how the Egyptians revered us felines (smart folks!) and now all you Atlanta felines can tell your human to go to the  “Divine Felines: Cats of Ancient Egypt” at the Michael C. Carlos Museum to educate themselves.  The exhibit says that the Egyptians saw cats as exhibiting godlike traits (again I say, smart humans!)

is a fascinating glimpse at just how crazy Egyptians were for the cats they mummified, commemorated in jewelry and furniture and saw as reflections of the divine on Earth; cats’ endurance, hunting skill and idiosyncratic personalities meant Egyptians saw them as reflecting certain godlike traits. They will see depictions of household felines and felines on a much grander scale. So tell them to get over there and, when they get home., to show you the respect and reverence you deserve!

35 Precious Photos Of Cats And Babies Just Because – HuffPost

photos of babies and cats

Well, it’s about time someone blew the lid off the old wives tale that says cats are dangerous around babies. In fact, it’s really quite the opposite (have you ever seen a baby or a toddler manhandle a cat? it’s not pretty). But these photos are only about love and sweetness and I guarantee you’ll enjoy them.