Have a Purr-fect and Woof Woof Veteran's Day~ :)

I just want to wish everyone a very Happy and safe Veteran's Day. 




Thank you to all our Veteran's who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, also known as veterans.

10 Common Cat Behavior Myths

Hello there my furry friends,

I found this great article written by Mikkel Becker of Vetstreet.com and thought I would share it. Enjoy!

Cats are the most popular pet in the United States; they are intelligent, affectionate and mysterious creatures. Despite this popularity — and perhaps because of their air of mystery — there are many misconceptions about cats that cause both social and physical problems for these animals.

Here are 10 common-but-false assumptions about felines — and the truth behind them.
1. Cats are solitary animals and like to be home alone.
False. Separation can be stressful for cats. Specifically, separation anxiety may manifest in behaviors such as urination and defecation outside of the litterbox, vocalization, vomiting, excessive grooming, lack of appetite, anxiety at departure or an exuberant greeting when you return. To keep your cat happy, it is essential to limit their time alone and provide them with stimulation and interaction in the form of play, petting, food toys and perches. If you have an extremely stressed cat, it’s essential to make an appointment with your veterinarian to further address the problem.
2. Cat litterbox issues are always a behavior problem and can‘t be fixed.
False. Failing to use the litterbox may be linked to a medical issue or may be caused by stress or anxiety, so start with a visit to your veterinarian. Once you identify the cause, there are various methods for retraining your cat to go inside the box, including the use of feline pheromones, changing the type of litter and box used, increasing the number of litterboxes and strategizing the placement of boxes around your home.
3. Cats scratch because they are mean.
False. Cats may claw human skin for various reasons. Sometimes cats claw to express irritation — for example, if they are not being held or petted in the proper way. Some cats scratch in play; if this happens, freeze in place and redirect your cat to a toy. An underlying medical issue, such as arthritis, may also be the culprit, causing your cat to feel uncomfortable and making him more likely to lash out.  If this is a recurring issue, a visit to your veterinarian is a must.
4. Cats will suck the life out of a newborn baby.
False. The belief that a cat will suck the air out of a baby’s lungs is an urban legend; there has never been one medically proven incident of this happening. In truth, cats and babies can grow deep bonds and get along well if their interactions are always supervised by adults and behavior concerns are addressed early on.
5. Cats never need special playtime — they entertain themselves.
False. Cats thrive when they are given daily activities. Sharing playtime with your cat for a few minutes several times a day will cut down on nuisance behavior such as your cat waking you up early in the morning. Many cats even enjoy going out on walks and can be taught to walk on a leash.
6. Cats never get along with other cats.
False. Cats often enjoy the company of other cats. If you’re adopting a kitten, you’ll fare best adopting multiples from the same litter, which increases their chances of bonding and enjoying each other’s company. Depending on the cat, it may also be possible to bring another adult feline into your home.
7. Cats who claw furniture have behavior issues.
False. Cats love to scratch because it sharpens their claws, relieves anxiety, is an energy releaser and is a way to mark territory. It’s unfair to expect your cat not to scratch, because scratching is a perfectly normal behavior that is essential for your cat’s mental health. You can, however, redirect his clawing to appropriate areas by providing scratching posts in strategic areas of your house.
8. Cats always freak out at the vet‘s office, and there is nothing you can do.
False. Cats need regular veterinary care, but unfortunately, a large percentage of cats do not see the veterinarian as often as they should, primarily because owners believe such visits are stressful for their cats. But regular veterinary visits are crucial because they help to spot medical conditions in your cat even when he’s not displaying any discomfort that you can see. Hospitals across the country are more commonly using “stress-free visit” protocols, including gentle handling, cat-specific waiting rooms and fun treats and toys, to decrease feline anxiety. If your cat has trouble with clinic visits, consult your veterinarian for tips on how you can help make the experience less stressful.
9. Kittens and cats raise themselves and don‘t need training.
False. Cats have a socialization period during the first weeks of life, falling between 2 and 7 weeks of age, where they learn about their environment and what is “safe” and “unsafe.” This is the key time to help your cat adapt to his environment and build bonds with others. There are even kitten socialization classes that can help your young cat build confidence and increase his sociability.
10. Cat meows don‘t mean anything and can be ignored.
False. Admittedly, excessive meowing can be a little annoying at times. But your cat is meowing at you because it’s his form of communication. Cats are often rewarded for meowing; if your cat meows with enough persistence, he can elicit a response from you — often in the form of petting or pulling out the can opener. Excessive meowing, however, can be linked to medical problems, such as dementia, hyperthyroidism and high blood pressure, which means extra meowing in your cat should be investigated by your veterinarian rather than just ignored.

Ground Zero Search Dog~

I wish I would have found this article earlier today, but at least the day isn't over yet. I thought I would share it in honor of September 11th. Enjoy~

By Kathy Ehrich Dowd

At Ground Zero in 2001, Bretagne was a specially trained 2-year-old golden retriever who had a sixth sense about who needed her most.

Thirteen years later, that sixth sense is as strong as ever.

The Texas-based canine, now 15, is believed to be the only surviving search dog who worked at the World Trade Center site following the 9/11 terrorist attacks – and her mission to help others continues.

"She still has this attitude of putting her paw up and saying, 'Put me in, coach!' She absolutely loves it!" her owner, Denise Corliss, tells Today.com. (She also spoke to Tom Brokaw for a segment that aired on the Today show Thursday morning.)

Keep up with your favorite celebs in the pages of PEOPLE Magazine by subscribing now.

In September 2001, Corliss and Bretagne (pronounced "Brittany") traveled from their home in Texas to New York City – at their own expense and without pay – to assist responders desperately searching for survivors.

On the ground for her very first assignment, Bretagne's mission was twofold: search for potential survivors and comfort the men and women on the scene.

Ultimately, Bretagne could only find human remains – although her ability to console workers was something to behold.

Bretagne resting with owner Denise Corliss near Ground Zero in Sept. 2001

Blake Wallis / Barcroft USA / Getty

Specifically, Corliss recalls a moment when Bretagne uncharacteristically left her side to seek out a sad-looking firefighter on the ground.

"I was surprised that she wasn't listening to me, but she really wasn't – it was like she was flipping me the paw," Corliss said. "She went right to that firefighter and laid down next to him and put her head on his lap."

This week, the pair returned to the World Trade Center site for the first time since their mission – which Corliss said brought back the emotion of their 13-year-old assignment.

"Seeing this kind of took my breath away a bit, similar to how the pile was the first time I saw it," Corliss said. "It's so calm and peaceful now, unlike the chaos of before."

(Technically, Bretagne is not the only dog who helped on 9/11 who is still alive. Today.com reports a 15-year-old English springer spaniel named Morgan assisted in Staten Island in the aftermath of the tragedy.)

In the years since 9/11, Corliss and Bretagne were on scene at other disasters, including Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Rita and Hurricane Ivan.

At age 9, she retired from disaster work, but now uses her talents at a local elementary school, where she assists special-needs first graders who are learning to read aloud.

"I've seen Bretagne almost select a child," Shelley Swedlaw, a search dog handler and a onetime special education director who works with Bretagne at the school, told the site. "She's just really good about knowing who needs that kind, canine attention."

Until next time,
xo
Janet~

Sasha and other kitties need a home~

This is Sasha who is looking for a good home :)

It always breaks my heart to see so many beautiful cats or dogs in need of adoption. I look at those cute little faces and my heart melts. It's as if they are saying, "Look at me! Please adopt me!"
A very dear friend of mine named Jude Lassow owns a non-profit company called Muffin's Pet Connection in Brooklyn, New York. www.muffins.org.
She is also a home reporter for the Brooklyn Spectator Newspaper and writes weekly columns with important information for pet owners. She also posts photos of adorable cats that are in need of adoption, so I would like to share her column with everyone hoping that someone out there will want to take one of these cuties home.
Here is the link to The Brooklyn Spectator where you can take a look at a few of the beautiful cats that are available.

http://www.homereporternews.com/news/general/muffin-s-pet-connection-sasha-needs-a-loving-home/article_797561ea-1830-11e4-95b3-0019bb2963f4.html#user-comment-area

Have a purr-fect weekend!
xoxo
Janet~

England Kitty takes the Bus~

Have you ever heard of a cat that takes the bus? I read this article posted on Care2 and just had to share.

Just so you know this post is a Care2 favorite. It was originally posted on January 5, 2012.

England: A 15-year-old ginger cat, named after the Artful Dodger from Oliver Twist, is more than living up to his name.The 15-year-old Tom even sits on bemused passengers’ laps as the bus makes up to 10 mile round trips from Bridport to Charmouth in Dorset.
Dodger is such a regular customer that some of the drivers take tins of cat food to work with them to give to him. They even know what stop to let him off at.
At the end of his journeys the roving moggy returns to his home and owner Fee Jeanes.

Dodger’s owner, Fee Jeanes, says that he initially started to frequent the bus stop as people gave him scraps food. But then the bus itself became the attraction; like greenhouses, they are sunny and warm, says Jeanes  in the Telegraph. Dodger has gone on ten mile round-trips. Jeanes says that her daughter’s friends had indeed seem him on the bus that far away:

“I couldn’t believe it and panicked. I got into my car to go off and look for him and then at that moment the bus pulled up near our house and low and behold he got off.

“He had fallen asleep on board and nobody knew about it. When the driver realised he knew who Dodger was and where he lived and kept him on board.

“That afternoon I saw Dodger climb on board another bus and I rushed to tell the driver.

“I was shocked when she told me Dodger was always on there…”

The bus company, First, spoke in welcoming tones about Dodger riding the bus and have only asked the drivers not to feed him, out of concern that Dodger might prefer the bus over home for food and shelter. A company spokesman did say that “in principle we do not have a problem with it being around the bus station,” even adding that

“Given this cat is elderly we suspect it would be eligible for free travel, perhaps a bus puss, if such a thing existed.”

Dodger seems to have made himself quite a fixture on the bus, sometimes even waiting in the middle of the road for the bus to stop.
Pity that more people (at least here in the US) don’t see the benefits of public transportation as much as the Artful Dodger does.

It's stories like that are a purr-fect way to end my day. :)

Until next time,

xo

Janet

Abandoned Pit Bull Overcomes Leg Injuries and Needs a Forever Home!

Hope you enjoyed this video. It's stories like this that make my day. I love all animals and believe we should treat them with kindness and care. It breaks my heart when anyone abandons an animal. This Pit Bull named Chuck was rescued and cured and will now live happily ever after. Thanks to the ASPCA. 

8 Helpful Uses for Vinegar in Pet Household- by Lisa Spector

I found this article and thought I would share it with all my pet lover friends. Enjoy!

While you might find white vinegar in the food section of grocery stores, there are also many great uses for vinegar beyond the kitchen. The ASPCA says vinegar is an environmentally friendly odor destroyer. If you have dogs, cats, fish or birds, you’ll find these tips very helpful. Several are from VinegarTips.com.

• Want a clean birdbath? Scrub it with undiluted white distilled vinegar followed by a good rinse.
• Does your cat scratch your favorite chair? Simply spray white distilled vinegar on the chair. Just make sure you test a hidden area first for discoloration.
  
• Flies bothering your horse? Spray a mixture of water and white distilled vinegar around the horse area.
• Did your puppy have an accident? Pair vinegar with baking soda. It goes a great job of getting rid of the stain and the odor.
  
• Worried about your cat eating toxic plants? Just spray the leaves with a mixture of white distilled vinegar and water.
  
• Want to get rid of deposits and water lines in your aquarium? Simply wipe it down with white distilled vinegar followed by a rinse. If you have stubborn deposits, you may need to soak overnight.
  
• Did your dog get sprayed by a skunk? Wipe him with a half and half solution of white distilled vinegar and water, followed by a bath. Another alternative that works is the mixture of 1 quart hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 to 2 teaspoons of liquid dish soap.
• Got cat litter odor?  Pour 1/2 inch of white distilled vinegar in the empty litter box and swish it around. Let it stand for 15 minutes. If the smell is too strong for your kitty, try mixing the vinegar with some seltzer water.

Hope these tips were helpful. Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time,
xoxo
Janet~

Celebrity Furry Flashback~

 I love vintage photos. So here are a few celebrities from the past and their pets. Enjoy~

Alfred Hitchcock, Paul McCarthy and Shirley Temple~

Here are a few more...

Jean Simmons~

Marylin Monroe~

Elizabeth Taylor~

Okay I have two more photos to share....

Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman~

Betty White~

Aren't they great?

Have a purr-fect week,
xo
Janet

12 Danger Alert Signs from Animals~

I read a good article this morning at "Read It Before it's News" called "12 Danger Alert Signs from Animals" So I thought I would share it with all my furry friend readers.

When it comes to natural disasters, animals are way further ahead of the curve than people are, and just seem to be able to sense change in the air. If you know what to look for, you can take advantage of the warning signs exhibited by your four-legged forecasters and winged weathermen, and prepare faster for survival.
Before casting this particular article aside, consider the fact that when the tsunami hit Thailand in 2004, nearly all of the animals who were free to roam made it to higher ground and survived. More than 200,000 humans died. That’s either one tremendous coincidence or the animals knew something that we didn’t.
Nowhere in the following paragraphs are we going to mention any kind of puppy ESP because that’s not what this is about. What we WILL discuss is the potential science behind how animals know when a SHTF situation is about to occur. We’re also going to touch on 12 warning signs from animals for SHTF.

First, let’s discuss HOW they know that weather is changing.

 Infrasonics are extremely low-pitched vibrations and are emitted by such natural disasters as earthquakes and tidal waves. Infrasonic vibration causes nausea and nervousness in people.

Animals such as cows, horses, and elephants can hear lower levels than we can so maybe they interpret these vibrations as signs of danger and head for safety. They may also be able to feel them with their feet.

If you notice your animals fretting, or happen to live where you can see elephants migrating, take heed.
Barometric (air) and hydrostatic (water) pressure changes are more noticeable to animals than they are to most humans.
When hydrostatic pressure drops, such as it does before hurricanes and other storms, sharks head to deeper water where it’s safe. Bees and other land-dwelling animals react similarly when barometric pressure drops.
All of their senses are just better. When it comes right down to it, people just can’t feel, hear, see, smell or taste nearly as well as many other species.
When it comes to using our senses to detect the weather, we may be able to sense drops in pressure or temperature but we simply can’t hold a candle to an elephant’s sense of feel or a dog’s sense of smell or ability to hear.

 As promised, we’re going to toss in a list of animal behaviors that you should watch out for.
If you see these changes, especially if you see more than one of these animals acting like this, take heed because something heavy is on the way.

1. Bees stop flying around and go to hive.
2. Birds go to their trees and aren’t flying around. They may migrate completely away.
3. Fish bite hard one day then completely disappear the next day, or even a few hours later.
4. Cows and other animals head to high ground and safety.
5. Dogs and cats go missing. One guy checks lost animal posts in his local newspaper and actually uses that as one of his prediction tools for earthquakes.
6. Fish jumping an unusual amount, or fish that don’t typically jump, particularly catfish, are jumping. There is some speculation that they can sense changes in the electrical impulses in the air or water caused by impending disasters such as earthquakes.
7. If you live in an area that has a lot of frogs, they are prone to disappear prior to earthquakes and other natural disasters.
8. Chickens may become agitated and stop laying eggs a few days before a major storm.
9. Dogs become more agitated and may bark more or even become aggressive a few days before a major SHTF weather event. They may even refuse to go on a walk or walk to a certain area, such as by the water, during their walks.
10. Horses, dogs, monkeys, and other pets may refuse food or treats several hours prior to a natural SHTF occurrence.
11. Bats may be awake and active in the middle of the day a few minutes or even hours prior to a natural disaster occurring.
12. Just for fun, we want to throw in an 12^th sign – HUMAN babies tend to become anxious and irritable when extreme changes in weather are coming.
    

It’s this last observation that makes you really stop and think. There’s no doubt that animals excel at using their senses to survive but perhaps people have better radar than we think. Maybe we just need to focus on it more and hone it, just like we do any other skill.
Using animals to predict weather isn’t just backwoods mumbo-jumbo. Millions of dollars per year are being invested in finding out how effective animals are at predicting weather. Scientists know that there’s something more to it that just random luck and they’re working diligently to prove it. They would even like to use it to anticipate when and where natural disasters are going to occur.
Don’t make the mistake of writing off your animals’ weird behavior shifts: they may be the best predictor of SHTF that you could ever ask for!

I hope you enjoyed this article as much as I did.  Have a safe and purr-fect week ahead. Take good care of your pets and hug them as much as possible. :)

Until next time,
xoxo
Janet

Muffin's Pet Connection~

Hello my sweet pet friends,

Happy Spring even thought I know for most of your there is still snow everywhere. Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Believe me it's not that I didn't want to. Time just seems to go by to fast and I have been very busy with different things in my life, but all good. :) Can you believe April is almost here and Easter too? Can't wait.

I want to spotlight two very special and dear friends of mine. Jude and Norm Sunden Lassow. They are an amazing couple. They are the owners of Muffin's Pet Connection in Brooklyn, New York. www.muffins.org

Norm and Jude have been involved with animals since childhood.  Six year old Jude bottle fed a  three week old puppy.  Her Aunt's fifteen year old Spitz Spaniel mix, was too old to be a nurturing mom to her five puppies.  Jude's family took care of "Pandy", using a dolls bottle to feed the pup.  Jude's maternal instinct soared and she totally bonded with this little puppy.  Pandy was her loyal, devoted, trusted friend! He was her protector!
     When Pandy was six years old, he developed a cancerous tumor near his lung. He wasn't neutered because in 1950's, spay/neutering wasn't the issue it is today.  This made a huge impact on Jude's life. Muffin's Pet Connection was established to enlighten about the importance of spaying/neutering.
     Norm and Jude learned to respect, care for love God's creatures and try to Reach, Teach and Educate their personal pet philosophy through Muffin's. They've been rescuing and saving animals for over 45 years. 

Jude is truly an inspiration. She recently published a book called "Tinky's Magic Glasses".

Here is a sample of one of my illustrations. It is Tinky and Tim~

Please note that these are  Halloween catnip dolls, but we do have them in plain different colors. I will be posting a photo asap. But this is here so you have an idea of what they look like. :)

I am honored to be her illustrator for her book. Jude and I are like sisters. We understand each other and respect each other. We even created a catnip doll together called PeggySue. Norm rescued a three legged cat which they named PeggySue many years ago from a basement. She has been with them ever since. ;)

So I thought I would spotlight her as well as the catnip dolls. I am not kidding when I say that cats everywhere go absolutely nuts for these dolls. The best part of all is that it's for a great cause.
 http://www.muffins.org/osc/product_info.php?products_id=58&osCsid=51411042691baa05f2524ce1f44175f8

The PeggySue catnip cuddle doll is the Ambassador for Spaying and Neutering cats and dogs. Please go to www.muffins.org and learn about Muffin's low cost spay/neuter program. Muffin’s adopted PeggySue, a semi-feral, three-legged cat. ‘God Kissed Her Little Paw’; see the capabilities, NOT disabilities. Norm rescued PeggySue from the basement in our apartment building. 25% of the proceeds from this doll benefit the PEGGYSUE 'HELP-A-PET" fund. The $8.25 includes shipping and handling per doll. Muffin's is a 501 (c) tax exempt Animal Service Organization.
   The PeggySue catnip doll is handmade by me in  the USA. Awareness© Each doll is 5" or 6” tall. Each doll is uniquely different; It is 100% cotton fabric, stuffed with 100% Polyester Non-Allergenic America's best selling polyester fiberfill, and contains hand grown ORGANIC CATNIP from Canada. The PeggySue catnip cuddle doll is the Ambassador for Spaying and Neutering cats and dogs. Please go to www.muffins.org and learn about Muffin's low cost spay/neuter program. Muffin’s adopted PeggySue, a semi-feral, three-legged cat. ‘God Kissed Her Little Paw’; see the capabilities, NOT disabilities.

Please take a minute or two to visit her Jude's site and maybe purchase a doll to help the PeggySue Help-A-Pet fund. 

These catnip dolls are available online, but they are also available at a few stores in Brooklyn and one in
New Jersey.

Here are the names and locations of the stores:

Fins, Feathers & Fur (718) 238-7904
9302-4th Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11209

Pet Dog Delight (718) 339-7800
300 Kings Highway (between 6th & 7th St) 11223

Puppy Paradise (718) 252-7877 0r 718-258-2342
2082 Flatbush Avenue 11234 

NYC.COM (718) 768-3954
385-7th Ave. 11215 

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed your visit.
Until next time~
xo
Janet