How to Handle a Cat (originally published 1928)

In handling the cat be sure to do it in the way she likes. Never stroke her fur the wrong way.

"Be sure also that your cat has a warm place to sleep at night. Do not turn her out-of-doors. Leaving out of question the comfort of the cats themselves, it is a nuisance in any neighborhood to hear them crying or fighting by night. Many invalids and tired persons needing sleep are kept awake by this noise, for which those who own the cats are responsible."

"A box filled with newspapers, or a soft cushion with a cover that can be removed and washed (as a cat likes a clean bed), or, if in the country, a box filled with hay, will make a comfortable bed."

"A cat should never be punished, for she will not understand."

"Cats become very intelligent under the influence of kindness, and develop an understanding of language which is quite surprising. If you wish to develop this intelligence, you must act so that your cat will trust you. Always be kind and gentle, not gentle one day and rough the next."

Toronto Cat Rescue

Every once in a while I get into a vortex of looking at cats on the Toronto Cat Rescue website.  TCR is a really great org made up of cat-loving angels who desperately need our support!  (www.torontocatrescue.ca) I like to look through the kitties trying to choose which one is the cutest.  Here are some stand-outs from today's hour and a half long visit:

This is Fergie!!!  This kit stole my heart. A face so infinitely more expressive and beautiful than Fergie from Black Eyed Peas. 

Oh, Hugo!!  what a piquant little face!  So mischievous.

 

Cats of Brockton - part 2.

this cat lives outside the petty human paradigm of class. he lives in a dream scape of orange fluff and tufts, but still within the borders of Brockton.

that chain link fence and bad-boy air kind of makes me think he's a greaser hanging outside the high school waiting for the pretty girls to get out of class.  In the words of one Steph Hoff, who also took these photos, "I'd let him".

In keeping with the 1950's sockhop ethos that's prevalent in Brockton cat culture, Steph caught the DEBUTANTE, who was allowed out of her father's estate to attend her cotillion (in this evergreen brush).  

Do you know that 25% of cat owners blow dry their cats hair after a bath?  I bet the debutante gets a lot of grooming.  But wouldn't you say that the orange kitty looks pretty beautiful with only self-grooming?  Food for thought.  This is my passive aggressive method of saying don't bathe your cats!

100 Ways to Love A Cat

If you are extremely dedicated to cat care and comedy, definitely watch this 35 minute long video demonstrating 100 ways to love a cat. The advice is actually really good, and your dedication will pay off. You'll be loling in the aisles by #6. The song may get stuck in your head. Also the starring cat is really adorable and possesses a great temperament.