Wordless Wednesday: Checking Out the Goodies Mom Brought Me From BlogPaws

Take Your Cat to the Vet Week 2011

Today, August 22, through August 28 is Take Your Cat to the Vet Week. Did you know that cats only get taken to the vet about half as often as dogs? As much as I don't enjoy going to the V-E-T, it has to be done. In fact, I'm set up to go for a routine exam every 6 months.

Today was the day that I went in for my routine exam, including bloodwork. Mom had to drop me off and leave me at the V-E-T for a little while so that they could wait for the results. When the V-E-T called Mom about an hour later, she said that everything looked good and Mom could pick me up any time. Mom and Dad came right over to get me because they know I don't like it there (the staff says I get pretty "angry" the longer I'm there) plus they missed having my handsome face around the house.

When they got there, the vet tech gave Mom my "report card" for the visit.

It listed all the things they checked on me and if I needed to have anything done. It showed I was in good health, with only some tartar on my toofers. The vet tech reminded Mom that at my next exam in 6 months, I would get my vaccinations, have more bloodwork and would have my dental cleaning.

It's important to make sure you're a healthy kitty, especially as you get older. I would encourage all my kitty anipals to check out the Facebook event that Petfinder created for Take Your Cat to the Vet Week and pledge to go to the V-E-T for a check-up. There's lots of good information and tips on their Facebook page about making the trip to the V-E-T easier for you and your human.

Featured Furry: Encore Presentation of Mya

This week's Featured Furry was going to be a little brown bunny named Barley, but lucky for him he got adopted!

So instead, I want to remind you all about Mya, the pretty girl kitty I interviewed a couple of weeks ago. Since she's in foster, she doesn't get the exposure that the kitties at Wayside Waifs do, so please spread the word about her!

Wordless Wednesday: Grandpa's Dog, Yaz

Gifts for the Wayside Kitties

Mom took a couple pretty cool toys to Wayside Waifs this week for the kitties to share. Check out this Activity Mat by PurrPet!

It folds up and has handles so it's easy to take along somewhere. Great for travel or for just moving from room to room.

Mom took the first one into the sunroom, opened it up and put it out.

It has a scratcher, a reflective surface, two dangling toys (one rattles!), a bell, and ears that crinkle. She had a few different cats try it out.

First, Frisky gave it a go. She seemed to like the scratching surface.

Next Harley and Leo in the storefront got to check it out.

Leo seemed to really enjoy the reflective surface!

Even when Mom left the room, Leo was still sitting on the activity mat!

Mom and I want to send a BIG thank you to Steven Spitz aka @VeganPetman on Twitter. He donates $1 to his shelter fund for every follower he gets. Mom was his 700th follower and he generously gave her a $25 gift card to his store, Big Apple Pet Supply (@BigApplePet). I told Mom not to spend it on me, but to get something for the Wayside kitties instead. I suggested mice but changed my mind when I saw the Activity Mats!

When Mom called to place the order, Steven himself helped her! Now THAT'S customer service. When he heard she was donating the items, he comped the shipping too! He's such a nice guy and he's doing great work. I think everybody should follow him!

Thanks again, Steven, from me, Mom, and the Wayside kitties. Their lives are a little better now while they wait for their forever homes!

Although I received these neat toys at no cost, the opinions here are my own (along with Frisky, Leo and Harley).

Featured Furry: Jelly Bean and Veronica

Since this week's Featured Furry post is coming so late in the day, I'll try to make up for it by doing another two-fer! Meet a sweet bonded pair, Jelly Bean and Veronica. They are available for adoption at Wayside Waifs in Kansas City.

Jelly Bean, an all black domestic shorthair, is the older sisfur of the pair at 5 years old. She's also the shy one. Jelly Bean has the cutest little squeaky meow! Can you see her right ear? It's kind of wrinkled at the top, but I think that adds to her beauty. *blushing* It's starting to sound like I have a little crush!

Even though she's pretty shy, after she gets to know you, she'll let you pet her a little and can be quite affectionate. It just takes her a little while to get comfortable with you.

Veronica is the younger sisfur at 4 years old. She's a black and white medium-hair cat. She'll need regular brushing to keep her coat in good condition. She has amazing whiskers too-check out those eyebrows!

Veronica is more outgoing than Jelly Bean, but not without checking someone out first. It doesn't take long though, and she's feeling comfortable enough to ask for pets.

Veronica and Jelly Bean have always lived together, so they must go home as a pair. I'm sure there is the perfect forever family out there just waiting to bring two cats home! They would get two very sweet kitties that, in time, would fit right into their life!

Wordless Wednesday: Petting Dottie

My BIG Prize

Remember when I posted about being a winner? Well here's my prize! Isn't that the biggest bag of kitty litter you've ever seen? Plus we got a reusable bag and a stainless steel scoop. Big thanks to World's Best Cat Litter for hosting the contest. Also, when my prize got lost in the mail, they sent out another one right away. Mom said they have the best customer service too! She says we won't have to buy cat litter for MONTHS! MOL

Featured Furry: Mya

This week's Featured Furry is a special lady named Mya. In order to capture all the details about her essence, I've decided to let Mya tell you herself! I sat down with her and asked her some very personal questions, but that's the only way to find her perfect forever home.

Sebastian: Hi Mya. Thanks for talking with me. Explain to me where you're living at the moment and why.

Mya: Although I'm available for adoption through Wayside Waifs, I'm actually in foster right now. I live with Bonnie who works at Wayside. Living at the shelter can be quite stressful, as you probably remember. I was getting pretty cranky with all the noise, other cats and commotion even though all the volunteers and staff tried their best to keep me happy. I just have a very strict set of rules I live by.

Sebastian: You're a very independent lady. Tell me about some of your rules.

Mya:  I have some rules about petting me. I do enjoy petting, but not while I'm grooming myself. I'm taking time to make myself presentable and can't be bothered while I'm going about it. If I'm not busy with that, someone cat pet me, but they must let me sniff their hand first. It doesn't matter if I know you or not, or even if you were just petting me, I still want to be sure that it's okay for you to touch me. Every. Time.

Next, I can be petted or brushed, but slowly and gently. If I feel like having my back rubbed, I'll sit with my back turned to you. If I want you to scratch my ears, I'll tilt my head toward your hand. Those are my favorite things to have done and I will give you a clear signal which I would like. I also give you a clear signal when I would like you to stop. I will politely put my paw on your arm and that is your cue that I have had enough. Keep in mind, I don't want to sit on your lap, so please don't try to pick me up and cuddle me.

Sebastian: How about play time? Do you enjoy toys?

Mya: I have play sessions three times a day with Bonnie. I rather enjoy wand toys, my favorite is the Cat Dancer toy. Sometimes I don't feel like playing right away, but with a bit of positive encouragement, I get right into the game! I also like hiding in and running through the agility tunnels that are in the house. Every now and then, I like the things in my room to be changed around. If Bonnie goes a week or so without moving things, I meow at her to let her know it's time for a change!

Sebastian: You sound like a fun girl! What do you like to eat?

Mya: I have simple tastes, really. As long as you keep a bowl of fresh water and a bowl filled with kibble around at all times, I'll be satisfied. Bonnie gives me a bit of canned food in the mornings for breakfast which I have come to expect and let her know if she's late in getting it to me.

Sebastian: Tell me what you're looking for in a forever home.

Mya: I need patient, experienced cat owners. It must be a calm and quiet home without children, dogs or other cats. I need owners who will understand that I need my space sometimes and will pay attention to my ways of communication and respect my desires. I am well behaved, use my litter box properly and make a good companion. I'm front declawed so I won't scratch up doors or furniture, although I do enjoy rubbing my paws on carpets.

Sebastian: So what happens if someone wants to adopt you?

Mya: I'll be living with my foster mom until I'm adopted so if someone thinks they would be a good match for me, they would need to call the adoptions department at Wayside Waifs at 816-761-8151 to set up an appointment to come to Bonnie's house to meet me. They would fill out some paperwork and if everything worked out they would come back to pick me up here. I'm up to date on all of my shots, so a trip to Wayside isn't necessary. Oh, I even come with my own bed. I've gotten quite accustomed to it so it will go to my new forever home with me.

Sebastian: Thanks for taking the time to tell me about yourself, Mya! You're quite a gal!

Check out Mya's YouTube video to see her in action:


Want more piccies of this beautiful girl? Check out her album here. I hope Mya finds her forever home soon. Even if she's not the right cat for you, all of us who have gotten to know her hope you'll spread the word about her!

Big thanks to Mya for answering all my questions, Bonnie Still for fostering Mya and providing the piccies of her, and to Lisa Richman, Wayside volunteer, for providing the video.

Wordless Wednesday: Some Nights Are Rougher Than Others

Readpawty Review: "The Cat Who Could Read Backwards" by Lilian Jackson Braun

There was only one book to read for the upcoming #readpawty and it was "The Cat Who Could Read Backwards", the first book in the series by Lilian Jackson Braun who recently went to the Rainbow Bridge. First published in 1966, this book started a series of 29 books featuring newspaper reporter Jim Qwilleran and his Siamese cat Koko.

In this first book, Koko the Siamese cat (who is very sophisticated and can read newspaper headlines backwards) does not actually live with Qwilleran, but lives upstairs with his landlord and art critic at the Daily Fluxion, George Bonifield Mountclemens. Qwilleran also works at the Daily Fluxion but he is in the Features Department, writing feel-good pieces on the artists that Mountclemens has offended with his harsh criticisms.

Qwilleran is used to writing more serious articles, at one time working as a police reporter. When a local art gallery is the scene for a brutal murder, Qwilleran's old instincts kick in and he begins to ask questions, trying to figure out who might have committed the crime. When two more deaths occur, Qwilleran develops new theories and is even assisted by Koko, who leads him to clues.
You know what the best part of this book was? The fact that Koko was treated exactly the way all cats should be treated. He is given the finest foods and is highly respected. In return, he helps to solve a crime!

"The Cat Who Could Read Backwards" is a fun mystery that I would recommend to fans of cozy mysteries and to cat lovers. We have another book in this series, but I think I might read them all in order instead of just reading the one we have.