The New Cat Tree House Scratcher!

 

Today, we purchased something fun for the kitties - a Cat Tree House Scratcher! Of course, the cats had to help put it together ....

Miss Ginger and Sir Leo checking things out ... 

Teddy and Butterscotch joined them, too!

My favorite Cat Dads!

What can I say about "cat dads"? Well, speaking as someone who has been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to share my life with a cat dad for the last 26 years, I personally believe that they are absolutely and without a doubt THE BEST! In fact, I have been blessed to know quite a few cat dads and I find them to be among the most amazing men whom I have ever met. 

And so, I decided to ask a few cat dads that I know what they liked the most about being a cat dad and what they loved the most about cats. Here's what they had to say ...

Jon and Friends

Jon and "Reginald".

"I believe these questions deserve an answer that is not over-simplified or glossed in a broad interpretation in lieu of an answer. So I will do my best to be as succinct as possible and give the reader an honest and accurate answer. Which means going back to the beginning. I grew up in a home full of pets. Dogs, lizards, a turtle named Gizmo and hamsters were all part of my youth. I was also raised by outdoorsmen. Hunting and fishing were common and I to this day still very much enjoy both. I was blessed to have been raised in a family that loved their animals, and respected all animals. I think that’s important to note and plays a significant part in the overall answer. A lot of people get the outdoorsman’s perspective wrong in my humble opinion. Most of the hunting and fishing community I know have the utmost respect and regard for animals and a lot of times have a deeper appreciation for those creatures than most people who have never studied them. That being said I was raised that all animals were worth our attention and respect, whether they were in our care or were a means to provide sustenance through ethical means of hunting or fishing.

And while my life has been a vast cornucopia of critters, cats had never been a big part of it. Not until I was an adult. I never really had any interaction with the trusty feline companions as a youth so I suppose I never really gave them much thought. That’s not to say I harbored malice or dislike for cats, I had more of a live and let live kind of approach to their existence.

Moose’s story has been WELL documented so we can skip that portion of the conversation, but what hasn’t been told is my story of him. Renee brought Moose home from a foster family and the initial introductions to the kids and us went smoothly enough as did the naming process of Mr. Tons o’ fun. But after that came the whole “what do you do with a cat?” time. Which as it turns out was ok because as we were trying to figure out how to care for this rotund cantankerous guy, he was trying to figure out what to do with his newly adopted people. We grew together. Learning about each other and what our annoyances and likes were. We are still learning about each other to this very day. Moose has always had a personality. He showed up with it! Initially (not having any experience with cats) I thought that was something special to him. I still viewed all other cats as well…just cats. Then Reggie came along and I was gifted the opportunity to get to know him. Different cat, different personality. Fast forward to little grey cat, the stray Renee saved on Easter morning. Three cats, three different and distinct personalities. All perfect for themselves and the people they find. So I guess the answer to what I love most about cats is that they have taught me, still continue to teach me and I will be forever thankful to be allowed to be their student and look forward to learning more about their personalities and about each ones individuality." ~ Jon

Jon and "Moose Virginia".

"Little Dude"

(Photos courtesy of Renee and Jon James)

Jim and Hammy

"The things that I like the best about living with a cat is no mice, my cat likes coming to me for attention, my cat mellows me out. What I like the least is he (Hammy) has to sleep on me all the time and he paws at my face when I try to sleep because he wants attention. I call Hammy an "Abby Tabby" since he has Tabby cat markings, loves water, and has Abyssinian traits." ~ Jim

(Photos courtesy of Robin and Jim Raber)

Brett and "The Boys" 

"I have always had an affinity for cats ever since I was a kid. There is very little that I do not like about being a cat dad and living with cats. I have respect for all of them regardless of their disposition. Cats seem to naturally come to me and I love that about them." ~ Brett

Brett with "Butterscotch" (top of pic) and "Sir Leo"

With "Merlin" when he was a kitten.

Brett and our beloved "Midnight"

💜💛💚💙💜💛💚💙💜💛💚💙

 Cat dads know ...

Cat dads know that when their kitty starts to purr, all is right with the world. It’s like an instant mood-booster and stress-reliever.

Cat dads know that sometimes cats can be aloof or independent, but that doesn’t change how much we adore them. Even when they are being stubborn or ignoring us completely, we still find ourselves loving them just the same."

Cats choose us; we don’t own them.

Time spent with cats is never wasted.

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of a contented cat curling up on your lap and purring away. It’s a simple pleasure that makes life infinitely better.

A cat can purr its way out of anything.

Cats have it all – admiration, an endless sleep, and company only when they want it.

I would like to express my sincere appreciation to my friends Jon James, Jim Raber, and my hubby, Brett for being a part of this post. Your personal contributions were very much appreciated! MANY THANKS!

.

A very sad farewell

This past week has been a tough one. A few weeks ago, Chester was missing and had not shown up for his breakfast or dinner. We assumed that he did what most outside animals do and wondered off to die somewhere which is all too familiar. Then we noticed a bad smell in the garage. Thinking that one of the two outside cats brought in a mouse and it died there, we began cleaning out the messy garage still  filled with both my husbands work supplies and my mom's things from her old house. 

On Wednesday night after I arrived home from work, my husband told me that he found Chester - lying dead on some coats in back of the garage. What a horror for my husband to have to see! He placed Chester in a bag and he will give him a proper burial today.

We knew that he was not well and that there was little more that we could do to help him except to make him comfortable. Our only saving grace is that he did not die SOMEWHERE ALONE outside in the harsh conditions of nature. He apparently came HOME to us to die. 

WE WILL HIM MISS GREATLY!!! The next day, I printed off some good pics of Chester and told my husband that these photos are the way he needs to remember Chester - healthy and contented!

Heartbroken ...

Tonight our hearts are breaking for poor Chester. Since we already have six house cats, we were never able to bring Chester in the house. The best we could do for him was give him shelter, a cat bed to sleep in, and a space heater in the garage. We fed him twice a day and took care of him the best we possibly could have. 

He began to come around about two years ago when my husband befriended him. We have no idea where he came from or how old he was, but we noticed the past few months (especially with the cold, ugly weather we have been having lately) that he, as with most outside cats began to age rapidly. He was having trouble walking - possibly arthritis (who knows?) and so we gave him Fancy Feast with turmeric mixed in with it to help him with his joints. He would sleep in the garage most days and nights on an old sofa cushion we have that he seemed to like and somehow managed to jump up on. 

A couple of times he would wander (not too far) and we would not see him for a couple of days and then suddenly he would show up and once again live in the garage. This past Friday night after we fed him he walked out of the garage and never came back. The Godforsaken snow came that night and we fear that he died outside somewhere because he never came back. 

Chester eating with his buddy Charlie.

I suggested bringing him in and keeping safe and warm in one of our large dog cages downstairs (away from the other cats) until winter was over but my husband said that he would not be happy living his last days that way so we didn't do it. I am regretting that decision now and both my husband and I are shedding a few tears over his loss. I only pray we gave him some happiness in his hard life.

A Feline Funny for Valentine's Day

 

A surprise email this morning from our vet for Sir Leo:

We wanted to reach out and wish Leo a very happy birthday!! 

It is such a pleasure to be your veterinarian. 

We hope today can be sweetened with a treat for this big day and that all birthday wishes come true. Thank you for letting us be a part of your healthcare team and we look forward to seeing you for your next wellness exam. 

Happy Birthday!

Turmeric and Cats

We have been giving Butterscotch turmeric in capsule form once a day with his canned food ever since he had to have a lump removed from the back of his left leg a couple of years ago. Upon doing our research, we have read that this supplement (herb) has a lot of wonderful benefits for both cats and dogs alike. 

I have decided to share some information about it here which I had found on a couple of websites about using it for its' health benefits for cats. In fact, a couple of weeks ago, I noticed a soft lump on Butterscotch's chin. As the vet had instructed me to do, I kept a close eye on it to make sure it did not get bigger. Now, it could well have been dermatitis (yes cats can and do get it) and I began giving Butterscotch turmeric again after I had given him a little break from it in his daily routine. Within days the lump on his chin not only had gone down, but appears to have gone away. Be that as it may, I will still continue to keep a watch on it. 

The following are links for further reading and an excerpt from one below:

Turmeric has become a household staple for many people, but this superfood has tremendous health benefits. Turmeric for cats helps support cats that may be fighting cancer, and also provides, arthritis support and also helps with digestion, skin issues, and is great for cardiovascular health.

Properties of Turmeric:

• Anti-inflammatory
• Antioxidant
• Anti-fungal
• Antibacterial
• Anticoagulant
• Antiseptic
• Astringent

Benefits of Using Turmeric Daily in the Diet

• Helps to scavenge free radicals
• Increases antioxidant enzymes
• Inhibits lipid peroxidation

Free radicals are unstable molecules that cause oxidative damage to cellular components such as proteins, lipids, and DNA. The free radical scavenging properties of turmeric supports the body in processing and removing these molecules, minimizing the damage they can do.

Healing Properties of Turmeric for Cats

• Helps arthritic conditions due to its anti-inflammatory properties and COX2 inhibitors
• Autoimmune disease support by improving the signaling pathways of immune cells
• Anti-cancer support due to its antioxidant properties
• Support for liver disorders through detoxification
• Heart condition support through improved circulation
• Helps to lower bad cholesterol (LDL) which cats are prone to
• Helps reduce the risk of blood clotting

At NHV, we only use human-grade quality products as plant-based remedies. They are vet-approved and are safe to be given long-term along with any vet-prescribed medications.

Other Herbs and Spices That Are Healthy for Cats

In addition to turmeric, there are a variety of other herbs and spices that you can offer to your cat occasionally that are thought to help support their health. Here are other herbs and spices that your cat can eat:

• Ginger
• Catnip
• Dandelion Root
• Chamomile
• Valerian

These herbs and spices should be used like turmeric: sparingly. Just a small amount added to a meal or included in a snack or treat a few times a week or under guidance from a veterinarian.

References:

https://www.nhvnaturalpetproducts.com/TURMERIC-for-cat-cancer-symptoms

https://petcareadvisors.com/cats/can-cats-eat-turmeric/

https://askmycats.com/is-turmeric-safe-for-cats/

Valentine's Day Cat-Style!

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MOOSE VIRGINIA MADE IT TO THE TOP 10 OF HIS GROUP!! 

💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘

Yesterday, while stocking up on some cat food and kitty litter at our local Pet Smart, I picked up a couple of little toys for the kitties as a Valentine's Day surprise! They love it!!  

Sir Leo (Miss Ginger looking on) ...

Ginger, Teddy, and Butterscotch joined in on the fun!

And, of course, who could forget a bouquet of catnip flowers!