Pallas (Manul) Cat – The Cat That Time Forgot

Posted by Jules on Aug 16, 2012 in Cats Around the World | 0 comments

Recently I came across the most adorable, amazing cats! They are a non-domesticated small wild cat native to

Pallas (Manul) Kitten

Mongolia, Kazakhstan, India, and parts of China and Russia known as the manul or Pallus cat. The Pallas cat (Otocolobus manul) is roughly the size of domestic kitties but have long and dense fur that makes them appear stouter and heavier than they are. The Pallas cat also has a shorter face than domestic cats and fewer teeth than most felines—but take a look at those teeth in the videos, fewer teeth doesn’t look like a problem to me! Unlike other small cats, the Pallas cat has round pupils rather than slits and large eyes for their face. Their eyes are so…human, to me. Read more information and facts about the Pallas cat here.

Enjoy the two videos below!

Hissing kittens—talk about cuteness overload! ~ Courtesy of Zooborns.com

Adult Pallas cats lookin’ a bit grumpy. ~ Courtesy of Prospect Park Zoo

The “It” Factor

Posted by Jules on Jan 22, 2012 in Ramblings of a Crazy Cat Lady | 0 comments

Pet Peeve: The “It” Factor

One of my pet peeves is what I call the “It Factor.” For example, I used to subscribe to a well-known cat magazine. Although there was some informative value to this publication, over time I just couldn’t take IT anymore. In part, I didn’t renew my subscription because of the It Factor, and some of their content wasn’t suitable for what I stand for regarding the care of cats. IT was all too much, and my breaking point.

Some vets and other people and publications drive me crazy with the use of one particular little word! Maybe I am just one crazy cat lady and shouldn’t be so sensitive about this, but that just ain’t gonna happen. Ever. When it comes to cats, I’m highly sensitive and recognize their uniqueness—their intrinsic value as living, breathing little beings.

You might have already guessed, but for those that haven’t, I’ll explain what the It Factor is. It is the use of that one two letter word, “it,” assigned to cats instead of calling them him or her, he or she, etc. For example: “…remember that your cat is doing the best it can…” “…take it to the vet…” “It should receive…” “It might like…” ARG!!!! IT makes me so angry I could growl and spit!!

Cats, although sometimes stoic when in pain, most definitely feel pain when they hurt–or are being harmed. Cats feel love and return it ten-fold. Cats think and process information: “Should I do this, or is it going to get me in trouble?” (I’m thinking of one particular red-head in my household.) Kitties have a strong human bond with us; even if we don’t deserve it. Some have saved lives with acts of heroism.

Would you call your child an IT? Your spouse? Your friend? Your dog?

In my not-so-humble opinion, the use of “it” when he/she or him/her or their actual name could (should!) be used, so devalues them as a living, breathing species that deserve respect and love. Using “it” turns them into an object like a flower pot, or a rock in the middle of the road. A thing that can be discarded or put to sleep at the mercy of whomever is their caretaker (I use that term loosely for some!) without a second thought. Or be discarded at the whim of some of the human persuasion because they no longer match the decor in their home (yes, I’ve been privy to this actually happening–and is why I mention this).

The use of this word to describe these little ones disgusts and disheartens me. The negative connotation by using the term “it” when referencing kitties makes me so very sad for the kitties that have to endure this sort of thought process and the ensuing treatment as an “it” instead of a valued member of the family.

Okay, I’m off my soap box. So tell me, what are your thoughts about “it”?

Libby, a Tale of Inspiration

Posted by Jules on Dec 15, 2011 in Inspirational Cat Stories | 0 comments

Libby, a Tale of Inspiration…

This is the story of darling Libby, a severely neglected kitty. I have to admit…I cried like a baby for this beautiful little girl. Heartbreaking in the beginning, but oh so inspirational and triumphant in the end!!

I will say, while watching Libby’s transformation, that I was thinking of holistic supplementation to use as supportive care for her illnesses (pancreatitis and hyper-T). When she came to these folks, she was in need of immediate and life-saving care. I feel they have done a wonderful job for precious Libby and given her a second chance at life!

Do you have an inspirational kitty tale to share? Contact Us and we’ll share it. Or, just post your story in the comment area below.

The Uncanny Intuition of Cats…

Posted by Jules on Nov 20, 2011 in Cat Intuition | 0 comments

In order to make my point about how intuitive kitties are, I need to unpack a bit of my personal life for y’all:

Back in 2002 I was going through a battle with cancer, yup, the “Big C.” I was in distress, emotionally drained, and physically spent.

During this time Abby and Tuffy began to exhibit an uncanny, intuitive nature that I had never seen from them before. It was amazing to experience! It reinforced my unconditional love for cats, and most especially my love and gratitude for brothers, Abby and Tuffy. No human could, or did, what they did for me during this time. It was like they “got it.” Big time!

It all started with my two precious babies sticking to me like glue, literally. It was amazing how their intuition spiked into high gear and they could sense that their mama needed them without a word or meow being spoken…

In this silence Tuffy would curl behind my head as I sat on the couch and wrap his little arms around my neck and snuggle his face into my hair, gently purring. Abby stayed stuck next to me on the couch purring up a storm—he couldn’t have gotten any closer if he tried! If I got up, they followed me everywhere, and I do mean everywhere; if ya get my drift.

The astonishing part of this is that Abby never did the “cuddly-type” of thing (still doesn’t), and Tuffy was a cuddly lap kitty, but didn’t do what he did during this time (he did continue to wrap his little arms around me, etc. on the couch until the day he had to leave us due to CRF—I think he found he really liked it!). When I needed them most, their love for me and their behavior was a hundred-fold more intense. And it was daily. They knew. They really knew!

I will be forever grateful for the love Abby and Tuffy, precious brothers, showed me during this time. I wonder sometimes if they know how much they helped me back then? But then again I know the answer to this because—they’re kitties! Amazingly awesome kitties!