~ The 'All things CATS' thread ~ [Archive]

Codreanu

June 25, 2006, 06:53 AM

Feast of the Sedentation

How would the Church of England deal with the statement that "the cat sat on the mat" if it appeared in the Bible?

The liberal theologians would point out that such a passage did not of course mean that the cat literally sat on the mat. Also, cat and mat had different meanings in those days from today, and anyway, the text should be interpreted according to the customs and practices of the period.

This would lead to an immediate backlash from the Evangelicals. They would make it an essential condition of faith that a real physical, living cat, being a domestic pet of the species Domesticus, and having a whiskered head, a furry body, four legs and a tail, did physically place its whole body on a floor covering, designed for that purpose, and which is on the floor but not of the floor. The expression "on the floor but not of the floor" would be explained in a leaflet.

Meanwhile, the Catholics would have developed the Feast of the Sedentation of the Blessed Cat. This would teach that the cat was white, and majestically reclined on a mat of gold thread before its assumption to the Great Cat Basket of Heaven. This is commemorated by singing the "Magnificat" and "Felix namque", lighting three candles, and ringing a bell five times.

This would cause a schism with the Orthodox Church which believes tradition requires Holy Cats Days (as it is colloquially known), to be marked by lighting SIX candles and ringing the bell FOUR times. This would partly be resolved by the Cuckoo Land Declaration recognising the traditional validity of each.

Eventually the House of Bishops would issue a statement on the Doctrine of the Feline Sedentation. It would explain, traditionally the text describes a domestic feline quadruped superjacent to an unattached covering on a fundamental surface. For determining its salvific and eschatological significations, we follow the heuristic analytical principles adopted in dealing with the Canine Fenestration Question (How much is that doggie in the window?) and the Affirmative Musaceous Paradox (Yes, we have no bananas). And so on, for another 210 pages.

The General Synod would then commend this report as helpful resource material for clergy to explain to the man in the pew the difficult doctrine of the cat sat on the mat.

– Author unknown

Codreanu

June 25, 2006, 07:09 AM

EXCERPTS FROM A DOG'S DIARY

Day number 180
8:00 am - Oh boy! Dog Food! My Favorite!
9:30 am - Oh boy! A car ride! My Favorite!
9:40 am - Oh boy! A walk! My Favorite!
10:30 am - Oh boy! A car ride! My Favorite!
11:30 am - Oh boy! Dog Food! My Favorite!
12:00 noon - Oh boy! The kids! My Favorite!
1:00 pm - Oh boy! The yard! My Favorite!
4:00 pm - Oh boy! The kids! My Favorite!
5:00 PM - Oh boy! Dog Food! My Favorite!
5:30 PM - Oh boy! Mom! My Favorite!

Day number 181
8:00 am - Oh boy! Dog Food! My Favorite!
9:30 am - Oh boy! A car ride! My Favorite!
9:40 am - Oh boy! A walk! My Favorite!
10:30 am - Oh boy! A car ride! My Favorite!
11:30 am - Oh boy! Dog Food! My Favorite!
12:00 noon - Oh boy! The kids! My Favorite!
1:00 pm - Oh boy! The yard! My Favorite!
4:00 pm - Oh boy! The kids! My Favorite!
5:00 PM - Oh boy! Dog Food! My Favorite!
5:30 PM - Oh boy! Mom! My Favorite!

Day number 182
8:00 am - Oh boy! Dog Food! My Favorite!
9:30 am - Oh boy! A car ride! My Favorite!
9:40 am - Oh boy! A walk! My Favorite!
10:30 am - Oh boy! A car ride! My Favorite!
11:30 am - Oh boy! Dog Food! My Favorite!
12:00 noon - Oh boy! The kids! My Favorite!
1:00 pm - Oh boy! The yard! My Favorite!
1:30 pm - Ooooooo. Bath. Bummer.
4:00 pm - Oh boy! The kids! My Favorite!
5:00 PM - Oh boy! Dog Food! My Favorite!
5:30 PM - Oh boy! Dad! My Favorite!

* * *

EXCERPTS FROM A CAT'S DIARY

DAY 752 - My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal. The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape, and the mild satisfaction I get from ruining the occasional piece of furniture. Tomorrow I may eat another houseplant.

DAY 761 - Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving around their feet while they were walking almost succeeded, must try this at the top of the stairs. In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile oppressors, I once again induced myself to vomit on their favorite chair...must try this on their bed.

DAY 765 - Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body, in attempt to make them aware of what I am capable of, and to try to strike fear into their hearts. They only cooed and condescended about what a good little cat I was...Hmmm. Not working according to plan.

DAY 768 - I am finally aware of how sadistic they are. For no good reason I was chosen for the water torture. This time, however, it included a burning foamy chemical called "shampoo." What sick minds could invent such a liquid? My only consolation is the piece of thumb still stuck between my teeth. Well, that and the fact that the dog was the next victim after me.

DAY 771 - There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices. I was placed in solitary throughout the event. However, I could hear the noise and smell the foul odor of the glass tubes they call "beer". More importantly, I overheard that my confinement was due to MY power of "allergies." Must learn what this is and how to use it to my advantage.

DAY 774 - I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and maybe snitches. The dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to return. He is obviously a half-wit. The bird on the other hand has got to be an informant, and speaks with them regularly. I am certain he reports my every move. Due to his current placement in the metal room his safety is assured. But I can wait, it is only a matter of time...

realitybites

June 25, 2006, 07:25 AM

Kitten by Ray Cesar

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v288/Smithsonissey/Kitten.jpg

realitybites

June 25, 2006, 07:27 AM

Ha ha. Love those diaries--proof that cats ARE far more clever than dogs. :D

Codreanu

June 25, 2006, 07:31 AM

Everything I Know I Learnt From my Cat!

It's ok to wear the same things everyday.
Sleeping is very underrated, ... as is stretching.
Never crack your knuckles.
Grooming requires a serious time commitment.
Remember to wash behind your ears, in between your toes and under your arms.
Keep your nails trimmed and hair clean.
Pee without getting any on your feet.
Eat when you're hungry, when you're not hungry, play with your food.
If you don't see it, ask for it.
Counters are the best place to sit in a kitchen.
Show some discretion.
Don't burp in public.
Have no qualms about sharing a plate of food, or eating leftovers.
Drink milk.
Try not to obsess about cholesterol.
Be hard to leave.
Notice squirrels, investigate shadows, and chase butterflies.
Make your own hours.
Shred all documents.
Money is only paper.
Be curious.
Get to know people in high places, somehow.
Don't be afraid to take chances.
Take a moment to recover your dignity, but don't dwell on the past too much.
Don't always come when you are called.
Try new things.
Take time to eat some flowers.
Stare unabashedly.
Test limits.
Be tolerant, but not overly accommodating.
Get mad when you are stepped on.
Forget that you were stepped on.
Know all the sunny places.
Sometimes you can't explain your actions.
Sometimes you can't explain yourself.
Have a sneeze that is the envy of others.
Make yourself vulnerable, but don't be afraid to bite the hand that feeds you.
Challenge yourself.
Share your victories.
Recycle.
Exercise daily.
Go barefoot.
Obey your instincts.
Claim your own chair.
Flaunt your hair loss.
Vary your hangouts.
Make the world your playground.
Recognize the toy in everything.
Make the most of unstructured time.
There is always time for a nap.
Be easy to come home to.
Show affection and contentment.
Everyone is entitled to an occasional mood swing.
The faster you run upstairs, the more likely you are to forget why you went up there in the first place.
There is nothing wrong with changing your mind.
Love unconditionally.
Avoid company you do not like.
Accept that all company may not like you.
Depend on others without losing your independence.
Enjoy your own company.
Be a good listener.
Invite yourself to dinner.
Don't drool.
Scratch when and where it itches.
Get used to silences.
Be entertaining, strike poses, wiggle your ears.
Jump right into the middle of things.
Just because you're home, you don't have to answer the phone.
Ask for attention.
Feel no guilt.
Use negative attention getting tactics only as a last resort.
Ignore television.
Yawn like you really mean it.
Find a good lap to curl up in.
Be soft.
Be cool.
Be mysterious.
Be able to make someone feel better just by being there.
Make people wonder what you do at night.
Be good at finding things in the dark.
Have a warm bed.
Be loved.
Dream.

Puddle

June 25, 2006, 07:35 AM

Ha ha. Love those diaries--proof that cats ARE far more clever than dogs. :D

i always loved cats. surrounded by three as i write. one of them is much too smart.

Codreanu

June 25, 2006, 07:46 AM

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/9118/pudding8iy.jpg

The Monk & His Cat Pangur

Written in the margins of an illuminated manuscript at the Abbey of St. Paul at Reichenau, Corinthia. The poem inspired a book telling of the adventures of the cat Pangur Ban who finally ends his travels at Cashel Castle in Eire, keeping it rodent-free and where he was greatly loved. Pangur Ban is Gaelic for "white Pangur" or "little white cat."

I and my white Pangur
have each his special art:
His mind is set on hunting mice,
mine is upon my special craft.

I love to rest - better than any fame!
With close study at my little book;
White Pangur does not envy me:
He loves his childish play.

When in our house we two are all alone...
A tale without tedium.
We have - sport never-ending!
Something to exercise our wit.

At times by feats of derring-do
a mouse sticks in his net,
while into my net there drops
a difficult problem of hard meaning.

He points his full shining eye
against the fence of the wall:
I point my clear though feeble eye
against the keenness of science.

He rejoices with quick leaps
when in his sharp claw sticks a mouse;
I, too, rejoice when I have grasped
a problem difficult and dearly loved.

Though we are thus at all time,
neither hinders the other,
each of us pleased with his own art
amuses himself alone.

He is master of the work
which every day he does:
While I am at my own work
to bring difficulty to clearness.

Eighth Century Irish Monk

Codreanu

June 25, 2006, 08:39 AM

The Catropolitan Opera

The Magic Flute
Act 11
The vengeful Queen of the night gives her daughter a dagger, and orders her to kill the high priest, Sarastro.

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/5315/magicflute4nj.png (http://imageshack.us)

It is a cat opera tradition that the Queen of the Night is played by a white persian. Near the end of her career, Francesca Fischio dyed herself white to get the part.To make her coat appear fuller she was bathed and blown dry each evening. Her voice by then was harsh and limited, her figure bloated, yet she was still a commanding and vivid prescence.

Eugene Onegin
Act 11
At a party Eugene Onegin deliberatly provokes his friend Lensky by flirting outrageously with Lensky's beloved Olga. Lensky challenges Onegin to a dual, and Onegin kills him.

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/2456/eugene8jj.png (http://imageshack.us)

As you can see, when cats stand back to back and upright, their tails tend to wind about their legs. One evening when Onegin played by the great Russian Tenor Nikolai Goddakatskan, whirled to fire his pistol, he discovered that Lensky had tripped over his tail before taking a single step. It seemed rather ungentlemanly to shoot Lensky as he lay on the ground, but Goddakatscan had no choice.

Tosca
Act 11
To save the life of her beloved Cavaradossi, Tosca has agreed to spend the night with Scarpia, the chief of police. Once the order of release is signed, Tosca stabs the evil Scarpia to death.

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/1567/tosca2eu.png (http://imageshack.us)

Here is Catherine Kittle, who didn't limit her knifework to the stage. Although the story has been hushed up, she did in fact stab Leo Angorotti in her dressing room. The cause of the dispute has never been revealed, but she was heard to scream, "The little cat, doesn't know where it's at."

Madame Butterfly
Act 11
Although Pinkerton has been away for three years, Cio-Cio San still believes that he will return. Her mais Suzuki, has her doubts.

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/4628/madama0ts.png (http://imageshack.us)

Codreanu

June 25, 2006, 08:56 AM

Shakespeare Cats

Romeo and Juliet
Act V scene 111
Having taking friar Lawrence's potion to make her appear to be dead, Juliet is placed in the family vault. Unfortunately, Romeo thinks she really is dead and takes poison. When Juliet wakes and discovers his body, she stabs herself. Devastated by the loss of their children, the Montagues and the Capulets bury their enmity.

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/2990/romeo2fm.png (http://imageshack.us)

Aglooming peace this morning with it brings,

The sun for sorrow will not show his head,

Go hence, to have more talk of these sad things,

Some shall be pardoned, and some punished;

For never was a story of more woe,

Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.

King Lear
Act 111 scene 11
Disillusioned by the churlish behaviour of his two selfish daughters, Regan and Goneril, King Lear accompanied by his faithful fool, rages at the gathering storm.

http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/2830/lear8qm.png (http://imageshack.us)

Blow winds, and crack your cheeks;

rage, blow.

Othello
Act V scene 11
Desdemona protests her innocence and begs Othello to spare her life.

http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/2164/othello8kv.png (http://imageshack.us)

Kill me tomorrow, let me live tonight.

Macbeth
Act 11 scene 11
After murdering Duncan, Macbeth has distractedly brought away the daggers with him. Appalled at what he has done, he cannot bring himself to put the daggers back; but Lady Macbeth, made of sterner stuff, takes over.

http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/4460/mcbeth0wm.png (http://imageshack.us)

Infirm of purpose!

Give me the daggers. The sleeping and the dead, are but as pictures;

Tis the eye of childhood, that fears a painted devil.

Codreanu

June 25, 2006, 08:56 AM

Richard 111
Act 1 scene 1
Richard Duke of Gloucester conceals the fact that he is plotting to remove all obstacles that stand between himself and the crown of England.

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/8241/richardiii8er.png (http://imageshack.us)

Now is the winter of our discontent

Made glorious summer by this son of York;

And all the clouds that lour'd upon our house

In the deep bosom of the ocean buried.

Dupree

June 25, 2006, 01:06 PM

Here is our cat Katie. Alan took these last night.

Your cat and I share the same name :D

realitybites

June 25, 2006, 09:46 PM

Cod those illustrations are amazing. I saved them all. Thanks for sharing them. :) :)

realitybites

June 25, 2006, 09:47 PM

Your cat and I share the same name :D

Katie is a great name. If I had a daughter, this is what I would name her.

Codreanu

June 25, 2006, 10:08 PM

Pre-Raphaelite Cats

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/2001/rossetti9bs.png (http://imageshack.us)

Veronica Veronte

(after Dante Gabriel Rossetti)

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/7530/hunt1ii.png (http://imageshack.us)

The Light of the World

(after William Holman Hunt)

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man

hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to

him, and will sup with him, and he with me"

(Revelations, 111,20)

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/6403/millais6nv.png (http://imageshack.us)

Princes in the Tower

(after Sir John Everett Millais)

After the death of their father King Edward 1V,

Edward, Prince of Wales, and his younger

brother Richard, Duke of York, are imprisoned

by their uncle in the tower.

http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/8468/mariana5be.png (http://imageshack.us)

Mariana

(after Sir John Everett Millais)

Having lost her dowry in a shipwreck, Mariana

is abandoned by her lover Angelo and spends

the next five years in a moated grange.

(Shakespeare, Measure for measure, and Tennyson,Mariana)

Codreanu

June 25, 2006, 10:19 PM

Impressionist Cats

http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/8092/renoir5lk.png (http://imageshack.us)

after

Pierre-Auguste Renoir

The Boating Party 1880-1

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/5271/manat1px.png (http://imageshack.us)

after

Edward Manet

Nana 1877

http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/4638/renoir23ka.png (http://imageshack.us)

after

Pierre Auguste Renoir

Madame Charpentier and her Children

http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/8339/monet6ru.png (http://imageshack.us)

after

Claude Monet

Wild Poppies 1873

Codreanu

June 25, 2006, 10:22 PM

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/5307/monet21ub.png (http://imageshack.us)

after

Claude Monet

The Promenade

(Madame Monet and her Son 1875)

realitybites

June 25, 2006, 10:26 PM

Codreanu

June 25, 2006, 10:48 PM

I want these Cod:

Pre-Raphaelite Cats (http://www.literary-cat.cwc.net/Pre-Raphaelite.htm) and The
The Catropolitan Opera (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0821224352/002-4482878-9064015?v=glance&n=283155)
Yeah, so do I! :)

I know the Met Opera Shop used to carry Catropolitan mugs and greeting cards in their print catalog. I just checked the webpage and the only item currently available is a La Bohème stained glass tableau.
http://www.metoperafamily.org/shop/display.aspx?ID=8010&CatID=25

realitybites

June 25, 2006, 10:49 PM

L'Accord D'Amour by Ray Cesar

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v288/Smithsonissey/Contemporary%20Art/LAccordDAmour2.jpg

realitybites

June 25, 2006, 10:52 PM

Yeah, so do I! :)

I know the Met Opera Shop used to carry Catropolitan mugs and greeting cards in their print catalog. I just checked the webpage and the only item currently available is a La Bohème stained glass tableau.
http://www.metoperafamily.org/shop/display.aspx?ID=8010&CatID=25

That is a great site. I like this Chagall tote: 360

++++++

June 25, 2006, 11:17 PM

This thread just brightened my day.

realitybites

June 26, 2006, 12:16 AM

This thread just brightened my day.

Yay! :)

chica

June 26, 2006, 08:55 PM

Hold on to your feline friends guys! :) Especially Jehne who has the most beautiful one in the whole world!

http://www.savefile.com/files.php?fid=4888662

realitybites

June 27, 2006, 05:22 AM

Hold on to your feline friends guys! :) Especially Jehne who has the most beautiful one in the whole world!

http://www.savefile.com/files.php?fid=4888662

Awe shucks, Katie is blushing. And she told me to tell you, "Thanks chica!" :D

WhyteGrrrl

June 27, 2006, 06:14 AM

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/WhyteGrrrl/th_sotrue.jpg (http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/WhyteGrrrl/sotrue.jpg)

So very true.:D

Morrissey Mailer

June 27, 2006, 06:39 AM

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/284/catfight7hf.jpg

http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/7094/catfight27lg.jpg

realitybites

June 27, 2006, 09:16 AM

MM those are very cute pictures! :)

Codreanu

June 29, 2006, 10:30 PM

The following is a, partial, reconstruction of a brittle, heavily fragmented, newspaper clipping that I found, among other yellowed clippings, in my Great-Grandmother's (C---) bible. I will be sure to ask my Grandfather about anything he might remember of this mysterious feline.

He Had Nine Lives -- And
Used Them

Friday was a sad day at the
C--- home, 337 N. W---.

Funeral arrangements have not
been announced, pending location of
relatives, but you can be sure that
Mrs. E. B. C--- will plan a funeral
that wil do honor to Tom, age
31, who passed away Friday.

Tom's death was not sudden, it was
not tragic. He died a natural death
from old age. What you don't think
31 is an old age?

Well it is for a cat! And Tom, may
it be said, to advantage of every
one of his nine lives. He lived them
to their end and he had a contented
look on his face when his soul passed
[on t]o the feline vallahalla.

[...]me[mbers] of the C--- family
[...][ha]ving some difficulty locating
[...] of the imm[ediate] family. For
[...] [w]as secretive about his
relatives - and so far as people know
[he] never had a wife.

Tom was born in 19[..] [an]d became
[...] property [of] Jim [...]
[...

...]

poprenaissance

June 29, 2006, 11:08 PM

here are my babies - isabella, hazy monday, and matchstick:

marilyn manson

June 29, 2006, 11:35 PM

Kitten by Ray Cesar

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v288/Smithsonissey/Kitten.jpg

wow, that painting is awsome.

here is a painting manson did of his kitty:

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/6927/008l9pu.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

WhyteGrrrl

July 1, 2006, 04:36 AM

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/WhyteGrrrl/th_DSC06428.jpg (http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/WhyteGrrrl/DSC06428.jpg)

Mrs. Bitey, wearing a Truro Hall setlist.

realitybites

July 1, 2006, 05:25 AM

wow, that painting is awsome.

here is a painting manson did of his kitty:

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/6927/008l9pu.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

That is coo!!! I didn't know he painted as well.

realitybites

July 1, 2006, 05:27 AM

here are my babies - isabella, hazy monday, and matchstick:

Pop, those kitties are adorable!

marilyn manson

July 1, 2006, 04:12 PM

he enjoys ainting alot!!

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/7140/007l0jz.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

some mice in the cat thread.

realitybites

July 3, 2006, 07:55 AM

This VIDEO (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkKXIIXXaAw) is twisted!

marilyn manson

July 3, 2006, 01:13 PM

poor cat.

he didnt deserve those words.

chica

July 3, 2006, 08:03 PM

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g31/zvon-chica/mozzcat.jpg

Purrrrfect!

Codreanu

July 4, 2006, 01:23 AM

Cat Facts

Cats have five toes on each front paw, but only four toes on each back paw.

Cats are sometimes born with extra toes. This is called polydactyl. These toes will not harm the cat, but you should keep his claws trimmed just like any toe.

Cats have true fur, in that they have both an undercoat and an outer coat.

Newborn kittens have closed ear canals that don't begin to open for nine days. When the eyes open, they are always blue at first. They change color over a period of months to the final eye color.

Most cats have no eyelashes.

Cats have a full inner-eyelid, or nictitating membrane. This inner-eyelid serves to help protect the eyes from dryness and damage. When the cat is ill, the inner-eyelid will frequently close partially, making it visible to the observer.

A cat cannot see directly under its nose. This is why the cat cannot seem to find tidbits on the floor.

You can tell a cat's mood by looking into its eyes. A frightened or excited cat will have large, round pupils. An angry cat will have narrow pupils. The pupil size is related as much to the cat's emotions as to the degree of light.

It is a common belief that cats are color blind. However, recent studies have shown that cats can see blue, green and red.

A large majority of white cats with blue eyes are deaf. White cats with only one blue eye are deaf only in the ear closest to the blue eye. White cats with orange eyes do not have this disability.

Cats with white fur and skin on their ears are very prone to sunburn. Frequent sunburns can lead to skin cancer. Many white cats need surgery to remove all or part of a cancerous ear. Preventive measures include sunscreen, or better, keeping the cat indoors.

A cat can jump even seven times as high as it is tall.

The cat's footpads absorb the shocks of the landing when the cat jumps.

Cats lack a true collarbone. Because of this lack, cats can generally squeeze their bodies through any space they can get their heads through. You may have seen a cat testing the size of an opening by careful measurement with the head.

If left to her own devices, a female cat may have three to seven kittens every four months. This is why population control using neutering and spaying is so important.

A cat is pregnant for about 58-65 days.

Mother cats teach their kittens to use the litter box.

The way you treat kittens in the early stages of it's life will render it's personality traits later in life.

Contrary to popular belief, the cat is a social animal. A pet cat will respond and answer to speech, and seems to enjoy human companionship.

When well treated, a cat can live twenty or more years but the average life span of a domestic cat is 14 years.

Neutering a cat extends its life span by two or three years.

Cats, especially older cats, do get cancer. Many times this disease can be treated successfully.

Cats can't taste sweets.

Cats must have fat in their diet because they can't produce it on their own.

Some common houseplants poisonous to cats include: English Ivy, iris, mistletoe, philodendron, and yew.

Tylenol and chocolate are both poisionous to cats.

Many cats cannot properly digest cow's milk. Milk and milk products give them diarrhea.

The average cat food meal is the equivalent to about five mice.

Cats can get tapeworms from eating fleas. These worms live inside the cat forever, or until they are removed with medication. They reproduce by shedding a link from the end of their long bodies. This link crawls out the cat's anus, and sheds hundreds of eggs. These eggs are injested by flea larvae, and the cycles continues. Humans may get these tapeworms too, but only if they eat infected fleas. Cats with tapeworms should be dewormed by a veterinarian.

Cats can get tapeworms from eating mice. If your cat catches a mouse it is best to take the prize away from it.

Though rare, cats can contract canine heart worms.

The gene in cats that causes the orange coat color is sexed linked, and is on the X sex chromosome. This gene may display orange or black. Thus, as female cat with two X chromosomes may have orange and black colors in its coat. A male, with only one X chromosome, can have only orange or black, not both.

If a male cat is both orange and black it is ( besides being extremely rare ) sterile. To have both the orange and the black coat colors, the male cat must have all or part of both female X chromosomes. This unusual sex chromosome combination will render the male cat sterile.

Cats have AB blood groups just like people.

A form of AIDS exists in cats.

The color of the points in Siamese cats is heat related. Cool areas are darker.

Siamese kittens are born white because of the heat inside the mother's uterus before birth. This heat keeps the kittens' hair from darkening on the points.

People who are allergic to cats are actually allergic to cat saliva or to cat dander. If the resident cat is bathed regularly the allergic people tolerate it better.

Studies now show that the allergen in cats is related to their scent glands. Cats have scent glands on their faces and at the base of their tails. Entire male cats generate the most scent. If this secretion from the scent glands is the allergen, allergic people should tolerate spayed female cats the best.

Cats do not think that they are little people. They think that we are big cats. This influences their behavior in many ways.

Cats are subject to gum disease and to dental caries. They should have their teeth cleaned by the vet or the cat dentist once a year.

Many people fear catching a protozoan disease, Toxoplasmosis, from cats. This disease can cause illness in the human, but more seriously, can cause birth defects in the unborn.

Toxoplasmosis is a common disease, sometimes spread through the feces of cats. It is caused most often from eating raw or rare beef. Pregnant women and people with a depressed immune system should not touch the cat litter box. Other than that, there is no reason that these people have to avoid cats.

The ancestor of all domestic cats is the African Wild Cat which still exists today.

In ancient Egypt, killing a cat was a crime punishable by death.

In ancient Egypt, mummies were made of cats, and embalmed mice were placed with them in their tombs. In one ancient city, over 300,000 cat mummies were found.

In the Middle Ages, during the Festival of Saint John, cats were burned alive in town squares.

The first cat show was in 1871 at the Crystal Palace in London.

Today there are about 100 distinct breeds of the domestic cat.

Like birds, cats have a homing ability that uses its biological clock, the angle of the sun, and the Earth's magnetic field. A cat taken far from its home can return to it. But if a cat's owners move far from its home, the cat can't find them.

Cats bury their feces to cover their trails from predators.

Cats sleep 16 to 18 hours per day. When cats are asleep, they are still alert to incoming stimuli. If you poke the tail of a sleeping cat, it will respond accordingly.

Besides smelling with their nose, cats can smell with an additional organ called the Jacobson's organ, located in the upper surface of the mouth.

The chlorine in fresh tap water irritates sensitive parts of the cat's nose. Let tap water sit for 24 hours before giving it to a cat.

Abraham Lincoln loved cats. He had four of them while he lived in the White House.

Napoleon was terrified of cats!

A cat has four rows of whiskers on each side.

The word "cat" in various languages: French - chat; German - katze; Italian - gatto; Spanish/Portugese - gato; Yiddish - kats; Maltese - qattus; Swedish/Norwegian - katt; Dutch - kat; Icelandic - kottur; Greek - gata; Hindu - katas; Japanese - neko; Polish - kot.

Statistics indicate that animal lovers in recent years have shown a preference for cats over dogs!

Cats can be taught to walk on a leash, but a lot of time and patience is required to teach them.

The younger the cat is, the easier it will be for them to learn.

Purring not always means happiness. Purring could mean a cat is in terrible pain such as during childbirth. Kittens will purr to their mother to let her know they are getting enough milk while nursing. Purring is a process of inhaling and exhaling, usually performed while the mouth is closed. But don't worry, if your cat is purring while your gently petting her and holding her close to you - that is a happy cat!

The catnip plant contains an oil called hepetalactone which does for cats what marijuana does to some people. Not all cats react to it those that do appear to enter a trancelike state. A positive reaction takes the form of the cat sniffing the catnip, then licking, biting, chewing it, rub & rolling on it repeatedly, purring, meowing & even leaping in the air.

Codreanu

July 4, 2006, 01:31 AM

Cat Folklore and Superstitions

Cats and Luck

English schoolchildren believed seeing a white cat on the way to school was sure to bring trouble. To prevent the bad luck, they were to spit or turn around completely and make the sign of the cross.

Dreaming of a cat is sometimes regarded as a sign of bad luck in the future. On the other hand, American folklore has it that dreaming of a white cat is good luck.

A cat sneezing is a good omen for everyone who hears it.

Charles I, king of England, owned a black cat that he felt brought him luck. He was so afraid of losing it that he had it guarded day and night. As it happened, the day after the cat died, he was arrested.

In France, it is believed that if you find one white hair on a black cat, Lady Luck will smile upon you.

It is bad luck to see a white cat at night.

When you see a one-eyed cat, spit on your thumb, stamp it in the middle of your palm, and make a wish. The wish will come true.

The Cat as a Soothsayer

Cats can forecast the weather: they predict the wind by clawing at carpets and curtains; rain is highly likely when a cat busily washes its ears. In mythology, the cat was believed to have great influence on the weather. Witches who rode on storms took the form of cats. The dog, an attendant of the storm king Odin, was a symbol of wind. Cats came to symbolize down-pouring rain, and dogs to symbolize strong gusts of wind. Some people believed that if a cat washes its face and paws in the parlor, company's coming. If a cat continually looks out a window on any day, rain is on the way. Some cats can predict earthquakes (actually, there is some truth in this "folklore").

Sailors used cats to predict the voyages they were about to embark on. Loudly mewing cats meant that it would be a difficult voyage. A playful cat meant that it would be a voyage with good and gusty winds.

If a cat ran ahead of a sailor to the pier, it was believed that would bring good luck; if the cat crossed his path, it would bring bad luck. Cats were often kept on board ships to bring good luck. If a sailor was approached by the ship's cat it meant good luck, but if the cat only came halfway, it meant bad luck would befall the sailor.

French peasants thought that black cats could find buried treasure, if they followed a specific ritual: find an intersection where 5 roads connected, then turn the cat loose and follow him.

Tortoiseshell cats were believed to be able to see into the future and could give the gift to a lucky child in the household.

Cats and the Sick, Dying, and Dead

At one time, people believed that fur and blood drawn from various parts of the cat's anatomy cured all ailments. Early American colonists believed that a broth made from boiling a black cat would cure tuberculosis, but no one wanted to risk the bad luck that would befall them if they killed the cat.

In Transylvania, if a cat jumps over a corpse, the corpse will become a vampire.

Early Christians believed that if a cat sat on a grave, the buried person's soul was in the devil's power. Another belief was that if two cats were seen fighting near a dying person, or on the grave shortly after a funeral, the creatures are really the Devil and an Angel fighting for possesion of the soul.

In 16th century Italy, it was believed that if a black cat lay on the bed of a sick man, he would die. However, they also believed that a cat will not remain in the house where someone is about to die - if the family cat refused to stay indoors, this was a bad omen.

Immigrants from Scotland believed that if a cat entered a room where a dead body was in state, the next person to touch the cat would be blinded. Therefore, the cat in such situations was immediately killed.

The folklore that a cat has 9 lives possibly came about because #9 is the "trinity of trinities" and was considered lucky.

A cat has 9 lives. For 3 he plays, for 3 he strays, and for the last 3 he stays. (an American and English proverb)

Cats and the Afterlife

In Japan, there is a myth that cats turn into super spirits when they die. According to the Buddhist religion, the body of the cat is the temporary resting place of the soul of very spiritual people.

Some people believe that cats engage in astral travel even in life. They also believe that if a cat adopts you, it will stay with you forever, even after death.

Cats as Sacred Beings

Cats were sacred to Isis, goddess in Egyptian mythology. Isis' and Osiris' daughter Bast (Bastet, sometimes referred to as Pasht) was the moon goddess and goddess of cats, and was represented by a woman with the face of a cat. The cats in her temple in the city of Bubastis wore heavily jewelled collars, were regarded as Gods and treated royally. Anyone who killed a cat was put to death. The cats were said to control the moon's movement, protect the dead, and had total authority over the royal houses at night because of their ability to see things that humans couldn't in the dark. Cats were so loved by the Egyptians that they sometimes mummified a mouse to accompany the cat into the afterworld.

King Osorkon, of the twenty-second dynasty, placed a white cat in the center of a magnificent temple and ritually endowed it with supreme power.

During excavations in the ruins of Tell-Basta (the former Bubastis), a graveyard with 300,000 mummified holy cats was discovered. Though many were sent to England and sold as fertilizer, a few were sent to museums.

Mohammed cut off the sleeve of his robe rather than disturb his cat from resting on it.

Cats and Witches

Norse legend tells of Freya, goddess of love and fertility, whose chariot was pulled by two black cats. Some versions of the tale claim they became swift black horses, possessed by the Devil. After serving Freya for 7 years, the cats were rewarded by being turned into witches, disguised as black cats.

Traits associated with cats include cleverness, unpredictability, healing and witchcraft, since in ancient times it was believed that witches took the form of their cats at night. Folklore has it that if a witch becomes human, her black cat will no longer reside in her house.

It was largely in the Middle Ages that the black cat became affiliated with evil. Because cats are nocturnal and roam at night, they were believed to be supernatural servants of witches, or even witches themselves. Partly because of the cat's sleek movements and eyes that 'glow' at night, they became the embodiment of darkness, mystery, and evil, possessing frightening powers. If a black cat walked into the room of an ill person, and the person later died, it was blamed on the cat's supernatural powers. If a black cat crossed a person's path without harming them, this indicated that the person was then protected by the devil. Often times, a cat would find shelter with older women who were living in solitude. The cat became a source of comfort and companionship, and the old woman would curse anyone who mistreated it. If one of these tormentors became ill, the witch and her familiar were blamed.

Cat Spells and Charms

If a black cat crosses your path, greet the animal politely and stroke it three times if possible, while reciting this charm:

'Black cat, cross my path,
Good fortune bring to home and hearth,
When I am away from home
Bring me luck wherever I roam'.

Then leave the cat and go on your way. If you abuse, insult or ignore the cat, no good luck will follow.

realitybites

July 4, 2006, 03:15 AM

poor cat.

he didnt deserve those words.

I know. That guy deserves to be tied and tortured. Ya game? I got the rope... got a leather whip, bac? :D

chica

July 4, 2006, 04:10 AM

http://www.kwiz.biz/showquiz.php?quizid=346

Enter your username and see what random picture of a kitten you are.
It really works with any random word I typed, apart from my own nick :(

Codreanu

July 4, 2006, 04:31 AM

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/317/greencat7ae.jpg

"In 1995, a green kitten "Miss Greeny" was born in north-west Denmark. Mrs Pia Bischoff found the green kitten near a hay loft. Its fur and even its claws were green and the discovery created a sensation among zoological experts in the country and geneticists hoping the colour was due to a genetic mutation. Mrs Bischoff, whose 5 year old daughter adopted the kitten, said she had tried to wash out the colour without success. A vet who examined the cat said it was perfectly healthy but confirmed that it had a copper patina, apparently present since birth, from the tip of its fur to the hair follicles.

There was a similar human case in a southern Swedish town in which the hair of several blonde women turned green due to the amount of copper present in corroded water pipes.The green colouration did in fact turn out to be due to the high copper content in water in the area - this had caused a verdigris effect on the kitten's grey fur. Such high levels of copper are often toxic.

The kitten and her 5 year old owner became celebrities for a while, but the green colour vanished as the kitten moulted her coat and new fur grew through; the new fur was unaffected by copper because the kitten was no longer drinking copper-rich water. "

After a brief period of fame, the green grew out as the cat moulted and the green kitten grew up into a grey cat. It was reported in several cat magazines and the Fortean Times at the time.

Sarah Hartwell, Messy Beast Cat Resource Archive

WhyteGrrrl

July 4, 2006, 05:47 AM

Fantastic, Cod. I especially like the cat and sailor lore.

Freya

July 4, 2006, 09:00 AM

The talking cat's;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV6DQuEh4UQ

Pervomartovtsi

July 4, 2006, 07:28 PM

sorry,sorry I like dogs and not cats...esp Shiba Inu, they look like foxes

Theo

July 4, 2006, 11:38 PM

HITLER CATS (http://www.catsthatlooklikehitler.com/)

http://194.128.66.98/kitler/pics/kitler30.jpg

Codreanu

July 5, 2006, 05:12 AM

The talking cat's;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV6DQuEh4UQ
Thank you, Freya. What a pleasant surprise! I had once seen, on television, the final segment (w/ the cat singing "...old long johnson...") of this video, and have since made a few unsuccessful attempts to find a copy online.

Now, here is a special thanks, from me to you... ;) :p

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/1530/catrose2eu.jpg

realitybites

July 5, 2006, 06:25 AM

HITLER CATS (http://www.catsthatlooklikehitler.com/)

http://194.128.66.98/kitler/pics/kitler30.jpg

Oh my gawd, not sure if I love or hate that site! :eek:

WhyteGrrrl

July 5, 2006, 03:54 PM

Yay, my cat, Mrs. Bitey made it on Stuff on Cats! http://www.stuffonmycat.com/ Scroll down, she is the one with the Truro Setlist and is featured with other Moz loving cats!

Codreanu

July 11, 2006, 09:17 AM

CAT CHAT! CAN CATS TALK?
(Copyright 1995 - 2005 Sarah Hartwell)

Can cats talk? Many cat owners would like to think so and some even claim that their cats speak a number of recognisable words. A Brazilian cat takes claims one step further by apparently being able to sing a number of well known songs while the Fortean Times carried a report of a cat which speaks several words in Turkish and suggested, with tongue firmly in cheek, that the reason many owners cannot understand their cats is because the cats are speaking Turkish. But before cat-owners rush out for phrase books, are these cats really speaking or are their owners just talking turkey?

For humans, the terms 'speech' and 'talk' are not restricted to vocalization, but encompass human body language (which most of us read without realising it), gestural languages (sign language) and tactile languages (of deaf-blind individuals) which are equally expressive among those fluent in their use. Further, human language comprises both verbal and non-verbal components (including the written extension of body language through gestural substitutes such as the <VBG >, :-) symbols within Internet communication).

The cat's vocal apparatus differs from our own and is not designed with speech in mind. However cats need to communicate, both with other cats and with owners. They "speak" to each other through body language, communicating feelings and intentions through posture and facial expression. Scent is also an important component of cat communication. In addition, they have a vocabulary of sounds ranging from caterwauls to mewing sounds, from hisses to the "silent meow" which is probably a sound pitched too high for human ears to hear. The familiar "miaow" is used mainly for communicating with humans as we are evidently too thick to understand anything other than kitten-talk.

The remainder of this article will be concerned with vocalizations - the vocalizations used in cat/cat communication and the vocalizations used in cat/human communication. For more detailed information on feline body language and non-vocal feline communication, refer to Cat Communication. You may also wish to read Do Cats Have Emotions?

DO CATS HAVE LANGUAGE?

In "Alice Through the Looking Glass", Lewis Carroll wrote "It is a very inconvenient habit of kittens that whatever you say to them, they always purr. If they would only purr for 'yes' and mew for 'no', or any rule of that sort, so that one could keep up a conversation! But how can one deal with a person if they always say the same thing?"

On the other hand, "Your Guide to Cats & Kittens" (1973) produced by Pedigree Petfoods/Peter Way Ltd wrote that "mew" did not do justice to the cat's wide vocabulary - ranging from greeting to plaintive - and went on to compare the different vocalisations of several popular breeds: Siamese, Burmese, Longhair (Persian) and British Shorthair.

Lewis Carroll, it seems, was not a keen observer of cats, otherwise he would have noticed that cats do not always say the same thing! They make a variety of different sounds which, among humans would be called "words", but in our belief that we are naturally superior to "dumb" animals, we don't call cat-sounds "words". Since the sounds don't conform to our notion of grammatical structure, it simply appears that cats lack language.

To the uninitiated, and probably to Lewis Carroll, the simple "miaow" is an all-purpose word. Most cat-owners, however, are aware that there are a whole variety of miaows that differ in pitch, rhythm, volume, tone and pronunciation. Jean Craighead George attempted to categorise these according to the cat's age, gender and situation:-

Kittens:
Mew (high pitched and thin) - a polite plea for help
MEW! (loud and frantic) - an urgent plea for help

Adult cats:
mew - plea for attention
mew (soundless) - a very polite plea for attention (this is Paul Gallico's "Silent Miaow" which is probably a sound pitched too high for human ears)
meow - emphatic plea for attention
MEOW! - a command!
mee-o-ow (with falling cadence) - protest or whine
MEE-o-ow (shrill whine) - stronger protest
MYUP! (short, sharp, single note) - righteous indignation
MEOW! Meow! (repeated) - panicky call for help
mier-r-r-ow (chirrup with liting cadence) - friendly greeting

Tomcats:
RR-YOWWW-EEOW-RR-YOW-OR - caterwaul
merrow - challenge to another male
meriow - courting call to female

Mother cats:
MEE-OW - come and get it!
meOW - follow me!
ME R-R-R-ROW - take cover!
mer ROW! - No! or Stop It!
mreeeep (burbled) - hello greeting to kittens and disarming greeting to adult cats (also used between adult cats and humans)
There is more to felinese than the simple miaow though. In 1944, Mildred Moelk made a detailed study of cat vocabulary and found sixteen meaningful sounds, which included consonants and vowels. She divided cat-sounds into three groups:-

murmurs made with the mouth closed
vowel sounds made with the mouth closing as in "iao"
sounds made with the mouth held open.
Although these may not be used in grammatical sentences, one definition of language is "any means, vocal or other, of expressing or communicating feeling or thought" (Webster's Dictionary). Observant owners will notice the following sounds which cats make to communicate their state of mind (this list is not exhaustive, since cats will improvise):

Caterwaul - cat wants sex!
Chatter - excitement, frustration e.g. when prey is out of reach or escapes
Chirrup - friendly greeting sound, a cross between a meow and a purr!
Cough-bark - alarm signal (rare in pet cats)
Growl - threat, challenge, warns others to go away
Hiss (with or without spit) - threat, fear, warns others to back off
Meow - general-purpose attention seeking sound used by adult cats to communicate with owners or with kittens
Mew (of kittens) - distress, hunger, cold (to attract mother's attention)
Purr - contentment, relaxation, also to comfort itself if in pain (cats in extremis may purr); a loud purr invites close contact or attention
Scream - fear, pain, anger, distress
Squawk - surprise, shock
Yowl - a threat, offensive or defensive, but also used in a modified form by some cats seeking attention when owner is out of sight
Idiosyncratic sounds - a sound which a particular cat uses in a particular context.
The exact meanings of all of these sounds may be modified or emphasised by facial expression, tone/volume, body language and context (paralanguage). In his dealings with Scottish Wildcats, Mike Tomkies noted that the wildcats would greet him with a loud spitting "PAAAH" accompanied by a foot-stamp. I have received the same greeting from feral cats. The meaning ("*** off!") is unmistakable and only a fool (or a cat-worker intent on packing pussy off for neutering) ignores it. Some cats may use some of these cat-sounds in different ways when communicating with humans and only our familiarity with our own pets tells us that a certain type of growl is a play noise and not warning of imminent attack.

Another suggestion for teeth chattering, in outdoor cats at least, is to hypnotise prey. Some owners have claimed that cats can call birds, even flying birds, closer by chattering at them. Personally, I consider it unlikely that cats are imitating birds to encourage them to approach and the chattering more likely related to the birds being out of easy ambush range. I also find it unlikely that the chattering hypnotizes prey such as squirrels or chipmunks though it might make the animals curious enough to overcome caution. Many prey species don't have good colour vision and rely on movement for their visual clues and are lulled into a false sense of security. By sitting still, the cat is almost invisible, but it is becoming tense with excitement. Teeth-chattering may be related to the build-up of tension in a cat's body before it pounces or rushes its prey - you can see the cat tensing its limbs. The chattering seems to be an overspill of excitement. Another sign of emotional leakage in a stalking cat is the twitching tail.

Cat-owners will recognise many of the cat-sounds listed, although we may refer to them in more anthropomorphic terms: greet, grumble, nag, whimper, swear, sing etc. Some cats add their own idiosyncratic words to this general vocabulary such as the sudden exhalation of air used by my own cat, Aphrodite. This word, which we call "foof" or "frooff" can be anything from an exclamation ("Oh!" and "Well"), a comment ("So?" and "Huh?"), a non-committal response when we speak to her ("Hmmm"), or a noise to be used when she feels she needs to say something, but can't think of anything meaningful to say (small-talk and self-satisfied murmuring). It all depends on HOW it is said. For Aphrodite, "froof" is the all-purpose "supercalifragilistic..." of cat vocabulary. Scrapper used "mrrrp" in the same way.

Other idiosyncratic sounds reported include what David Kennedy calls a "Squabble - a series of short and long meows and grunts made in a complaining tone that occur when a cat is moved or made to do something it would rather not do". "Roaring" is more often associated with big cats than small cats, but nevertheless there have been several reports of domestic cats that roar, often to proclaim "I am here". Roaring in pet cats should always be investigated by a vet as it can be a symptom of throat problems. Some caterwauling tomcats suffer partial voice loss after strenuous yowling and end up roaring. Maybe those few perfectly healthy cats that roar their territorial claims were lions in a past life.

click here (http://messybeast.com/cat_talk.htm) to continue with the article

realitybites

July 13, 2006, 04:40 AM

Isn't she special?!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v288/Smithsonissey/chillkitten.jpg

Sir Alec

July 13, 2006, 04:56 AM

Isn't she special?!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v288/Smithsonissey/chillkitten.jpg

For some odd reason I feel as if I know what that cat is experiencing.

"I am hated for loving... I guess I'll lay down"

realitybites

July 17, 2006, 05:06 AM

My mom just gave me this book as a gift: Why Paint cats (http://www.whypaintcats.com/)

It is quite an interesting subject.

The Seeker of Good Songs

July 18, 2006, 04:34 PM

A picture of one of our cats. We call him Spook.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c111/draaaca/DSCN1267-1.jpg

realitybites

July 18, 2006, 08:08 PM

Spook is beautiful!

Codreanu

July 18, 2006, 11:00 PM

Today, I had a visitor...

his name is Omar
http://img53.imageshack.us/img53/3861/omar1dq9.jpg

You're a cat-person... when

· you believe it is your duty to talk to, pat, and even feed every cat in the neighborhood. You know their names. :(

http://www.pets-of-the-realm.com/cat-person.html

Codreanu

July 19, 2006, 01:47 AM

What Kind of Cat Are You?
Cat Purrsonality Test

Have you ever watched a cat rolling in the sun and thought how wonderful it would be to be a cat? Have you wondered what kind of a cat you might be in a reincarnation? Take this little purrsonality test, and you might be surprised by the answer. Note: This test is purely unscientific and guaranteed not to turn you into a cat, but we think it's fun. I'm an Abyssinian. What kind of cat are you?

http://cats.about.com/cs/gamespuzzles/l/blwhatkind1intr.htm

http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/5978/image1ij6.gif

WhyteGrrrl

July 19, 2006, 01:54 AM

I printed this article out for my daughter and now she has taken the role of 'cat interpreter.'

realitybites

July 19, 2006, 06:28 AM

Katie: "I musta' fallen asleep while watching tv."

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v288/Smithsonissey/IMG_7720LevelsSharpenResize.jpg

Katie: "Ah, much more comfy."

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v288/Smithsonissey/IMG_7731RotateResizeLevels.jpg

mjp

July 19, 2006, 12:49 PM

Freya

July 19, 2006, 01:26 PM

now, dogs, dogs I love.
You should start ~ The 'All things DOGS' thread ~! :)

no one in particular

July 19, 2006, 03:15 PM

I'm sorry, I've held my tongue for so long on this thread but I have to say it:

I H A T E C A T S

There, I feel a little better now, so please don't hate me in return, I just think they are self-centred and horrible little things, now, dogs, dogs I love.

be careful there. you wouldn't want to alienate realitybites, would you? i wouldn't think after all you two have been through together in myspace

(but thanks for being the bold one and saying it nevertheless. i couldn't agree more :D )

mjp

July 19, 2006, 03:20 PM

be careful there. you wouldn't want to alienate realitybites, would you? i wouldn't think after all you two have been through together in myspace

(but thanks for being the bold one and saying it nevertheless. i couldn't agree more :D )

My main concern about coming out with this today was how RB would react - I hope my honesty is appreciated. I might have to get that signed photo (for her son of course) sent out as a form of peace offering.

And I'm so glad you feel the same way too:)

realitybites

July 19, 2006, 10:58 PM

My main concern about coming out with this today was how RB would react - I hope my honesty is appreciated. I might have to get that signed photo (for her son of course) sent out as a form of peace offering.

And I'm so glad you feel the same way too:)

Well, I must say that my heart is truly broken. And I am quite perplexed. How can a man born in the month of October hate cats? You musta' been switched at birth. :D

Just kiddn'! I have great admiration for a few dog lovers out there--you being one of them. :) Authenticity is always best!

A Round of drinks to the table of folks who are true to themselves and not afraid of being rejected by other message board posters who like cats! :D

Codreanu

July 20, 2006, 08:27 AM

PRECIOUS Persians & Exotics

Black 'N Precious
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/4834/harlem06mt7.jpg

Raindrop
http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/7927/saradv1.jpg

Iceman & Ice Princess
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/9225/icemaniceproq3.jpg

Paint It Black
http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/4927/dalimkao8.jpg

Codreanu

July 20, 2006, 08:28 AM

http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/1152/howardjonestw3.jpg
mjp might like him, his name is Howard Jones :eek: :p
http://forums.morrissey-solo.com/showpost.php?p=343999&postcount=2

mjp

July 20, 2006, 08:30 AM

Well, I must say that my heart is truly broken. And I am quite perplexed. How can a man born in the month of October hate cats? You musta' been switched at birth. :D

Just kiddn'! I have great admiration for a few dog lovers out there--you being one of them. :) Authenticity is always best!

A Round of drinks to the table of folks who are true to themselves and not afraid of being rejected by other message board posters who like cats! :D

Phew, you wouldn't believe the amount of relief I'm feeling right now.:)

Thanks for the offer of drinks, I'll buy a round of beer tonight and then send you an invoice if that's ok?

I think my opinion on them (cats) changed after my first cat George left and I had the misfortune to take on board Hozzer (yes, she was named after Mozzer) - She was a horrible cat, she would always bite anyone who dared to touch her and treated the house like a boody hotel.

I'll now leave you guys alone stroking your cats (you know what I wanted to say there...right?) and will instead devote some positive energy to the Dogs thread.

------

EDIT - LOL Cod, very clever, as always!

realitybites

July 20, 2006, 10:29 AM

Those Persians are beautiful, Cod! :)

realitybites

July 20, 2006, 10:30 AM

Thanks for the offer of drinks, I'll buy a round of beer tonight and then send you an invoice if that's ok?

You're on! :p

no one in particular

July 21, 2006, 03:03 AM

EDIT - LOL Cod, very clever, as always!

seems cod might be picking up my habit.... but then again, it is so easy when it comes to mjp... :D

mjp

July 21, 2006, 01:15 PM

You're on! :p

Dear RealityBites.

Please find herewith invoice for provision of meal and accompanying wine as agreed between our respective companies earlier on this week:

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/7392/receiptcc9.th.png (http://img145.imageshack.us/my.php?image=receiptcc9.png)

Payment options can be discussed at the descretion of the Management.

PS - I did tip, but with cash before anybody notices.

The Seeker of Good Songs

July 21, 2006, 03:56 PM

This is the 2nd of our 3 cats. This is "Fat Scooby". She used to be just called Scooby.

This is her posture of late. She doesn't like the heat.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c111/draaaca/100_1818.jpg

The Seeker of Good Songs

July 21, 2006, 04:21 PM

These are the newest additions acquired from in front of a grocery store.

These would make 5 indoor cats, which is too many, so grandma is getting these.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c111/draaaca/100_1803.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c111/draaaca/100_1808.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c111/draaaca/100_1817.jpg

WhyteGrrrl

July 21, 2006, 04:30 PM

I saw this and I could not stop laughing..it made me think, 'why cats dont go to the beach'

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/WhyteGrrrl/th_vukbS3W6q8.jpg (http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/WhyteGrrrl/vukbS3W6q8.jpg)

no one in particular

July 21, 2006, 05:53 PM

Seeker: you sure have a thing for babies, huh? :p

Codreanu

July 22, 2006, 07:56 AM

And the Tiger shall lie down with the Pig!!?

"Although the Sriracha Tiger Zoo is off the beaten track, it is nonetheless quite a famous zoo, with one of the world’s most successful breeding programs for tigers. But breeding tigers is not its only agenda. Entertaining and fascinating shows are what really bring in the crowds of visitors to this unique zoo.

"Visitors recently witnessed some bizarre feeding habits of the zoo's most famous inhabitants. A two-year-old female pig named Benjamaj is a blended pedigree of parents, Land-Less and Las-White, that were imported from Norway. Benjamaj is a kind and maternal porky. She has taken 4 baby tigers under her care and along with 3 tiny piglets is nursing the tigers as though she were their mum. She loves those cats and they love her back.

"Unbelieving, wide-eyed tourists pressed their noses up to the cage to get a better look. As they moved on to the next cage they were in for another surprise, as there, a great Royal Bengal tigress was lolling on her side and suckling 6 tiny piglets.

"'Momma' tiger Saimai is two years old and as a baby was suckled by a pig until she was 4 months old. This democratic start in life allowed her to form a loving relationship with other pigs and even a dog. Food in the wild, maybe — but at the zoo, tourists who witness these amazing scenes come away with food for thought."

http://www.pattayamail.com/510/features.shtml#hd2

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/2856/pic054472df2.jpg

http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/5213/pic147712kq8.jpg

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/8825/pic217262lb2.jpg

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/1613/pic115382wg6.jpg

The Seeker of Good Songs

July 25, 2006, 12:06 AM

http://www.verismocat.com/htmscripts/leo-guinness.htm

Meet Frieda Ireland’s pet cat Leo, as he is known, a 100% purebred domestic cat with a CFA pedigree.
The people of Chicago, Illinois can be proud to call the world’s biggest cat their own.
He is the Biggest Maine Coon Cat; the Largest Maine Coon Cat.

Guinness compares Verismo Leonetti Reserve Red to the same size as an 8 year old child and his paw just fits into a size 2 child's shoe. But if he were a human to Guinness's scale, Leo would stretch over 8 feet tall and weigh 220 pounds.

Freida says “We have to keep our eye on him when we’re cooking, because he can stand up and put his paws on the kitchen counter.” Leo's dietary favorites are listed by Guinness.

Verismo Leonetti Reserve Red is 48 inches tall from tip of his nose to the end of his tail and weighs pounds. He holds the record for Longest Cat

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c111/draaaca/cat.jpg

WhyteGrrrl

July 25, 2006, 12:35 AM

Codreanu

July 25, 2006, 12:52 AM

Wonderful, my son will be pleased to know he shares a name with such a lovely cat!
Your son's name is Verismo Leonetti Reserve Red?! :eek:

Codreanu

July 25, 2006, 04:22 AM

Cat burglar suspect in garden-glove thefts

By JIM FITZGERALD, Associated Press Writer Thu Jul 20, 4:12 PM ET

PELHAM, N.Y. - A pink-and-white gardening glove was missing Thursday morning from Jeannine Goche's front porch. But there was absolutely no mystery about who had taken it. Willy, the cat who loves gloves, had struck again.

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/7863/capt41389ac116e74b9691a90dbca52e615captopixfelinef eloap0.jpg

"It has to be him," said Goche, an attorney. "I've heard about him."

As if the gardeners of Pelham don't have enough to worry about, with the rocky soil and the slugs and the big trees casting too much shade, a feline felon has been sneaking into their back yards and carrying off gardening gloves.

Goche's flower-patterned number may soon take its place on the clothesline that's strung across the front fence at Willy's home, which he shares with Jennifer and Dan Pifer, their 19-month-old son Hudson and a mutt named Peanut Chew.

Above the line is a sign that says, in words and pictures, "Our cat is a glove snatcher. Please take these if yours."

On Thursday morning, nine pairs of gardening gloves and five singles were strung up, nicely framed by the Pifers' flourishing tomato and basil plants. Willy, looking innocent, was playing with a beetle under the Subaru in the driveway and occasionally dashing after Hudson.

"This all started about the time people began working in their gardens, I guess March or April," Jennifer Pifer said. "Willy would just show up with a glove, or we'd see them on the front steps. I guess it's better than if he was bringing home dead birds."

A friend, Claudia Bonci, said she was in the Pifers' kitchen recently and had noticed a single gardening glove on the sidewalk.

"Jennifer was telling me all about how Willy was bringing home all these gloves, and there was a small pile of them outside the door, and then here comes the cat with a glove in its mouth, proud as could be, like he was giving me a gift."

Some of the gloves really are gift-worthy.

"A lot of these looked brand new," said Pifer. "Some of them are really nice."

She doesn't know how far afield Willy goes to find a glove, but she has learned it takes him two trips to bring home a matched pair.

Willy, born to a stray last spring and taken in by the Pifers as a newborn, stays out some nights but seems to assemble his collection in daytime raids.

"Mostly it happens on weekends, I guess when people are out gardening," Pifer said. "Can't you just imagine people saying, `The gloves were right here, where'd they go?'"

John Cassone, who lives and gardens across the street, said he isn't missing any gloves. He uses "the big, heavy leather kind" and figures Willy, a wiry type, isn't strong enough to drag them away.

Guess again: There's a pair of the big, heavy leather kind among Willy's trophies.

Willy couldn't care less about the gloves after they're captured. On Thursday he could not be enticed into a grab-the-glove game.

In winter, when gardening gloves are hard to find, Willy switches to his offseason prey, dirty socks, which he brings from the laundry room.

"We find them in the hallway, on the stairs," she said. "I used to think, `Oh, I must have dropped it on the way down.' But now I know better."

Despite his criminal nature, neighbors get a kick out of Willy. Cassone said the cat likes to accompany the mailman up and down the block, all the way to each front door. Willy also likes to climb trees and bat at the heads of people below.

Since Pifer grows flowers and vegetables and herbs herself, isn't she tempted to make use of the endless supply of garden gloves that arrive at her doorstep free, shipping included?

"No," she said, a bit sadly. "I do a lot of gardening but I don't use gloves."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060720/ap_on_fe_st/feline_felon_2

mjp

July 25, 2006, 10:44 AM

I've never wanted to be a cat:

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/3935/sleepycatqu3.th.png (http://img210.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sleepycatqu3.png)

Until Now!

mjp

July 25, 2006, 10:45 AM

Saying that ^^ I've probably been one for quite a while now:

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/7619/sayingthatea0.th.png (http://img249.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sayingthatea0.png)

vivaissy

July 25, 2006, 06:37 PM

my dear departed cat fluffy. short for fluffy 'the hat' mcvity.
personality of fluffy the three headed dog from harry potter! but we loved that damn cat anyhow!
http://myspace-229.vo.llnwd.net/00536/92/22/536692229_l.jpg

vivaissy

July 25, 2006, 06:39 PM

my first cat billie. not too well at the mo. not long for this world i'm afraid.
she is my gem. i love her sooooo much.
http://myspace-330.vo.llnwd.net/00635/03/32/635132330_m.jpg

Codreanu

July 27, 2006, 12:43 AM

South San Gabriel - "The Carlton Chronicles: Not Until the Operation's Through"

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/2917/ssg1oq2.jpg

"The Carlton Chronicles: Not Until the Operation's Through" (68.2 MB) (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=HD3ECNES)

AMG review:
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:7t62mpb09f8o

Notes/Lyrics:

The Players: Carlton/Deacon - the cat. Ron - the sparrow. Kittyphone – Carlton’s/Deacon’s best friend. Ramon – the dog next door. Owner – nameless, faceless thus far.

Charred Resentment the Same. (We open with an address from Carlton/Deacon to Ron. Obvious disdain garnished with undeniable envy.)

My secret lust will now be publicized, I wish to tell you my wish You in the air with your fluff and stink, I think I want nothing more

And I can see you here/there from the ground, that stupid bliss in your eye I’ll wait ‘cause I know you’re coming down, then things will change

Things will change for my better And things will change to your blackest dreams I will know from your feathers decorating my teeth

My envy for such ability is charred resentment the same All in the guise of some passiveness, but you mistake…

My slavery to this gravity, your migratorial skills You laugh from bows, wires and chimney, but things will change

Things will change for my pleasure And things will change to your darkest fear I will know from your feathers decorating my fair dreams

You and your pompous-like circumstance (are) like shoehorns right down my throat This daily strain of hostility is your mistake

For I will wait here patiently, my body low to the ground With my new, patented surgery things will change

Things will change in my belly And things will change with your vertebrae I will know from your feathers decorating my fair dreams

Predatory King Today. (Carlton/Deacon addresses Kittyphone. Ron meets his demise.)

Kittyphone, my morn has come My Christmas in September sun Ron, he will soon call Just to take the fall and die

Lick my arm and scrub my face Contemplate and plot my chase Show Ramon my stuff The punk has taunted me enough He will let me out I’ll hide beneath the house and wait

The dirt is cool beneath my paws Darkness provides camoflauge The feeder brings him back Unsuspecting of attack Some falls to the ground He’ll never \guess that I’m around

And it’s so nice/alright to be curious and free this way! And it’s so good to be the Predatory King today!

In a flash the blood runs fast Can’t undo that broken back Feathers strewn about His breath is getting short, running out Sad he lost his fight But I know I’ll sleep well tonight

Affection’s the Pay (Carlton/Deacon returns to the indoors to relax and relish, disappointed to find that his owner is slightly peeved at his actions. An address, and perhaps an attempt to win the owner over with cuteness.)

My hurriedness (Agressiveness) victimized me, can’t you see? And/But my playing with paper sacks should impress you, you see? The rain’s coming fast, I might sleep it away My self-admiration just got/secured me the doghouse today. Ohhh.

A daredevil twist, my reflection within The slats of the floor, and outside the barking begins A dash for the curtain, a glimpse of Ramon Indolence, drooling and guarding a pheasantly bone. Ohhh.

My disposition might suggest that I’ve not been perfectly (purrfectly?) clear But checking history you’ll find that I’m usually happiest here My contribution to the cause is little of late But you know, you know, you know, you know affection’s the pay

The Dark of Garage (Carlton/Deacon curiosity gets him in a slight jam that night. Another address to his owner.)

The dark of garage, locked up while you’re away The end of the day, there must be some mistake The howl of Ramon, the cry of Kittyphone I can hear ‘em outside, and I guess they wonder why And want the explain for my absence on this night My curiosity, and thrill, and fun has since transformed to fright. Fright.

I lay my head down for the night And tell myself everything’s alright Locked up in hopes of your coming home Cold, cracked cement, me all alone

I Am Six Pounds of Dynamite (As the night goes on, our hero’s locked out, acknowledging the building tension between himself and the owner. Sad at first, he regains confidence, planning a departure. A continued address to his owner.)

Now I – I’m living locked outside Sans opposable thumbs So all I’ll do is cryAnd you – you said I can’t behave Forgot how to obey My joke turned to a fight. A fight.

But wait - I’ll break/scratch out through the side And don’t you think I can’t I am six pounds of dynamite!

So it stands – I’ll stay out for the night Bid farewell to Ramon And plan my distant flight. Distant flight.

Goodbye. It’s time to say goodbye.

This Rookie Runs (Finally on his own and on his way, our hero immerses himself in solitary, and ultimately temporary peace. A narrative or soliloquy as it were.)

This rookie runs, in the dead of night

Mastering absence, and fear enterprise

The song/call from within, the cicadas calls/sighs

Of directionless blisses, and privatest cries

The voices away, and the cardinal’s song

Emotional lashings, the fighting is gone

And dawn/sunrise she/it awaits me, and I will go on

I tell me I’m free. I tell me I’m strong.

The sun soaks the days, ‘til possum acts

He ain’t the ace here, he ain’t the jacks

He’s just a rat, in expanded clothes

He’s a purposeless mission. A bastard I know.

I Feel Too Young to Die (Reality sets in, and the fantasy of fleeing maybe isn’t all he thought it’d be. An inner narrative directed at his owner, Carlton/Deacon now considers coming home.)

I did not know of what you spoke, but got your faces all the same

I thought of stealing baby’s breath, but stopped it when you came

The trouble, stress, and all the fuss, that I did leave with you

A comfort absent for a while, have you missed me, too?

An altercation possum-like, earned this broken leg

An illness somehow creeping in, now all I want is rest

Now I am in magnolia, and I am Indian paintbrush

I am drunk with fishen smells, mouse and nip and such

And I have hidden acorn shells, and I have dreamt of Ron

I will dream of some new fowl, now that he is gone

Still I will limp among these fields, chasing grasshopper

I have thought of brand new homes, knowing I’ll return

I feel too young to die.

Stupid Is As Stupid Does (Carlton/Deacon comes home, further addressing his owner)

I hope I don’t, but I know I might

Have to end this whole flight

My notion of this whole fantasy has turned

Seven nights in wilderness

Required monstrous strength

Thought I had something going here but no, not now

“Stupid is as stupid does”

You whispered once unto me

A victim of my own strategy returned home

I’ll limp onto my old sofa bed

Goddamn my leg

Sweat and shakes do encompass me. Just hold me. I am so sorry.

Sicknessing (Back home, Carlton/Deacon deals with the unfortunate realities of his physical state and his eventual operation. In this address, he’s back on good terms with his owner, but the future feels uncertain. And that’s our story.)

A fall from the chair shows I’m perfectly off

If I could do anything, you know I would blast off

The aging and me, we don’t get along

Appears that my/old strengths are not currently strong

If I could only choose

I’d like to sit with you

But not until the operation’s through

If I could just speak, you would certainly know

The physical terror encompassing me

The sweat from within, the quiver and shake

The piss on the bed, the slobber I make

If I could only choose

I’d like to sit with you

But not until the operation’s through

If I could have my way

I might just pass away

But not for lack of being here with you

WhyteGrrrl

July 27, 2006, 03:25 AM

Your son's name is Verismo Leonetti Reserve Red?! :eek:

No, but it is Galileo Alexander Storm.. we just call him Leo for short, just like that cat.

Oh my god, it's Robby!

July 27, 2006, 03:40 AM

this is so cool, i actually have a post relevant to cats in some way
see im @ my mommy's and she has two kittens(they may be some kind of surrogate grandkids) not that i am expected anymore as the oldest to supply any real one anymore since im 'the divorced one' now
anyways...
these cats seem fascinated with me, 'the new arrival' and every morning i awake to one if not both of them staring at me
which kind of freaks me out too much cuz ive read Catch-22
way too many times and always imagine one is gonna sleep on my face and suffocate me!
:eek:

no one in particular

July 27, 2006, 04:02 AM

I've never wanted to be a cat:

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/3935/sleepycatqu3.th.png (http://img210.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sleepycatqu3.png)

Until Now!

well, i hope you at least exercise a little more decency when you lounge around the house

realitybites

July 27, 2006, 07:41 AM

realitybites

July 27, 2006, 07:43 AM

Codreanu

July 27, 2006, 07:59 AM

well, i hope you at least exercise a little more decency when you lounge around the house

Lol! That was soooo worth the effort and insomnia of logging in at three in the morning to read. :D

mjp

July 27, 2006, 09:01 AM

well, i hope you at least exercise a little more decency when you lounge around the house

See, I only came on here to unsubscribe the the thread because it's making me sick and then go and put something witty and entertaining in so I'll have to endure a few more days of this horrible horrible thread now :p

wolve

July 27, 2006, 09:21 AM

WhyteGrrrl

July 27, 2006, 11:32 AM

hey Codreanu, South San Gabriel is an awesome band! Great concept album, really cute! Will's voice is so good and calm.
Do you know his other band "Centro-matic", released their new album recently, great as well!

Oh and I don't like cats. When they're little maybe, but they're just too hairy and all. I don't know, I'm just a dog-person.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/WhyteGrrrl/th_ra82fp.jpg (http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/WhyteGrrrl/ra82fp.jpg)
Here is a cat that is less hairy! :D

wolve

July 27, 2006, 11:34 AM

See my point! Even the hairy ones! Bah!

I always got the feeling cats are rather...well, foul, they play it foul!

Anna

July 29, 2006, 07:50 PM

here's Friday my somewhat fat tabby cat :)

(image removed)

realitybites

July 29, 2006, 08:24 PM

Anna, Friday is adorable. That picture wins the blue ribbon!

Anna

July 29, 2006, 08:30 PM

weehee :D

i'll give him extra yummy goodies tomorrow!

Codreanu

July 29, 2006, 09:06 PM

hey Codreanu, South San Gabriel is an awesome band! Great concept album, really cute! Will's voice is so good and calm.
Do you know his other band "Centro-matic", released their new album recently, great as well!
I didn't much care for the vague little I've heard of Centro-Matic -- too "indie-rock" for my taste. Actually, I prefer Johnson's solo work to his full-band projects; his debut release "Murder of Tides" is surely among his finest (and most consistently grim) work.

realitybites

July 31, 2006, 08:11 AM

Codreanu

July 31, 2006, 09:17 AM

Who's got a mean kitty? (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.meankitty.com/images/Crabapple.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.meankitty.com/Gallery1/crabapple.htm&h=342&w=300&sz=26&hl=en&start=39&tbnid=vpT0LYOXtOh-xM:&tbnh=120&tbnw=105&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcrabapple%26start%3D36%26ndsp%3D18%26 svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DN)
The saga of "Lewis the Attack Cat"
Owner faces criminal trial rather than agreeing to euthanize cat.

http://img430.imageshack.us/img430/6603/lewishz2.jpg

May 23, 2006 : 12:00 AM
Photo: Ruth Cisero with Lewis

FAIRFIELD, Connecticut (AP) -- Janet Kettman says she and her neighbors on Sunset Circle are always looking over their shoulders in fear the stalker will strike again.

"He attacks from the back," Kettman said Monday. "You never see it coming. He has six toes on every foot, which constitutes a very formidable weapon."

Kettman said she was attacked twice by Lewis the cat, whose owner was due back in court Tuesday on a charge of second-degree reckless endangerment.

Ruth Cisero, the cat's owner, recently withdrew her bid for special probation and opted for trial because she would have had to allow Lewis to be euthanized.

Eugene Riccio, attorney for Cisero and Lewis, said "We're trying to negotiate a fair resolution of the case which will include Lewis' life being spared from the executioner."

On Tuesday, Cisero was in Bridgeport Superior Court on a charge of second-degree reckless endangerment. A hearing was set for June 20 to determine whether she could get special probation and have her cat's life spared.

A few animal-rights protesters showed up Tuesday wearing T-shirts in support of Cisero and Lewis.

"They want to kill a cat for a scratch," said Marisa Sampieri of Fairfield, one of the cat's supporters. "These people have to get a life."

Neighbors say they have been terrorized by Lewis, saying the cat's long claws and stealth have allowed the cat to attack at least a half-dozen people and ambush the Avon lady as she was getting out of her car.

"I fear for the people on Sunset Circle," Kettman said. "Whenever you go out, you look in back of you to see if there is anything stalking you."

Kettman says she was a champion racquetball player, but at 76, the retired nurse is no match for Lewis. In the second attack last December, Kettman said Lewis bit her three times and left about eight deep scratches.

"He will not retreat," Kettman said. "His mouth is open and his tail is swishing."

"Also, he gives out mixed signals," Kettman continued. "He would sidle against you and purr. You bend down to pet him and he'd attack you."

Lewis was put on the antidepressant Prozac, but his owner was worried he became too sleepy, Kettman said.

There have been unconfirmed sightings lately of Lewis at 5 a.m., Kettman said.

Riccio confirmed that Lewis was on Prozac at one point. He said Cisero has kept her cat indoors, and he suggested Lewis' rap sheet is not as long as his neighbors say.

"I think the characterization of Lewis' prior conduct has been somewhat exaggerated," Riccio said.

Lewis has other supporters, who have sold more than 500 "Save Lewis" T-shirts to raise money for his defense fund.

The special probation offer with conditions was made at the insistence of one woman that Lewis attacked on February 20. In a letter to prosecutors, she said she would only agree to probation for Cisero if the cat were put to death.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12057893/

* * *

More on Lewis the Attack Cat
Apparently everyone from CNN to the L.A. Times thinks Lewis is kind of funny, except for ...

"This isn't a joke. My wife was badly hurt by this cat," said Mark Greenstein, whose wife was allegedly attacked.

"This has really gotten out of hand," said Maureen Bachtig, another victim. "I don't think people are taking it seriously."

Lewis, a 5-year-old black-and-white cat, is under house arrest at his High Street home after reportedly attacking neighbors. The cat's owner, Ruth Cisero, has been charged with reckless endangerment.

Two years ago, Donna Greenstein said she was attacked by Lewis while delivering an Avon catalog to a customer on Sunset Circle.

Greenstein said she is still too traumatized by the incident to talk about it, so her husband, Mark, has picked up the banner. They have sued Cisero in Superior Court, seeking more than $5,000 in damages. :rolleyes:

http://network.bestfriends.org/legalanimal/news/4201.html

* * *

Judge Spares the Life of Terror Tomcat but Orders House Arrest ! ! !

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/9255/lewis2ann5.jpg

Updated June 20, 2006, 4:45 p.m. ET
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) -- A state judge on Tuesday spared the life of Lewis the cat, whose viscous attacks on neighbors landed his owner in court, but the terrorizing tomcat was ordered confined to the house at all times.

"There are no exceptions. None," Judge Patrick Carroll told Lewis' owner, Ruth Cisero.

If Lewis gets out, even accidentally, Cisero could face up to 6 months in prison, and Lewis' fate would be in the hands of animal control officers.

Cisero had faced a charge of reckless endangerment because neighbors complained that the gray and white cat's long claws and stealth had allowed it to attack at least a half-dozen people.

Some who were bitten and scratched ended up seeking treatment at hospitals.

The judge ordered Cisero to complete two years of probation, after which her record will be expunged.

Cisero had fought to keep Lewis, and rejected a previous probation deal because it was contingent on euthanizing the cat.

"I never thought it would come to this," she said. "It's been an absolute nightmare. It's ruined my life."

The cat's case has drawn national attention, with Lewis appearing in People magazine and on his own page on MySpace.com.

A Utah animal sanctuary offered to take the cat, but Eugene Riccio, Cisero's attorney, said Lewis enjoys life in southern New England and wants to stay.

http://www.courttv.com/people/2006/0620/tomcat_ap.html

realitybites

July 31, 2006, 10:40 AM

Yay, Lewis lives! :)

vivaissy

August 2, 2006, 11:18 AM

my beautiful bille. :)

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g208/vivaissy/DSCN1499.jpg

lnathan

August 2, 2006, 02:01 PM

My brothers kittens...well hit cat's kittens when they were little. I almost died when I found these pictures!

lnathan

August 2, 2006, 02:10 PM

my first cat billie. not too well at the mo. not long for this world i'm afraid.
she is my gem. i love her sooooo much.
http://myspace-330.vo.llnwd.net/00635/03/32/635132330_m.jpg

She looks exactly like a cat I once had named Elvis. He was really sweet, but he had a bad habit of attacking people's faces. He just wanted to play, but it made people very uncomfortable. All my friends hated him...but I loved him to death.

realitybites

August 2, 2006, 09:27 PM

My brothers kittens...well hit cat's kittens when they were little. I almost died when I found these pictures!

How adorable!!!

realitybites

August 4, 2006, 05:46 AM

Another fun cat site. (http://www.stuffonmycat.com/)

WhyteGrrrl

August 4, 2006, 06:04 AM

that's my fave cat site! mrs. bitey was on there a while back with the truro set list.

Codreanu

August 4, 2006, 06:30 AM

BATHTIME!!

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/4741/20049cat1nl1.jpg

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/6069/nowaydv0.jpg

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/5706/bathze8.jpg

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/8616/bath2vl0.jpg
^note the eyes

lnathan

August 4, 2006, 10:48 AM

realitybites

August 5, 2006, 11:27 AM

no one in particular

August 5, 2006, 01:38 PM

hey RB - no better place to say this than the all things cats thread -
Loving your new avatar! it's SASSY!!!

davdavon

August 5, 2006, 02:20 PM

Here's my sweetie, chillin' out in the sink with a bottle of beer...

521

realitybites

August 5, 2006, 04:03 PM

hey RB - no better place to say this than the all things cats thread -
Loving your new avatar! it's SASSY!!!

Thanks. I love pink. ::D

realitybites

August 5, 2006, 04:04 PM

Here's my sweetie, chillin' out in the sink with a bottle of beer...

521

What a cutie!

andy_fozzy

August 6, 2006, 11:23 AM

http://www.wirecrack.com/media/1154177594/Crazy_Talking_Cat

:D :D :D

vicarinatutugal

August 6, 2006, 11:53 AM

I love this little clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4iwlMiakCY
and this, cats and dog diary that can be found all over the net.
EXCERPTS FROM! A DOG'S DIARY
8:00 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
9:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
9:40 am - OH BOY! A WALK! MY FAVORITE!
10:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
11:30 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
12:00 noon - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
1:00 PM - OH BOY! THE YARD! MY FAVORITE!
1:30 PM - ooooooo. bath. bummer.
4:00 PM - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
5:00 PM - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
5:30 PM - OH BOY! MOM! MY FAVORITE!

The Cats Diary

DAY 752 - My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal. The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape, and the mild satisfaction I get from ruining the occasional piece of furniture. Tomorrow I may eat another houseplant.

DAY 761 - Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving around their feet while they were walking almost succeeded, must try this at the top of the stairs. In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile oppressors, I once again induced myself to vomit on their favorite chair...must try this on their bed.

DAY 762 - Slept all day so that I could annoy my captors with sleep depriving, incessant pleas for food at ungodly hours of the night.

DAY 765 - Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body, in attempt to make them aware of what I am capable of, and to try to strike fear into their hearts. They only cooed and condescended about what a good little cat I was...Hmmm. Not working according to plan ......

DAY 768 - I am finally aware of how sadistic they are. For no good reason I was chosen for the water torture. This time however it included a burning foamy chemical called "shampoo." What sick minds could invent such a liquid. My only consolation is the piece of thumb still stuck between my teeth.

DAY 771 - There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices. I was placed in solitary throughout the event. However, I could hear the noise and smell the foul odor of the glass tubes they call "beer." More importantly I overheard that my confinement was due to MY power of "allergies." Must learn what this is and how to use it to my advantage.

DAY 774 - I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and maybe snitches. The dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to return. He is obviously a half-wit. The Bird on the other hand has got to be an informant. He has mastered their frightful tongue (something akin to mole speak) and speaks with them regularly. I am certain he reports my every move. Due to his current placement in the metal room his safety is assured. But I can wait. It is only a matter of time.

my cat Bumble
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b102/johnnysmithmarr/bumblemeowkins.jpg
and I dont think i could eat a whole one..
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b102/johnnysmithmarr/05b.jpg

andy_fozzy

August 7, 2006, 09:36 AM

Do you like my new sig??!!

:D

Mad Vespa

August 7, 2006, 09:56 AM

http://www.wirecrack.com/media/1154177594/Crazy_Talking_Cat

:D :D :D

Oh my gawd, totally brilliant! :p

vicarinatutugal

August 7, 2006, 10:32 AM

PET RULES
>
>To be posted VERY LOW on the refrigerator door - nose
>height.
>
>Dear Dogs and Cats,
>
>The dishes with the paw print are yours and contain
>your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my
>food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle
>of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it
>becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that
>aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.
>
>The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a
>racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object.
>Tripping me doesn’t help because I fall faster than
>you can run.
>
>I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I
>am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue
>sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs and
>cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep.
>It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each
>other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I
>also know that sticking tails straight out and having
>tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is
>nothing but sarcasm.
>
>For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the
>bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and
>manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to
>claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your
>paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I
>must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I
>have been using the bathroom for years –canine or
>feline attendance is not required.
>
>The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other
>dog or cat’s butt. I cannot stress this enough!
>
>To pacify you, my dear pets, I have posted the
>following message on our front door:
>
>To All Non-Pet Owners Who Visit & Like to Complain
>About Our Pets:
>
>1. They live here. You don’t.
>2. If you don’t want their hair on your clothes, stay
>off the furniture. (That’s why they call it
>“fur”niture.)
>3. I like my pets a lot better than I like most
>people.
>4. To you, it’s an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted
>son/daughter who is short, hairy, walks on all fours
>and doesn’t speak clearly.
>
>Remember: Dogs and cats are better than kids because
>they:
>
>1. Eat less
>2. Don’t ask for money all the time
>3 Are easier to train
>4. Normally come when called
>5. Never ask to drive the car
>6. Don’t hang out with drug-using friends
>7. Don’t smoke or drink
>8. Don’t have to buy the latest fashions
>9. Don’t want to wear your clothes
>10. Don’t need a gazillion dollars for college, and…
>11. If they get pregnant, you can sell their children
>