Cat in Sunbeam:Wordless Wednesday

CAT BOOK REVIEW/GIVE-AWAY:CAT FACTS The Pet Parent's A-to-Z Home Care Encyclopedia by Amy Shojai

Kitten to Adult, Diseases & Prevention

Cat Behavior

Veterinary Cat Care, First Aid

Holistic Medicine

Courtesy of Amy Shojai

Have you ever read a book and when finished,  you found yourself saying "WOW!" out loud?

That is how I felt after I perused one of author Amy Shojai's latest books, CAT FACTS The Pet Parent's A-to-Z Home Care Encyclopedia.

If I sat here telling you I read EVERY PAGE of this OVER 500 PAGE INVALUABLE RESOURCE THAT SHOULD BE A PART OF EVERY HOME WHERE CATS ARE IN RESIDENCE, I would be lying. THIS BOOK IS "HUGE!!" When I say "HUGE" I mean it is chock-full of information/resources that are needed and information/resources that those who share their lives with cats DON'T EVEN KNOW THAT THEY NEED!!!!

Think you have read every standout cat reference book that exists? THINK AGAIN! I have read many cat care/cat reference books,  and in my opinion more are "so-so" than not. This book reigns as one at the TOP of my list!! 

FROM CAT FACTS:The Pet Parent's A-to-Z Home Care Encyclopedia:

More than 86 million pet cats today are kept in forty-five million U.S. households. Now, from one of the most trusted cat care authors of the last twenty-five years comes the definitive reference for adopting, keeping, and maintaining a healthy, happy cat.

CAT FACTS: The Pet Parent's A-to-Z Home Care Encyclopedia is designed to answer all your questions. How do I choose the right cat? What holistic help and preventive care should I give? Why do cats act the way they do, and what cat behavior indicates illness? What constitutes an emergency, and how/when can I safely treat my cat with home care and first aid?

CAT FACTS: The Pet Parent's A-to-Z Home Care Encyclopedia is written in a easy-to-reference form that is 

Alphabetical A-to-Z listings

Each letter of the alphabet that begins a section, is attractively drawn and eye-catching.  There are  more than 200 entries, covering everything from abscesses and hairballs to whiskers!!! Do you know what Nutrigenomics is? Or Jacobson's Organ? (Be honest, and don't Google it!) What about zoonosis? I didn't either, but I do now!

Courtesy of Amy Shojai

There are charts (many cat lovers have requested repeatedly that there be a chart showing poisons, from plants to household items. Now you have it!), that list symptoms for a particular condition, the corresponding home care or first aid, the comparative veterinarian and holistic treatments, and preventive advice.

As I mentioned above, it is virtually IMPOSSIBLE  to list EVERYTHING of importance that is in this book. I went through it page by page and read about topics that interested me, or that I have experienced with my own cats such as:

Acne

Territorial Aggression

Allergies, Cat

(which Cody experiences)

Artificial Respiration

Cancer

Cardiomyopathy

(which my Bobo suffered from)

Catnip

(did you know that catnip can be overused? I didn't either! "Overindulgence causes cats to lose their response to the plant. An occasional treat, perhaps once every two or three weeks is plenty." If you are like me, and I have a feeling you are, that is a fact that you DID NOT know!

Dermatitis

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

I know many of you have cats who have this and can use more info!

There is More!!

 Also Included:

A symptoms/conditions table

that helps you identify what ailments might be bothering your cat,  

a Breed-At-A-Glance chart to compare personality, looks, care challenges and other issues for if you choose to have a pedigreed cat.

Easy-to-use Index

The comprehensive, easy-to-use index makes quick reference a snap !!!!!!

Contact information for dozens of cat organizations

 and veterinary resources!!!!!!! 

CAT FACTS: The Pet Parent's A-to-Z Home Care Encyclopedia is

Courtesy of Amy Shojai

FROM CAT FACTS:The Pet Parent's A-to-Z Home Care Encyclopedia: the author has taken great pains to compile the most up-to-date information currently available for cat lovers on the care of their cat; however, veterinary medicine is constantly improving. Please consult with your veterinarian on a regular basis to provide the best care for your cat.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Amy Shojai, CABC is a nationally known authority on pet care and behavior, a certified animal behavior consultant for cats and dogs, and a former veterinary technician. She is a founder of the Cat Writers’ Association and the author of more than 30 award winning pet care books including pet-centric thriller series. She shares her North Texas home with a 20 year old Siamese wannabe, delinquent silver shaded tabby, and smart aleck German Shepherd.

CONNECT WITH AMY! Drop her a line at her blog  or her website . Follow Amy on Twitter (@amyshojai) and like her on Facebook.

 CAT FACTS: The Pet Parent's A-to-Z Home Care Encyclopedia by Amy Shojai makes me, and will make ALL cat lovers  feel secure/comforted to have so much information available at their fingertips. It  is yet another vital "tool" to add to my responsible cat owner tool box, and I can't stress enough that it is one that should be a part of yours as well! 

GIVE-AWAY!! ONE lucky reader who is 18+ and who resides in the U.S. (apologies to our International readers, but the size/weight of this MUST HAVE RESOURCE makes shipping out of the country cost prohibitive), will win a copy! (An approximate $25 value which is a BARGAIN for all of the information that is in this book!)  Entering is easy! Simply enter on the Rafflecopter below and good luck! a Rafflecopter giveaway  

DOG LOVERS!! Look for my review (and hopefully give-away!) of DOG FACTS The Pet Parent's A-to-Z Home Care Encyclopedia by Amy Shojai,  that will publish on Dakota's blog, on Monday, April 11th!!!!

In full disclosure: I was not compensated for this review. I was sent a copy of CAT FACTS: The Pet Parent's A-to-Z Home Care Encyclopedia in exchange for my always honest review.

My Tabby James Co. Organic Catnip Birthday Give-Away! #farmtofeline

Hi my furiends and thanks so much for stopping by!! Today is a special day!!! Today is my BIRTHDAY!! Specifically, my 9th Birthday!!!! 

If I didn't tell you, you wouldn't know that the "cake" in the photo above was recycled. See those lame cat toys thrown haphazardly on the top? Well, that was to cover what the cake REALLY says. Ready for this feline furiends? It says "Today is my BARK DAY!!" Yep, you got it! Mom recycled Sheltie Boy's birthday cake/toy and decided to use it for ME. The NERVE!!!

When I listened to her plotting this scheme a few weeks ago, I told her that she had BETTER think of a way to make this insult of epic proportions up to me. And...she DID!

Mom knows that if there is one thing I love other than food, it's CATNIP!!  I had been reading about the USDA certified organic catnip that the Tabby James Co. has on a number of the blogs I paw around, and I was quite intrigued. After all, I'M a TABBY CAT and I felt that I should add this catnip to my stash! Mom got off her lazy butt, emailed the Tabby James Co. and they were kind enough to send me catnip to try! Specifically their Mixed set.

When it arrived I was beside myself!

I couldn't wait to see what was inside!

The mixed set includes Valerian Root, Regular Cut Catnip and Fine Cut Catnip. The Tabby James peeps really know how to keep a kitty hooked up!!! It also comes with a little pouch to store your hooch catnip in!!!

"C'mon and crack these babies open!!!"

"How incredible do THESE look?
So fresh, the second you open each one, the intoxicating aroma lures you in.
 Kitties, you will LOVE THESE!!"

From Tabby James:
 “Do you remember the gorgeous backdrop of The Sound of Music?

 That’s the kind of environment our catnip grows in.

 We source our catnip locally from the Pacific Northwest,

 and harvest it at the peak of its freshness.

 The herb is then sliced and diced into sprinkle-able portions

 and packaged in airtight glass containers

 to keep it fresh and smelling crisp”

“Why do cats like catnip?”

“No one really knows! Catnip contains nepetalactone, which emulates reactions typically produced by pheromones, though no one understands exactly why this happens. All we know for sure is that just a whiff of catnip makes cats happy and sends them rolling and jumping around in a state of euphoria.”

“Why is your catnip different?”

“We’ve searched high and low to bring you only the freshest, highest quality organic catnip. Tabby James catnip is packaged in small doses inside airtight glass bottles so that no catnip ever goes stale or gets wasted. We offer package deals on bottles so you can stock up on sealed, fresh catnip for a rainy day!”

KITTIES!! Watch me in action!!!!!!! (I had to turn my back on my Mom so I could completely immerse myself in my catnip buzz. You see, Mom put ALL THREE of the different samples in my pouch!!!)

"It's not a party til you walk around
with the  catnip pouch on your head!!!"

I can't thank the Tabby James Co. enough for sending me this catabulous catnip!!! I give it 4-paws up!! (8-paws up if I am buzzed and seeing double!!) I am gonna have one heck of a wild celebration this weekend, that is for sure!!!

GIVE-AWAY!!! U.S. KITTIES!! (my apologies to kitties that live outside of the U.S.A, but Tabby James  can't send hooch catnip out of the country). You must be 18 years old+ to enter. The Tabby James Co. is giving away one MIXED SET like the one I have above (A $20 value). Entering is easy peasy, just enter on the rafflecopter below, good luck!!!!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

In full disclosure: no money exchanged paws for this review/give-away. I received a Mixed Set in exchange for my always honest review.

"R-E-S-P-E-C-T...Find Out What It Means To ME!" #NationalRespectYourCatDay

Hi all it's Cody!! Yes, yes, yes, I KNOW that ALL of you are going to say that cats should be respected EVERY DAY and YOU ARE RIGHT!!!  Respecting cats shouldn't be just one day a year at all, I couldn't agree more! But because March 28 is a historic day for me and my feline friends, today is the day that was designated as National Respect Your Cat Day because allegedly,

 on March 28, 1384, Richard II of England forbid the consumption of cats. Why anyone would want to eat a cat anyway is beyond me, but I digress...

So, in honor of this momentous occasion and as a reminder to my Mom EVERY DAY, here is a little somethin' somethin' which will hopefully get through to my Mom for something that SHE does that I take issue with,  AND make YOU laugh!!! My deepest apologies to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin for taking some liberties with the lyrics to RESPECT.

Kitties what kind of EXTRA respect do YOU need shown to YOU today!!! I know we are shown respect EVERY DAY by our humans, but we can always use MORE!!!

Discuss!

Love, 

Cody

An Easter Greeting....

Yes, we posted this last year, but we love it and wanted to post it again! Wishing those who celebrate a joyous and blessed Easter! Love from Caren and Cody.

This is too appropriate NOT to post!!!

Found on Pinterest

It is impawtant for you to know that the above photo refers to MOM and NOT to ME!!!
This...is from ME!!!! 
Love, Cody

HAPPY EASTER 

FRIENDS!!!

A Most "Precious" Message In Honor Of Poison Prevention Awareness Month

FROM CAT CHAT WITH CAREN AND CODY: As we approach the end of Poison Prevention Awareness Month, (which frankly should be EVERY month),  we would like to repeat a post that we did back on April 17, 2010, when we were brand spanking new to the world of blogging. 

It is one thing to write about the perils of certain toxins after searching on the internet, it is another thing ENTIRELY  to have an email sent to you, begging and pleading to share a little boys' heart-breaking story. It was this little boy, (Zack Flewelling),  (who is now a man), who begged his Dad to contact me. This post is a TRUE STORY, and addresses how hazardous houseplants and flowers can be to our feline friends. When one hears a story that impacted someone else, it brings it that much closer and takes on an entirely different meaning.

 I had been contacted by Zack's Dad in April of 2010 asking me if I would share his "message", I was  happy to do that  then and am happy to do that now.

 After I first posted this in 2010, I posted it again in 2015. It is now going to be a yearly tradition. I am sure when Zack sees this post repeated, he will be thankful that this special message from his cat "Precious" lives on.

(This year I added an infographic from SheKnows )

Zack and "Precious"

It is hard enough to lose a pet when it passes of old age, it is another thing entirely to have your pet die suddenly at the still vital age of 7, which is how old Zack Flewelling's cat "Precious" was when she died suddenly just a few weeks ago.

Zack Flewelling, age 12, possesses a caring and sensitivity at his young age that many much older than he will ever attain.

Back track to approx. April 11th when Zack's Dad, Jerry was relaxing at home, while his wife (Jennifer), and kids ran to the store.  He noticed Precious meowing more than usual, not in a "feed me" kind of way, it was more like a "low growling". When Jerry went to scoop her up "she was like water, there was nothing to her, she was totally limp and very cold but aware."

They rushed her to the vet where they discovered that Precious was in renal failure. The vet also wanted to know if Precious had gotten into any rat poisoning or "was there anything else she could have ingested"?

When the doctor left the room Jennifer's eyes spotted a bulletin board with a sign that said "DANGER! Easter Lilies are toxic to cats and dogs" Her heart sunk. They had had an Easter Lily plant on their table for a week now which they had paid no mind because Precious ate the houseplants "all of the time". Jennifer called Jerry at home and had him photograph the Easter Lily with his cell phone. Sure enough, many leaves were gone and there were teeth marks in them, Precious had "eaten it, and a lot of it".

Photo Courtesy of the ASPCA

The Flewellings and the vet tried everything, but there was nothing that could save Precious, she passed early the following morning.

When I spoke to Zack who is devastated by the loss of his dear "Precious", there was no hint of anger, just a young man with a thoughtfulness and depth beyond his years. When I asked Zack what the message was that he wanted to relay about Precious, he said, "I want an article to be put in the paper to let people know that plants do not come with "warnings" like other dangerous things do", he continued, "there are many poisonous plants out there, Easter Lilies and tomato plants", just to name a few.

Zack is right, there are literally hundreds of plants that are poisonous to both cats and dogs, and on most lists these plants are not identified by a photo, which makes it that much harder to know which plants are safe and which are not.

Infographic From SheKnows

Zack said that "his mission now is to spread the word to other cat owners (and dog owners as well) that plants should come with a warning", (as well they should, or they can be researched online or  at the library or bookstores, to find out if they are toxic to animals). Zack would "love to spare anyone else the pain" that he is experiencing after having lost his beloved cat, Precious,  by making them aware that toxic plants exist and to keep them away from cats and dogs.

Zack's cat may have been named "Precious" but Zack, with his unselfishness and caring for others, by wanting this message relayed for the safety of their pets, is quite "Precious" himself.

FOR A LIST OF TOXIC AND NON-TOXIC PLANTS FROM THE ASPCA CLICK HERE


****NOTE:if you suspect your animal may have ingested a poisonous plant or other poisonous item the symptoms can range from seizures and foaming at the mouth to vomiting and coma. DO NOT WAIT FOR SYMPTOMS TO APPEAR. Immediate medical attention is necessary.


THE ASPCA 24-HOUR EMERGENCY POISON HOTLINE IS 888-426-4435 (There is a $60-something  fee payable via credit card)

My Current Favorite Cat Illustration!

IT'S CODY

AND I LOVE IT!!

I was sent this digital gift for winning

 the St.Patrick's Day contest over at:

CLICK HERE TO READ ALL ABOUT IT!