Of COURSE this is a holiday weekend, but I am hoping
to get her into rescue first thing next week.

Just say a prayer I can keep her going that long.

Mimi Ausland is very much like another other ordinary 13 year old girl. She enjoys hanging out with her friends, going to movies with them, swimming and biking. But underneath that cute facade lies a teenager who is anything but ordinary. Mimi has also been featured in newspaper articles, on radio and television, and even has been a guest on Oprah Winfrey's and Ellen DeGeneres's shows.

What makes this young girl so special? Well, for starters, Mimi could hardly wait until she turned nine, because that was the minimum age to volunteer at the Humane Society of Central Oregon (HSCO) in Bend, Oregon. She didn't stop there, though. Mimi raised the bar by donating kibble to the shelter, then raised it even further, when she founded freekibble.com, and freekibblekat.com in April of 2008. With the addition of corporate sponsors, Castor & Pollax, an Oregon family-run pet food manufacturer, followed by Canidae, and Dogtime Media, at the present time over 1,200,000 meals have been served to hungry dogs and cats in 12 animal shelters across the U.S.

I was honored to be granted an interview with Mimi Ausland, and found that she is a seasoned veteran to interviews. But underneath it all, Mimi Ausland is still a sweet, "normal" kid, untouched by her sudden rise to fame. Learn more about Mimi's background, as well as her hopes and dreams for the future. Mimi has had a love affair with animals all her life. Today the world of animal lovers has a love affair with Mimi Ausland.

I started out looking for some place patriotic to go seeing it is Independence Day coming up…a favorite holiday in spirit if not in celebration for all cats.  After all, isn’t it about us? We are independent! But once again, I got myself turned around… Can anyone help me?

Find Full Find Chey Rules here.

Need More Cats?

Friday Ark

Weekend Cat Blogging

Carnival of the Cats

Bad Kitty Cats Festival of Chaos

It's been huge fun looking at the unusual names while sorting through entries for the Cutest Cat Contest, and some stand out as so popular, I've had to number the entries with duplicate names. Thus far we have 3 Chesters , 2 Sashas , 2 Callys, 2 Callies, and a Cali. We have a Bird, and a Mew-Mew, an amusing combination.

I've personally had two female cats with male names. We had Figaro (who became Figaroa after giving birth to a litter of 5 kittens), and Arthur, whom I smuggled into the house under the guise of being a male. My Angel cat Shannon was the only cat to my knowledge who actually had a street sign named after him (he was also named after Shannon park, where my daughter found him.)

Read the featured article to see how other people name their cats, then tell us how you arrived at your own cat's name. Your comments are welcome.

I've received two pieces of news recently related to our current recession/depression and cats. The first was from a young woman who had lost her job and was forced to move in with people who don't want cats in their home for one reason or another. As a result, the cats were PTS, a very sad example of economic euthanasia.

The second was a press release concerning the New York City Housing Authority Pet Policy, which went into effect May 1, 2009. It's ironic that the NYCHA goes almost directly against the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals goals.

Then, there's Governor Schwarzenegger's recommendation to shorten the "kill reprieve" period for cats and dogs in California animal shelters, which is more directly related to the current economic climate. However, the net results are the same:

• More cats and dogs will be killed in shelters.
• More cat and dog lovers will suddenly find themselves having lost their beloved pets.

How about you? Have you been directly or indirectly affected by our current economy? Vote in the poll, then post your comments below. I'm also interested in seeing your advice for others who may be faced with having to give up their cats.

I am quite thankful for my good friends like Skeezix!  I am pleased that the Woman got me a photo of him that is personally autographed just for me!  And all proceeds went to charity.  I have decided to lie with my photo in the sun and wish it were a picture of Latte.  Sorry Skeezy–Latte is my husband.

I am also thankful that there are apparently people out there who think I need to whiten my teeth.   Yes, the spammers.   Most cats would be a bit miffed about this I know, but as I have a tooth, well I am thankful that that is not like common knowledge.

What are you thankful for?

Ah relief! Finally I know who the Senator from Minnesota is!  The weight of wondering is gone from my shoulders.  You have no idea how this uncertainty has been plaguing me!

Certainly I have had emails from all sorts of people wanting to help me with my problems. I can get relief from impotence–but you know as a spayed female I’m not certain that is a big deal.  I can get mortgage relief.   As I do not actually own the house I live in that is also not a big deal.

I can get relief from stomach pain,  taxes, and scholarships. Why if I can even find a veterinary program near me.  I’ve considered being a veterinarian. After all, who better to work with cats?  However, it seems that veterinary schools are specist.  This pains me.

Someone has told me about a natural face lift and I have decided to file that information away until I am older.  After all, you never know.  I am pondering homemade tomatoes.  I have heard that hijacking sales is a good way to make hundreds a month. Perhaps then I will not have to contact the person about the homemade tomatoes as I can purchase mine from the market…

I am amazed at all the helping hands there are. I am fatigued just going through all the problems I didn’t know I had.

The physical beauty of the Russian Blue is complemented by its loving, quiet disposition. Although shy in nature, Russian Blues are affectionate intelligent, and playful with their human companions. They get along with children and other pets, making them a fine addition to a family. If you are a single household, the Russian Blue will fit equally well, as he can entertain himself while you are gone and welcome you with his smiley face when you return.

This smiley-faced Russian Blue Beauty is Sass Bucket, now retired from breeding. You may submit your own Russian Blue cat's photos by using the Photo Submittal Guidelines.
_{Photo Credit: © Aunt Elliecat}

I love to make biscuits on Momma and she says she is getting used to having biscuits every night as she watches some television.  She says she will get fat, I make so many biscuits.

She complains when I drool on her though. But sometimes I get so happy making biscuits on her that I forget to swallow and I drool all over the place.   She does not like it when I drip on her.  Sometimes I do that.  Sometimes I do that on her head in the morning.  She really doesn’t like that.

I do not know why. I am just so happy!

A: The About.com Cutest Cat Contest Picture Gallery, that's what. At the time of this posting, there are 240 cats entered, with three dozen more remaining to be added to the gallery. Why the odd number of legs? One of the contestants has only three legs, but I guarantee, you'll never be able to spot which one it is. Pictured here is Kelpie one of the latest entries, who is joining all the way from So. Africa.
_{Photo Credit: © Patricia Smyth}

There is still time to enter, but don't delay. The absolute deadline for entries is Sunday, July 5, 2009, at midnight PT. Please read the rules carefully, along with the instructions for sending, then send me all the information requested in the entry form. To help ensure acceptance of your photos, also read the article on common entry form mistakes.

Contest Rules & Entry Form
Common Entry Form Mistakes

The 4th of July, Independence Day in the U.S., is the most traumatic day of the year for cats. If you live in the U.S., unless you pack a tent, hiking boots, and your cat, and take off for the high country, it is unlikely you'll spend a fireworks-free 4th of July. As with many of our traditional holidays, people tend to forget the meaning of "Independence Day," but concentrate their celebration on "bombs bursting mid-air" and barbecues.

Although many municipalities don't even allow the "safe and sane" fireworks anymore, people still seem to find the not-so-safe kind. In my neck of the woods, some fools take the "bombs" literally, as they explode one M-80 after another. These can be devastating to human sanity, to say nothing of the poor cats' nerves. My veterinarian tells me that the 5th of July is the busiest day of the year for shelters - no doubt because of the number of pets running away in fear. Please take these tips into consideration as the holiday approaches.
_{Photo Credit: © Franny Syufy}

Must Reads:

Top Reasons to Keep Cats Indoors
Natural Remedies for Stress in Cats
Minimizing Stress and Anxiety in Your Cat

I am still here in some old photos (hello Woman!) enjoying the sun. The Woman had an invite to show her photos at a photography fair but she said no, she didn’t have anything that was sale quality. While I realize she has little talent, I can’t imagine that she didn’t even want to try. What is up with that?!

While I am ranting, I would just like to point out that I am not pleased…not pleased at all by the fact that people are finding me by the search “How to Steal Food.” As if I ever!

With the passing of my 19 YO Shannon, I found myself for the first time in several decades missing a "sunshine boy" in my life. I pleaded with my husband to let me adopt another red cat, but he was adamant, saying "I couldn't so that to Bubba." I finally convinced him by reasoning that two kittens would keep each other company and stay out of Bubba's hair. Six months later, we welcomed Jaspurr and Joey into our family, and it worked out even better than I had thought.

That was only one of the 10 reasons why two kittens are better. If you're one of those diehards who need more proof, see the Two Kittens Picture Gallery. You may submit your own "two kittens" photos by following the Photo Submission Guidelines. Sorry, but I will be unable to publish your photos without all the requested information. Please use "Two Kittens" as the subject of your email.
_{Photo Credit: © Franny Syufy}

Unless one has personally experienced having a terminally ill cat, it is very difficult to know what to say or do to support a friend in that position. The new "cat dad" who emailed me this question found himself in that dilemma with two separate friends, a woman whose cat is terminally ill, and a male friend whose cat had recently died.

I have been blessed, both with friends online and "in real life" when my Shannon, shown here, was terminally ill, and later with Bubba. Several kindnesses stick out in my memory in Shannon's case. The night Shannon was PTS, my next-door neighbor, Sandi, drove me to the vet clinic, then gave me a generous shoulder to cry on. My online friend, C.H.U., composed a memorial symphony for Shannon. Later, my husband donated to the U.C. Veterinary Medical School in Shannon's honor.

While "Let me know if there is anything I can do?" is kindly meant and received, more specific offers (and actions) are much more meaningful. Read my suggestions for giving meaningful support to a friend in need.
_{Photo Credit: © Franny Syufy}

More About the Loss of a Cat

Knowing When To Let Go
Dealing With Loss
Helping Children Deal with the Loss of a Pet(Vet Med Guide)

Camie’s Kitties were the first cats to guess where I was hanging out. Derby clued everyone in that I was in the US but Camie’s Kitties got the answer:

You are at Chateau Laroche otherwise known as Castle Loveland in Loveland, O-HI-O.

Tavi, Cody, Camie, Miss Jade and Gracie

Eric and Flynn had this to say:

Darn! We are too late. Mum just found it by looking through Castles of the United States.It says:
‘Chateau Laroche is the work of one man, Sire Harry Andrews, who started building the castle in 1929. Most of the stones from which it was constructed were carried in buckets from the nearby riverbed. Mr. Andrews would on occasion let someone else do odd jobs such as mixing mortar, but he laid every stone himself. Some bricks used in the building of the castle were made by pouring cement into used milk cartons and removing the cartons after the cement had hardened.’
That was a lot of hard work for one man!

Indeed it was, wasn’t it? I guess some of the men who were part of his “knights”, an organization he founded, actually helped out and keep the castle up. It continues to be private property but they give tours and have a little video about the history. It’s rather interesting.

Parker, who is from O hi O also knew where I was so it must be pretty famous!

And to the kitties who suggested I was at White Castle–after the Woman’s experience there I knew to stay away from White Castle! Daisy was hoping I was at Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, but I am not sure that Harry Andrews was any beauty but he did sleep there…

Albert seems to be part Maine Coon because he is so enormous. He weighs 25+ pounds and yes, he is fat ... many people refer to him as "Fat Albert" but not in front of me because I defend him. When he was a kitten, he was abandoned in an empty apartment and left to starve to death. Luckily, he was rescued and placed in a shelter. A friend of the family told us about him and how much he looked like our other tuxedo cat, The Cuteness. We ended rescuing him immediately.

I think the reason why Albert is so huge is not only because he is part Maine Coon, but also because he almost starved to death; any food he eats seems to cling to him even though

. . .read more
_{Photo Credit: © Debbi Dumais}

Albert had a number of factors going for him as a Cat of the Week choice. First, I am a sucker for a rescue story. No cat deserves to be abandoned - ever! Second, because Debbi's love for her cats comes through with every word. And third because he's just so darned gorgeous. You may submit cat photos by following the Photo Submission Guidelines. Sorry, but I will be unable to publish your photos without all the requested information. Please be sure to indicate in the email subject which gallery you want your cat's picture to be featured in. But not this one. This one is strictly my choice.

Anyone who has every tried to give a cat nasty-tasting liquid medication knows that it is not always easy. My colleague, Janet Crosby, DVM, Guide to Veterinary Medicine, demonstrates alternatives, such as mixing the meds with a small bit of food (be sure to ask your vet first.) She also shows how to handle a large, resistive cat, to make the process easier on both the cat and its human caregiver. The cat in this video is Oliver, our editor, Bonnie's cat.
_{Photo Credit: © About.com}

Helpful Reading on Medicating Cats:

How to Give a Cat Liquid Medicine
How to Pill a Cat
Quick tip for dispensing multiple small pills to cats

I could live in a castle like this. Um hum. It looks like me don’t you think? Think of all the ham hunting parties I could hold in a place like this. Yes. I do think this is a perfect home for a cat like me! At the very least it’s a nice resting spot. I mean when they sent me out with my fine geographical knowledge to look for the South Caroline Governor I had no idea what a trip it would be. And now that he can’t make up his mind where he was, I am hopeless lost!

Find Full Find Chey Rules here.

Need More Cats?

Friday Ark

Weekend Cat Blogging

Carnival of the Cats

Bad Kitty Cats Festival of Chaos

Look! I got an award from the Kitty City Gazette. Now I can just hope that they don’t go printing nasty stories about those things I do that I shouldn’t…like run off to Argentina and not tell anyone where I am and expect everyone to look for me…

Look it’s my new cousin, Snickers.  I realize there is no real family resemblance but I think he looks rather chasable don’t you think?  Any way he’d get very excited when the Woman would bark at him. I know–my human is weird.

At any rate, I have something very frightening and disconcerting to tell you. Sensitive cats beware. My human has been discussing it on facebook so I know others are concerned about this.

The Woman read in a cookbook suggestions on what to do with LEFT OVER desserts. Can you imagine.  And you know what was worse?  There was not one suggestion to allow your cat to finish it off! No wonder that person had left over desserts. I think we all need to purr for this poor misguided writer, don’t you?

Cats! It is time to stand up and call your human. Make them talk to their congressmen and their senators. There is a healthcare crisis in the US and it affects all of us.

Yes, all of us! Did you know that many cats do not get proper health care in the United States? And of those who do, do you have any idea that the vast majority have something stuck in their behind to see if they are sick?

How undignified. I think every senator and congressman should be subjected to the same indignity! If they had to have that stick shoved up their bum, I have no doubt that such a crisis would not exist in this country! Heck–the doctors would refuse, because do you really want to see your local politician with his pants down?

Oh wait. We keep hearing that many of them have been caught that way. Well never mind. It’s time to stand up and demand that your people demand a change in pet healthcare in this country.

Now, having said that I think I need a nap.

It's Tummy Tuesday
every Tuesday
atLisaViolet's Diary

My human made me pose for this picture! That's the filter thingamajig that goes in the furnace and catches some of the fur I shed. Then she went on the internet and sent the picture to the 3M company that makes the filters. They promise to send a coupon for a free filter. But hey, you know, I think I look pretty handsome in this picture. Maybe they will offer me a job as the 3M spokescat.Check

So Charlie walks by me this morning and I notice a small sticker stuck securely in his fur.

It says:
warranty voided if removed
Now....
I'm pretty sure stray cats do NOT come with warranties.

Bad Kitty.

We are going to go see this exhibit today at the Houston Museum of Science.
The tickets are a little pricey, but John really wants to go see this interesting piece of history.
Should be fun.

Exhibit Information


Update: it was interesting but we wish there had
been more there. Even if it was just pots and arrowheads or
something. It took only 40 minutes to go through
even with John reading everything.
Even so if you enjoy history and seeing things that
have survied BC, this is worth the ticket.

I drove all over Houston this weekend just for people to waste my time.

I had buyers that let it slip that they are already working with another agent (she is out of town this weekend) I guess they just needed a tour guide. How nice of me to oblige.

I had buyers that lied about having a mortgage together (Dad "might" buy them a house if they find a cheap one) OK kids...next time Dad better be in the car with you then.

Two clients canceled AFTER I had already driven to the property.
And what time DID you realize you had better things to do?
because....gosh--maybe I had better things to do as well!
and
One client did not show up to the appointment all.
YUP....he stood me up completely after being in a panic to make an offer before the property sells to someone else.
In fact....I had to move one of the liars to another time to accommodate him.

WHATever

Working for a web based company obviously a huge part of my business involves email.

A couple of things get on my nerves when attempting to do business this way.

One would be the tendency for grown people to use U instead of You and 2 instead of too.
This is just stupid. Save it for texts.

The other would be...
TYPING LONG RUN ON SENTENCES THAT RUN INTO LONG PARAGRAPHS THAT ARE VERY MUNDANE IN CONTENT AND VERY HARD TO READ AND THEN ON TOP OF THAT THEY ARE TYPED IN ALL CAPS.

This afternoon I am reading one of this tedious emails and at the very end the guy says.

PS SORRY ABOUT THE ALL CAPS

People are so weird.

I sought them hereI sought them thereI sought those chipmunks everywhere!Are they in heavenOr are they in hell?Those damned elusive . . .Oh, what was it I was looking for, again?Jump aboard the Friday Ark at Modulator. On Sunday, the Carnival of the Cats will be at Adventures in Cat Philanthropy,

(click for short video)

John's niece Destiny and her husband Chris and 3 kiddos plus his brother Jimmy with his grands

I was working with a newbie investor this morning and the first house we went into had a dead rat on the kitchen counter.

Now please understand it was not just lying there dead.
Someone had posed it like it was about to jump at you.

What is kinda funny is that I had told my buyer only yesterday --even before we made these appointments-- that buying foreclosures are not for the faint hearted.

Luckily we did not faint.

but...
Ick.

Moses the cat and Matilda the dog may be of different species, but they have something in common: both of them were rescued by amanuensis' niece. They now live happily together in the Ohio countryside. Apparently no one told Moses that he's supposed to dislike dogs, because he really seems to want to cuddle up to Matilda.They'll be boarding Modulator's Friday Ark today. On Sunday, the

The Friday Ark

The Carnival of Cats

Jalepeno is growing too, maybe one or two more days!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arbuckle_Mountains

Some of my friends have stopped by and asked what's up with me, because it's been quite a while since I posted anything. Well, I've just been hanging around like any cat would, indulging in my favorite hobbies--birding and napping. Yes, it's finally spring here. The snow's been gone for some time, and there are birds singing constantly. That's one reason why I'm napping now. Every day I get

Sydney woke up hungry

We didn't get to see Kelsey this trip, she was with her
other Grandma this weekend.

Next .......Oklahoma

Strangely I have found myself with no clients this weekend and John has 3 days off so decided to hop in the car for a quick road trip to decorate some graves that are very dear to our hearts.
I'll post along the way.

Have a safe Memorial Day my friends...PJ

Yes we've been a long time between posts but well we've been too busy cuddling to post :) See our boys have learned a new trick or two. Sure Arthur is the master of the flirt, teasing you into the bedroom and onto the bed where he will ensnare you with belly rubs and purrs until hours are lost and you dont know how.

Beowulf has masterd the purrbush (another type of ambush) he'll wait till you go into the bedroom and corner you there on the bed curl up and begin the loudest purrs and make you feel guilty for leaving him and before you know it hours are lost and you don't know how you let yourself get caught, again.

Well the newest trick they've learned is how to get us to bed. The actual time varies but we know when they are starting to get us ready for bed. They will begin with meows and when they have our attention a not so sublte heading to the bedroom. This will persist until we finally give in and go into the bedroom. But not just go in there and then leave. This is their signal that it is time for their humans to go to bed. The "nagging" does not end and escalates until we have done our pre bedtime preparations, climbed into bed and shut the lights off. Then and only then do they cease the nagging and curl up in the bed happy now that we can all go to bed :)

See what I had to go through to get out to my backyard! This was a little while ago before the snow finally melted.First I tried walking down the downspout.Ish! Then, my humans thought of putting a plank out across the snow. I sniffed it.But I didn't like it. Something smelled fishy, and not in a good way.Finally, I took off across the snow, determined to reach the sunny part of the backyard.

Today I'd hoped to celebrate the coming of Spring, but when I woke up and looked out the window, everything was covered with a layer of snow! I had to go back to my archives to find a photo of myself sitting in the sunshine.All I'd like to do is go out in the backyard and cat around a little. I'd even step across the snow that's still piled up in the shade next to our back steps. But today is

We all know that many humans treat their pets like children, but how many treat them like fashion models? Lilly is a gorgeous young coal-black long-haired cat who really seems to get off on being dressed up. The Star Tribune gossip columnist C.J. recently interviewed Lilly and her human, Carol. There's evan a video of Lilly getting dressed, and her human talking baby talk to her.Carol complains

More wildcat news. Last week, hunters used their dogs to tree this gorgeous cougar, apparently a wild one, near Spooner, Wisconsin. The Wisconsin officials who came to look have said that wild cougars are rare in Wisconsin and next door here in Minnesota. I sort of wonder whether the cougars might not be migrating. After all, in some parts of the country, it's spring, and young cats have

I woke up early and took a bath today, because it's my birthday! Yesterday, my personal groomer had brushed me--including my fluffy ruff and tummy. Don't you think I look a lot better now?

A little bit of the nip keeps me from thinking too much about money. I like to roll in the catnip and then lick it off my fur. I even offered some to my humans, but they said they preferred a little nip of something else. As long as they have enough money for catnip and food, I guess we should all be happy. And by the way, Monday is my birthday! Check out the boarders at the Friday Ark.

Lots of humans are sitting around caterwauling about how their economy is in free fall. Well, maybe it's time they turned the economy over to us cats. Cats have a natural ability to recover from falls. We know how to roll gracefully and how to get back on our feet as smoothly and quickly as possible. We know how to clean up our own messes, too, something that humans seem to have a heck of a

A pear-shaped cat whose proclivity Was to maximize his productivity Got an excellent start: He perfected the art Of militant couch inactivity.Today's Carnival of the Cats will be at When Cats Attack! Don't forget to celebrate Mardi Gras on Tuesday. You know I'll be doing that.

I was sad to hear that Socks, the debonair tuxedo cat who lived in the White House during Bill Clinton's two terms, has passed away. Socks was a crowd pleasing cat who reportedly liked to perch on the President's shoulder. We will miss him very much.