A GOOD CAHS

If You Give Me a Flea Comb with the Handle Sharpened to a Point, I Will Throw Myself On It.

2010-11-18T11:45:00.000-05:00

It probably won't kill me, but it should hurt.

My last post was in May, followed by six months of uncontrolled AD/HD -- so uncontrolled that I didn't even post on my ADD blog, Another Fine Mess.

Today I climb back into the little saddle (the only kind that fits my miniature poodle.) If the trail ahead remains clear, I'm hoping to post again before June.

You May Now Kiss the Dog

2010-05-17T11:10:00.002-04:00

Here's another reason why I'm not qualified to perform marriage ceremonies.

If you share my qualifications, here's some reading.

Low-Friction Inclined Plane System

2010-05-14T09:27:00.003-04:00

A lot of kittens go through CAHS. As a cost-saving measure, much of the admittance process is automated using a low-friction inclined plane system. Here's a video.

Some Homes Are Drier Than Others

2010-05-05T17:05:00.004-04:00

Willy, our toy poodle, spends most of his time indoors. He shares our bed and the rest of the furniture. But if he were the outdoor type, this home would keep him dry, at a variety of settings. Via There, I Fixed It.

A Good CAHS, A Poor Correspondent

2010-05-04T09:24:00.003-04:00

Today I just approved three comments from Melody. That means Melody is three-time more qualified to write this blog than I am. Considering the nature of A Good CAHS, it deserves a more vigilant correspondent.

If you'd like to know why I get distracted, visit Another Fine Mess, one of my other blogs. As a bonus, you can be amused by the irony of an ADD blog indifferently maintained.

I'll try to keep a better eye on A Good CAHS.

While I've been AWOL*, Virginia Moore has risen to the occasion of promoting and celebrating CAHS work with a very active Facebook page. It's impossible to read without wishing you lived in a home with a thousand rooms and a very big yard.

*Away Without List. Keeping a daily list and sticking to it is one of the tricks for living with ADD. I've just added UPDATE GOOD CAHS to it.

Tired Whiskers

2010-02-13T13:04:00.002-05:00

As someone who often suffers from tired whiskers, I should probably buy one for myself.

Our Secret Weapon Against the Inevitable Robot Rebellion

2010-02-13T08:17:00.001-05:00

Starsky Finally Retires From Life of Fighting Crime, Keeping Shelter Safe

2010-02-08T09:29:00.003-05:00

I just read this on the CAHS Facebook wall:

Big Happy News Flash! Starsky, the big loveable lug of the cat adoption center went to his happy forever home today! He is a special needs cat, and has been at the shelter for a very long time. We love you Starsky and we are so happy for you and your new family!

I don't know anything about Starsky, but I can only assume he once fought crime in the 70's and wore a perm. Congratulations on his well-earned retirement.

Walking's Best Friend

2010-02-04T09:51:00.003-05:00

It's apparently easier to disappoint a human than it is a dog. If your walking partner has been elusive or absent, CAHS would like to suggest an alternative.

Dog or Cat?

2009-10-28T09:30:00.005-04:00

If you're struggling to decide which sort of animal to adopt -- Cat or Dog -- keep a lookout for this rare compromise. Via Nothing to Do With Arbroath.

Top Hat and Tails

2009-10-28T09:22:00.005-04:00

How often do you get to see cats and dogs in top hat and tails? I'm guessing the tails are routine, but the fancy hats?

Here's your chance.

Day of the Dandelions

2009-10-28T09:09:00.004-04:00

This is a scene* from the recent remake of The Day of the Triffids, based on the John Wyndham novel about mobile killer plants overtaking England.

I'm wondering how many puppies I'd need to keep my lawn clear of weeds.

*not really a scene.

Good Deeds and High Fashion

2009-10-28T09:01:00.002-04:00

Says Virginia Moore, "Faithful CAHS supporter Leon has been bringing gifts to the animals and the staff of the shelter for years. Volunteer Coordinator Kim Henry decided to reward Leon with a special gift commemorating his devotion to CAHS."

No doubt the good deeds are reward enough for Leon, but it's always nice to have a bit of high fashion on hand for those special occasions.

12th Annuel Kiss for the Animals

2009-10-05T11:08:00.003-04:00

Says Virginia: Where else could you get a big kiss from a pit bull? At the 12th Annual Walk for the Animals and Bark in the Park. The event drew hundreds of dogs and people under bright blue skies and early fall foliage. A great time was had by all.

Donations can still be made to the walk, visit the online page :
https://www.firstgiving.com/default.asp?did=1913

Where Have All the Posts Gone?

2009-10-05T11:01:00.004-04:00

I've had my hands full for the last few months, but I'll be posting again.

We Are the World

2009-08-03T13:10:00.003-04:00

Pictures trump words this time around. Enjoy.

2009-07-08T12:53:00.001-04:00

Virginia Moore tells me:

"Foxy came to CAHS a couple of weeks ago after her human mom passed away. She is a 6-year old Pomeranian, and she was very frightened to be in the shelter environment. We took her into the admin office with us to help give her a quiet environment and she has settled in nicely. Her favorite perch is Kathy's desk by the window, so she can watch the world go by. Foxy is coming out of her shell a little every day, and she even wags her tail at us now."

I have to make due with my ragged and moth-eaten miniature poodle for photo shoots like this. Here's your chance to upgrade to something more stylish.

New Home, New Friends, New Outfit

2009-07-08T08:54:00.004-04:00

"Brody is the best dog me and Paul have ever had; he bonded to us very deeply which made us love him all the more."

Lord Clifford

2009-06-19T15:16:00.006-04:00

I don't know much about Clifford. Virginia tells me that Sandy is taking him home to bottle feed; perhaps tease him into feeding himself. Since his past is a mystery, I'll offer an educated guess.

Clifford is the lone surviving heir to the throne of a small country inhabited only by cats. He doesn't know this, in the way of all orphaned royalty. Only after growing into adulthood and having many adventures will he one day discover his heritage.

Of course, the revelation will be anticlimatic, and redundant, since cats consider themselves royalty to begin with.

Pisa Enters Witness Protection. Don't Tell Anyone

2009-06-19T14:52:00.004-04:00

Every adopted animal enters a Witness Protection Program. They're given new homes, new identities -- the above is Liam, formerly Pisa -- and it's all very hush-hush, except for the photographs and emails and blog posts.

Here's a snippet from a letter sent by Pisa's -- I mean, Liam's -- new owner:

Hi Virginia!

Just wanted you to know that Liam (aka Billy, aka Pisa) is doing very well as he adjusts to his new home. Our two other cats (three years old each) in all their cat curiosity are wondering what this little cat is doing in their home. Seamus (orange male tabby) was caught licking his face yesterday and has in a few short days taken to running back and forth with his new brother with reckless abandon. Laci (female tortie) is slowly approaching while she gives out warning hisses for Liam to not get too close. He listens...sometimes.

Slow movement and hissing is nothing to be alarmed about. It's the usual reaction of any sister who has two brothers. Just ask Virginia.

And because every blog should offer the occasional beefcake:

Rube Goldberg Kittens

2009-06-04T10:08:00.004-04:00

This video reminds me of a Rube Goldberg device with lots of activity and little result. The journey is everything.

Virginia Moore sent this along to announce that kittens in all denominations are available for adoption; proof that sometimes the destination is everything.

Moxie Moves On

2009-05-19T15:45:00.003-04:00

Moxie, who recently inspired visitors, readers, and at least one cartoonist, passed on a few days ago. Virginia tells me they'll be planting a Memorial Garden for Moxie, and donations of perennials and bags of soil are welcome. I wish I knew more about flowers. Something bold and orange would be nice.

I didn't have a chance to meet Moxie. I know she was in a lot of pain toward the end. But there's a calm at the center of all cats, and I'm sure she was able to draw on that peace in her final weeks, and to share it with those who stopped to notice.

Another Cartoon Based on My Life

2009-05-06T12:55:00.003-04:00

Actually, few of my cartoons are inspired by my life. This one's the exception. Adrift after a 15 year relationship, I shaved off my beard, hoping to appear younger, more festive to potential dates.

The cat and I came to the same conclusion.

Pisa On the Wild Side

2009-05-05T21:22:00.003-04:00

Scroll down a few posts and you'll see the plaintive face of Pisa, a much-beleaguered kitten. Thanks to the good care of CAHS and the kitten's good fortune, he's living large in the way of all kittens; seemingly in several places at once, a quantum experiment in a Newtonian universe. I think he's making up for lost time.

The music is used by permission of the multi-talented Tom Dean.

Because It's There

2009-04-24T12:39:00.003-04:00

Pisa isn't the only new cat at CAHS. Soon to arrive, rested and strong from a stay with Lisa the Foster Mom, kittens full of vigor and the desire to climb mountains. The kitten in the photo is staring off into the distance, imagining distant peaks and scalable couches.

Determined to Stand

2009-04-24T12:18:00.004-04:00

A new kitten arrived at CAHS this past week. Hungry and sore, he came in the company of other starved kittens. He was penalized even further by an injury that left his head at a tilt. He's doing better now -- feeding, up and about -- but CAHS Executive DirectorVirginia Moore suspects the damage will leave its mark. He'll move through the world at a perpetual slant, as if wary of what he'll find around the bend (a reasonable stance, considering his life so far.) Because of his lean, and a determination to remain standing, he's been named Pisa.

Big Card, Big Hearts

2009-04-16T18:06:00.003-04:00

Moxie is basking in the warmth of a recent visit from Kennett Middle School students, who left her nicely ruffled, with fine words to keep her company.

Moxie is still hoping to make your acquaintance. Most days you'll find her camped on the refrigerator, keeping an eye on the world's smallest Merry-go-round.

She'd like to point out that the card still has plenty of room for your good wishes. And like most of us, she can always use a good shoulder to lean on. Or climb.

Moxie

2009-04-13T15:32:00.008-04:00

Moxie the soft drink and I have a troubled past. Picture a large outdoor Moxie brand thermometer with a dark-eyed pharmacist painted at the top. He's pointing at you. He has the look of a mad scientist. Now picture a rusty hole where the pharmacist's nose should be, the result of nailing the thermometer to a barn. And lastly imagine this thermometer brought inside and hung from a beam in the attic room where you sleep: the ghostly white and corrupt face of the Moxie Guy, glowing like swamp gas in the dark, bound in a white lab coat -- or is it a shroud? -- pointing straight into your shaking heart, demanding that you DRINK MOXIE.

I'll never forget that bloodless, noseless face, commanding me to drink the foulest tonic in history.

I mention this because I want you to understand that I don't like Moxie. When I hear the name, I shudder.

Until now.

Virginia Moore sent along a story about another Moxie.

Despite the calm you see on Moxie's face, she has an aggressive cancer, and her time is limited. Virginia invites you all to come by and share in her spirit while you can.

Says Virginia, "She likes to sit peacefully on top of the little refrigerator in the room, eyes closed, with what I swear looks like a smile. When you say her name she opens her eyes and responds with a happy meow, standing up to greet you. When you pet her she says thank you with her whole body, rolling on her back and writhing in joy that someone is paying attention to her.

"We don't know Moxie's history, only that she was in bad shape when she came to us last fall, with mouth injuries and malnutrition. Someone brought her in after they found her abandoned in a cat carrier in a driveway. It has taken her a long time to trust, and to feel joy, but now she is making up for lost time."

I might as well alert those who need to know: when my time comes, I doubt I'll be as agreeable as Moxie.

Stop by and join the Meowish for Moxie Club. Sign her card. Lean in close and let her climb onto your shoulder, in the manner of monks who prefer mountain tops. If you listen carefully, between the purrs, maybe she'll whisper her hard-won secret for living in the moment: enjoying what you have when you have it. And remembering to say thanks.

Help a Subaru Impreza Find a Home

2009-04-09T12:54:00.004-04:00

CAHS finds homes for cats and dogs, but this may surprise you. They also find homes for the occasional Impreza.

Cars make lively pets, especially when they're racing in the living room. (safety tip: crack a window.) Here's a chance to help with the care and feeding of a wayward Subaru -- gas, wax, the Hula dancer that shimmies on the dash -- while giving the car a forever home.

Added bonus: Dogs are poor drivers. They chase things. Like other cars. As you'll note in the picture, there are DOGS BEHIND THE WHEEL. An accident waiting to happen. The Impreza deserves a loving home, safe from the sort of dog that would bring a cat along for the ride. I'm guessing it's a hostage situation.

Here are the details.

The Piano Police

2009-03-31T09:37:00.002-04:00

This isn't something I'd normally post. It's another tale of mental health come undone. A man is found with 21 cats in his motel room. But the online headline was printed sans serif: Plano Police Find 21 Cats in Man's Motel Room, as in Plano, AZ. My glance picked up PIANO POLICE. I imagined a man with a piano and 21 cats. Were the cats stuffed inside the piano? And who were the Piano Police?

This is why I did so well in school, and why I'm always getting lost when I read road signs.

Higher and Higher

2009-03-31T09:31:00.002-04:00

It seems like I'm seeing a lot of news stories about cats stranded in tree tops. Here's another way to satisfy a cat's yearning for altitude, without requiring a cherry picker to get it back down.

ReTails: If You Like the Sign, You'll Love the Store

2009-03-28T08:18:00.002-04:00

If cats and dogs routinely walked on two legs, this is how they'd dress.

Conway Doesn't Make the List of Top 10 Cat Friendly Cities

2009-03-28T08:05:00.002-04:00

Because, you know, it's not a city. But if a list of cat-friendly towns were compiled, I'm sure it would make the cut.

Here are the cities.*

*Boston makes the list because cats are allowed to vote and drive tiny cars; though most prefer not to.

Cat Looking For New Partner: Preferably an Orangutan

2009-03-24T09:08:00.003-04:00

TK -- Tonda's Kitty -- lost a good friend, a 50 year old orangutan named Tonda. If you're reading this, and you're an orangutan, please give him a call.

Cats That Earn Their Keep

2009-03-24T08:58:00.002-04:00

Here's another reason to adopt a kitten: supplementing the work force.

Though I'm a cartoonist who works at home alone, I do have the company of Belle and Willy, cat and poodle. Neither can hold a pen or file what I draw, but every workplace has its slackers.

Kittens Two Weeks Later

2009-03-24T08:32:00.005-04:00

It's been two weeks for these latest additions to the CAHS census. Virginia says they're doing fine. I take this to mean that their brains are developing, and soon they'll puzzle out how to surmount the plastic wall that contains them.

It's probably too soon to read character in a kitten's face. But the one with his face scrunched between two cats has the look of the last clown out of the clown car. The dark kitten on the right is going for the Norma Desmond look from Sunset Boulevard, aching for that close up.

If your home is missing something cat-sized, be sure to visit the CAHS shelter.

Ikea Kat

2009-03-20T07:19:00.002-04:00

Ikea Hacker offers a solution to rampaging cats and vulnerable kitchens. This is a fun blog for those who lack wood shop skills, or a wood shop, or wood; using Ikea as a parts catalog, to assemble furniture of your own design.

Paddy O'Paws Auction: How To Run a Yard Sale

2009-03-17T08:48:00.007-04:00

I once sold an electric keyboard at a yard sale for sixty dollars. It's street value was four hundred. I needed the money. I may have sold my blood the next day. It's all a blur.

If I'd put the same keyboard up for bid at the Paddy O'Paws Auction, it would have sold for a thousand. It was that kind of auction. Largess flowed like good coffee, perking the crowd into a jovial frenzy.

The auction raised $46,000.

If you look up antithesis in a well-illustrated dictionary, you'll see a sad gray image of my yard sale, alongside this photo:

You might recognize Angus in the photo from an earlier post:

where I wrote this:

Angus was left for dead in the cold. Despite being wrapped between two heating pads, he didn't register a temperature for over an hour. When his jaws were carefully pried open, we found a chunk of frozen steak, thus inspiring his name. He's skin and bones with matted fur. But he purrs like mad when we treat him, and he clearly has the spirit of his namesake.

He's clearly rallied, and then some. The woman in the picture is CAHS Executive Director Virginia Moore, looking delightfully erudite in her glasses, telling Angus' story. I'm guessing my yard sale would have fared better if she'd put it together.

One of the highlights was the sort of thing you like to see in movies, or very special episodes of TV shows. From the press release:

"During the live auction, the Jackson resident [Lyman Pope, Jr.] stunned the crowd by pledging $5,000 to the shelter and received a standing ovation from the crowd. Executive Director Virginia Moore notes that “this incredibly generous pledge, in turn, encouraged the crowd to pledge support for our Dozer/Dancer Fund, created to assist pets with special medical needs. We were completely blown away by the support and generosity of the entire audience.”

On second thought, I'd like to have Virginia and Mr. Pope run my yard sales.

Congratulations and thanks to everyone who spread the word, and turned word to deed.

Kittens Need a Home

2009-03-14T08:34:00.003-04:00

Under the care of foster mom, Lisa Webster, eight more cats come blind and mewling into the light. The kittens in this photo are only a few hours old, and their existence is more perilous than usual. Once their eyes are open, they'll discover that a mother cat is temporary shelter.

The kittens will soon be living at the CAHS shelter. They'll be fed, entertained, and celebrated online and in newspaper ads. Kittens Need A Home. And because adoption doesn't run on a schedule, the notices will soon read Cats Need A Home.

If you can give a brand-new, fresh-from-the-wrapper kitten a home -- please do. But if you can't, do what you can to fund CAHS, the enduring caretakers. And consider the wisdom of spaying if you share a home with a pet. Cancel its subscription to PARENT magazine. Don't put ideas in its head. Few dogs and cats are ready for the responsibility of finding homes for their offspring.*

*This isn't bad parenting. Human parents are disinclined to find homes for their kids. But unlike cats or dogs, most human kids can eventually pay rent.

Paddy O'Paws Auction

2009-03-14T08:07:00.003-04:00

The Paddy O'Paws auction is nigh -- March 15* -- the wonderful confluence of food and bounty, where every indulgence is a gift to CAHS. The event is sold out, but you can still enjoy the golden glow that will undoubtably shine down from the hill, fueled by good spirits and deeds.**

*though I've been reporting it as March 16. My apologies, if you arranged to take the day off.

** Don't stare into the light for too long, especially if you're driving. Pull over, park a lawn chair, and put on your sun glasses. Give the drivers something else to look at.

Retails

2009-03-09T13:01:00.005-04:00

I need to write a little bit about fashion and the lure of good clothing. Since my knowledge of fashion would fit inside a Bazooka Joe comic, I'll pretend I'm writing about books.

I love books. I'll gladly travel any distance if I'm promised a book store at the far end. I especially love second-hand stores where each shelf is a cross-section of the history of reading. Each rack a potential treasure once lost and now found.

I know there are those who track clothing with the same passion. A sweater, a blouse, a purse, each as irresistible as a good novel, and just as comforting, exciting, or provocative. The right book or outfit is always a good fit.

Retails will be opening soon in Norcross Circle. You're invited to stop by Thursday night, March 19, for a kick-off party with light appetizers, desserts and wine. If you'd like to donate gently-used fashions, for both men and women, please do.

All proceeds benefit CAHS, and their continuing mission of giving shelter to nearly a thousand homeless animals every year.

If you've ever dressed your dog or cat in an outfit, it's only fair that you let them dress you, courtesy of Retails.

It's What He Does

2009-03-06T10:51:00.003-05:00

Poppy Q

2009-03-03T08:20:00.004-05:00

I'm new to the catanddogblogosphere, having spent most of my time in the cartoonosphere. But I'm discovering that some blogs aren't about pets, they're composed by the pets. A new one for me is Poppy Q, writing from New Zealand. He looks like a big guy, with big paws, so I'm impressed with his ability to type without mashing the keys.

He also recommends this site where you can commission needle and felt recreations of your pets, in varying sizes. I especially like this one, as seen through the wrong end of a telescope.

Hemingway's Toes

2009-03-01T08:57:00.004-05:00

Here's a picture of a shelter cat, Hemingway, from the very photogenic Caturday blog, with the caption, Hemingway (because of the toes, of course.)

My first thought: did Hemingway have more than the usual number, perhaps compensating for a rumored war injury? I knew he loved cats, and I imagined the writer amassing a cat army especially selected for their large paws, the better to knock down his critics. Or maybe the well-endowed cats celebrated his love of boxing. Or maybe Hemingway wore wide-open sandals to accommodate his own multiplicity of digits, and he liked the idea of cats created in his own bewhiskered image.

I googled and learned that Hemingway had the usual number of toes, but his cats didn't. A ship's captain gave a cat with poly dactyl gifts to the writer. And since Hemingway lived on a temperate island that encouraged roaming, some inbreeding followed. Cats with paws like boxing gloves became abundant. Today the Hemingway House and Museum has sixty or so cats in residence, and perhaps half of them are poly dactyl, believed to be descendants of the original Hemingway cat.

I think. This is a lot of research for a Sunday morning.

Not Alone

2009-02-28T10:17:00.003-05:00

There's a reason why being alone is often seen as a torment, not a blessing. Whatever the species, a spark is kindled when you witness a greeting that doesn't involve a boot in the face. This nuzzling might have lasted a second, but it captures the essential dream of sentient life. Not to be alone.

Stop by the shelter sometime and share in the dream. We're short on ponies, but cats are abundant.

The Amazing Tiny Dog Force Field

2009-02-28T10:13:00.001-05:00

Fencing for your pet doesn't have to be expensive.

But Can She Learn To Shut the Refrigerator Door?

2009-02-28T10:10:00.001-05:00

Obama's Dog

2009-02-27T19:37:00.002-05:00

According to this, shelters with Portugese Water Dogs are as rare as Willy Wonka's Golden Tickets. If I were a Portugese Water Dog, I'd be tempted to slip out the back door and run for the nearest shelter.

Another Good Reason To Get Out of Bed On Occasion

2009-02-27T07:54:00.001-05:00

The Importance of Fresh Water

2009-02-26T16:12:00.000-05:00

Ollie and Atlas

2009-02-24T11:26:00.003-05:00

Ollie, a Dumpster kitten who's still on the mend from antifreeze poisoning, inspired his rescuer to set out a Have-a-Heart trap, on the chance of rescuing his missing litter mates. But what she caught was Atlas, a scar-faced tomcat with just enough street smarts to know a second chance when he sees one.

He was brought to the shelter covered in wounds and filth. Staff couldn't touch him. He hissed and growled. Trust is likely the first thing to go when you live on the street.

His cage was placed in a small ward with the door open, an opportunity for cultivating exercise and people skills. Last week CAHS discovered that Atlas wasn't as prickly as he seemed. They found Ollie and Atlas curled up in his cage, fast asleep. Since then Atlas has discarded his fierce facade and now loves to be petted and fussed over. He watches Ollie with care.

Were they bunk mates in the Dumpster? Is Atlas Ollie's deadbeat dad, now making amends? (Ollie has markedly improved since befriending Atlas.) Either way they're both sweet and loving creatures. They deserve more than harsh nights and a trash bin for shelter.

Isis Has Left the Building

2009-02-23T11:51:00.003-05:00

Being a diabetic, I feel a kinship with Isis the cat, a fellow diabetic. She's been at the shelter since November 2005. And though Isis settled her bill -- food and medicine and lodging, perhaps a touch of catnip for those wintry nights -- in the way of all cats by contributing to the shelter's ambiance, she also enjoyed a more bankable currency, thanks to CAHS contributions.

A few weeks ago Isis packed her bags and moved to Rhode Island, where she's living with a Registered Nurse; no doubt satisfying every cat's dream of having a personal nurse forever on call.

Ann, the cat adoption center staffer with Isis in her arms, will stay behind, looking out for the next Isis who comes along.

Socks

2009-02-23T07:55:00.003-05:00

Socks the cat passed away this past Friday at the age of 19. Socks was top dog, so to speak, until the Clintons acquired Buddy. This article at Obit reveals how Socks brought change to the White House:

"Presidents, like leaders throughout history, have always had pets. In the old days, keeping animals in luxurious splendor — think of Mary, Queen of Scots and her pack of velvet-clad pugs — was a way for potentates to further elevate themselves above the people. In our modern, egalitarian democracy, by contrast, domestic animals let powerful politicians play everyman. Franklin Roosevelt may have been a wealthy patrician presiding over a depression-buffeted country, but when the president cuddled his beloved Fala, FDR seemed as if he could be your neighbor.

"For the purposes of political theater, though, either version of political-pet symbolism is easier with a dog than a cat: Dogs, after all, will sit still for both royal costuming and LBJ-style ear-swinging. Cats, as Socks’ photographic suitors learned, won’t sit for much of anything. Thus while a few presidents have kept cats around, according to the Williamsburg, Va., Presidential Pets Museum, they’d always played second-fiddle to the first family’s other animals. Until Socks came along."

The Cat Whisperer

2009-02-20T10:23:00.002-05:00

This is Yvonne, a CAHS volunteer. She's known as the kitten whisperer. I don't know the cat's name, but I'm guessing it's the Yvonne whisperer.

Second Chances

2009-02-14T07:40:00.004-05:00

Cartoons by Andertoons

I adopted my cat a few days before, or possibly after, Christmas. My memory isn't evergreen. Needles brown and fall off. But I do remember that snow was on the ground and the holiday was close at hand. I named her Belle, after Scrooge's erstwhile fiance. He comes to regret the loss, and yearns for a second chance. Like Scrooge, like most of us, I'm always looking for a second chance. So was Belle.*

Valentine's Day also brings second chances (Mary was mine), along with first loves. It's another good holiday-- before or after the day -- to welcome a rescued animal into your home. You might forget the date, but the greeting card-and-candy season is a permanent and pleasant association, a bit of gift wrapping for your heart. That's something you never forget.

*My first cat was named Chance. Depending on how you look at words, Belle was my second Chance.

It's a Deal

2009-02-10T07:05:00.002-05:00

Cartoons by Andertoons

Stephanie Piro

2009-02-09T07:37:00.007-05:00

If you don't recognize NH cartoonist Stephanie Piro's name*, you probably recognize her work. She contributes the Saturday cartoon to the syndicated Six Chix feature. And if you visit her site -- a riot of color and personal fascinations -- you'll see that in another life, she was likely a factory during the Industrial Revolution. She's the incarnation of industrious. She has t-shirts, books, prints, strips, panels, and possibly a cotton gin.

She's also the epitome of an animal lover. They roam through her work, finding homes in eye-catching designs. The above t-shirt will be up for auction on March 16.

And like most humor, it's funny because it's true.

*Cartoonists are almost always unnoticed. Should one of us require Witness Protection, we could keep our identities.

2009-02-09T07:21:00.004-05:00

I'm reading the CAHS Wish List this morning and I see that the Hills Science Diet Shelter Feeding Program is providing an endless buffet of cat and dog food. Excellent. But no matter the meal, there's always room for dessert and the occasional snack. CAHS still welcomes dog and cat treats. Speaking for myself, anything with peanut butter always hits the spot.

How To Choose Your Cat

2009-02-08T08:51:00.005-05:00

CAHS shelters a lot of animals. If you're looking to adopt a cat, how do you choose which one to take home?

JoAnn Fastoff explains how she chose her cat, "G."

"About five years ago, I accompanied a friend to the Animal Welfare League at 6224 S. Wabash Avenue because my friend was adamant about adopting a dog. Unfortunately, she ended up not finding one she liked.

I, on the other hand, had wandered through the cat section of the place when I was suddenly grabbed by the sleeve by a cat that called my name from his cage. I honestly tried to ignore him but he was insistent in getting my attention. He got it. For reasons I will never be able to explain this cat somehow ended up driving me home (that’s what I told my husband) and sharing my family’s living space for the next five years."

The next time you visit CAHS, wear baggy clothing. Let the cat choose you.

Another Good Reason to Spay Your Dog

2009-02-07T09:45:00.001-05:00

Cartoons by Andertoons

This Just In: Cat Looks Like Flying Nun, Early Sally Fields Sitcom

2009-02-06T13:27:00.002-05:00

So says Virginia Moore, CAHS Executive Director. Frosty's ears have that stylish bent thanks to frostbite. The results are fabulous, but the technique is not recommended.

Ollie Doing Well in Antifreeze Detox

2009-02-06T13:14:00.004-05:00

Ollie, rescued from a Dumpster several days ago, is showing great improvement, now that he's gone into Detox and cut down on his antifreeze. It's amazing what a few days of sobriety and 100% less poison can do for you. Stop by and congratulate him.

Nobrow Cartoons

2009-02-06T07:51:00.005-05:00

Here's something for your cat or dog that you won't find at Petco. A personalized cartoon. Here's how it works: you'll send me pictures of your pet, along with a description of its character, quirks, misadventures. Is your pet clumsy, inclined to eat socks, prone to wheeze adorably when you have company? Did it ever take an unexpected trip after curling up in your luggage and falling asleep?

I'll write up three ideas, get your feedback, and draw a black-and-white single-panel cartoon suitable for framing. You can print it on a t-shirt, have it tattooed, or post it on your blog. You can read more about the process here.

You can see my work at Nobrow Cartoons. My cartoons have appeared in Woman's World, Saturday Evening Post, and Reader's Digest. And possibly, soon, your bathroom wall.

Look Into His Eyes

2009-02-05T17:31:00.005-05:00

Look into his eyes. You're feeling sleepy. Very sleepy. You're reaching for your wallet. Or someone's wallet. Must buy ticket. And cluck like a chicken. Save that for later. Buy ticket first. Only $30. Buy eight for $200. Brunch and an auction. March 16. Many fine items. Bid on them all. Make sure you win the wooden bear and mail it to Mark Heath. When Paddy snaps his fingers, you will awaken, remembering only to attend the 6th Annual Paddy O'Paws Brunch and Auction.

You may also remember that dogs don't have fingers, so there will be no snapping. Forget this. Good time to start clucking.

Scratching Post Built from Scratch

2009-02-05T06:53:00.001-05:00

Snazzy. (via Life Hacker.)

How To Walk Your Cat

2009-02-05T06:45:00.000-05:00

Updates: Angus is Doing Better, and Solo Changes Gender

2009-02-04T09:38:00.004-05:00

Virginia tells me that Angus is enjoying his new spa lifestyle. "Angus is doing well. He's eating a ton and loves to be cuddled." It's like she's describing a certain cartoonist. Stop by the shelter and see for yourself.

And it turns out that Solo, the cat with the engine-singed whiskers, is a girl, not a boy. My apologies to Solo, and anyone she may be dating.

Wish List: Cat Toys

2009-02-04T07:18:00.004-05:00

From the CAHS wish list: cat toys. Having read the blood-curdling article below, I can report that the best cat toys are furry -- cats are very tactile; they like to claw and beat the stuffing out of their playthings. Especially if the stuffing is catnip. If the toy whirs or zips along, save it for an office toy. Cats like to stalk. A furry toy occasionally tugged on a string is more their speed.

Also popular, according to sf/fantasy writer Cherie Priest, who often features her cat on her blog, are penlights. Not the pen itself, but the spot of light you move about on the wall or floor.

Today I had lunch with Psynde, who brought Spain the Cat a new toy: A laser pointer with rotating wheel of pictures. She can chase a butterfly, a star, a smiley face, or a mousie. At the moment, the butterfly is the big winner. I wore her out playing with this thing for over an hour; now she’s sacked out on top of her cat tree, snoring like a goose with a harmonica.

How to Know if You're a Cat Lover

2009-02-04T06:57:00.006-05:00

I need to add some dog posts for balance. I apologize to the dogs reading this blog. But I'm a cat lover first, and these things happen when I'm writing early in the morning and my brain is thinking on automatic.

I have a miniature poodle named Willy. I love Willy. But how do I know I'm a cat lover first and foremost? Because I can read the following excerpt and not cough up my breakfast in horror:

Cat play is not just for fun -- at least not in your furry friend's mind. "When cats play, they're practicing their prey behavior," says Marrow. And if you've ever watched a cat actually hunt a mouse, you know that it doesn't make a quick kill. "They torture the thing, toss it up in the air, force it to move -- they like that aspect." Cats do the same thing with their toys. That is why they can spend hours batting a ball of tinfoil, which they can essentially make behave like a rabbit."

Isn't that cute?

A Life is a Life

2009-02-04T06:44:00.003-05:00

From the Chicago Sun-Times this morning:

Chicago firefighter John Gricus and fire Lt. Mike Videka rushed into the home at 47th and Laflin to rescue the woman, while firefighter Chuck Sanow grabbed the cat, its fur singed by the fire and soaking wet from the water.

"A life is a life, no matter whether it's a person or an animal," Sanow said.

Something to remember the next time your cat wakes you up before the alarm clock, and murder flares briefly in your heart.

With Enough Funding, This is What CAHS Could Become

2009-02-03T11:59:00.000-05:00

Meow Mix Sing-a-Long

2009-02-03T10:54:00.002-05:00

If you sing along, remember that this is a rough translation from Felinish. Matching words to the melody may knock your tongue out of alignment.

Animal Communication Proved

2009-02-03T09:52:00.002-05:00

Cartoons by Andertoons

Mark Anderson is a cartoonist friend of mine. Check out his snazzy site. I haven't counted, but I think he has a gazillion cat and dog cartoons.

Another Good Argument for Mass Transit

2009-02-03T09:13:00.005-05:00

I just came across this 2007 Daily Mail story:

Bus drivers have nicknamed a white cat Macavity after it has started using the No 331 several mornings a week.

The feline, which has a purple collar, gets onto the busy Walsall to Wolverhampton bus at the same stop most mornings - he then jumps off at the next stop 400m down the road, near a fish and chip shop.

The cat, nicknamed Macavity, has one blue eye and one green eye

The cat was nicknamed Macavity after the mystery cat in T.S Elliot's poem. He gets on the bus in front of a row of 1950s semi-detached houses and jumps off at a row of shops down the road which include a fish and chip shop.

Driver Bill Khunkhun, 49, who first saw the cat jumping from the bus in January, said: "It is really odd, the first time I saw the cat jumping off the bus with a group of passengers. I hadn't seen it get on which was a bit confusing.

"The next day I pulled up on Churchill Road to let a couple of passengers on. As soon as I opened the doors the cat ran towards the bus, jumped on and ran under one of the seats, I don't think any of the passengers noticed.

"Because I had seen it jump off the day before I carried on driving and sure enough when I stopped just down the road he jumped off - I don't know why he would catch the bus but he seems to like it. I told some of the other drivers on this route and they have seen him too."

Since January, when the cat first caught the bus he has done it two or three times a week and always gets on and off at the same stops.

Passenger, Paul Brennan, 19, who catches the 331 to work, said: "I first noticed the cat a few weeks ago. At first I thought it had been accompanied by its owner but after the first stop it became quite clear he was on his own.

"He sat at the front of the bus, waited patiently for the next stop and then got off. It was was quite strange at first but now it just seems normal. I suppose he is the perfect passenger really - he sits quietly, minds his own business and then gets off."

(via The Constant American)

Paper Towels

2009-02-03T08:15:00.004-05:00

The next time you're food shopping, why not toss a package of paper towels into the cart? CAHS can always use paper towels. When you're caring for 140 animals or so, you're bound to have a few spills and puddles.

In Case Barack Obama Missed This the First Time Around

2009-02-03T07:58:00.001-05:00

Dear President Elect Barack Obama,

Hi! My name is Erika and I’m a twelve year old volunteer at the Conway Area Humane Society, a non-profit, no kill shelter in Conway New Hampshire. First, I just wanted to take the time to congratulate you on becoming the next President of the United States!

The reason I’m writing to you today is to ask for a favor. We heard that you would like to adopt a puppy, and we were hoping that you would consider adopting from our shelter. Organizations like the HSUS are not in danger of closing, but every day the Conway Area Humane Society faces the reality that we are getting closer to closing our doors. If you adopted a puppy from us we might be able to stay open forever. You might be able to open people’s eyes to the plight of our shelter.

Our shelter nearly faced a tragedy last spring. We almost had to close, we were days away! We almost had to stop caring for all these loving animals that have no other families or homes other than us. We’ve run many successful fundraising campaigns, but let’s face it the economy today is contributing to a downturn in donations and we are struggling to keep our doors open. As early as yesterday we rescued 18 puppies (from a southern kill shelter) that we have to care for, on top of the 140+ animals we already were caring for. We have been helping several surrounding communities, when we really need help ourselves!

We held our own cat primary this past January 9th with three of our shelter cats running for top cat on the summit of Mount Washington. The observatory cat retired, and Sarah, Wilson and Marty all ran campaigns. This story was picked up by several news stations, and traveled around the world. Marty won the cat primary and his picture was on the front page of the NH Union Leader that day, along with yours! How fitting would it be that you got your puppy in New Hampshire, at our shelter? The story can’t end here. It just can’t end here…we won’t let it. Please help us please adopt your puppy from us. We really need the help!

There are many volunteers that give up their time to help us provide loving care for these wonderful animals. We help over 1000 animals a year find their forever homes, with families like yours to love and care for them. Please help us to continue to do this. You can visit us at conwayshelter.org, or in person!

Sincerely,
Erika Szekely
CAHS Volunteer

Dog Vs. Dinosaur

2009-02-03T07:45:00.003-05:00

I had a dream last night that involved a T-Rex wrestling with several bears and a dog. Guess which animal would be welcome at CAHS?

The dog's strategy, by the way, was to mark the dinosaur as if it were a tree. I don't know if it worked. A large dump truck came by, hit the brakes, dropped the tailgate, and I was out of there.

Monday's Paws For a Laugh

2009-02-02T21:08:00.000-05:00

Cats Out of Dickens

2009-02-02T20:04:00.002-05:00

I don't recall if cats featured in Dickens that often -- except for Tale of Two Kitties, of course -- but these four know a few things about perils and rescues. And like Oliver Twist, they would love a good home.

A woman found Ollie and several other kittens living in a Dumpter in Berlin, NH. After feeding them, she returned to find the food cans full of antifreeze. Ollie was alone and dying. She brought him to CAHS, we called Fryeburg Vet, and Ollie survived the night. He's now recovering at the shelter, perhaps pondering his large vet bill.

Solo got out of the cold by crawling into a car engine. When the car was started, his whiskers were burned off. He has the run of the shelter during the day, showing off his new set of whiskers while exercising.

Angus was left for dead in the cold. Despite being wrapped between two heating pads, he didn't register a temperature for over an hour. When his jaws were carefully pried open, we found a chunk of frozen steak, thus inspiring his name. He's skin and bones with matted fur. But he purrs like mad when we treat him, and he clearly has the spirit of his namesake.

Frosty was found in a snowbank in subzero temps with frostbitten ears. She's a very loving cat, and approves of our lack of snowbanks inside the shelter.