We woke up this morning, inspired by the first day of Spring and the anticipation of sunshine and 70 degree weather.  A purrfect day to have a little fun so we put on a dramatic face and stared in the direction of PR Canine Consultant Renshu.  He cocked his head from side to side, ears lifted toward the sky, looked around to see what was placing him at the center of attention.  His expression was priceless! That’s when we lost it.  We became balls of chuckling fur on the floor, grabbing our bellies as our purrs of delight hit a volume level off the charts.

Laughter is Good Medicine!  So spread the dramatic today.  This works pawticularly well if you’re in a cubicle or small space (such as the elevator or standing in line) with another purrson.  First, ensure that you know the other person, preferably well. Suddenly look over at them eyes wide; mouth open in shock, horror, or surprise; now hold it for a few uncomfortable seconds.  Watch them glance around, look behind themselves, and then look at you like “WHAT?”

Don’t let distance dissuade you from giving it a try.  This dramatic expression works equally well from across a room.  Suddenly stand up in your cubicle, look at the purrson in the next cubicle over, or the one who has that nice corner office with the window and transparent glass wall.

Remember this dramatic exercise is meant to be an entertaining distraction in self-care for the purrpose of inspiring spontaneous laughter.  Do your part…Encourage the world to laugh today! Why not?!

CAUTION: Employ at your own discretion.  Do not hold the dramatic expression for more than a few seconds.  Elongated directed dramatic expressions have been found to illicit irrational fear, inferiority complexes, and mass hysteria in vulnerable populations.

We’ve included some videos of our animal furriends in case you need some inspurration or require a few pointers:

Dramatic Cat Meets the Dramatic Lemur:

“Domestic cats are flexible on territory and it depends on us.”

We love this statement by Michael Broad at Pictures of Cats. We refer to territorial signaling and marking regarding scratch behavior and established scratch practice. Territorial signaling is a cat’s way of communicating their presence in an area, creating boundaries, establishing personal space within an open or contained environment. Domestic cats introduced into a new home environment will make attempts to discover their place through exploration and in response to the following: interactions with other home inhabitants; safety, security, and sustenance (sleeping quarters, food, water); activities of daily life and environmental enrichment.

As a cat, I will use various communication methods to demonstrate my intent. I’ll meow and reveal body language to receive food, treats, affection, interaction. I’ll scratch to show you the perimeter, areas, and various locations that I have claimed as my own unless you provide me with incentives that appeal to my pawticular purreferences; provide me with inspurration and show me the benefits of sharing space and responding to your cues; and demonstrate the function and utility of forming seen and unseen boundaries within a mixed species household. All home inhabitants have to discover their identity, purrpose, role within the family structure. Help your feline family members get acclimated by appealing to their sensibilities, the way that they see the world, their natural inclinations. Cats are highly intelligent. It has to make sense to acquire the cooperation of a cat. If it doesn’t, forget about it!

Encyclopedia Britannica defines human being (Homo sapiens) as “a culture-bearing primate that is anatomically similar and related to the other great apes but is distinguished by a more highly developed brain and a resultant capacity for articulate speech and abstract reasoning.”

Human beings have long believed that they are the only thinking mammals with higher cognitive abilities. Who ever came to that conclusion, how, and why?

It is now being acknowledged that animals everywhere think, problem solve, and feel. What can animals teach humans and more importantly, are humans willing to listen and reach beyond their previous assumptions?

Will a dunce cap or a thinking cap be warranted?

Sometimes I just need a one day vacation. A moment to catch my breath, to be responsible only for me, to experience the freedom of being rather than doing. Don’t get me wrong…I love and appreciate my animal companions. However, there are those moments when I don’t necessarily want to do what I know needs to be done.

For example, canine companions need exercise and since I don’t have a fenced in yard, it requires walking three or four times a day even on those rare days when I would rather nest in my home or simply return from a day of activity to the comforts of my recliner.

Feline family members need their litter boxes cleaned and everyone needs their homemade meals prepared or the delivery of their snacks. Although I have the desire to engage in a play session at the end of the day, at times I find my energy stores depleted and want only to grab a bite to eat and veg on the couch.

Then there are those days off, especially in the winter months, when I become a hibernating bear. I find myself beneath the blankets on an early morning, cozy and all snuggled up in my bed wanting nothing more than to capture just a few more moments of restful slumber. Then I hear the yawning of my waking canine companion in the other room and the meowing of my feline family members in my ear calling me to wakefulness. My unresponsiveness calls them to take more extreme measures…they become insistent bed walkers inspiring me to rise out of my comfortable cocoon.

The felines of the CatAWhack Crew, meticulous groomers that they are, like the idea of ditching the litter box for the porcelain pot. However, they were somewhat purrplexed with the thought of sharing a toilet with a human being.

We discussed using potties designed for human toddlers with a few draw backs…no flushing to remove the waste and prevent odor and it would require some effort (cleaning) on my part. So while bucks would be saved on the litter, brawn would still be required with a little labor.

Another option would be a removable toilet training seat that would fit over the actual toilet seat. This would allow both feline and human to use the facilities without incident or accident. Drawbacks? Since the toilet lid would remain up at all times, there is always the chance that feline family members may swipe a drink from the toilet bowl. Second, canine companions may like the idea of capitalizing on the deposit made by the toilet trained cat unless, of course, we also teach them to flush. Third, the removable toilet training seat would need to be moved to accommodate the user, whether feline or human.

What about those furry paws around the rim of the toilet seat? Is there any chance paws could slip? Time to get out the non-skid tape. Good for them…not so good for us! However, we suspect felines will do just fine with their balance, agility, and precise footing.

Overall, members of the CatAWhack Crew see this toilet training alternative to litter boxes pawsitive for the environment, for the pocketbook, and for the nose. Way to go CitiKitty!

Watch the promotional video and leave a scratch on the post below:

Behold, the liquid column!

One great discovery for human kind; One refreshing drink for Felis catus.

Scientists have discovered how the inertia of a quick flicking tip of the tongue combined with the principles of gravity and inertia allow the temporary suspension of a liquid column from water surface to mouth. Enough time for the cat drinking catch of the day followed by the cast of the next tongue dunking draw.

It is a very smooth fluid movement…excuse the pun

Check out the video to see how it works:

“Let’s PARTY!”

The felines of the CatAWhack Crew schedule an evening and early morning celebration 7 days a week any time between the hours of 7:00 pm and 7:00 am.

Call them party animals, night owls, creatures of the night …they like the night life baby.

Most parties begin with a Fancy Feast, a tour of the grounds, and a brief lounge period followed by an irresistible assortment of fun depending on the occasion.

Here is a list of a few party occasions that have made the Crew say “CatAWhacka-Whoo-Whoo”:

• Dinner Party: Pre-assigned plates are arranged in a circle.  The selected host or hostess waits for guests to be served before indulging in the tender morsels marinated in a delicately seasoned sauce.  An after dinner mint prepares the pallet for engaging conversation about mouse fart operations, bird watching course instruction, and tree climbing expeditions.  The guests retreat to the lower level for a game of cricket which can continue throughout the night and into the early morning hours.
• Housewarming Party: A move to a new residence whether apartment, home, or alley is a great excuse to invite friends and family to see the new digs.  Gifts such as assorted tuna sets, catnip pillows, litter box air fresheners, pheromone candles, anchovy paste, cushion covers, and claw sharpening manicure sets are always welcome.
• Welcome Party: A new arrival, new family member, or newcomer is showered with mouse confetti, bat balloons, and an occasional hiss, sniff, spray, or fur raise.
• House Party: Festivities include celebratory furball shooters; bowls of Meow Mix Chex Mix; prey charades; dancing to the Pussycat Dolls, Cat Stevens, The Alley Cats, The Stray Cats; and karaoking to great songs like “Eye of the Tiger”, “Cat Scratch Fever”, “Year of the Cat”, and “Black Cat”.  But that’s not all…provide party favors such as treats in a nice traveling tote to all guests as they leave.  This nice gesture will encourage attendance at the next House Party and leave your guests wanting more.
• Mousetail Party: Mousetail mixed drinks are served in a semi-formal atmosphere.  All cats are expected to be well-groomed with decorative neck rings and proper identification.  Bling is optional.
• Backyard Bash: This entertaining soiree can occur in the backyard on a covered porch; under the porch; on an outdoor deck or screened in porch; in a tree or group of shrubbery; atop a fence; in the dog’s house; or under a starry sky.  Always be aware of the noise ordinances in your neighborhood before group vocalizations.  Tone down cat calls to a gentle roar.  Entice fireflies for added ambiance and after dinner recreational activities.  Fire up the grill for salmon steaks, scallops, or BBQ chicken.  Remember to supply multiple litter box facilities to accommodate large parties.  Entertain your guests with organized games such as Tetherball (a great outdoor game that will appeal to any cat who likes a ball on the end of a string), flag football, cat-n-mouse (like hide-n-seek), or flashlight tag.  Consider setting a catnip maximum or cap to prevent cat fights and irresponsible scratching.  The Fuzz recommends that guests under the influence of catnip not be allowed to climb over or cross territorial lines.  This is for the safety of all traveling cats in the neighborhood.  Remember, cats don’t let cats climb or cross crazy.

The CatAWhack Crew says “Party Responsibly and Party on Dude!”

Cat 1: "Hey, you gotta come see this!"
Cat 2: "Do I look the least bit curious to you?"

Whether you’re a cat, a human, or any other being on planet Earth, it is in our make up to grow, become more, expand, and evolve.  It is this curiosity and interest in our experience and environment that provides the catalyst.  Although some are more curious than others and different things peak our interest, we can’t help but be influenced by what is happening around us.

So, how would others describe someone who is eager to learn and know more, who wants to explore uncharted territory, who is captivated by something new and unfamiliar?  “Curious as a cat” seems to be the phrase.  But don’t take my word for it.  Put it to the test…open a door…any door…open a drawer…any drawer…file cabinet drawer, closet door, kitchen cabinet drawer, dryer door and your feline family member sees it as an opportunity to explore and go where no kitty has gone before.  Let’s face it, “Curiosity is a cat.”  If you bring something new into your home, you’ll see that look of intrigue.  You’ve seen that look on your feline family member’s face, in their posture, that bobbing and tilting of the head, outstretched neck, nose in the air, the circling around the object of interest, the cautious approach.  If they could verbalize it into words, they would be saying, “What the heck is this thing?”  If you have more than one feline in the household, you’ll often see one approach, sniffing, reaching a paw out to see if it moves, produces a sound, or is something to run from.  Then you’ll see the first, glance over to the second almost as if to say, “Hey, come on over, take a look at this.  What do you think?”

So, as the human companion to a feline, especially an indoor feline, you must appeal to the explorer, the adventurer, the stalker by creating environmental conditions and changes that spark their interest and keep them stimulated.

Although the CatAWhack Crew wanted to come up with an exhaustible list, (they’re always ready to assist a fellow feline and their peep) I encouraged them to keep it brief.

Check out their suggestions: