The Sunlight on the Cluttered Desk

This spot of luxury
softest cushions
of her bills unpaid
magazines
and the warm
of the morning sun
moves me rest.
She wants to move me
but this is mine
my moment
and I am here
comfortable
unmoving
lying in the warm sun
of the afternoon.
The colors shift
and I am
in a far away place
coolness of the soft
surface below me
heat of the afternoon
places of mystery
under the couch or
the old screened-in porch.
But here I am still
one the window ledge
beside the desk of clutter
only rising with the
warmth of the early,
diminishing, evening sun.

They are saved!!!

The animals from the Cumberland County Human Society have been saved!!! For those of you who wrote emails, huge thanks. However, there was overwhelming support for the animals and they were all adopted!!! Way to go humans!!!

Here is the really cool thing - because the adoptions were going so well, they brought over several animals form the city shelter and they were all adopted as well.

Sometimes - sometimes I am very glad to be a part of this world!

And thanks Kay for giving us the heads up on how this story was going through out the weekend!!!

HELP THE ANIMALS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY

Normally I take the weekends off from blogging and take long cat naps. Today, however, I must break this ritual. It has come to my attention that here in Tennessee a terrible thing is about to happen. On Monday, 30 or more animals will be euthanized in Cumberland County. Apparently a contract between the Human Society and the county has run out, leaving innocent animals to die in the process.

I really do not know what to do about it or how to help, but I figure telling enough people might be a start.

• Here is a link to the WBIR story -www.wbir.com
• Here is a link to the Human Society of Cumberland County - www.cumberlandhumanesociety.org (oddly there are no animals listed on the site as of this posting, nor any reference to this issue).
• Here is a link to Cumberland County Mayor Brock Hill - www.brockhill.org

Draft of a potential letter to Brock Hill that you might consider asking your humans to email to him (you can use the email form at http://www.brockhill.org/index.php3?gcode=cont):

Dear Mr. Hill,

Life is about more than contractual obligations. With Cumberland County's issues with the Humane Society and the end of their contract with the county, it will lead to the execution of several animals, who are innocent pawns in the game of contracts, politics, and lawyers. Please look beyond these superficial pursuits and find the compassion in your hearts to extend some sort of reprieve for the animals.

There is no dispute that your contract was made known to the Human Society, but currently they need your support in helping these animals. The animals' death will be a reflection on your regime in office. Do you want their blood on your hands? Think about it, if you rise above the legalities that you are citing, it is a gesture of good will, a show of compassion during a time when such acts are desperately needed.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

(your name here).

Cool Cats Shade and Goldie!

Again I have felt compelled to run more than one interview in a posting. The cool cats of the day are those you may already know from Sumac Stories. Shade and Goldie are two new friends of mine, who sort of have stuff in common with my life. They live in a small cottage in the woods. I live in a small cottage in the woods (and on a lake). Plus Shade resembles Oliver or Friend Oliver, as my human calls him - the cat next door.

Shade

Is there a story behind your name and if so what is it?

My name when I was a kitten was "Fluffy" but the PM changed it when they got me. I mean, really, do I even look remotely fluffy? No. I wanted a glamorous or exotic name like Shalimar or Yasmin. Jazmin, you are so lucky to have such a glorious name. It took the Music Man and the PM a while to come up with my name. They finally decided on Shade while walking through a graveyard. How thrilling. The reason? Because I am black and white. I really think they could have done better but what can you do.

What is your life philosophy?

Find the best hiding places and claim them as your own. Don't ever, EVER, let your little brother see you go into said hiding places. Do not come out of said places even if you are called.

What is the best trait for a human to have?

A well padded lap.

What would you change about your life if you could?

I would like it if Goldie would quit stalking me like I am some rodent in the field. I come hopping down the stairs and his flippin' ginger body is always right at the bottom. Hidden around the corner, ready to pounce on me. That really irks me.

Which describes you more? Feel free to elaborate:

wet food/dry food

I don't like wet food at all. I eat the dry and will have treats, only certain brands and flavors. I am a very fussy eater. I have a very delicate palate.

indoor/outdoor

Indoor from October to April and outdoor in the spring and summer. I enjoy a quiet stroll and a leisurely nap, hidden under a shrub. I do not hunt anything apart from a grasshopper or two.

lap sitter/or computer keyboard

I am a user. I want a warm lap, any lap in the cold months but I keep to myself pretty much when it gets warmer out. I never go around the computer, too much in the way, too much work.

affectionate/aloof

I think I am kind of aloof. I like attention from the PM once the wee ones are in bed and I sleep at the end of their bed at night but that's about it.

catnip/milk

Never tried milk before but I do enjoy my nip. I have two plants out front that I recline under and I have been know to attack them quite viciously on occasion.

fish/pork

Again, I am too fussy to even think about what those actually taste like.

animal shelter/pet shop

I was at a shelter for about a week before the PM came to get me. She had just moved into an apartment with the Music Man and wanted a cat. She had five when she lived with the Nanny but she wasn't allowed to have any cats with claws in the new place. She worked with at-risk youth and they went to the SPCA on the weekends to help out. She told them she was looking for a cat without claws so they could check the cats out for her. One of the teens saw me and called the PM. They were over to get me that afternoon. I was a year old and I had no claws. I was sent to the shelter as there was a new baby in the house and my old beans couldn't handle a cat AND a baby. Wimps.

Goldie

Is there a story behind your name and if so what is it?

The Music Man named me Goldie Han Solo. A mix between Goldie Hawn and Han Solo. Han Solo was a childhood hero of his and I don't know about the Goldie Hawn business, weird crush maybe. Goldie because of my colouring.

What is your life philosophy?

If it moves, try to chase, whap, and attack it. Everything needs a good thrashing once in awhile.

What is the best trait for a human to have?

Easily manipulated.

What would you change about your life if you could?

I would like Shade to be a bit more loving to me. I would like some help washing my ears from time to time. I mean, I don't smell rank or anything. The PM says I smell like freshly mowed hay.

Which describes you more? Feel free to elaborate:

wet food/dry food

I LOVE the wet! I don't get it too often but I listen intently for that cap-opener-music where ever I am. Sometimes I get a shock as it is just canned chick peas.

indoor/outdoor

OUTDOOR!!!! I would love a cat flap so I could enter and exit the premises on a whim but the PM worries that some other creatures would be coming in too. I love to use the facilities outdoors and I hunt religiously.

lap sitter/or computer keyboard

I am a lap, calf, arm, back, chest, head and rump sitter. Especially the PM. If she sits for a nanosecond, I am on her lap. When she bends over to get something or is making the beds etc, I sit on her back or her behind.

affectionate/aloof

I am a love pig and I am not ashamed of it. I wish Shade would be more snugly with me but she just swears and curses.

catnip/milk

To tell you the truth, I am a catMINT fan, nepeta mussinii. The PM has nine plants in the side garden for me to nibble on when I need a rest outside. Primo stuff.

fish/pork

This is a very troubling question for me. I have no idea. It hurts to talk about it even. I have faint memories of such things when I was a kitten, before I lived here. I love my family, don't get me wrong, but they are :::whispers::: vegetarians. I think I may have had some tuna juice before when the PM thought she had to start eating fish when she was nursing but she couldn't bring herself to do it. Pork? I have never even smelled the stuff. Sad, very sad.

animal shelter/pet shop

Neither, I was living with this dude and three other cats and he had to move to the other side of Canada and couldn't take us with him. His friends took the other two so I was left. His sister was on the way to the SPCA with me in a box when she thought she'd call a girl who she used to work with, the PM. The PM is easily manipulated and so here I am. Thank heavens for cell phones.

Are You an Entrecat?

Just wanted to give Not the Mama at Purrchance to Dream a very special meow kudos for creating the entrecat blog roll. You'll now see it on the side bar to the right of this posting. I know there are more of you lurking out there who are not on the list and should be!!! Cats can rule the world. We just need to join forces. Just let Not the Mama know you want to play!

And for those of you cat bloggers out there who are not part of the entrecard club (ah revel in the moment of elitism), you might want to think about joining. It is very satisfying to visit other cat sites and drop a card. They usually come to visit you back. It's never lonely here in the cat blogisphere.

The Smallest Art

Smallness. Smallness can be great. I am a small cat (and I am...well...you know). Smallness - does not take up too much room. Smallness - fits in anywhere.

And I like small art. Today's featured Etsy artist is Suzanne Le Good. She has recently created a most wonderfully, small watercolor. Literally, it measures 3.5" x 2.5". How charming. If I had a burrow of my own, with walls, I would definitely hang this one. It is the perfect size art for a small cat. And I like the whimsical style. To see more of Suzanne's work, click here.

SHE is at it again

SHE's too tired to spend much time on the machine helping me today (that crazy ghost hunting stuff again - catting in here at all hours of the morning). I hope SHE didn't bring a ghost home!!! SHE mentioned something about ghost cats. UNACCEPTABLE!!! We have enough cats here! So, I guess I'll just hold onto my spot on the pillow and see you tomorrow.

Not a Story for the Kind Hearted

My human had another one of THOSE episodes this past weekend - one of those having to listen to someone degraded cats. Usually SHE gets rather upset by this sort of insane talk, but SHE said this time, all SHE felt was an extreme sadness for the misguided soul. Apparently some guy SHE knows was telling HER about his canine companion (I won't mention names or breeds) and about how out of control the creature was. So one day, it got lose from its cable (couldn't fence it in as it would climb the fence, seemed impervious to the electric types, or would dig under it). In its enthusiasm for freedom and debauchery, it went to another human's property, mauled their dog and got a hold of several recently born felines. The only one to survive was the mother cat.

Now granted, the man who told this story said when he realized the dog was lose, he went after it and when he found what it had done, he knew he could not longer harbor it. In the end, he gave it to a friend who had a lot of property "out in the country." I live out in the country. This is not encouraging either.

Normally, when my human hears these types of things, SHE gets pretty upset and may have a grudge towards the person telling the story for a long time. (SHE still has a grudge against the two cat killers from college - you know who you are). But something must have changed because SHE says the man who told the story, even though not a cat person, did not condone the killing. Now why he thought SHE would want to hear such a story is a little strange, but people do tell her the strangest things.

Sometimes I think SHE enjoys playing the martyr. SHE just shook her head. However, he later found out SHE is a cat person (it does not stay hidden for long - but you all know that), he asked what SHE thought about the story. Her response was that she "quietly held her tongue and made her own judgements in her mind."

Ah well...

A Few Cool Cats from Purrchance to Dream

Sorry I missed yesterday! I had all intentions of posting but when my human let me on to post Blogger was down. Meow. Meow. Meow!

So therefore, I am running an extra long interview of Questions for Cool Cats. In fact, I am running three, but they all live in the same house hold. We have spent the last week or so, reading their biographies on Purrchance To Dream. So here's a little more!

Because they are all so very cool, I could not decide which one to interview first, so I am being rational for a moment and going alphabetically. You should also know that I haven't interview Chloe or Jazper just yet. I wanted to give Not the Mama a little more time...and give you something else to look forward to in the future!!!

That means Daphne is first.

Is there a story behind your name and if so what is it?
Not The Mama wanted to name me and my littermate Chloe some kind of literary names. We almost were named Jane and Lizzie, but that just didn't quite fit. There's an opera called Daphnis et Chloe, and that is how we became Daphne & Chloe.

What is your life philosophy?
Tabbies rule!

What is the best trait for a human to have?
Equality

What would you change about your life if you could?
Nothing!

Which describes you more? Feel free to elaborate:

wet food/dry food
Dry kibble only, because Spooker has a sensitive tummy.

indoor/outdoor
Indoors only, I like to look out the window but have never gone outside.

lap sitter/or computer keyboard
I don't like laps, and I'm not a keyboard walker - but I do love to nap on Not The Mama's feet.

affectionate/aloof
I want affection, but have a hard time expressing myself. Alone with Not The Mama, I seem to be the out-going one, but I do NOT like company and will suddenly become shy.

catnip/milk
nip! nip! nip!

fish/pork
Do salmon Temptations count?

animal shelter/pet shop
Chloe and I came from a friend of Not The Mama's who adopted our Mama Mari, so we didn't come from either. But you should support your local no-kill shelter!

To read more about me, see my bio post on the 6/14 edition of Purrchance To Dream.

Next we have Isis.

Is there a story behind your name and if so what is it?
Not The Mama is a big Egypt freak, and he said that my spirit was as big as the goddess Isis, even though my body is little bitty.

What is your life philosophy?
Run!!!! Play!!!! Sleep!!! Run!!! Stalk Spooker!!!! Sleep!!! Run!!!

What is the best trait for a human to have?
Opening their homes to stray kitties!

What would you change about your life if you could?
I wish Not The Mama would leave my clawies alone!!! I LIKE them all sharp and pointy!!!

Which describes you more? Feel free to elaborate:

wet food/dry food
Dry kibble in the apartment, stinky goodness when I visit Jazper at work.
indoor/outdoor
I'm indoors only now! I was found in an alley, and trust me, I don't wanna go back there!!!
lap sitter/or computer keyboard
But I do like my green hammock from Forty Paws!
affectionate/aloof
Aloof. I'm too busy running and sleeping and stalking to be 'ffectionate!!!
catnip/milk
I like the occasional nip every now and then...
fish/pork
I'm too busy to eat, unless it has Ranch Dressing on it... although I do like some tuna right out of the can sometimes!
animal shelter/pet shop
I'm was an alley cat! Not The Mama calls me his little dumpster diva!

To learn even MORE about me! Visit the Monday 6/16 post at Purrchance To Dream!!!

And not to be left unmentioned - Spooker

Is there a story behind your name and if so what is it?
My name at the shelter where Not The Mama adopted me was Grady. But when he held me, there was a noise and I jumped. He said I got "Spooked" so the name "Spooker" stuck.

What is your life philosophy?
A nap is a terrible thing to waste.

What is the best trait for a human to have?
Compassion.

What would you change about your life if you could?
To get rid of the interlopers, and return to being the Glorious Center of Not The Mama's Universe again.

Which describes you more? Feel free to elaborate:

wet food/dry food
Dry kibble only, I have a sensitive tummy.

indoor/outdoor
Indoors only, I like to look out the window but have never gone outside.

lap sitter/or computer keyboard
I like to be held sometimes, but my one-on-one time with Not The Mama is at bedtime - I get on his chest and get my chin scritches.

affectionate/aloof
affectionate

catnip/milk
nip!

fish/pork
I didn't like tuna flakes, and don't know what that pork thing is... but my current bag of kibble says "lamb and rice."

animal shelter/pet shop
I am a shelter kitty, and darn proud of it!

To learn even more about me, see my Wednesday 6/18 bio post at Purrchance To Dream.

Siamese with Sunflowers

It should not surprise me - all the talent that is out there. But you know, I am always pleasantly surprised by the high quality of art that is being produced, especially in the Siamese genre.

This lovely pencil drawing was created by Cdingo (listed on Etsy). She is embarking on a series (this is number#113) of cats...so even if you are not so Siamese, this artist has some wonderful other cat images you have to see. Click here to see more of her work.

Ode to a Clean Litter Box

How it inspires
my desires
to use
the place of consequence
- the positive words and cleanliness,
a hope
of treats and repeated
opportunities to be greeted
with
the simple elegance,
the total relevance
of having a clean
place of relief.
Oh, the pitiful grief
that non-compliance will meet.
Please keep my litter box clean
and understand all that I mean
for if this demand is met
Your shower will remain,
and this I will make plain,
inscrutably odorless.

A Message for My Grand Human

Dear Grand Human,

I have been quite rude! I have been back here in Tuckaway Cove for a few weeks and have not as yet sent my thanks for your hospitality during my recent visit. I enjoyed sleeping on your bed. IT was nice and big and soft! The sunlight in the living room was particularly lovely (so thanks for keeping the draperies open). Oh and the water straight out of the kitchen tap was very nice as well. We'll keep that as our little secret.

Come visit soon!

Love,
Jazmin

P.S.
This is the last of the latest cell-phone diary.

Cool Cat Scout!

Has this blog gone to the dogs? Have I shown a propensity to woof, rather than meow. I think not. But one of my friend's, Lindsay, writes a dog blog, That Mutt: A Dog Blog so we can get our daily canine fix that way. Little did I know that Lindsay is the human to a wonderful cat name Scout. But Scout roared the mighty purr and was heard...(Wow. A cat in total control, who knew?).

Is there a story behind your name and if so what is it?

My human just liked the name and I happened to be her first pet.

What is your life philosophy?

Don't work too hard. Crawl into small spaces and take naps in them, watch others strain themselves and realize your own superiority.

What is the best trait for a human to have?

I like when the human reaches that point where he or she just accepts the cat is in control of the house. They should also like cats better than dogs. I mean, really.

What would you change about your life if you could?

Well, I wish I had a big house and a yard to explore. More windows would be nice, too.

Which describes you more? Feel free to elaborate:

wet food/dry food

I like the wet stuff, but I'm watching my figure so I settle for the dry.

indoor/outdoor

I am mostly indoors. Sometimes I like to sneak out so I can scare those birds away. They just never learn.

lap sitter/or computer keyboard

I start with the lap. If my human ignores me, then I start to step on her keyboard. Then she can't ignore me.

affectionate/aloof

I show minimal affection and when I do, it's on my terms.

catnip/milk

One time when my human was gone with her boyfriend, I got into the cupboard and took out the whole container of catnip. I got it all over the kitchen, rolled in it and then rolled all over our bed. That showed her.

fish/pork

One time my human and I were staying in a hotel and she ordered room service. They delivered us salmon and she let me have my own plate!

animal shelter/pet shop

I never lived in a shelter or pet shop. I was from an accidental litter. Yup, one of those. My human's friend took me and all my brothers and sisters so we didn't have to go to a shelter. That's how I met my human and then went to live with her.

Gutter Cat

Rather than continuing my discussion of my litter box habits I need a break (but huge thank you to all who have expressed an interest). When I am more awake, I will tell you all about my own dysfunction - kidney failure (and how it isn't a death sentence).

So, yes, another cat game...everyone, even a cat needs a hobby!

Cat Health Resources

Huge thank you, my feline and human friends or rather my human thanks you for the suggestions about my new urination habits.

As Samantha & Tigger and suggested, I have begun to look up online vets who answer questions. I thought the information would be good to share and I would give a nice list to click through. But...BUT...it is so not that simple. Most "ask a vet" sites are fee-based. I do not deny good vets may deserve payment for their services, but I think I will stick to my own vet in this case.

There are several databases available that are free. Here are a few that seemed really good:

• http://www.merckvetmanual.com/
• http://www.vetsbest.com/clinic.html
• http://www.purinaone.com/Experts/Default.aspx (they may even answer your question...)

But again..maybe it is time to visit Dr. Johnny again. IT sounds like my desire for a different potty, may indicate a new health issue. I have lived with urinary track failure for a year now, but that may be a whole 'nother story. Shoot. I hate going to the vet.

My Newest Habit

No cute picture today, I am afraid. My human and I are engaged in a bit of a battle (who do you think will win). SHE says it is only a disagreement. I say the point is mute.

You see, I discovered something fabulous - a whole new potty facility. There are no bits of cat crystals, dirt, or litter to get between my paws. There is even a soft, springy mat to stand upon. SHE calls it a shower. Whatever.

SHE says she supposes if I were to use a place beyond the liter box, the shower would be the next best place. Though now that I use it, she is rather unhappy. She says the bathroom, no matter how many times she cleans, smells like cat urine. Duh. That's because I use it repeatedly.

This recent development has caused a lot more care to be paid with the liter box, but still, I think I prefer the shower. However, I do wish SHE would stop scolding me in the middle of doing my business.

SHE would like to know if any of you other cats do anything like this and how your humans convinced you to return to the liter box?

Cool Cat Spunky Doodle!

I recently made a new friend, the very cool cat Spunky Doodle. Spunky Doodle has a special section Zemeks' Updates called Cat Corner- Meow. So here is the interview.

Is there a story behind your name and if so what is it?

When I was a kitten, my humans called me Spunky Rooey (Spunky of course because I had Spunk). As I got bigger, Karen called me Spunky Bookie and but Gerard, my other human, called me Doodle so they gave me both names: Spunky Doodle.

What is your life philosophy?

Be friendly, run every day, and take a nice nap in the sun.

What is the best trait for a human to have?

Love for cats.

What would you change about your life if you could?

I'd like to go outside sometimes.

Which describes you more? Feel free to elaborate:

wet food/dry food

Dry definitely, I usually eat the wet too fast and regurgitate it, ugh!

indoor/outdoor

I'm always inside now, but was born outside and lived outside the first couple months of my life.

lap sitter/or computer keyboard

Neither, I'm usually on the go or by a window. I also like to be up high on my cat tree.

affectionate/aloof

Affectionate--like sleeping on bed with my humans.

catnip/milk

Catnip

fish/pork

Tuna fish juice, hold the tuna.

The Walk

Well, I have kept seeing this Thursday 13 and have wanted to play. So, I convinced my human to get more involved and put up her thirteen pictures from HER new camera (actually it is a really old camera called a Fed). SHE says they are still really raw (whatever that means). Even though I do not enjoy the outside world, I like to look at it. SHE and Killer went for a walk and here are the results.

The Competitor

Even though my favorite subject is, well, me, as you may know, on Wednesdays I am inspired by art or widgets. So, I am going to veer off my trip for today and feature another cool artist. Christy DeKoning was recently in the laketrees art competition with my human. Christy was the runner up (I thought for sure she would win). Her paintings are really fabulous. I did a search on her blog at christydekoning.blogspot.com and found a lovely picture of Cosmo the Siamese.

Oh, congratulations, Christy!

Camera Phone Diary #3

This is my favorite place to visit at my human grandmother's house! Seriously. When the tap is turned on, the water is so fresh and clean. I love, love, love it! I even wake up the humans way early in the morning to turn it on for me. I heard HER say SHE suspects that I could figure out how to turn it on myself. Hmmmm...I like a good challenge.