Pets Smile Plus

OUR CAT GOT OUT

One night our “indoor only” cat, Julian, got out through an open second-story window and wandered off. We quickly learned the next morning how little we really knew about what he would do and how to get him back. Julian is the sweetest, most adorable cat, but he’s dumb as a box of rocks, and we knew he would have no idea how to get home. We hadn’t thought he needed a collar, being an indoor cat, nor did he have a microchip implant with our information should he be found and taken to the local humane association or vet’s office.

For two days my husband and I walked our neighborhood for five blocks in each direction, asking everyone on the street if they had seen him. We put up fliers with his picture and enlisted the eager help of young neighbor children. We called his name over and over as we walked with a bag of food that we would shake. One of our friends brought a dog to sniff him out. Julian never answered and was nowhere to be found. It was like he has simply vanished.

Finally we found him about fifty feet from his point of escape, hiding in a neighbor’s garage. The garage door had been open most of the time he was missing and we had walked right by him numerous times, calling his name. In spite of that he didn’t meow and he didn’t come home. We figured it was because the home had two large dogs and he was frozen with fear. Don’t overlook a home or yard just because it has dogs that live there! Our cat was right under the nose of two so-called retrievers who never noticed him. We went back around the neighborhood and told everyone that we had found him. By that point they cared too!

DON’T FREEZE UP

Don’t fall into the trap of GRIEF AVOIDANCE where you tell yourself the cat is already gone for good; you won’t be able to avoid the pain of loss by saying it’s just a cat. Your cat is probably within a five block radius and can most likely be found!

We learned from the shelters and vets that any cat can become “displaced” when moved, chased or otherwise dislocated from its territory, like jumping out a window. For indoor cats, the inside of its home is its territory, so it will quickly feel displaced once outside.

WHAT DO CATS DO?

Disoriented and afraid, most “indoor only” cats will NOT come to you even if they know your voice, recognize you or your scent, or hear the sound of food being shaken. Their instinct is to hunker down in a concealed place, USUALLY NEAR THE POINT OF ESCAPE. They will NOT MEOW because that would tell predators where they are. This is not because the cat does not love you; rather, silence is a scared cat’s survival instinct.

SO WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

Your best technique for finding the cat is to GO HOUSE TO HOUSE in your neighborhood, checking every area in which a cat could conceal itself, such as under porches, in bushes, under decks, up trees, anywhere small enough for a cat to fit. Ask your neighbors if you can search their property. All of ours said yes and most got out and helped. Call a few friends to help you. More people can cover a wider area and the moral support will help you. If it is nighttime, use flashlights as they will reflect the cat’s eyes. Remember: cats do not run away; they are waiting to be found.

You can also rent a HUMANE TRAP from most humane associations for about ten dollars. These are also sold at home stores like Fleet Farm or Home Depot. The traps look like long cages. Set one up near your home by a door and put kitty’s food inside. Once the cat gets inside to chow down, the back of the trap drops and he’s safely inside.

You should also contact the police and let them know your cat is missing. They are the ones who pick up injured and dead animals from roadways and can let you know if a cat matching yours has been found. Also contact the local humane association and give them a description of your cat so they can identify him if someone brings him in. Call them daily and make friends with the people who answer the phone. Write their numbers down in one place so if you need to call the next day you won’t have to look it up each time.

Of course, putting up fliers and placing an ad in the newspaper might help as well, but these methods are far less immediate than GOING THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD WITH A FIND TOOTH COMB, ESPECIALLY NEAR THE POINT OF ESCAPE, AS SOON AS YOU FIND THE CAT IS MISSING.

Finally, don’t lose heart! While it’s hard to stay focused when you are emotionally distraught, remember that most cats get lost during their lives and most are found and return home. Unfortunately, lost cats need YOU to find THEM, not the reverse. You have to be persistent and determined. A methodical strategy is your best chance of getting him back. Our vet heard of a cat that was missing for 54 days, and due to the owner’s persistence returned home safely. Don’t give up!

Diana Rivers lives in Appleton, Wisconsin with her husband Michael and three cats: Marcus, Julian, and Ella. As soon as GPS locators get small enough, each family member will have one.

The Australian Shepherd is a working sheep and farm dog that might do quite poorly in an apartment. They are vigorous dogs with high intelligence that were bred to think and work. They require at the least, a properly fenced in enclosure and at the best, a farm to run and work. They form strong bonds with their family and demand a great deal of attention and time. They will follow their master from room to room in a house and want to ride in the car, help with chores, etc. If left alone for long periods of time, they may invent their own entertainment which can include destroying the furnishings or garden. They need to be properly socialized with children and pets and may nip at the heels of children. She is a very protective dog of both body and property.

Approximate Adult Size

The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the male Australian Shepherd is 20 to 23 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and from 50 to 65 pounds. The female should run about 18 to 21 inches to the withers and 40 to 55 pounds.

Special Health Considerations

Some heartworm medications may be toxic to this breed due to a gene mutation.. Your veterinarian can test for this. She can suffer from canine hip dysplasia (genetic based looseness in the hip joint that can lead to arthritis pain and lameness), hereditary eye problems, hypothyroidism (sluggish thyroid gland which can result in weight gain), discoid lupus erythematosus (an autoimmune disease), cleft palate, seizures, von Willebrand’s disease (a problem with blood clotting), and patent ductus arteriosis (a circulatory abnormality).

Grooming
Brush this breed often with a firm bristle brush and wash when necessary. She will shed quite a bit. Brushing will help keep your pets coat clean and healthy, help avoid tangles and help keep your house more free of shed hair. Brushing will also help you keep a closer eye on your pet health and strengthen your emotional bond with her. Her coat is of moderate length and medium coarseness. Be prepared to become real friendly with your vacuum cleaner if kept indoors. Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.

Life Span
The Australian Shepherd can live between 12 and 15 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.

History
The only working livestock breed actually developed in the western portion of America, although she does have some roots in Australia. She was developed from sheep dogs that were imported with flocks of sheep from Australia, France, Spain, New Zealand, Latin America and England during the late 1800 and early 1900 period, especially during the California gold rush. Australian Shepherds were popularized, especially in California, after World War II by horse shows, rodeos and movies.

Registries

ASCR Australian Shepherd Club of America
UKC United Kennel Club
NKC National Kennel Club
CKC Continental Kennel Club
APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc.
AKC American Kennel Club

Category
Herding group.

Terms To Describe The Breed
Intelligent, good natured, even disposition, good stamina, agile, muscular, balanced and devoted.

SPECIAL GOOD POINTS

He is a loyal companion.
Easy to train.
Excellent farm dog.
Easy to housebreak.
Eager to please.
Wants to be with their master constantly.
Makes a great family dog.
Her pretty coat comes in amazing colors.

SPECIAL BAD POINTS

Needs lots of exercise.
Needs a job to do.
Wants to be with their master constantly.
Can be very territorial.
May bark at neighbors too much.
May become destructive if bored.
Can have health problems.
May shed copiously.
Can by shy, especially with strangers.

Other Names Known By
The Aussie, wiggle-butt

Copyright 2006, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Other Names Known By
The Aussie, wiggle-butt,
Copyright 2006, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Written by Petpages.com Petpages.com staff writer Mitch Endick

Who can resist a smile when they see a Dachshund running across the grass? Ears flopping, tail wagging like a flag behind them, their little paws reaching as far as they can while their long body flexes back and forth like a slinky.

Can you imagine yourself in that grassy field with your little Dachshund by your side? He runs to chase a butterfly and when you get ready to call him back to you, anticipating the sight of him with those floppy ears and happy tail, you call out his name and it’s the best name ever for a little wiener dog. But what is it?

Do you have that name for your little dog? Or are you still looking for the perfect Dachshund name?

If you want an unusual, unique, different and well thought-out dachshund dog name that is carefully considered and researched especially for the wonderful qualities of your little wiener dogs, you’re going to have to think out of the long, hot-dog shaped box. There are many obvious dachshund dog names, but here are some ways to think of names that are special. You want a dog name that your friends are impressed by the answer when they ask you what it means!

There are several areas to look at when naming your dachshund: morphology, behavior, German words, famous dachshunds, and generally cool dog names.

Morphology refers to the form or structure of anything, including your dachshund. Their unique, elongated shape has led to many nicknames for the breed including wiener dog and hot dog. There are many obvious plays on this, such as male dog names such as Oscar (after the hot dog brand), but for a more unique approach, look in the dictionary for synonyms of words such as long, or stretchy.

Another aspect of dachshund morphology is their lovely caramel brown color. There are many wonderful variations on the name of the color brown, such as Amber or Russet, which would make great dachshund names. Again, try the thesaurus and start with the word brown to see where that leads you. Don’t forget foreign language words. Spanish is a beautiful language with especially good words that work as a dog name.

German names are also an obvious choice for a breed that originates in Germany and still maintains their German breed name. Dachshund means “badger dog” in their native land’s language. While German can be a harsh sounding language with long, multi-syllabic words, there are still many words and names that can make a great dog name. Use the Babelfish translator to check words that describe your dog such as “sweet” or “gentle” or “beautiful” to see how they sound in German. Or, search out web pages that have German word vocabulary lists to see what appeals to you.

While Dachshunds tend to not be quite as famous as some other breeds, there are still some who are well known – if not with everyone, at least with other Dachshund fans. And, while the dogs themselves weren’t famous – many of their owners are. See if your favorite actor, artist, or writer had a Dachshund and take a cue from them. Even tough guy John Wayne had a tiny little wiener dog! Try a search for “famous Dachshunds” to see what you can find.

For generally cool dog names, for Dachshunds or any dog, try famous dogs from literature. Again, a search for “dogs in literature” will bring up a wealth of sites and ideas. Another source of great names is Greek mythology, along with Egyptian and Roman. Movies can also provide great names. Look for characters that remind you of your little wiener. Hobbits in particular seem to resemble Dachshunds in that they are small but sturdy and playful yet diligent.

Don’t forget that there’s a reason Dachshunds are in the top ten of all dog breeds as ranked by the AKC (they were number 6 in popularity in 2006) Everyone loves them so take great care in giving yours a memorable and important name. And you know, they are like potato chips – you can’t stop at just one! So take the time to find a great Dachshund names. You never know when there will be a new addition to your household.

© 2007 Beth Bridges. Beth Bridges has been a Dachshund owner for over five years now. So far she has resisted the temptation to go beyond one at a time. Her website, bestdachshundnames.com bestdachshundnames.com contains over 100 unique dachshund names based on the ideas presented here.

Unlike many of the birds you may try to attract with feeders in your garden the hummingbird is not one to share. They are one bird that is protective of its own territory and will not readily share a food source with other hummingbirds. That means if this is the bird you want to attract you will need to put several humming bird feeders around your garden. Hummingbirds are very accepting of where their feeders are located so you can put them in many locations. They can be outside a window of a home or office or on an apartment’s balcony. These places are as comfortable for the birds as if they are hanging from a tree branch. The thing you need to be sure of is whether the area you live in is one that hummingbirds travel through on their yearly migrations.

To ensure you have a chance of attracting these beautiful little birds put the humming bird feeders out early in the spring. Then keep them out there until the end of the fall. If you have previously attracted the hummingbirds and then there are none that will mean they have completed their migration south and it is time to put the feeders away until next year.

Hummingbird feeders can be bought or you can make them yourself. They are frequently made from a bottle or a tube. This kind of feeder is made from glass or plastic and has tiny holes in it for the feed, known as nectar, to come through. These feeders must be made to in a way that allows them to be cleaned regularly. Again, based on the nectar, this is important. You want to be able to take it completely apart and wash is each time before you are ready to refill it. The nectar is very easy to make. You take water, boil it, the add sugar. It should be one fifth sugar with four fifths water which is then stirred until it is well mixed. Once this is done allow the mixture to sit until it has cooled. Then pour it into the nectar feeder and wait for those amazing little birds to come and have a drink.

Mayoor Patel is the writer for the website bird-feeders.wares-are.us/ bird-feeders.wares-are.us/. Please visit for information on all things concerned with bird-feeders.wares-are.us/Articles/Humming_Bird_Feeders.php Humming Bird Feeders

Without agility, the most muscular person in the world couldn’t win a fight against a fifth-grader. But did you know that for a dog agility is possibly even more important? With so many of a dog’s happiest moments spent running, jumping, catching, and stretching, dog agility training can really help dogs age gracefully and happily.

What is dog agility training?

You’ve probably seen dog agility training on television. The dogs run a course of tire hoops, tunnels, seesaw, dog walk plank, jumps, hurdles, weaving poles, and a 3-meter A-frame. Heeling, sitting, down stays, send-aways as well as walking off leash are also included.

Who can participate?

Anyone with a dog can do agility training. There is not age limit for people or dogs. In fact, children and puppies are encouraged to take part. All breeds and sizes of dogs without a physical disability can benefit from agility training. Be sure to check with your vet before you begin agility training if you have any doubts about your canine’s fitness.

What equipment is needed?

You as the handler will need comfortable shoes and clothes that you can run in, because this is not exercise for the dog alone. Your dog needs a leather or webbed buckle collar and a leather, nylon or rope lead of fairly long length. Do not use a chain lead; it could get caught in the jumps.

Agility Training Courses for Dogs

There are two sides of agility training for dogs. They are the obstacles and the control training. There are also tips for training your dog. Obstacles. Although it seems high to many handlers, the A-frame is the best obstacle to begin training. The dog walk plank, low jump and the tunnel (dogs love this obstacle) are also excellent for training the novice dog.

Control training is important to keep your dog disciplined both on the agility course and off. Everybody knows that a dog must heel and sit. You must also teach your dog to know and obey different commands: to go left and right, lay down, and wait. After those are mastered, the dog must learn normal recall (returning anytime you call) and recall over obstacles. Also important is the “send away” command, making the dog go ahead you.

Tips for Dog Agility Training

Begin training by getting your dog’s attention. Talk to him and offer a small treat. Coupled with the love he has for you, he’ll be all ears. Be sure you have the correct lead (generally 6 feet) and a comfortable collar (measure the dog’s neck and add 2 inches) for your dog. Give praise often. “Tune in” to your dog to be sure she and you are ready to train.

Here’s a final tip: make sure that you and your dog enjoy yourselves. After all, jumping through hoops is supposed to be fun–at least if you’re a dog.

If you love i-love-dogs.com dogs and puppies, visit I-Love-Dogs.com now! You can get, free dog email, send a free i-love-dogs.com dog postcard, learn about the different dog breeds and so much more!

What’s the best food for your Goldfish?

Goldfish need food that is a combination of carbohydrates and vitamins to help them grow and fight disease. They particularly need vitamin A to make their colors look bright. They do need protein but just about 12% so that they can build muscle. In the natural habitat, Goldfish mainly feed on plants. They eat a fiber diet that includes algae, grasses and aquatic plants in the natural environment. Thankfully you do not have to sweat much to provide them with the equivalent nutritional needs because you can get it off the shelf! These processed food available at pet stores include:

Flake food

This is one of the commonly available goldfish foods, especially made for them and it consists of brine shrimp. It is easily eaten by Goldfish and helps in avoiding a particularly fatal sickness called the Air Bladder Disease.

Pellet food

This is also flake food with brine shrimp but it’s packaged as a pellet. The only problem with pellets is that it sometimes swells in the goldfish’s stomach and makes it lose its balance. This is what is the Air Bladder disease.

Frozen food

This includes live food that is frozen. You have an array to choose from as in frozen brine shrimp, daphnia, tubifex worms or mosquito larvae. This will come frozen in slabs from which you have to break off bit-by-bit and hand-feed your goldfish. You can also opt for Freeze-dried foods, which includes Krill, Pacific plankton, brine shrimp and bloodworms.

Homemade food

If you really want to make the food for your goldfish and you have the time you can do so. You will find that their favorites are lettuce and peas. Take any type of lettuce, which would be easy for the goldfish to chew on and digest. Wash and rinse the lettuce in warm water and just clip it inside the tank with a lettuce clip. Do not cook the lettuce. As for the peas, cook them till they are soft and refrigerate them. At feeding time, peel off the skin and mash a pea between your fingers and drop it in the tank. Do make sure the peas are soft or you could end up bloating your goldfish. Goldfish enjoy plant food and that’s why you can see them happily nibbling away at Anacharis and Romaine lettuce or pieces of cucumber and zucchini which you should make sure to clip on to the tank with a suction cup clip

Live foods

The live foods that goldfish can safely eat include Daphnia, Brine Shrimp, Tubiflex worms, Meal worms, Wax worms and Blood worms.

Special treat for your goldfish
You can make a special “gel food” for your goldfish that’s quite easy to do. This can be given to the goldfish along with the main staple as a once-in-a-while treat. Here’s what you need will need: a packet of unflavored gelatin; an empty ice cube tray and a 2.5 oz jar of baby food in a vegetable flavor such as carrots, peas or green beans.

* Take ¼ cup cold water in a small saucepan and pour the contents of the packet of gelatin in the water and stir over low heat until the gelatin dissolves.

* Add ¾ cup water, stirring till it’s well blended.

* Add the baby food and stir thoroughly.

* Now pour the mixture into an ice cube tray and let it cool for about half an hour.

* Refrigerate the mixture for a few hours till it solidifies.

When it’s feeding time just pop out a cube, cut it into small strips and feed it to your goldfish! One tray is more than enough for two 4- to 5-inch goldfish for a week. Make sure you dump the leftovers after a week, as it’s good to give them fresh stuff.

Whatever it is, you will find that your goldfish are not fussy eaters. They have a wide array of food to choose from and they can eat quite a lot, which you would need to regulate. You will need to remember that they are temperate fish that do not need a diet high in protein. Goldfish are classified as coldwater fish and, as a rule; do not need to eat a diet that is high in protein. What they need is a carbohydrate-rich diet with the adequate vitamins.

That is why the best option for Goldfish are the floating pellets or the flakes which are specially made for Goldfish and have all the necessary nutrients. Ask your goldfish dealer as well as other owners and decide on what is best for the goldfish.

Dane Stanton - goldfish-secrets.com www.goldfish-secrets.com

Dane Stanton is an expert on goldfish health care. To visit his website visit goldfish-secrets.com goldfish-secrets.com for more information on Goldfish care and other aquarium related topics.
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Meow! Meow! Meow! I bury my head underneath my pillow. Meow! Meow!
Meoooooow! The high pitched meowing persists and penetrates through my feather
stuffed shield. Meow! Meow! Meow! My eyes open only with the greatest of efforts.
Grudgingly, I drag myself out of my warm bed and look at the clock; 3:47 am. I
reach over to the night-stand and turn on the light, pain is the result, the light, so
bright, the light is, so, so bright. My wife rolls over on her side and I can see the
annoyed look on her scrunched up little face. “Must…. feed…. demon… cat….” I say
to myself as I trudge to the kitchen to empty a can of cat food into the little yellow
cat dish. The cat has by this time woken up the entire household and I wouldn’t be
surprised if the neighbors were also awake.

Our cat is a loud cat. Unnervingly loud. 747 jet-engine loud. And there was a time
that she woke up every morning before even the sun had the nerve to peek over the
horizon. Our loveable little ball of fur wanted to be fed. While the rest of the
household was fast asleep our sweet little kitty wanted to have some food to suck
down her gullet. This caused quite a bit of frustration for us, especially since this
was not a one time thing. No, this was indeed becoming her morning ritual. Every
morning, our cat would sit in front of our door and meow at the top of her little kitty
lungs the most blood curdling meows I had ever had the displeasure of hearing.
Our initial reaction, after caving in and feeding her several nights/early mornings in
a row, was to put her in the laundry room before my wife and I went to sleep at
night. This, however, was not the best solution in the world, our cuddly little black
mass didn’t seem to like it very much and after a while she wasn’t the warm and
cuddly cat we knew before.

There must to be another solution to this dilemma. Fortunately, there is. What your
cat is, is what has been termed as an “alarm clock kitty”, what that is, is a cat that
wakes up very early (or stays up very late) and begins to meow at approximately the
same time every single, bloody day in expectation of being fed. Unfortunately for
those of us who enjoy sleeping at night this is a natural behavior in cats and while
the problem may not happen to every cat owner it happens to many. So what can
you do? Even though cats have been domesticated animals for thousands of years
now dating back to ancient Egypt, they still have retained most of their wild instincts
and this is a cat’s natural instinct; hunt and feed. Cats are predatory animals, they
hunt, and the cat’s natural time to hunt generally falls between dusk and dawn
because most of the prey they hunt are nocturnal (rats, mice and other rodents).
So, if you can’t or don’t want to let your cat out at night to hunt on her own what
should you do?

Training your cat to stop this behaviour may be fairly easy, but be warned, it
will take a little patience on your part but a good night’s sleep may be the reward.
What you need is a cat toy, preferably a mouse or something similar, a piece of
string and a stick. Attach the cat toy to a string and the string to the stick. While
you are watching your bedtime TV or doing whatever your before bedtime ritual is
take your cat toy and play a hunting game with her. Cats love to chase things
because of their hunting instinct. Play with your cat for about 15 minutes, enough
time to tire your cat out and give her the satisfaction of having hunted. During your
game create as realistic a hunting scenario as you can, make noises like a mouse (or
whatever animal you are emulating) squeaking or scurrying through the brush. Let
your cat catch the toy from time to time so that your cat will feel as if she was
involved in a successful (rather than a frustrating) hunt. Towards the end gradually
slow down the game drawing your little hunt to a close. Your cat will probably be
sufficiently tired by this time. At the end of the game feed your cat something you
know she likes. You don’t need to feed her a full sized meal, but feed her an
amount sufficient enough to satisfy her hunger. A handful of cat treats or a little
piece of left over pork chop may be sufficient. Then go to sleep. In all likelihood
your cat will be satisfied and will not continue her ritual of waking you up every
morning.

You may need to continue your hunting game with your cat for a week or two
before the early morning meowing goes away, and even after it does its a good idea
to play this game with your cat from time to time in order to keep the behavior from
returning and to keep your cat feeling like an accomplished hunter. But if you
follow this routine you should be able to satisfy your cat and get a little shut eye at
the same time.

Andy Markison is an illustrator, graphic designer, animal lover and pet owner living
in Germany. His website, zapgraphix.com ZapGraphix.com, sells fun and humorous pet related merchandise.

Have you ever wondered where “today’s cat” came from?

I have and so I began a little research on the history of cats.

Apparently no one really knows when or how “the cat” first appeared on our planet.

According to some sources it is said that Miacis, a weasel-like animal that lived about 40 or 50 million years ago is the cat’s closest ancestor.

I have not been able to find any pictures or drawings of this animal, that is supposed to be the father/mother (if you will,) of all land-dwelling carnivores, including the dog.

Since I cannot prove otherwise, I will accept this information for as close to the truth as I can get.

According to a DNA study that was done in 1997 by two members of the National Cancer Institute in Frederick, Maryland, it appears that cats have been known to live in Asia as early as 11 million years ago and here in North America as early as 9 million years ago.

Their research was based on DNA analysis of 37 living cat species.

Millions of years ago, as sea level rose and fell, the earth formed natural bridges and the cats being nomadic creatures traveled all over to colonize, everywhere that is, except Antarctica according to some scientists.

Why not there? I believe cats were smart enough to know it was too cold.

If you are picturing in your mind a cat that looks like your cat wandering around the earth, forget it.

These cats did not look like our cats, some were big cats and some were smaller cats, it took a long while for “our cat” to emerge.

The 1997 study by the National Cancer Institute also helped determine that most of the 37 or so living species of cat that exist today, belonged to one of past eight lineage’s according to their DNA.

It is said that the first association of cats with humans may have occurred during the Stone Age.

Apparently, the cats figured out “where there were humans” there would be food and where there was food a mouse or two could be found.

However, it took a long time for cats to be considered household pets, as cats were considered useful, but wild beasts.

Then came the days of ancient Egypt.

The Egyptians about 5,00 to 6,000 years ago had learned how to stockpile grain for future use.

With the stockpiles of grain came mice and rats and a serious need occurred.

The Egyptians were the first civilization to domesticate the cat on a large scale and to make the world aware of the usefulness of the cat not only for catching mice and rats, but also as a household pet.

The Egyptians were so enamored with “the cat” and its importance in their lives that they not only allowed it in their households, they eventually worshipped the cat and treated it like royalty.

”The royalty treatment” is something the cat never forgot.

In Egypt when a cat died they were mummified and buried in elaborate ceremonies, even in the poorest of households.

Mice were mummified along with the cat, so that the cat would have food in is afterlife.

There were some cats that were considered sacred and they lived in the temples with the priests.

These cats were considered oracles and people would come from long distances to ask the cats questions. The priests would interpret the cat’s actions (such as licking its paw) and tell the visitor what the cat was saying.

It was considered a crime to kill a cat and if you were guilty of that crime, you were killed, too.

It has come to light during an archeological excavation in Saqqara, where thousands of cat mummies were found that all the cats did not die a natural death.

By x-raying some of the mummified cats it was revealed that many did die of natural causes, but some were young cats (year old) with broken necks.

There are two schools of thought here, one being that the cat population had grown too large and it was a way to slow it down.

The other possibility was that the priests raised these cats and later killed and mummified them to sell to people who attended festivals.

It was considered proper to buy a mummified cat as a way to please the “cat goddess” called Bastet and then ask a personal favor from her.

Researchers are fairly certain the people buying the cats did not know they were intentionally killed.

It did not take long for the word to get around (about a 1,000 years or so) about the usefulness
of cats in a household.

Soon the Romans and Greeks realized the value of a cat and made them members of their household. Here they were not worshipped.

During the 11th century cats became extremely important in killing the rats that were causing the Black Death.

Then came the Middle Ages and trouble followed for the cats.

Pope Gregory IX apparently did not like cats and decided that they were diabolical creatures and needed to be destroyed.

It was a sad time for cats as they were beaten, killed and driven away from the villages.

Anyone who had a cat was considered a “witch” and was put to death along with the cat.

Cats were sacrificed, burned to death and even buried alive inside walls of houses (supposed to bring good luck.)

As the cat population was being destroyed, the rat and mice population grew by leaps and bounds.

Causing a great many plagues and other epidemics all over Europe.

People were dying everywhere and soon they realized the error of their ways.

By the 17th century, cats were back in favor, doing what they did best, catching mice and rats.

However, people began to see that cats were nice to have around and soon they became treasured household pets once again.

It has been said that the first cats came to North America by crossing over the Bering Strait about several million years or so ago.

However, in more recent times (1600-1700) cats came on board ships with the traders and explorers. Cats were very important on board ships in order to protect the cargo from the rats and mice.

Many early settlers in the colonies brought their own cats with them. Life seemed pretty good for cats until the Salem witch-hunt of 1692 and once again cats became a product of discrimination along with the people who owned them and were destroyed or driven away.

Once again “people” learned the error of their ways and cats were once again welcome as the rat and mice population grew.

In 1749 cats were brought to Pennsylvania to help control a serious rodent plague.

As more and more colonists came to the New World the need for cats grew. It was necessary to import cats and the new cats needed to be stronger and sturdier.

Without cats, the New World would have faced many plagues and ships would have lost much of their cargo.

You might say “cats” saved our country.

As time went on and our country grew, people started moving west.

They packed up their worldly possessions into wagons, gathered up the family and livestock and forgot the cats.

They seemed to forget, that where there were people and food (grain) soon there would be rodents.

It’s Murphy’s Law.

It is said that during the Gold Rush of 1849, people were buying cats off trading ships for $50.00 a piece.

In 1884 during the rat plague that came to San Francisco, people were willing to pay up to $100 for a cat.

Cats like our country prospered and like the people, cats came from all countries of the world. This mix of cats and the breeding that took place has managed to give our country a great mix of what is known as “domestic shorthaired.”

Today there are more than sixty-five million cats living in our homes. Cats far outnumber dogs.

The number of actual breeds varies according to the source you check. Some sources say that there are 36 species, others say 37 species, but we have found with the new breeds coming along that there are probably over 40 different varieties of cats.

This has been a very brief history of cats; they certainly have played a very important part in the growth of the Universe.

It is hard for me to imagine life without having at least one of them around and I hope you feel the same.

If you found this article interesting I invite you to visit me at cats-and-dogs-on-the-web.com cats-and-dogs-on-the-web.com
Here you will have a chance to view many interesting articles regarding cats and dogs.

They’re cute, they’re loveable, and they can tear up your favorite chair before you can say, “bad cat!”

Well, of course I’m talking about America’s favorite pet - the cat. (I know, some of you think the dog is America’s favorite pet. But, us cat lovers know better.) But, as most people who have cats (particularly indoor cats) also know, these adorable creatures can make messes outside their boxes and tear up furniture if not properly trained. And the best time to do the training is when the cat is young.

Since there is no such thing as a “kittygarten,” it’s up to you make sure your kitten learns the rules of the house. And quick. Don’t let the kitten develop bad habits that will come to haunt you later. For example, while it might be cute when Kitty manages to climb up to your dining room table during dinnertime, it’s not so cute three years later and your cat is still interrupting your mealtime. The best time to put a stop to unwanted behavior is now.

Here are some tips that can help you train your kitten at home:

1. Kittens need exercise. If this is not done in the form of toys for Kitty to play with, Kitty will become restless and could do damage to you or your home. Make sure Kitty has plenty of his or her own toys to bite and kick and chase after. Notice I said “his or her own toys.” Toys do not include your body parts. Never let the kitten use your arm or feet as toys to bite. Again, it’s cute when they’re kittens, but when the 3-year-old cat attacks your bare feet because you made it think your feet are toys, it’s no longer cute. It’s painful.

2. Since kittens are not yet toilet trained, it’s best to start by teaching it what to do with a litter box. The litter box should be big enough for Kitty to enter and move around. If you adopted your kitten from the Humane Society or rescue group, chances are Kitty has been around a cat box. But, in case your new kitten has never been introduced to a litter box, you will have to make the introductions.

Cats usually do their business after a meal or a nap. So, after Kitty finishes her meal is finished, play with her for about10-15 minutes, somewhere near the litter box. Lead her to the box. Move the litter around with your hand to intrigue Kitty with the texture of the litter, inviting her to step into it. Encourage Kitty once she steps inside, speaking to her in gentle tones. Make Kitty feel that the box is a nice and comfortable place. Whether she soils in the box or not, be consistent with that tone. Eventually, she will like the litter box and do her business there. Finally, be consistent and patient. Results may not come right away, but the training will pay off in time.

3. The claws of kittens are not that sharp yet compared to older cats, so right now Kitty isn’t too dangerous around the furniture. But, kittens grow up soon, and it’s best to teach them that a scratching post is where they should sharpen their claws, and not on your favorite chair. You might want to sprinkle some catnip on the scratching post to get Kitty interested. When you see Kitty sharpen her claws on the scratching post, be sure to praise her, or offer her a treat.

Praising the kitten for doing a good job and feeding it as a reward will help in teaching the kitten how to behave inside the house. It’s obvious to most of us, but it should be said - never shout at or hit your kitten.

Kittens are loveable animals and by spending some time daily with them, you’ll end up with a loveable, house-trained cat.

Shari Hearn is a writer, cat lover and owner of cattraining411.com cattraining411.com

I was reading an article recently which was, in fact, a terse commentary to my own article about how to discipline a cat. The author was berating my comments and clearly trying to get his own readers to follow his own doctrine. The information I gave, based on opinion and the fact that I have owned cats for many, many years, was solid and factual. Oh, and it was free. His information, however, led the reader to an expensive digital product about some system that not only purported to be effective but which, rather unsurprisingly, carried a significant price tag. It was also full of gobbledegook and showed, in my opinion, lack of feline knowledge.

Training your cat or disciplining it can often prove to be very difficult. They have a smaller brain capacity to dogs- yet still show a unique wisdom. But, you don’t need to buy an expensive digital product when you can simply follow some basic rules.

Cats can be destructive animals so many owners tend to have cats de-clawed. This process will ensure the safety of your furniture around the house from sustaining tears and rips. This can be very cruel, however, as it is natural for a cat to use its nails. When it is scratching something- including you, it is merely sharpening its nails or ‘playing’ with you like it would another cat.

A reaction to bad behavior is naturally to slap or hit your cat- but they do not respond well to physical abuse. It will think you are playing, or will obtain an attitude problem as a result of this treatment. The only treatments that work are loud noises and water guns. A loud clap, or squirt with a water gun, will effectively tell your cat it did something wrong in a sensible manner.

You should never discipline your cat if they haven’t done anything wrong - this prevents confusion. You can also use these methods to ‘teach’ your cats new things- such as where to relieve themselves. Cat training can prove to be quite difficult- but it is often very much worth it in the end to cat lovers everywhere.

The steps to cat training are really pretty easy. Complex and expensive digital knowledge is not needed.

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