Scratchings-and-Sniffings

Save Our Pets in the Gulf

I've written about this on BlogPaws, but I wanted to share it here, also. We cannot discuss it enough. We cannot speak of it enough. We must hold BP accountable on all counts - not only for the oil in the gulf, not only for ruining the livelihoods of so many Americans, but also, for causing the drastic increase in abandoned pets.

I'm not talking about pets left by the roadside, though my heart goes out to them with great love! I'm talking about pets surrendered at shelters because their pet parents can no longer care for them, or feed them!

Be the Change for Pets at BlogPaws

Regular readers know that I'm a co-founder of BlogPaws, along with Tom, my business partner and husband, and Caroline, the founder of Romeo the Cat. BlogPaws exists to bring pet bloggers together - for learning, community and fun.

As we all learn more about ourselves and each other, we discover the true value of friendship. Many BlogPaws' friendships began online, via blogs and twitter and facebook, and continued IRL (in real life) at the first ever pet blogger conference, back in April.

Now, we are connecting to each other even more - all to help make a change in the world.

The Grumpy Old Lady Has a Fit

And rightly so! Honestly, how often do I have to tell Tom and Mom that I am not happy about Snotface (that's the ferret - I finally figured out his name). He's such a busy-body!

Just the other day I was minding my own business - I routinely mind my own business, as it's the only business in the house worth minding, and...out of nowhere, that ferret shoved his nose in my belly!

OMC! (oh my cat!) What's up with that? I gave him the loudest hiss I could and even batted at his head a few times. HISS-HJISS-HISS---- BATBATBAT -- HISS-HISS-HISS... But, he KEPT nosing around from my belly to my whiskers!

Wow, This is Cool

You've got to see this video on Oscar the cat and his amazing surgery. My Facebook pal, Patrick, sent it to me and it totally made my day.

Oscar had an unfortunate run in with a farm implement and lost both his hind feet in the process. His owner took him in to his Veterinarian who referred him to Dr Noel Fitzpatrick; star of a British TV show called the Bionic Vet.

Little Meow Needs A Fur-Ever Home! Can YOU Adopt Her?

This just in...Breaking Mews! Straight from Your Daily Cute and BlogPaws:

Find a Forever Home for Little Meow! The sweetest little parking lot kitty needs to find a warm, welcoming, loving home. Can you help?

To quote from the BlogPaws blog:

The Grumpy Old Lady Climbs the Stairs

Just to make it clear - I don't do the stair thing very often. Over on Romeo the Cat's blog I shared my so effective wake-up tactic which involves getting my Mom and Tom to come down the stairs to me! (and I look just like this picture when they finally appear)

However, as you'll see when you visit Romeo's blog, I had to get creative yesterday - with his female staff member, who was visiting my Mom and Tom for some business meeting. BlogPaws stuff, they said. For three days it was, "BlogPaws this," and, "BlogPaws that," and, "Are we bringing Wabby to BlogPaws West?" (I said no but I'm not sure they were listening...I'm only going if Romeo goes.)

Meanwhile, I want to know how loud a cat has to be to get attention around here?

Do visit Romeo's blog and tell us how loud you have to be to get your staff up in the morning. Meow!

Real Life Environmental Enrichment for Cats

In case you missed it there is a fantastic article on the subject of feline environmental enrichment on the NY Times web site. So fantastic that it is the number one most e-mailed piece as of last Friday.

I find that very interesting indeed since you have to dig a bit in the Home and Garden section to find it. Seems like cat owners are very interested in this topic.

We're interested in this subject here, too, and I've written at least three posts on the topic.

Saturday's Pet Bloggers Blog Hop! W00t!

Oh my, when I found out about the Saturday Pet Blogger's Blog Hop, I hopped around my desk and sang a little tune! Good thing no one could hear me! BOL

Over at Two Little Cavaliers (are they not adorable??? yes, you have to click the link to see them), this weekly event has been picking up steam for many weeks! I am embarrassed to say this is our first time participating. But, we are finally in the groove!

Along with Life with Dogs (omg! what a fabulous blog!) and Confessions of the Plume! aka BabyPatches (some pet peoplee so creative and talented, aren't they?)... this idea was created to introduce more pet bloggers to each other. Hop around and visit old furr-friends, and find new furr-friends at each blog.

Here's a Pet Overpopulation Idea to Consider

We all know the terrible statistics about pet overpopulation. Millions of puppies, kittens, adult dogs and cats are put to sleep every year because we can't find homes for them. One of the solutions is obviously spaying and neutering.

Most of us are responsible enough to realize that but many don't heed the call. Whether it's an education issue or a financial issue, lots of dogs and cats don't ever get spayed or neutered. Believe it or not an un-spayed cat and her offspring can produce 400,000 kittens and and an un-spayed dog and her offspring can produce 6000 puppies. That's scary.

The Grumpy Old Lady Shares 10 Reasons Cats Are Better than Dogs

I hope no one took Mom's post on why dogs are better than cats, seriously. Seriously, she was joking! How could she not be joking - she lives with me!

After looking at that post, and sitting on her desk for an hour giving her the evil eye (she hates it when I do that)...I decided I should write a better post. A post setting things straight!

Here are 10 Reasons CATS are WAY better than dogs:

1. They're cats. What's better than that? Hmph!