It's Caturday!

Welcome back for another edition of Caturday, where we catch up on the week's latest cat news, and get to meet some of your amazing kitties!

This week, Henri, le Chat Noir turned political pundit, Neurowear unveiled their brainwave controlled cat tail (that as many of you pointed out, is actually modeled after a dog!), Cheri lit up the kitchen with her glittery tuxedo cat cupcakes, Tina Fey channeled Holly Golightly and her famous feline companion, Pierre the cat used to LinkedIn to network his way to a new career opportunity, Gjon Mili captured beautiful black and white portraits of his cat, Blackie, and Around the World in 80 Cats visited Namibia, where Sarah shared her experience (and adorable kitty pics!) from her once-in-a-lifetime trip to an African wildlife sanctuary.

Also, don't miss the two great giveaways I have going on right now for a "Love Cats" Tote Bag by Messy My and a $50 PetSmart Gift Card from Apartment Guide! There's still time to enter through next week!


Lola

Each of this week's featured felines has their own unique story, and all of them are sure to touch your heart!

Sharon writes:

I have attached pictures of my four sweethearts. The first is 4(ish) year old Lola. I found her on my front porch. She was very sick and was so tiny, I thought she was a kitten. When I took her to the vet, we found out she was a full grown cat, over a year old. She was flea infested, had a severe upper respiratory infection, ear mites, an eye infection and only 7 teeth! We tried to save the teeth but could not. Well, all except one! 

When the vet was removing the rotten teeth, she called and said, "She has one tooth left, would you like us to go ahead and remove it?" I said, "Is the tooth a good tooth?" She said it was...so I said, "Save it!" They polished it and gave it a flouride treatment and Ms. Lola has thrived well with her one little tooth. 

Whatever happened to this poor baby in her first year on earth was rough! She lives the good life now and is undoubtedly the sweetest little girl cat I've ever met! Just look at that mug?  What's not to love!


Dexter

The second picture is of Dexter. What an amazing little guy! He, too, was found on my front porch on 8/23/11. He was approximately 2 months old and a pretty sick little guy. I was able to capture him and got him to the vet. He was flea ridden, had worms, had a severe eye infection and was starving! He now lives the good life with Lola and they have become fast friends! He is the funniest and smartest cat I've ever known! A real charmer!


Ms. Dilly

The third picture is of the queen of the house, Ms. Dilly. I adopted Dilly 16 years ago along with her brother, Bo (unfortunately, he passed 3 years ago) from Operation Kindness, a wonderful no-kill shelter. She is my loving and loyal and faithful companion and would prefer to be the "lone" cat of the house, but she deals with the above two very well! I cannot imagine what it will be like without my beautiful Dilly! She is my best girl and always will be!


Ms. Marcia 

The fourth picture is of Ms. Marcia (Marsha).  While I prefer to have indoor-only cats, Marcia came to us 7 years ago as an adult and clearly preferred the outside so we have done as she wished. She LOVES our garage and we call it her apartment! She rarely leaves the area, has the run of the yard, a big tree, and a cat door to her domain, and she gets a heated bed in the winter. 

Marcia was named after Marcia Brady on the Brady Bunch by the above queen cat, Dilly. I would watch Marcia out the window and Dilly would always look at me like, "Marcia, Marcia, Marcia! What's the deal? I AM THE PRETTY ONE!"  LOL!  Hence, Dilly named Marcia! Marcia has come into the house on occasion and then says, thanks, but NO THANKS! Give me wide open spaces, please! Marcia and I have a respectful relationship but you do as she wishes, when she wishes, and if everyone sticks to the plan, all is well!  She has the most beautiful green eyes and is a real smarty-pants. We love her.

Thank you for your time and I hope my presentation is not too wordy!  Every cat has a story, right?  =^._.^=

Special thanks to Sharon for sharing her babies with us week! From Lola and Dexter's rescue stories, to the special bond she shares with Ms. Dilly and Ms. Marcia, it's amazing to hear how these four beautiful cats came to be a part of her life!

p.s. Looking for even more Catsparella? Check out my weekly columns over on Catster!

This week:
Paws and Effect Makes Colorful, Eye-Catching Kitty Bling 
Modern Kitty Art Sneaks into Kari Egan's Pop Doggie Shop

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Want to see your cat(s) on Catsparella? I'm always accepting submissions for my weekly Caturday post! Just email your best kitty pics to catsparella@gmail.com, and include your cat's name and anything else you'd like to share! I can't wait to hear from you!

Halloween Cat Chic + Apartment Guide $50 PetSmart Gift Card Giveaway!

Apartment Guide offers tips for bringing a new pet into your apartment and helping them adjust to your home. If you’re ready for a whole new space or looking to move with your pet, Apartment Guide has the photos, floor plans, features and tips to help you search for the perfect pet-friendly apartment community.

The folks at Apartment Guide asked me to put together some tips for keeping your space pet friendly and stylish. With October just around the corner, I put together a few of my favorite cat-friendly, Halloween-themed goodies that will put you and your kitty in the festive fall spirit!



1. Felt Catnip Bats - $4, Smiling Frog Pets
2. Molti Crani Catnip Toy - $9, The Dots
3. Knit Candy Corn Catnip Mouse - $6, Viva le Chat
4. "A Hearse is a Hearse, of Curse, of Curse" Catnip Toy - $9, The Dots
5. Happy Halloween Kitty Cat ID Tag - $10, Ebonypaws
6. Black and Orange Cat Bow Tie Collar - $8, scooterKnits
7. KONG Halloween Cat Spider Teaser Toy - $7.19, PetSmart
8. Candy Corn Pet Bed - $58, SassMuffins 
9. Haunted House Cat Bed - $75, The Cat Ball

Enter To Win!



To help get your kitty started with some stylish seasonal gear (or whatever else they would like!), Apartment Guide has generously offered one lucky Catsparella reader the chance to win a $50 PetSmart Gift Card! 

To enter, leave a comment on this post with your name and some way for me to contact you if you win (email, link back to your blog or profile, Twitter, etc). The winner be will chosen in a random drawing next Friday, October 5 at 5:00PM EST. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. One entry per person, please.

Good luck, and “Like” Apartment Guide on Facebook, tweet at  them @AptGuide on Twitter, “circle” them on Google+ and follow them on Pinterest for real-time tips and updates on how to make the most of your small space.

(If you have trouble entering a comment, email me at catsparella@gmail.com)

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Apartment Guide provides helpful suggestions for moving to and exploring a new neighborhood with your pet. Whether you’re living, looking or moving, Apartment Guide will help point you in the right direction.

Apartment Guide and owner Consumer Source, Inc. partner with bloggers such as me to participate in blogger programs.  As part of that program, I received compensation. They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about any products and believe that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Consumer Source’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.

[Comments are now closed. Thanks for entering!]

Around The World In 80 Cats #23: Namibia

Sarah Menzies is an Australian cat lady with a huge heart. Earlier this year, she formed Cat Tee Mission, through which she she designs and sells t-shirts that look great, raise money for international cat rescue organizations, and help spread the word about animal welfare and the plight of homeless kitties. 

In August, Sarah fulfilled her lifelong dream of visiting Harnas Wildlife Foundation in Namibia for a two-week VolunTourism trip. During her stay, she met and worked with cats of all shapes and sizes, and was kind enough to share her once-in-a-lifetime experience with us! 


Spot on arrival

Sarah writes:

We went to Namibia to volunteer on a wildlife sanctuary with injured, abused and orphaned African wildlife. The trip of a lifetime! However, I was also excited to know there were domestic cats that called the sanctuary home, too. Over 20 of them to be exact. And when we arrived at our lodge, before we even got through the door, we were greeted with our very own live in cat! We didn't know his name, so we called him Spot.


Restaurant Cat

There were cats everywhere. In the restaurant every morning, lunch and dinner. 


Bar Cat

At the bar. By the fire. And at literally every turn we made. 


Wildcat!

We also had an African wildcat living under the roof of our lodge! The one thing that stood out about them all, was that they were all so healthy, happy and super duper affectionate.

There were some very special kitties who stood out though...


Mongoose Cats

There were two cats who as soon as they heard the volunteers calling the mongoose for their feeding, would come running to join them! 


Springbok Cat

And there was the cat who shared its food bowl with a baby springbok. 


Abu and Cat

There was the cat who liked to play with Abu the baby baboon. 


Croc Cat - Spot the crocs in the background!

There was the cat we called 'Suicide Cat', because he liked to spend his time sleeping in the crocodile enclosure - with the crocs! 


Tortoise Cat

Then there was baby tortoise cat, who slept on top of the baby tortoises - surely to help keep the tiny babies warm?


Gym Cats

One of my favourite places to walk past was the gym, to visit the lovely gym cats - a very popular hangout! 

There were cats of all kinds, everywhere. It was awesome!


Big Cats

Of course we also got to hang out with amazing wild big and smalls cats too, such as lions, cheetahs, leopards and caracals. Something that was life changing and that I'll never forget! 


Spot

In the end though, the hardest animal to say goodbye to was Spot, our sweet little cat that slept on our bed every night. He was one of the coolest cats I've ever met. I cried many tears when I had to say goodbye and I still think of him every day. 

For more about my amazing African adventure, check out my blog.

Special thanks to Sarah for taking the time to share her amazing story and pictures with us this week! Visit her website to learn about Cat Tee Mission, and click here to read a more in-depth account of her time spent at the sanctuary.

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Know of any cat-themed travel destinations, or have any cool kitty vacation pics to share? Drop me a line at catsparella@gmail.com!

Henri, Le Chat Noir Turns Political Pundit

Henri - Politique

Fresh off of his Golden Kitty win at last month's Internet Cat Video Film Fest, The Seattle Times asked Henri, le Chat Noir to make a short video sharing his political opinions. While the philosophical feline didn't endorse a specific candidate in the upcoming presidential election, he did manage a meow-out to Tuxedo Stanley, his feline look-a-like who is running for mayor of Halifax.

"Perhaps worshipping cats as living gods, as the Egyptians did, is too much to hope for, " Henri mew-ses. "But a few city council seats would be a great start." 



Via Facebook (Henri, le Chat Noir)

Tiny Fey Graces "Breakfast At Tiffany's" Inspired Entertainment Weekly Cover With A Feline Friend

Current Entertainment Weekly cover lady Tina Fey shares the spotlight with a white feline, as the two recreate Audrey Hepburn's iconic turn as Holly Golightly in the 1961 film, "Breakfast at Tiffany's". 

Fans of the movie will note that the cat in the film was actually orange, and appeared as a ginger and white tabby on the theatrical poster. Hepburn has reportedly said that the climactic scene where she has to throw Cat into a rainy street was "the most distasteful thing she ever had to do on film."

While nine cats were used during production of "Breakfast at Tiffany's", Orangey is credited in the role of Golightly's kitty, Cat. Orangey, who has his own Wikipedia page, was a professional animal actor with a 15 year career that spanned over film and television. He was the first feline to win two Patsy Awards, the animal equivalent of an Academy Award.

Via BuzzFeed / Entertainment Weekly

Kitty Jones Kitty Crafts Book Giveaway Winner!

Thanks to everyone who entered the Kitty Jones Kitty Crafts Book Giveaway!

I used Random.org to determine the winner, and it selected comment #13 belonging to YummieBaker who wrote, "Purrfect book to have on hand during the fall season."

If you'd like to try your paw at some cat projects of your own, "Kitty Jones Kitty Crafts: Beautifully Designed Projects for a Cat-Friendly Home" is available now on Amazon, or check out Jen Curry's website, Kitty Jones, for more information.

Messy My "Love Cats" Tote Bag Giveaway!

Geraldine Cat Brooch

Illustrator Daphne Sivetidis of Messy My describes herself as an extreme cat lover. The London-based artist, who currently resides in Athens, Greece, creates pocket mirrors, cards, brooches, and more that feature her adorable brand of quirky cats.


The Cat Lovers Goody Pack

A few months ago, Sivetidis raised funds and sold a limited edition tote to help out an Athenian street cat who had been hit by a car and was in need of expensive surgery (her name was Dio, and today she's doing great!). 


Cat Hug Card and Pocket Mirror Pack for Cat Lovers

The experience inspired Daphne to do even more to help the ferals in her adopted city, so she created the Cat Hug Card and Pocket Mirror Pack for Cat Lovers, with all of the proceeds going towards feeding and caring for the cats of the Petralona neighborhood of Athens.

Enter To Win!



Daphne has generously offered one lucky Catsparella reader the chance to win one of her limited edition Love Cats tote bags!

To enter, leave a comment on this post with your name, and some way for me to contact you if you win (email, link back to your blog or profile, Twitter, etc.). The winner be will chosen in a random drawing next Wednesday, October 3 at 5:00PM EST. This giveaway is open to everyone, so our international friends can participate, too! One entry per person, please.

Good luck, and be sure to visit Daphne's blog, and Messy My on Etsy to check out even more of her adorable cat art!

(If you have trouble leaving a comment, please email me at catsparella@gmail.com)

[Comments are now closed. Thanks for entering!]

Experienced Office Cat Turns To LinkedIn For Employment Opportunities

Pierre

If you're a cat looking for a job in today's rough economic climate, what better place to expose your skills to a huge network of professionals than with a profile on LinkedIn? Mercury News reports that Pierre, a 7-year-old tuxedo cat from Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) in Walnut Creek, CA, just might be the first feline to utilize the social networking site to find his next gig.

The social media-savvy kitty came to ARF in 2010, weighing in at an unhealthy 40 pounds. Thanks to a steady routine of diet and exercise, the tenacious tuxie has dropped 13 pounds, and is now ready to expand his possibilities outside of the shelter. When volunteers realized that Pierre was happiest in an open workplace environment, they decided to upload his resume to LinkedIn to try and find the purrfect placement for the real life business cat.



Pierre's profile reads in part, "Experienced office cat with larger-than-life personality seeks full-time, long-term position. Ideal work environment includes carpeted office or home office with windows, laid-back style, and feline-loving coworkers. (Pierre is also willing to overcome his workaholic tendencies for the right HOME environment!)"

The A-CAT-emy of Feline Sciences graduate also boasts an impressive list of skills and expertise that include four-paw typing, client greeting, staff and volunteer training, motivational speaking, and paperweight. He is looking for an employer who will provide head and cheek rubs, an employee exercise plan, and a generous nap package.

If you are someone you know is interested in taking on a hard working, professional office cat with 7+ years of experience, check out Pierre's Adopt-a-Pet profile, or contact ARF for more information.

Via Mercury News / LinkedIn (Pierre Cat)

Neurowear's Brainwave Controlled Cat Tail Lets The World Know Whether You're Happy Or Hissed Off

neurowear "shippo / brain controlled tail" concept movie

It was a little over a year ago that Neurowear read our minds with their brainwave controlled Necomimi cat ears, and now they're ready to invade our craniums even further with a clip on cat tail that reacts according to your mood.

I have to admit, when I first heard about Shippo, the brainwave controlled cat tail, my reaction was a little dubious. However, upon seeing the charming video (above) of the device in action, I warmed up to the idea of growing a furry appendage -- although you still won't catch me wearing one to the grocery store anytime soon.

The white tail is hooked up to a neural app reader that causes it to sway serenely or wiggle back and forth happily, depending on how you're feeling. The weirdest/coolest part is that it also tags your location so stalkers can find you you can see where others have felt the most relaxed, and socially share your mood.  

The device is still a prototype for now, but with Neurowear's track record of turning flights of feline fancy into reality, it's certain that you'll be able to get your paws on this ass-essory soon enough. With kitty ears falling into fashion this season, are tails poised to be the next big cat fashion trend?



Via MTV Geek

Cat Cupcake Tuesdays

3D Cat Cupcake

Cheri of Afternoons In The Kitchen created these adorable kitchen-themed cupcakes as a sweet birthday treat. In addition to featuring glittering fondant tuxedo kitties, they also include an impressive array of tiny baking accessories, such as a cookie sheet, apron, and mixer! 


Kitchen-Themed Cupcakes

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Have you created or spotted any kitty-themed baked goods (or other foods) lately? If so, please submit your sweet tips for Cat Cupcake Tuesdays to catsparella@gmail.com!

Gjon Mili's Portraits Of His Cat Blackie

Blackie, Gjon Mili's cat, as part of fashion shot with bride model.

Gjon Mili was an Albanian-American photographer best known for his work published in LIFE, where he worked as a freelance photographer from 1939 until his death in 1984. During his long career, Mili traveled the world documenting important people and events for the magazine, but also focused on more personal work, such as the images he captured of his cat Blackie in his New York City studio in the 1940s.

I wasn't able to dig up any details on the relationship between and Mili and the photogenic feline, however the care he took in capturing the beauty and mystique of the cat in a series of portraits seems to indicate that the kitty model was also a beloved companion. 


Portrait of Blackie


Blackie nibbling young acrobat's foot as she does a handstand.


Blackie being hugged by nightclub entertainer Maune de Revel.


Portrait of Blackie


Blackie looking at his portrait in mural by Saul Steinberg in Mili's studio.


Blackie sitting atop table held in unidentified man's teeth.


Portrait of Blackie

Via LIFE Photo Archive hosted by Google

It's Caturday!

Welcome back for another edition of Caturday, where we catch up on the week's latest cat news, and get to meet some of your amazing kitties!

This week, Kim Kardashian got a kitten, Bob-bob the cat hitched a free ride to Disney World, Kat Von D and Deadmau5 bonded over their shared love of felines, The Amazing Acro-Cats asked for help making their purrfect tour bus dreams come true, Ohara Hale's Take Out Cats catered to every craving, Black cat cupcakes brought good luck, Tuxedo Stanley campaigned to be the first feline mayor of Halifax, and we met Spangles the cross-eyed cat, who has no problem letting his human know when he's in a "glamorous mood"!

Elsewhere, don't miss my review of "Kitty Jones Kitty Crafts" by Jen Curry! I'm giving away a copy of the cat-friendly craft book to one lucky winner on Wed. 9/26, so don't miss out!


Matilda

This week's featured feline is especially close to my heart because I happened to meet her just as her life was about to change forever. You see, Matilda was a sweet kitty living at Sayreville Pet Adoption Center during the time I was there meeting and photographing kitties as part of my (successful) FURminator campaign to win a $1,000 donation for the shelter.

As fate would have it, a mere days after I took this picture of Matilda back in April, Jennifer, who was not yet a reader of Catsparella, happened to walk into SPAC looking for a kitty to adopt. The funny part is, Jennifer and I randomly started chatting on Twitter a few months later, and she would tweet me adorable pictures of Matilda every Caturday. Since I didn't know where she was from and our conversations had nothing to do with the shelter, it never  really occurred to me that her Matilda was the same cat I had met months earlier (in my defense, I see a lot of cats/cat pictures!). Much to my delight, when I recently found out that they live in New Jersey, it finally dawned on me just why her gorgeous green-eyed kitty looked so familiar!

Jennifer writes:

On April 16th, I walked into Sayreville Pet Adoption Center to adopt a kitty. As I was walking around petting the cats, I felt a paw brushing on my leg. I looked down and saw Matilda meowing at me from her cage. The first thing I noticed was those gorgeous green eyes. I opened the cage door and she came right out, brushing through my legs in a figure 8. 



I had my purse on the floor next to her and she jumped right in! I knew at that moment that she chose me. Little did I know that Stephanie from Catsparella was there on that very day (Ed note: I think it was a few days before, but close enough!) photographing Matilda for a contest to raise money for the shelter. What a small world!



Matilda makes me smile every single day. She has such a sweet personality and has brought so much happiness into my life.  Whenever I come home, I see her little face waiting for me at the top of the stairs. She loves to sit in the window and talk to the birds, paces around the kitchen while I cook waiting for a piece of salmon or chicken to fall on the floor, and curls up in bed with me when I'm sick or just having a bad day. She absolutely loves to be picked up and kissed on the head!! Matilda is a wonderful cat and I am so lucky that she picked me that day.



Special thanks to Jennifer for sharing Matilda's story with us this week! I remember thinking that she seemed like such a sweet and gentle soul at the shelter, and couldn't be happier to learn that she found the purrfect forever home with such a loving kitty mama!

p.s. Looking for even more Catsparella? Check out my weekly columns over on Catster!

This week:

Bark Decor Traps Wild Catalope in Clothing, Home Accessories

LeSportsac's Kitty-Shaped Crossbody Bag Is Big on Cute

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Want to see your cat(s) on Catsparella? I'm always accepting submissions for my weekly Caturday post! Just email your best kitty pics to catsparella@gmail.com, and include your cat's name and anything else you'd like to share! I can't wait to hear from you!

Spangles The Cross-Eyed Kitty Wins Fans With His Unique Looks And Feline Style

Spangles

It used to be that a cat needed a viral video to their name to make a splash on the internet, but these days, any kitty worth their litter also has their own Facebook page for fans to show their appreciation. Case in point, Spangles the Cross-Eyed Kitty. The 3-year-old cat, so named because he was born of the fourth of July, has recently drawn media attention to his social media profile, due to his charming mix of fashion acumen and cross-eyed cuteness.



The patriotic puss was born with one cross eye, but it doesn't affect his vision. According to his official bio, Spangles loves being photographed, and is sure to let his human know when he's in a "glamorous mood." 

His diverse list of interests include roaming around the house in his little hats and costumes, going on walks wearing his harness, watching birds, playing with his fur siblings (two small dogs and other three kitties), and getting in the shower. 



Now here's one cutie I wouldn't mind popping up in my friend feed! Be sure to visit Spangles's Facebook page to keep track of all his latest looks.

Via People Pets / Facebook (Spangles the Cross Eyed Kitty)

Mayoral Hopeful Tuxedo Stanley Is "The Purrfect Candidate"

"Tuxedos will be mandatory at city hall when I'm elected mayor. We need to improve our image."

Forget the Demo-cats and Republi-kitties. Felines finally have their own political party to represent their best interests in the upcoming election. Following in the paw-steps of pussycat politicians like Hank, who is currently running for a senate seat in Virginia, and Stubbs, who has been the mayor of Talkeetna, Alaska for the past fifteen years, Tuxedo Stanley has thrown his catnip mouse into the ring in a bid to become mayor of Halifax, Canada.


"What do you mean I can't bribe voters? I live by the code: "you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours."

Stan represents the Tuxedo Party, a political movement aimed to improve the welfare of felines in HRM  (Halifax Regional Municipality) "because neglect isn't working." At the tender age of three, he is hardly old enough to be a mayor - plus there's a pesky municipal law saying animals can't run for office - but that isn't stopping him from playing his part to raise awareness about the plight of homeless animals. Through his campaign, Stan vocally advocates the creation of a low cost spay and neuter clinic, a comprehensive Trap-Neuter-Return and Care program, and a sanctuary for homeless strays to live out their lives in comfort.


"Tuxedo Stan is a proud supporter of The Youth Project. He believes in their message "Love not Hate". Wise words to live by."

Running on the platform of "A chicken in every pot and a litter box in every house," Stanley has already amassed international media attention, and a large Facebook following. In a recent message to his supporters, he writes, "I feel very fortunate to live in Catopia. I've never known hunger, cold or abuse. I sleep in a warm, cozy bed every night. I get to play in a safe fenced yard every day. Unfortunately, there are cats all over the world who aren't so lucky. You can help by donating money or time to a local rescue group. For those of you who do - a big Tuxedo Stan THANK MEOW!"


"Rainy days are great opportunities to plan campaign strategy. Or catch up on beauty rest."

Halifax's human mayoral candidates should feel relieved that Stanley can't officially go toe-to-paw with them in the upcoming election. When asked if they would actually vote for a cat mayor, 56.29% of readers in a CBC News poll responded, "Of course, Stan is the purrrfect candidate."

Via The Huffington Post / CBC News / Facebook (Tuxedo Party)