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, we said hello to Sir Stuffington and Zoe the Moustache Cat, Paris got its first cat café, and we scoped out a lip-smacking tuxedo kitty look-a-like cake. Elsewhere, I attended a cheese soireé with the Fancy Feast cat, reviewed Lil Bub's new book, and finally got my paws on some Katzenzungen cat tongue chocolates! Also, there's still to enter for your chance to win a fine art cat print and greeting cards from Tangerine Meg! This giveaway is open to everyone, and I'm drawing the lucky winner this coming Tues. 10/1! Pufflinko This week's featured feline came about after I recently shared the story of a cat named Cola who is turning 28 in November. Pufflinko's mom, Pam, commented that she had a cat who looked just like her, and the rest is history! Pam writes: My Pufflinko looks like Cola and is 19. She is still such a lady and the queen of the house. "She is always the lady and likes to cross her legs," Pam says. I got Pufflinko from a shelter over nineteen years ago. She has always been such a lady but she has a "little thug" in her as well. Years ago when one of the older boy cats (Feenie) pushed her, she sat back on her hind legs and punched him out!
She is the queen of the house and is gracefully fading with kidney disease. She is happy, eats her Fancy Feast tuna florentine, and sits on her soft pad. Special thanks to Pam for sharing her gorgeous senior kitty with us this week! It's clear that Pufflinko has had a long, wonderful life -- thanks in part to a healthy dose of cattitude! *** 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!
Katzenzungen!
I've heard about the sweet treats known as chocolate cat tongues in my travels, so when I recently came across a box at a Polish food stand in a local flea market, I couldn't resist giving the strange sounding delicacy a shot. Oh hells no. -- Charlie According to Wikipedia, the candy, which is made out of chocolate and NOT ACTUAL CAT TONGUES, is common in European and South American countries, where they are known as "Katzenzunge" (German), "langue de chat" (French), "kočičí jazýčky" (Czech), and "Língua de gato" (Portuguese). The slightly morbid snacks have been around since the 1900s, but I still haven't been able to pin down exactly how and why they came to be. My box of Katzenzungen, which was manufactured in Berlin and purchased in New Jersey, came in an adorable box festooned with vintage kittens on it. Inside, I found the sweetly scented body parts, which taste like...chocolate. I probably would have enjoyed them more if they were plain dark or milk chocolate (not a big fan the marbled mix), but white chocolate notwithstanding, they're still a fun novelty item that's purrfect for charming (or alarming) the crazy cat people in your life.
Zoe the Moustache Cat
You may already be familiar with Hamilton the Hipster Cat, the mustachioed cat-dude from San Francisco who rose to fame thanks to his undeniable white fringe, but now it's time to meet your newest feline obsession: Zoe, a fierce tortoiseshell kitty who isn't afraid to embrace her inner Frida Kahlo. I didn't choose the moustache. The moustache chose me. My moustache is rooted in confidence.
According to her official bio, the hirsute feline is the creation of mythical creatures, who knew just what the world needed was another cat with a mustache: Not long ago, the Humble Unicorn Guild (HUG) examined the world and noticed that something was missing. Since necessity is the mother of invention, HUG decided to create a lady cat with a moustache whose unconventional beauty, wit and charm would delight the world. The unicorns placed a single cat whisker and a photo of a famous moustachioed man into a flowerpot. With the help of magic, Zoe sprouted like a kitten camellia. Moustache unwavering and full of pep, young Zoe was excited to explore the world. Keep Calm and Enjoy My Moustache I'm having a bad moustache day. Will stay in bed.
The fashion forward feline, who sees her unique markings as a strength rather than a weakness, also writes blog, where she shares her musings on fashion, beauty, humor, and design. If only we could all be as self-confident as Zoe about a little extra facial fuzz! In this light, you have a moustache too. To learn more about this hip kitty, follow her on Facebook and Twitter, and visit her blog at zoethemoustachecat.squarespace.com.
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Lil Bub's Lil Book: The Extraordinary Life Of The Most Amazing Cat On The Planet There's just something about Lil Bub. I experienced it when I met her at the Philadelphia SPCA in April, and marveled at the way she touched people, even causing them to cry in her presence. My friends at Catster recently hosted the feline phenom when she was visiting in San Francisco, and found that she had a similar effect on their assistant editor, Liz Acosta, who wrote: "In person, BUB is quite possibly the most amazing thing I have ever seen. There is something beautiful and serene and perfect about her that feels like sitting on a beach watching the sun sink into the ocean or akin to listening to the rain while cozied up in bed. And her fur is even softer than I ever could have dreamed."
Earlier this month, the tiny triple-threat released her book, Lil Bub's Lil Book: The Extraordinary Life Of The Most Amazing Cat On The Planet, in conjunction with an online talk show and documentary. Two years old, and already a published author, movie star, and talk show host. And what have you been doing with your life? If Grumpy Cat is the Jennifer Lawrence of the cat world, Lil Bub is its Lady Gaga, a castaway from the Island of Misfit Toys, encouraging those who are different, or who just feel different, to embrace and love the things that make them special.
Much like Gaga, Bub also came down to Earth in a spaceship (from the planet Bub Ub Bub, natch), and has made it her mission to raise awareness about spaying and neutering pets. She also hopes to show how important it is to be compassionate toward those who are born different, and maybe even inspire someone to adopt and take care of a special pet of their own.
The full-color book, with its purple, pink, and lime green cover, is as small and adorable as the cat herself, and was written by Bub with a little help from her notoriously humble dude, Mike Bridavsky. In addition to space adventures, skateboarding, and an ongoing quest for fishies, the hardcover also features special appearances by some very famous friends like Colonel Meow, Henri, le Chat Noir, and Bub's very own boyfriend, Smoosh. Colonel Meow's plot for world domination continues. While you can expect more "Bub-isms" than an actual storyline, what the book lacks in plot it makes up for with incredible photography and fan art that captures the miracle of Bub, a creature who is truly content with just being her amazing self.
More than just an adorable interlude, it is a must read for fans of the online icon, but don't just take my word for it: As Lil Bub herself says, "This is the best book I have ever read or written." Lil Bub's Lil Book: The Extraordinary Life Of The Most Amazing Cat On The Planet, published by Gotham Books, is available now on Amazon and in bookstores everywhere.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book for review, but all opinions expressed in this post are my own. Images courtesy of Lil Bub, unless otherwise noted.
First Parisian Cat Cafe Opens To Animal Lovers It looks like Henri, le Chat Noir finally has a proper spot to grab a cup of coffee and contemplate his existence the next time he finds himself in the City of Light! Paris's first cat cafe, Le Café des Chats, recently opened its doors in the Marais district, giving Parisians with cramped apartments the chance to experience some "purr therapy." The location is quickly proving to be a popular hangout, with hundreds of cat lovers being turned away opening weekend, and reservations already booked through November. The café is home to twelve rescued cats, including Habby, who suffers from feline dwarfism, which gives her a stunted tail and unusually short paws.
Owner Margaux Gandelon tells Reuters that the comfort and care of the felines is foremost, and patrons must follow strict rules. The cats are not allowed to be picked up against their will (although if they happen to hop into your lap willingly, that's ok), and are also prohibited from being fed and disturbed while they are sleeping. According to their website, café owners have been working with animal welfare groups to develop an environment where the cats are happy. The resident kitties, which were all adopted from shelters, are not selected for their looks, but according to their nature, to ensure they enjoy the presence of other cats and humans alike. The concept of cat café, an establishment where customers can come and sip coffee while enjoying the company of felines, originated in Taiwan in the late 90s and quickly spread across Asia. There are now over 40 cat cafés in Japan, and the trend has recently ignited in Europe, where Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium is gearing up to open in London next year. Via Reuters, Le Café des Chats / Images: Facebook (Le Café des Chats)
Thanks to all who entered Fancy Feast NYFW Cat Tote Goody Bag Giveaway! I used Random.org to determine the winners, and it selected Leslie (Comment #36) and Melissa (Comment #119), who have both been contacted via email. Congrats, ladies! I hope you enjoy your stylish new loot!
Black and White Cat in the Garden Tangerine Meg (also known as Margie) is a free-spirited soul like myself, who prefers to live her life with just a little more color. The Australian artist believes that each nourished soul brings a little sanity back into the world, and says that her work is about making that happen with colorful, joyous art. Floraline
Her inspiration runs the gamut from flowers to peace and love, and of course, cats. Each of her designs, which are available as one-of-a-kind watercolors, fine art digital prints, and greeting cards, are deeply personal, and every one of her vivacious kitties has its own story. Sky in the Garden
There's her beloved black and white kitty, Magpie, who loved to hide among the blooming flowerbeds, and Katie Black, a much-loved fluffy girl, with blue/black fur and who she refers to as "a bright-eyed energy shadow." In addition to her current designs, she also offers custom cat art. Cat and Cushion When she's not busy creating vibrant works of feline art, Margie admits to spending her spare time methodically making her way through seasons of Arrested Development or Glee (yea!!), doing yoga, hitting the Farmer's Market, and dying her previously white clothes purple. I appreciate her undeniable positive energy, as she does her part to make the world a little brighter place. Enter To Win! Margie has generously offered one lucky Catsparella reader the chance to win a A4 digital fine art print + 3 greeting cards (a $45 value!) in the print of their choice from the Tangerine Meg shop!
You can choose from any of her cat art designs here.
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 Tuesday, Oct. 1 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 Tangerine Meg's website, and follow her on Facebook for updates on all of her latest designs! If you have trouble leaving a comment, please email me at catsparella@gmail.com. [Comments are now closed. Thanks for entering!]
Mimi Cat Cake I naturally have a soft spot for Tuxedo Cats (there happens to be one purring against my leg as we speak), so I was excited to come across this adorable feline look-a-like cake by goddess17c!
She writes, "The cake was made to look like our work cat, Mimi. It was red velvet, and red inside when you cut it! My work loved it, and so did Mimi (she's licking her chops!)." The creative baker tells me that the cake itself was fairly easy to make, but time consuming to frost. It was definitely worth the effort though -- and kudos to the photographer for snagging such a purrfect shot of the cake alongside its muse! Via CakeCentral (goddess17c) *** 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!
Me and the Fancy Feast cat (we are basically BFF at this point). If you had asked me what I was doing last Friday night, I would have happily told you that I was on my way to New York City to attend a cheese soirée with the Fancy Feast cat. Such is my strangely awesome life, that twice in two weeks, I've had the opportunity to rub elbows with one of the most famous spokescats, in one of the best cities in the world. Fancy Feast invited me to the party in The Cellar at Beecher's Handmade Cheese, a trendy café and wine bar, located in the Flatiron District. The bash included free-flowing wine, an incredible selection of cheeses, and of course, one very famous feline. The party was to celebrate the launch of Fancy Feast Delights With Cheddar Classic, and was the grand prize in the "Cheese Affair Pin to Win" sweepstakes. Three lucky winners and their guests were flown in from all over the country to attend the event, which included a VIP cheese tasting with expert, Liz Thorpe. Me and cheese expert, Liz Thorpe. Check out her awesome kitty skirt! Thorpe, who has two cats of her own, is the author of The Cheese Chronicles. She could not have been any friendlier or more knowledgable as she led us through the delicious pairings, and even showed up in in some fancy cat clothing of her own -- a chic, feline-inspired skirt! Getting cat lady crunk with fellow blogger Tamar Arslanian of I Have Cat. I was also happy to catch up with my friend and fellow blogger, Tamar Arslanian of I Have Cat. After munching on everything from watermelon and feta salad, to mac & cheese, I even got to stop by her apartment to meet her famous felines, Petie, Kip, and Haddie! Thank you again for Fancy Feast for including me in this fun, fromage inspired affair. I will definitely never look at cheese the same way again!
(Click here to watch if video doesn't load) September 13, 2013 was the first day of Sir Stuffington's new life, because that was the day he was rescued, along with his two brothers, from the streets of Troutdale, Oregon. The tiny kitten, who tipped the scales at just over a pound, was suffering from calicivirus, a severe flea infestation that caused a heart murmur, a missing eye, and a jaw fracture that has since healed. Sir Stuffington, center, with his brothers pictured left and right.
After being successfully treated at Multomah County Animal Services, the kitten was turned over to his loving foster mom, Blazer Schaffer, who told KOIN, "Everybody has beauty, it's just how you choose to see it." In less than a week, images of the extraordinary feline have gone viral, with people drawn to his big blue eye and Grumpy Cat-channeling grin. His Facebook page has already racked up nearly 25,000 fans (probably way more by the time you read this), along with love and well wishes from around the world. Fans can buy this pirate print to benefit Multnomah County Animal Services. Although only weeks old, Sir Stuffington has made it his mission to bring awareness to the importance of local animal shelters, and the lives they save every day. All proceeds from the sale of his pirate print, shot by Amy Who Photography, will go to Multnomah County Animal Services, who are currently providing his veterinary care. Sir Stuffington and Foster Mom, Blazer Schaffer
In addition to being just another pretty face, Stuffington's foster mom wants the spunky kitten's story to show that anyone can make a difference. "If you see a homeless kitten, pick it up take it to the shelter, take it to the vet, don't just leave them. They can survive and thrive and have somebody to love them," she said. Via CNN / Facebook (Sir Stuffington)
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, Joseph Gordon-Levitt cuddled a kitten, a dapper cat was promoted to assistant librarian at a children's library in Russia, Queen of Tarts baked up fabulous fondant feline cupcakes, the Hello Kitty jet made its U.S. debut! Also, don't forget to enter for your chance to win an exclusive Fancy Feast NYFW Cat Tote Goody Bag, complete witha highly coveted set of cat ears, mirrored compact, and more! I'm drawing two lucky winners this coming Tues. 9/24! Sir Tomas This week's featured feline is a sleepy kitty who comes to us all the way from Bolivia! Gaby writes:
This is Sir Tomas. He really thinks he comes from a royal family...and he does! Zzzzz He is the baby of the house.. he is six, but still being a baby for everyone here! Zzzzz My cousin gave him to me as a gift. At the beginning, I wasn't sure if I should keep him or not, but in the end it was him who chose me. It was love at second sight..haha, but REAL love! Zzzzz He is master of all chairs, beds and sofas, and he likes eating A LOT! He eats like six times a day, but his favorite activity, without a doubt, is sleeping. Nobody does it better than him! Day, night, hot, cold..he looooves to sleep..every way possible..he likes doing it on clean or new clothes..I think it is his way to appreciate them. Zzzzz Also, everything is fine until the dog walks in, because he hates him! He beats him up every time he moves his tail (aalll the time!), and he wont let him go near the bed. Get away from my bed! He also likes to rip up the curtains and sharpen his nails on my mom's couch. When he wants food he knows which one of us he should ask and when..he LOVES tuna, cheese Pringles and meat..that's why my dad buys cans and cans of tuna and meat just for him. Zzzzz He is my life partner, and that's why I love him so much! Special thanks to Gaby for sharing her beloved baby with us this week! *** 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!
