Hogmanay's Dogmanay

We've just returned from a glorious belated honeymoon. When we visited Edinburgh during their annual Hogmanay celebration -a celebration surrounding new years- we had to enjoy an event on New Year's Day: DOGmanay.

For more info and great photos, head to CREATIVEGoddess: Dogmanay.

Friday's Here Kitty!!

Artist Spotter: Nancy of MotleyMutton

I happened upon a fabulous felting artist who recreates animals, both domestic and wild, in familiar shapes. I fell in love with this kitten, alas, it was already sold.

You can find anything from a family of possums, mischievous mice, to daring dragons.

Motley Mutton Web site
Motely Mutton on ETSY

Chinese Zodiac: Celebrating the Rat!!

February 7, 2008 Year of the Rat
Did you know that the Rat is charming, diligent, courageous, observant, and a perfectionist? That's probably why I love Remy in Pixar's new movie Ratatouille.

Over at CalligraphyPets, we've decided that we should celebrate the Chinese New Year with Luxe Gift Sets and Party Packs featuring the Rat.



Please join us and celebrate your animal!

Luxe Gift Set · Rat Party Pack

Happy New Year! Home at Last

We've just returned home from our belated honeymoon in Europe. We haven't travelled in such a long time purely for pleasure that this was a nice break.

Somebody's happy we're home...

Infamous Bacchus

We had to leave the pussycats in the hands of my MIL & FIL, but they seemed to have managed without us -although I know they're super thrilled to have their staff back! After all, I know when Bacchus has itchy back and only I can provide relief when needed. We know to tap the sparkley snowflake at the window to provide a room filled with rainbow effects for Chardon'nay 'nay. Speak softly to Cheshire and know when to use the voice of doom to return the alpha state to me. :)

If you'd like to read more about our travels, please head to "CreativeGoddess" and begin in mid-December; I'm updating all the time, so please check back frequently.

Hope to see you there!!

Toxic Indoor Plants

I thought it might be worthy to provide some useful info about toxic indoor plants. If nothing else, this makes me feel better about my black thumbs and the plants I usually kill.

If you're not sure what plants you have, Google the name and select "image" at the top of Google's top nav to match the appropriate plant image to this list. Make sure to check your house for the following indoor plants:

Amaryllis - Stomach and intestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea)
Azalea - Incoordination, trembling, collapse
Cactus - Punctures skin, infection
Caladium - Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, shaking head, difficulty breathing
Creeping Charlie - Vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, cramps
Easter Lily - All parts can cause kidney failure
Dieffenbachia - Affects central nervous system
Ivy - Vomiting, diarrhea, excitable behavior
Mistletoe - Ingesting berries can cause vomiting, diarrhea, blistering in the mouth, difficulty breathing
Philodendron - Same as Caladium
Poinsettia - Same as Mistletoe

This list is not exhaustive, but I believe one can find that the plants listed above are the most common plants around the house at the holidays, some may even be found in pretty arrangements for delivery.

Within the animal poision control center, ASPCA has a good list that does a decent job of explaining the type of plant one might have -even photos when available.

ASPCA Toxic Plants

It's a Girl: Newest German Star

Nuremburg Zoo
Photos provided by the 'Tiergarten Nuernberg' zoo in Germany this week show a polar bear baby sleeping and being bottle fed.

The cub was removed from her mom on the fear that she might be harmed. Currently unnamed, the cub may just make a special friend for Knut, currently residing in Berlin.

Go see more photos!!

Mascot Retires from Mt Washington

Nin, an elderly cat has retired, as mascot of Mt Washington in New Hampshire. Sounds much to his reluctance, but the rangers are now looking for his successor.

Nin retires.

Leather Kitty Stocking

I've just created a leather stocking with suede and rivet elements -very fun. Come see!

Swashbuckling Kitty

Bacchus: You Had Me at Meow

Our first movie -you knew it had to include Bacchus!


It's a bit pixelated, but gives us an idea of how iMovie treats the default exports.

Glow Kitty

Researchers found a way to clone pet cats five years ago. Now they can play a trick on their genes to change their color.

All I know is that it would be great if my cats glowed at night, then I'd know where to step when I'm heading to piddle in the middle of the night!!

Cloning Gene Modified Cats

Tom & Jerry: Friends at Last?

Scientists in Japan have created a genetically modified mouse which is unafraid of cats.

Genetically mutated mouse

Your Studio Mascot: Enter Today!

Do you or friend work in a animal friendly environment?

Those of you who work from home are often visited by your four legged friend and that can be a welcomed interruption at times; there are larger companies who actually allow animals into the offices to boost morale.

I thought it would be fun to feature studios or offices that not only admit animal mascots into their work environment, but encourage it.

If you've got a Studio Mascot that you'd like featured on our site, please visit YSM now for more info.

Please Note: We do have a pretty wicked sense of humor, but if the submission is in anyway distasteful, we reserve the right to refuse. For the love of Pets, no Michael Vick re-enactments.

Your Studio Mascot

Jerboa: A Mickey Mouse of the Desert Just Captured

Filmed in its natural habitat for the first time as part of a project to save it from extinction, the Jerboa is a comic quality and conservationists are anxious to save it from a tragic end.

A scientific expedition to the Gobi desert in Mongolia has now succeeded in capturing video footage of the nocturnal and little-known animal.

I can't wait to illustrate this little guy!

Read more on TimesOnlines

Detect Common Kitty Diseases Thru Cat Litter

I know I could have used this to determine that my cats were on their way to "college."

Seemingly, it's now possible to monitor the health trends of your cat and provide an early detection of potential health problems. Health Meter Cat Litter claims to work by absorbing liquids quickly and amplifying the natural colors (normally microscopic) present in blood and bilirubin. This allows you to see abnormal color changes present in the urine in some diseases states. This process is similar to the way the pixels on your television concentrate to make a visible picture.

Health Meter Cat Litter

Interesting. I'm not endorsing this product, but I may sure try it when one of my pussycats is feeling malaise.

Baffling Routine in UK:Sgt Podge

Sgt Podge in the UK has now forced his owner to pick him up after a night's prowl.

Apparently, he found a woman who fed him sardines and decided that he should continue his trick-or-treat rounds on a nightly basis to snag more goodies. The next morning, his human mum picks him up at the exact location within the exact time (give or take 10 minutes).

Can we say, "Spoiled?"

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/dorset/7092301.stm

Pet Antics: Pip's Butt

Often, when we're walking up the stairs, Pip will lead and stop -to show us hit butt. It's actually very cute and he'll thwap his tail back and forth. I took still shots then pieced them together in an animation program -pretty easy.

You Wild Thang

You Wild

Morph yourself into an imperiled animal of your choice and enter the YouWild.org Hall of Fame. This will help raise awareness and protection of endangered wildlife and the habitat it needs to survive.

Voted by Reader's Digest as America's Best Wildlife Charity, YouWild.org offers a fun way to learn about imperiled wildlife and hope to encourage folks to help save these beloved critters and protect our vanishing wild places.

Designer Kittens

Starting at $22,000, you too can have a designer pussycat. The Ashera, a mix of an African Serval, Asian Leopard and a domestic cat, is a popular designer kitty.

http://money.cnn.com/2007/11/01/lifestyle/
designer_cats/index.htm?
postversion=2007110212

For now, I think we'll stick with our domestic tabbies.

Humor: Mean Kitty

I found this the other day and thought it was incredibly charming.

Why Do They Have to Be So Cute??

Chardonnay (nickname: NayNay) is the quintessential cute cat. I've grown up with dozens of cats -all of 'em good cats and pretty cats, but I swear someone from Hogwarts charmed this cat.

We need to put a CatCam on him to show you some of his cute antics -wait, perhaps the cam should go on me! I've always said that I wish I kept a camera on my belt that snapped photos of the cute moments -fleeting as they are.

Take a look at this CatCam -hilarious!!