By : John Young
The cage was small, but the people were nice and Tiger felt safe. He was fed, petted and regularly groomed. Still, it wasn’t home. Tiger had been ‘home’, and still had vague memories of the woman who had cared for him and the other cats who lived with her.
Then he had been taken to this place, and had been here so long he had almost forgotten ‘home’, and the woman.
There was uneasiness here, though, and Tiger felt it. Something was about to happen. Something bad.
Then two humans came in. He was put in a cage with them. He jumped up in the woman’s lap. He was put in a dark place that bumped and jostled. He heard strange, scary noises. He howled, and a male voice answered with noises he couldn’t understand.
Then there was light. And TERROR!
A small hand reached for him and tried to grab him. There were people he didn’t know; they all approached him. There was another cat that arched and spat.
Then, horror of horrors…
There was a dog!
Tiger fled. He fled down a long corridor and bolted through the first open door he found. He hid in the darkest place he could find…among soft and hard things he didn’t recognize. He heard voices. He heard the dog bark, and he shuddered. He heard the child’s high pitched voice, and a woman’s voice…which were easier to bear.
He hunkered down and remained as invisible and silent as he could.
ADOPTION IN HASTE
The staff of animal shelters greet people looking for new pets with both joy and misgiving. People walk between the cages, looking over each cat, and the staff hope they will select a cat that has been there for a long time.
But they know what the people are looking for; they are looking for kittens, not adult cats.
If there are no kittens, the customers will sometimes reluctantly choose an adult cat as a “consolation prize”, pay the adoption fees and cart him or her off…
Only to return the cat two or three days later.
“I’m sorry, but this cat just didn’t work out. We couldn’t fit it into the family.”
Or…
“This cat is just too wild. We need something tamer, something that will fit in.”
“What happened?” The staff member asks.
“The cat bolted and hid. It took us three days to find it, and when we finally did, we had to chase it all over the house before we caught it. We need something tamer; something that will fit in better.”
So go the sad tales of the returnees… but wait, it can be worse for cats adopted in other ways.
“The landlord won’t let me keep her, could you please take her in?”
People who adopt strays off the street, or a friend’s cat, many times don’t realize the full extent of the things they need to do for their new cat…
In Part 2 We’ll discuss those things. Adequate preparation would have saved Tiger -- by safely and easily introducing him to a happy home…
Author's Resource:
John Young is a writer and cat lover who has owned one cat or another ever since he was four (or, maybe they owned him). His book "Your New Cat's First 24 Hours", www.yourcatsecrets.com , is written for new and veteran cat owners who want to smoothly introduce a new cat to their household and care for her thereafter
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Cat Magic - Good Luck Spells
By : Beate Spear
Once in a while we all need a little good luck and what is better to have a 4-legged purring good luck charm in the house, or maybe two? Diablo, my pitch black good luck charm is my companion for nearly 13 years now and never has my life been more pleasant since he is around. Is this cat magic? I do believe it is. One of my favorite books is Cat Spells by Claire Nahmad and I want to let you participate in Cat Magic for a moment.
Cats are traditional luck-bringers, although their goodwill must be fostered and respected. The reason whey they are so revered as omens of good fortune has been lost in the mist of pre-history. However fantastic claims have been made for cat’s origins, not least that they came to earth long ago from another planet and another dimension.
In some places, fear of cats persists, however, and the idea of them having their genesis in the dark bowels of the earth, might linger to influence miners and seamen, for both are superstitious about pronouncing the word “cat” when underground or at sea. Sailors favor them as luck-bringers, even so, and to throw one overboard is said to raise a witch-storm at sea. Actors believe that to kick a cat, or to abuse it verbally, brings bad luck to their performance. They are happy to have an established theatre-cat, and for it to run about behind stage, but if it actually crosses the stage, dire misfortune will be visited on the theatrical production.
It was once thought unlucky to “flit a cat”, or to remove it with the rest of the family when they moved house. Such a superstition seems to be connected with the idea of avoiding the anger of domestic spirits and hearth brownies, which often became attached to the household cat, sometimes using their body as a vehicle. This tradition still seems to be honored today in some cases, although the custom would certainly seem to be an abusive one.
Although the magical powers on the cat can be uses for good or ill according to human purposes, people once held the belief that cats could be intrinsically evil. Attitudes seemed to sway between desiring them as household companions because of their luck-brining properties and visiting cruelty on them because they were associated with the Devil. They were thought to harbour evil spirits, and if a cat fell ill, however harmless the disease to human beings, they were put outside in the belief that the demons of their sickness would pursue the entire family. These unkind customs have almost died out, prevailing only in a few rural communities today.
The cat, however, with its nine lives, is a resilient creature. These good-luck spells honor its dignity and its appeal, and obviate those superstitious practices which arose from penalizing the unfortunate cat for human failings.
Author's Resource:
www.PurrfectPetHealth.com Please visit us and find everything you need to keep your pet healthy and happy. We provide you with a wide variety of information, products, and also some fun videos just for simple pleasure. Come enjoy the health and livelihood of your pets together with us!
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Why Use a Cat Barrier?
By : rayter
Like dogs, letting your kitties roam in the neighborhood unattended could cause some disturbances, damages and troubles. To avoid these problems, a cat barrier is the best solution to let your kitty enjoy the great outdoors safely.
Depending on what type of cat barrier you choose, you and your cat can benefit a lot from using it. Here are some good reasons for you to buy a barrier for your cat.
• The primary purpose of using a cat barrier is to keep your kitty safe while being happy and contented. These barriers will keep your cat away from dogs and other stray animals.
• Barrier in a form of cat door will provide your kitty a great way to enter and leave the house safely. Cat doors will allow your pet to roam freely whenever he pleases.
• Cats are territorial by nature. They love to go inside and outside of the house. Cat flaps will give them freedom to go out to enjoy the cool breeze and come inside for warmth and food.
• Cat doors make your life a bit easier. No need for you to open the main door to let your cat out or in. Therefore, you can have peace of mind knowing that your cat can leave or enter the house in a convenient and safe manner.
• Door for windows is a specially designed cat barrier that lets your kitty enjoy the beautiful surroundings in the comfort of your home. With protective screen that keeps your beloved pet safe and sound.
• Cat enclosures, on the other hand, are the ideal cat barriers used to contain your kitties outside. This is the perfect way to let your indoor cats enjoy the outdoors.
• Enclosure for cats is more than a cage. It serves as an outdoor cat barrier where your kitties can play and rest safely while enjoying the scenery.
• Cat barriers such as cat enclosures keep your pet safe and away from stray animals. In addition, outdoor cat play enclosure is a room for exercise and relaxation of your pet.
• If you want to contain your cat inside in the house, cat playpens are a great choice. This roomy cat barrier provides a wide space for your cat to stretch out, move around and play.
• Cat playpen is the ideal product to use when you are planning to leave your cat home alone for a short period of time. This will not cause boredom since the space between the wires lets your cat see the view outside.
Author's Resource:
The author is a dog owner and writer connected to a company that offers a huge selection of effective cat barrier, patio pet door and other pet containment systems at lowest possible prices.
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