Cat Breed Profile: the Wild-at-Heart Chausie

By Julia Williams

People who like cats with a wild look are naturally drawn to the Chausie, an exotic feline with Jungle Cat ancestry. With their long legs, long, lean body and statuesque appearance, Chausie cats are exquisitely beautiful creatures.

However, the Chausie (pronounced chow-see) is not for everyone. This unusual cat breed requires an experienced owner who can meet the demands of a very active, assertive and athletic feline that needs a lot of interactive play and attention.

Chausie Personality

This high energy feline is rarely idle; they prefer physical and mental stimulation to lazy catnaps on your lap. The Chausie is sociable, affectionate, good natured and intelligent. They have a very curious nature and can be fearless, so keeping them indoors at all times is essential. The Chausie is highly trainable and can be taught to fetch. Their exceptionally playful demeanor lasts well into adulthood.

Despite their wild ancestry, Chausies can develop deep bonds with their owner and do not like to be left home alone for long hours. Their movements are very “cougar-like” and they are excellent jumpers with the ability to reach high places with ease (such as the tops of doors).

Chausie Physical Appearance

Bred to retain the look of the Jungle Cat, this medium to large domestic feline is tall, sleek and elegant. The short haired cat has large tufted ears, slanted cheekbones, a long sloping forehead and a slightly shortened tail. Their muscular body is built for running and jumping, which they do very gracefully. The Chausie’s deep chest enables them to breathe deeply which adds to their impressive endurance level. The males are usually larger than the females, and can weigh up to 25 pounds!

Chausie History

This rare breed is the result of breeding domestic cats with the Jungle Cat, a wild species that dwells primarily from the Nile Valley to the Caspian Sea. The breed’s name is derived from the Latin name for the Jungle Cat, felis chaus. The Jungle Cat dates back to ancient Egypt, where they were apparently held in high regard – mummified Jungle Cats have been found in Egyptian tombs. Some cat fancier’s believe that the statues of the Goddess Bastet were modeled after the svelte Jungle Cat.

The Chausie breed is not recognized by the Cat Fancier’s Association (CFA) but was granted foundation registry status by The International Cat Association (TICA) in 1995. Due to the effort of breeders and their work, the Chausie was given Championship status earlier this year.

Though certainly not the right pet for everyone – especially those who want a laid-back cat who demands little attention – the Chausie can be a wonderful pet for someone who understands this wild-at-heart feline’s needs and can meet them.

Top and bottom photo by PiBeseth
Middle photo by GorillazFanAdam

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Fun Places for Dog Lovers to Visit

By Julia Williams

If you love to take your dog along when you travel or just get out for a day of fun, there’s no shortage of Fido-friendly places you can go. Here are some ideas to consider.

Dog Days Baseball Games

Yes, you can take your four-legged BFF with you to the ball park, on specific dog-allowed days. This year, 18 major league baseball teams hosted Dog Days (some stadiums call them Bark in the Parks), with many holding multiple events. This dog-friendly event began in 1996 when the White Sox offered the first Dog Day which was a huge success. Some even have festivities such as parades, competitions, dog-related vendors and fundraisers for animal charities. Each stadium has its own requirements for vaccinations, weight limits and such, so be sure to visit their website or call before you go to get all the details.

National Mall and Memorial Parks in Washington, D.C.

This historical site in the heart of our nation’s capital includes a host of iconic monuments including the Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt Memorials as well as the World War II, Korean War Veteran’s and Vietnam Veteran’s Memorials. The National Mall also includes Constitution Gardens, Washington Monument, Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site and Park, Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site, and a clock tower built in 1899. According to the National Park Service, dogs are permitted up to the monuments except in indoor or covered areas. In-between monument viewing, there are lots of places to walk, picnic, sight-see, enjoy the views and play a game of Frisbee with your dog.

BonBon-Land Amusement Park in Denmark

This quirky amusement park is near Copenhagen and as the name suggests, its theme is inspired by a line of sweets. But what makes this a fun place for dog lovers to visit is the park’s famous (infamous? lol) roller coaster, the Hundprutt-berg-och-dalbanan. Loosely translated, the name means Dog Fart Switchback, and they carried the theme throughout – the ride features dog sculptures, fake dog doo, and speakers that make loud farting noises as you soar under a giant dog – while he’s lifting his leg, naturally!

Carmel, California 

Nicknamed “Dog Town West” because of its reputation for being so dog friendly, this charming seaside city has dozens of quaint inns, hotels and bed-and-breakfasts that welcome pooches of every size, as well as a plethora of restaurants, bars and coffeehouses that offer seating where dogs are permitted. Carmel also has a leash-free beach, and many of the city’s shops and galleries provide tasty dog biscuits and fresh water for their four-legged visitors.

San Diego, California

Pleasantly warm temperatures year-round, dog-themed events, plenty of pet-friendly hotels and shopping opportunities – these are just a few of the things that make San Diego a great place for dogs and dog lovers. Add beautiful white-sand beaches that allow your canine friend to accompany you as you worship the sun or enjoy spectacular ocean views (a few beaches are even leash-free), and it’s a must-see destination!

New York City

If you love the hustle-and-bustle of a big city, New York is a great place for you to visit with your dog. Aside from a looooong list of dog parks, New York offers dog-friendly walking tours, group tours, dog beaches, and lots of other fun and interesting attractions where your canine friend is welcome to join you.  When you’re all tuckered out from seeing the sights, there are plenty of dog-friendly hotels, so you’re sure to find a place where you and your pooch can get some shuteye, even if the city itself never sleeps.

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“Pets Hiding” Photo Contest – Win Free CANIDAE!

By Julia Williams

Dogs and cats love to hide, don’t they? They hide under our rugs, blankets and bedspreads. They hide behind the curtains and underneath the bed with just their tail sticking out. They like to hide outdoors, too… in the grass, in a pile of leaves or next to a tree.

Some pets “hide in plain sight” by lying on a same-color rug or tile. You might find your pet hiding behind the couch, with just their nose peeking around. Cats are especially fond of hiding in the Christmas tree, and some hide inside a birdhouse hoping to catch a snack. Small dogs can hide in a pile of toys (like ET did).

The point is, hiding pets are funny, and they present us with lots of great photo ops. Most pet owners I know take a ton of photos, so I thought this hiding theme would make for a fun contest. (Truth be told, I “stole” the idea from my favorite cartoon kitty, Simon’s Cat. But you know what they say – there’s no such thing as a totally original idea!).

“Pets Hiding” Photo Contest

Do you have a cute photo of your pet hiding? We want to see it, and sharing it could win you free CANIDAE Pure dog food or cat food! Yep, your photo could net you a big bag of premium quality pet food for your animal pal.

Categories and Prizes

Best Dog “Hiding” Spot: 1 (one) 15-pound bag of CANIDAE grain free dog food (Pure Elements, Pure Sea, Pure Sky or Pure Land)

Cutest Cat “Hiding” Spot: 1 (one) 15-pound bag of CANIDAE grain free cat food (Pure Elements or Pure Sea)

Funniest Hiding Spot: 1 (one) 15-pound bag of CANIDAE Pure grain free dog food or cat food (winner’s choice).

Most Creative Hiding Spot: 1 (one) 15-pound bag of CANIDAE Pure grain free dog food or cat food (winner’s choice).

How to Enter

Just click this link to visit the CANIDAE Facebook page and upload your photo. Large file sizes preferred with 5MB as the maximum size. You can submit as many photos as you like before the contest closes on September 13, 2013.

Photos will be judged by a panel of pet-loving peeps, including the writers of this blog and CANIDAE staff. Winners will be notified at the email address used to submit the entry, and will have 48 hours to respond or an alternate winner will be chosen.

The Rules 

No purchase or payment is necessary to win. To enter, you must be at least 21 years of age and a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident (green card), or a legal resident of Canada. CANIDAE Natural Pet Food Company employees, vendors and their immediate family members are not eligible. Immediate family includes only spouses, parents and children.

Terms and conditions apply. All photos submitted become property of CANIDAE and may be used for commercial purposes including packaging, websites and any type of marketing or advertising material.

Time to get clicking! Submit your best photo(s) today via the CANIDAE photo contest page on Facebook!

Top photo by Shan 213
Middle photo by Lulu Hoeller
Bottom photo by Erica Firment

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Book Review – The Existential Musings of an Angst-Filled Cat

Belle loves Henri!

By Julia Williams

William Braden, the creative genius behind the Henri, le Chat Noir empire, has done what I’ve dreamt of doing for years. William not only put his cat to work, but now supports himself fully with Henri-related ventures!

Whereas most pet owners merely watch their cat or dog blissfully sleeping away and just wish they’d wake up and do something to defray the cost of their kibble, William had a vision.

Well…actually I made that last part up. I don’t really know if William had a vision for his now-famous French-speaking cat or not, way back in 2006 when Henry (the tuxedo kitty’s real name) appeared in his first internet video. But after the second video catapulted Henri to fame, lightbulbs surely went off in William’s brilliant mind.

He had created an unforgettable character — the world’s first existential cat philosopher – who was filled with ennui and bent on pondering his tormented existence. Filmed in black and white to parody French film noir, William’s video won the Golden Cat Award at the 2012 Internet Cat Video Film Festival, and late film critic Roger Ebert declared it “The best internet cat video ever made.” Yes, it’s that good!

Legions of Henri fans snapped up the t-shirts, coffee cups, posters, mouse pads, Henri “pawtographs” and other merchandise that followed, and now…William lives off his cat! At least that’s what the press release said for the latest Henri endeavor – a delightful little book titled The Existential Musings of an Angst-Filled Cat.

The hardcover book (in black and white, naturally!) is a collection of doleful Henri quotes that purrrfectly illustrate the disenchanted house cat’s cynical outlook on life. There are also 45 gorgeous photos, mostly of the handsome Henri but a few of his supposedly simpleminded feline roommate, aka “the white imbecile.”

If you’re a fan of the Henri videos, you simply must have The Existential Musings of an Angst-Filled Cat in your library! It also makes a great gift for a cat lover. Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the book:

"When I watch you go about your activities, make no mistake about my intentions. I am not curious or coy. I am judging you."

"I sleep because every time I open my eyes, the world is still there."

"Looking into the garden today, I saw another version of myself meeting my gaze. A celestial counterpart, free in all the ways I am trapped, yet longing for the safety of my prison. It turns out it was just a raccoon."

“Cat treats are a poor substitute for real answers to the mysteries of our existence. Yet, I do not reject them.”

“My thumbs are not opposable, yet I oppose everything.”

If I had one itsy bitsy quibble with this great book, it would be that the experience of reading it is far too short. It’s certainly not a book you’ll take on summer vacation to while away a lazy day at the beach. In fact, you can finish the book in ten minutes. I definitely wanted more Henri after that last page! But here’s the thing – you’ll come back to the book again and again, and each time the experience will be just as enjoyable.

Buy it. Read it. Give it to a fellow cat lover. Or keep it on your coffee table to (in Henri’s own words) “make you look smart.” Indeed!

Henri, le Chat Noir: The Existential Musings of an Angst-Filled Cat is sure to become a cat classic.

Disclosure: The publisher provided me with a copy of this book for review, but all opinions and philosophical musings in this post are wholly my own.

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Meet Quint, The Painting Cat!

By Julia Williams

I’ve profiled many talented felines here over the years, including therapy cats, photographer kitties, cat burglars, bestselling author cats and even a TV newsCATster.  Today it is my great pleasure to introduce you to another gifted feline – Quint, a cat who paints! Quint’s abstract art is just exquisite, and the kitty himself is quite the charmer. I know you will enjoy getting to know “Quint the Painting Cat” just as much as I have.

Julia: How old are you, and how long have you been painting?
Quint: I turned one year old at the beginning of May. Everyone says I’m still a baby, so I get lots of kisses. That’s not so bad. Officially, I took up painting last October. Unofficially, I’d been practicing my paw-strokes for about a year.

Julia: Your paintings are so beautiful! How did you pawrents discover that you had this artistic gift? 
Quint: Thank you! And thank you for calling it a gift! My pawrents didn’t think it was that at first. I’m not using names or anything but when I was little, I used to watch my dad get ready to face the world each morning and during that time somehow, little white dots would magically appear on the bathroom mirror. Well, no dot is safe with me! I’d touch and pat each one and sometimes, the dots would smear and swirl and that made me want to tug at each one even more. Mom wiped away my art every day and I had a fresh canvas to work on the next morning. When I was a little older, one day I thought the walls of our Cat Den looked boring and needed some help. The way mom tells it, I graduated from toothpaste on a mirror to cat litter smears on her walls. And that’s when I think I finally got through to them – I’m an artist and I needed a more acceptable outlet!

Julia: Why do you like to paint? 
Quint: Hmm, I think most artists don’t know why they do what they do. We just feel the need to express ourselves differently than most. This fall marks one year since I began painting and that milestone excites me. When something excites me, paint helps me express my excitement. Oh, and it’s fun to get colors on my big, white paws.

Julia: Could you describe your painting process? 
Quint: Sure, that’s easy. Usually, mom picks up on my restlessness and pulls my cardboard ‘studio’ together quickly. If I’ve been outside admiring flowers or sitting in my window watching birds, mom uses those color cues to set out a few paint dabs in a shallow bowl along with whatever I choose to paint on that day - small square canvases or heavy artist paper. When she tells me she’s ready, I find one of my mousies to take with me; for extra inspiration, and we get to work! I touch some of the paint and dab it on the paper. Sometimes, I’m in the mood for bold streaks and hard paw prints and sometimes I try to be more gentle and delicate. It all depends on my day!

Julia: What are your favorite colors to paint with? 
Quint: Yippee! I like it when asked my favorite colors! I like purple a lot and yellow. I have a hard time not putting yellow on everything. This summer I worked with red and that was fun, but I like orange and apricot better.

Julia: What inspires you to paint? 
Quint: Birds, leaves and the big open sky. Changing seasons, a vision, a memory, a mood. Mr. Mousie inspires me. The chicken cat treats I get after each painting session ain’t bad either!

Julia: How would you describe your painting style? 
Quint: Well, I’m no Picatso, Purrkirev or Pawicelli, that’s for sure. I like to think of my work as modernism with a touch of abstract spontaneous expressionism. Or maybe Cat-Meets-Paintism.

Julia: If you could get your paintings displayed anywhere in the world, where would you most like to see them? 
Quint: This is a hard question! Big fancy places aren’t terribly impawtant to me. Honestly, I’d love to see them decorating no-kill shelters around the world. I think that would raise interest and much needed money papers.

Julia: What kind of paint do you use? 
Quint: I like the child and pet-friendly acrylic water-based paint me and my dad find at our local craft store. Have you seen my pictures of shopping for art supplies? That was a blast! I wanted one of everything in the store!

Julia: How long does each Quint “masterpiece” take?
Quint: “Masterpiece” * paw covers snicker * That depends on the colors and how many I want to use. I have to fight my tendency to go for the light colors first before adding stronger, bold colors. That makes a muddy painting. Lately, mom gives me dark colors to begin with and then we take a break to let the paint dry. After play time, meal time and a short nap, me and Mr. Mousie are ready to wrap it up using lighter shades. 24 human hours later, give or take, it’s ready to be shipped around the world!

Julia: After a painting session, do you have to take a bath or just get your paws washed? And do you mind? 
Quint: A whole bath? Never! I don’t think I’d like that! Most of the time, I don’t mind having my paw(s) dipped in warm, soapy water afterward. Sometimes though, I’m not happy with my work that day and I just want to get away. Dad calls that “Painting the floor.” I don’t know why. MOL!

Julia: Do you paint with both paws, or just one? 
Quint: I’m right-pawed but to be purrfectly honest, I slip my left paw in there every once in a while.

Julia: What do you like most about being a famous painting cat?
Quint: Famous? Who’s famous? Me? Naw, not me! Mom says I won’t be famous unless I can get over my dislike of being photographed during work. I LOVE the flashy box and I’ve been rightly accused more than once of being a ham. Just don’t bother me while painting.

But I guess if I were a famous painting cat, what I’d like most is knowing that half of each painting sale goes to help kitties that no one wants. I was almost one of those cats and look at me now! I’m proof that you never know what pawsome talent lies within a kitty waiting for a forever family!

***

If you’d like to learn more about Quint the Painting Cat, you can check out his art shop or stop by his fabulous blog and say howdy!

Photos courtesy of The Colehaus Cats

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Being a Responsibly Informed Pet Owner

By Julia Williams

We live in interesting times. It’s true that every generation has it decidedly different than the one before, but the disparity seems to get wider with every decade. One reason for this is the internet. I used to get answers to all my burning questions by phoning the library reference desk. If the librarian didn’t know the answer, she always knew where to find it… in those archaic things called books. Remember those? LOL. Now, I can find the answers online in less time than it takes to pick up the phone.

It’s easier than ever to be an informed pet owner nowadays, provided you know how to tell the difference between reputable websites providing accurate information, and sites looking to make a quick buck with keyword-stuffed content. Just because you see the same info on many websites doesn’t mean it’s correct; online information tends to multiply like rabbits, and the “daddy” site that everyone else copied from could be erroneous.

So I always approach my online research with a healthy dose of caution, especially if it concerns my pets’ health or my own. I also do not attempt to self diagnose, and I never substitute the opinion of my trusted vet with information gleaned from a website. That being said, the internet can complement veterinary care because it allows you to ask your vet more questions and gives you the opportunity to learn and become a more informed pet owner.

I always thoroughly research anything my own doctor recommends or prescribes for me, and I do the same for my cats. I have a wonderful vet; she doesn’t roll her eyes when she seems me getting out my “list” of symptoms or things I want to ask her about. (I can’t say the same about my M.D.). My vet always takes the time to discuss all medications, treatments and options with me so I’m confident in the decisions we make together about my cats’ care. I trust her expertise completely, but I still believe a responsible pet owner has a duty to be as informed as possible about the various options.

Thus, if I’m going to give my cat some new medicine or treatment, I always do my own research first. The one time I didn’t do that, things went horribly wrong. I’d taken Annabelle to my regular vet on a Friday because she wasn’t eating and had vomited six times the night before. Despite extensive lab work, x-rays and a thorough exam, the cause remained unknown.

She was much worse the next day, so off to the emergency vet hospital we went. They recommended hospitalization, fluid therapy and an appetite stimulant. Because we were in crisis mode, I didn’t even think to ask which appetite stimulant and if there were any side effects or known issues.

Unfortunately, Annabelle had a horrible reaction to it and became very agitated, had vision problems and suffered frequent tremors, among other things. It was awful, and the worst part was that it took four days for the drug to clear from her system. Later, after I did my research, I learned that some cats do not tolerate this particular appetite stimulant, and Annabelle was one of them.

I felt extremely guilty for not knowing this before I agreed to give it to her, but I just wasn’t thinking. I was, after all, in the emergency room with a gravely ill cat. Yet the drug made her worse instead of better, so I felt that I hadn’t lived up to my credo to be a responsible pet owner and to always make informed decisions about my cat’s care.

Thankfully, my cat recovered from that ordeal, but you can bet I won’t make the same mistake again.

Top photo by DeluXe-PiX
Bottom photo by Tambako the Jaguar

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Luna the Fashion Kitty Struts the Online Catwalk

By Julia Williams

Cats wearing clothes is not something you see every day, even on the internet where you can see just about anything you can imagine. Photos of doggies dressed to the nines, sure… but not cats. That’s because most cats are just not the clothes-wearing kind. Luna the Fashion Kitty is, however. This feline fashionista has been wearing cute outfits since she was just a baby, so strutting around in colorful tutus or dresses is second nature to her. Luna’s 18,000 Facebook fans are so used to seeing her with clothes on, in fact, that on the rare times she posts a photo “in the fur,” she seems totally naked!

I caught up with Luna the other day and asked her a few questions, so we could all get to know her better. I hope you enjoy her candid interview!

Julia: How old are you, and what breed are you?
Luna: I’m 5 years old, and I’m a Cream Point Himalayan Purrsian.

Julia: Most kitties hate clothes, but you seem totally comfortable in yours (dare I say, you even seem to enjoy them!). How and when did this clothes wearing thing begin?
Luna: I come from a fashionable family, my grandma had a boutique and the store next door carried furchild clothes! My momma couldn’t resist and got me an outfit, because she always had dogs and didn’t know that kitties hate clothes. Since I didn’t get the “hate clothes” memo either, I felt very good in my outfit from the beginning. That was it, I was meant to be The Fashion Kitty.

Julia: How many outfits do you have now?
Luna: Too many to count! Last time we tried to count them, there were close to 300 outfits!

Julia: What are your favorite outfits?
Luna: I look so good in EVERYTHING that is hard to have a favorite!

Julia: A common theme of your outfits seems to be frilly tutus and matching hair bows – what’s up with that?
Luna: What’s up with what? I’m very girly and we kitties jump better than any ballerina, so it’s just logical that tutus and bows are a big part of my wardrobe.

Julia: Is it hard to use your litterbox in a dress? 
Luna: Not at all! Sometimes if I’m wearing a big tutu, I leave the tutu in the box. Lol. What can I say, the hole to my kitty box is too small fur a big tutu butt!

Julia: Where do you get your clothes?
Luna: Pretty much everywhere, even in the baby purrsons department!

Julia: Are the clothes you wear made especially for cats? 
Luna: No, most of my clothes are made fur doggies but I don’t care! I just hate when the clothes say “Cute to the bone” or stuff like that because I can’t wear them…. I draw the line right there!

Julia: Are there any other feline fashionistas in the world?
Luna: Purrbably, but NOBODY is like me… fashion is in my blood, girl!

Julia: Do you like posing for the camera? 
Luna: Love it! I honestly do, because I get paid in treats… this model EATS!

Julia: Do people ever criticize your Mom for putting clothes on you?
Luna: ALL THE TIME! She gets accused of animal cruelty pretty often. Obviously those purrsons don’t know the definition of cruelty.

Julia: What famous designers would you love to see make kitty clothes?
Luna: Chanel, Roberto Cavalli, Carolina Herrera, Alexander McQueen and many more!

Julia: What are your favorite toys?
Luna: I love my turbo scratcher, my Ipawd app Paint fur Cats and anything that has feathers.

Julia: When you’re not modeling your fab outfits, what do you like to do?
Luna: Honestly, I like to do beauty naps and eat well to keep my FAB curves.

Julia: What’s the best thing about being a famous internet cat?
Luna: Fur me it’s that I can help homeless Purrsians, and let’s be honest, all the gifts I get in my love box are MEGAPAWsome!

Julia: Is there a downside to feline fame?
Luna: I guess the only thing is that I can’t disappear from the public eye fur too long… my fans get worried!

Photos courtesy of Luna the Fashion Kitty

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