Happy Birthday, America!!!
Thursday, July 4, 2019
Wednesday, July 3, 2019
Binga Forever
Meows from Mudpie!
I'm heartbroken to say that late last week I lost one of my heroes - Binga the tortie from the SparkleCat blog. She was nearly 19 and we knew goodbye was near, but that doesn't make it any easier.
To say Binga was the Queen of Tortitude would be an understatement. I have a feeling the phrase itself was invented because of Binga! She was strikingly beautiful, feisty, a master photobomber, a true character in every way.
I think the best way I can pay tribute to her is by sharing her wit and wisdom with a list of some of my favorite posts she starred in. You'll notice many are tortie tutorials and eager student that I am, I took her lessons to heart. Tortie World Domination is bound to happen one of these days, and Binga pioneered the movement!
I'm heartbroken to say that late last week I lost one of my heroes - Binga the tortie from the SparkleCat blog. She was nearly 19 and we knew goodbye was near, but that doesn't make it any easier.
To say Binga was the Queen of Tortitude would be an understatement. I have a feeling the phrase itself was invented because of Binga! She was strikingly beautiful, feisty, a master photobomber, a true character in every way.
I think the best way I can pay tribute to her is by sharing her wit and wisdom with a list of some of my favorite posts she starred in. You'll notice many are tortie tutorials and eager student that I am, I took her lessons to heart. Tortie World Domination is bound to happen one of these days, and Binga pioneered the movement!
Binga - we love you, we miss you, we'll never forget you.
Monday, July 1, 2019
The Purrfect 10: Vacation Destinations for Cat Lovers
We love reading and researching anything and everything about cats, and wanted to find a fun and unique way to share the interesting facts we learn with you! Since top 10 lists are very popular in the blogosphere, we created The Purrfect 10 as a way to present 10 educational or fascinating tidbits about a wide variety of cat-related topics, everything from health issues to cat breeds to famous felines.
New York City’s Algonquin Hotel: The tradition of the Algonquin Cat dates back to the early 1920’s. The hotel’s first cat, Billy, lived in the hotel during the famed Round Table of the 1920’s. In 1933, two days after Billy passed away a stray cat wandered into the hotel looking for shelter. He was immediately welcomed to stay and named Rusty. Frequent guest John Barrymore felt this name was too common for a cat residing in such a prestigious hotel. Rusty was renamed Hamlet in honor of Barrymore’s greatest stage role. Over the years, the hotel has had eight Hamlets and three cats named Matilda. The current Hamlet has a full-time job as hotel ambassador, and each summer he stars in the Algonquin’s annual Cat Fashion Show, which raises money for the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals.
American Museum of the House Cat: Located in Sylva, North Carolina, this museum is the private collection of Dr. Harold Sims – aka CatMan2 – and it’s likely America’s largest collection of house cat memorabilia. Items displayed in the museum include cat-centric toys, clocks, banks, dolls, advertising illustrations, animation cells, fine art, folk art, thrift store art, beer steins, music boxes, carnival games, carousel animals, jewelry, pottery, puppets, automatons, and Halloween knick-knacks. Proceeds fund Dr. Sims Catman2 Shelter, Western North Carolina’s largest no kill, cage free, open concept cats-only shelter, which has taken in and adopted over 4,000 cats through the years.
De Poezenboot: The Catboat: A world-famous tourist attraction in Amsterdam, the Catboat is the only animal sanctuary that literally floats. Founded in 1966 by Henriette van Weelde as a refuge for stray and abandoned cats, De Poezenboot is now an official charity housing up to 50 cats at once. Cats are available for adoption, but tourists are also welcome to come on board for a “kitty fix.” There’s no entrance fee, but donations are welcome and go towards the care of the cats.
Festival of the Cats Parade: Held triennially on the second Sunday of May since 1955, the Kattenstoet (“Festival of the Cats”) is a parade in Ypres, Belgium, devoted to cats. Its origins come from the horrific Middle Ages tradition of throwing cats from the highest tower to the town square below in order to kill “evil spirits.” Thankfully, today it’s plush cats that are thrown down to the crowd, and whoever catches one gets to make a wish. Thousands of cat lovers from around the globe attend the festival dressed as felines, witches, mice, or townspeople from ages past to enjoy floats, giant cats, music, theater and dance groups.
Tashirojima (Cat Island): An island where the cat population is now larger than the human population? Sign me up for a one-way ticket! Cat Island exists due to the large stray cat population that thrives as a result of the belief that felines represent luck and good fortune, and doubly so if you feed and care for them. Locals even give credit to the cats for the island's survival during the 2011 earthquake and tsunami! Because of this they are treated like kings by the island’s fewer than 100 remaining residents even though most are considered feral. There’s even a small shrine on the island to honor a cat that was accidentally killed by fishermen centuries ago. Not surprisingly, for the cats’ protection no dogs are allowed.
Taiwan’s Houtong Cat Village: Once a thriving mining town, the area began to decline as the coal mining industry began to die out. In 2008 a local cat lover started posting pictures of the village's stray cats online, creating an overwhelming response from other cat lovers around the nation. Houtong became a center for cat lovers as word spread, and the number of cats living there increased, reviving a declining village and transforming it into a tourist destination. Drivers entering the town are greeted with a sign that reads " A lot of stray cats here. Drive slowly," and a special bridge has been constructed above the busy railway, to allow safe passage for the cats. Cat-related shops, cafes and restaurants cater to the village's estimated one million visitors per year.
Sanrio Puroland : Hello Kitty Theme Park in Tokyo: An indoor theme park run by the Sanrio company, creators of Hello Kitty, hosting various musicals, restaurants, attractions, parades, fireworks and theme rides. The park is now one of Japan's most popular attractions, where tourists can visit the homes of beloved Sanrio characters and shop at an extensive gift shop selling Sanrio merchandise.
The height of summer travel season is upon us, as millions take to the roads, skies and rails for fun family vacations. For those of us whose lives revolve around our cats, the only down side to these trips is leaving our fur babies at home, so we seek out cat-related destinations. This month's Purrfect 10 features a variety of locations to add to your bucket list of places to visit...
United States Destinations
Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum: The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum in Key West is just as famous for its feline residents as it is for its former owner. Hemingway’s passion for 6-toed cats began in the 1930s when Snow White was given to him as a gift from a sea captain. Sailors favored polydactyl cats, believing they brought good luck and safe passage. To this day, many of Snow White’s descendants roam the grounds of Hemingway Home, with more than 50 currently residing on the property. About half of the cats have six toes, but all carry the polydactyl gene.
Cat World at Utah's Best Friends Animal Sanctuary: More than 700 cats live at Cat World, a village of 11 buildings that provide cats with indoor luxuries, enclosed catios, and hidey-holes for privacy. Specialized accommodations for cats with various needs (incontinent, FIV, neurological disorders, leukemia) allow them to live a life of dignity with all their medical needs met, not to mention loads of love and attention thanks to a staff of 40 caretakers. Many will be adopted, but those that aren't have a home for life at Cat World.
Cat World at Utah's Best Friends Animal Sanctuary: More than 700 cats live at Cat World, a village of 11 buildings that provide cats with indoor luxuries, enclosed catios, and hidey-holes for privacy. Specialized accommodations for cats with various needs (incontinent, FIV, neurological disorders, leukemia) allow them to live a life of dignity with all their medical needs met, not to mention loads of love and attention thanks to a staff of 40 caretakers. Many will be adopted, but those that aren't have a home for life at Cat World.
Cat'N Around Catskill: A summer-long outdoor art exhibit featuring painted fiberglass cats lining Historic Main Street in Catskill, New York. The cats stay in place through Labor Day, and later in September they are auctioned off. Currently in its 13th year, the event started as a way to bring attention to local businesses and raise money for charity, but has become a huge tourist attraction and unique platform for artists to display their creativity.
New York City’s Algonquin Hotel: The tradition of the Algonquin Cat dates back to the early 1920’s. The hotel’s first cat, Billy, lived in the hotel during the famed Round Table of the 1920’s. In 1933, two days after Billy passed away a stray cat wandered into the hotel looking for shelter. He was immediately welcomed to stay and named Rusty. Frequent guest John Barrymore felt this name was too common for a cat residing in such a prestigious hotel. Rusty was renamed Hamlet in honor of Barrymore’s greatest stage role. Over the years, the hotel has had eight Hamlets and three cats named Matilda. The current Hamlet has a full-time job as hotel ambassador, and each summer he stars in the Algonquin’s annual Cat Fashion Show, which raises money for the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals.
American Museum of the House Cat: Located in Sylva, North Carolina, this museum is the private collection of Dr. Harold Sims – aka CatMan2 – and it’s likely America’s largest collection of house cat memorabilia. Items displayed in the museum include cat-centric toys, clocks, banks, dolls, advertising illustrations, animation cells, fine art, folk art, thrift store art, beer steins, music boxes, carnival games, carousel animals, jewelry, pottery, puppets, automatons, and Halloween knick-knacks. Proceeds fund Dr. Sims Catman2 Shelter, Western North Carolina’s largest no kill, cage free, open concept cats-only shelter, which has taken in and adopted over 4,000 cats through the years.
International Destinations
Festival of the Cats Parade: Held triennially on the second Sunday of May since 1955, the Kattenstoet (“Festival of the Cats”) is a parade in Ypres, Belgium, devoted to cats. Its origins come from the horrific Middle Ages tradition of throwing cats from the highest tower to the town square below in order to kill “evil spirits.” Thankfully, today it’s plush cats that are thrown down to the crowd, and whoever catches one gets to make a wish. Thousands of cat lovers from around the globe attend the festival dressed as felines, witches, mice, or townspeople from ages past to enjoy floats, giant cats, music, theater and dance groups.
Tashirojima (Cat Island): An island where the cat population is now larger than the human population? Sign me up for a one-way ticket! Cat Island exists due to the large stray cat population that thrives as a result of the belief that felines represent luck and good fortune, and doubly so if you feed and care for them. Locals even give credit to the cats for the island's survival during the 2011 earthquake and tsunami! Because of this they are treated like kings by the island’s fewer than 100 remaining residents even though most are considered feral. There’s even a small shrine on the island to honor a cat that was accidentally killed by fishermen centuries ago. Not surprisingly, for the cats’ protection no dogs are allowed.
Taiwan’s Houtong Cat Village: Once a thriving mining town, the area began to decline as the coal mining industry began to die out. In 2008 a local cat lover started posting pictures of the village's stray cats online, creating an overwhelming response from other cat lovers around the nation. Houtong became a center for cat lovers as word spread, and the number of cats living there increased, reviving a declining village and transforming it into a tourist destination. Drivers entering the town are greeted with a sign that reads " A lot of stray cats here. Drive slowly," and a special bridge has been constructed above the busy railway, to allow safe passage for the cats. Cat-related shops, cafes and restaurants cater to the village's estimated one million visitors per year.
Sanrio Puroland : Hello Kitty Theme Park in Tokyo: An indoor theme park run by the Sanrio company, creators of Hello Kitty, hosting various musicals, restaurants, attractions, parades, fireworks and theme rides. The park is now one of Japan's most popular attractions, where tourists can visit the homes of beloved Sanrio characters and shop at an extensive gift shop selling Sanrio merchandise.
Have you ever gone on a cat-themed vacation?
Sunday, June 30, 2019
My Purrfect Girl #SundaySelfie
(Don't ask me why she insists on leaning against the dust mop.
Must be she wants her blogging friends to think she does the house work around here!)
We're joining our friends at The Cat On My Head for the Sunday Selfies blog hop!
Saturday, June 29, 2019
Tortie Dust #CaturdayArt
Visit more artsy kitties at Athena's Caturday Art blog hop!
Mudpie's answers:
1. Summer is a good time to complain. It must be because Mommy sure does a lot of it!
2. I feel annoyed when people (Mommy) ask me when I'm going to start liking wet food. She's been trying for 4 years and it ain't happened yet!
Mommy's answers:
3. The most recent book that I bought was Loves Garfield: The Semi-Official Garfield Collectors Handbook. It's written by the current holder of the world record for number of Garfield collectibles.
4. I thought I would grow out of biting my nails, but I haven't.
Friday, June 28, 2019
How Is This Comfortable? #PetPhotoFails
Meows from Mudpie!
Another month has flown by and it's time once again for the Pet Photo Fails Blog Hop!
I'm labeling this photo a fail because it horrifies Mommy so much.
During the summer when it's too hot to cuddle on the big girl bed, my favorite place to spend the night is in this pink donut bed on the bookcase in front of the window in Mommy's bedroom. It's the purrfect place to watch all the overnight goings-on in the backyard. (Did I ever tell you that a couple weeks after I moved in a guy on the run from the cops ditched his car and took off on foot through our backyard, crashing through a fence? The neighbors saw it, I saw it, but Mommy slept through it. I knew right then and there it was never going to be boring at my new home!)
I've had this bed since the day Mommy adopted me and it used to fit me like a glove, so all I can think is it must have shrunk over the years because look at how I'm hanging out of it now! (I'm stretched out more than usual because the hots have arrived.)
Mommy cringes at how uncomfortable I look, but honestly I'm not! She has tried to replace it with a softer, bigger bed, but I reject it in favor of my pink donut bed. I spend so much time in this bed Mommy even has to brush it out frequently when I'm shedding a lot.
So what do you think...is this a photo fail (Mommy had a really hard time angling the camera to get all of me in the shot) or is it a bed fail?
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Another month has flown by and it's time once again for the Pet Photo Fails Blog Hop!
I'm labeling this photo a fail because it horrifies Mommy so much.
During the summer when it's too hot to cuddle on the big girl bed, my favorite place to spend the night is in this pink donut bed on the bookcase in front of the window in Mommy's bedroom. It's the purrfect place to watch all the overnight goings-on in the backyard. (Did I ever tell you that a couple weeks after I moved in a guy on the run from the cops ditched his car and took off on foot through our backyard, crashing through a fence? The neighbors saw it, I saw it, but Mommy slept through it. I knew right then and there it was never going to be boring at my new home!)
I've had this bed since the day Mommy adopted me and it used to fit me like a glove, so all I can think is it must have shrunk over the years because look at how I'm hanging out of it now! (I'm stretched out more than usual because the hots have arrived.)
Mommy cringes at how uncomfortable I look, but honestly I'm not! She has tried to replace it with a softer, bigger bed, but I reject it in favor of my pink donut bed. I spend so much time in this bed Mommy even has to brush it out frequently when I'm shedding a lot.
So what do you think...is this a photo fail (Mommy had a really hard time angling the camera to get all of me in the shot) or is it a bed fail?
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Wednesday, June 26, 2019
Book Review/Author Interview: Endangered Species Superheroes by Dakota Duncan
Teenaged Lindsey loves helping out at her grandfather's wildlife sanctuary, assisting with his research and learning all about the animals. It's a peaceful life until evil villain Mace Zagan escapes from prison determined to destroy her grandfather and all of his research. Lindsey would do anything to help her grandfather and so would her sanctuary friends; a sloth, a marine iguana, and a tapir, all of whom are undergoing some very unusual transformations. Will their new abilities be enough to defeat Mace Zagan before he succeeds with his evil plan?
I think this is the very first graphic novel I've ever read and I'm so glad I stepped out of my literary comfort zone to give it a try. Not only is the story fun, imaginative, and educational, but the colorful illustrations are simply eye-popping.
This book introduced me to some species of animals I've never even heard of before, but of course my favorite character was kitty Fluffy who plays a very important role. Next in line would have to be Bosco...I'm nuts about sloths!
Teaching children about endangered species is so important, and stories with fun characters will hopefully encourage them to care enough about the natural world around them to do their part in protecting it for future generations.
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Mudpie has had a lengthy break from her interview series but took time from her busy nap schedule to chat with author Dakota Duncan. We hope you enjoy learning some behind-the-scenes details about Endangered Species Superheroes, and I'm personally super excited about the book series she's working on now!
Mudpie: I am thrilled that there is a cat in your book, but why did you include a cat on a book that features endangered species?
Dakota Duncan: I think a lot of people might wonder about that since domestic cats are not an endangered or even a threatened species. The truth is, Fluffy did not start out as one of the team members of Endangered Species Superheroes. She was a shape-shifting character I'd created a few years ago for a different project, but she really wanted to be in this story. I am glad she demanded to included because I think her role as Lindsey's pet cat and close friend is important. We don't learn a lot about Lindsey's backstory, but we do know she lost her parents and seems to seek comfort from Fluffy whenever she is scared or upset. This is something most people can relate to. In addition, cats are very familiar animals to children, much more relatable than the other animals, like Zoey, the tapir.
I, of course, know that cats have a special way of communicating with humans enlightened enough to understand. How did you learn about animal communication and why did you include it in the book?
Many years ago I saw a local television show highlighting animal communicator, Lydia Hiby. I thought it was interesting, but I was quite skeptical that someone could really “talk” to animals and obtain the kind of information that she claimed to receive. As I recall, she spoke of details about lost animals and illnesses. A friend gave me a gift-certificate to speak with her about my family pets, knowing since it was a gift, I would use it. We did a session over the phone. I told Lydia where we lived, the type of animals we had and that was all. She then invited them speak with her about anything they wanted to. She proceeded to tell me things there was no way she could have known – details about one of our cat's reaction to photographs, some rivalries among our furry ones, a behavior that was linked to an injury we were not even aware of, and more. Let me tell you, I was blown away! I have since done sessions with Lydia and other animal communicators and have learned a little bit about developing my own communication skills.
I wanted to include animal communication in my book because I think it is important that more people understand that human-animal communication is possible. It may not be quite as detailed or simple as it is in my book, but I think it touches on the topic in a fun way. It highlights that just because animals don't communicate in the ways humans do does not make them inferior or mean they don't have anything important to say. If more people would take the time to learn to communicate with their pets, it would not only strengthen their bond, but could help diagnose medical and behavioral problems. Also, it's just cool.
A shape-shifting cat is super cool, but why is Fluffy’s alter-ego a Sumatran Rhino?
The answer is similar to what Fluffy tells Lindsey. A while back, I had wondered what it would be like to have a rhinoceros in the house and created a comic called Rescue Rhino. There was a Sumatran Rhino who wanted to be an indoor pet like the dog and cat she watched but knew she would never be adopted into the family as a rhino. She was able to change herself into a cat and follow the dog home one day. She ends up getting adopted and the human sees her as a cat, but the real cat and dog see that she is a rhino. In the book, I like the juxtaposition of a very common, small domestic cat and an extremely rare, large Sumatran Rhino. It allows the character to have a wealth of knowledge and experiences.
What message do you hope reader’s will take with them after reading Endangered Species Superheroes?
A shape-shifting cat is super cool, but why is Fluffy’s alter-ego a Sumatran Rhino?
The answer is similar to what Fluffy tells Lindsey. A while back, I had wondered what it would be like to have a rhinoceros in the house and created a comic called Rescue Rhino. There was a Sumatran Rhino who wanted to be an indoor pet like the dog and cat she watched but knew she would never be adopted into the family as a rhino. She was able to change herself into a cat and follow the dog home one day. She ends up getting adopted and the human sees her as a cat, but the real cat and dog see that she is a rhino. In the book, I like the juxtaposition of a very common, small domestic cat and an extremely rare, large Sumatran Rhino. It allows the character to have a wealth of knowledge and experiences.
What message do you hope reader’s will take with them after reading Endangered Species Superheroes?
There are two things that come to mind for me. The first is that I hope this book ignites or fuels a curiosity about animals - especially those threatened or endangered. The second is that we all have our own strengths and weaknesses that make us special and valuable.
Was the character of Fluffy the cat inspired by a special cat in your life?
I had not contemplated this before, but yes, I guess there is! I have had a lot of cats in my lifetime, but right now, our family has two – Max and Jasper. Max chose me as his person. He was the inspiration of the first drawing I did of a cat when I was doing the Rescue Rhino comic. He's a medium-to-long-haired cat; a real fuzzball! He likes watching me slowly pour water from a cup into the bathtub. Sometimes he bats at the water, but often he just watches it. I think this game is a bit of where I got the watchfulness of Fluffy, plus Max has his own secret. He is a cuddle bug, but only with me. Most people never even get a chance to see him because he is the proverbial “scaredy-cat,” disappearing whenever others are around.
What are you currently working on?
I have started a children's chapter book series for ages 7-12. It's a sister and brother adventure series with slightly spooky themes. The first is entitled, My Dog Sees Ghosts and the second is tentatively called, My Cat Hears Vampires. I hope to have the first two published by late summer.
For anyone who wants to be notified when the new books are released, I have a VIP list that they can join. Just go to my website www.dakotaduncan.com and sign up. As a thank you, they will receive a mini-pdf comic featuring Endangered Species Superheroes.
About the author: Dakota Duncan is known as “Mom” to two human children, two dogs, and two cats. She has been an animal lover since a very early age and recalls that Jane Goodall was her first hero. She's excited to share her love of animals and nature and hopes to inspire others to be good caretakers of the earth and its inhabitants.
Dakota has always loved writing and recalls writing her first play in the third grade where a classmate was too embarrassed to say the word “pregnant” from her script. Her writing skills helped her earn a Bachelor's degree in her early 20's and then a Juris Doctorate degree in her 40's. Dakota is a member of the Oregon State Bar and currently lives with her wife and children in Washington State. Besides writing and drawing, Dakota loves reading, kayaking, traveling and playing with Legos.
If you are interested in finding out more about Dakota and keeping up with her latest work, please go to her website: www.dakotaduncan.com.
Was the character of Fluffy the cat inspired by a special cat in your life?
I had not contemplated this before, but yes, I guess there is! I have had a lot of cats in my lifetime, but right now, our family has two – Max and Jasper. Max chose me as his person. He was the inspiration of the first drawing I did of a cat when I was doing the Rescue Rhino comic. He's a medium-to-long-haired cat; a real fuzzball! He likes watching me slowly pour water from a cup into the bathtub. Sometimes he bats at the water, but often he just watches it. I think this game is a bit of where I got the watchfulness of Fluffy, plus Max has his own secret. He is a cuddle bug, but only with me. Most people never even get a chance to see him because he is the proverbial “scaredy-cat,” disappearing whenever others are around.
What are you currently working on?
I have started a children's chapter book series for ages 7-12. It's a sister and brother adventure series with slightly spooky themes. The first is entitled, My Dog Sees Ghosts and the second is tentatively called, My Cat Hears Vampires. I hope to have the first two published by late summer.
For anyone who wants to be notified when the new books are released, I have a VIP list that they can join. Just go to my website www.dakotaduncan.com and sign up. As a thank you, they will receive a mini-pdf comic featuring Endangered Species Superheroes.
For anyone interested in Endangered Species Superheroes, it is available on Amazon, or they can follow this link for more information: http://bit.ly/ess-book
About the author: Dakota Duncan is known as “Mom” to two human children, two dogs, and two cats. She has been an animal lover since a very early age and recalls that Jane Goodall was her first hero. She's excited to share her love of animals and nature and hopes to inspire others to be good caretakers of the earth and its inhabitants.
Dakota has always loved writing and recalls writing her first play in the third grade where a classmate was too embarrassed to say the word “pregnant” from her script. Her writing skills helped her earn a Bachelor's degree in her early 20's and then a Juris Doctorate degree in her 40's. Dakota is a member of the Oregon State Bar and currently lives with her wife and children in Washington State. Besides writing and drawing, Dakota loves reading, kayaking, traveling and playing with Legos.
If you are interested in finding out more about Dakota and keeping up with her latest work, please go to her website: www.dakotaduncan.com.
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