Ode to a Tired, Overworked Cat
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
.JPG)
Monday, July 9, 2012
(Not So) Smelly Cat
We truly use the best cat litter ever. It is called Feline Pine and is completely natural, made only of pine shavings left over from lumber production. It comes in pellet form, and when exposed to moisture it turns into a powder. We recently bought this litter box which is designed so that the powder simply falls through to the lower box and results in a less wasteful use of new pellets. If we had a yard, we could also use the used litter as mulch or in composting! The litter is also really good at absorbing odors, so that our litter box smells like pine trees! No smelly cats for us!
Friday, July 6, 2012
Scaredy Cat
When we brought Finn to the Vet, he had some major anxiety about the whole experience. We'd never seen him that scared! He assumed what I've read is the classic "fear" pose -- crouched, protecting his tail by tucking it underneath him, and ready to run.
When the vet actually examined him, he made a low-pitched growling sound...kind of like how I imagine a lion or tiger would sound just before it was going to attack me...
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Cat Idioms
Cats are mentioned in many sayings...here are a few:
"The models are about to come down the catwalk!"
-- meaning: a word referring to runways at fashion shows
-- cats are really good at balancing on narrow walkways
"It's raining cats and dogs out there!"
-- meaning: it's raining very hard
-- unclear origin
"A cat in gloves catches no mice." (Ben Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanac)
-- meaning: you can't accomplish some goals if you're polite and careful
"Cat's cradle"
-- a game of string
-- also the name of a book by Kurt Vonnegut
-- apparently, Europeans in the olden times thought that cats were good omens of fertility. If and when fertility rites were performed, a cat was placed in a hammock-like cradle and rocked back and forth in the couple's house
"She's like a cat on a hot tin roof"
-- meaning: she's jumpy
-- title of Tennessee Williams' play
-- derived from the similar phrase "nimble as a cat on a hot bake-stone"
"Copycat"
-- apparently referring to the fact that kittens learn by imitating their mother's behavior
"Scaredy-cat!"
-- supposedly referring to the fact that cats won't stand up to dogs but will instead stand down
"That's another breed of cat."
-- meaning: something different from anything else
"Cat got your tongue?"
-- meaning: why aren't you talking?
-- Thought to have originated from an ancient middle eastern practice of cutting out a liar's tongue as punishment, and feeding it to the king's cat as food
"I'm going to take a catnap"
-- meaning: to take a short nap
-- probably refers to the fact that cats nap all day!
"Stop pussyfooting around"
-- meaning: stop avoiding the topic
-- referring to the fact that cats are stealthy and sneaky when they hunt and chase their prey
"Look what the cat dragged in"
-- probably referring to the fact that cats bring home prey that are tattered because they "play" with them before killing them
"She says such catty things about her boss!"
-- meaning: usually referring to a woman who gossips about other women
-- a man once wrote that "a woman hath nine lives like a cat," which may be the origin of this phrase
"There's more than one way to skin a cat"
-- meaning: there is more than one way to accomplish something
-- the 'cat' refers to a catfish (which is named because of its whiskers)
"The cat's out of the bag"
-- in medieval England piglet vendors would sell the piglets in bags so they could be taken home; however, some vendors would try to cheat their buyers by putting a large cat in the bag instead! Only if someone actually looked in the bag was the secret revealed...
Can you think of any others?
"The models are about to come down the catwalk!"
-- meaning: a word referring to runways at fashion shows
-- cats are really good at balancing on narrow walkways
"It's raining cats and dogs out there!"
-- meaning: it's raining very hard
-- unclear origin
"A cat in gloves catches no mice." (Ben Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanac)
-- meaning: you can't accomplish some goals if you're polite and careful
"Cat's cradle"
-- a game of string
-- also the name of a book by Kurt Vonnegut
-- apparently, Europeans in the olden times thought that cats were good omens of fertility. If and when fertility rites were performed, a cat was placed in a hammock-like cradle and rocked back and forth in the couple's house
"She's like a cat on a hot tin roof"
-- meaning: she's jumpy
-- title of Tennessee Williams' play
-- derived from the similar phrase "nimble as a cat on a hot bake-stone"
"Copycat"
-- apparently referring to the fact that kittens learn by imitating their mother's behavior
"Scaredy-cat!"
-- supposedly referring to the fact that cats won't stand up to dogs but will instead stand down
"That's another breed of cat."
-- meaning: something different from anything else
"Cat got your tongue?"
-- meaning: why aren't you talking?
-- Thought to have originated from an ancient middle eastern practice of cutting out a liar's tongue as punishment, and feeding it to the king's cat as food
"I'm going to take a catnap"
-- meaning: to take a short nap
-- probably refers to the fact that cats nap all day!
"Stop pussyfooting around"
-- meaning: stop avoiding the topic
-- referring to the fact that cats are stealthy and sneaky when they hunt and chase their prey
"Look what the cat dragged in"
-- probably referring to the fact that cats bring home prey that are tattered because they "play" with them before killing them
"She says such catty things about her boss!"
-- meaning: usually referring to a woman who gossips about other women
-- a man once wrote that "a woman hath nine lives like a cat," which may be the origin of this phrase
-- meaning: there is more than one way to accomplish something
-- the 'cat' refers to a catfish (which is named because of its whiskers)
"The cat's out of the bag"
-- in medieval England piglet vendors would sell the piglets in bags so they could be taken home; however, some vendors would try to cheat their buyers by putting a large cat in the bag instead! Only if someone actually looked in the bag was the secret revealed...
Can you think of any others?
Monday, July 2, 2012
Soft Kitty, Warm Kitty, Happy Kitty, Sleepy Kitty
Please play the below video while you meditate on how adorable this picture is.Sunday, July 1, 2012
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Cat Got Your Tongue?
Cat's tongues -- have you ever seen 'em? I was startled the other day when Finn licked my hand after he finished his treat. When dogs lick me, they leave a pool of saliva in their wake. Finn's lick left my hand dry and exfoliated!
It turns out that cats can spend so much time grooming because they have a special tongue made solely for that task. Cats tongues have spikes made of tough keratin that point towards their throat -- that way, when they lick their fur, their tongue acts as a comb! It's also why cats so often get hairballs -- instead of matting their fur, their tongues pull loose hairs out which are inadvertently swallowed...
It turns out that cats can spend so much time grooming because they have a special tongue made solely for that task. Cats tongues have spikes made of tough keratin that point towards their throat -- that way, when they lick their fur, their tongue acts as a comb! It's also why cats so often get hairballs -- instead of matting their fur, their tongues pull loose hairs out which are inadvertently swallowed...
Friday, June 29, 2012
Hiding spots
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Yes, we actually have a cat
We have heard an odd question --
"Do you actually have a cat, or is this a farce?"
Yes, we actually have a cat. We are not usually in the photos because Finn is way cuter than either of us, but here are our portraits with Finn, who has taken to lying on the top edge of the couch recently:
"Do you actually have a cat, or is this a farce?"
Yes, we actually have a cat. We are not usually in the photos because Finn is way cuter than either of us, but here are our portraits with Finn, who has taken to lying on the top edge of the couch recently:
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Sugar High
Needless to say, Finn got a little crazy after that.
Watch the video below to see Finn jumping around.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
All In A Day's Work
I want to BE a cat.
I like lying around and having people feed me and clean up after me. I love balls of yarn. I like doing things on my own terms.
But really, I think it is the daily schedule that clinches it for me. Here is an estimate of what my schedule will be starting on July 1, and Finn's schedule, based on numbers I've seen online and in real life.
 |
| A Cat's Day |
 |
| A Human's Day |
Wouldn't it be nice to spend 2/3 of your day napping?
Monday, June 25, 2012
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Dogs Versus Cats
I did not think this up, but I'm glad to pass it along:
8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Milk
Day 983 of my captivity. My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets.
Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am.
There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.
This morning I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow-- but at the top of the stairs.
I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly . I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now...
Cat
DOG DIARY
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Milk
CAT DIARY
Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am.
There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.
This morning I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow-- but at the top of the stairs.
I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly . I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now...
Cat
Cat Eyes
If you've been in close contact with a cat before, you may have noticed that their eyes are not like yours. Wondering what I'm talking about?
 |
| Dilated pupils |
 |
| Constricted pupils |
 |
| Dilated pupil |
 |
| Constricted pupil |
For one thing, cat pupils can dilate way more than human pupils can. And when their pupils do constrict, cat eyes constrict into vertical slits whereas human ones constrict into pinpoints.
But why?
It turns out that cats are naturally more active at dawn, dusk and nighttime and therefore need to be able to see well with very little light. But on sunny days, they have to be able to protect their retina and shut their pupil as tight as possible! In humans, the ciliary muscle in the eye is circular, but cats have two ciliary muscles that act as shutters.
In addition to dilating their pupils so that the iris is barely visible, cat eyes have a layer of reflective tissue behind the retina to allow light that passes the retina to be reflected back to the sensory cells. Have you ever taken a picture of a cat? The flash makes their eyes look something like this:
.jpg) |
| Creepy eyes |
Now, you may have heard of Cat Eye Syndrome...it is a triplication or quadrupling of part of chromosome 22 in humans which leads to an abnormal development of the iris such that there is an abnormally shaped pupil, often making it look like a keyhole:
Depending on the severity of the chromosomal abnormality, those with the syndrome can also have abnormalities in the development of their heart, kidneys, facial bones, and even the brain.
You might be wondering why there aren't any pictures of Finn in this post. He rarely has his eyes open because he naps a LOT:
.JPG)
Friday, June 22, 2012
Play Time!
Today we see some of Finn's favorite toys!
Catnip Mouse
This toy is filled with catnip, a plant which most cats go nuts over...This is a toy that Finn loves playing with on his own. See the video below to see what I'm talking about!
Ostrich Feathered Wand
This wand allows for assorted toys to be snapped on and off the stick. Finn enjoys stalking the toy and pouncing when we least expect him to! See the photos below for a play-by-play of a typical stalking episode:
Plush Microbe Toy
A friend gave this as a gag gift to Alex one year, but Finn has taken a liking to it! The toy is about the size of Finn's head, though, so it makes for some pretty silly scenes.
Toilet Paper Roll
Yep, Finn actually does occasionally play with empty toilet paper rolls...Easily amused, I suppose...
Whew! After all that playing, Finn needs a nap!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)