Dear Diva: Cat Optics - Purrspectve

Looking at TWO sides of the coin

 Hello MY  Darlings

Optics is the topic of the week in my featured blog.

I have been learning about this recently on the 'home front'.  Sometimes one has to take their OWN advice when it comes knocking at your door!  Its a bit like splitting yourself in two (ha ha).


 

Yes, Optics is the KEY

Let me THINK ABOUT that!

Professionally, its often easier said than done (smirking)!

With counselling the optics and the lens is sharp, objective
without any distractions (well that is the aim isn't)?
 I'm quite sure animal psychologists and behaviourists have their own issues too as do humans!

Ok I think I've got it covered

In the human world, they have Dr. Phil and Dr. Joyce Brothers.

I have been learning about many interesting topics:
> Interpersonal relationships - cats;
> The dynamics and challenges of personality types in the feline world;
> Trust and tolerance;
> Dealing with the mind games (intelligence) and clever antics of "Mr. Sammy".

Sammy: I have an OPTICAL MOUSE

Safeguard against poor purrspective, or ruffled whiskers!. A chit-chat, seeking the wisdom of another cat or colleague.  To be shared over a warm dish of milk (not catnip - for this muddles the brain..like when humans drink too much ...wink wink).

I love to walk beside the Lake or go to the country to 'clear the cobwebs of distraction'.  

Ness and Blue

Tarpan Horses: Their OWN humour

This brought to mind my experience with them in 2003 in Wales. Full of character. .http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heck_horse

Well, MY Darlings  when it is all said and done. There are times when you simply have to rely on your CAT intuition.. enjoy the quality of life. Let the optics TAKE CARE OF ITSELF.
The way I see it ...(stretching, smirking) meow!

Easter Parade

Queen Diva: "Happy Easter"

 Hello MY Darlings:

 Happy Easter, Happy Spring. What a weekend.....the parade of cats!

 I gave my human the weekend off, so I could party in peace.

 Well, I continue to assert my power and authority over MY kingdom despite the distractions of the "Roaming Knight Sammy". 

He was placed on patrol duty (it give him something to do, and males like that sort of thing -- especially if they think damsels are in need it. -3). 

We do have to humour them don't we!  It gives me time to quaff sardines and steal his food (smirking roaring with laughter). 

Wading into the archives of MY "Princess" photo's to show Sammy how the parade is orchestrated.    I was watching Downton Abbey, the Dowager Countess, Lady of Grantham is my favorite character. MEOW!

A very cool lady, commanding and definitely knows what she wants. She must have been reading my blog?

Little Princess starts the Easter Parade

 I still maintain the upper hand, although "Sammy" struts by and ignores me when I 'hiss' with authority, his eyes tell it all "I couldn't care less, I'm the Alpha male baby". 

Wanna be: KING Sammy!

 

 Well, the way I see it he has to earn merit points or "kudos".  I throw it  back "Did I give you permission to SPEAK, WALK or GET CLOSE, did I, did I?

MY Staff know the unwritten RULES.

I want that BALL!

 

 He is a very good hunter and very agile, he wears his face very well. As a method actor, I recognize this.  It is like he has the shutters down?  This is just to throw you off course.  MY human often uses the metaphor of a 'three legged stool'. 

The WAITING game

 I decided to ravenously  consume MY breakfast, MY staff feed me early as I sip on my warm milk.  Nature has given me keen olfactory senses, I sniff the air pointing my nose left and right.  I pick up his earthy rugged pheromone (from Greek φέρω phero "to bear"), In nature bees have this too, mind you I never get that close to them!!! 

Is this a staring out party?

Do I get more rashers (bacon) for this?

As I was getting a little hungry, I ordered him to patrol the outer perimeter of the domain.

So I guess the games begin?

"Anything You Can Do, I CAN DO BETTER"!

Hey Queenie..."NO you Can't"

Diva  remembers her role in "Annie Get Your Gun" by Irving Berlin!

The song is a spirit duet, with one male singer and one female singer attempting to outdo each other in increasingly complex tasks.

During the song, they argue playfully about who can, for example, sing softer, sing higher, sing sweeter, and hold a note for longer, and boast of their abilities and accomplishments, such as opening safes and living on bread and cheese, although Annie always seems to counter Frank's argument. Neither can "bake a pie," though.

Not unless it's 'fish pie'

Two can play the GAME

I MIGHT save you the Crumbs if YOU are LUCKY!

Mr. Sammy usually comes back far too late.  I leave him mini morsels (no more than a cat sneeze - ha ha)

Well, I like to be prepared for anything --- "Improv and Intuition" are MY key traits along with hunting.  To celebrate a friends birthday we saw "Hunger Games" last week. The lead female character "Katniss" (rhymes with 'hiss' was awesome).  I suggest we need more strong female roles in Media and TV.

Well MY Darlings my middle name is "Xena"

Well, MY Darlings we had some lovely sardines after our exciting day, washed down with warm milk...


Happy Easter...........Happy Spring!

Dear Diva: What To Do About Cat Breath - Halitosis

Friday March 30, 2012

Dear Diva:

I would like to thank our feline reader "Miss Lily" to this weeks contribution.
     "My veterinarian says that I have "cat breath".  How can I make my breath smell fresher for the sake of my human? Miss Lily".

Before I begin, I thought I'd share something with you.  If you really want to drive your human mad breath on him or her first thing in the morning, after you have eaten a tin of sardines.  Better than their "morning coffee". It is sure to get them out of bed and respond to your needs!

This is what I do: My practice is to make sure I have regular check-ups with my Veterinarian, he or she is the best person determine the state of your overall health. When checking your Internet sources always be sure to look at credible sights and converse with your human companion:

After checking several of my sources, according Pet Education they advise as follows:  peteducation.com

How Can I Determine the Cause of My Cat's Bad Breath (Halitosis)?

Your veterinarian is the best person to pinpoint the cause. A physical examination may reveal the cause of your cat’s problem. If not, further tests will likely be recommended. Be ready to answer questions about your cat’s diet, oral hygiene, exercise habits and general attitude and behavior.

Don’t worry, your cat’s breath isn’t supposed to smell minty fresh-but if there’s an extremely strong, fetid odor, there could be an underlying medical problem.

Getting ready for my check-up

 "Bad breath, medically termed 'halitosis,' is a common problem reported by pet owners. The most common cause of halitosis is some sort of dental problem. Bacteria, saliva, and food particles can form plaque, which causes bad breath. This can further develop into gingivitis, or worse, periodontal disease, which will make the breath even more unpleasant or gum disease.


However, persistent bad breath can also indicate more serious medical problems such as abnormalities in the mouth, respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, liver or kidneys. In all cases, halitosis is a red flag that should be investigated.
 
In addition to dental problems, other causes of bad breath (may) include:

• Diabetes mellitus
• Kidney disease
• Gastrointestinal disease, including cancers, obstructions, and certain infections
• Infections of areas around the mouth, such as the folds of the lips
• Respiratory disease, e.g.; some sinus infections
• Dietary "indiscretions," such as eating stool or spoiled garbage
• Other oral disease, such as tonsillitis, cancer, trauma, and some autoimmune diseases

Any pet with bad breath should be examined by a veterinarian, unless you know it is caused by something the pet ate. Some causes of bad breath can cause severe and even fatal complications, if not treated promptly.

 Summary check list:

Many people assume that bad breath in cats, especially at a certain age, is a “given”-but that’s not the case. In fact, being proactive about your pet’s oral health will not only make your life together more pleasant, it’s smart preventive medicine:

Regular home brushing with help prevent halitosis

• Bring your pet in for regular checkups to make sure he has no underlying medical issues that may cause halitosis.
• Make sure your vet monitors and tracks the state of your cat’s teeth and breath.
• Brush your cat’s teeth frequently-every day is ideal. (Please be sure to use toothpaste formulated for cats as human toothpaste can upset your pet’s stomach.)
• Discuss home-use oral health products with your veterinarian to see if there’s a type he or she recommends.
• Talk to your vet about feeding a diet that will help to prevent dental disease. Some feel that the abrasive action caused by chewing hard kibble can slow down the formation of plaque.

My most favorite kitty toothpaste is chicken flavor (what else would it be LOL). I prefer a soft baby brush or toddler size. The last time I got my teeth cleaned I destroyed the toilet roll and left the bathroom in chaos!

Miss Lily, please be sure to read this to your human companion.  Thank you.

Well, MY darlings, do send me your fan mail and questions :) divapaws4advise@gmail.com.

**Remember to have your questions in before Friday** Thank you - meow!

Dear Diva - Feature Question of the Week: Integration of New Family Member

Hello My Darlings!

I have an announcement......

I am adding a "Special Feature" to my blog called "Dear Diva".

I will feature ONE of your favorite questions.  You may send them to the following: divapaws4advise@gmail.com.

The subject today is: Integration and how you introduce and welcome a new family member
                              

Who this New Divo gracing my presence

As with any human relationship, forming them and creating a positive bond takes time. With humans a handshake or a polite "How Do YOU Do" breaks the ice.  Now with feline and canine species this take a little more time... (washes her face with paws and thinks).



According to my resources: 
Feline Social Behavior and  Feline  Organization

Domestic cats tend to be solitary. They do not usually form large groups with complex social structures as do dogs. Cats are also very territorial by nature, some more so than others. However because their social organizations is somewhat flexible, some cats are relatively tolerant of sharing their house and territory with multiple cats. It is not uncommon for a cat to tolerate certain other family cats, but not get along with others in the house.The factors that determine how well cats will get along together are not fully understood. 

Cats who are well socialized, meaning they had many pleasant experiences with other cats during kitten hood, will likely be more sociable than cats who have not been around many other cats. On the other hand, "street cats' who are in the habit of fighting with other cats in order to defend their territory and food resources, may not do well in a multi-cat household.

Mae West Quote: Too Much of a Good Thing is Wonderful

Getting along is simply a test of 'good manners'.  Having worked in the theatre for many years and dealing with Diva and Divos.  This brings strong personalities together --- often in confined spaces.   

The coolest new Divo in town.
I WILL have YOU under MY  spell.

You can still maintain your strong character traits with the new arrival.  A little dignity is sugar of diplomacy. The little nod of the head and a gentle bow will put you ahead in a healthy relationship. 

Who knows, you may become best friends, perhaps sharing food!  I'll speak more about this later.'

Wow ...we worked
 through the integration phase.

My Darlings, my word for you today is simply this: 'grace becomes YOU'. 

Ciao ......watch out for my next post.........................

"Dear Diva" How Can I Learn How to Jump Gracefully?

Hello My Darlings!

This is the second "Dear Diva" blog.

I would like to convey a special 'thank you' to Miss Lily
for her question:

"How Can I Learn How to Jump Gracefully".

Jump with Grace - and look GOOD

If you don't mind the intended pun, you question poses an interesting one!  I think it would depend on many factors as I see it, my response is based on common sense and my own experience:
1) optics
2) genetics
3) your own natural abilities or lack of them
4) the environment (whether you an inside or outside cat)

It depends upon your optics. Are you asking "How do I jump gracefully" what methods and actions to I have to take to obtain this effectively.  Firstly, it has to do with your own natural abilities, whether you are a 'natural athlete' or 'average'. This determines the above.  Secondly, it depends on your genetics Father (Sire) Mother (Dam).  Thirdly, we know that all cats have the natural ability to 'land on their feet' that has been proven scientifically.  Your natural parents or your human companions would have observed you since you were a kitten, they are the best barometer to tell you whether you should be very active or not.  To illustrate this further, a friend of mine had a cat that was born without a tail.  This abnormality affected his ability to balance and he did not care to participate in a lot of physical activity such as jumping.  He was active in other ways and made up for this with his stunning character and personality.

Katherine Hepburn

Finally, if you are a in door cat it is best to exercise common sense here.  Cats that live in the country are more apt to be physical.

Marlene Dietrich

When ever I have to tackle something difficult, such as skiing or gymnastics I put myself in character and pretend I am an avid skier or am in the Olympics. A few days before any jumping, I put on my best Katherine Hepburn outfit and strut around my dwelling acting like Marlene Dietrich.

Hint: If you do not like jumping, then try walking across Piano keys..it will improve your balance. If you balance or coordination is a problem, then try another activity such as reading or birdwatching.  Remember to always be sensible and be PLAY IT SAFE!

Remember to send your questions to me at divapaws4advise@gmail.com before next Saturday.

Ciao my Darlings, until next time  

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