My name is Willy.....

1. I make a funny face when told "No".
2. I sleep at least 20 hours a day.
3. I am the boss kitty in my house.
4. When we are playing with the stick, string and feathers I can jump 3' into the air 3 times before I need a rest.
5. I always put my favorite toys into the water dish.
6. I am mummys first boy kitty.
7. When I get a craving for love, I follow my human around and cry pitifully until I receive it. Then I purr very loudly.
8. When Bella is sleeping I walk over to her and give her belly a good hard bite. She screams and runs away and I sleep in her warm toasty bed.

Top 10 Things a Cat Thinks About

1. I could have sworn I heard the can opener.
2. Do they REALLY think I'm gonna come running
just because they called me?
3. Why doesn't the government do something
about dogs?
4. I wonder if Morris really liked 9-Lives, or did
he have ulterior motives?
5. Hmmm ... If dogs serve humans, and humans
serve cats, why can't we cats ever get these
stupid dogs to do anything for us?
6. This looks like a good spot for a nap.
7. Hey -- no kidding, I'm sure that's the can opener.
8. Would humans have built a vast and complex
civilization of their own if we cats hadn't given
them a reason to invent sofas and can openers
in the first place?
9. If there's a God, how can He allow neutering?
10. If that really was the can opener, I'll play
finicky just to let them know who's boss!

Catnip Facts

Catnip is a herb that contains a system of chemicals called terpenoids that will in some cases dramatically alter the mind set of your cat. The chemical within catnip, Latin name Nepeta cataria that is psychoactive within cats is called nepetalactone.

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, JAMA and several other studies, nepetalactone has a toxicity LD 50 of 1350 mg per kg of body weight. Vitamin C is considerable more toxic !

Catnip is NOT essential for your cat.

Catnip is a very effective tool for
use in stimulating and rewarding positive behavior. Old cats, or cats which are sluggish may benefit from the increased cardiovascular activity brought on by catnip.

The response to catnip is an inherited autosomal dominant trait (genetic). Cats which have a genome originating in geographical area where catnip is not indigenous like SE Asia, typically do not respond to catnip. (Siamese, Burmese, Himalayan typically do not get very kooky around catnip) Maine Coon cats on the other had seem to be real big fans of nip sniffin')

Catnip has been used in herbal remedies with
humans since at least the 15 th century. It is an effective treatment for colic, indigestion, minor aches and pains, and as a nervine. In fact, catnip tea was the most commonly consumed herbal beverage in Europe prior to the importation of teas from the orient.

Catnip is a member of the mint family of aromatic herbs, and has been naturalized in North America from it's indigenous roots in temperate
Eurasia, and Northern Africa. Catnip is extremely common in the wild throughout the Eastern USA, Midwest and into Washington state.

There are millions of plants within this ecosystem. Catnip prefers to grow in dry, semi arid places, and can be found along hedge rows and fence lines. Also catnip is abundant along railway lines and within abandoned waste places, like old buildings, and dump sites.

Give kitty catnip at most once per week. Use it to reinforce positive behavior. I think that the best way to give catnip to your cat is by growing your own catnip plant in a pot, and then give the fresh leaves to your cat. A novel idea which I use to keep kitty from the growing plant is to place the plant into a bird cage. You may find kitty hanging off the cage, but unable to acquire the minty package inside. Catnip seeds are available from most garden supply shops. Ask for either Nepeta cataria, or Nepeta mussini. Both are very easy to grow, and result in very attractive ornamental plants, which are perennial.

It Is HOT!!!

We are sweltering! They call it heatwave. It has been 100 degrees for 4 days in a row and I don't like it at all! Mummy has an air conditioner in a bedroom and there is a cat door in that bedroom door, so I can go into a room that is 65 degrees when the rest of the house is 100 degrees. I can also leave that bedroom through another cat door to go outside to my cat enclosure. Me and my sisters spend all night outside. It feels so cool with a breeze off of the lake. In the daytime we just sleep in the cool room until it starts to cool off outside. Mummy gives us filtered ice water, but we prefer to drink from the dripping tap in the bathtub. My sister Bella keeps ripping up the toiletpaper so we are not allowed to go into the bathroom anymore. Stay cool everycat!

This Vow I make to Willy

"I will be your loyal companion from this day forward. Even more important, I will be your protector. You have my solemn promise that I will, to the absolute utmost that my strength and resources permit, protect you against all the hurts that life can hold, whether they be physical or emotional. You can depend on me for this. I will never let you down.

"And when any hurts become such that all of my efforts cannot effectively alleviate them, I will place your needs above mine, your suffering over my own, and use the only means left to protect you from those hurts. I will deliver you comfort by bringing your pains to an end, not because I will be ready to let go, but because, to protect you, I will have to say goodbye. I know you will count on me at that difficult time to protect you, and I will be there for you, right by your side.
"Should my passing come first, you need not worry, because I will have made all the provisions for your care, safekeeping, and happiness.

"Fear not, because when death ends our physical togetherness, our emotional bond will never end. You will be a part of my heart forever. I promise."

The minute you learn that your pet has an illness that will progress either to death or unrelievable discomfort, please repeat this vow to him or her. It is truly remarkable how good it will make you feel to know that your relationship with your beloved pet is cemented by such a loving pact.

Rules for Non-Pet Owners Who Visit and Like to Complain- About Us

1. They live here. You don't.
2. If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. (That's why they call it "fur"niture!)
3. I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
4. To you, it's an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted son/daughter who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't speak clearly. Remember: Dogs and cats are better than kids because they: eat less, don't ask for money all the time, are easier to train, usually come when called, never drive your car, don't hang out with drug-using friends, don't smoke, drink or gamble, don't worry about having to buy the latest fashions, don't wear your clothes, don't need a gazillion dollars for college, and if they get pregnant, you can sell their children.

I Love Ragdoll cats!

If you are looking for a big, loveable, huggable and very kissable cat, the Ragdoll may be the breed for you. Ragdoll cats are renowned for their affectionate, laid-back personalities, as well as their large size (they can weigh 20 pounds or more as adults). Ragdolls were named for their tendency to flop like rag dolls when picked up, and are fast becoming one of the most popular cat breeds. Ragdolls have a very soft, medium-length coat that comes in a variety of pointed shades including seal, chocolate, blue and lilac. Ragdoll cats can have mitted paws or bicolor shading with an upside-down "V" pattern of white on the face, as well as a white chest, belly and legs. These ultra-sweet cats are not aggressive, and get along well in families with well-behaved children and other family pets. Must be Indoor cat as they are friendly to everyone. The Ragdoll Cat's rabbit-like fur tends not to mat, so they require less grooming than other longer-haired breeds. Ragdolls thrive on love a and attention, so a strict regimen of daily cuddles and kisses is a must.