BK's notes.

Thankyous.

My typist hasn't yet gotten around to saying thank you for all the Happy Birthday wishes and rosettes I received on my birthday because she's been too obsessed with messing about with the four evil foster kittens we have at home. So for now here's a general thank you from me to everyone for making my birthday so special: "THANK YOU!"
Hopefully, she'll get around to doing some more typing for me tomorrow!

I won!!

*jumping for joy*...My design for a Furever Crown won in it's category in the Catster Design a Digital Gift Competition!
Thanks for choosing my design Catster!
I love the other winning designs too, especially the Hero Ribbon.

Message from MJ

You should listen to these words katz, the words of MJ...

I'm Starting With The Man In
The Mirror
I'm Asking Him To Change
His Ways
And No Message Could Have
Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World
A Better Place
Take A Look At Yourself, And
Then Make A Change

Michael Jackson

In Our Darkest Hour
In My Deepest Despair
Will You Still Care?
Will You Be There?
In My Trials
And My Tribulations
Through Our Doubts
And Frustrations
In My Violence
In My Turbulence
Through My Fear
And My Confessions
In My Anguish And My Pain
Through My Joy And My Sorrow
In The Promise Of Another Tomorrow
I'll Never Let You Part
For You're Always In My Heart.

Rest in Peace Michael Jackson, love from B.

Tagged again!

I have been tagged by Casper.
Seven more facts about me are:

1 I live with 2 cats who are not on Catster

2 I don't like the other 2 cats I live with all that much but they're growing on me.

3 My new favourite treat is organic rump steak and I have some every day!

4 My new favourite sleeping place is my 'condo', a house shaped den with a blanket draped across the entrance for extra privacy.

5 I line many of my favourite toys across the entrance to my condo, like a wall.

6 I like to crunch on prawn crackers (shrimp chips) from the Chinese takeaway then spit them out.

7 I will only let anyone groom me if I'm eating something I really like at the time, like prawns or steak.

I'm not tagging any other cats because all the ones I know have been tagged already!

Keeping Cats Safe at Christmas

Christmas is an exciting time for the family, but it always pays to take some extra precautions with our pets. There are many dangers around, below are some suggestions on how to ensure your cat stays safe during the Christmas period.

Christmas Tree/Decorations

The only fool proof way to keep your cat away from your Christmas tree is to put the tree in a room the cat can't access. Unfortunately, this is often not practical. So the next best solution is to make the tree as safe as possible. Real Christmas trees are more dangerous to cats than fake plastic ones. Pine needles can puncture internal organs if eaten, they are also toxic to cats. If you do have a real tree, make sure the drink stand has plenty of water to prevent the tree drying out & losing needles. It is important that your cat isn't able to get to this water & drink it as it could result in poisoning. Ensure the tree has a good solid base so it won't easily be knocked over by your cat. Try not to have the tree near furniture & or shelves which the cats could use to jump onto the tree.

Be careful with tinsel, if you must have it on your tree, place it at the top of the tree where the cat is less likely to be able to get at it. Tinsel can be caught around the base or move down to the intestines & stomach & cause a blockage, which will result in emergency (and costly) surgery to remove it. A safer alternative are the strands of beads. Ornaments should be securely attached to the tree to prevent them being knocked off. Also place delicate ornaments up high where they're less likely to be knocked off & broken. When there is nobody around, unplug Christmas lights, you may want to try applying a cat repellent such as bitter apple to the lights to deter your cat from chewing the wires, obviously if this was to happen it could cause a fatal electric shock.

Artificial snow is toxic to cats, so is best avoided.

Candles are especially popular over the Christmas holiday period, be careful to make sure your cat can't get close to lit candles.

Please note, your cat isn't a novelty item & it's dangerous to try & decorate your cat with ribbons etc.

Plants

Holly, mistletoe, poinsettias are all popular plants to have in the home at Christmas, especially in the northern hemisphere. These plants are toxic to cats so should be placed where your cat can't get to them. Please see our page on common household toxins for an extensive list on toxic & non toxic plants.

Food/Sweets/Chocolate

Many cat owners enjoy giving their cat the occasional treat of "human" food & generally this doesn't harm the cat. However, it is important to remember that some foods which are fine for humans to eat can be toxic to cats. The odd sliver of chicken or turkey (off the bone) is fine, however it really isn't a good idea to give them large quantities of such food as this can lead to gastrointestinal problems. Never give your cat cooked chicken or turkey bones, these bones can splinter & can become lodged in your cat's throat or puncture the intestines & stomach. Chocolate is toxic to cats, the darker the chocolate, the more toxic. Chocolate contains both caffeine & theobromine, which are both toxic. If you suspect your cat has eaten chocolate watch for signs of restlessness & vomiting, if in doubt, see your vet.

Cats will often scavenge for food in the garbage so be aware that if you've covered your turkey with foil & thrown it in the bin, your cat may drag it out & chew on it which could make the cat sick. Cooked turkey bones will also attract your cat. Be aware of this & if possible, take your food scraps etc., to your outside bin.

Xmas ribbons/wrap

Ribbons etc., pose the same problem as tinsel, if eaten, it may lead to intestinal blockages. It's important to ensure all ribbons/wrap etc., are safely disposed of.

Visitors

Some cats love the attention of visitors, others find strangers in their house stressful. Christmas is often a busy time with visitors coming & going. Be mindful of your cat's feelings & give the cat the option of somewhere quiet to escape to should the need arise, this is particularly important if your friends & relatives have young children.

Holidays

If you are going away on holiday, you have several options for your cat. You may choose to put your cat in a boarding cattery while you are gone. It is best to check out the premises prior to taking your cat there so you can ensure the cattery meets your standards. Any reputable boarding cattery will insist your cat is up to date on it's vaccinations, this is important for the well being of your cat & all other cats they have boarding there. Many vets also do boarding for cats but in my opinion this isn't ideal for more than a few days as their cages tend to be much smaller than those you'd expect to find in a boarding cattery.

There are a growing number of pet sitters available these days. They will come over once or twice a day to feed & play with your cat & to clean the litter tray. I find this most suitable when going away for a few days.

If you are going away for an extended period of time you may want to consider asking a friend or relative to house sit.

Whichever option you take, make sure you leave a phone number where you can be contacted & your vet's telephone number in case of an emergency.

Toys

When buying toys for your cat, make sure you thoroughly check them first. Similar precautions should be taken with your cat's toys as you'd take buying a toy for a young child. Make sure there is nothing glued on that the cat can pull off & swallow. As the toy will quite likely be chewed on, ensure that it's made from a non-toxic substance. There are many wand like toys on the market which most cats love, these should be put away safely when not in use because the cat could become tangled on the string. Any toy that is small enough for your cat to swallow is dangerous & should be avoided.

Kittens as gifts

Buying a kitten as a gift is fine as long as the person receiving the kitten has asked for a pet & knows that owning a cat is quite likely to be a 15-20 year responsibility. Never buy a pet as a surprise gift for somebody. Also, because Christmas is usually such a chaotic time, it is best to try & arrange to collect your kitten after Christmas to avoid undue stress on the animal. Please, if you are considering buying a pet as a gift, really think it through before you do so. Pet ownership is a big responsibility & shouldn't be entered into lightly. Any shelter worker will tell you that their most busy time of the year is just after Christmas people bring them unwanted pets. Don't add to the problem by buying a pet for somebody on a whim.

Lastly, if you have unspayed or unneutered cats at home, why not get them the best Christmas present of all - booked in for a spay or neuter op!
They may not exactly appreciate this but it really is an invaluable investment in their health & welfare.


(from www.cat-world/au)

I was tagged!

I have been tagged by Andre, Lucy, Zoe, Bastess, and Oliver...oooh!

The rulesof the TAG game:
Each player starts with seven random facts about themselves. Cats who are tagged need to write on their own diary about the seven things and the rules. You need to choose seven cats to tag and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment that they have been tagged and to read your diary.

My seven random facts are:

1) I'm a human earlobe suckler.
2) I have a scar which has left me with a bald patch on my back left heel.
3) My favourite treat is coldwater prawns.
4) I like to lie on my side and be slid all around the carpet by the scruff of my neck.
5) I broke my front leg when I was one and now have a metal pin in the bone.
6) I like to go into the house next door for a nap...but that's OK because it's my grandma!
7) I put up massive resistance when my mum tries to put flea treatment on me, hehehe.

The Catsters I'm going to TAG are:
Nemo
Rasta
Tank
Cauliflower
Tiger
Spencer
Xander

I'm Your Dad

My song of the week is I'm Your Man by Wham. This is because whenever it comes on TV or the radio my dad joins in but sings " Bladey...I'm your dad..."
My mum tells him to shut up because his singing makes me feel sick but secretly she thinks it's funny. Geez...I have to live with these two idiots!

Change to Song of The Week...

I don't know what's happened to me but I have been overcome by Manliness and have had to change my Song Of The Week to 'Ma Ya Hi' by O-Zone ( The original Romanian Version).
I think it could be something to do with my cat pheromone diffuser and they've perhaps added too much 'maleness' into the formula...?

Before the Pandemonium begins....

I thought my Song Of Week should be calm and gentle in preparation for the hurly burly of Christmas so I chose 'Bedshaped' by Keane.

Word.

She's Strange in a Good Way...

My choice of song for this week was inspired by my beautiful girlfriend Lucy as I was watching her latest video.
You might say it's strange the way she lovingly grooms her new baby foster sister Tiger Lilly, whilst growling at the same time, heh heh, but it's just one of the little quirks that make her so special and unique.

The artists, Cameo are also very unique and although were at their heyday in the 1980's, they still continue to perform together to this day.

Word Up.

The Shocking 'Tail' of the British Langoustine...

I have been shocked to learn this week that the scampi I do so enjoy every once in a while will shortly have done a 13,000 mile round trip before it ends up on my plate!
These langoustines are caught of the coast of Scotland but will be shipped all the way to Thailand (in order to save costs *rolls eyes*) to be hand-shelled then shipped back to Britain again!
Currently they are shelled in Britain by being blasted by water. The producers claim hand-shelled langoustines are tastier.
Well I'm not sure that I want my scampi to have been fingered by human hand and be more well-travelled than Marco Polo, thankyou!

Therefore, out of respect for all seafood, hand-shelled or not, my Song of The Week is Rock Lobster by The B-52's. You definately have to listen to this one right to the end and you might like to join in and sing the very high pitched ending too, like my dad does.

Word.

Song of the Week.

This week my Song of The Week is dedicated to all the neutered males out there.
By the way, there's nothing uncool about Barry Manilow OR being neutered, OK?

Word.

Remember Remember...

In Flanders Fields by John MacRae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Peace.

How I made my own Catster backround.

Firstly, you need some kind of software that you can use to make the 'tile' (the image that repeats over the page to form a background).
I use Ulead PhotoImpact which came free with my digital camera. Then you need an account like a Photobucket account, that you can upload your image and link back to it with an url.
Then follow these instructions:
click for instructions

We are the Tabbies - We are As One!

I am a member of the Catster Group 'Terrific Tabbies'. We have lots of excellent group activities which so far this year have included a 'Spring Fling', Picnic Party and even a magnificent Tropical Cruise. The fabulous album of our cruise was put together by one of our group leaders, Oliver
The founder member of Terrific Tabbies Miss Muppet is currently in the running for Pet Idol 2006. I urge everyone to vote for Miss Muppet, she is pet No. 6 in the competition. You are allowed one free vote per day and you can even buy some more votes, some of the proceeds of which are going towards a good cause - the Humane Society.
Any tabbies reading this should firstly join Terrific Tabbies and then vote for our leader Miss Muppet to win Pet Idol! Afterall, "We are the Tabbies! We are as one!"
Word.

Kittens, kittens everywhere......not enough homes.

In all the animal shelters and cat rescue centres where I live in Nottingham, they are overflowing with kittens, not to mention the other older cats that are waiting for homes also. The older ones may get overlooked in favour of the kittens, who themselves could be having more kittens in just a few months time......
Everybody who looks after cats should please try and spay or neuter them before they add to the overpopulation of cats that already exists.
There are too many cats and not enough homes for them all.
Spaying and neutering not only prevents unwanted pets but also has secondary health benefits, such as preventing certain forms of cancers (mammary tumors in females and testicular tumors in males). Pyometra is an infection of the uterus which can and almost certainly at some point WILL affect unspayed female cats and dogs. It can be fatal if not treated promptly and is not as straightforward to treat as other infections. Pyometra cannot occur in spayed females.
There are other indirect ways in which it may prolong your pet's life also - most cats killed on the roads are un-neutered toms. Un-neutered cats roam and fight, picking up injuries and risking contracting incurable diseases such as FIV (the feline form of AIDS) and FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) which are both spread by bite wounds.

If the costs of spaying or neutering are a problem, remember that a pregnant cat and her kittens will cost more to feed than a spay operation would cost.
Find out if there are any reduced cost spaying and neutering clinics in your area. There is often help out there if you look for it.
In Nottingham there is a charity called P.U.P. (Prevent Unwanted Pets) who assist people on low incomes with the costs of spaying and neutering, they rely entirely on donations from the public. There may be similar schemes in your area.

Just remember that for every homeless and unwanted animal that ends up being put to sleep, there is a human somewhere down the line who was responsible for that happening....

Help...I'm being penned in!

Oh no....has it really come to this?.....
I've got a horrible feeling I'm about to lose my liberty. They're hammering some 'stuff' all around the top of the garden fence. It looks like it's going to be too high (they THINK) for me to climb over.
I've heard them calling this stuff 'fern screening'. It looks a bit flimsy to me, l may even be able to gnaw through it....
Damn it! They KNEW I'm no good at climbing! They're trying to exploit my weaknesses.
This is all down to that Akita down the road that keeps getting out. It's ruined my life ever since it came to live around here. Suppose I shouldn't blame the dog, it doesn't have much of a life either. Perhaps that's why it's so ANGRY all the time?
I just heard dad on the phone to the shop, asking them if they have any more 'fern screening'....YESSSSS! The shop only have two rolls left! That's not enough to finish the job!
Heh heh heh! We'll see..... we'll see if they EVER get to contain The Bladester!
Word.

Aunty Fiona's Birthday...

Today is my Aunty Fiona's birthday. Here are a few facts about Fiona.
She's so OLD:
her memory is in black & white!
I told her to act her age, and she died!
I asked to see her birth certificate, and she handed me a rock!
she owes Fred Flintstone a food stamp!
Jurassic Park brought back memories!
she DJ'd at the Boston Tea Party!
when she ran the 100 metre dash, they timed her with a sundial.
when she was at school...there was No history class!
she recalls when the Grand Canyon was a ditch.
she co-wrote the 4th Commandment.
when Moses parted the Red Sea, he found Fiona fishing on the other side!
Heh heh heh!...HAPPY BIRTHDAY FIONA!!

Word T.Y.M.

Why are some humans so stupid?

I'm sorry for sounding so bitter today but I have to get something off my furry little chest....
I live very close by to an old peoples housing complex, ideal neighbours you might think? - think again. These houses are small one bedroom bungalows, just big enough for a couple of old age pensioners. So why is the house at the end of the road inhabited by at least six lunatics?!! I'm talking about the kind of people who steal milk floats at 3AM and drive them around under the influence of alcohol smashing into all the parked cars on the street as they go! (Yes this actually happened - and we are talking about a middle aged woman here!)

The lunatics decided to get themselves a pet. Now, what would be an ideal pet for a this houseful of lunes plus baby in the one bedroom bungalow with a 10ft square garden? A rabbit? A budgie? No, a fully grown adult Japanese Akita that has had previous behavioural problems.
Within a few days of owning the dog, it got out and attacked a neighbours King Charles Spaniel almost killing it and putting it in intensive care for two days. The police won't act because it was a 'dog on dog' attack. I know that with the right RESPONSIBLE owners and living conditions these dogs can probably make good pets but I've heard that they are inclined to attack other smaller dogs and cats as they are dominant dogs. Apparently it killed 2 cats at it's previous address.......

Yesterday evening it got out AGAIN, a neighbour came and warned my mum and dad and they got me in. I was not allowed out again yesterday so spent the rest of the day distressed and crying.
The dog warden was called but apparently they only work 'council hours'! WHAT USE IS THAT!!!??? The police didn't think it mattered because it's only attacked a dog before. After 2 hours of it being on the loose, the owners themselves called the police and said they were worried that the dog could attack a child if the child was walking a dog. My dad saw the dog about a mile away and tried to trap it in a garden (he's SO brave) but it got away. I went to bed hoping it would never return.....

This morning the dog was back again but guess what - a couple of hours later it got out AGAIN so I've had to stay in today AGAIN.

Everything was OK until that dog came to live here. Because of it's irresponsible owners who are incapable of keeping their garden gate closed, I'm having to suffer.
Why are some humans so stupid?
Word.

What a great 10 days!!

The last 10 days have been absolutley fantastic!
Firstly, on Wednesday the 26th of April I was named as Catster *Cat of the Week*!! I just cannot describe how much of a shock this was! To be selected out of 68,000 cats was FABBY DABBY DOO!
My week as COTW just whizzed by! It was party, party party! Compliments....rosettes.....more rosettes.....lady -cats positively THROWING themselves at me......*wink*
I was actually COTW for 8 DAYS! Although this was a bonus it made it all the more difficult when I had to relinquish my throne. When I saw the next COTW announced, I felt literally wizened.....shrunken....crushed.....deprived and deflated (for about 7 minutes - then I recovered.)

Anyone who knows me in my neighborhood would never have guessed I had been living the life of an international superstar on Catster. I just mooched around the gardens and back allies with my usual nonchalance eating flies, drinking from the bird-bath, all the while knowing I had a bottle of catnip champagne (Nypstal - the very best) on ice down at Tabby Hall...

The climax of these heavenly 10 days is the Spring Fling occuring today over at Tabby Hall. Currently the tabbies are enjoying a hog roast and other gourmet delights, tuna punch and catnip brew by the gallon and are later too be entertained by a live band of tabby-point Siamese cats yippee-aye-eh!!!
Word.

Giving them 'the runaround'.

I am an 'outdoorsy' kind of cat -always have been. My mum and dad would be happier, deep down, if I was a totally 'indoors' cat because they wouldn't have to worry about cars, dogs, local brats or me ending up in a takeaway meal etc.
They tried to keep me in before but I kicked up such fuss about it that they realised I'd never be happy as an 'indoors' cat.
So, reluctantly I'm let out more or less when I want. Well, as long as there's someone home and I'm not allowed out overnight unlike most cats in my neighbourhood.
Usually I abide by the rules. I never wander far from the back garden and I *usually* come in without a fuss at night.
The night before last, I decided to challenge the rules. I'd already come in for the night as far as they were concerned and they's taken off my collar (I always sleep naked) . I could see my friend, Soda outside in my garden. He's allowed out all night by his owners and was taunting me. I waited for the right moment...my dad (who's only got one pace -S L O W) went out the back door to put some crumbs on the bird table. On his way back through the door, I shot past him like a speeding arrow. "HAH!!! I'm freeeeeeeeeeee!" I thought!
I was overcome with mischievousness and dashed and darted all around the garden with glee. Soda was well impressed. I was just like him - a naked 'night-stalker'!
I could hear my mum saying "just ignore him...lets close the door and pretend we're not bothered..... he'll soon want to come in....blah de blah de blah..."
No you pair of suckers!!! I'm out for the night!!.... See me run around these plantpots!! Look at me!!....Look at me!!....I know your watching me through the window...LOOOOOOOSERS!!!
It didn't take long before they abandoned their 'pretending not to be bothered' plan. "Come and help me catch him..." I heard mum say to dad. How pathetic, that it would take 2 of them to catch ME - I'm only 1ft tall!!
I put up a valiant effort, but in the end I was defeated. It finished up with me on my back under a bush, fending the pair of them off with various kicking and biting moves. I think I could have evaded dad all night but mum lunged at me, grimacing as she took my blows. She wanted to get to bed so really I had no chance.
Iwas carried in, humiliated. Soda sniggered as I was carried past him.
I got my revenge though....I made sure I set my 'alarm clock' for 4.55am the next morning.Word.

Check out my 'bird'.

You should see my girlfriend Lucy's slideshow, she is soooo beautiful....I'm so proud.

Danger Cat!

Yesterday, my beautiful and talented girlfriend, Lucy, wrote me a song!
The song was written to accompany my 'around the carpet sliding' that I do so enjoy. To be sung to me by my mum and dad while they do the dragging.
It goes to the tune of spiderman.

Danger Cat, Danger Cat
Handsome Bladey the Danger Cat
Can he slide on the floor
Make the den his obstacle course
Look out
Here comes the Danger Cat

Is he hot, he's on fire!
He's the object of my desire
He devours yummy prawns
Then goes and toilets out on the lawn
Hey there
There goes the danger cat

In the still of the night
While locked in the house
He wakes mum and dad
Makes them grumble and grouse

Danger cat, danger cat
Handsome Bladey the danger cat
Sexy cat in leather chaps
Makes me swoon when he sings his raps

For handsome Blade, life's a crack up
Get too sassy, he'll give you a smack up
He's the hot handsome danger cat.

I'm so pleased with my song that I'm preparing something for her in return...