Siamese Temperament

No wonder Kiko loved riding on my dad's shoulder! Now that I've read extensively about the Siamese breed, it is reported that "they delight in riding on their owner's shoulders." The Siamese cats are active, and their minds seem to be whirling with activity. If they do not have a playmate, they will create one out of anything. Height beckons a flight up or down; they delight in jumping and have been seen to leap five feet (!) in any direction with ease. They demand attention and affection, and most will sleep under the covers with their head on the pillow as close to you as possible. Achoo!

Fan Tee Cee

Some believe that the Siamese breeders were greedy in their desire to obtain that "certain look." In the 1960s and 1970s if the cat had that look it most probably had a cat named Fan Tee Cee in its background. Tee Cee was reportedly the Siamese that changed the whole concept of the Siamese. He abruptly appeared on the show scene in the early 1960s and blew every other Siamese clear out of the field. His head and body were very long; his eyes were almond-shaped; his coat was short. Some judges and breeders could not stand his extreme look, while others longed for it. To have Tee Cee in their cats' pedigrees was good; a double-up of Tee Cee was even better. The risk is always high, in doubling up, of bringing two unwanted recessive genes together. And the more inbreeding, the more chances of offspring becoming smaller and smaller.

Siamese Origins

The Siamese cat is reported to have originated in Siam (Thailand). Old paintings show a cat with darker color on the ears, face, paws and tail. There were large classes of Siamese shown in the U.S. in the 1960s. The large Cat Fancier's Association show in Houston, TX, quite often had as many as 65 to 70 Siamese. This is not true in the 1980s in the U.S. Eight or ten Siamese are considered a large class; two or three is an average entry for most shows. What happened?

Remembering Kiko

Kiko, a beautiful female Siamese, was one of our family's first cats when I was growing up. She was pretty, and she knew it. Her coloring was tan and chocolate, and her little face had the exotic look of the Siamese breed. She favored my Dad, and would hold out for him when it came time for jumping up onto his shoulder and looking smugly down at us. She outlived him, and when he died, her affections were transferred to my mom.

More Allergy Advice

Cat Fancy's May 2007 issue suggests that to further prevent allergen collection, experts recommend replacing curtains and drapes with blinds, verticals or solid shades. (already have those) "Make the home easier to keep clean," says James M. Seltzer, an Oceanside, Calif-based allergist and chairman of the Indoor Allergy Committee of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. He suggests replacing carpet with hardwood or tile flooring (have that), minimizing upholstered furiture (forget that) throughout the home, and using throw rugs that are washed easily. Above all, keep bedrooms off-limits to cats--aha--there's my plan! My house is tiled but has carpeting in the bedrooms, and shades on the windows. I'm going to try to clear Gigi out of my bedroom and see if that helps. The problem is not keeping her out at night, but during the day. Her princess pillow is on the windowsill in there. . . and I don't know if I have the heart to move it.

Allergy Answers

Well, it may be difficult, but possible to keep Gigi out of my bedroom. But there are some other things I can do to minimize my discomfort. Cat Fancy's May 2007 issue reports that one of the easiest solutions may be giving your cat a bath(!) Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis say that regular baths have been proven to reduce Fe1 d1 amounts in a cat's skin and pelt.
Well, I don't think it would be so easy to give Gigi a bath. . .unless of course I hire someone else to do it. William Ambler, owner of a pet grooming salon in California says that many of his allergic clients gain relief from having their pets groomed and bathed regularly. Something to consider I suppose.

Banned from the Bedroom

I'm thinking about banning Gigi from my bedroom, since I am allergic. However, according to Cat Fancy's May 2007 issue, cat allergens are sticky, adhering to walls, bedding and other surfaces. And, allergens accumulate over time. Carpet (which I have) and upholstered furniture are reservoirs for pet allergens where, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, they can remain for weeks. What's an allergic person to do?

The Cat Allergy Culprit

The cat allergy culprit is a protein that cats produce naturally. It is invisible to the naked eye. For the most part, the protein spreads freely about the house attached to tiny particles of skin flakes, or dander, which cats shed while grooming themselves. Medical science calls the allergen Fel d1.
"The allergen is found in cats' saliva, on their pelts and in their skin," says James Sublett, clinical professor of Allergy and Immunology in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. "One problem in particular is that it's a small allergen, something like two microns in size."
Sublett uses the analogy of ping-pong balls vs. basketballs. "The bigger balls fall out of the air and settle," he says, "but imagine a fan hitting a bunch of ping-pong balls and blowing them all around. Cat allergens stay in the air." Thus, he says, some people can be deathly allergic to cats but not to dogs, because the dog allergen is heavier. (Courtesy Cat Fancy, May 2007)

Magnetic Cats

How are cats able to detect these earthquakes? "Animals can detect the change in the Earth's magnetic field," geologist Jim Berkland explains. "Nearly every animal has the mineral magnetite in its body; before an earthquake, the magnetic field gets distorted." The magnetite allows animals to detect changes in the Earth's magnetic field. When this happens, cats and other animals realize something wrong will happen. Many cats and dogs flee. (Sounds sort of out there, doesn't it?) (Courtesy of Cat Fancy, June 2007)

Cats Help Predict California Earthquakes

Geologist Jim Berkland has predicted earthquakes in California for the last 30 years. His work is chronicled in the book, "The Man Who Predicts Earthquakes," by Cal Orey. Berkland believes the alignment of the moon and Earth affects tidal waves, movement in the Earth's crust and magnetic fields. Berkland also observes the behavior of cats and dogs: specifically, the number of lost cats and dogs listed in local newspapers. He claims that for thousands of year, people in China successfully predited earthquakes based on the behavior of animals before the quakes. Berkland's first prediction involving cats occurred in 1980.
"On Nov. 7, 1980, there were 14 missing cat ads, the most of the whole year. There are usually 3 or 4 missing cat ads," he says. Based on that and other factors, Berkland predicted a 7.4 magnitude earthquake. Within days there was a 7.4 earthquake in Eureka, Calif. Since then Berkland allegedly predicted more than 25 earthquakes based on missing cat and dog ads. (Courtesy of Cat Fancy, June 2007)

Kitty's Own Washroom

Another holiday cat gift is the "cat washroom." It's a cabinet that holds a litterbox. Here's what the ad says-- "Excellent way of hiding the litterbox--clever design. It easily could match a person's room decor without standing out." (But do odors get trapped inside the cabinet?) It's offered by Merry Products, Corp, for $99.99. (Courtesy of Cat Fancy, December 2007)

Lazy Feedings

Pillar Pet Products, Inc. advertises a Perfect Petfeeder--a programmable feeder that doles out the amount of food at the mealtimes you set it to. Here's what they say--"The only way our intuitive, "no manual required", programming interface could be any easier is if it could read your mind. In less than a minute, you will have the Perfect Petfeeder programmed and ready to dispense the precise meal portions you want, when you want. Just as important, adjusting the program is a snap. Our patent pending Quick Change feature allows you to adjust all meal amounts in seconds. There's an option for a pleasant meal chime, and you can enter into "suspend mode" to temporarily stop its daily operation while retaining all program settings." The cost is $499.95. Hmm. $500 dollars for automatic feedings... (Courtesy of Cat Fancy, December 2007)

Rolling in Catnip

An herb in the mint family, catnip influences cats that are genetically predisposed to the effects of its essential oil. Studies indicate that up to one-third of felines are unaffected by catnip. Nepetalactone, the active chemical compound in catnip, creates the familiar "intoxicated" reaction. The flehmen response (when a cat "sneers," or pulls back its upper lip, while sniffing) forces the scent through the vomeronasal, or Jacobson's organ, located within the palate. From there, it travels to the base of the brain. Within the brain, the compound stimulates certain receptors and hormones. Rolling in catnip might demonstrate an instinctual behavior designed to release more of the oil. (Courtesy of Cat Fancy, September 2007)

Hot Food

Many cats enjoy a hot meal on a cold night. But you don't have to slave over the stove to please them--just put wet food on a plate, and place it in the microwave for a few seconds. Or add a little warm water to kibble for gravy, then stir and serve. Test the temperature first by dabbing a little bit on your inner forearm to make sure it isn't too hot. (Courtesy of Cat Fancy, December 2007)

Cat Naps

Gigi has a great life. She gets fed, petted, played with, and naps anytime, anywhere. How indulgent. According to Wiki, cats conserve energy by sleeping more than most animals, especially as they grow older. The daily duration of sleep varies, usually 12–16 hours, with 13–14 being the average. Some cats can sleep as much as 20 hours in a 24-hour period. (whoa!) The term cat nap refers to the cat's ability to fall asleep (lightly) for a brief period and has entered the English lexicon – someone who nods off for a few minutes is said to be "taking a cat nap".

Moving On

So, Thanksgiving has come and gone. We had a house full of company, and Gigi managed to make a pest of herself throughout the commotion. She jumped on the kitchen counter to investigate and she almost jumped on the dining room table before we sat down. She seemed to be constantly underfoot. At one point, I had to 'lock' her in my room to keep her out of trouble. With a 4-year old and a 16-month old running around, Gigi was smart enough to stay out of their way!

Swishing Tails

A cat that swishes its tail violently from side to side certainly is not in the mood for play; however, the same cannot be said for a cat whose tail swishes softly and gently. When your cat's tail makes a swishing motion, it indicates that the cat's interest is piqued. This motion often is seen when kitty is viewing birds at play. (Definitely sounds like Gigi.) The swishing motion also accompanies decision making. If your cat is contemplating climbing a tree, it's sure to swish its tail a bit. (Cat Fancy, Nov. 2007) Happy Thanksgiving! Keep your cat off the kitchen counter away from temptation.

More Tail Tips

You might not pay attention to the tip of your cat's tail, but it's a very expressive part of the feline anatomy. A cat that lowers its tail but keeps the tip curved upward is anything but content. At the moment, it is not only nervous, but unsure and insecure of either its surroundings or an object that has caught its attention. By keeping its tail down, your cat is giving you the scoop on how it's feeling and letting you know that it isn't completely comfortable. "A cat that holds its tail in this position, accompanied by [bristling of the hair], raised hindquarters, a direct stare and curled lips, indicates that it is feeling aggressive," says Jane Bowers, a certified cat behavior consultant and president of Dogs of Distinction Canine Training Inc. in British Columbia, Canada. In this situation, talk to your cat soothingly. If its tail takes on a straight up position, things are good; if it continues holding it as before, give your cat a little space. (Cat Fancy, Nov. 2007)

More Cat Tails

Instead of using an object to feel secure, cats use their tails. If a cat's tail is folded or tucked around its body, the cat is content but wants to keep to itself at the moment, says Jennifer LeBaron Michels, a feline behavior counselor at Cat Behavior of Rochester, in Rochester, NY. "[It's] sort of the opposite of lying on its back with its belly showing," she says. "It's also associated with keeping all four feet protected and warm." (Courtesy of Cat Fancy, Nov. 2007)

Cat Tails

While dogs tend to swing their tails rapidly from side to side when they're happy or want to play, the opposite is true for cats. A tail that violently and quickly swishes from side to side is an indication that kitty is feeling anxious and aggressive and is a warning that it might attack. If you see this action, give your cat some time to relax before you try to interact. (Courtesy Cat Fancy, November 2007)

Whispering Whiskers

Whiskers, or vibrissae (pronounced vahy-bris-uh) are made up of sinus and tylotrich hairs (highly specialized skin appendages), that comprise a highly sophisticated sensory system capable of detecting slight wind variations and sudden movement. Since cats hunt instinctively, whiskers help cats survive. These prominent follicles aid cats to catch prey at close range, much like a pair of reading glasses helps humans capture words on a page. "Cats are farsighted and can't see prey they've caught," says Alice Moon-Fanelli, veterinarian and assistant professor at Tufts University, citing the use of whiskers as a means to get in and out of any given situation. Domestic cats depend on the same senses as wild and big cats. Indoor cats might use whiskers to mock jungle moves or walk through dark rooms, avoiding bulky furniture and other obstacles. A cat's whiskers also indicate mood. "If they are pushed forward, the cat is calm, but if the cat is defensive or stressed out, they're closer to the face," says Moon-Fanelli. (Courtesey of Cat Fancy, November 2007)

Edgar Allan Poe

When Edgar Allan Poe's wife was dying of tuberculosis in 1847, Poe -- penniless and unable to buy fuel to keep her warm -- placed his cat Catarina in bed beside her. Catarina stayed with her throughout her illness, and, inspired by the cat's loyalty, Poe wrote one of his fines tales, 'The Black Cat." (courtesy Cat Fancy, November, 2007)

Leaving Mama

Cat Fancy magazine, August 2007, reports that a cat's personality toward other cats is determined by the size of the litter it grows up in and whether it remains with its mother for longer than 8 weeks, according to Dennis Turner, editor of The Domestic Cat: The Biology of Its Behavior. Kittens that grow up in a litter of four or more and remain with their mothers demonstrate social personalities toward other cats. Kittens that grow up in small litters or that are taken from their mothers early, at 7 or 8 weeks old, are unsocial toward other cats. Also, kittens that are petted between the 2nd and 7th weeks of life will grow up to have more trusting and human-social personalities.

Cats on Veterans Day

According to pawsonline.net, 2,500 years ago the Persians, knowing the Egyptians considered cats to be sacred, took live cats to the front line of battle. The Egyptian soldiers would not attack in case they accidentally killed one of these animals.
During the blitz in England a cat nicknamed "Bomber" could tell the difference between the sounds of RAF and German aircraft at a distance, and thus became a good early warning system for its human companions. There are several instances when cats have saved the lives of whole families. Seeing their cats dashing to shelters, people would follow, getting to safety just before the bombs started to fall.

"Garfield Weighs in . . . on Cloning"

Here's what Garfield has to say about cloning in the August 2007 issue of Cat Fancy magazine.
"[Cloning a cat] is not exactly what people think. The first successful cat clone was named CC (as in Carbon Copy. Get it?) and was born in December 2001. Scientists in Texas transplanted DNA from a calico named Rainbow into an egg with the nucleus removed. Then they implanted the embryo into Alfie, a surrogate mother.
Was CC an exact reproduction of Rainbow? Nope. In face, CC's coat was a different color, even though she was a genetic match with her mother. The differences didn't stop there. Rainow was reserved. CC was curious and playful ...It turns out that there's more to the equation than genetics alone. Environment plays a big part in shaping a cat's personality and temperament. As for appearance, having the same DNA as another calico cat doesn't always produce the same coat pattern. So everyone who expected an exact copy (like I did) would be pretty disappointed. The experts say that cloning doesn't produce a physical duplicate, and it can never reproduce the behavior or personality of a donor cat. Every cat is unique, and thus irreplaceable. You can't use a clone to resurrect little Fluffy once she's gone off to chase that big yarn ball in the sky. . . "

Acupuncture for Cats

In the past, (when I had more spare time) I visited a reiki practioner, acupuncturist, chiropractor, and holistic MD. I believe all the results were beneficial. Now it looks like holistic care is growing in popularity for pets. According to the August 2007 issue of the magazine "Cat Fancy", acupuncture, an ancient Chinese therapy used for centuries on both humans and animals, is gaining popularity as treatment for a variety of feline illnesses. Gary Van Engelburg is a veterinarian and founder of the Iowa Veterinary Acupuncture Clinic in Des Moines. He says, "Acupuncture is a means by which to treat problems, not just provide pain relief." That is, acupuncture seeks to treat the root of the illness, not just the symptoms. A short list of the conditions and illnesses in cats that respond well to acupuncture include kidney failure, liver problems, arthritis, musculoskeletal problems, vomiting, asthma, and a multitude of geriatric problems. Acupuncture is often used in conjunction with traditional Western medicine and gives the veterinarian a more well-rounded approach to treatment.

Kitty Gym

IT'S ELECTION DAY: GO VOTE. Unless you're a Republican, then stay home, it's raining.
This morning I found exactly four pieces of my daughters clothing that have strings on them scattered around the house. Gigi must have been busy during the night dragging them in her mouth down the steps and into my room and the hallway. She had pajama tops, bikini bottoms and other assorted camisoles and things. So, since she is obviously looking for some fun, I looked at a website called catsplay.com, and lo and behold I found this. A Kitty Gym--"Your cat will be the envy of the neighborhood with this beautiful playground with its multi-level climbing layers, several scratching areas, and plenty of resting space. The Cat Tree top is fashioned like a "nest" - it's 24" round and the depth ranges from 3" to 6". The top platform is padded, and like all our units is lined with a thermal layer to retain the cat's body heat for greater comfort. The top gives your cat an area from which he or she can survey their "kingdom", and from where the more important decisions of the day can be made." The kitty gym is 7 feet tall, 53" wide and its trunk is 12" in diameter--not to mention that it weighs 150 lbs. Whoa. Oh yes, it is listed at $899. Do people really buy these?

Fat Cats

Lately, when peoople come for a visit, friends and family are both commenting on how "big" Gigi looks, some people even ask me "has she gained weight?" And the answer is yes! Once upon a time Gigi was a scrawny cat running through the woods in rural upstate New York, wildly climbing tree trunks and scavenging for any scrap of food she could find. She was lean and strong. There are no open stretches of land here for her to sprint, and she hasn't climbed any trees recently. She eats both dry and wet cat food, and plenty of it. No wonder her hips have spread. . .However, according to IAMS website, it’s a troubling trend; just like in humans, the average weight of cats is increasing. Lorraine Jarboe, DVM, of Sandy Spring, Maryland, says cats today are becoming heavier. "Twenty years ago, the average cat weighed 8 pounds," she says. "Now most cats weigh 10 pounds." Extra weight can contribute to or aggravate problems such as: diabetes, arthritis, increased risk of complications in surgery, and grooming difficulties. She recommends playing with your cat at least 20 minutes a day to give them some exercise, and to actually measure the amount of food they get. Personally, I'm not willing to put her on a diet (listening to the meowing), but I will try portion control, and more playtime.

A 9,500 Year-Old Cat

How long has the cat been a favored companion and pet? According to National Geographic News, the carefully interred remains of a human and a cat were found buried with seashells, polished stones, and other decorative artifacts in a 9,500-year-old grave site on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus. This find, from the Neolithic village of Shillourokambos, predates early Egyptian art depicting cats by 4,000 years or more. Jean-Denis Vigne, an archaeologist with the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, and colleagues write that the joint burial indicates a strong association between the human and cat and that the feline is possibly the world's oldest known pet cat.

"The process and timing of cat domestication has been terrifically difficult to document," said Melinder Zeder, a curator of Old World archaeology at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., and president of the International Council for Archaeozoology.

"In the absence of a collar around its neck, the deliberate interment of this animal with a human makes a strong case that cats had a special place in the daily lives, and in the afterlives, of residents of Shillourokambos," Zeder said.

Black Cats

Happy Halloween! So many people think of black cats as part of Halloween, but here's more of the scoop on them, courtesy of about.com:cats. Black cats have taken a bad rap throughout history. Greek mythology taught that a woman named Galenthias was turned into a cat and became a priestess at the temple of Hecate, the "Dark Mother," and sometimes known as the Mother of Witchcraft. During the 12th and 13th century, witches in Europe were often found with their "familiars," usually black cats, and were said to turn themselves into cats at times. During the witch-burning era of the 17th century, witches' cats were put into baskets and burned alongside the witches. Even in the 21st century, old superstitions have survived. In many European countries and in the U.S., black cats signify bad luck, while in England, your luck is said to turn good if a black cat crosses your path.

Chicken Livers Yum Yum

My husband grew up on the second level of an attached house in Bayside with a male Siamese cat named Koko. Well, every day that second level stunk from Steve's mother cooking chicken livers for the cat. Despite the smell, Koko loved the livers, and he lived to a ripe old age of 16. According to Wiki, cats are classified as obligate carnivores, predominantly because their physiology is geared toward efficient processing of meat, and lacks efficient processes for digesting plant matter. Similarly as with its teeth, a cat's digestive tract has become specialized over time to suit meat eating, having shortened in length only to those segments of intestine best able to break down proteins and fats from animal flesh. The trait severely limits the cat's ability properly to digest, metabolize, and absorb plant-derived nutrients, as well as certain fatty acids. For example, taurine is scarce in plants but abundant in meats. It is a key amino sulfonic acid for eye health in cats. Taurine deficiency can cause a condition called macular degeneration wherein the cat's retina slowly degenerates, eventually causing irreversible blindness.
Despite the cat's meat-oriented physiology, it is still quite common for a cat to supplement its carnivorous diet with small amounts of grass, leaves, shrubs, houseplants, or other plant matter anyway. One theory suggests this behavior helps cats regurgitate if their digestion is upset; another is that it introduces fiber or trace minerals into the diet. I know that when Gigi goes out to gnaw on grass and other miscellaneous plants, she makes that lovely choking sound when she comes inside, which perhaps is her way of soothing her digestive system.

Cat Naps

I know the temperature is going to drop at night when Gigi moves from her princess pillow on the windowsill and settles down in the middle of our bed. When I gently pull her along with the blanket she's sleeping on down toward the end of the bed (so I can get into bed) she shows her annoyance by jumping up and leaving the room. Less than five minutes later though she's back. I feel the light pounce back up onto the bed and then I can hear and feel her movements as she scrubs herself clean before tuck-in. According to wiki, cats conserve energy by sleeping more than most animals, especially as they grow older. The daily duration of sleep varies, usually 12–16 hours, with 13–14 being the average. Some cats can sleep as much as 20 hours in a 24-hour period. The term cat nap refers to the cat's ability to fall asleep (lightly) for a brief period and has entered the English lexicon – someone who nods off for a few minutes is said to be "taking a cat nap".

Strings and things

Gigi, like many cats, has always been fascinated with batting any strings, bathrobe ties, and ribbons that we dangle in front of her. She is usually easy to lure into 'play' mode. Lately, though, late at night, some time about 1 a.m. I hear her walking down the stairs and then standing in the hallway meowing loudly. In the morning I find a pile of scattered pieces of clothing -- all with strings of some kind (sweat pants, bikini tops, bras) -- that Gigi has dragged downstairs from my daughter's room to use as her playthings. She carries them down in her mouth and then meows for us to come play with her. Oh yes, 1 a.m. is a great time for me to jump out of bed to play with Gigi and the bras.

Cats and Corn

Let us continue our history lesson of the cat, thanks to Gloria Stephens' Legacy of the Cat. The cat eventually became so valuable in England that in 939 A.D. a kitten was paid for even before it opened its eyes. Once the kitten was old enough to catch mice, the price doubled. Anyone found guilty of killing a cat had to pay its worth in corn, measured by holding the dead animal by the tip of its tail, so that the nose touched the ground. Grain was then poured over it until the whole body was completely covered.

To Claw or Not to Declaw

No one could ever convince me to declaw a cat. It leaves a cat defenseless and vulnerable and strips them of their natural power to survive. However, in this country, many cat owners do have their cats declawed. The vet told us we could trim Gigi's nails with a regular nail clipper, and from time to time we do. She likes the attention and acts like she's in a nail salon. Anyway, here's the lowdown on declawing from Wikipedia: Declawing is a major surgery known as onychectomy, performed under anesthesia, which removes the tip of each digit (from the first knuckle out) of the cat's forepaws (and rarely the hind paws). The primary reason for declawing cats is to prevent them from damaging furniture; in the United States, some landlords may require that tenants' cats be declawed. Rarely, vicious cats, cats that frequently fight with other pets, or cats that are too efficient at predation of songbirds etc. are declawed. This controversial procedure is uncommon outside of North America, and is prohibited by animal cruelty laws in many countries worldwide. An alternative to declawing is the application of blunt, vinyl nail caps that are affixed to the claws with nontoxic glue, requiring periodic replacement when the cat sheds its claw sheaths (about every four to six weeks). However, the cat will still experience difficulties because the capped nails are not as effective as claws.

Jumping Gigi

Gigi loves to jump up onto high shelves and survey us from above. She can jump more than about six feet and make it look easy. According to Wikipedia, most breeds of cat have a noted fondness for settling in high places, or perching. Animal behaviorists have posited a number of explanations, the most common being that height gives the cat a better observation point, allowing it to survey its "territory" and become aware of activities of people and other pets in the area. In the wild, a higher place may serve as a concealed site from which to hunt; domestic cats are known to strike prey by pouncing from such a perch as a tree branch, as does a leopard. (Not true for Gigi, her 'attack' pose is definitely crouched low on the ground.) Height can also give cats a sense of security and prestige. According to Wikipedia, during a fall from a high place, a cat can reflexively twist its body and right itself using its acute sense of balance and flexibility. This is known as the cat's "righting reflex". It always rights itself in the same way, provided it has the time to do so, during a fall. The height required for this to occur in most cats (safely) is around 3 feet (90 cm). To achieve this, cats probably relax their ventral muscles, "flattening" their bodies to some extent and creating more resistance to air. However, cats' fondness for high spaces can dangerously test the righting reflex. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals warns owners to safeguard the more dangerous perches in their homes, to avoid "high-rise syndrome", where an overconfident cat falls from an extreme height.

Migration from Asia onward

As we continue our history lesson of the cat, thanks again to Gloria Stephens for her book, Legacy of the Cat. From Egypt, the little African bush cat became established in China and India in the semi-wild state. Trade evidently later brought the cat to Italy. The Greeks acquired cats from the Egyptians; the seafaring Phoenicians carried cats on board with them to various part of their world. It may have been by this means that Britain acquired cats; the Romans, also, brought cats with them to Britain. Cats were needed, as always, to keep rodents in check. On a more mundane note, I bought canned cat food from Trader Joes that Gigi is going wild over. It's called Tuna for Cats, and I believe it costs approximately 33 cents a can. Enjoy.

Mummified Cats

Cats were so loved by the Egyptians that when a cat died, it was mummified by rubbing the body with precious oils and wrapping it in layers of cloth. It was taken to a special cemetery where the family would beat gongs and shave off their eyebrows as a sign of mourning. In the 20th century, such a cemetery, containing over three hundred thousand mummified cats was discovered at Beni Hassan. In 1907, 190 skulls were presented to the British Museum; most of these skull represented a particular group of cats, a form of the small African bush cat, which had a tabby body, rings on the tail and the "beetle" or scarab mark between the ears. (Credit to Gloria Stephens, author of Legacy of the Cat)

Isis and Bastet

In "Legacy of the Cat" Gloria Stephens writes that cats were worshipped in Egypt for more than two thousand years. At first the cat was considered sacred only to the goddess Isis. It later became sacred to the great cat goddess Bastet. Indeed, the earliest portrayals of Bastet showed her as a cat-headed figure. Gradually Bastet became the most important god to all Egyptians, and the cat was held sacred and worshipped with her. The Egyptian word for cat is 'mau' which means "to see."

Cats in Ancient Egypt

I'm studying for a test on The Great Alexandrian Library that was built in Egypt 1600 years ago, and I wonder if cats roamed around the premises there. According to Gloria Stephens, in her book "Legacy of a Cat" the first domestication of the cat was recorded in Egyptian times, get this-- five thousand years ago! She writes that domestication could have taken place in other places at other times, but we don't have documentation other than the Egyptian paintings, dating to 2000 B.C., showing cats in what appears to be "friendly rapport with humans." From 2000 B.C., evidence shows that cats were plentiful in Egypt, well cared for, trained to hunt wild birds and to fish, and were valued for keeping the rodent population under control. They were valued so highly that laws were passed to protect cats from harm. To be continued. . .

My Shadow

Growing up, I don't remember our cats being the constant companion that Gigi is. It seems that whatever room I'm in, she appears seconds later. As a matter of fact, I don't even notice when she comes in. It's more like I look up and--she's just there. I move from the kitchen to the dining room and to the office where I work, and Gigi is like my shadow. She's interested in the newspaper and what I'm eating, and she stands still as a statue watching me wash dishes. I haven't figured out if its the steam from the hot water or the soap bubbles that interest her. Once I've finished the dishes, she likes to step daintily into the kitchen sink and sit there for awhile. It's like her personal spa area, warm and clean and soothing. When I'm in the bathroom, if I don't open the bathroom door when she scratches at it, one paw comes under the door, an invitation to play. It's late at night when everyone else is asleep that I appreciate my shadow. Whether I'm putting out the garbage or throwing in some laundry, there's my little friend, following me about, interested in the task at hand, and keeping me amused by her actions.

Custom Made Scratching Post

We ordered a beautiful new armchair for our livingroom. The style is traditional and the fabric is classic and luxurious and lots of money per yard. It's fun to wait for new furniture to arrive, and probably 10 weeks after we placed the order the new chair was delivered. I was thrilled to have a comfortable chair next to the fireplace for reading and relaxing. Early one morning my husband discovered that Gigi liked the new chair, too. She liked that way her claws felt digging into the rich fabric. On the back of the chair he showed me where she had started using the chair as a scratching post. Don't misunderstand--Gigi has a 'real' scratching post from our local pet place that she uses all the time. We tried spraying the chair with a cat repellent that's supposed to keep them away. Then my husband decided we had to drape a quilt over the back of the chair to keep her off of it. A quilt? The colors in the quilt and chair clash, and in my opinion, the quilt wouldn't do anything. It's a mental game. But the quilt's been there for months now. Last week I caught Gigi under the quilt preparing to use the chair for scratching. I clapped my hands loudly to startle her away, and she hid underneath the chair for a big 10 seconds looking at me with the expression of 'you're a lunatic, but I'll appease you since you feed me.' Good thinking Gigi.

Batters up

When a young child is misbehaving, sometimes what they're doing is actually funny. In those cases, as a parent, I would try not to laugh in front of the child. In Gigi's case, her misbehavior is her way of getting our attention. One of her most effective behaviors that gets our attention is when she bats at our indoor plants with her paw. It is actually funny to watch. She sits just beside the plant, looks up at us, and methodically bats at the leaves, while we scold her and tell her to "Stop!!" Our scolding tone doesn't matter. Gigi continues to bat away until she gets what she wants--more food or the chance to go outside or be picked up and petted. I'm amused by her understanding that batting the plants gets us to take action, and proud of the fact that she's smart enough to know that.

Goldfish on Prime Time

We went to a close friend's daughter's Bat Mitzvah on Saturday morning down in New Jersey. Since my son had the honor of holding the Torah, and since it was a 9 a.m. service, and since there's no telling what traffic will be like on the Cross Bronx Expressway, we headed down to NJ on Friday night, where we met friends for dinner, and stayed at the Hanover Marriott. Of course I brought my GSLIS 700 notes and text to study!! The service was held in the temple we were members of before our move to New York. It was nice to see familiar faces, and even Rabbi Rossoff came over to us to say hello. It's strange to move away after you've put down roots for 15 years, and then come back to see that everyone's lives have continued as always. The Bat Mitzvah was over by 10:30 and we headed back to the Marriott for the festivities. I wasn't ready to imbibe that early, but I had orange juice with seltzer and snacked on the appetizers during the cocktail hour. The doors to the ballroom opened an hour or so later, and the DJ was already screaming into his microphone and the dancers were getting the kids out on the floor. The theme of the decorations was the beach, and every table had been named for a different beach, like Sandy Hook, Jones Beach, Cape Cod. There were huge fish-shaped balloons, flip flops and beach toys galore, and the table centerpieces were huge round glass bowls filled with live goldfish! Whoa. Somehow, at the end of the afternoon, I found myself in the front seat of the car with a saran wrapped fish bowl between my feet. Thirty or more goldfish got added to the 20-gallon tank in my son's room, where two zebra fish had peacefully co-existed for the past 2 years. Suddenly, the fish tank was like a magnet for Gigi. After circling the tank and knocking everything off the dresser in the process, she plopped herself down and watched the tank like she was watching tv. We could not distract her from her show. I guess it's a healthy break from watching the birdfeeder.

Ketzel vs Ketzela

Is it easier to inherit a cat that already has been named than to choose a name? That depends. . . for me it’s never easy to name anything that will become part of my life forever. It was easy with Giselle because my sister had named her before we took her home. She chose the name Giselle because she reminded my sister of a ballet dancer, with long legs and a delicate pointy face. Growing up, my parents named one of our cats Ketzel, which is Yiddish for ‘little cat’. Ketzel wasn’t so little. He grew into a large proud male, who taught me how to play-fight with him. He’d pounce on the sheets as I made my bed, and give me surprise attacks from time to time. He didn’t hesitate to use his claws up and down my arms. Gigi is more refined when we ‘fight’— because she knows not to use her claws—and this I attribute to that age old truth about females being evolved beyond the coarser instincts of males.

Dumb Bunny

When Gigi first entered our household, we still had Libby, our lagomorph. Libby was a nervous bunny who mostly stayed in her cage, and occasionally went out in the backyard in a harness and tentatively sniffed and hopped around. Libby convinced me that I would never, ever, under any circumstances have a caged pet again. When Gigi sniffed at Libby’s cage, and turned to look at us, I immediately understood where the expression “dumb bunny” must originate. Libby had a blank stare compared to Gigi, whose face has so many expressions emanating and amusing us from second to second. So, Gigi became top dog, and although we tried to be kind and tolerate Libby, she suddenly seemed completely uninteresting.

Birds and Brooms

When we first brought Gigi home to New Jersey, all of us were fearful that if she went outside she would get lost, or hit by a car. At that time she was so scrawny you could count the bumps on her spine. There was a wooded area behind the house and birdfeeders in the back yard. Being married to an avid birder means I read lots of newsletters from the local Audubon Society, and that meant that I knew their policy on letting cats roam free: don’t do it. And so we’d let Gigi out for a few minutes, and then we’d start whistling for her and calling her name—and she’d come back. One morning I was on the phone, talking to the guidance counselor at the elementary school. Gigi was just outside the door, sunning peacefully on the deck. As I talked, I heard a commotion outside—a flutter of feathers and a strange sound coming from Gigi. I was about to open the screen, when I saw that Gigi had brought me a present—a bird, very much alive, was in her mouth. I grabbed the kitchen broom, opened the screen and swooshed it in her face until she dropped the bird and, thankfully, the bird flew away. Gigi looked confused. What amazes me to this day is that I stayed on the phone through the whole ordeal. That was the last time Gigi ever caught a bird. Here in New York Gigi constantly watches the backyard birdfeeder. Her tail moves back and forth as she crouches, in the huntress position. It’s been three years, and I don’t think that Gigi has any real intention of catching anything. The fun is in the dream.

Cat stories

I am asthmatic and allergic to all sorts of things, like grass, dust, pollen, mold, cats and dogs, corn and freshly vacuumed carpets. Although I don't vacuum (I hire cleaners) I do eat corn. Late September, usually about right now, just one week before my birthday (October 2nd) I desperately fight sinus issues and clogged ears and headaches. Inhalers, nose sprays, and ibuprofen become my saviors. But here I am, a cat owner, with a cat that sleeps on my bed and breathes in my face. Her name is Gigi, short for Giselle. Early yesterday morning I locked her in my room for 15 minutes while I made turkey sandwiches. I ignored her meowing, but later discovered she'd used my bathroom sink as her litter box. Great start to another fun day.