Jul 23, 2011

Is This How They Trained Maru?

I saw this video and it got me thinking... Just how did Maru become such a skilled box cat? Was he trained to be? Was he just born an incredible kitten prodigy, able to conquer any box right out of the womb?

If he was taught, I'm thinking this video is probably how his training would have gone. And clearly this cat has a bright future!

Jul 22, 2011

I Petted and Played With a Baby Tiger!

Cuteheads who follow on Facebook know that last week I got to pet and hang out with a baby tiger and I wanted to share some of the pictures with all of you!

This little baby tiger boy was named Juriani, and he and his sister were rejected by their mom. McCarthy's Wildlife Sanctuary here in South Florida was asked if they could care for these two striped sweeties -- and they have been bottle feeding them and raising them to be big and strong.

Last week was the last week they were allowing the babies to have outside human contact (so they could grow up to be real tigers), and I was lucky enough to be able to go visit!

Before anyone wonders: This is a very reputable place, all certified and approved by the Florida Wildlife Commission and everything else they need to be. They don't "own" exotic animals; they rehabilitate them and nurse them back to health as well as take in animals that are confiscated from people who have them illegally or in ill care. It was a very nice, clean, well-cared for place and you could really tell they cared for their animals.

Now, more of me and the baby tiger!

Me and Jiruani! I think he loved me.

I got to hold him! That's a water bottle in his mouth. He loved the crunching sound and it was like a toy to him.

Don't we look cute together?!

Juruani was just like a normal kitten... only bigger! He had tons of stuffed toys that he loved to chase and carry around -- and put in his water bowl (just like a lot of kitties do)!

He is almost three months old, they said, and doing great. His paws are the size of my hands! Petting him and meeting him was really one of the most fabulous things I've ever gotten to do.

(And don't worry, I would never do anything like this in a mall or truck stop. I'd never condone a place that used these animals to make a profit. This place really was nice.)

Next up on my wild animal list: I'm going to swim with manatees in a couple months!

Jul 21, 2011

Cat Rides a Snow Shovel

I know it's a million degrees outside for most of us (in the United States anyway), so that's why this video is so refreshing!

Milo the cat loves going for rides... on anything. And this snow shovel is no exception! Actually, I think this is something I'd like to do to cool off sometimes during one of our hot Florida days here!


P.S. I just got back from Vegas on late Monday after a long (but fun!) weekend. Pimp and Moo were super happy to see their Mommy when I got home and I'm so glad to be back. And no, I didn't win enough money to open up my own fabulous cat sanctuary like I had planned... ;) Maybe next time!

Contest Giveaway Winners (and a SmartScoop Coupon Code!)

Hi Cuteheads! In the past couple weeks we've had two fabulous contests, and it's time to announce the winners!

Last week, we had a giveaway for a sweet SmartScoop Self-Scooping Litter Box. One lucky Cute reader never has to worry about scooping poop again! And that lucky reader is... Gardenreg! They were comment #72, which was what random.org picked.

Didn't win? We still have something for you! Cute readers can get $20 off a SmartScoop by using the SmartScoop coupon code STANSCUTE when you order at their site. It's good until 7/31/11. (Stan is their mascot cat... and he IS cute.)

The second giveaway we had was for some yummy lavender-scented World's Best Cat Litter. This one makes scooping a little more enjoyable! (We use it so we know.) The lucky winner for this one is Janine, comment #61!

We have another fun giveaway coming up soon, so stay tuned! Thanks for reading and entering, everyone. Contests like these are fun for me, and I love that I can give back to you all a little bit by having them. :)

Jul 20, 2011

DJ Kittens Team Up On the Turntables

Next time I have a party, I'm hiring these kittens to DJ. I'll pay them in treats and tuna, and I'm sure that'll be fine with them.

Then we can all watch the kitties spin! And by spin, I don't mean just spinning beats... I mean literally spinning around and around on the turntables.

Jul 19, 2011

Two Cats Tuesday: 5 Things I Wish I Could Ask Moo

Happy Two Cats Tuesday, Cuteheads! I've been thinking a lot lately for some reason about where Moo came from. I have NO idea. He just showed up. You ever wonder what your cats could say if you could ask them questions?

I mean, I have asked him these questions over and over again, but until he learns to speak English (or I learn to speak Cat), I'm not really understanding his answers.

Ask away, Mom!

This is what I would ask Moo if I could:

1. Moo, how in the world did you end up on my back porch? Did someone drop you off? Did you wander out of your house and get lost?

He just showed up on my back porch one day. I'd never seen him before, so I am pretty sure he didn't grow up a stray around there, and there were never any signs looking for a missing cat. For three weeks I fed him out there, wondering if he'd go back home, but he never did. He was home. :)

2. What did you look like as a baby Moo kitten?

I wish wish wish I had baby pictures of Moo! Can you imagine what a cute little cow kitten he must have been?! Every time I see a little cow kitten, I wonder if that's what he looked like. I bet he was the spunkiest kitten ever.

3. Did you owners love you and pet you and give you lots of treats? Do you ever miss them?

Moo was the friendliest thing when he showed up. Not the slightest bit scared or skittish. We would spend hours sharing a chair, Moo napping and me reading. I have to think he couldn't have had the worst home life somewhere... But then again, he was about a year and a half old and not even neutered. I just have no idea! And I wonder if he remembers them.

4. Why did you pick my porch?

Did he KNOW a cat lover lived there? Had he seen Pimp through the sliding glass door and decided to come make friends? Did he just sense that my place was a safe place? Or was my Adirondack chair just to comfy looking to resist?

5. What was your name before it was Moo?

I really wonder what his name was! I called him Moo because he looks like a cow, but maybe he was George or Spot or Mister Kitty. Who knows!

What would you ask your kitties if you could? Think about it. It's an interesting thought!

Jul 18, 2011

Little Cat Boxes Big Cat

Gary might be a scrawny little kitten, but he packs a powerful punch! Felix, who is much larger (and much more patient, apparently!), gets a few licks to his head before putting his paw down and telling Gary to stop.

But does Gary listen? What do you think?


NOTE FROM CUTE: Don't forget today is the last day to enter to win a SmartScoop Self-Scooping Litter Box from Cute! Have you entered yet?

Jul 17, 2011

Kitty Gets Booped!

This cute ginger fuzzball kitten is having a great time chasing her little toy car around... until she loses sight of it.

Where did it go? I just saw it...

BOOP!


BONUS CUTE: Speaking of kitty butts, how about a nice butt rub?
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