A New Leaf

Mrrrrr Friends,

I hope your human holidays were fun, furry, and relaxing.

Ours were kind of quiet with spurts of busyness. People seem to congregate on human holidays. This is somewhat entertaining for cats like me and Alex. We enjoy smelling what people bring in on their clothes and persons…where they’ve been, what they’ve been eating, what lotion they use, etcetera. We do not enjoy that, when they arrive, they seem bent on sitting on all the cat spots…the couch, the nice chair. After they plump themselves right down, they look at us oddly as we stand in front of them, glaring. Or they take it as a compliment when we go ahead and try to sit on our spot – through them – anyway.

Ah well. Our people smile at our minor tribulations when we have company. They reprimand inappropriate shooshing of cats when we are comfortably ensconced on a favorite resting spot, but they do believe in first come, first serve. That’s okay by us. If you leave your seat to eat or pee, for example, and someone takes your spot….that’s life. It’s a two-way street here at our house…humans can lose their seats as easily as cats.

Anyway, it was nice to see some different faces, listen to stories, and watch the fire.

It put me in a contemplative mood.

For a long time now, I’ve been sensing a need for change. While I love the back yard at the little house, I’m feeling a bit cramped and I think I’m gaining weight. I miss the open spaces and deep snow of Wisconsin and, while I am not in a hurry to move back home, I yearn for a little freshwater stream to fish in, some new trees to climb, and a greater variety of critters whose antics I can follow.

Of course, as soon as I say that, I think about how much I love my climbing trees here, my neighbor pal David, and being close to my son Rotor. But cats do move on.

Given my slightly rounder than usual girth – my winter cat suit was a bit tight – I think some stairways are needed. Nothing like running up and down stairs chasing a wide variety of cat toys and, better yet, chasing Alex, to get a fellow into fit shape for spring-time tree climbing. Speaking of which…I’m considering a shift to conifers. Not that I don’t enjoy Acer saccharum and Prunus serotina – my favorites here at the little house – but I need to expand my horizons. I’m thinking Balsam Fir, Black Spruce, and, for variety, perhaps some Quaking Aspen.

The holidays can often be about mayhem, but they can also provide some quality quiet time that allows deep held thoughts to percolate and brew…if you let them. I’ve been feeling this way for some months now…but now I know I’m thinking in the right direction.

I hope you can take some time to relax and think this holiday…let your mind go off the leash and just roam about sniffing for hopes and dreams. Cats are good at this. If you know a cat, you might want to snuggle up with them and ask their help in unleashing your brain.

Me, I’m already working on making my dreams reality.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Happy holidays from all of us here at the old homestead. Wishing you good friends of all species, good kibble, healthy fur and peace on earth for all living things.

The Audacity of Cats

Mrrrr Friends,

Happy holidays of all stripes to all of you. It’s been cat-years since I’ve blogged, and I know some of you are eager to know what mischief I’ve been up to! There are tails to tell...

But first things first. Some of you who have followed my thoughtful antics through my blogs alone have asked for an explanation of my absence from the human blogosphere.

Bottom line is that I had to stand up on all fours and help you humans get your political act together. You might remember, early in 2008, I endorsed Mr. Obama….President-elect Obama to you. Some suggested that it was simply because I am a proud, furry, black man…but this oversimplifies and, in case you didn’t notice, the President-elect is not furry by any account. I had done my human research and then weighed the important cat-relevant qualities of all the candidates…the choice was clear to me. At the risk of some strife in my own human household, I stuck to my catvictions.

Soon after my announcement, I was contacted by a highly placed canine field operative working for the Obama campaign. The opportunity to serve was too compelling to pass up. Over the next weeks and months, I drafted a team of cat organizers drawn from every state in the Union. In the end, I think our efforts made a real difference.

In the final months prior to the election, I was the senior feline field organizer for the campaign. My work simply overwhelmed my ability to continue blogging and gave me a few new white hairs.

Your mind is racing, I know, trying to imagine how a cat was going to appeal to humans on political issues. Would we go door to door? Did you miss some meowing YouTube video?

Step back and think. When a cat sleeps on a lap or comes up and gently pads up someone’s sweater, purring along, it relaxes them, sets them in a nice mood and prepares them for the transfer of reinforcing messages. Usually we stick to the simple stuff: “feed the cat,” “buy more lamb,” “organic catnip,” or “rips on the chair - what rips?” But this time, in an unprecedented show of sanity, over 60 million U.S.-based cats, and many abroad living with U.S. citizens, actively transmitted political messages to their humans. The canine field team also did an impressive job: drooling, fetching, and doing that sad-eyed stare thing that dogs do - all with a human political message. (Unfortunately, a suprising number of dogs turn out to be Republicans...very disappointing, but what can you expect from a bunch of stick chasing, leg lifting followers?)

The old guy with the white hair didn’t really have a chance.

In the aftermath, the elation of such a concerted effort, many of us wondered whether this amazing catharmony would continue. The rest of the story is a bit ugly. Strife began in the cat camp soon after the election results were in. How would we now wield our newfound influence? On what issues should cats, united, hone in? You know how humans say, "it's like herding cats?"

There was an instantaneous clash of ideas: whether to prioritize cat health care and the quality of tinned cat foods, or work to curtail pesticide use on lawns and carpets, or encourage creation of human laws limiting dog harassment of cats, or focus efforts on supporting our wild feline colleagues and their habitats, or baby seals…the list went on. Things were getting disorganized and many cats were shifting back to their mysterious, idiosyncratic ways. When Mr. Obama announced the planned appointment of a dog for Malia and Natasha, the cat party was over. (This decision fueled claims that many of the President-elect's choices leaned to the conservative.)

Several of my colleagues pointed out that since Malia is allergic to pet hair, a hairless cat in the White House could produce negative press. But let’s face it…it’s been a long time since a cat was in the White House…. It was time to move on.

I decided to step back from the debate. We cats had achieved our stated goal and it was truly an awesome thing to be part of such an historic and committed moment for cats in the U.S. I made some great new pals too.

So I’m back home full time. Taking it easy. Catching up on sleep and yard work, smell monitoring, bird watching, light chipmunk harassment… I admit, shifting gears is hard so, as a way of easing myself out of political life, I rented the complete West Wing series for my people and we’re watching it by the fire every night. It’s a pleasant reminder of the last time we had a president who spoke in full sentences!

Diesel Day #2

Mrrrrr Friends,

Another year has passed and another D-Day approaches. Mark your calendars – Monday May 26 is Diesel Day! Diesel Day is a national holiday this year – even the postman gets a day off!

I have a proposition for you about how to celebrate this fine holiday.

First, a little context: Diesel Day is my celebration day. It marks the anniversary of my adoption at the Sauk County Humane Society in Baraboo, Wisconsin. Since that wonderful moment, I’ve worked to make Diesel Day a day to recognize the joy that all furry, feathered, hoofed, and scaled critters bring into your lives. If you have a non-human companion, this is a great day to commemorate their coming into your life. It is also an important day for reaching out to those companion critters who don’t have homes and to the people and organizations who are caring for them and working to make their lives better.

Times are tough out there for humans and companion critters alike. Even in good times for humans, the number of homeless dogs, cats, birds, and other critters numbers in the tens of millions in the US alone. Every year, according to the Humane Society of the United States, 6 to 8 million cats and dogs enter animal shelters. This represents only a portion of the number of homeless, wanderer critters and does not take into account other companion species. In bad economic times, the number of animals surrendered to shelters, or simply turned out of their homes, increases dramatically. The burden on the 4000 to 5000 shelters in the US is prodigious.


Diesel Day is about helping out a little bit. Here’s my proposition: if you’ve been thinking of bringing a critter into your life and are able to make a long-term, indeed, life-long commitment, please consider adopting on Diesel Day. Visit your local shelter, introduce yourself to some of the critters and find out if one of them is that special someone.

If you can’t adopt, you can help my fellow companion critters by doing one of the following things:
1/ Make a donation to the Sauk County Humane Society - $5, $15, $50 or, better yet, $150 buys food, medical care, toys, pays the electric, heat, and other overhead and ensures this awesome shelter has the staff it needs to run efficiently. I urge you to write and send a check on or before Monday May 26, and note on it that you’ve contributed in celebration of Diesel Day – believe me, they remember me. SCHS: 618 Highway 136, Baraboo, WI 53913, http://www.saukhumane.org/

2/ Donate a HUGE bag of food to the Sauk County Humane Society. You know how I love food! I ate many bags when I was there. They serve Purina Cat and Kitten Chow. Take it right in and tell them you brought it in celebration of Diesel Day.

3/ Find your local shelter, go in, and ask them how you can help. If money is as tight for you as it is for them, consider volunteering an hour a two a week cleaning, working with records, or helping with the animals. You could even join the Board if you have that set of skills. Tell them a certain ex-shelter cat sent you.

4/ Ask your veterinarian if they support a local shelter by donating their time to help care for the animals there. Tell them it is important to you that there is a network of animal health care professionals supporting the local shelter. My Wisconsin vet, Mara, gave me a free first visit – complete with shots – because my person adopted me from the shelter.

Remember, most shelters are 501(c) 3 not-for-profit charities. They run entirely on donations – which are, for the money-minded among you, tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

As I said last year, giving away without regret is one of the most important things a being can do. You’ll be amazed at what comes back to you. I still have extended family in Wisconsin and, you never know, you may be directly aiding a furry cousin of mine…another future feline blogger.

Thanks for your support!

Dad

Mrrrr Friends,

I know you’ve been wondering where I’ve been. What could be keeping me from my blog? I haven’t given up on blogging, but it hasn’t been my top priority, what with all the other excitement in my life. I certainly appreciate the constancy of my readers, checking in on me.

I’ve delayed telling you the news, as I know you rely on me for the cold hard facts and this may stretch the human understanding, but I’ve become a Dad. Here’s a picture of my son, Rotor.

No, not the dog! The non-furry human one is my kid. His Mom lives down the street with a very accommodating human guy, who’s kindly agreed to be a foster parent. Rotor spends most of his time with them but comes to see us often. Kinda perfect, huh? My cat pal Trousers, or T-boy, and the dog April are his companions and partners in crime. Here, they are discussing the merits of kibble over blended parsnips. Rotor’s Mom really likes blended parsnips and thinks he should too, but I think you can see where his interests lie.

As all of you who have met me know, I am incredibly attractive to the women folk. Human women just fall all over themselves trying to pet me and scratch under my chin. They want me to lay on their laps. They check on me by phone and e-mail, they send me letters, pictures and bring food. It’s very flattering.

And of course I like the women folk. I especially like Rotor’s Mom. (That’s his cat name – you’re not getting his human name. I don’t want all of you tracking him down for some crazy scientific evidence.) She and I spent some quality time with each other two autumns ago, and in June last year, out came Rotor. I thought he’d be furrier, and I was surprised there was only one of him, but he’s a handful and I’m very proud of him – though he is growing kind of slowly.

Rotor’s human dad is a gentleman. He married Rotor’s mom knowing about our escapade together and has been very cool about ensuring that I have a role to play in the kid’s upbringing, though for a variety of human-centric reasons Rotor is officially his son.

Right now, I’m teaching the little one about walking on all fours. I’m looking forward to teaching him how to climb trees as well as introducing him to the many species of birds, bugs, mammals, reptiles and our favorite around here, turtles. I think Rotor is going to really like turtles. Indeed, I predict he will be a turtle scientist someday. But we are all going to have to wait a while on that. In the meantime, I’m looking into good colleges for him.

Wake Up

Mrrrr Friends,

Just a little tidbit to share with you as a way of saying hello! (Don't forget to turn your sound on!)



Occassionally, video demonstrations like this one produced by the CatCouncil for the Ethical Treatment of Humans, do slip out into the blogosphere. Since it was not intended for human viewing, I am reticent to comment on the intentions or recommendations of this video. I can only assure you that I myself eschew violence. Just remember, we're hungry, we're counting on you, we may not have thumbs, but we, nevertheless, have a few tricks up our paws.

Snow 101

Mrrrrr Friends,

As you know I’m a Wisconsin Snowcat. So imagine my pleasure on waking yesterday morning to find a lovely carpet of snow here in my new New York home. I’ve missed the frigid, snow-filled winter that other Snowcats in my home state have experienced this year. Nothing like falling to the bottom of a good 10 foot drift to help you rethink your priorities and the meaning of life! Snow in Wisconsin is not just about the joy of snow cat angels, sliding down hills, and playing guess-the-tracks, it’s about community, helping one another, and meeting your neighbors, furry and feathered.

I like snow. Actually, I love snow.

So moving to this water-based strip of land – while it has been a wonderful experience in new sights and sounds – has been disappointing on the snow front thus far this year. The beach is nice, but in summer it is warm out there when you’re furry. It is wicked hot to the paw, and the sand accumulated on your coat does not melt away when you come home – requiring assistance to be nicely groomed for the ladies.
Yesterday morning’s snowfall was quite fine: mostly plates, some with dendrites (petals to you), some wiithout. Humans recognize four kinds of snowflakes, as I understand it: plates, needles, columns (which we had earlier yesterday morning), and bricks. They can all have petals or not, depending on the circumstances, and when there are petals, there are always six, though they are rarely symmetrical.

But cats, especially Snowcats, are more explicit about snow…more like the Yu’pik or other Eskimo human groups. We think of snow in terms of how it rests on our coats, how in compresses under our paws, how long it lasts, how it holds a track, sticks to a tree trunk and – critically – how it tastes.

But after all this fun, I do note that my friends the Carolina Wrens, the Common Grackles and the two Red-tailed Hawks who are apartment hunting in the neighborhood, are convinced that spring is right around the corner. My little furry friends, the moles, have not chimed in yet.

I wonder what my old friend from Rock Springs, Marmot, is doing right now?

Endorsing Action

Mrrrr Friends,

I received a letter a couple weeks ago asking if I would consider a late run for the Democratic nomination. As you see here, because I value the opinion of my human friends, I did spend a bit of time pondering such an idea – thinking about what a cat’s roadmap for America would look like. I have, however, declined, using the reasonable excuse: I am, after all, a cat.

I mean, really, can you imagine a litterbox in the oval office?

In response to my decision, I’ve been asked for an endorsement prior to Super Tuesday. The pressure is too great. Hillary is likely going to defend my right to get cat food, but she seems to be pissing everyone off. Even The Nation is writing rather dismissive webitorials about her. And then there is the cold hard fact that while Barack Obama is not furry, he seems to get people engaged. It seems easy to make a prediction at this point.

I still think neither of them has a very good lap. And, I’d like to point out that while my people often are inspired to clean the litterbox, they don’t always actually clean the litterbox. Though I’d like to know what Mr. Feingold thinks – my home state senator – I’m putting my kibble on Senator Obama...Ted Kennedy has a great lap and he’s supporting him.

I am, however, a cat of action...I’ll be watching for thoughtful, progressive action. I want more than a good speech and grand ideas for creating consensus…I want a responsible decision maker.

And since inspiration actually does create action in the best of times, I’m passing on a couple links that might get you thinking and feeling passionately on a couple of my favorite issues. Take 20 minutes out of your day for each…it will get you thinking about where we are and where we might go as a bunch of individuals in a society, no matter who the First Lap is. Video and sound are required for one but not the other.

First, here’s Al Gore’s Nobel Prize speech. They call it a lecture; I call it worth a listen. First, go to the link in the right column of this blog called “Places to Go.” Then, when you get to the page, the video link is just under Al’s color photo. But you can also read the text version.

Another place to go when you have another 20 minutes (and can play video and sound) is called “The Story of Stuff.” The click link is just below Al’s Nobel speech link.

Watch these…then go vote in your primary or caucus. Tell them Diesel sent you.

Resolutions

Mrrrr Friends,

So I understand that people make New Year’s resolutions. (The concept of a structured year is pretty uptight if you ask me…cats roll with the seasons, the sun and moon rising and setting.)

My cat pal Alex and I thought about this custom a bit last night while our people were out imbibing and carousing and here’s my list. Alex is keeping hers to herself.

1. I resolve to climb at least 12 trees in the next human calendar year.
2. I resolve to stop trying to go into the bathroom to keep every guest that comes over company while they pee.
3. I resolve to learn to use the comma correctly.
4. I resolve to campaign for better treatment for all cats and to continue to teach people about the wonder of felines and the care and respect they need.
5. I resolve to speak up for all other animals, especially the wild things in all their forms (and I will not disregard dogs).
6. I resolve to TRY not to lick my person’s eyelids when she is sleeping but I nevertheless need attention (i.e. food).
7. I resolve to avoid scratching the dining table when I jump up on it (even though I am not supposed to jump up on it).
8. I resolve to sit patiently, thoughtfully, and critically on my person’s lap as she fulfills her own resolution to start her writing projects (but she doesn’t do resolutions…is that a girl thing?)
9. I resolve to restrain from tearing the weather stripping off the front door (thus reducing the energy savings in my people’s home and disappointing Al Gore) in my anticipation to go OUT.
10. I resolve to continue to try to raise funds for my good friends at the Sauk County Humane Society.

What do you resolve?

Happy Human New Year!