Mom cat adopts newborn puppy (The cutest thing you will see all day)

So I just came across this video from the Michigan Humane Society, about a days-old puppy who lost its mom (killed in a car accident) and was "adopted" by a cat who had recently had a litter of kittens and was still nursing.

This may be one of the cutest, sweetest things I have ever seen. And if that video -- and story -- doesn't warm your heart and make you smile, you either hate animals or are a robot.

FYI, the puppy, Bobby, a Chihuahua, is now 5 weeks old and still living with his feline foster family. No word as to whether Bobby is meowing or barking.

You may now return to your Monday.

Friends with cats: a visitor's guide

Or what to expect when visiting cat people.

(Hint: There is a reason for the phrases "cats rule, dogs drool" and "dogs have owners; cats have servants.")



For those who don't have cats or who have never crashed at a cat person's house, everything mentioned in the "Living with Cats -- House Guest Edition" video is all true.

(My favorite bit was the drawer with all the lint rollers. FTR, I keep a lint roller in just about every room of our house -- and always have spares.)

There are two kinds of cats...

Having lived with cats most of my life, and having encountered or taken care of dozens of other cats, I have come to the conclusion that there are basically two types of cats.

There are those cats who at the sound of a vacuum freak out and run away as fast of they can. (This would be the majority of cats.)

And there are those cats who at the sound of a vacuum do not run away but rather begin to purr or nuzzle the vacuum cleaner -- and allow (even eagerly await) their human to vacuum them.

Harry, a feline member of our friend Renee's household, belongs to the latter camp, as you can see from this video titled (most appropriately) "Vacuuming Harry the cat."



I'm just wild about Harry -- and Renee, who is one of the few humans our vacuum-hating torbi cat, Flora, will allow to pet her.

So which camp does your cat fall into?

Stressed? Try some kitten therapy.

Life is stressful. Fortunately (at least for some of us), there are kittens.



[H/T Mashable]

"You can't be stressed sitting in a box full of kittens."

Indeed.

In fact, studies have shown that interacting with cats, and dogs, can reduce or mitigate depression and improve your health.

So next time you are feeling blue, or stressed, think warm, fuzzy thoughts or, better yet, visit a cat cafe* or consider volunteering at a shelter.

*For those kitty lovers on the East Coast.

Cats explained. Sort of.

It's Monday at 4. I've been up since 3:30 a.m. (neighbor's alarm went off... again) and can barely focus. And I can barely type because a glass exploded in my hand yesterday afternoon, slicing the top of the middle finger of my right hand. (Fortunately, I do not believe I need stitches, but it hurts like heck.) So about the only thing I'm capable of doing at this point is watching cat videos -- and blogging about watching cat videos.

First up, "CAT LOGIC," from Cole and Marmalade:



Next, a topic near and dear to me (in fact as I type this, my black cat, Felix, is sitting in my lap, rubbing up against me), "What it's like to work with cats!" also from Cole and Marmalade.



Hey, at least I'm not blogging about Ebola or the mid-term elections.

This month's best cat + dog videos

I don't know about all of you, but by this time on Monday, I am in dire need of a cute and/or funny cat (or dog) video. So as a public service, I give you the best cat and dog videos you will find online this month. (You're welcome.)

First up, "Ouvrez-Moi," wherein a cat attempts to convince a male human to open the door... in French (with English subtitles). Love this video.



And speaking of strange cats, this cat apparently loves to be vacuumed. (Our cats enjoy a good lint rolling, but vacuuming? Uh, no.)



Next, the reason the spouse and I are not getting a St. Bernard... even though they are very sweet dogs.



Finally, the award for Cutest Beagle Video of the Month goes to KLM, for "Lost & Found Service."



Makes you almost want to leave something on the plane next time you fly KLM.

Got Milk? Caturday Edition

Some cats like to drink their milk from a saucer or bowl...

While some cats prefer to be bottle fed...



And there are those cats who like their milk straight up, or down...



Direct from the cow.

(I think I've milked this post for all its worth.)

Is your feline a slutty cat or a scaredy cat?

Over the years, I have come to realize there are basically two types of cats: slutty cats and scaredy cats.

(Our black cat, Felix, at right, most definitely falls into the slutty cat camp.)

What is the difference, or how can you tell if your feline is a slutty cat or a scaredy cat (though really, it's probably obvious)? Just refer to the handy Slutty Cat vs. Scaredy Cat table below.

Slutty Cat	Scaredy Cat
When the doorbell rings, your cat runs to see who it is.	When the doorbell rings, your cat runs under the bed.
When a new person enters the house, your cat rubs up against his or her leg and waits (or demands) to be pet.	When a new person enters the house, your cat immediately puts her ears back and hisses at the stranger.
You constantly find yourself with a cat in your lap.	You constantly find yourself looking for your cat.
When you go to the vet, everyone coos over your cat – and leave with new admirers.	When you go to the vet, everyone wears protective gloves – and you thank God you don’t have to go for another year.
Your cat’s affection can be had with a can of tuna fish.	Your cat’s affection cannot be had, not for all the tuna fish in the world.
Your cat purrs so loud (and so often) you often can’t think.	Your cat hisses so often, you have learned to leave her alone.
You come home from a trip and your cat is at the door, happy and excited to greet you.	You come home from a trip and immediately set about looking for your cat, worried it has run off in your absence.

Kittens!

Searching the Internet to find you the cutest kitten videos for your Caturday viewing enjoyment...

(It's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it.)

First up, "Dear Kitten," in which an older experienced cat shows the new (adorable orange tabby) kitten the ropes.



Not included in the above, advice to your kitten on how to help out on laundry day. But apparently this little kitty needs no help.



And finally -- have your insulin ready, people -- the Philadelphia Zoo introduces its three absolutely adorable little black-footed cat kittens to the public (and vice versa)...



You're welcome.

Cat got your sink?

[Alternate title: Whose sink is it anyway?]

What is it about sinks, or running water, and cats?

First, it was our black cat, Felix. I don't know when the behavior began, but he will only drink from a faucet -- and only from either the kitchen faucet...



or the faucet in my bathroom sink. (For some reason he refuses to drink from the spouse's sink, which is less than two feet from my sink. Of course.)

Not only that, he gives us dirty looks and meows when we don't make with the water. Even though he is perfectly capable of turning the water on and off himself.

And now he has convinced our older cat, Flora, that drinking from the sink -- my sink -- is the only way to go. Unfortunately, Flora, who is 11 and weighs around 14 pounds, cannot jump up onto the bathroom counter (or refuses to). So I have to pick her up and deposit her by the sink -- or get an earful.

She then waits for me to turn on the faucet for her, at just the right speed or flow. She then daintily dips her paw in and licks the water from her furry wrist -- as Felix watches and waits his turn (and I brush my teeth and wash my face in the spouse's sink).



When I mentioned this problem to our vet, she suggested we get some sort of cat fountain. But I wonder if our cats would drink from it.

Any suggestions, cat people? I'd really like my sink back.

THIS JUST IN 5/8/14: This morning my sister-in-law emailed me several photos of her cats, Rusty and Socks, drinking water from a faucet (or waiting for their cat butler to turn on the faucet so they could drink from it). This photo of their cat Socks is my favorite.

Must run in the family. 

Bow down to your feline overlords

It has now been scientifically proven that cats understand human commands, just as dogs do. They just don't give a sh*t. (Though any cat owner, I mean "servant," could have told the scientists that.)

Moreover, unlike dogs, who take great joy in serving man (and woman), cats take great joy in having us humans serve them....



[H/T FOB Carrie]

Here is what misguided cat servant, Dan, wrote in the About section of that video, titled "Cat rings bell for service and treat": "I trained my cat to ring a bell for treats. Now, when he wants treats, he will lay down in front of the bell and ask his servant, me, to give him.When he gets full, he will push the bell away, and clean his paws."

[J. shakes head sadly. Oh Dan, you weak, foolish human.]

And woe to the cat servant who is distracted from his or her sacred duty (to pet, feed, and grovel before her feline overlord) by silly things like, oh, work, or surfing the Internet -- even if it is to watch cat videos. Though why would anyone want to watch cat videos when he has a cat literally on his computer?



[H/T CuteOverload.com]

Finally, a word of advice to all you cat owners thinking about getting a dog: Don't.

A brief guide to cat and dog petting

Have you ever wondered if there was a right way or, perhaps more importantly, a wrong way -- or place -- to pet a cat or dog? A way that would not result in the cat or dog hissing or growling, or swatting or biting the hand that pets it? Well, wonder no more, people!

Thanks to the handy "Petting Chart for Your Cat" and "Petting Chart for Your Dog," you will never have to worry about how -- or where -- to pet your (or another's) cat or dog ever again.

(Okay, maybe you should worry a little bit about cats. After all, felines are notoriously fickle.)

Thanks to the spouse, who learned the hard way how to pet a cat, for sending me these charts.

The things cats have to put up with! (Namely dogs)

The things cats have to put up with -- namely dogs.

I mean, can't a feline just relax on the bed without being disturbed by some crazy canine?



Apparently not.

Don't puppies realize that cats need their 20 hours of rest and simply don't have time to play?



Silly puppies.

And when will dogs understand that cats rule (and dogs drool)?



What do cats have to do, put up a sign?

The purr-fect direct marketing campaign?

I've been in marketing a long time, and I've seen some great direct marketing campaigns. However, this direct mail campaign for kitty litter, targeting cats, is one of the most creative I've seen.

Talk about a purr-fect setup -- using a cat to get to the owner, by printing your kitty litter offer on catnip-laced paper. 



And according to Rethink Communications, the catnip campaign is working.

Though I wonder if this could be the start of a disturbing new trend. What's next, offers for brownies printed on pot-laced flyers? (Speaking of which....)

In any case, my marketing hat is off to Rethink, for its out-of-the-litter-box thinking. 

Who's a pretty kitty?

Flora is.

This is a photo of our cat, Flora.

Flora is a torbie, a cross between a tortoiseshell cat and a tabby. Flora gets very cross when the spouse and I don't pet her, constantly. She is likewise very cross when strangers try to pet her. (I know. And we apologize.)

Most days, you can find Flora in one of two places: on my daughter's bed, surrounded by stuffed animals (as pictured above), or on top of my desk, in front of my monitor, paws dangling over my keyboard or swatting at me as I type.

We love Flora, but sadly (?) I doubt we will ever make millions (or thousands or hundreds) of dollars off of her. While she is certainly a pretty kitty, she doesn't fling herself into boxes (like Maru), have a funny face (like Grumpy Cat or Bub), or play the piano. She is just an ordinary cat, who likes to scratch the furniture, paw you for attention, barf up her food when she eats it too quickly, and hiss at you when she wants to be left alone.

You can't spell Christmas without C-a-t

Christmas is almost here, people! And nothing makes one merrier than a bunch of adorable cat and kitten videos. Indeed, there should be a holiday just for celebrating cats. You could call it Catmas! (Or not.) Anyway, consider this post my Christmas present to all of you fellow cat lovers.

First up, "How to Transport Your Cat," which has got cute in the bag.



Next vet visit, forget about the cat carrier. Just get out a plastic shopping bag!

[H/T to Cuteoverload.com]

That cat video not ringing your bells? Perhaps you're in the mood for something a bit more festive. Well then, how about a chorus line of adorable kittens bobbing their heads to the tune of "Jingle Bells"?



Or perhaps you'd prefer something slightly more menacing, slightly more mature, slightly more... Maru.Well, you are in luck, my friends. Live from Japan, just in time for Christmas, the latest Maru the cat video, featuring Maru and kitten Hana.



All together now: Aaaaw.

[That video totally reminds me of Garfield and Nermal. Though no way would Garfield ever share his bed with or groom Nermal.]

And no Christmas cat post would be complete without a video of Simon's Cat.



[While there are newer Simon's Cat Christmas videos, this one, titled "Santa Claws," is still my favorite.]

Wishing you all a meowy Catmas!

Hot guys & cool cats

Finally, someone has figured out a way to successfully combine two of the Internet's hottest memes, photos of sexy guys and pictures of adorable kittens (and cats).

And if that was not enough, it's French. Oo la la!

Presenting le blog le plus virale du moment, Des Hommes et des Chatons.

To see more hot guy, cool cat mashups, click on the Des Hommes et des Chatons link above.

It's a song, about cats

You'd think that people would have had enough of silly cat songs.
But I look around me and I see it isn't so.
Some people wanna fill the world with silly cat songs.
And what's wrong with that?
Id like to know, cause here we go again...



I don't know about all of you, but I think Klusman really captured the essence of cat love with "Kitty Love Song." The video is also a cautionary tale (tail?) re why you should not let cats sleep with you or into your bedroom -- and why guys should not wear sleeveless shirts.

Btw, for those of you who are unfamiliar with the humorous cat videos of Paul Klusman, he is "an engineer living in beautiful, exotic, Wichita, KS... [which] has the excitement and ambiance of a gravel parking lot. To pass the time [he is] involved in a number of hobbies including swing dancing, aerobatic flying (in a Pitts S-1S), and silly cat videos...."

He is also the creator of the classic "An Engineer's Guide to Cats."

It's a cat, cat, cat, cat world!

You have to admire cats. They saw an opportunity for free food and massages and they grabbed it, mousing their way into the hearts of humans the world over.

Of course, I have rarely seen a cat chase or capture a mouse (though the few occasions I have have been memorable). Indeed, it seems most cats I've encountered spend the better part of their day napping... often on my desk... while I am trying to work. (As I type this, my black cat, Felix, is passed out on my desk, his head and shoulders on top of my work notes and his hind legs and paws resting atop the keyboard on my laptop.)

But cats' preference to nap rather than work has not stopped us humans from adopting cats as mousers or ratters, or in the hopes of scaring away birds. Indeed, in my travels around the world, I am constantly surprised (and delighted) by the presence of one or more cats, ostensibly "hired" by the hotel, farm, or shop to keep away pests (of the four-legged or winged variety).

As you can see, these "working" cats have a very hard life...being unbearably cute...

 [How do you like the ferocious new barn kitten hired by Amber Waves Farm? I'm sure all that purring and cuddling will terrify the local mouse and bird population.]

sunbathing...

 [This is Victoria, who lives at the Villa Victoria Hotel in Nice. She was hired to keep the birds away from guests dining or relaxing in the garden. Clearly, it is exhausting work. Also, she wishes the manager would hire someone to keep guests away from her.]

guarding things... like their food bowls...

 [This is Trixie, the resident cat at the Ocean House in Islamorada, in the Florida Keys. Don't even think about touching her food.]

napping...

 [Above and below is Fats Waller, one of the 45 or so six-toed cats at the Hemingway House in Key West. According to our guide, Joe, Fats's napping prowess is only exceeded by his appetite. Also, I'm pretty sure rolling over counts as exercise.]

 looking cute and begging for food...

 [We named this kitten "Big Mouth." If you met him, you would understand why. Big Mouth could be the poster cat for how to wrangle food out of humans. The hotel where he (and many other previously stray or abandoned cats) resides, the Grand Case Beach Club in St. Martin, feeds him plenty. But you would never guess by his plaintive meows. Indeed, walk down any hallway at the hotel and you will see at least one food bowl placed just outside a door, specifically to nourish Big Mouth, who, in return, will allow you to pet him or even pick him up and cuddle him. Maybe we should have called him "Genius" instead.]

Cats are also very adept at minding the store (or hotel)... though they have a habit of sleeping on the job...

 [Above, one of the many cats at the Grand Case Beach Club, perched on top of the Activities desk, where petting and feeding the cats is one of the most popular activities.]

 [The tabby above is one of several feline denizens of the guavaberry rum stand on St. Martin. You would think they were selling catnip, though, by the look on his face.]

 [And finally, this is Minnie, who despite her look of intense disapproval, I recall as being somewhat affectionate, or at least tolerant of meddling humans. She is, or was, the mouser in residence at the Colonnade Hotel in London. Though I suspect she would only attack a mouse if it tried to steal her spot on that chair.]

Shark Week + Cat + YouTube =

Shark Cat Video!

I don't know about the rest of you, but that video, titled "Shark Week. #SharkCat cleaning Kitchen!" [seriously, people, get yourselves a style manual; the editor in me is cringing*] raises a lot of questions for me as a cat owner, namely...

1. There are really shark costumes for cats? Really?

2. How on Earth did she get that cat into a shark costume? (And apparently, this is not the first time.)

3. Was that cat on drugs? I cannot imagine any cat lasting more than a few seconds on a Roomba (or iRobot), or in a shark costume. (See question 2.)

4. Is there really a #SharkCat meme?**

Also, what is the fascination with Shark Week? All I can say is those sharks have a really good PR firm. (Seals take note.)

*It should be "Shark Week: #SharkCat Cleaning Kitchen!" or "Shark Week: #SharkCat cleans kitchen!"

**Yes, there is.