Landmines and Hairballs Oh My!

I'm sitting here tonight going over our monthly and annual budgets. We've been doing pretty good at saving some money wherever we can in our goal to move to Idaho next year. I've slashed our spending in most areas and am surprised at the savings in one.

That one area is our pet food expenses. By pets, I'm not including the poultry, horses or cattle. Strictly dogs and cats - 3 pooches and 7 purrers. We are feeding a higher priced feed to both cats and dogs and have actually been saving quite a bit of money. It all comes down to a better quality feed and the animals eating/needing less while being healthier. 

Even though I am fairly well versed in animal nutrition, I used to be bad about watching sales and using coupons for my cat and dog food. Whatever seemed to be decent food for a decent price AND had coupons, I went for to save a buck. Unfortunately my critters paid for it with poor coats and up/down weight issues. So I went to the other extreme and bought really pricey, overly hyped feeds. I think probably more to assuage my guilt than anything else. This also didn't really benefit my animals or my pocketbook. 

Flash forward to last winter when I went to work part-time for our new Tractor Supply. I chatted with a few of the nutritionists and feed reps to see what they were feeding their own animals. I found it very interesting that most of them were using the TSC brand "4 Health". It's priced pretty much in the middle of the scale and the ingredients seem to be very good. So I gradually switched my crews over to the appropriate formulas and I am thrilled!

Both cats and dogs have all done very well with these feeds. Their coats are thick and glossy, they all maintain steady, healthy weights, fewer hairballs and a large bonus overall is less poop. That may seem funny or trivial to some, but when you have a 125 pound hound, you want smaller landmines and fewer of them. Since there are so many less fillers and more of the good nutrients, the animals utilize the feed better and need less to be happily full. 

So I'm curious what do you feed your furballs? Anyone else use 4 Health? 

Ernestina Hemingway - Our Polydactyl Cat

Just a quick post to introduce you to the baby of the house.  "Ernie" is a polydactyl cat with extra toes on each of her paws.  She actually has little "thumbs" on her front feet which makes her two times the menace of  the other cats ~ she can open drawers and latches like a person!  I'm baby-proofing several cabinets now.  I did try to get a better photo of her feet, but she kept swatting at me so I'll wait until the monster is asleep for that.  You can see a bit of her thumb in the second photo.

As for her name, it obviously stems from a beloved and well-known figure in American history.  What isn't quite as well known is that the Nobel prize-winning author Ernest Hemingway had a his house full of these "abnormal" polydactyl cats.  In fact, even decades after his death his home in Florida is still a haven for the descendants of his original six-toed cat that he received as a gift from a ship's captain.  


These type of cats are said to be much more common on the East Coast than here in the West.  I personally hadn't come across one until we adopted Ernie after someone dumped her at our non-pet friends' house.  At the time we had a hard time telling if she was indeed a girl, so I called her Ernie and Mr. MoonCat was calling her "Hemi".  Got a little confusing since we already have a "Hammy" in the house.  

Sunday Selections

You are my Sunshine, My Only Sunshine

Toot, Celie, Hammie



You make me happy....when skies are gray



Lily, Celie, Porkchop, Toot, Hammie



You'll never know dear...

I swear, he's a cat - not a potbelly pig

how much I Love You



Sheena/Sha Nay Nay/Old Lady

Please don't take... my sunshine away.



Badger, Tory, Bugsy



Feeling the Love

I am so grateful for those lovely readers who have commented and emailed me regarding that last post/rant/scream.  You are wonderful!  It is amazing how much a simple "you're not alone in how you feel" or just plain "you're not alone" can mean to a person ~ to me.  Thank you all so much for being there.

I'm actually feeling a tad bit better and poor Mr. MoonCat is like a little kid about sparkly decorations, so we're going to get with the program and try to cheer it up around here.  He is of the opinion that I will feel even better if I have pretty things to look at.. (If you have seen Chevy Chase's movie "Christmas Vacation", you'll have an idea of what Mr. MoonCat's vision of decorating entails....Mine is closer to the Charlie Brown version.)

Of course, my agreement to go ahead and decorate has now spawned arguments about the tree.  He wants a GIANT tree

while I would prefer a smaller, more manageable tree. 

His theory is that we have a giant ceiling in the great room so we should have the GIANT tree.  My counterpoint is that the big tree will cost 3 times that of the one I like and just because we have the space, doesn't mean we need to fill it! 

Plus, I have a vision of the tree sitting in the lower-ceilinged corner with goodies all around it ~ off of the floor where lions and tigers roam.  I have an old corner tv stand that we're not using similar to the one below:

I think it would be really cute to put the lighted Christmas village on the shelves behind the glass doors.  (It will be much, much safer for the little villagers to be ensconced behind the glass ~ we have large monster kitties that roam freely in this home!)  My stand isn't as nice as the one above, but I think it will do ~ for now... hint, Mr. MoonCat... I like the one above..

So what do you think?  A 12ft-ish tree or a more modest, manageable, magnificent tree of about 4 or 5 feet sitting on a pretty stand with a village nestled below?  Whichever way we go, you know it'll have to be made secure from the ferocious felines...

**Are you getting the impression that everything we do around here comes back to the critters?  How will it affect them?  What kind of destruction and havoc can they wreak?  Gotta love 'em or else....

Sunday Selections

I'm only a cat,

and I stay in my place...

Up there on your chair,

on your bed or your face!

 

I'm only a cat,

and I don't finick much...

I'm happy with cream

and anchovies and such!

I'm only a cat,

and we'll get along fine...

As long as you know

I'm not yours... you're all mine!

~ author unknown

Herbs - C is for Catnip

Nepeta cataria

Latin Name:  Nepeta of the family Lamiaceae

Alternate Name(s): Catmint

Description: Perennial herb that grows to about 3 or 4 feet high.  Some varieties are grown as annuals.  Catnip leaves are a greenish gray or green heart shape and grow opposite each other on sturdy stems.  The tube shaped flowers grow in clusters towards the stem ends and can be in various colors such as blue, pink, white or lavender.

Habitat: Catnip grows extensively and originates in Africa, Asia and Europe but is also very easy to find in the United States and the rest of North American now. 

Growing: Extremely easy to grow from seed.  To get an early jump on Spring, you can start the seeds indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last frost in your neck of the woods.  Cover the seeds lightly with soil and keep moist.  If you cover the pots with plastic this will aid in keeping the humidity up.  It is very important to not let them dry out - now or once they've sprouted.  Keep the pots in a warm location until the seeds have sprouted.  Once they're up, put them in a sunny place until they are big enough to plant outside.  It is best to gradually introduce them to being outside in the wind and sunshine.  Above all, keep them moist.  Catnip sucks up lots of water for its entire life cycle. 

Full sun is a requirement, but in areas like mine where the heat can get well up into three digits, the plant pretty much needs to sit in a bowl of water during the day or it will not perform at its best.  It will handle short periods of drought, but it will definitely affect the growth.

I have found that in our area my plant will stay somewhat green most of the winter if in a sheltered spot with a lot of light (and if I keep it watered).  I am pretty ruthless in pruning the plant back to the ground when it warms up in Spring which will make my plant come back bushier and fuller than before.  This will also help it to produce more buds.

You can also find catnip plants at local garden stores in the Spring, but you need to be sure you get the right variety Nepeta cataria as some of the plants you find might be more suited towards ornamental uses.  They don't give your cats as much pleasure as the cataria variety.  The seeds may also be labeled as Common Catnip which should be the cataria. 

I personally keep my catnip in pots.  It will reseed itself as well as come back from the previous years plant.  Because it is of the mint family, it can become invasive if not monitored.  I just prefer to keep it in check to start with.

freeherbpictures.com

Harvesting: I regularly give my cats fresh leaves from the many catnip plants I have growing around our place.  Once the plant is established (about a foot or so tall), I start harvesting from it.  The buds are extremely potent for the cats and they enjoy the heck out of them along with the leaves. 

Harvesting is best done in the early mornings after the dew has evaporated and before it gets too warm.  Depending on what I'm going to do with it, I will usually cut several stems with leaves and buds and hang them to dry.  I bundle them up and tie them with string or a rubberband and then I use clothespins to hang them in a large closet to dry.  It is a good idea to have somewhere secure from your furry friends to dry catnip as they can do amazing feats to get to a bunch hanging above them.  Once dried I will store the bundles in labeled glass canning jars until I have need of them.

Uses: To provide our domestic felines with a legal, euphoric high.  Most cats will start rolling in, eating, and drooling over catnip or catnip toys.  They will play and have bouts of craziness until they flop over and sleep for an hour or two.  Some major studies are being conducted to determine the effects on the big cats (lions, tigers, jaguars, etc.). 

Catnip has been shown to be an insect repellant for humans.  It is being used in many natural preparations and where DEET is not desirable. 

A lovely mint tea can be made from catnip.  It is interesting that it tends to have a soothing effect like chamomile for us instead of the over-caffeinated buzz that the cats get from it.

Notes: The photos of the kitties above are from a recent treat I gave my furbabies.  I have a few different varieties of catnip/catmint and was experimenting on which they like the best.  It proved for me that the Nepeta cataria is definitely the one with the most "juice"!  The cats LOVE it.  Actually, 8 of 9 endorse it.  My old cat Sheena will have nothing to do with it. I just wish I'd taken a photo of them all sacked out on the futon after this episode.  They were all passed out in a row for about an hour.  Quiet time for Mommy! 

Check out my article: Catnip - Crank for Cats for some more personal insight on kitties & catnip

I will be offering some of our organically grown catnip as well as our homemade cat toys in the near future.

But for now, a quick and easy cat toy that will provide hours of enjoyment for your furry babies can be made in minutes.  Take an old (closely woven) sock that has lost its mate and stuff the toe with dried catnip.  Tie a tight knot in the top and let them have it.  Recycling, reusing, and repurposing at its best!  (Plus some major kitty fun)

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Disclaimer: The information presented herein is intended for educational, informational, and recreational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent disease. It is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider before taking any supplements, herbs, or other substances.

Drymate Cat Pads Review

I was recently sent a Litter Box Mat and a Cat Bowl Mat from the nice people at Drymate for review.  I wanted to put the products to the test so I could give you an in-depth, cat herd approved opinion.

First we have the Cat Bowl Mat as demonstrated by PeTOOTnia.  I thought this mat was cute with the little paw prints (especially since it hides the real ones).  With nine cats and two dogs slopping water a bajillion times a day, this mat has really been put through the paces.  One feature they tout about their mats is that they are absorbent and waterproof.  I found this to be very true, even with the probably half-gallon of water the "children" spill every day, it has held up to that claim.  It's also very easy to just wipe clean. 

(I really did plan to take the photo without the critters, but Toot had to be in the pictures.)

~~~~~

The second product we tested is the Litter Box Mat.  I used it a bit differently than they intended, but it really works for me.  My litter boxes are on the other side of this kitty door (shown above with Bugsy peeking in).  I'm using it as a little mat for when they come back in the house from the boxes.  I have found that it really does catch that last little bit of litter that they tend to track in.  I think the different patterns they offer are really cute. 

One of the things that I did with this mat is to put it in the washing machine.  I hung it up to dry and it looked as good as new.  It took a bit to dry as these mats are all VERY ABSORBANT, but it was well worth being able to wash it.  The cats seem to enjoy it.  Celie demonstrates below how she uses it to sit on while keeping Bugsy from coming back inside.

From the website:  The Cat Litter Box Mat controls litter mess. Cats love to walk on this soft fabric. Place with litter box to protect floors and reduce litter tracking. This mat will aid in pulling the kitty litter from their paws. Machine washable and dryable.

♦ Absorbent, Attractive Fabric

♦ Waterproof, Bonded Backing Prevents Leak Thru

♦ Absorbs All Drips

♦ Protects

♦ Easy to Clean with Soap & Water, Simply Hose or Power Wash Off.

♦ Durable & Stain Resistant, Will Last for Years

♦ Lightweight, Easy to Use & Move

♦ Slip Resistant Backing Keeps Mat in Place.

♦ Can be Vacuumed

Drymate offers several styles and sizes of these great absorbant mats. They have one sure to fit everyone's decorating style.

~~~~~

Disclaimer: I received the above mats for review purposes. The opinions expressed here are 100% my own (and the cats'). I was under no obligation to offer a positive review.

Catnip - Crank for Kitties

I'm Published!  I wrote an article about our catnip here at MoonCat Farms and it was accepted by Associated Content for publication.  It's very appropriate since the next herb in my alphabetical herb series is Catnip.  Click on the link below to check out my article and be sure to let me know what you think.  I'll have the full post on catnip up here on the blog in the next week or so.  I'm excited!

Catnip - Crank for Cats
A brief article extolling the virtues and effects of the herb catnip on a house full of felines at MoonCat Farms.
Read More

OWOH loot from Loralai Original Art!

Loralai Original Art is the place to go to check out this print and several others that I have fallen in love with.  I was chosen as the winner in her OWOH drawing and couldn't be more thrilled.  When I saw the print of her with her little black cat, I just knew I had to have it!  It reminded me of myself with my (fat) little Porkchop.  I had it bookmarked to come back after the event.  Imagine my excitement when I received an email from Loryia telling me I won!  Whoo hoo.... 

Loryia generously framed it for me (I took it out to photograph the print) and then reminded me that I could choose two more prints.  I went to her Etsy Shop and found the following two:

While it's obvious by my choices that I adore her kitty artwork, I am also enamoured by her mermaids and fairies!  There were so many darling pieces.  You be the judge - see even more of her talent on her Flickr feed HERE.

Also, she is currently hosting a fabulous GIVEAWAY of two of her darling little mermaids on really cute totes.  Be sure to go by and get your name in the drawing.  She is quite the artist!

Thank you so much Loryia!  I am a big fan. I love my prints and can't wait to get them up on the wall in my sewing room.

Spring Sights

It is starting to look like Spring around here.  The wild thing is that both the lavender and the Lion's Ear (or Tail) both decided to start blooming at the beginning of February - I am just now getting around to showing the photos of the two of them..

I couldn't believe how early they both got started, or the fact that they actually survived the move last fall.  I wasn't very optimistic for many of my plants since the move was so rushed and haphazard.

We're starting to get many more of these pretty little guys coming by the feeders.  My birdseed bill is starting to get pretty high as they keep bringing more of their friends.  The photo below isn't a great shot, I just liked how I caught him mid-flight with his wings on the downstroke.

This Celtic design birdbath was a Happy Black Friday gift to myself.  I'd been wanting a new birdbath for quite a while and handn't found one that I really, really liked.  We were wandering around Lowe's at about 7am on Black Friday (ticked because we'd missed out on the TV at stinking Walmart..) and out in the garden section we ran upon this little beauty.  At $39.00 I should have bought two!

The birds love it.  It is a pain to clean as it's very heavy and in two pieces, but it's worth watching the little feathered fiends splash around and have a good old time.

The birds are getting friendlier all the time as they have discovered I am the mysterious being that refills the bird feeders - daily.  They used to all leave the yard when I'd walk out.  Now they sit about two feet from me, chirping to each other and at me to "Hurry up!"

And finally....THIS is what I see when I am outside looking in.  Little furry faces that really, really want to be after those birds.

The Tao of Mia and Leo Book Review & Giveaway

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

I received this for review back at the end of December.  With everything going on with Mom, I have just recently been able to sit down (with a couple cups of tea of course) and read it uninterrupted.  It is such a delightful read that I wanted to be able to enjoy it and immerse myself in the message of the book.

The The Tao of Mia and Leo follows the author and the escapades of her cats beginning with her beloved Samantha and then the mischievious title characters.  Jeffra Nicholson writes about living in and finally leaving the corporate world to pursue her dream of writing and shares how it impacted her and the cats.  She takes us with her through the life changes and what she learned about herself and her fuzzy housemates. 

This lovely true story is written by a dedicated cat lover who is able to convey a valuable life lesson to those of us with cats or those without.  I found it to be a very insightful look at both human and feline behavior; showing how interchangeable and instructional it can be at the same time.  Jeffra offers many comparisons regarding Leo and Mia's personalities and the similarities with people. She puts a spotlight on instances where a person could benefit by taking a page (sorry about the pun) out of the cats' book and mimicking how a cat responds to situations. 

One of my favorite examples is when she talks about buying all of the most expensive toys for her cats only to watch them play with a rolled up piece of tinfoil. She noted that people needed to be able to find joy in the simpler things .  I relayed this anecdote to my family members and compared it to buying a big fancy toy (like a jetski), using it 2 or 3 times, and then leaving it sitting in the garage.  Then finding out that something as simple as playing a card game of gin-rummy at the kitchen table brought us just as much joy if not more, than the $7500 water toy that is now gathering dust.  I keep telling them that we each need to find our ball of tinfoil.

Another selection I really related to (especially with some of my cats) is when Jeffra was moving to a new city and was terrified about the change in her life.  Leo's behavior at the airport completely mirrored and conveyed what Jeffra was really feeling, but holding in.  Thank goodness Jeffra's very intuitive mother pointed this out to her after the incident.  I can really understand this on a personal level since I've become aware that when I am especially upset or worried about something and trying to block it out, I will have one or more of the cats plastered to my side.  They are very attuned to our emotions even when we're not.

This is a very easy read as it is not a really long book (around 100 pages).  It has a very positive message that is effectively presented.   I felt connected with the author when I was finished with this book as I also used to be overly wrapped up in my career and didn't spend near enough time with loved ones.  Since leaving that hectic life, I am enjoying my family, friends, and furry ones so much more.  The Tao of Mia and Leo reinforces the positive message that simplifying your life can enrich it immensely and in unexpected ways.

You definitely do not have to be a cat lover to really enjoy this book.  It is very well written and would make a lovely gift for anyone on your list, especially someone in need of a boost in their outlook.  I have a couple of people in mind who I would like to get this wonderful book for.  I know I will be reading my copy again!

GIVEAWAY
The publisher has generously offered a copy of The Tao of Mia and Leo for one lucky MoonCat Farms Meanderings reader.  Sorry to my international friends, but this is only open to US RESIDENTS. 

There are several ways to enter the giveaway, you can do one or all. Just be sure to leave me a separate comment for each thing you do:

1.Leave a comment on this post & let me know if you have cats and how many.  (You don't have to be a cat owner to enter, I'm just nosy.)

2.Become a MoonCat Farms follower.

3.Subscribe to MoonCat Farms Meanderings

4.Follow MoonCat Farms on Twitter and/or Facebook (links on the sidebar to the right>>>>)

5.Become a fan of The Tao of Mia and Leo on Facebook

6.Blog about this giveaway.

7.Tweet about this giveaway

To enter, just leave a comment below, on this post only.  The giveaway closes at midnight PST on Friday, March 5th, 2010.  One winner will be chosen at random and announced on Saturday, March 6th, 2010.  The winner will have 48 hours to respond or another name will be chosen. 

To purchase a copy of this lovely and very reasonably priced book, go to the Amazon.com link below:

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Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes. The opinions expressed here are 100% my own. I was under no obligation to offer a positive review. The publisher is providing a copy of the book for the giveaway winner.

Mr. Mooncat and Celie

For your viewing pleasure, a Mr. Mooncat story told in photos. (Explanation is at the bottom in case you can't fathom what in the world he's doing....)

I'm sure you're scratching your head & saying "Huh?" about now. Let me give you a breakdown:

Mr. MoonCat installed a doggy/Kitty door to the garage so we could put the litter boxes out there. (We don't use the garage for cars, just mile-high stacks of boxes, laundry, and now litter boxes.) We began having problems with Celie (Princess P) refusing to use the kitty door. She would wait for one of us to open/close the garage door for her or she'd have "accidents" during the night. (She is hubby's completely spoiled rotten little beast.)

Photo 1 was taken must minutes after it was done. Notice Petootnia using it right away, she's our explorer, aka Brave Kitty.

Photo 2 is the hubby showing Porkchop and Hammy the kitty door. Celie is in the garage - on the opposite side of the door.

Photo 3 is Mr. MoonCat "reasoning" with Miss Celie. (Notice Porkchop's rapt attention - on the toy)

Photo 4 is the view from the garage side.

Photo 5 says it all. Celie became extremely bored with the entire episode and went to sleep.

This is my life............................

(Princess P/Celie has conceded. After a few nights spent in the unheated garage, she decided to give in and use the kitty door. What a mean mommy huh?")

Doctors and more Doctors

I will probably be off the grid for a few days and take a blogging break. We have several doctor appointments lined up for Mom and it looks like possibly for Dad now too. So I'll be back in a few days with pictures of all of the giveaway goodness that has come my way and some new giveaway news of my own.

For now, here's a photo of Bugsy guarding (also known as napping on) some of my fabric stash.

Guest Post - The Hubby Report

Today's post will be authored by The Hubby. He has graciously been coerced into writing some guest posts for the blog in October during Blogtoberfest. Maybe I can get him to consider extending his contribution and keep giving our dear readers a fresh perspective. (I have included the above photo because it is very relevant to today's entry and gives you another look into our life with the critters.) Without further introduction, The Hubby speaks/writes...

Life In This Crazy House

6:30am, the "children" start to stir. By 6:45, the sound of the cats' thundering paws resonate on the hardwood floors as they race up and down the hallway. Time for me to get up and start my day in this crazy place we now call home.

I step just one foot out into the hallway and am instantly greeted by many fuzzy little faces. It kind of reminds me of that "Got Milk" commercial where the elderly lady runs out of milk and it shows the paw reaching up to flip off the lights. Kitty??? See the commercial here

Moving around at this time of day takes a lot of skill and acrobatics. With the small furfaces in front and the two dogs behind me, the trek to the front door begins. You see, if you don't put the dogs out before feeding the cats, Chandler will sneak in and inhale the cat food.

The fun is still not over. Once the boys are safely outside looking for gophers and toads to protect us from, the long journey to the kitchen begins. Like a cargo ship cuts through the watery wakes, so must I make my way through a sea of fur.

With the cats fed, I can finally have my cup of coffee and relax. But wait, one of the dogs has actually caught a gopher and is now head deep in a hole. Maybe I'll get my coffee with lunch???