What's in This Issue:

A quick list of what's in this issue:

• Site Updates
  
  
• Lots of Kittens!
  
  
• Cross-Species Love Affairs
  
  
• Specials
  

Updates to the site

It's that time of year. The suppliers I use are all re-evaluating their programs and reviewing last year's sales figures. If they spent more promoting the products online than they made, they are closing programs. With the state of the American economy, I'm sure there will be more still, but here is this round:

I had to remove some links - the jigsaw puzzle suppler quit.

Church & Dwight quit, too. So, Kaboom! and other cleaners are no longer available here. You'll have to find an offline source. I've found a new line at an outfit called Jake's Dog House, and I'm getting those up.

I had some more updates to the ebook. The links I put in the book are not affected unless you got a version with the kitty litter. That is no longer available. Short-lived program! I urge you to try some of the additives on the market that indicate FLUTD and tell me what you used. I'll try to get some reviews up. The other links will be changed behind-the-scenes so that you will never need to re-print or download it.

Lots of Kittens

Physical

Kitten Emergency Kit

Behaviors

Emotional

Cross-Species Love Affairs

This can be with a dog, bird, ferret, duck, mouse, rat, or human. Naturally, my experiences are mostly with human and dog as the cross-species. I mean that the cat has the love affair with the human or the dog.

I'm a cat lover! I've had dogs in the past, but I've never been completely in tune with one. Not like I can be with a cat.

So, let's talk a little about cross-species love from the cat's point of view.

Cats are not discriminating when it comes to species. They like or dislike based on the treatment they receive or perceive. What does this mean? It means that your cat will like or dislike others based on how it gets treated.

If the cat gets consistent treatment that pleases it, the cat will gravitate toward that being, regardless of species. If the cat gets inconsistent treatment or treatment that disturbs his dignity or emotional balance, it is likely the cat will avoid that being.

However, if the cat consistently receives bad treatment and that is the *ONLY* treatment it receives, it will ignore the treatment and gravitate toward the food-giver.

This is taken from Operant Conditioning. A cat will go where it gets its needs met. If that includes consistent bad treatment, that's where the cat will go regardless of the treatment. But remember, a cat who receives this kind of treatment, if given the chance, will find another place to live.

The love a cat feels for a being that treats the cat with consistent acceptance, love and kindness, will draw that cat to that being. The cat will come to prefer being in the company of that person or critter.

So, this explains the genesis of the cross-species love.

Now how does a cat come to prefer one person over several who treat it in substantially the same way? That is as much a mystery as the person you pick to date from the array available. There can be any number of things that draws the cat to one person or pet over another.

What about a cat seemingly in love with a species that is unlikely, such as a dog, mouse or bird? Well, both animals are probably healthy to begin with. A cat will kill an injured bird or mouse, as that is instinctive.

If you have a hamster, don't immediately expect the cat to kill it. But do take care until and unless you have reason to trust the cat in the same room with it and no cage protecting the smaller being. I will not be held responsible if you read this and decide to leave Fluffy alone with Cheeks and Cheeks is not in the cage and ends up eaten! That is not my intention, anyway.

I don't know hamsters, rats, mice or rabbits. Yes, rabbits. Some folks have them - or even ferrets. Cats are very curious about these non-feline creatures. So, if you customarily keep the critter in a cage, continue to do so. Introduce them outside the cage in a very controlled way. Even more controlled than you exercise when introducing a puppy or another cat.

For dogs, it is probably a situation where the dog and cat have grown up together or one was young when introduced to the other. The trust that built up between them can be amazing. A very large dog, like a bloodhound, is usually protective of a kitten, and the kitten will receive this protective treatment and likely return love. A pup introduced to a grown cat will learn that the cat will tolerate certain behaviors and not others - it is likely a standoff will exist for a long time, but don't be surprised if the cat and dog share sleeping space on the bed together.

Of course, I have to include the love between people and cats in this or I would be remiss. Cats seem to love us in ways that are hard for folks without cats to understand. For instance, I get this a lot - "Cats are aloof" or "Cats are just animals." That is an excuse to treat a cat with less than the respect the cat deserves.

Often, when I'm watching TV, one cat (Queenie) comes up and walks across my lap several times until she decides where she will lay down for cuddles. She is happy to get scratches on commercial breaks. She likes to "bonk" me on the head when she is laying on the back of the chair. This is the act of Queenie hitting my head with her head and rubbing. Then there is the paw touch, the tail wrap and other loving gestures.

I give Beasley a lot of press. Part of it is the love he shows me. I'll be holding him for the "scoop-n-smooch" and instead of wanting down, sometimes he wants to be held and will snuggle in. He loves to rub on my pointy nose behind his ears. He hates chest kisses, but absolutely goes nuts if I rub the bone that sticks out there. He will drool! He purrs and snuggles and bonks me all the time.

But at the same time, my cats are terribly jealous of each other. Beasley and Pricess are particularly jealous of each other. Story is, I got Beasley, we moved, and I got Princess to keep him company because he would be alone too much. BUT - they think of each other as competition, not company. BOTH of them behave this way. The other lady kitties smooth things out quite a bit, but when it's night time cuddles, the old jealousy comes out. They do give Princess someone to boss around, and Beasley someone to tease.

From a human perspective, cross-species love can be very special. A love like no other - nearly unconditional. Of course, if you come in angry and shouting all the time, the cat won't be loving, but if it is only occasionally, they forgive.

When I've had excellent news & whoop and holler and generally end up dancing around the apartment, they run for cover just as much as when I have a bad experience and come home snarling and grumbling. But, they forgive my outbursts and love on me as soon as I calm down. I also talk to them and tell them what's going on. Maybe that's because I live with cats, not people.

Maybe they understand and maybe they don't. Either way, they pay attention. And they are quick to offer support and love when they know I need it the most.

Share your special cross-species love affairs with others here. We'd all love to hear about it!

April Specials

I have several items this month.

Clicker Training Kit for Cats	Innova Cat Food Dry
Innova Cat Food Wet	Freeze Dried Treats
Felovite Vitamin Paste
Wysong Natural Pet Food	Fur Ball Toy

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