What's in This Issue:

Updates to the site:

News and updates:

I'm finally approving the submissions you have put in to me. I had to review several at once. I apologize for being so tardy!

There is a new spot to tell us about your favorite flea meds on the sister site....

If you are wondering why I talk about the sister site here, it is because there is no newsletter there, yet. Any news about either site is also on the blog or here.

I also put up a new place to talk here - this will be pretty much you & not me. Tell us about your cat's worst behaviors! Other folks will comment, advise and so on. I hope this section really grows! And I expect I'll be learning some new techniques, too.

Counseling is dropping off so the wait for help is shorter. If you have any questions, now is a good time to ask them.

I'm running the Summer Cool Cat Kitty Contest. This one begins with this issue and runs till the end of the month. After August 31st, no more submissions will be accepted. Voting continues till September 20th. Winner gets a free Starter Kit of SCOE10x.

All readers and visitors are eligible to win. Please be sure you include your e-mail address if you want to win the prize.

"Dog" Days of Summer

Be sure you provide cool places and lots of water for the cats outside. Bird baths for our avian friends in the yard are also helpful. Our cats LOVE to watch birds take their baths and eat.

A nice cat tree inside by a window, when there's a feeding station outside, can keep a cat interested and engaged for hours. Nesting places can promote birds as well as some flowers and brushy plantings. Contact your local Co-operative Extension office (Agriculture office and Master Gardeners) for ideas and information about what works in your area.

Summer Grooming

What I've found that works the best is scissors carefully deployed and a de-matting tool meant for dogs.

I cut off the biggest part of the mat, being careful not to cut the skin. Then, the tool cuts the mats apart. There are feathery blades in the tool that grab the mat and pull it, and the mat can be removed without too much fuss or pain to the cat. Just a few strokes with the tool and it's all over.

It pulls, there is no way around that. They complain, too! However, they forget the pain right away and the skin under the former mat suddenly isn't pulling and tight. They come and say "Thank you" in a very short time - sometimes as soon as I let them go!

The biggest complaint I have with this new tool is that it's made for one-way use. I'm left-handed and find right-handed work challenging. This particular tool works best on the front of the cat in downward strokes or strokes toward me in the right hand. It can be used on the back of the cat, away from me or in upward strokes in the left hand. I just have to figure out which direction the teeth will face before I pick up the tool so that I have most effective use of it. With a wriggly, squiggly kitty on my lap, it can be very challenging!

First use is always the hardest, I guess.

August Specials

NEEM Spray for fleas. A totally natural flea repellent measure, safe for cats.	DefeatDaFleas Natural flea control
Crazy Circle Toy	Babble Ball
FURrminator	Outdoor Cat Shelters Page for the outdoor cats in your life.
Cat trees	SCOE 10x, the last deodorizer you will ever try!