News from Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter - weekly update

The local paper here, reports every Wednesday on different issues and topics coming from the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I just started volunteering there last week. This past week, they did a report on the weight problems that they are seeing with cats and dogs. "There's been a trend recently of overweight pets and we've seen them at the shelter - pups and cats who are well over what their healthy weight should be. We had a cat recently who weighed 28 pounds. While he was quite a conversation piece, that much weight can cause a lot of health issues". Jennifer Vanderau, who wrote the article, says that any kind of food (human or pet) given in large amounts can be very unhealthy for any pet. I totally agree with her. When I was at the shelter last week with my daughter, we chose a very hefty male cat to spend quality time with. He really was a handful to carry. I noticed just how many big cats were there. My old neighbor had an extremely overweight pug. That dog looked like a little blimp on four legs!! He did try to take the dog for walks. I sincerely believed they gave that dog human food and perhaps way too much of it. The biggest cat I know of weighed in at a whopping 40lbs. I even saw a picture. It looked enormous. Just like humans, being overweight for dogs and cats can cause all kinds of health issues. Jennifer reports, "It can cause a host of ailments, which can include thyroid problems; diabetes; hygiene issues (cats and dogs who can't clean themselves); joint, bone and ligament problems; issues with internal organs; heat intolerance; and even skin issues".

contributions: Shippensburg Sentinel - Jennifer Vanderau, reporter-Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter

Gizmo's World - Comfy and cozy!

I just had one of Kathy's tummy rubs I told you about. Now I'm ready for a nap. There's no better way to take a snooze unless you're wrapped up in a comfy, cozy fleece blanket. Please don't disturb me. I'm in total bliss!! I have to make sure Nala knows that I don't share blankets either. She can snooze in her cardboard box for all I care!

Gizmo's World - Oh boy, look what I found!

So, Nala thinks she can hide from me in Kathy's laundry basket. WRONG!!!! I'm soo much smarter than she thinks. Hey Nala...the box won't work either (hint, hint!) She has no place to escape me!! I RULE!!!!

Nala's World - Is it the laundry basket or the box??

I have been trying to decide where to hide if I have to escape from one of Gizmo's sudden attacks. He's soo moody sometimes. When he gets grouchy or irritable, he
likes to sneak up on me and POW!!! I have to be careful and prepared for anything. I'm thinking the laundry basket or a cardboard box would do nicely as a hiding place. Oh my God...I simply can't decide. I need your vote -- laundry basket or box. Maybe I'll ask Kathy to help me decide.

Gizmo's World - Anxiously awaiting tummy rub!!!

OK, I'm waiting...there's nothing like a little tummy rub followed by a nice nap. I just absolutely love myself!!! I could be any female feline's favorite male pinup. Well, maybe not every female... Nala would rather scratch my eyes out. She just doesn't know what's she's missing!! Her loss.....til next time.

Nala's World - the local watering hole saga

So, this is Gizmo's watering hole. Just because Gizmo found it first doesn't mean it's his!!! Gizmo knows that I found it. He thinks I'm a little sneak. I think I'll just lounge in here for awhile. If Gizmo comes into the bathroom and finds me - it could get really ugly!!!!

Kathy's Journal -- Volunteering at the Local Animal Shelter

I recently signed up to volunteer at my local animal shelter --- Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter in Chambersburg, PA. My first visit was yesterday. They are many cute and adorable kitties that are awaiting adoption. I do hope that all will eventually find a good home. The shelter has staff members who interview prospects interested in adopting. They want to make every effort that those who are interested are suitable to adopt. Nala and Gizmo were both adopted and I highly recommend adopting from a shelter when looking for a cat as a pet. I will continue to write about my volunteering experiences in future posts. Til next time.....

Nala's World - I got here first!!

Well, it's my turn to gaze out the bathroom window. Gizmo needs to learn how to share.
He still thinks he's the "head honcho of the house". WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!!! I am the queen. Tonight, I shall gaze out at the twinkling stars. Twinkle, twinkle little star...how I wonder where you are!!! Maybe I can wish upon a star and make my wish come true...send Gizmo on a one-way trip into outer space. Til next time...

Gizmo's World - A trip to the local watering hole!

Rub-a-dub dub, just relaxin' in the tub!!! Not really. It's my very own watering hole! I know Nala knows about it. I saw the little sneak in the tub just last week. Kathy has caught me red-handed in the tub on a occasion. To my relief, she makes nothing of it: "Oh, look at Gizmo, isn't he cute!" Maybe I could persuade Kathy to fill the tub up with water and lots of bubbles and throw Nala in it. Kathy would say, "Oh look at Nala, she looks like a large, wet rat!!!" That'll show her. Maybe Nala will think twice before using my watering hole without asking first.

Nala's World ...I want a pity party!!

I'm sooo depressed!!! Gizmo and I held vigil last night in the kitchen looking for that elusive critter that we think is sneaking out from the cabinets. I am completely exhausted, besides being depressed. I gave up precious lounging time to sit and stare at kitchen cabinets all night. I need to get a life!!! I am jealous. I know Gizmo has already killed two mice in the garage. I desperately need to show my dominance in Kathy's house. I can't let Gizmo win!!! It's the battle of the sexes --- and the "little adorable lady kitty" (that's me) will prevail!!

Gizmo's World

It's a great day!! I am so proud of myself. I ruined Nala's bonding time with Kathy while she worked on her blog. I saw her up on the desk licking her hand while she typed and just making a complete nuisance of herself. I showed her!!! I got rid of her and now.... I am relaxing comfortably here on the desk while my tail gracefully swishes back and forth on her computer keyboard. What a life!!! Gotta go...I heard Nala coming...time to pounce!!!!

Nala's World

I always know when Kathy sits down and works on her blog. I love to jump up on her desk, lick her hand while she types and, of course, I can't forget to walk across the computer keyboard. There's always a picture of me on her blog (I am considered to be very adorable and better looking than Gizmo!!). Maybe she'll teach me how to type my name. Oh boy! Here comes Gizmo! He just pushed me off the desk. He needs to learn some manners for sure!

Kitty Quote of the Month - March

THE CAT AND THE MOON

The cat went here and there
And the moon spun round like a top
And the nearest kin of the moon,
The creeping cat, looked up
Black Minnaloushe stared at the moon,
For, wander and wail as he would,
The pure cold light in the sky
Troubled his animal blood
Minnaloushe runs in the grass
Lifting his delicate feet.
Do you dance, Minnaloushe, do you dance?
When two close kindred meet,
What better than call a dance?
Maybe the moon may learn,
Tired of that courtly fashion
A new dance turn.
Minnaloushe creeps through the grass
From moonlit place to place,
The sacred moon overhead
has taken a new phase.
Does Minnaloushe know that his pupils
Will pass from change to change,
And that from round to crescent,
From crescent to round they range?
Minnaloushe creeps through the grass
Alone, important and wise,
And lifts to the changing moon
his changing eyes.

W. B. Yeats (1865-1939)