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                            CAT TAILS

       "Tails" about kitties, facts, helpful information,
                and fun for people who love cats 

                               ~:~
 
                         ISSN 1552-938X

                   Sunday, December 21, 2008

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Welcome to Cat Tails Newsletter!

Special greetings to our new subscribers.  Thanks so much for
subscribing.  I hope these mailings will bring you a smile or
chuckle about our favorite subject . . . cats!

Columns vary, drawing from quotes or other cat musings, facts,
health and behavior issues, tips on a wide selection of kitty-
related subjects, and a "tail" or two, sprinkled with a bit of
humor and fun.  This newsletter alternates with a mini version
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Merry Christmas, every one.  So happy to be with you today. 

This edition's Mewsing is such a cute poem from Ginny Ellis, who
knows cats well.  I published it last Christmas, but could not
resist including it this year.

Our cat "tail" is an adorable little story about whether Santa
Claus is real.  A kitten helps settle the answer.  Following
this story is a link to a previous Christmas issue that has a
very special story about an "ugly" cat that warmed a frozen
heart.  It is long, but so well worth the read.  You will not
regret taking the time.

Your Healthy Cat has a couple of reminders for keeping kitty
healthy at Christmas.  Important stuff.

"Tip" of the Tail has three last-minute gift ideas, in case you
have forgotten someone on your list or just want to add some-
thing special to a gift.

Purrs that jingle jangle?  You'll have to read our witty about
kitties to found out what that's all about.  :)

Finally, all the way at The Tail End is another beautiful
picture you will want to see, so don't forget to scroll down.

Hope you enjoy!

Take care, have a great week, and kiss your kitties for me!  May
you have God's best this Christmas season and throughout the New
Year.

Annette Fincher
Publisher









~ Picture by Adelaide Taylor, at Webshots.com






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                             MEWSINGS                           
=^..^============================================================



                    A Kitten's First Christmas
 

            First, they brought a tree inside,
            Those crazy human beings,
            I could hardly believe my eyes,
            But ... a real tree, I was seeing.

            My first thought was to climb that thing,
            Since that's what trees are for,
            But warning shouts and human hands
            Secured me to the floor.

            Subdued, I sat and watched the tree,
            The humans eyed it, too,
            Then they placed it by 'my' window,
            The best spot in the room.

            Perhaps, I thought, this tree is mine,
            A special gift for me,
            But wagging fingers told me, "NO!",
            That was not to be.

            Next they put some colored lights
            Upon the tree and plugged them in,
            The tree lit up like a star-filled night,
            And all the humans grinned.

            And if you think that that was odd,
            You should see what else was done,
            On its top, a star was propped,
            And from its limbs, bright balls were hung.

            Well, by now I was beside myself,
            I knew those balls were mine,
            They were gold and silver, red and green,
            All designed with me in mind.

            They swayed and swung and shimmered some,
            I was in ecstasy,
            I loved the balls; I wanted one,
            They seemed to call to me.

            One golden ball upon a string
            Almost drove me mad,
            When everybody's back was turned,
            I raced to it and grabbed.

            It fell and rolled beneath the couch,
            I chased after it - what fun!
            The room was filled with people's screams,
            The humans were undone!
 
            Such excitement!  Such commotion! 
            Shucks ... I only meant to play,
            But I was swept up in human arms,
            Before I got my way.
 
            I think I like this Christmas thing,
            Though I don't understand it much,
            It's strange to have a tree inside,
            Which I can see, but cannot touch.
 
            I have toy mice, scratching posts,
            And other kitty things,
            But what I wanted most of all.
            Was that golden ball upon the string.
 
            They say I cannot have it,
            It is forbidden and taboo,
            But when the humans are not looking,
            Do you wonder what I'll do?
 
~ Virginia (Ginny) Ellis
Copyright December 2005-2008
http://poetrybyginny.com/AKITTENSFIRSTCHRISTMAS.htm






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                           A CAT "TAIL"
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                  Of Course Santa Claus Exists


It's been 111 years since little Virginia O'Hanlon sent a letter
to her local newspaper with the simple question; "Please tell me
the truth; is there a Santa Claus?", prompting the now-famous
quip, "Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus."

And here we still are, doubting.

Some waver in their beliefs because they're getting older,
others hesitate when they see the commercialism and consumerism
now intrinsically tied to the holiday season or they hear the
"truth" from friends.

But I'm here to tell you that I've seen Father Christmas.  He is
as real as you and me.

I know for a fact that he's been to our house because, well,
there is just no way I could afford all of those presents.

And Lord knows I don't eat the cookies and butter tarts we leave
out for him every year.  Everyone knows I've been watching what
I eat.

There are stories out there - legends of parents who have seen
evidence of the big guy.

A friend of mine tells me she hears jingle bells - really
beautiful antique jingle bells - outside her children's windows
every Christmas Eve.  I have heard many a tale of hoof prints on
the front lawn and even a story or two about hoof prints on the
roof.

Santa has left children half-eaten cookies, forgotten a mitten
by their fireplace, written a note on extra special Christmas
paper in writing that looks absolutely nothing like mom's (we
did handwriting samples just to be sure).

He even left my dear old Grandpa a lump of coal in his stocking
one year because he kept singing "Jingle Bells, Santa Smells."
Served him right.

In our house, Santa has left presents for my children that I had
no idea they wanted.

They wrote their letters, sealed them without showing me and
mailed them with their own hands (the secret behind THAT trick I
take to my grave).

Santa brought my son Jack a kitten on Christmas day even though
I am a very staunch dog person . . . ask my dog Lily, she'll
tell you all about it.

PROOF IS IN THE PRESENTS

All of my four sons know there was just no way I would get a cat
even though Jack had begged me for months and even though my
oldest two boys, Ben and Cal, were starting to really doubt
Mr. Claus.

When Christmas morning came along and that [darn] cat came
walking out I heard Cal whisper to Ben; "There is for sure a
Santa.  She would never have bought a cat!"

Santa has left the microwave door open after eating his leftover
pizza.  He tracked snow all over our carpet one year.  And his
reindeer ate all the food we sprinkled on the front lawn for
them.  Just like they did when I was a little girl.

And why do we do it, you ask?

Isn't it hard enough trying to organize family get-togethers,
cook enough food, decorate your house and pull together enough
money to buy all the dang presents?

When we finally scrounge together enough presents, we don't even
get credit for half of them?  Why, exactly?

So that our children get to believe in magic.  So that they all
get to share this wonderful man who loves them independently of
us.  Who watches out for them, who is rooting for them.  Who
lives in a world that they can just almost see if they really
try.

We do it as the last, best example of completely unselfish love
we can give our children.

We do it to remind ourselves of what magic felt like, once.

So thank you to Santa - and all of his un-thanked helpers.


~ Jennifer McGuire
Edmonton Sun - Alberta, Canada
http://www.edmontonsun.com
Copyright © 2008, Canoe Inc.









~ Picture by Nasir Warraich, at Webshots.com






------------------------------ ~:~ ------------------------------





                         The Fourth Magi

The following link is to a previous issue of Cat Tails that has
a fabulous story by Jim Willis.  Although quite long, it is more
than worth your time in reading every word, whether you are a
Christian or prescribe to another belief system.  At one moment
it is poignant, bringing you to tears, and at the next, simply
hilarious and having you laugh out loud.  If you have read it
with me before, I know you will enjoy it just as much as before.

There is a child warning because I know some of you read Cat
Tails to children.  Elmer is prone to considerable "cussing" and
speaking his mind in no uncertain terms, political correctness
be "darned."  I usually edit pieces that have cursing because we
are a family-friendly newsletter, but believe it is an integral
part of this story. 

"The Fourth Magi" is a special story that reveals the magical,
mystical powers of cats, and of Christmas.  Scroll down to A Cat
"Tail" to read and enjoy:

http://tinyurl.com/78gw4t
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/78gw4t">AOL_Link</a>

(Link is shortened due to its long length.)






=^===============================================================
                         YOUR HEALTHY CAT
=^..^============================================================



                Keeping A Healthy Cat at Christmas

                             Ribbons

Be careful to pick up packaging ribbons right away and not leave
them lying around on the floor after opening Christmas gifts. 
Why bother?  Due to the surface of a cat's tongue, it is
difficult for a cat to spit them out and they tend to be
swallowed.  Always supervise any cat play with ribbons, strings,
rubber bands, or anything "stringy."  Many cats have had
intestinal blockage from swallowing them, leading to surgery at
best or death if not discovered soon enough.  A better toy is a
rolled-up ball of wrapping paper.  Kitty will love throwing it
in the air, carry it around, or chasing it. 

                         Christmas Foods

Spicey foods, such as stuffing or dressing, can give kitty
diarrhea or worse.  Also, they usually contain onions, which is
another dangerous food for cats and dogs.  And, you do know
chocolate is ne.ver to be given to cats and dogs, don't you? 
Darker cooking chocolates are just as hazardous, so please be
conscious of where you leave them while cooking.









~ Picture by burgmanr, at Webshots.com






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                        "TIP" OF THE TAIL
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                 Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas
                      that Make a Difference

*  Be a "Guardian Angel" 
Give a gift sponsorship of a permanent resident of a no-kill pet
sanctuary.  Animal sanctuaries adopt out many of the healthy,
well-adjusted pets they intake, but there are always those cats
and dogs who are elderly or have medical or behavior problems
that do not allow for easy adoption and likely will live out the
rest of their lives in the shelter.  Medical care and housing
can be an expensive burden for any sanctuary.  Sponsor or
"adopt" a special-needs pet in a pet lover's honor by committing
to a one-time gift or pledge a longer-lasting gift by setting up
payments each month all year long. 

Include a picture, if possible, of the pet you have chosen, or,
better, promise to take the recipient to the shelter to choose
his/her own pet to sponsor.  You and/or the gift recipient may
even decide to make regular petting visits to your newly
"adopted" pet throughout the year.


*  Create a "Guardian Angel"
This is another "guardian angel" gift idea for the special cat
lover.  Not everyone would appreciate such a gift, but if you
know the recipient regularly donates to, or would like to donate
to animal shelters, this may be the perfect one.  Wrap a piggy
bank or other special container and include an initial donation
inside with a note about what it is for, so the recipient can
continue saving pennies, nickels, and/or dimes in the container
for an entire year to support homeless cats in your area.  Next
Christmas (s)he should have many dollars to contribute. 

This is an excellent project for children and is a very thought-
ful and effective way to teach compassion and giving.  Or, start
a project for yourself.  Also, it can be done easily in
combination with the pet sponsorship.


*  Help Those in Need
Arrange with your veterinarian to set up a fund for one or
more fr e e spays or neuters for low-income families who cannot
afford the expense, in honor of another pet lo.ver.






=^===============================================================
                          A KITTY WITTY
=^..^============================================================



                      A Purrfect Cat Story?

Our neighbour's cat came to visit today.  Her name is Marylee
and I don't know her breed as cats are all pretty much the same
to me.

Anyway the two cats seemed to be doing well.  Noah, our neutered
male, in particular was purring up a storm.  Suddenly he jumped
upon the neighbour's cat which started running around the living
room with him on her back.  This didn't last long but while it
did I swear Noah's purring sounded more like a ringing of sleigh
bells.

Yes, he had purrs that jingle jangle jingled as he rode Marylee
along.

. . . ok so maybe this isn't exactly a true story.


~ Don, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
http://maruad.livejournal.com/






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                           THE TAIL END
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