July 2015

THE WHOLE TRUTH ABOUT MAURICIO THE BUM

In the last three years I have mentioned on numerous occasions that Mauricio is a pest and a bum. But he is so much more than that. There are a few good things about him. He is a Cat Scout of the highest rank of Sabertooth, and he is an excellent and thoughtful boyfriend to Allie. But Mauricio can drive his dad and me crazy from A to Z. He is:

A – annoying
B – bothersome
C – cantankerous
D – demanding
E – exasperating
F – feisty
G – grumpy
H – helpless
I – impudent
J – judgmental
K – klutzy
L – loutish
M – meddlesome
N – needy
O – obnoxious
P – petulant
Q – quarrelsome
R – rowdy
S – selfish
T – talkative
U – uncouth
V – vindictive
W – whiney
X – x-rated
Y – yowly
Z – zealous

But above all else, he is a BUM and proud of it. If you don’t believe me, check out this photo.

We are so happy and thankful there is only one Mauricio.

Do you have a bum at your house? Let us know in the comments if Mau has any kindred spirits out there.

CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE TURN OFF THE HEAT…

and the humidity!

I have melted into a puddle of fur. It’s Thursday but I am NOT thankful and haven’t been for quite sometime. And it doesn’t appear as if the source of my discontent is going to improve anytime soon.

There’s nothing for me to do but sprawl in the shade on the porch and pray for a cool breeze to ruffle my tummy furs. I could retreat to air conditioning but that would require me to go back into the house, and I am not a quitter.

I have water nearby, but I must be careful to avoid heatstroke (hyperthermia). All pets can easily become dehydrated. In addition to fresh, cool (think about asking your humans to add some ice cubes) water, stay in a shady place, do not over exercise and stay inside when it is extremely hot.

Normal body temperature for cats is 100.5 to 102.5 º F ( 38.2 to 39.2 º C). High temperatures and humidity could cause my body temperature to rise above the normal range. If that happens, I could suffer from serious medical issues. Heat stroke is a medical emergency which can lead to organ dysfunction, coma and death. Urgent care is required even for mild heat stroke.

You need to make certain that your humans are aware of the symptoms of mild heat stroke: restless behavior, panting, sweaty feet, drooling and excessive grooming as you attempt to keep cool.

Symptoms of hyperthermia include: rapid panting, bright red tongue, dark red or pale gums, drooling, weakness, dizziness, muscle tremors, lethargy, anxiety, vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding from the nose and coma. (Blood may be seen in the vomit or feces.)

Any cat can develop heat stroke; however, some are at greater risk, like me. I am considered an old cat, and I have a heart murmur. If you are a cat that falls into any of the following categories, make certain your humans are extra careful about your becoming overheated. You are: a short-faced breed, old, young or a kitten, sick, obese, have a heart condition, have a medical condition affecting your breathing or are pregnant or nursing.

Stay cool, furiends!

This is Part One of a two-part series. Next Thursday The Cat on My Head will cover the treatment for mild heatstroke as well as hyperthermia.

Purrs and paw-pats, Lily Olivia

Sources: www.aspca.org, www.PetMD.com and www.cat-world.com.au.

July 30, 2015 by Janet Blue Health 24

WORDLESS BUT NOT SQUIRREL-LESS

July 29, 2015 by Janet Blue Squirrels Wordless Wednesday 31

KITTIES BLUE REVIEW NEW LITTER FROM SMARTCAT

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Pioneer Pet. We received a jug of Smart-Cat® lightweight, clay-coated litter free of charge in exchange for our honest review. The opinions expressed are entirely our own and not influenced by Pioneer Pet or any of its representatives.

In April, Kitties Blue reviewed SmartCat® plant-based litter from Pioneer Pet. I thought it was the Best Cat Litter Ever and titled the post just that. You can read that review here. Unfortunately Kitties Blue did not agree with me. Only Astrid and Calista Jo used it.

While at the BlogPaws conference I spent quite a bit of time talking to the Pioneer Pet representative about the SmartCat® litter. She shared with me at the time that a new litter was in production and promised to send it to us to try when it became available.

This new SmartCat® product also is a lightweight (50 percent lighter than regular clay litters), clumping litter. It has an all-natural grain core with a clay coating. Unlike the original SmartCat®, all Kitties Blue went right too it without hesitation. I attribute this to the clay coating. As we normally use a clay litter, it felt familiar to them when they stepped in the box and covered their deposits.

Pioneer Pet claims that this new litter has multi-cat odor control. As with the original plant-based litter, the clay-coated litter is supposed to absorb liquid so quickly (forming a hard clump) that odor does not have the chance to be released into the air.

Though this new litter does clump, it did not make the “rock-hard” clumps like the original, and thus the odor is not controlled as well. This is mostly evident when scooping the box. By just walking into the small room where this box is located, I am not assaulted by the over-whelming ammonia smell so many other litters emit.

Though I may get some odor when scooping this litter, I am not engulfed in and gagging from clouds of dust. Pioneer Pet claims this litter is 99 percent dust free and that is not an exaggeration. After several days of use, there is a light layering of dust on the items in the room, which I would expect.

It’s light weight does make it easy to scoop. And the kitties do not track this out of the box as they do with some other brands, which makes me very happy.

The litter comes in a jug weighing 10 pounds. It took an entire jug to fill a litter box measuring 13 X 16 X 7 inches to about a depth of three inches.

If I had my choice, Kitties Blue would be using the original SmartCat® plant-based litter without the clay coating. As a good cat guardian, however, I have to give them what they like and will use. And they are very happy with the SmartCat® lightweight clay-coated litter.

A jug of this litter will sell for $12.99 when available.

July 28, 2015 by Janet Blue Product Review 16

FIONA ROCKS SOME PURPLE HEARTS

Welcome to our Sunday Selfies Blog Hop! Your host today is Fiona. As we explained yesterday, Dad Tom got a new lens for his camera in order to take better cat portraits. Fiona demanded to be the first one to try it out. And she did a pawsome job!

Fiona also demanded that her selfies get an artsy look. As she is a fan of purple and she’s a sweetheart, I gave her a border of purple hearts. She hopes everyone likes her arty selfies, especially her friend Clooney ♥.

Any and all anipals are encouraged to join our blog hop regardless of species. Just click below to add your link.

You also are welcome to add the blog hop to your Sunday Selfies post by using the code provided. I only ask, that should you decide to do this, you display our badge and/or link back to The Cat on My Head.

Kitties Blue do try to visit the blogs of all participants; though, sometimes it takes us a few days. I apologize that we didn’t get to everyone last week. Our computer woes hampered our progress. Right now, I am working from both the old and the new MAC as photos have not been uploaded to the new one. Until I have everything in place on the new MAC, we may not get as much visiting done as we’d like. Please understand and know we will be back to visit ASAP.

Thanks for joining us and have a great easy Sunday.

July 26, 2015 by Janet Blue Sunday Selfies 39

COLORFUL CATURDAY ART WITH CALISTA JO

Today’s colorful rendition of Calista Jo was created using Picasa and LunaPic. I kept things pretty simple this week. First I maximized the Saturation and added the HDR effect in Picasa. In LunaPic I added the glass tile effect from DRAW and the beveled edge from BORDERS. Then it was back to Picasa for the mat and frame.

Here’s the original for comparison. C.J. was lounging in the condo on the catio when the photo was taken by her dad. I loved how it showed all the variations in her dilute tortie furs and thought it would be fun to enhance those. She really is a beautiful girl and so sweet. As I prepare this post, she is curled next to my side under my arm. And she is serenading me with her loud, rumbling purr.

Calista Jo is participating in Athena and Marie’s Caturday Art Blog Hop and encourages you to join in the fun. You can do so by clicking on their badge.

So tomorrow is Sunday again already, which means we will be having our Sunday Selfies Blog Hop. Dad Tom got a new lens for his camera in order to take better PetFinder photos of the Barn Cat Buddies. Fiona immediately demanded to try it out with some selfies for tomorrow. We promise you will not be disappointed. She looks quite spectacular. Fiona and the other Kitties Blue hope to see lots of old friends and maybe some new ones as well tomorrow.

And finally…I am in the midst of migrating everything from my current laptop over to my new laptop. I am working between two computers right now and may not get in as much visiting as Kitties Blue would like until I have everything set up. Kitties Blue have their paws crossed that this won’t take more than a few days.

Until tomorrow…

♥♥♥!

July 25, 2015 by Janet Blue Barn Cat Buddies Caturday Art Blog Hop 36

BLOGOVERSARY THANK YOU AND PRIZE WINNERS

I feel a bit like Sally Field when she accepted her Oscar for Places in the Heart. To find out how much readers enjoy reading about the antics of Kitties Blue is heartwarming. It definitely gives me the desire to continue this blog. A new laptop arriving yesterday afternoon doesn’t hurt! Limping along on the current one for the last six weeks or so has not made trying to post and comment very pleasurable.

THANK YOU readers and friends for visiting, participating in our Sunday Selfies Blog Hop and most of all for your kind and encouraging words.

And now for our blogoversary prize winners as I know that’s why you have dropped in today.

Katzy Print: PHYLLIS S.

The Cat on My Head Water Bottle: ALASANDRA, THE CATS & DOGS (Cat Scout Socks)

A Street Cat Named Bob Book: CAT SCOUT TRIXIE & BUSTER

Kitty Socks: CAT SCOUT SUNNY O. CAT

Cat Toys: THE ISLAND CATS (Ernie, Zoey and Cat Scout Wally)

Mau is pretty excited that so many of his Cat Scout friends won a prize. He promises that he did not rig the selections. The winners and the prizes they received were selected by Random.org.

Concatulations to all. You’ll be receiving an e-mail soon asking for your mailing addresses.

We’ll be back tomorrow for Athena and Marie’s Caturday Art Blog Hop. Drop in to see the crazy art I come up with this week.

On Sunday we will host our weekly blog hop: Sunday Selfies. No idea who’ll be representing us this week. Looking forward to all of you joining us.

Sending out heartfelt thanks to everyone who reads The Cat on My Head.

July 24, 2015 by Janet Blue Blogoversary Cat Scouts Giveaway 28

SQUIRREL SILLINESS CONTINUES

NOTE: If you were unable to visit us yesterday for our third blogoversary, click on the “previous post” link below. We are giving away some great prizes. You only need to leave a comment on yesterday’s post for a chance to win.

July 22, 2015 by Janet Blue Squirrels Wordless Wednesday 27

THIRD BLOGOVERSARY CELEBRATION WITH PRIZES!

YIPPEE…HIP HIP HOORAY…OH BOY…HIGH FIVE…APAWS, APAWS, APAWS!

Today is our third blogoversary. If you had asked any of us if we would still be doing this three years after starting, we would have said, “no way!” With our typist having an attention span of about a nano second, we would have expected her to move on to something else by now. Yet, here we are!

We have made oodles of new friends—kitties, woofies, bunnies and other critters as well as humans. Unfortunately, we have lost some of those friends along the way. Whether with us still or over the Bridge, we are thankful to each and every one of these friends.

Some of us have gained significant others: Astrid has Sampy, Lisbeth has Charles and Mau has Allie. Lily Olivia had a nice friendship with (Leo)pold Lion Heart, but he was one of those friends we lost, which made us all super sad.

We began the Sunday Selfies Blog Hop 50 weeks ago and will soon celebrate it’s first anniversary. We are delighted with its success and thank all who have participated during that time.

Three cats joined our family as honorary Kitties Blue: Bailey Boat Cat, Swizzle (the kitty we sponsor at PAWS) and the lovely Nylablue, who became an angel last fall.

Mau joined Cat Scouts and advanced to the highest rank: Sabertooth Tiger.

Mom attended two BlogPaws conventions as well as Bark World/Meow World. She’s learned lots about blogging at those events, but the best part has been meeting many of our friends in person.

All-in-all we have had three rather eventful years of blogging. As part of our celebration we are having a giant giveaway, with five different prizes. Simply leave a comment prior to Thursday, July 23, at 5 p.m. EDT to be entered.

Winners, and which prize they receive, will be determined using Random.org. The prizes are:

Cat Dreams print by Katzy

The Cat on My Head Water Bottle

A copy of A Street Cat Named Bob by James Bowen

Cute Cat Socks

Cat Toys (with choice of pink/orange or blue/green wand toy)

We cannot say it enough, “Thank you to all our friends and all those who have visited our blog in the past three years. We couldn’t have accomplished this without your support”

XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

July 21, 2015 by Janet Blue Blogoversary Giveaway Kitty Written Blog 63

LISBETH TAKES SELFIES FOR CHARLES

When Lisbeth asked to do the Sunday Selfies post today, I couldn’t turn her down. She rarely requests anything (except for butt scritches) and is not the most social of Kitties Blue.

Lisbeth said that she wanted to do something as a special surprise for her boyfriend, Cat Scout Charles (that’s him at the right), and this is what she selected. She has her paws crossed that he likes it. I don’t think Lisbeth needs to worry about that. She looks so sweet and precious.

We are looking forward to seeing our faithful supporters and old friends here for our Sunday Selfies Blog Hop. First-time participants are always welcome as making new friends is one of our favorite pastimes.

If you’d like to have the Blog Hop on your blog, you can get the code below. We only ask one thing: Please link back to The Cat on My Head and/or display our badge. If you have the opportunity, try to visit some of the other participant’s blogs and say,”Hi!”

Tuesday = Third Blogoversary

It is hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that Tuesday (the 21st) will mark the passing of three years since The Cat on My Head’s first post. As I normally don’t post on Mondays, that will make our Tuesday post the 696th. I’d hoped to make it to number 700 for the occasion, but…

We’ll be giving away several great prizes to commemorate this milestone, including a print by Katzy. So please come back, celebrate with us and leave a comment to enter the giveaway.

July 19, 2015 by Janet Blue Lisbeth and Charles Sunday Selfies 45

YOU
For Fiona

It seems like only yesterday…
You were just a kitten.
When I saw your pleading look,
I was completely smitten.

Now at only six years old,
You are getting ready to leave,
Soon you will have your wings.
I’ve already started to grieve.

You’ve fought hard for the past year,
And I’m not ready to say good-bye.
I can’t imagine you not in my life
I am so sad…today I had to cry.

I am grateful and blessed
For my six years with you.
You’ll live in my heart forever.
You’re one of the best ever Kitties Blue.

YESTERDAY

Many yesterdays have passed since
You gained your angel wings. Today
Is six months since you left us behind
To remember and mourn. Our hearts
Continue to hurt, and we miss
You as much as the day you left.
Giulietta whined from the catio
Yesterday as I worked in the yard.
I know you put her up to it. That
Was your way of getting me to,
Allow you to join me as I
Gardened. You were there with me
In spirit. With every meow
I thought of you and how much I miss
Your sweet face and disposition.
In these past few months, many friends
Have traveled your same path in your
paw-steps. I am certain you were
Waiting to greet them with purrs and hugs.
I pray you and your friends are laughing,
Frolicking and having fun together.
Picturing that makes me smile, but
Does not lessen my sadness at your
No longer being here to snuggle
And receive our love, care and kisses.
Fiona, please do not ever forget
You are still and always will be loved.

ONE YEAR MISSING YOU

One year has passed since you flew away,
And I still think of you everyday.
I see your sweet face in my mind’s eye
And wish we’d never had to say good-bye.
It’s nice you’ve sent us kitties needing a family,
But my dearest love, we are now at capacity.
You thought it would take more than one cat
To take your place in our habitat.
We love Cooper Murphy and baby Sawyer dearly
But thinking either could replace you makes me teary.
You were one-of-a-kind and will stay in my heart
Until the day I join you and we’re no longer apart.
When once again I can hold you in my arms
And revel in all your love and feline charms.
Together with you and all who have passed.
I will spend eternity contemplating how blessed
I was to share my life with my furry children,
Each and every one of you one-in-a billion.

UNTIL

I miss you each day.
Until we meet in heaven,
The pain will remain.

ONE OF A KIND

I don’t know how to say good-bye.
I thought you were invincible; though,
You used up many of your nine lives.
You ruled us all with an iron paw;
Never took “no” for an answer
And always got your way.
If not, you’d bark to signal your
Displeasure and sometimes raise a paw.
I always joked that you were bi-polar.
When I told people you were a calico
They immediately understood what I meant.
Today was unnaturally quiet in the house.
Can a home seem empty with eight cats?
I will miss waking up at night to find you
Sitting next to me and staring at me.
I will miss you yelling at us as you did
When you wanted breakfast and dinner.
I will miss watching you lounging and snoozing
On the porch settee on a warm afternoon.
But most of all I will miss your kisses!
When kitten Sawyer befriended you,
We suspect you were imparting your
Wisdom and secrets for controlling us.
Time will tell if he was a good listener.
But whatever he may have learned,
Neither Sawyer nor any other cat
Can or will replace you in our hearts.
Lily Olivia, you were one-of-a-kind.

July 2015
M	T	W	T	F	S	S
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6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16	17	18	19
20	21	22	23	24	25	26
27	28	29	30	31

YOU
For Fiona

It seems like only yesterday…
You were just a kitten.
When I saw your pleading look,
I was completely smitten.

Now at only six years old,
You are getting ready to leave,
Soon you will have your wings.
I’ve already started to grieve.

You’ve fought hard for the past year,
And I’m not ready to say good-bye.
I can’t imagine you not in my life
I am so sad…today I had to cry.

I am grateful and blessed
For my six years with you.
You’ll live in my heart forever.
You’re one of the best ever Kitties Blue.

YESTERDAY

ONE YEAR MISSING YOU

UNTIL

I miss you each day.
Until we meet in heaven,
The pain will remain.

July 2015

THE WHOLE TRUTH ABOUT MAURICIO THE BUM

CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE TURN OFF THE HEAT…

WORDLESS BUT NOT SQUIRREL-LESS

KITTIES BLUE REVIEW NEW LITTER FROM SMARTCAT

FIONA ROCKS SOME PURPLE HEARTS

COLORFUL CATURDAY ART WITH CALISTA JO

♥♥♥!

BLOGOVERSARY THANK YOU AND PRIZE WINNERS

SQUIRREL SILLINESS CONTINUES

THIRD BLOGOVERSARY CELEBRATION WITH PRIZES!

YIPPEE…HIP HIP HOORAY…OH BOY…HIGH FIVE…APAWS, APAWS, APAWS!

LISBETH TAKES SELFIES FOR CHARLES

Tuesday = Third Blogoversary

I am a feline fanatic. My license plate reads “PRRFCT.” I have lived with and cared for 22 cats over the past 40+ years. The Cat on My Head is a website dedicated to the mostly comical and often exasperating antics of eight cats and their four- teen angel predecessors.

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YOU
For Fiona

YESTERDAY

ONE YEAR MISSING YOU

UNTIL

ONE OF A KIND

Kitty Couples

Angels
Allie & Mau
Married: July 23, 2016

Astrid & Sampson
Married: June 23, 2016

Lisbeth & Angel Charles

Noelle & Sawyer

Tyebe & Snap aka Cooper Murphy

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YOU
For Fiona

YESTERDAY

ONE YEAR MISSING YOU

UNTIL

ONE OF A KIND

July 2015

♥♥♥!

YIPPEE…HIP HIP HOORAY…OH BOY…HIGH FIVE…APAWS, APAWS, APAWS!

Tuesday = Third Blogoversary

I am a feline fanatic. My license plate reads “PRRFCT.” I have lived with and cared for 22 cats over the past 40+ years. The Cat on My Head is a website dedicated to the mostly comical and often exasperating antics of eight cats and their four- teen angel predecessors.

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Social Media

YOU For Fiona

YESTERDAY

ONE YEAR MISSING YOU

UNTIL

ONE OF A KIND

Kitty Couples

Angels Allie & Mau Married: July 23, 2016

Astrid & Sampson Married: June 23, 2016

Lisbeth & Angel Charles

Noelle & Sawyer

Tyebe & Snap aka Cooper Murphy

“Top” Blog Recognitions

Calendar

Home of the Sunday Selfies Blog Hop. Join us this Sunday for week #504.

Search

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YOU For Fiona

YESTERDAY

ONE YEAR MISSING YOU

UNTIL

ONE OF A KIND

YOU
For Fiona

Angels
Allie & Mau
Married: July 23, 2016

Astrid & Sampson
Married: June 23, 2016

YOU
For Fiona