Cat Show

I had never been to a cat show before today. We volunteered, though, to help staff it for Feline Lifeline, who were provided space if they provided enough volunteers. We like this organization a lot—Debbie helped us out when we were overrun by feral kittens last year—and were glad to give a little time today.

Our jobs as ring stewards were to spray each cage with disinfectant and wipe it with a paper towel after every cat. There were hundreds of cats there, and each ring had cats all day. So each cage needed cleaning loads of times.

It was interesting, though. I had never heard of Sphinx or Singapura breeds; I was amazed at how many Persians there were (I still think they’re ugly and very ill-adapted for life as a cat, but they are apparently the most popular breed in the United States).

Numenius’ ring had a “housecat” class, with your ordinary overfed moggies well in evidence. I wish I’d been able to see more of it.

This is a subculture I knew absolutely nothing about. There was one man who looked exactly like his Persian; a woman who seemed anxious to the point of danger all day. But mostly they were an affable, chummy bunch…

Cat Blogging Illustrated

Today’s Illustration Friday theme is cats. Diego and Charlie insisted I participate.

Nooks In High Places

If you ever are needing to find some I know who to call.

Kiwi Cat

Today we learned that Charlie has a liking for kiwifruit. What will be next, fancying red peppers?

At least he turns up his nose at citrus fruit, like any proper cat should.

Feline Goaltending

It’s cat-blogging Friday! Diego here is demonstrating a favorite game he loves to play with us. He gets up on the bed and waits while we toss one of his toy mice towards him. If it’s within range, he’ll leap and catch it as best as he can.

Feline Drinking Songs

This sounds intriguing—a CD of Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers. It just came out and is available now through CD Baby.

Kater Murr

I’ve been listening to the one CD of Schumann I have, Artur Rubenstein performing the Kreisleriana and the Fantasia Op. 17. Maybe this means it’s time to reread E.T.A. Hoffmann’s wild circa 1820 novel The Life and Opinions of Kater Murr, which was the inspiration for the Kreisleriana.

From the opening bits:

Well the editor promised to do his best for his literary colleague. It did rather surprise him when his friend confessed that the manuscript was the work of a tomcat called Murr, and contained an account of the cat’s life and opinions; however, he had given his word, and since the style of the opening struck him as quite good he went straight off, with the manuscript in his pocket to Herr Dümmler in Unter den Linden and offered him the right to publish the tomcat’s book.

Herr Dümmler said that although he had never numbered a cat among his authors before, nor did he know that any of his esteemed colleagues had taken on a man of that stamp, he was willing to make the attempt.

So printing began, and the editor saw the first clean proofs. Imagine his alarm, however, when he discovered that now and then Murr’s story breaks off, and there are interpolations of a different nature, which belong to another book, containing the biography of Kapellmeister Johannes Kreisler!

E.T.A. Hoffmann did actually have a cat named Murr.

Daily Habit

The Daily Kitten is always good for a smile, even on a bleak day.

Zen Hunting

If you meet the Buddha on the road, watch out, he may bear claws.

Friday Catblogging

Leaving the closet doors open can prove risky.