Hi Everyone, and a very warm welcome to all the newcomers who’ve joined us since the last Mewsletter was sent out.
Here, in the UK, we’re gearing up for a month or more of fireworks going off every night. I’m sure you’ve all heard me moan about this year after year: I am sick of fireworks and wish they could be banned. Individuals let them off each evening and it frightens the life out of not only my cats, but all cats and dogs and the wildlife. We ‘celebrate’ Bonfire Night or Guy Fawkes who tried (and failed) to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605.
ON WITH THE MEWS:
The Home Page Message is right where you’d expect it to be: on the Home Page. Go to: www.thedailymews.com and scroll down a little bit. I’ve even added a (bad) selfie showing my 1 centimetre long hair!!!
BILBO’S BUZZ:
Bilbo has been very busy of late. Breathlessly, he’s just popped in to give you an update on what he’s doing with himself and how life is taking him in all directions. You’ll love this ‘Buzz’. I did.
I’ve had the problem again, with Bilbo’s picture. One is the right way round, the other – despite it being sent to me the right way up, and I saved it the right way up, when I uploaded it, it flipped itself on its side. I’ve spent AGES trying to remedy the problem and apart from Casey having to cover his ears as my expletives grew evermore unPC, I was unable to make it go the right way up. If anyone can help, please get in touch: pauline@thedailymews.com. Thank you.
BOOK QUIZ:
I have an apology to make. Many of you who entered the Book Quiz only gave me four answers. This was because you didn’t notice the fifth title which lurked quietly under the picture. I’m sorry that you missed it. And also, by just putting in a word too many, some of you struggled to find the author of one of the books. Again, my apologies. I promise I will check everything thoroughly before I press ‘publish’ in future!
We do have a winner, however, Carol Turner, from Stafford, UK. Thank you to everyone who took part, and congratulations to Carol for being first with all five answers correct.
To see the answers to last month’s book quiz, click here.
For this month’s book quiz, get your thinking caps on and send your answers to pauline@thedailymews.com by 20th November.
CAPTION COMPETITION:
Despite Chalky’s best efforts in laughing away in his picture, not many of you felt inspired enough to enter, which was surprising, as there is a prize on offer this month.
But Andrew Lane in Southampton, UK, is the lucky winner and he’ll be receiving his prize from Chalky’s very talented and gifted Mum, Aoife McCann, in the very near future.
To see all the entries, go to:
For this month’s caption, I’m grateful to Gill for her photo of Sophie waiting for her supper.
CASEY’S CHATS:
Casey wanted to continue with the theme he began a couple of months ago – as he wanted to impress upon the wider spectrum of society the amount of selfless devotion that cats endure to ensure their Humans are well looked after.
DUMPTY’S DINNER DATES:
Dumpty is still regaling us with the lower species that come to her palace to avail themselves of the food that her Maid puts out. This time, it’s Scottie and Skitty Ginge.
Skitty Ginge – the sad solo diner
FELINE FITNESS:
In a recent newsletter I received from the Vet’s Kitchen, there were two articles which I thought would be of interest to you all – they were to me, that’s for sure. Fortunately for me, I have a winning smile and I can beg when necessary, and I was given permission to put them on the website. Here’s the first one:
Why is my black cat turning reddish brown?
The second article is about Halloween – and the dangers that lurk in our everyday food.
Firework season in the UK has been going for a week or so now, and won’t stop until mid to late November, before rising up again over the New Year. I adapted an article which was in a dog’s magazine because cats can be frightened of fireworks also.
Remember, remember your pets in November (and October and December too!)
Each evening, from 5.30-ish onwards, I close all the curtains, and put the television on in a bid to muffle the sounds of the odd banger which goes off here and there. On the actual night (5th November), I sit with the cats and watch television as if nothing untoward is going on. Animals pick up on our own body language and emotions so it’s important not to act frightened yourself or to lose your patience with your dog or cat if they display any signs of fears.
KITTEN CARE:
Still on the subject of fireworks, it’s important that your kittens are socialised to accept all sounds so that they are not frightened when the firework season comes around.
How to prepare your kitten for fireworks season
LINKS:
My thanks to Becky in the US and Janette in the UK who sent me these links.
The first two are about advertising pictures being replaced by cat photos at Clapham Underground Station, and the third link is about railway station cats.
http://www.purr-n-fur.org.uk/featuring/wk-rail04a.html
Robert Blau in the US sent me this link to a petition to sign. North Korean Central Zoo have taught a chimp to smoke. Words fail me.
They are making Azalea the chimp chain-smoke
MEWSER’S CORNER:
Please welcome Cookie a very handsome chappy to the TDM family. Casey, Gibbs and I are all hoping that Cookie will join us as a regular contributor soon; but he is a very busy feline with several strings to his bow – so keep your paws crossed. We may have a Christmas story from Cookie and I can’t wait. Here’s an introduction to him:
PRODUCT REVIEW:
Casey and Gibbs received a surprise package the other day from Vet’s Kitchen, which is a company based in Swindon, Wiltshire. They’ve written their honest review of the three product samples they were sent:
Vet’s Kitchen – caring from the inside out
SQUIRT’S SCRIBBLINGS:
I’m always impressed by the stories I hear about, or read myself, where animals have done amazing things – either for themselves, other animals, or the humans in their care. Squirt’s latest scribbling will hold you spellbound.
And that just about wraps it up for this month. Please keep safe – and your pets – over Halloween and the fireworks season. And we hope to see you towards the end of November. Happy Thanksgiving – in advance – to everyone who celebrates it.
With love
Pauline - Editor in Chief
Casey – Would-be cowboy and looking for a starring role in a western
Gibbs – Hoping he can be Casey’s sidekick in a western
In the Middle of a World...
"In the middle of a world that has always been a bit mad, the cat walks with confidence."
Roseanne Anderson