Hi everyone.  It’s here, at last!  MEOWY CHRISTMAS and have a PAWSOME MEW YEAR!!!

Casey and Gibbs send their love to each and every single one of you and hope you all have a very happy and safe Christmas.   We have lots of lovely Christmassy things for you so we’ll get right on with it.

Congratulations go to Hannah Kalmanowitz, who is the lucky winner of the voucher to spend at the Cat  Gallery

15 CATS AND MEOWING:

I have always loved books, and I can’t think of anything better or nicer than to be curled up on the sofa with a cat nearby, purring contentedly, while reading a wonderful book.  Ellen has written a short piece about her favourite Christmas books.  Have you read any of these? Do write to let me know your favourite Christmas books.

Great Christmas reads

BILBO’S BUZZ:

A very disappointed Bilbo has written his Christmas article.  Perhaps you’ll write with words of encouragement to him.

Christmas Gifts

My apologies that Bilbo’s article doesn’t have any pictures.  I’ve been having problems – again – with them flipping sideways or upside down and I don’t know how to fix it.  If I can get them done, I will insert them and mention it again next time.

BOOK QUIZ:

There is a selection of Christmas titles this time; I warn you – they’re not all new books, so be prepared to dig a little!

Book Quiz December 2016

CAPTION COMPETITION:

Last month’s caption competition didn’t fire up many people’s imaginations, sadly.  We have a winner, though.  Well done, to Andrew Lane, of Southampton, UK.

To view the captions, click here:

Caption competition 62 

For this month’s competition, please click here:

Caption competition 63.

Captions please by 20th January, 2017.

CAROL LAKE:

Gabion (Carol’s cat) has penned the purrfect poem to celebrate Christmas.

Oh, Christmas Tree

CASEY’S CHATS:

Casey has been very busy this month, sleeping.  He is conserving energy in the build up to ‘the Big Day’ on Sunday.  As a result, he apologises for the brevity of this month’s Chat.

Happy Christmas to all our Internet Friends

CHALKY McCANN:

Last Christmas, Chalky was in a shelter.  This Christmas, his life has turned 360 degrees and he’s so happy.

Chalky’s first Christmas in a home of his own

COOKIE’S CRACKLES:

A lot of you enjoyed Cookie’s article last time – if you haven’t managed to see it yet, it’s now in his own section.

Cookie finds a friend

Cookie has written about what he most loves about Crispmouse – you’ll love our new columnist.

Festive Frolicking

DENVER:

Denver has written about his Christmas memories.

It’s Christmas!

DEZI AND RAENA, SERVICE CATS:

It’s Raena’s first Christmas.  How do you think she’s doing? Don’t worry, Dezi will tell you all you need to know.

The purrfect Christmas

DUMPTY:

Not to be left out, Dumpty (who tolerates Gabion – see above) has written about her favourite Christmas present.

My cup (and dish) runneth over

FLOOT – THE BLUE-EYED CAT:

We’ve not heard from Floot for a while, but lots of things have been going on in her home.

Tragedy and dramas in the Blue-Eyed Cat’s household

INDY: WEIGHT-LOSS CAT:

Indy’s Purrsonal Secretary has taken notes from Indy’s dictation.  The result is a very timely look at ways to keep your kitties safe this Christmas.

Tips to keep kitty safe this Christmas

JEM VANSTON:

I just read Jem’s Christmas story from 2014 and loved it so much, I thought I’d share the link again for this Christmas.

A cat called dog at Christmas

JIM WILLIS:

Have you ever wondered what your pets make of the decorations that we put up at Christmas? What their ‘take’ on the miracle of Jesus’ birth might be? Wonder no more, because Jim’s Basset hound, Alexis, retells the Christmas story in this hilarious rendition. 

Deck the halls and Alexis too

KITTY BITS:

Do you know what’s in your cat food? A very helpful review website has done the research for us and put their findings on their website.  Here’s the link:

http://www.reviews.com/cat-food/#quick-guide

LINKS:

In case you missed Denver’s link to the video of Sho and Ko climbing the Christmas tree – here it is:

I’m climbing up the Christmas tree NEOW

Chapy cat, who lives in Greece, was once featured in a Caption Competition.  His ‘Mum’ is trying to raise money to improve her website, which will include many new features promoting animal welfare.  If you think you can help by donating a few dollars, please click on this link:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/a-better-world-for-cats-chapycat-com-cat-community#/  

CHRISTMAS WARNINGS FROM COLE AND MARMALADE:

Cole and Marmalade’s Dad has compiled a very useful video (short) of the usual household hazards that can beset our pets over the Christmas period.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYD0BWNS8bU&feature=em-subs_digest

Silent Night is my favourite Christmas carol.  This is a good version sung by our feline friends:

Silent Night

And one by the humans: this time in Macy’s.

Silent Night Flash Mob

LYNN SCHIFFHORST:

I’m very happy to say that Lynn has written another story in her Father Risolino series.

The cat’s out of the bag

PAULINE’S MEWSINGS:

Here’s my Christmas story.  I hope you enjoy it.

The Christmas Miracle

This is why I don’t have a Christmas tree:

Oh, Christmas Tree – you are there to be climbed by me

SQUIRT’S SCRIBBLINGS:

Squirt burst into poetic mood this time as well as Gabion, and you can read his lovely poem here:

Some enchanted evening

And there you have it!  I do hope you’ll find something to enjoy in amongst all these links.  I am blessed with an amazing bunch of very talented writers and they help to make the website the great website that it is.  So from all of us, to all of you, have a wonderful Christmas and I hope that 2017 is a kind year for us. 

See you all at the end of January.

Take care, and keep warm, well, and safe.

Love Pauline – editor-in-chief

Casey – who’s been asleep for these past few weeks waiting for Santa Paws

Gibbs – who’s wondering what all the fuss is about – this is his first Christmas with us.

xxxxxx 

              

 

Five Good Reasons for Having Your Cat Neutered

  • Reduces fighting, injury and noise
  • Reduces spraying and smelling
  • Much less likely to wander and get lost
  • Safer from diseases like feline AIDS, mammary tumours and feline leukaemia
  • Reduces the number of unwanted kittens