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Author: Larry Chamberlain
Perhaps the most famous Cat Song is The Siamese Cat Song recorded by Peggy Lee. The song is from the Walt Disney 1955 classic "The Lady and The Tramp", an animated film about a classy Cocker Spaniel named Lady who falls for Tramp a scamp of a mongrel. The song however is about two arrogant cats, Si and Am, who have given Siamese cats a bad name ever since.
The Siamese Cat Song was penned by Lee along with Sonny Burke and over the years has also been recorded by Freddie and The Dreamers, Mitch Miller, Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin, Haylie Duff, and Bobby McFerrin. "We are Siamese if you please, We are Siamese if you don't please."
Both The Turtles and Petula Clark stepped into recording studios to make very different versions of The Cat in the Window, a song that compares a cat trying to get out of a window with the singer wanting to fly away. "There's a cat in the window, and he's watching all the birds go passing by, he'd love to fly out the window, go where the wind goes, and so would I."
Who can forget the Muppets recording of The Cat Came Back, a song about a kitty that just kept finding its way back no matter how far it was taken from home. "But the cat came back, she wouldn't stay away, she was sitting on the porch the very next day."
In 1950 folks were flooding into record stores and asking for I Tawt I Taw a Puddy Tat. Mel Blanc recorded the song, written by Alan Livingston, Billy May and Warren Foster, about the cartoon cat and canary duo Sylvester and Tweety. "I tawt I taw a puddy tat a creeping up on me, I did I taw a puddy tat as plain as he could be."
The Rooftop Singers followed up their 1963 number one hit Walk Right In, with Tom Cat a ditty about 'Ringtail Tom' who liked to go "strutting round the town" "And when he steps out all the other cats in the neighborhood they begin to shout." Fast forward to 1981 and the Stray Cats record a musically different song but with a very similar theme, the rockabilly Stray Cat Strut. "Stray cat strut, I'm a ladies' cat, a feline Casanova, hey man, that's where it's at, get a shoe thrown at me from a mean old man, get my dinner from a garbage can."
Norma Tanega apparently owned a cat that she named 'Dog' and liked to take that
cat for walks, hence her 1966 hit Walking My Cat Named Dog, which does seem to be about her real life experience of strolling around town with her pet feline.
Most songs though that include the word Cat in the title, are not truly about cats at all. A great example is the fine song, Cats in the Cradle by Harry Chapin. No cats make an appearance in this song; instead the lyrics contain a very chilling message that every dad should pay heed too.
Bent Fabric, real name Bent Fabricius-Bjerre, had a hit in 1962 with Alley Cat, but this was an instrumental recording so it's not a song about cats. Instrumental too was Aaron Copeland's The Cat and the Mouse.
Cat People (Putting Out Fire) by David Bowie was recorded for the 1982 remake of the film Cat People. Great dark and menacing feel to the song but the words have no relationship to cats.
The cat in The Cat Crept In, recorded by Mud was actually a girl, as was the cat featured in The Rolling Stones' Stray Cat Blues, this one with exceedingly sharp claws.
They Call Her the Cat, by Elton John is about, well it's not about cats! Neither is Honky Cat, another Elton tune, that one is about a country boy moving to live life in the city.
Three Cool Cats, is a song that was first recorded by the Coasters in 1958 and covered by The Beatles in 1962 (but not released until 1995.) Of course this song is not about cats, but about three teenage boys and three teenage girls. The Beatles also recorded Little Willie John's Leave My Kitten Alone, no surprise to find that the song is not about a kitten.
U2 recorded a song titled An Cat Dubh, which apparently means The Black Cat in Gaelic, no cat in the song though, black or otherwise.
No cats are in Year of the Cat by Al Stewart, Cat Scratch Fever by Ted Nugent, The Lovecats by The Cure or in Cool for Cats by Squeeze. Who can say what The Cat's In the Well by Bob Dylan is about?
There must be countless other songs that have the words Cat, or Cats, in the title but are not actually about our feline friends. No doubt there are more songs that are about cats than those listed on this page, but those songs sadly seem few and far between.
But wait . . . wasn't there a stage musical all about cats. Cats, the musical by
Andrew Lloyd Webber, was first shown in London, England in 1981. Based upon T.
S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats the show features song after song about . . . Old Gumbie, Grizabella, Mungojerrie And Rumpelteazer, Skimbleshanks, Old Deuteronomy, Gus, Macavity, and Mr. Mistoffelees. All of these characters are, of course, . . . Cats.
New Book: 'The Ultimate Cat Lover' published by HCI Books
During their professional lives spent caring for, writing about, and rescuing cats respectively, Marty Becker, D.V.M, Gina Spadafori, and Carol Kline have seen and heard some amazing, awe-inspiring stories about Cat People and their feline family members. They've also fielded almost every cat-related question under the sun, from the bizarre to the baffling: 'How can I keep my bored kitty entertained while I'm at work?', 'What should I feed my cat if she's getting a bit too 'fluffy' around the middle?', 'How can I put the stops on her shedding--and my boyfriend's sneezing?'
Here, these esteemed experts have compiled a winning mix of true stories that celebrate the unique and life-changing bond between cats and their people in all its glory. And, since sharing your home—and your heart---with a special feline is not without its challenges, they share essential information from top experts in the areas of kitty behaviors, training, nutrition, and preventative health and medical issues. With must-know facts, more than sixty pages of stunning four-color photography, and entertaining true stories, this is truly the 'ultimate' book for ultimate cat lovers. Click here to view details / order this book.
Alex Frazer-Harrison, Neighbours - Calgary Herald
Whoever came up with the adage "A dog is a man's best friend" must have had Warren Whissell and Abby in mind.
For nearly six years Abby, a bichon-shih tzu cross, has been by the retired Canadian Pacific employee's side through some harrowing health issues.
"This dog has changed our lives completely," says Whissell, 61. "I never realized the importance of having a pet around, and I always looked at other people with pets and said, how could they treat it like a human being? But it's true, you never know till you have a pet yourself!"
Whissell and wife Dalia had never owned a pet before Christmas Eve 2002, when they decided to get Abby as Whissell recovered from a heart attack the preceding spring.
"I worked 37 years at Canadian Pacific, and I was never sick and I prided myself I was in such good shape," he recalls. "I had just retired and on May 27, 2002, I felt a pain in my chest and just thought I'd strained myself."
Although Whissell recovered from the heart attack, he found himself experiencing depression and anxiety in the months that followed.
Whissell says he went to his doctor for advice about the depression; the doctor's advice: get a dog.
"As soon as we got Abby, the focus changed immediately to this little puppy," says Whissell. "They say 85 per cent of those who have a heart event suffer depression ... it was such a drastic and traumatic experience, so this dog helped me in the sense that I became attuned to it."
When Whissell experienced a second heart attack in August 2005, Abby was once more by his side. Then, last summer, when complications arose from a surgery, Whissell found himself again rushed to hospital.
"Fortunately, Canmore General Hospital was pet-friendly," he says. "Abby was with me 12 hours a day. She lay there without flinching. Every time I was conscious, my hand was on her back. Having a dog brought normalcy to a situation when you only saw tubes, nurses and doctors. And it made me want to get better faster."
Whissell's story is not unusual.
"The role of pets has changed a lot in our society," says Robert Church, owner of Petland Market Mall and a well-known pet expert. "They used to be farm dogs and farm cats and they'd be outside and wander around the neighbourhood and never go to the vet. Today, we have a lot more single-parent families, people distracted by videogames and work, everyone is busier (and) having pets in the home seems to be a real solidifying factor -- the one constant.
"An animal doesn't get caught up in the day-to-day stuff," Church continues. "They're just happy to see you. As we have less and less people happy to see us unconditionally, we have become more emotionally invested in our pets."
Having a pet can positively affect a person's health and state of mind, says Sandra Johnston, executive director of the Pet Access League Society (PALS), whose volunteers take dogs, cats, and other pets to visit seniors in care centres and hospices, and patients at the Alberta Children's Hospital.
"Recently, the American Heart Association found a 12-minute dog visit reduces blood pressure and helps in managing hormones in cardiac patients and those with hypertension," says Johnston. "And it reduces anxiety in people who are hospitalized."
Johnston says studies have shown that children who grow up in homes with pets -- not just dogs, but cats and birds, too -- display a higher level of empathy and understanding toward animals as they grow older.
"With young kids, I think it can be a fantastic opportunity for learning and for caring even dealing with fish or hamsters, it gives loads of opportunities to learn about the circle of life," adds Church.
As for Whissell, his friend Abby continues to stick with him through thick and thin, including more recent health issues.
I'd be in chemotherapy and I'd come home and lie on the sofa -- who was there the whole time? Abby," he says. "She's a constant companion for me and my wife."
The Whissells recently got to return the favour to their four-legged friend. When Abby was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease, they arranged for her to undertake acupuncture from a local vet, and this has helped her recover without the need for surgery.
"We're on this journey together," says Whissell.
DENVER - Pet vaccinations are important but you should ask your veterinarian questions about new findings on side effects of some vaccines.
1. For several decades, both pet owners and veterinarians have counted on vaccines to help keep our pets healthy. Immunizations are a safe and effective way to protect our pets against a variety of deadly diseases. Adverse reactions, when they occur, can be very scary and potentially harmful to our pets. But the good news is adverse reactions are rare. These reactions might include such things as a fever, inflammation, or lethargy that lasts a day or two. Not much different from what we see in children after they are vaccinated. Concerns about these adverse reactions have stimulated new research and also the development of new protocols for routine vaccination in our pets. Vaccines are designed to stimulate the immune system so that the pet’s body will “recognize” the disease and be able to fight it off quickly in the future.
2. Vaccines can be created by using viruses or bacteria that have been modified to reproduce in the body, but not cause disease. These vaccines are known as modified live vaccines and have, on rare occasions, reverted back to the original virus and caused serious disease.
3. Vaccines can also be created by using virus or bacteria that have been “killed” and are unable to reproduce in the body. These are known as “killed” vaccines. These vaccines cannot revert back.
4. Killed vaccines often are paired with a chemical known as an adjuvant to help improve the immune response.
5. Research has shown that inflammation at the site of injection results when adjuvants are present in the vaccine.
6. For many pet owners vaccinating their pets is a simple procedure. While the process is simple, deciding which vaccines to give and when has become more complicated.
7. Vaccinations should be broken down into two categories. CORE or NON-CORE. Core vaccines are those that every dog and every cat should receive.
8. Non-core vaccines or lifestyle vaccines are those that the veterinarian may consider to be important according to the unique lifestyle of the pet.
9. For Example, the Bordatella vaccine is typically given to dogs that have high contact with other dogs. This would include dogs that board, go to the dog park, or go to doggy day care.
10. For cats Feline Leukemia vaccine would be a lifestyle vaccine. Only cats that come in direct contact with other cats are at risk. Outdoor cats would be a good example.
In addition we are learning that some vaccines provide immunity for longer than a year, which means we may be able to vaccinate for certain diseases less than we previously thought. On the other hand some vaccinations may only protect a pet for 6 months.
Rabies is different. Rabies is required by law and therefore the frequency is dictated by the municipality that the pet lives in. Typically rabies vaccines are either 1 or 3 year vaccinations.
Puppies and kittens are also different. Because the immunity from their mother is waning in those early months and it’s important to boost their protection against disease with vaccines given at much shorter intervals.
It would be a tragedy to see your pet succumb to a disease that was completely preventable with a simple vaccination. While the subject may spark controversy among some, following your veterinarian’s advice is still the smart thing to do.
Dr. Dean Vicksman of Evans East Animal Hospital and his colleagues appear on Good Day Colorado each week with valuable information about how to keep your pets healthy. Evans East us at 5353 East Evans Avenue in Denver, (303) 757-7881.
On a different subject, Greyhounds have been the staple of dog racing. But once finished, they may end up abused or abandoned and they need love and good homes. If you want to learn more about adopting a greyhound, visit the Recycled Racers website.
4 Simple Steps To Buy Pet Insurance
Author: Cindy Heller
If you have not already realized, the costs of veterinary care is escalating. By purchasing a pet insurance for our pets is also a wise choice to keep pet care costs within an affordable range. As pets become an important member of our family, purchasing a pet insurance is one of the ways to ensure our pets in getting the best care it possibly deserves.
Here are the 4 simple steps to purchase your pet insurance
1) Pet Insurance Online
Since most pet insurance companies have their own websites, one of the best ways to begin your research in pet insurance is to look for them online. When you do so, you will find a wide variety of insurance options and pricing. Some companies will even give you an additional discount if you purchase their pet insurance online.
However the first thing you should do is to select a number of pet insurance companies and make sure that you only deal with those reputable companies. Therefore check to see if each company is truly legitimate by going through them with The Better Business Bureau website.
Looking for a pet insurance online enables you to look for a policy that suits your needs faster. It is also more accurate because you have access to thousands of different sites. With this much information that can be gotten so easily you will able to make an informed decision in purchasing a proper pet insurance.
2) Pet Insurance Ratings
Since the internet is so easy to access, there will also be just as many scams regarding pet insurance companies. With thousands of pet insurance websites, there is also another method to get the best pet insurance that most suits your needs. That method is by looking at the pet insurance ratings.
By reading the pet insurance ratings you are able to tell which the best pet insurance company is and which insurance company to avoid. If you look at the pet insurance ratings, you can be sure to get what you pay for.
If you are wondering where to look for the pet insurance ratings, you can find most of them done online by independent companies. This is the best done by independent companies because you know that they aren't biased and therefore they are going to give you great information.
3) Pet Insurance Quote
Pet insurance quotes are available since 1928. Today there are numerous pet insurance quotes for you to decide one that most suitable for you and your pet. Furthermore if you get a pet insurance quote with a complete explanation from several carriers will be a very wise choice to make.
i) You can start by getting a pet insurance quote from your veterinarian. In turn, your veterinarian may offer a discount plan intended specially for his clients, or he may recommend a locally based plan that would be more suitable for you and your pet. This sort of pet insurance may be better for you than one of the bigger plans, depending on both your financial means and the breed of your dog.
ii) You can also choose to shop around and ask for pet insurance quotes from different insurance companies. When you ask for different pet insurance quotes, you will have a solid basis when you compare the services and prices of the insurance companies.
One of the reasons for getting several pet insurance quotes from different companies is that often congenital and hereditary illnesses or pre-existing conditions are not covered by pet insurance. Therefore it is best that you do a thorough research and consult your veterinarian.
iii) After you have found reliable pet insurance companies that may meet you and your pet's needs, narrow down to at least five of them. The reason being the more pet insurance quotes you have, the more difficult it is for you to make a choice. If you want to simplify things, you can narrow down your choices right from the start.
4) Compare Pet Insurance
Since there so many pet insurance companies, you will be faced with numerous options. Therefore for you to get the best value for your money you need to compare pet insurance options and policies to see which policy is most suited for you.
Before you start your comparison:
i) You must have a general idea about what options you need for your pet. For example, basic plans are the cheapest but they also cover only the basic emergency and illness care.
ii) You also need to look at things such as deductibles, copays, and lifetime limits.
iii) You need to find out how a claim is filed and how the claim is paid. It is also useful to know what items are excluded and what items have payment limits placed on them.
iv) You should find out if you are allowed to visit the vet of your choice or do you have to use a vet recommended by them.
v) Do also find out which ones cover after hours emergencies such as accidents and sudden serious illness and that if the accident or illness is serious and your pet may require a specialist.
When you find the policy that you feel is most suitable for you then all you have to do is fill out their form which gives them your pet's information. The pet insurance company may also set up to accept payment online.
Could That Labrador/Golden Retriever Puppy Be A Future Life Saver?
by gggorosin22
It has long been known that some crossbreeds seem to do better than their parents of either breed. It's a question of finding which breeds cross best with other breeds. Some of these crossbreeds even go on to become established breeds in their own right. One of the mist successful crossbreeds in dogs is seen in the Labrador/Golden Retriever puppy, also known as Golden Labrador Retrievers. Even at an early age, they readily show the best of both the Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever.
The Perfect Personality?
Both Labrador and Golden Retrievers are dogs that love people and are eager to please. Keep in mind that not every one is alike, and bad training will always make a bad, fearful dog (no matter what breed), but on the whole, a Labrador/Golden Retriever puppy is a born people watcher. They are fascinated by people and seem to identify with them. They also have a lot of strength and energy, which comes in handy for service and search and rescue dogs.
Best Seeing Eye Dogs
According to service dog experts and charities that train seeing eye dogs in England, the best dog for the job is a Labrador/Golden retriever crossbred. There is a strict breeding program run in England by Guide Dogs to raise dogs to be seeing eye dogs. A Labrador/Golden Retriever puppy is first tested at about eight weeks of age to see what his personality is like.
Their training never really stops. Many a Labrador/Golden Retriever puppy fails the program and is put up for adoption as a pet. To take a Labrador/Golden Retriever puppy and turn out a dependable life-saver costs an average of $70,000 (US). They work until old age or illness forces them to retire, and then they are placed in care homes for the rest of their lives.
Other Facts
Although many online Labrador puppies information web sites will say that a Golden Labrador is always yellow, this is not true. Every now and then there is a black or chocolate Labrador/Golden Retriever puppy born. You can register your Labrador/Golden Retriever puppy with the American Canine Hybrid Club.
Every day, ther is a newborn Labrador/Golden Retriever puppy who makes that first step to being a drug sniffing dog, cancer sniffing dog, service dog or a search and rescue dog. They all can rescue us from ourselves and our selfishness and help give our souls back to ourselves.
About the Author
The author recommends Oz free online ads, labrador dog ads section for pets sale or adoption in Australia
Do You Believe in Horoscopes? - Your Pet Has a Horoscope Too
By Wendy Pan
I know that for many of us checking our daily horoscope is routine whether it be for a serious insight to how our day, week or month will go or for our own entertainment purposes. Well one thing that tends to be overlooked however is the fact that all living things on this planet have a birth date and time which means all living things also have a horoscope. That includes your very own lovable pet.
Sometimes knowing your pet horoscopes information much like your significant others you can better understand them and therefor get along better with them. Knowing your pets sign and the things that they're going through with the change of the moon can help your relationship a great deal. It can help you relate to your pet in ways you never would have even thought possible. There are many places to find their horoscope and so it shouldn't be hard to find. In fact the place where you get your own horoscope might even have one for your pet also. The point is that it is important to read your animals horoscope, this will strengthen your bond even more.
Here are a few tidbits into some of the different pet signs.
Aries: March 21st to April 20th
If your pet is an Aries than you need to show them who the boss is early one in life. They like to be in charge and if you don't put yourself in that place early you will have trouble convincing them otherwise later. Although slow to show their feelings they are known to be very loyal and affectionate pets.
Taurus: April 21st to May 20th
The pet born under this sign will show you great faithfulness and protection, they might also show possessiveness toward you. They like the finer things in life so expect to buy the more pricey foods for them and don't forget the plush doggy bed.
Gemini: May 21st to June 21st
Get ready for action if your pet is a Gemini. You will have your hands quite full of fun and action with one of these pets. So it is a great idea to take two from that litter if you can to keep them both company.
Cancer: June 22nd to July 22nd
If you want a cuddling, home loving, and kid friendly pet than Cancer is your best bet. They will make a wonderful family pet and will make sure you and your home stays safe and sound.
These are just a few different examples of course there are many other signs to look at. There are like I mentioned before a lot of places that you can find these pet horoscopes so don't fret if I didn't go over all of then here. A pet is like a member of the family to most and even like a child to some. So take care of each other and remember that all living creatures are special and in need of love and understanding.
Wendy Pan is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about pet horoscopes, please visit Choosing a Pet for current articles and discussions.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wendy_Pan
Franklin Pet Memorials“Remember them with a custom solid bronze memorial.”
Contact: Cynthia Linnon
191 Howard Street Franklin, PA 16323
clinnon@franklinbronzeplaques.com
814-346-7205 ph 814-346-7047 fax
The Lessons We Learn From Pets
Author: granola
Pets can be an important part of a child's life. A child learns a lot from having an animal to care for. Just take a look at some of the lessons a child (or adult) picks up.
Responsibility - This is one of the first lessons that comes to mind, and likely the one that parents use to try to dissuade a child when he says, "Can we get a dog?" For some people, the responsibility of caring for an animal can become a huge chore that outweighs the joy of having that pet. But for those who stick it out, the pet is a good teacher and children who have a pet from an early age learn quickly about the responsibility of caring for an animal that's dependent on them for food, water and other needs.
Some chores are fun, some aren't - The early days of having a pet are usually not that difficult, until Fido doesn't make it to the door or the gerbil cage has to be cleaned. That's when the pet owner typically begins to weigh the fun of playing ball with the dog against the chore they're facing now. Learning that some of the chores are fun (like playing with the kitten) and some aren't (cleaning the litter box) is a fact of life.
Caring - Nurturing is not an instinct that comes naturally to all people. Pets are one way to teach that trait, or to bring it to the surface. Many programs around the world use pets in daycares, schools and nursing homes. People who have responded little to friends and families will instinctively reach for a dog or cat.
Patience - Pets teach us to be patience, and one of the best catalysts for this lesson is by teaching your pet tricks. Note that not all pets are conducive to this lesson.
Playing - It's difficult to imagine that some people have forgotten how to play, but it's true. Most kids don't need to be taught to play, but a pet can remind us that life isn't all about the chores. Sometimes it's just time to build a terrific hamster cage or take a walk in the park - literally.
Science - Some schools are seeing the benefits of having live animals in the classrooms. Teachers are encouraged to choose a pet that can live at school in a cage of some sort. Those animals can then be used to teach life science, including topics such as length of gestation, development and eating habits. While those lessons are very limited in focus because students are learning about one particular kind of animal, expanding on that first-hand knowledge tends to be easier than if students learned only from a text book and photos.
There's no doubt that allowing a child to adopt a pet is a big step, but it's also a worthwhile investment. Remember to choose age appropriate animals and to select an animal that fits your child's lifestyle and personality. For example, if you have a kid who's always into building, consider a mouse or hamster and help him build an awesome hamster cage in his room. If you live in the country with room for a dog to run, a canine pal may be the better bet. If space is very limited, hermit crabs may be just what you need.
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