The von Meowsens

The Catorialist

2010-01-12T09:44:00.003-05:00

Our new favorite blog is The Catorialist. The feline equivalent of The Sartorialist.

Etsy Find! - Winter Kitty Botanical Perfume Oil

2009-12-21T10:55:00.003-05:00

Jill McKeever from Craftressing has a new botanical perfume in her Etsy store. Winter Kitty is a natural fragrance inspired by felines, fireplaces and snowflakes. Check it out for yourself or as a gift idea for your feline loving friends.

United Babmoo 2010 Calendar

2009-12-18T10:23:00.005-05:00

Limited Edition calendar featuring cats in United Bamboo Ready-to-Wear fashions.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to KittyKind, a New Your City not for profit, no kill, all volunteer cat rescue and adoption group.

Click here to order yours...

Much Love Animal Rescue Holiday Insert Cards

2009-12-17T14:23:00.008-05:00

Need a little something to fill a stocking or an empty card with? Much Love holiday insert cards are a great was to spread holiday cheer and help save the life of an animal! By giving these to friends and family you are making a donation in their names to Much Love Animal Rescue which helps saves cats and dogs.

Finally...We're Back!

2009-12-03T07:40:00.003-05:00

After a short hiatus, I believe I have restored the order in the palace for the time being. My servants have been busy working overtime for their other jobs. I finally have them convinced that I must always come first otherwise, no cuddle time for them. I have also mastered the art of acting aloof.

In the meantime...

2009-11-23T21:35:00.003-05:00

It's been one of those months. Posting will resume after the Thanksgiving holiday.

Fierce Friday

2009-11-06T13:25:00.004-05:00

So, it seems the maid is too busy for a proper post. Greta suggested a nice photo for you all. So here it is...ENJOY!

Halloween Pet Safety

2009-10-27T16:31:00.005-04:00

Our magical healer sent us this great reminder for Halloween safety. I wanted to share it with all of you. Oh, and this baby picture of Lulu. I'm not kidding when I say she's a clown, am I?

Halloween is a great time of the year for children and adults alike – as we look forward to fun, costumes, trick-or-treating, and candy! Unfortunately it can be especially stressful and pose hazards for your beloved pets. Here are some great tips to help keep your animals safe and sound this Halloween season.

One alternative to having the trick-or-treaters come to the front door and ringing the bell would be to have a station with a table, chairs and candy set up at the end of the driveway. This way the pets are inside and not upset by the constant bell-ringing, the door is not providing a chance for them to slip out, and they do not get nervous with the different costumes.

Please keep your pets inside as they may become easily agitated or frightened by the kids, costumes, and loud noises. By keeping them secluded in a quiet room away from all the activity, you can ensure that they do not escape through an open door. You could give your pet food, water, and even some special treats or a safe toy to play with while they are in the room. Please have collars and tags for identification on them, just in case they do manage to escape!

Keep cats inside several days prior to and the night of Halloween. Sadly cats are often the victims of pranksters’ cruel tricks.

Make sure you walk your dog early in the evening, to avoid the crowds.

If you decide to dress your pet in a costume, please make sure it is lightweight and non-constricting. Don't use rubber bands, as they can constrict blood flow if too tight, can become entangled in an animal's fur, and may even be left mistakenly on the pet. Do not leave him/her in the costume unattended as they could chew it up and ingest harmful materials or become entangled and choke.

If you are escorting children for trick-or-treating, leave your pets at home. Dogs get can excited and stressed when encountering all these "strange laughing, squealing" creatures and may become agitated enough to snap at a young child. If you must take your dog with you, keep it on a short leash and away from large groups of children and other pets.

Tell the children not to share their candy with the family pet. Chocolate can be toxic to animals – causing vomiting, restlessness, heart issues, or even death. If you think the pet has eaten chocolate, please contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Wrappers and lollipop sticks should be discarded into the garbage as they can be hazardous to your pet if swallowed by causing intestinal obstructions and even perforating the intestines, which is life-threatening.

Be careful with jack-o-lanterns, candles, fake spider webs, and other decorations. If they ingest the decorations they may become ill, and if they knock over a lit candle they may get burned or start a fire.

Halloween can be a fun day for all of your family members – two and four legged – if everyone remains safe.

Local Clown Cat Framed For Attempted Murder

2009-10-22T19:01:00.007-04:00

Breaking News!!!

Lulu the Court Jester was framed! She was set-up, I tell you. She was accused of trying to murder the GEICO Gecko. Silly, lizard...he should really stop vacationing in our windows.

There's nothing to look at here folks...just a lizard and, wait a minute. I thought I asked that human to clean those windows. Hmmm...well, here's the so-called evidence.

I don't buy it. Here's the real culprit.

Be careful gecko. She may have only three legs, but she's still deadly. Maybe you should start vacationing in Arizona.

Takara the talker

2009-10-20T17:40:00.002-04:00

Seriously people...Look at this beautiful girl!

Adopt a Pet :: Takara the talker - Sanford, FL - Domestic Shorthair

Takara came to Pet Rescue by Judy by their friends at Seminole County Animal Control. She is wonderful and will talk your ear off.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRETA!

2009-10-16T13:02:00.003-04:00

Today is Greta's birthday! The Countess will be three years old. Hmmm...maybe this will be a magical year for her as only having three legs and turning three.

Have a great weekend. Tomorrow is Caturday...ENJOY!

Twitter a Critter Tuesday

2009-10-13T19:54:00.003-04:00

Adopt a Pet :: Blossom the Kitten - Sanford, FL - Domestic Shorthair

Blossom is the purrfect name for this little munchkin. She's just a little flower - small and delicate and precious. Of course, she's still a kitten, so you can add zany and funny and loopy into that description as well! She's got personality for days and she's cute as a button. She's a lap-cat in training; she has all the personality traits of a 100% snuggler as soon as she grows out of her kitten crazies. Adopt her now and get the best of both!

Shared via AddThis

Twitter a Critter Tuesday

2009-10-06T20:38:00.003-04:00

Just three simple steps can save a pet...even if you can't adopt! Go to http://www.TwitterACritter.com

Just use the search tool they provide to find a dog, cat, or other pet that need a home in your local area. Choose a pet from the list and click to get their info. Then click the Twitter Tool on the pet's page to add a link to your Twitter feed. It’s so simple and so helpful to our furry friends that are less fortunate than us.

I will be featuring a new pet each Tuesday that needs a home in my local community.
Adopt a Pet :: Jasmine the Super Kitten - Sanford, FL - Domestic Shorthair

You can also find Jasmine the Super Kitten's story here... See Jasmine the Super Kitten's Homepage

Jasmine is everything wonderful about a kitten. She's clever and playful and cute. She's snuggly and purry and soft. Curious and funny. Tender and loving.

She is bound to make her adoptive family SO happy. She is - as mentioned previously - everything wonderful about a kitten....

Shared via AddThis

Mellow Monday

2009-10-05T20:58:00.003-04:00

It’s been very busy around the palace lately. I can’t get the human to post for me, so I decided to crack the whip and make things a little more exciting around here so she had something to talk about.

For instance, terrorizing poor innocent lizards. I was told to pick on someone my own size but I already do that all day long. Besides, what’s wrong with tormentin’ the GEICO lizard if he’s not busy making commercials and stuff? Maybe he shouldn't vacation in Florida...

Meet Indica...Baron von Meowsen

2009-09-30T18:40:00.005-04:00

Finally…Introducing Baron von Meowsen (aka Indica). He is the crone of the von Meowsen Clan. He’s 12 years old in human years, which means he’s actually 70 years old! There’s not much to tell because being the eldest of the group means you pretty much do nothing but sleep in the exact same spot all day until the human servants get home. Then you might have a nibble, say “hi”, demand a massage and then head back to your bed and sleep through the night. He’s in perfect health and is best friends with Greta.

I told you there wasn’t much to say…he sure is pretty for such an old dude though, don’t you think?
Want to know how old your kitty really is? Click here: http://www.calculatorcat.com/cats/cat-years.phtml

Help Bob Find a Forever Home...

2009-09-29T09:05:00.002-04:00

Please visit Melvin’s blog Mouchois, if you or anyone you know in the Central Florida area are interested in giving a gorgeous shaded Golden Persian, Bob a new forever home.

http://mouchois.blogspot.com/2009/09/bob-needs-home.html

Meet Leia...The Reigning Queen

2009-09-25T19:50:00.005-04:00

Drum roll please…finally, introducing the Queen of our palatial estate and the one pulling the strings behind this blog, Leia von Meowsen. Leia has a long history of tormenting her other siblings then accepting them as her own babies (except for Baron von Meowsen, who you’ll meet in the next post). Leia was born on Christmas Eve to a previous family and was kept as the favorite because of her regal beauty and poise. However, much to her chagrin, a new litter came about and a new favorite was about to take her place. Luckily for Leia, her Auntie catnapped her before she was discarded into the streets to survive on her own. That’s when she met her new mommy and was coined ‘Princess Leia’ (yes…geek moment). After 10 years, she has risen to rule the household. However, with old age comes some other unwanted baggage. She has developed feline diabetes. She receives her insulin injections twice a day from her man servant and is doing just fine. In fact, she doesn’t put up a fight and just goes with the flow when she sees him coming. There are quite a few sites out there in the web universe that are very helpful if you find that your own feline has developed diabetes. As always though, please see your magical kitty healer before diagnosing on your own.

Here are a couple:
http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/diabetes.html
http://www.felinediabetes.com/
The last introduction of the clan will be made soon, then the real fun can begin as to seeing how the royal family lives out their daily lives…until next time.

In the Meantime...Vote for Misha!

2009-09-24T11:47:00.006-04:00

Well, my hooman servant has been sick the past couple days and hasn't gotten around to my introduction. So...let me introduce you to my new furfriend. He is a handsome knight in shining fur and his name is Misha. Misha a finalist in New Zealand’s Next Top Cat Model!

Please vote for Misha today by using the widget on the right side of my page!

Hugs & Purrs, Leia

Meet Greta…The Countess

2009-09-21T12:45:00.003-04:00

Greta was a blessing to the royal clan as we had lost an important part of the family to renal failure. She belonged to a not so nice family that brought her to the family healer with a broken leg. They refused to have her broken little leg fixed and wanted to take her home as was. So the healer took over the rights to the little one and fixed her up like new. We were able to adopt her and bring her to her new loving home and all was joyous in the royal palace. Well, that is after Leia, the Queen of the household gave her final approval.

Greta has only three legs now. She doesn’t act as if she even knows it’s missing. Well, that is unless she has an itchy ear and the poor dear requires her servants to assist in scratching. She moves faster than the rest of her siblings and has learned to trust her human servants completely now. There are many great articles on the internet that help humans understand living with a disabled pet and that they deserve a loving home just as much as one with all legs intact.

Living with a Disabled Cat

Meet Lulu...Court Jester

2009-09-13T13:57:00.004-04:00

Lulu is a special needs kitty and a rescue. Lulu has a disease called Cerebellar Hypoplasia. However, she does not allow this to get in the way of her happy life. Lulu is a fully functioning little girl and keeps the royal family laughing and on their toes with her antics. Her only demand is that her human servants pay attention to her at 4:00 am.

What is Cerebellar Hypoplasia?
The cerebellum is the portion of the brain responsible for the control of motion. When a puppy or kitten is born with an underdeveloped cerebellum, the condition is known as congenital cerebellar hypoplasia. There are infectious causes of this condition in both cats (panleukopenia infection prior to birth) and dogs (herpes virus infection prior to birth). Improper development of the cerebellum may occur due to injury, poisoning or just from an accident in development in the uterus. It is generally possible to see signs of this condition almost as soon as the puppy or kitten is born. Affected animals have tremors and unusual jerky movements or may fall down when they try to move.

The symptoms do not get worse as they age. As the kitten or puppy grows it will learn to compensate for its condition but there are usually lifelong signs of a decreased ability to coordinate movement. Almost all dogs and cats with congenital cerebellar hypoplasia can live happily as pets with a little special care to compensate for their disabilities. This condition can be confused with cerebellar abiotrophy, a different disorder in dogs in which the puppy has a normal cerebellum at birth but it gradually dies. Signs of disease identical to cerebellar hypoplasia occur but the timing is different. Puppies with this condition seem normal at birth but usually start to show signs of problems after they are 2 months or more of age.

How do cats cope with it?
In humans, the problems would be significant disabilities. CH cats don't worry over their inability to do things in the same way or at the same speed as other cats. Spastic cats can do everything other cats do and are equally independent - they climb fences, play and performs daredevil feats, though they can be alarming to watch, especially as they teeter along a fence. Occasionally they slip, catch hold with their claws and haul themselves back up again; make sure there are soft plants to cushion any fall! Like disabled humans most won't want to be overprotected, but in the same way that disabled facilities are made available to humans, some thought needs to be given to toilet facilities, access to favorite spots etc to ensure their well-being.

It is not advisable to give a spastic cat free access to outdoors as their mobility problems, perception problems and possible sight problems makes traffic doubly hazardous to them. If you have an enclosed garden or a cat harness and leash they can have access outdoors. Many people are unaware of the condition and people who see these cats twitching on the path outdoors sometimes try to help the 'injured cat', but the cat's crazy zigzag run confuses most pursuers - they simply don't end up in the place they appeared to be heading for (one more reason roads pose such a threat, a driver who tries to avoid the cat cannot compensate for the cat ending up in the wrong place). Even birds are caught unawares by this zigzag approach and I know of spastic cats who are reasonable hunters, exploiting this element of surprise. CH cats are extremely independent and owners report that affected cats usually have "sunny personalities", but some allowances still have to be made.

A caring owner can think of other ways in which to help a disabled feline companion, but beware of being overprotective. A disabled cat still requires some semblance of independence to allow it to fulfill that inner 'catness' that we love in our feline friends. Most seem unaware of their disabilities and they do not expect life to make allowances, but a helping hand and some adjustments to their lifestyle and perhaps your own lifestyle will ensure a disabled cat has a healthy, happy and safe life. (full text available at ---> "Cerebellar Hypoplasia")

Happy Labor Day

2009-09-04T16:45:00.003-04:00

The von Meowsens wish you all a happy labor day. Now hoomans, stop relaxing and fire up the grill. Cook your kitty a fish filet! STAT!

The Back Story

2009-08-31T21:34:00.009-04:00

How do I begin this fairy tale? The reign of the von Meowsen clan began 12 years ago in a far away land with Baron Indica von Meowsen and Little Prince Versace von Meowson. However, something was missing. Perhaps it was a feline with higher standards and the keenness to make the hoomans bow to the paw of the spectacular von Meowsen monarchy.

She was a force to be reckoned with and master of the palace to this very day. Princess Leia von Meowsen was rescued from a family that was tired of her bossy attitude and wanted to banish her to the empty streets with the peasants. The universe had bigger and better plans for her though and she was adopted into the von Meowsen family and now resides as the ruler of this kitty domain. You will succumb to her prowess and feed her kitty treats, my friend. Trust me. You will.

After the passing of Prince Versace, there was room in the royal palace for another rescued soul, that of Countess Greta von Meowsen. Her previous master had been a horrid and cruel hooman to which our lovely Countess only is able to rule with three legs. This however, proves to only add to her charm. She races to and fro at lightning speed throughout the palace, only stopping for a moment to allow the slaves to pamper her occasionally.

However, there still seemed to be something missing at the palace. When the Court Jester failed to entertain the family Leia ordered him to go to the market to find only the best kibble. Perhaps, that would help. While there he acquired not only the best kibble that money can buy, he also found a new rescue. A tiny soul of sorts...with crystalline blue eyes and wobbly legs. Lady Lulu von Meowsen. He thought due to her “spastic” nature, she might take the focus off of him and allow her to take his place as Court Jester and entertain Princess Leia.

And so the fable begins...