Nanny McFur

Am I A Crazy Cat Lady?

2013-05-21T00:00:00.000-04:00

No. Want to know what is crazy though? Believing cats suck the breath from a baby.

While there's certainly no truth to the myth that cats suck the air out of babies' lungs, a newborn does not have the capacity to turn over or even move her head at first. A heat-seeking cat who chooses to cuddle up close to the baby's face could make it difficult for the child to breathe. Close the door to the nursery when the baby is napping. If there is no door to close, either install a temporary screen door or place a crib tent over the crib to keep the cat out. ASPCA

Photo Source

Heads Up For My Fellow Bloggers On Referral Spamming

2013-05-20T18:47:00.001-04:00

For a long time now I have noticed a discrepancy in my blog stats. The greatest portion of referring URL's and referring sites have the ".ru" designation. This is Russia's top-level domain. However, when I look at the geographic stats the United States is number one, followed by Canada, then by Russia or Ukraine.

Photo Source

Today I decided to look into so I started by doing a Google search for the ".ru" and learned that spammers are using it to do the kinds of things these losers do. I made the mistake of clicking on one of the URL's and was taken to a porn site. I learned that was a really stupid thing to do.

Loopholes in the domain name system help spammers, scammers and operators of pornographic Web sites to avoid detection on the Internet by concealing their identity. Criminals often play a cat-and-mouse game with law enforcement and security experts, popping up on different domains as soon as their malicious servers are identified. Computer World

I am a victim of "referral spamming". As closely as I can determine this happened after I switched from "nannymcfur.blogspot.com" to my own domain "nannymcfur.ca". I was both pleased and encouraged when I saw my daily visits increase and believed the cost of my domain name was a good investment. The reality of this is heartbreaking to me. I thought I was reaching an animal loving community and offering useful information but I know now I have mostly been a launching pad for porn and internet scam promoters. To make it even worse, they are committing their crimes on my dime.

I will continue to try to find out how I can put a stop to this but it doesn't look hopeful. If I cannot find a remedy I will shut the site down and move my domain name to another server. If any of my readers - real ones of course - have any experience with this, please share.

Do Woodpeckers Get Headaches?

2013-05-20T00:00:00.000-04:00

The short answer is "no".

Along with their straight-as-an-arrow strikes at the tree, which safeguards against head trauma, birds' bodies are designed to absorb the impact. One millisecond before a strike comes across the bill, dense muscles in the neck contract, and the bird closes its thick inner eyelid. Some of the force radiates down the neck muscles and protects the skull from a full blow. A compressible bone in the skull offers cushion, too. Meanwhile, the bird's closed eyelid shields the eye from any pieces of wood bouncing off the tree and holds the eyeball in place. Full story on Live Science

I've been hearing a woodpecker near by this weekend and it is loud enough that I suspect it is a large one. Perhaps it is a Pilated Woodpecker. People have reported sightings of them in Ontario!

Sunday's Child May 19, 2013

2013-05-19T00:00:00.000-04:00

Pet Fireworks Safety Tips

2013-05-18T09:56:00.000-04:00

We all know how badly fireworks frighten pets but what else do we need to know? Have a look at this information offered by the RSPCA. They include "just for dogs", "just for cats", and "small animals" sections.

BC SPCA

Hooray For the Pandas! But What About The Elephants In The Room?

2013-05-17T09:23:00.002-04:00

The media is gushing over the new Panda exhibit at the Toronto Zoo. You would think that it would be impossible to sweep 3 elephants under the rug but that is precisely what is happening. Of all the shameful things I have witnessed in my life, this has climbed to Number One.

National Post Photo and Story

The Pandas couldn't get any more adorable if they wanted to. No doubt about that. Sadly, not to far from the Pandas in the same facility Toka, Thika and Iringa, 3 aging elephants, continue to languish more than a year and a half after Toronto City council voted to move them to a sanctuary in California in October 2011. The chains around their ankles as seen in the photo below are part of the conditioning process for the move to go .... nowhere it seems.

Toronto Star Photo and Story

If there ever was a case for public outcry this is it.

It's The Long Weekend

2013-05-17T00:00:00.000-04:00

Celebrate in whatever way you please!

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Canada celebrates Victoria Day on May 20th.

Too Many Words For Wordless Wednesday

2013-05-15T00:00:00.000-04:00

This is one of my cats doing double duty.
He is a cat and a curtain tie back.

Monday Meowsings

2013-05-13T00:00:00.000-04:00

Researchers say we shouldn't interpret a pets' facial expressions as conveying emotions but I think this cat's expression proves otherwise.

photo source

Sunday's Child Mother's Day May 12, 2013

2013-05-11T10:29:00.001-04:00

It's The Weekend

2013-05-10T00:00:00.000-04:00

Cuddle with someone you love

Nanny's Grandkitties Eecheb and Annie

Nanny's Rule Of Thumb Regarding "Exotic Pets"

2013-05-09T00:00:00.000-04:00

How does one "sneak" a tiger into a country? It had to get past officials so there is a loophole that needs to be closed. These dangerous and often endangered animals are not pets.

Use Nanny's rule of thumb: Don't keep or go near an animal that has teeth around the same size as your thumb. Consider this from tigers.org"

"The teeth and the structure of the jaw of the tiger both play a very important role in its hunting, diet and general way of life. These are built for grabbing moving prey (sometimes bigger than the hunting tiger itself), snapping necks, crunching through bone and sinew and grinding meat into mouthfuls soft enough to swallow. Therefore, the jaw has got to be extremely strong, flexible and powerful."

Too Many Words For Wordless Wednesday

2013-05-08T00:00:00.000-04:00

Am I A Crazy Cat Lady?

2013-05-07T09:43:00.000-04:00

No. Want to know what is crazy though? Believing that "Cats Are Jerks". They would need to have certain cognitive abilities that they just don't possess. The fact is little can be confirmed about a cat intelligence because the research is almost non-existent. In the absence of information we humans just make stuff up based on our own biases.

Photo Source

But research into "cat cognition" has lagged behind. One of the preeminent journals of the field, aptly entitled Animal Cognition, has published 36 articles on dog cognition since 1998. In that time, only 3 articles have been published on Felis catus. This is one fewer than have been published on cuttlefish, and one more than the octopus has garnered. Pigeons, who used to be the stars of behavioral research, were subjects in only twenty-four articles. Dogs are all the rage, and for the time being are eclipsing their domesticated brethren. And it is reasonable to wonder why this might be. Full story.

Monday Meowsings

2013-05-06T00:00:00.000-04:00

If women are from Venus and men are from Mars, I wonder what planets cats and dogs come from?

Cat Photo Dog Photo

Sunday's Child May 5, 2013

2013-05-05T00:00:00.000-04:00

Happy Cinco De Mayo 2013

2013-05-04T00:00:00.000-04:00

Cinco De Mayo will be celebrated tomorrow, May 5th. There are always cute photos of pets dressed up for these occasions. The costumes in the photo below are very elegant indeed.

Etsy.com

Lost Dog Needs Your Help

2013-05-03T12:03:00.003-04:00

Do you know this poor dog or know where he comes from? Here is a photo and the note that goes with the story on Facebook.

"Hi everyone - a friend of a friend came across a homeless man with this young, male retriever. It was clearly not this man's dog, as it was in distress. They managed to 'buy' the dog from the man and have him with them, but all attempts to identify the dog have led nowhere. (The collar and tags he's wearing belong to a deceased dog, and he's not chipped.) He was found in the York St./Lakeshore area. Possibly taken from outside a store or something. If anyone hears anything or can post this widely, please do. Post any leads here, and I will forward to the people who have him. Thanks!

Updated - please contact Rachael Ott 416-782-6831 with any info."

It's The Weekend

2013-05-03T00:00:00.000-04:00

Spend some time outdoors with a friend

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Animal Charity Navigator

2013-05-02T09:57:00.000-04:00

They say timing is everything and mine is almost always off. It might be too late for the 2012 tax season but there is always next year. If you are considering a charitable donation to an animal or pet charity keep in mind that even in the animal and pet-loving world there are folks who will accept your hard-earned money but not always fulfill their promises or perhaps spend your money in ways that are mostly self-serving. But how can you be sure?

Bookmark Charity Navigator. Charities are given ratings out of 4 stars and they provide detailed information about registered charities based on the most current financial statements. Animal charities are classified in three categories:

Animal Rights, Welfare, and Services
Wildlife Conservation
Zoos and Acquariums

In these tough economic times it is more important than ever to do our homework and to hold charities accountable for how our donations are spent. The following is an example of how PETA decided to make its presence known in 2008. Charity Navigator gives PETA an overall rating of 2 out of 4 stars based on their fiscal year end 2011.

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There’s a new headstone in one of the plots adjoining Colonel Sanders’ grave in Louisville’s Cave Hill Cemetery. It’s inscribed with what our press release is calling a “moving tribute” to a "Kind Friend of Chickens." I’ll refrain from commenting on the literary merits of the poem itself, but the fact that the bright red letters running down the left side of the poem spell "KFC Tortures Birds" is a piece of undeniable genius on the part of my friend Matt Prescott, who spearheads PETA’s Kentucky Fried Cruelty Campaign, and whose name is on the headstone. In addition to ensuring that when Matt’s time eventually comes, he’ll have a prime piece of real estate waiting for him in Louisville, this has garnered us some great coverage for our KFC Campaign, including a story in US News and World Report today. peta.org

A "piece of undeniable genius"?

When Cats Behave Like Kids

2013-05-01T00:00:00.000-04:00

One cat listens, even though she hates me correcting her and the other ... well ... he doesn't seem to hear me at all.

Am I A Crazy Cat Lady?

2013-04-30T00:00:00.000-04:00

No. Want to know what is crazy though? Believing cats cannot be trained or taught.

There is a widely accepted notion that cats can't be trained. That is patently false. Cats can be trained to behave differently and some folks even train their cats to do tricks. I have even seen clicker training used with cats. One of the many things I have taught my cats is not to be under my feet - a notorious cat behavior that is not acceptable to me. I live alone and don't want to be found 3 or 4 days after I've tripped over a cat and can't get up! It really is sweet how the biggest cat will sit in a corner of the kitchen looking at me with the best "look how good I'm being" expression!

Monday Meowsings

2013-04-29T00:00:00.000-04:00

Back to work

Sunday's Child April 28, 2013

2013-04-28T07:50:00.000-04:00

What's This? No Thank You!

2013-04-27T08:07:00.000-04:00

Nanny ran out of the usual canned food so this morning I served the cats salmon from a tin. I even served it on my good china. Not only did they not want it, but the little boy cat took off running as if I had just set the kitchen on fire! No accounting for taste even for cats huh?

Untouched salmon on Royal Albert Memory Lane

On a similar note, I watched an interesting piece last night on CBC The National titled "Economies of Scale" about genetically modified salmon that Canadian scientists are trying to have approved by the US FDA. Would you try it if it were available in your supermarket?