Once, while driving in Vermont during a snowstorm, my mom and I spotted a moose at the far end of a field we were passing. Crazy with excitement, we stopped the car and got out to take pictures. It was so pretty, all the whiteness, the quiet created by the onslaught of snowflakes. After several minutes of taking pictures, we noticed the moose had not changed position.

The moose was a statue.

Make sure you stay with this video until the end. The dog’s happy relief at discovering it’s not a real wolf is infectious.

Hello, my name is Sonia and I’m addicted to collecting cat art. I have an entire wall dedicated to my addiction, in fact, and one day I’ll snap a photo for you. Luckily the wall is currently filled, but if we move into a bigger house soon (fingers crossed!) I’m worried all that new blank wall space will call out, “Meow!”

If it does, there are already a few prints that have caught my eye. Here are a few if you’re wondering what to send over as a housewarming gift >.<

While not entirely accurate (my alarm has a “yowling, tag team race around the house” function) this is pretty adorable. Oh Dear Molly, $13

Cats truly do cure all ailments — from de-stressing college students to comforting the elderly. What better way to tout the mysterious health benefits of the feline kind than with this apothecary-style print. What Katie Does, $16

For all those kitties who love to exercise their lungs with some sweet. sweet midnight yowling. Lovers Rock Shop, $16

So true. So true. Oh Dear Molly, $13

Medium Control is a design studio based out of Minnesota. Their mascot is Watson, and adorable, flat-faced kitty who shows up on the firm’s shirts, bags, and this modern print. Medium Control, $28

Since we are a cat/dog household, it only makes sense to celebrate the refined tastes of both species with a Victorian-style silhouette canvas. Silhoupette, $65

This would be cute (and educational) for a kid’s room! Lopz Art, $15

When we lived in Brooklyn and were fostering cats, this was pretty much how every evening would roll out. I miss those days… Cat Vs. Human, $8

Have you guys seen any amazing cat prints you think I should know about?

How attentive and handsome we are. Couldn’t you just eat him?

This snorgle-riffic little dude — pictured in his home in San Francisco — was also in my holiday brunch post from December. Someone was a little too lazy to chase ice this time, though.

Maria wrote last week about the Maryland Court of Appeals’ disappointing decision to deem all pit bulls and pit bull mixes “vicious and inherently dangerous.” There has been so much coverage of this ruling and a lot of outcry.  I’ve seen rumors on facebook that some shelters have stopped accepting pit bulls during this time, and even worse, that some have put down their pit bull mixes. I hope those are just rumors.  Due to the ramifications of this legislation, there is a lot of support for pit bulls in Maryland. I live in Maryland and I’ve been contacted by a couple friends to sign a petition asking the Governor not to discriminate against pit bulls. The petition has received 9,000 signatures and counting. Yesterday there was a rally outside the Maryland State House — which just happens to be right outside my office window — standing up for many peoples’ beloved breed. It drew a large crowd even with rainy weather. News also came out that pit bulls may get a second chance during a special legislative session.

There is a special General Assembly currently under way and if the legislature reconvenes this summer to consider gambling issues, there’s a chance the pit bull decision will be put on the agenda. Senate President Mike Miller told the Baltimore Sun most senators have received dozens of calls about the issue and he’s open to putting the issue on the agenda. Miller encourages people who want action before next January to make their views known to Governor Martin O’Malley. O’Malley currently has no plans to add the item to the agenda so sign the petition if you want it heard. Miller also asked the Judicial Proceedings Committee to meet to consider the issue in the coming months.

Image via Sally9258

Why walk when you can wiggle?

I’ve written about programs that pair shelter dogs with prison inmates, but I just found out that there’s a program for cat-loving inmates, as well. Cuddly Catz is being tested at Larch Correctional Facility, a minimum security prison in Yacolt, Washington. Like with the shelter dogs-prison program, these cats are ones rescued from shelters, on the brink of being put down, often because they have behavioral problems from neglect or abuse. The prisoners provide love, care, and companionship for these second-chance cats, while the inmates are also given unconditional love, companionship, and most useful — responsibility. So far two cats, Princess Natalie and Clementine, are in the program at Larch, and so far the results are positive. The correctional facility is hoping to bring four more rescued animals for the inmates who demonstrate good behavior.

I’m all for this program! I love that “unadoptable” cats are given homes, while inmates are given a chance to prove to others (and themselves) that rehabilitation is possible. I hope that more prisons will instate shelter cat and dog programs in their facility. Not all animals or humans will be appropriate for this program, but I could see it having far reaching and long lasting affects on the happiness and productiveness of everyone involved.