Southport Visiter Cat Chat blog

God Bless Charlie - may he rest in peace xxxx

2011-02-07T21:22:47Z

I've been on a sabbatical of late.

I've been very ill over Christmas and then my poor Charlie got ill.

I've been plucking up the courage to write this entry because I suppose after I've written it it means that it's all final and Charlie is gone forever.

I started writing this blog over two years ago when I first found Charlie and I never expected to be saying goodbye to him two years later.

]]> He was such a handsome and charismatic feline.

As a kitten, he was fearless and cheeky, always on the attack in a playful way.

Over the last year he matured and became very laid back and affectionate.

We would have our daily rituals - some that I'm finding hard to break.

Even last night I had a glass of milk - and then thought to myself I would have to hide it from Charlie - he could sniff out a glass of milk a mile off!

I miss coming home to him at night. Sometimes he would wait in the window for me and when he saw my car pull up he would run down to greet me at the door.

Or if he could hear me talking downstairs in the living room, he would come marching in to see where I was.

But most of the time he would be napping on my bed and when I came in my room he would jump up and come straight over to me for a stroke and a hug.

He was my little baby and I'm going to miss him so much. The extent of his loss hasn't even hit me yet and sometimes I think people think I'm strange.

The fact of the matter is that bereavement of a pet is very real and sometimes even just as upsetting as losing a loved one.

Our pets become part of our lives and in my case Charlie became my best friend.

My fiance Mike and I had planned our lives with Charlie in it - we didn't want a house on a busy road and we wanted a large garden for Charlie to roam around in.

Around January 17, Charlie started to become withdrawn and very tired. He wouldn't go out which was unusual because he loved to hunt.

I thought that maybe he was feeling a bit down and tried to play with him, but he wasn't interested. The last few times I thought Charlie was ill, I had taken him to the vets and found out that there was nothing majorly wrong with him.

After a week had passed I decided to take him to the vet. She told me that she thought he had a kidney infection and he would have to be kept in overnight.

The last time I held him, I kissed him and told him I loved him, he perked up ever so slightly and whipped his tail playfully.

The next morning on January 25, I received a phone call to say that Charlie had died in his sleep.

There is no word to describe the complete devastation I felt and still feel - there is a huge Charlie-sized hole in my heart.

The vet carried out a post-mortem and found that Charlie had a fatal and incurable illness Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP).

Once FIP develops from the coronavirus in a cat's body, it kills swiftly and mercilessly. A cat diagnosed with dry FIP can sometimes live for two or three months and wet FIP, where the abdomen or lungs fill with fluid, kills almost immediately.

There was nothing I could do, but I still fell like that I should have known something was wrong.

We buried Charlie in the garden and Mike made a lovely grave for him.

I'll always love Charlie - but for now I'm just trying to get over his death.

Information on pet bereavement: Blue Cross Pet Bereavement, Living with Pet Bereavement and Pet Bereavement Counselling.

For more information on FIP click here, here, here and here.

Catwoman Lee Meriwether on Twitter!

2010-11-04T18:26:00Z

I WAS so excited when I opened my emails to see that Lee Meriwether - Catwoman in the original 1966 Batman film was following me on Twitter and Charlie is made up too!

It's such an honour! The beautiful Lee played Miss Kitka Karenska and her feline alter ego.

]]>
She also made numerous appearances in many of the hot TV series of the 60s like Star Trek, Land Of The Giants and Mission: Impossible - I remember watching these shows when I was little!

But not only that - Lee also starred in one of my all-time favourite shows.

The former Miss America starred as Lily in the in the 1988-1991 revival of the hit 1960s television show The Munsters, entitled The Munsters Today.

So this little post is to say thank you Lee for all your great shows! Charlie thinks your purrfect! Make sure you follow @LeeMeriwether and don't forget @CatChatCharlie!

VIDEO: 100 cats star in new Ikea advert

2010-10-27T11:29:38Z

I never thought I would say this but for once I wish I didn't have Sky +!

I know - shock horror! The reason being is because I have only just stumbled upon the new Ikea advert - it's full of cats!

Usually I fast-forward through all the adverts but one glimpse of a whisker and I had to press PAUSE!

What I found was the most fuzzy feline feeling in my stomach as all these cutie kitties leaped across my screen.

But if you think the adverts good you have to check the making of it!

]]> The Ikea cats have their own youtube page and Herding Cats looks behind the scenes at all the cats who starred in the advert.

Lib Dem MP's wife accused of stealing kitten from her husband's mistress

2010-10-23T12:13:09Z

A Lib Dem MP's wife has appeared in court accused of stealing a kitten - from the woman who got her claws into her husband.

Christine Hemming, 52, allegedly burgled the home of 32-year-old Emily Cox in September and took a tabby called Beauty.

MP John Hemming, 50, fathered a daughter with researcher Miss Cox five years ago.

When magistrates asked Christine if she wanted to be called Mrs or Miss, she said: "I'm not quite sure at the moment."

She did not enter a plea and the case has been ordered to go to crown court.

]]> But after the hearing, Christine admitted she had been in the house and taken the Â£20 cat. She said: "In retrospect it was a mistake. I put myself in harm's way. I should not have gone.

"I knew she wasn't in. I just went there, bent down and picked up the cat and then I thought it was about time to leave the house and I took the cat but it was not the reason I went there. I'd like to make it up with the offer of another cat.

"It was only a young cat and a relationship had not developed that much. I'm prepared to buy a similar kitten."

She added: "Relations between Emily and I have never been good. They should have improved but deteriorated significantly."

Mr Hemming still lives with his wife in Moseley, Birmingham, but yesterday described his domestic status as "unclear".

And last night he arrived at the nearby home of Miss Cox, a Lib Dem city councillor, with their daughter, Isabel.

Mr Hemming said: "I'd just like the cat back. I've spent time looking for the kitten. Her brother, Twinkle, is pining for her."

The Birmingham Yardley MP had earlier posted a picture of missing Beauty on his blog with a message saying: "If anyone has seen this kitten please contact me at the House of Commons.

There's a reward for its return."

Recruitment agency boss Christine was released on bail yesterday on condition she does not contact Miss Cox.

When Christine found out about the relationship in 2005, she stood by her millionaire husband and said that the six-year affair was "about number 26".

Source: The Mirror

Wheelie bin cat dumping woman fined Â£250

2010-10-22T11:29:41Z

A bank worker who sparked international outrage after dumping a cat in a wheelie bin has been fined just Â£250 after a judge declared that public vilification was punishment enough.

Mary Bale, 45, became a hate figure when she was caught on CCTV stroking the four-year-old tabby before picking it up by the scruff of its neck, dropping it into the bin and closing the lid.

She appeared close to tears as she admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the animal at Coventry Magistrates' Court.

]]> A second charge of failing to provide the cat with a suitable environment, contrary to the 2006 Animal Welfare Act, was dropped.

District Judge Caroline Goulborn told Bale that she could potentially have caused substantial harm to the cat, but acknowledged that in reality it had not been hurt.

Handing down the fine, she said: "The media interest in this case has resulted in you being vilified in some quarters and I have taken that into account."

Judge Goulborn, who was told Bale's elderly father was gravely ill at the time, added: "I accept that you were in a stressful situation at the time, but that's no excuse for what you did."

Bale was also ordered to pay a Â£15 victim surcharge and legal costs of Â£1,171.4.

She was banned from keeping or owning animals for the next five years.

The court heard that Bale - who had faced a maximum fine of Â£20,000 or up six months' imprisonment - could provide no answer as to why she had acted in such an "impulsive and irrational" way.

She has resigned from her job as a result of the incident and has also been suffering from depression.

Bale, whose father died last Thursday, left the court without comment.

RSPCA Inspector Nicola Foster said she hoped the case would act as a deterrent to anyone who feels it is acceptable to mistreat animals.

She added: "This was a deliberate act and could have had far worse consequences as the defendant had no way of knowing if there was anything like broken glass in the bin, nor how long the cat would be there before she was found, nor if the bin was due to be emptied.

"We are pleased that the Court agreed that a complete disregard was shown for the cat's welfare and that the cat suffered/cat's needs were not met as a result of being stuck inside the bin for so many hours."

Bale was caught in August after footage showed her approaching the cat, called Lola, who was sitting on a garden wall. Bale looked both ways before picking her up and dumping her in the bin.

The terrified animal was trapped for 15 hours before her owners Stephanie Andrews-Mann, 24, and husband Darryl, 26, finally found her the following morning.

The couple then reviewed CCTV and posted a 1:27 video of the callous incident on YouTube in a bid to catch the culprit.

Bale, who lives alone in a terraced property in Coventry, was identified within a matter of days and was forced into hiding after she found herself at the centre of a public outcry.

She was signed off work and two PCSOs from West Midlands Police guarded her house.

A Facebook page set up by Mr and Mrs Andrews-Mann to identify the person responsible received tens of thousands of followers with many angry cat lovers posting threats against her.

A group called Death to Mary Bale was swiftly removed by moderators of the social networking site.

She initially said she binned the feline as ''a joke'', adding: ''It's only a cat.''

But she apologised and described it as "a split second of misjudgement that has got completely out of control."

Outside court, David Murray, defending, stressed that Bale wished to apologise for her actions and "bitterly regretted" what she had done.

He said: ""Despite a lengthy period of soul-searching she cannot still explain her behaviour and wishes to again repeat her apology to the owners of Lola.

"For a moment's aberration she has paid a significant price. She has received hate-mail, abusive telephone messages and death threats.

"Sadly, her father passed away last Thursday and she now wishes to be with her mother and family and offer them support during this period of grief."

Source: Telegraph.co.uk

Pink Panther: Woman admits to dying her kitty pink

2010-09-27T13:01:42Z

A cat found with pink fur and found by the RSPCA was dyed pink by her owner who wanted its fur to match her hair.

Defiant Natasha Gregory said she was proud of her actions - and would even do it again.

The 22-year-old mother-of-two admitted using food colouring to turn the short-haired cat's fur a vivid shade of pink.

]]> The fluorescent feline, named Oi! Kitty, is now so bright that she glows in the dark.

She told the Daily Mail: "It's my favourite colour, I just love it."

"I've dyed my own hair pink and I adore wearing pink clothes. Turning Oi! Kitty pink just seemed like a good idea."

Oi! Kitty's shocking appearance sparked an RSPCA investigation after she was found roaming in a back garden.

A nationwide appeal was launched to find the person responsible for dyeing her white fur, with animal welfare officers believing it was a sick prank.

But after seeing the widespread media coverage, Natasha contacted officials to claim back her pet, which had gone missing days before.

The self-described 'animal lover' who lives with her boyfriend of five years Michael Dennis, along with his daughter and their own two children, then confessed to dyeing the cat pink.

"I read the instructions on the bottle of food colouring and there was nothing to say that it was harmful to humans or animals. We eat the food the dye is used on, so I knew it wasn't toxic.

"I just poured some of the liquid over my hands and robbed them together and then over the cat. I was careful to avoid her face and eyes though.

"She didn't seem to mind and I think she looked lovely.

"I have contacted the RSPCA to get her back and the lady I spoke to said she didn't think it would be a problem. But I'm going to have to wait until they go back to work today."

Despite being branded cruel by vet Penny Gillespie, who has been caring for the cat since she was found in a back garden, Natasha Gregory said she doesn't regret doing it.

"People have made this massive cruelty thing out of just food colouring. People do it to dogs. You often see it with dogs on TV so what's the difference with a cat?

"I would never hurt an animal. It's just food colourant. I would never put proper dye on an animal but I know food colourant is alright."

Woman tries to smuggle tiger cub on plane in luggage

2010-09-09T08:16:53Z

A two-month-old tiger cub was found sedated and hidden among stuffed-tiger toys recently in the luggage of a woman at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

The World Wildlife Foundation reports the 31-year-old Thai national was scheduled to board a Mahan Air flight destined for Iran when she had trouble checking in her oversized bag.

Airports of Thailand staff suspected something amiss when they scanned the bag and x-ray images showed an item resembling a real cat.

]]> Officers from the Livestock Development Department and the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department were then called in to open the bag for inspection and discovered the tranquilized cub.

Investigations are underway to determine if the cub was wild caught or captive-bred, where it came from and the suspect's intended final destination.

The cub is being cared for at the Rescue Center of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. Tigers are categorized as Endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red List of Threatened Species).

VIDEO: Woman dumps cat in wheelie bin

2010-08-24T12:17:44Z

This has been all over the media in the past 24 hours - as far as New Zealand and San Francisco.

This woman has obviously had a moment of madness - I don't know what could possess anyone to do this to a defenceless creature.

According to Sky News, she has now been offered police protection after being identified by the RSPCA.

]]> In the video the woman briefly caresses the pet - but glances around nervously to make sure no one is watching.

She then opens a wheelie-bin, grabs the moggy by the scruff of her neck and throws her in, shutting the lid. The woman then hurries off.

Lola was trapped for 15 hours overnight until her owners, Darryl Mann and wife Stephanie Andrews-Mann, heard her meowing for help the following morning.

The cat was unhurt but Stephanie, 24, raged yesterday: "I find the entire thing sickening. I cannot believe someone would do this to an innocent family pet. Lola was a rescued cat and was wary of people when we first got her.

"She has a lovely disposition and wouldn't hurt a fly. This is what makes the attack on her so shocking."

Darryl, 26, who found Lola in the bin, at first thought she had climbed in herself. He learnt the shocking truth when they watched footage from a CCTV camera they installed outside their Coventry home two years ago after their car was repeatedly hit by careless motorists.

Darren said: "I came down to feed Lola but couldn't find her anywhere. "It was really hot day and I searched outside and nearby alleyways.

How to remove a tick from a cat

2010-08-14T19:54:37Z

Charlie may as well be feral!

Poor sod came in from the garden and brought along a creepy friend.

I was stroking him around his neck when suddenly I felt a bump.

I parted his fur and found a sight I hope never to across ever again - a little beastie!

]]> Indeed it was a tick and being the sort of person who can't stand insects I nearly fell of the bed in fright!

But I soon learned it would be removing the tick which was going to be the hardest part.

Luckily I found a handy little video on the internet!

First, I found some point tweezers. Next you have to grab hold of the tick's head as close to the skin as you can.

Then you have to pull firmly making sure not to squeeze the tick, or you could leave its head inside! Eurgh!

Don't be surprised - you have to give it a good yank, I thought it would never come out!

After removing the tick, flush it down the toilet.

Unfortunately, cats will pick up fleas, mites and ticks, so be sure to check your pet's fur regularly.

Surprisingly, Charlie was well behaved throughout the whole ordeal, apart from the occasional clawing attempt and hiss!

Hope this helps!

Funny cat video of the week: Surprised Kitty!

2010-08-08T22:03:09Z

We've not had a cute kitty video for a long time - this one is great!

Yoga meditation music helps cats relax

2010-08-01T09:39:52Z

Charlie's not been well lately or at least he seems that way - lounging about on my bed barely being able to lift his head.

Now a study shows that when they are unwell, cats became less stressed when they listen to relaxing music.

Student veterinary nurse Sian Barr carried out the research on cats being treated at a vet's surgery.

She found that those who were played yoga meditation music and Om Shanti tunes calmed down and began to breathe more slowly while in cages at the practice in Powys, Wales.

]]>
Miss Barr, who has just graduated from veterinary school with a first class honours degree thanks to her research, said: "Stress in small doses can be a good thing, such as if a cat is under stress to eat, then it can perform better.

"But otherwise, it will have a negative effect, such as in a veterinary practice.

"This is because a cat is in a cage and isn't able to do what it would like to do, so stress levels will increase and it will become wound up and angry.

"This is bad for not only its behaviour, becoming difficult for staff to handle, but also for its immune system and ability to heal."

Miss Barr, of Waterlooville, Hants, studied cats when they were first admitted by assessing their ear and eye activity, how they were communicating and respiration levels.

The 21 year old then split them into two groups, only one of which was played the relaxation CDs.

She added: "I then repeated the test after 40 minutes and was able to assign each cat a cat stress score.

"By comparing the scores, I found the music had a dramatic effect on respiration rates, with those exposed to the music decreasing to a relaxed rate much quicker than those not exposed."

Well, I'll just stick some easy listening on for Charlie, should perk him up!

Cats and Dogs 2: The Revenge of Kitty Galore in 3D

2010-07-27T14:50:48Z

Really excited about this! My sister has been quoting lines from the first film all week to me!

Cats and Dogs are back for another film - and this time they are on the same side!

The natural enemies join forces to stop Kitty Galore, a former agent with cat spy organisation MEOWS who is looking to take over the world.

Watch an exclusive clip here.

It's all in good humour, but I can't help wondering why does Hollywood have it in for cats?

]]> Doga are these loveable animals who obey their owners and wag their tails but cats are portrayed as evil, crazy and calculating, just like supervillain Mr Tinkles in the original 2001 film.

This time he is portrayed as a certain Chianti-drinking psychopath from Silence of the Lambs.

Having said that Mr Tinkles is my favourite character - I love all his plotting and one-liners.

For more on this theory read this.

The film, which combines puppetry and computer animation, is out in 3D on August 4 so get your tickets booked! I'm getting mine!

Ashes of Coronation Street cat Frisky sold for over Â£800

2010-07-25T10:24:27Z

The ashes of the Coronation Street cat, Frisky, who died ten years ago, have been sold at auction for almost six times the expected price.

Furious bidding by soap fans meant the wooden casket carrying the cat's remains fetched a whopping Â£844 at an auction in Gloucestershire!

The tabby cat starred in the starting sequence of more than 1,000 episodes of the Manchester soap.

]]> The lot, which was sold to a private bidder, also included a cremation certificate and postcards of Frisky with other Weatherfield stars.

His owner, John Rimington, from Leeds, said before the auction he hoped the ashes would go to an "avid Corrie fan".

Frisky, who won the role in 1990 after beating off competition from 5,000 other cats, died in 2000 from stomach cancer at the age of 14.

Cat undergoes water therapy after being paralysed

2010-07-23T12:48:57Z

Swimming has helped one unlucky cat learn to walk again.

The Turkish Van from New York became paralysed after being injured in June.

Now with the help of hydrotherapy he is learning to use his muscles again.

Nazzaning's owner Florence Rostami believed that she had broken her paw.

]]> Florence inquired about physical therapy for Nazzaning and was excited to find out that hydrotherapy was an option.

"I was very happy," she said. "Turkish Vans are natural swimmers, and I thought that this might wake up her instinct.

"Now her balance is better and she is walking on her own," said Florence. "I really believe that if she didn't go to therapy, she may not have found the confidence to walk again."

See the full story here.

Cat burglar Oscar loves stealing underwear

2010-07-09T07:53:52Z

I LOVE LOVE LOVE stories like this!

I'm sure if Charlie was an underwear-stealing cat, my mum would be much happier with him bringing home a bra or knickers here or there - rather than something with a heart beat!

Once again, the BBC have the best cat stories!

Oscar the cat has been bringing a different type of 'gift' home for his owner. Iinstead of small rodents or birds, Oscar has gone up market and taken a liking to ladies underwear.

]]> After bringing home about 70 items owners Peter and Birgitt Weismantel decided to tell police in Southampton.

Peter said: "When we let him out in the garden he started bringing us back gardening gloves and bits of rubber gloves and then he went up market and started bringing back children's knickers.

"Then it began to escalate and I telephoned the police as people must have been missing clothes, especially with women's underwear being taken.

"But he just doesn't stop and he's still doing it now."

Well Oscar certainly must have good taste!