Halloween!

Moose hat.

Today is Halloween, a holiday most widely celebrated by dressing up in costumes and giving out (or collecting up) lots of candy. How better to celebrate the day than by a post about Finnegan dressing up?

My earlier post on October 20th, Finny Flair, also featured images showing Finnegan in different outfits and told about the trend of "breading," a new, edible cat-clothing fad. Today's post, however, will take a different approach to cat costumes.

Sammie's Santa Costume.

Nearly every costume site now features outfits specifically made for pets. Some of the more popular halloween costume sites include Halloween Express, Party City, and Spirit Halloween. Even retailers not known for costumes will break out the pet-wear during this season. Examples of these sites include Petsmart, Target, and Toys R Us.

When I go shopping for Finnegan a new outfit, I usually have to look at the dog costumes, although Finny is clearly a feline. The reason for this is the fact that Finny weighs fourteen pounds and is over three feet long when he lays stretched out. For other cats that are considerably larger than the typical house cat, small and medium dog costumes will work very well.

This halloween, include every member of the household in the festivities. Some pets actually enjoy getting dressed up (especially if it's cold outside). Just remember to keep candy, especially chocolate, out of pets' reach. It can make them very sick if they eat it.

~RL

Cold Weather Snuggles

It's late October, and in central Georgia where Finny lives, the cold weather has begun to set in. With winds gusting up to twenty-five miles an hour and temperatures in the low fifties (Fahrenheit, that is), there's nothing Finnegan likes better than to stay indoors and cuddle on a blanket with his brother or me, Rebecca.

The Snuggles Project provides blankets to shelters to benefit the frightened animals, visitors, and staff. Animals are very afraid when they first arrive at an animal shelter, and also cold if they are taken in during the chilly months of the year. "Snuggles" help the animals to feel more at home and safe while the shelter's staff works to find them new homes. Blankets are also provided for visitors to make their stay more comfortable while they look for an animal to adopt.

Snugglesproject.org has lists of blanket patterns for people who enjoy knitting, crocheting, and sewing. Links provide ways for people to become involved and bring Snuggles to a local animal shelter.

Finnegan supports the idea of Snuggles for all his furry friends, especially during the cold holidays. Please take time to check out the Snuggles Project and consider helping out your local animal shelter.

~RL

Baby Blue Eyes

Blue eyes: a common trait for Siamese cats, and one that Finny and his brother Sammie share.

The CFA recognizes fourty-two registered breeds of show cats. Most of these cats can have blue eyes, which is somewhat surprising since blue-eyed cats seem rare. While all kittens are born with blue eyes, as the kitten grows up it's eyes usually change color.

Blue-eyed cats are becoming more popular in recent years, which has caused some breeders, like Blue Eyes Cattery, to specialize in breeding and selling cats with blue eyes.

Most white cats with blue eyes, like Finny, are deaf. Blue eyes, especially in white cats, is associated with albinism Tips-for-cats.com explains that "Blue eyes are caused by forms of albinism that lead to a lack of pigmentation in both the coat and the iris, and occur in cats with white coats. Blue-eyed white cats are often deaf as well."

This does not seem to be the case with Finnegan, who will run across the house after hearing his name, hearing the door open, or hearing the words "treat" or "dinner."

~RL

Time for a Catnap

Finny naps with his toy hedgehog.

According to the Merriam-webster Dictionary, a catnap is "a very short light nap." Now, any cat owner will see the irony of that definition when considering the fact that cats sleep approximately sixteen hours a day.

Cats are often found doing one of three main activities: playing, eating, or sleeping. In fact, sleep takes up so much of a cat's time that it occasionally overlaps with meals or playtime.

Finny falls asleep while playing.

Buzzfeed.com features an articled titled "The 25 Most Awkward Cat Sleeping Positions." The title says  it all. The article contains a list of funny ways cats sleep and instructions on how to mimic them, but warns to only attempt them if you are experienced at being a cat. If Finny were to write a sleep position article, it would sound something like this:


"The Neck-Breaker"

The point of this position is make it appear as if you have fallen from a great height. It is best to sleep this way in a large box or in your favorite chair.

"The Bowling Ball"

To achieve this position, tuck your tail up over your head and hide all four of your legs in on your stomach. Sleeping in this way helps to save space in small areas, such as in a tiny box (or on top of the back of an armchair).

"The Toe Stretch"

Reach your toes out as far as you can. The point of this position is to take up as much seating space as you can.

"The Human"

Try your best to imitate your human companions. Reclining in your chair and pretending to watch the TV helps to add authenticity to the pose.

~RL