Tuesday, March 31, 2015

'Toon Tuesdays: Funny But No



*** 



_____
Toon Tuesdays feature animal (and sometimes human) humor created by the peeps over at Shoebox Greetings (a tiny little division of Hallmark) - where our mom works, too!


***


GIVEAWAY!
 CLICK HERE
Enter to win a copy of
Cat Skills

by Leslie Goodwin.

Drawing will be held
Tuesday, April 7.

Winner announced April 8.




***
.
MARCH SPECIAL OFFER!
March book sales help find homes
for the cats at Great Plains SPCA.



Each copy of Rescued you buy from us
comes with an autographed bookplate
from Ryker, the star of "Ryker's Rescue,"
customized just for you..


CLICK PAYPAL IN SIDEBAR TO BUY
Thank you!









 


Monday, March 30, 2015

Loud-Meowth

A Public Service Announcement
from Faraday Richman




***


GIVEAWAY!
 CLICK HERE
Enter to win a copy of
Cat Skills

by Leslie Goodwin.

Drawing will be held
Tuesday, April 7.

Winner announced April 8.




***
.
MARCH SPECIAL OFFER!
March book sales help find homes
for the cats at Great Plains SPCA.



Each copy of Rescued you buy from us
comes with an autographed bookplate
from Ryker, the star of "Ryker's Rescue,"
customized just for you..


CLICK PAYPAL IN SIDEBAR TO BUY
Thank you!









 


Sunday, March 29, 2015

Springtime #Selfie

Allie: Well, yes. This is my disgusted look. It's spring after all.



But evidently someone forgot to tell that to the weather.

***


We're entering this in the Sunday Selfies blog hop, hosted by the kitties over at The Cat on my Head.

Head on over and see all the other great entries!





***


GIVEAWAY!
 CLICK HERE
Enter to win a copy of
Cat Skills

by Leslie Goodwin.

Drawing will be held
Tuesday, April 7.

Winner announced April 8.




***
.
MARCH SPECIAL OFFER!
March book sales help find homes
for the cats at Great Plains SPCA.



Each copy of Rescued you buy from us
comes with an autographed bookplate
from Ryker, the star of "Ryker's Rescue,"
customized just for you..


CLICK PAYPAL IN SIDEBAR TO BUY
Thank you!









 



Sunday's Shelter Sweetheart: Adella

"Hi there! My name is Adella and I am a real sweetheart.

I am a little shy at first but once you pick me up I am a regular cuddle bug."



"I just need someone to give me the chance to come out of my shell and become a great addition to the family.

If you are interested in meeting me, please come to the Great Plains Merriam location today.

Love, Adella"

This beautiful black housepanther is available at the Merriam Campus of Great Plains SPCA. Come meet her today!






***


GIVEAWAY!
 CLICK HERE
Enter to win a copy of
Cat Skills

by Leslie Goodwin.

Drawing will be held
Tuesday, April 7.

Winner announced April 8.




***
.
MARCH SPECIAL OFFER!
March book sales help find homes
for the cats at Great Plains SPCA.



Each copy of Rescued you buy from us
comes with an autographed bookplate
from Ryker, the star of "Ryker's Rescue,"
customized just for you..


CLICK PAYPAL IN SIDEBAR TO BUY
Thank you!









 



Saturday, March 28, 2015

{52 Snapshots} Week 13: SPRING!

Faraday: Look out, Mister Wand Toy!


::::::::::::SPRING!::::::::::::


Faraday: Don't say I didn't warn you....

***
We're participating in the {52 Snapshots of Life} themed photo challenge, hosted by the Lazy Pit Bull. Click here to see all the participants!


***


GIVEAWAY!
 CLICK HERE
Enter to win a copy of
Cat Skills

by Leslie Goodwin.

Drawing will be held
Tuesday, April 7.

Winner announced April 8.




***
.
MARCH SPECIAL OFFER!
March book sales help find homes
for the cats at Great Plains SPCA.



Each copy of Rescued you buy from us
comes with an autographed bookplate
from Ryker, the star of "Ryker's Rescue,"
customized just for you..


CLICK PAYPAL IN SIDEBAR TO BUY
Thank you!









 



Friday, March 27, 2015

Friday's Fashion Faux Paws

Allie:  The Fashionable Feline always flosses.


Preferably with a bird. A live one.

(Sadly, I had to make do with this plastic one, but we all must suffer for our art on occasion.)

***


GIVEAWAY!
 CLICK HERE
Enter to win a copy of
Cat Skills

by Leslie Goodwin.

Drawing will be held
Tuesday, April 7.

Winner announced April 8.





 

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Wednesday's Waif on Thursday: Stuart Little

"Old? I prefer "experienced". In my 12 years, I've seen it all."

Look at that handsome face!  Can you believe he was found as a stray??


"I've learned how to get along with cats, dogs, and humans of all ages. I've learned how to take life as it comes and enjoy exploring, playing, and relaxing.

I've learned that there's really no such thing as a stranger, just a friend I haven't met yet!

If you're expecting a grumpy old man, you won't find him here.

This gorgeous, medium-hair red point Siamese mix is waiting for you!

"I have no regrets and no worries, and I'm looking for a place where I can spend the rest of my days living life to the fullest!

If you understand that age is just a number, we should hang out.

Ask for Stuart Little-you'll be glad you did!"


Stuart Little is waiting to meet you - at Allie's Alma Mater: Wayside Waifs.



Isn't this guy just AMAZING???

www.waysidewaifs.org

Review & Giveaway: Cat Skills

Did we mention that it's book giveaway month here at A Tonk's Tail?

This week, we're featuring another must-have: Cat Skills, by Leslie Goodwin.


I found myself nodding in agreement as I turned page after page.

Even though the title is "Cat Skills," it's really more about the skills we humans can learn to make our relationships with our pets stronger, and to ensure they live long and healthy lives.

Leslie told me her dream would be to get this book into the hands of each new adopter at every shelter, world-wide. Believe me, that would be a good idea!

Author, Leslie Goodwin

Leslie covers everything from the basics to topics even seasoned cat lovers might learn a thing or two about.

For example, I know (because I've been involved in discussions with fellow cat lovers) many people wonder about that particular wail a cat will use when carrying a special toy through the house.

Leslie's take on it?

“When a pregnant barn cat strayed into my life, she taught me how to raise cat kids. Mom cat, Lucy, was the benevolent dictator of her six kittens. When she carried them, they went limp. When she chirped, they followed. When she howled to announce she had prey, they came running.”

Howling to announce prey. Makes sense to me!

Allie wails while carrying her special mouse upstairs to Marty. Daily. Does your cat do this?

In our home, evidently Allie feels I don't feed Marty enough - she's constantly trying to feed him!

After reading Dr. Bilski's book on street cats, I can tell you these two authors agree on something else you might not be aware of:

Leslie writes: “A pet cat can stay forever a kitten because we meet his needs. He doesn’t have to fend for himself. He can bond to us as he bonded to Mom."

From both Goodwin and Bilski's observations of street and barn cats, mom-cat instills the life skills into her kittens that they need to survive out in that big and dangerous world. If mom-cat's not around, we humans are the substitute.

Faraday falls clearly into this category. He was weaned early, with no mom in sight. Faraday's almost 5 and he's never grown out of his kittenhood. (I don't mind in the least!)

Definitely the baby of the fambly.

The book is written in an approachable way, and has moments of levity. Just wait’ll you read her theory about cats vs. dogs. It’s hysterical (and true!).


Some of the topics she covers include:
  • How to make a love bond
  • Toxins
  • How to handle & pet a cat 
  • The importance of dental health
  • Diet: cats are obligate carnivores
We highly recommend Cat Skills. It's on our must-read list.

Win a copy of your own!

Leslie has graciously offered one lucky reader a copy of Cat Skills. If the winner drawn by Rafflecopter resides in the U.S., you have your choice of a paperback copy or a Kindle ebook. If the chosen winner is outside the U.S., you win the ebook! (seriously, shipping outside the U.S. is a crime these days....)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you don't want to wait, you can use coupon code HAQZ7A3Z to get $1 off the purchase price when you buy directly from the publisher at CreateSpace!



Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Wednesday's SCANDAL

You might have heard a little something about this over on Truffle's blog, in last week's interview....

*gasp!*

...this didn't really happen. Did it?


***


Tuesday, March 24, 2015

'Toon Tuesdays



*** 



_____
Toon Tuesdays feature animal (and sometimes human) humor created by the peeps over at Shoebox Greetings (a tiny little division of Hallmark) - where our mom works, too!




Monday, March 23, 2015

Imitating Miss Daisy


Faraday: How'm I doing? Do I look like Daisy the Curly Cat?

(dood, you've never been that sweet. Nice try, though.)



***

GIVEAWAY!
 CLICK HERE
Enter to win a copy of
My Street Cats

by Dr. Raphaella Bilski.

Last day to enter!

Winner announced March 27.





***
.
MARCH SPECIAL OFFER!
March book sales help find homes
for the cats at Great Plains SPCA.



Each copy of Rescued you buy from us
comes with an autographed bookplate
from Ryker, the star of "Ryker's Rescue,"
customized just for you..


CLICK PAYPAL IN SIDEBAR TO BUY
Thank you!









 




Sunday, March 22, 2015

Sunday's Shelter Sweetie: Frankie

"You may be able to tell just from looking at my photos that I am a girl who is all about being sweet and loving."



"The thing is, though, that you will never know just how good I am at it until you pet me and really get the full Frankie-in-love treatment.

I really need a home without dogs who startle me, and maybe very young children too, as they can get excited easily over new things and suddenly shriek with delight.

But a home with adults, a sunny window or two and reliable mealtimes would be perfect for me. As you can see from my video, I love attention and petting and the best thing is I both love to get and give it too.

I am just waiting to give you all the loving I can. All you have to do is come down to Merriam GPSPCA and ask where you can find Frankie.

Easy as pie and even sweeter.
Purrs, Frankie"




Frankie's available for adoption today, at the Merriam Campus of Great Plains SPCA.


http://www.greatplainsspca.org/adopt/adoptable-cats/


***

GIVEAWAY!
 CLICK HERE
Enter to win a copy of
My Street Cats

by Dr. Raphaella Bilski.

Drawing will be held
Tuesday March 24.

Winner announced March 27.





***
.
MARCH SPECIAL OFFER!
March book sales help find homes
for the cats at Great Plains SPCA.



Each copy of Rescued you buy from us
comes with an autographed bookplate
from Ryker, the star of "Ryker's Rescue,"
customized just for you..


CLICK PAYPAL IN SIDEBAR TO BUY
Thank you!









National Goof Off Day #SundaySelfie

Maxwell: Wait. That's today?


I'd better get moving! Don't want to miss it....


So, do I look like I'm goofing off? I wanna get it right - I'd hate to mess up and stuff.

***


We're entering this in the Sunday Selfies blog hop, hosted by the kitties over at The Cat on my Head.

Head on over and see all the other great entries!






***

GIVEAWAY!
 CLICK HERE
Enter to win a copy of
My Street Cats

by Dr. Raphaella Bilski.

Drawing will be held
Tuesday March 24.

Winner announced March 27.





***
.
MARCH SPECIAL OFFER!
March book sales help find homes
for the cats at Great Plains SPCA.



Each copy of Rescued you buy from us
comes with an autographed bookplate
from Ryker, the star of "Ryker's Rescue,"
customized just for you..


CLICK PAYPAL IN SIDEBAR TO BUY
Thank you!









 




 





 

Saturday, March 21, 2015

{52 Snapshots} week 12:Green

Faraday: I got this one, Mommy!



Check it out: a GREEN Wand Toy!


Okay, you can go now. Time to kill it dead and stuff.

***
We're participating in the {52 Snapshots of Life} themed photo challenge, hosted by the Lazy Pit Bull. Click here to see all the participants!


***

GIVEAWAY!
 CLICK HERE
Enter to win a copy of
My Street Cats

by Dr. Raphaella Bilski.

Drawing will be held
Tuesday March 24.

Winner announced March 27.





***
.
MARCH SPECIAL OFFER!
March book sales help find homes
for the cats at Great Plains SPCA.



Each copy of Rescued you buy from us
comes with an autographed bookplate
from Ryker, the star of "Ryker's Rescue,"
customized just for you..


CLICK PAYPAL IN SIDEBAR TO BUY
Thank you!









 



Friday, March 20, 2015

Fangs on Friday



Operatic fangs, anyone?

Any guesses on what aria he's performing?

***

GIVEAWAY!
 CLICK HERE
Enter to win a copy of
My Street Cats

by Dr. Raphaella Bilski.

Drawing will be held
Tuesday March 24.

Winner announced March 27.





***
.
MARCH SPECIAL OFFER!
March book sales help find homes
for the cats at Great Plains SPCA.



Each copy of Rescued you buy from us
comes with an autographed bookplate
from Ryker, the star of "Ryker's Rescue,"
customized just for you..


CLICK PAYPAL IN SIDEBAR TO BUY
Thank you!









 



Thursday, March 19, 2015

Thursday Trivia: Origin of the Tomcat



Everyone knows what "tomcat" means. The word seems to have been around forever!
Not quite, actually. It only dates back about 245 years, give or take.

"Tomcat" first appears in a book written by British dramaticist and novelist Henry Fielding, in his title, The Life and Adventures of a Cat (1760).

Fielding was known for his somewhat earthy humor and the book itself, though a children’s title, was considered by some at the time to be a bit edgy for young eyes.

Faraday: Do I look like a "Tom" to you? Didn't think so. I'm a "Faraday".
The book’s protagonist was a male cat by the name of Tom, who Fielding repeatedly referred to throughout the story as “Tom the Cat.” The book was highly popular at the time, possibly for the same reason parents don’t mind taking their kids to see a Disney movie: much of the dialogue has a secondary meaning that adults appreciate.

At any rate, Fielding’s use of the phrase “Tom the Cat,” together with its popularity, resulted in a cultural shift: male cats came to be known as tomcats.

Prior to this, they were referred to as ram-cats. And the origin of this phrase was so ubiquitous that it would be impossible to date its origin.

Its oldest use in print can only be traced back to a book written by British satirist John Wolcot, writing as Peter Pindar in 1788. Note this actually postdates Fielding's "tomcat"!

The book was Peter's pension: a solemn epistle to a sublime personage and here’s a screenshot of its use in the book:
Allie: And of course, I'd like to remind everyone that boycats are merely called Tom, while us girlcats are properly called Queen.


Anyone want to challenge her opinion on that? Maxie? Faraday? Nope, didn't think so.

_________________
Sources:

Notes and Queries, William White. Oxford Journals. Complete text here.

Henry Fielding: wikipedia

Online Etymology Dictionary: "Tomcat"

The New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature: Volume 2, 1660-1800, George Watson (Editor). Cambridge Universtiy Press.

Peter's pension: a solemn epistle to a sublime personage, Pindar, Peter. London, 1788. Complete text here.

***

GIVEAWAY!
 CLICK HERE
Enter to win a copy of
My Street Cats

by Dr. Raphaella Bilski.

Drawing will be held
Tuesday March 24.

Winner announced March 27.





***
.
MARCH SPECIAL OFFER!
March book sales help find homes
for the cats at Great Plains SPCA.



Each copy of Rescued you buy from us
comes with an autographed bookplate
from Ryker, the star of "Ryker's Rescue,"
customized just for you..


CLICK PAYPAL IN SIDEBAR TO BUY
Thank you!