Happy Easter

Hello everyone. Maverick here with the Easter Edition of Cat Tales. I have to say upfront that there was no way I was letting my mom put me in bunny ears for this week’s snapshot. A cat has to draw the line somewhere. I love my mom, but asking me to put on bunny ears was beyond comprehension. I put my paw down and said, “No way, Mom.” The cat in the bunny ears is not me. You couldn’t pay me enough to put those ears on. After all, I have an image to uphold, and wearing bunny ears isn’t part of it.

I want to give a shout-out to Skamp, who was recently diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. Feel better soon, Skamp, and make sure you take your medicine. Don’t spit the pills out. Also, DJ and Patrick are having health issues and are recovering. I wish them well, too.

My mom has been having health issues for a while now. Recently, I overheard her tell a friend that she needed to go to a body shop and get some new parts. I think that’s where she went the other day because I heard her say she needed to see someone about a new knee. Before she left, she told me she’d be back as soon as her appointment was over.

The whole time she was gone, I tried to picture what she was going through at the body shop. Do you go in and pick a body part off the shelf? Do you try it on? Do they put you on one of those things like they do cars and lift you in the air and put the new knee on? I almost drove myself crazy thinking about it. When she got home a couple of hours later, I looked her up and down and didn’t see anything different. When I asked to see her new knee, she told me she wouldn’t be getting one for at least another year unless the shots stop working. For now, she will keep getting pain shots and a different type of gel shot than the one she was. I sure am relieved. I didn’t like thinking about her being lifted in the air to have a new body part put on. It makes me dizzy thinking about it.

This week’s book that I recommend reading is another Pete the Cat book. It’s called “Pete the Cat – Big Easter Adventure.” Don’t forget to visit your local library and read, read, read.

FUN FACTS ABOUT CATS

• Cats’ purring may be a self-soothing behavior since they make this noise when they’re ill or distressed, as well as when they’re happy. – I purr. But I don’t think I do it when distressed. Usually, I get very quiet and do not move from my bed.  

• Cats will refuse unpalatable food to the point of starvation. – Unpalatable, now that’s a word. It means not pleasant to taste. Please don’t give your cats unpleasant food, like wet cat food that’s been sitting out for some time. If a human won’t eat unpalatable food, then don’t feed it to us. Plus, it spoils quickly.

• Despite popular belief, many cats are actually lactose intolerant. – This is true. People think they need to give their cats milk, but please don’t. Give them fresh water every day. According to PetMD, “Cow’s milk isn’t good for cats for several reasons. As cats mature, they often lose the enzyme needed to properly break down milk. These types of cats are typically referred to as ‘lactose intolerant,’ a condition that occurs in people, as well. When cats consume milk, it causes a significant amount of gastrointestinal upset that can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence, and abdominal pain.”

• Female cats can get pregnant when they are only four months old. – I wouldn’t know anything about this since I am a guy, but I would imagine this is true.

• Grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, and chives harm cats. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure, although the reasoning behind that isn’t clear. Meanwhile, onions, garlic, and chives wreak havoc on your cat’s gastrointestinal system and can cause anemia. – Please don’t feed cats people food. There is a reason for this. If you don’t eat our food, please don’t feed us yours. There are so many food items that can cause us irreparable damage. Please keep us healthy and safe.

• If you keep your cat active during the day, he will sleep better at night. If you’re not free-feeding your cat, you can also help them get a good night’s sleep by providing them with a substantial evening meal. – Free feeding your cat means that their food is available at all times of the day. My mom doesn’t feed me that way anymore because I am on a special type of wet cat food. When I was little, someone shot me. My mom found me and rescued me, so I have never been able to eat normally, only a little bit at a time. She has to feed me several times a day and just a bit at a time so that the food isn’t sitting out and spoiling. Also, my mom is usually busy during the day, so she can’t keep me active, so I’ll sleep through the night. Therefore, I am awake. She says this is something she needs to work on with me. I told her, “Good luck.” Can you teach an old cat new tricks? Hmmm. Something to ponder.

• It’s believed that catnip produces an effect similar to LSD or marijuana in cats. The effects of nepetalactone, the chemical in catnip that can make cats crazy, will supposedly wear off within 15 minutes. – My mom won’t give me this. She doesn’t believe this would be good for me, nor does she want me behaving any crazier than I already do. She’s kidding, of course. I don’t act crazy – only when I play hockey.

• Kittens can be spayed or neutered when they are only eight weeks old. These procedures should be performed in the first five months of your cat’s life. – Been there, done that.

• Neutered male cats need fewer calories to maintain their weight. – I’m not sure about this, but it’s probably true. I never had a weight problem until I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, and that causes you to lose weight.

• Spaying and neutering can extend a cat’s life. The Banfield Pet Hospital study found that neutered males live an average of 62 percent longer than unneutered cats, and spayed females live an average of 39 percent longer than unspayed cats. –  This is very important, and it’s great news.

• Your cat’s grooming process stimulates blood flow to his skin, regulates body temperature, and helps him relax. – This is true, and I also love it when my mom combs me. I imagine it’s like when a human takes a shower, gets dressed, and makes themselves all spiffy. It’s a refreshing feeling.

• A cat with a question-mark-shaped tail is asking, “Want to play?” – I’m wondering, did someone ask a cat why their tail is in a question-mark shape, or did they just figure that out by themselves?

• According to Layla Morgan Wilde, a cat behavior expert and the founder of Cat Wisdom 101, a slow blink is a “kitty kiss.” This movement shows contentment and trust. – I have a case of the cat giggles right now. I’m going to have to watch my blinking. I wouldn’t want to give anyone the wrong impression.

That’s all the cat facts I have for today. I will leave you with today’s quote: “I believe cats to be spirits come to earth. A cat, I am sure, could walk on a cloud without coming through.” – Jules Verne

Don’t forget you can always contact me at maverick@eupnews.com. I love hearing from my fans.

Happy Easter!

Love Maverick

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Maverick

My name is Maverick, and I am 11 years old, and this is my first column. My mom adopted me when she found me outside her home, underneath her car. Someone had shot me. When the doctor wanted to end my life, she told him if there was a chance that I would make it, then do everything possible for me. She wanted me to know there were good people in this world and know that I am loved. It took five months to nurse me back to health. I had congestive heart failure, too. At the end of the five months, I finally met my two brothers for the first time. Boy, did I love them and my new home. I am so glad my mom didn’t listen to that doctor. If you have any questions or want to comment, you can reach me at maverick@eupnews.com. I would love to hear from all furry and non-furry pets and their moms and dads.

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