I'm Damn Proud To Be A Cat Lady

I've been called many names in my lifetime. Labels and teasing seem to be a regular part of the human experience for many of us and it's because of this that many of us seek consolation & acceptance in our animal friends. Respect and trust are earned first, then understanding follows. They do not judge, there are no slurs said or insults thrown - it's simply the purest form of existence: love.  It has taken me my whole lifetime thus far to not just accept but embrace and exude who I truly am: a cat lady (and damn proud of it)!

as I'm writing this - this is what my bed looks like

The fact is I'm 30, I'm single and I have (insert dramatic crescendo here) 6 cats. Besides the fact that there are far far worse things I could be, being a cat lady brings me happiness and joy. It is my bliss and I'm following it, basking in it, open-hearted, full steam ahead. This doesn't mean that I haven't met a certain amount of judgement, resistance and negativity from people (and even myself) but it does mean that none of that bothers me anymore. One of my heroes, Rupaul, wisely says "what other people think of me is none of my business" and as far as me buying that "spinster will die alone & cats will eat me" nonsense - that's just not in my budget. At the end of the day I'm not living my life to please anyone but myself and my Spirit.


If you talk to me for more than 5 minutes, chances are you will know something about my cats and my love for the feline species. Am I running up to random people and asking if they've accepted cats & kittens as their bliss and joy? No, of course not. Everyone has their own path in life, mine just happens to be filled with whiskers, cat fur and the occasional hair-ball. On a daily basis I'm around people who are not "cat people" and when they realize that I am, I tend to get one of several responses.

The most common response - people expect me to be crazy (like the cat lady from The Simpsons crazy). While I do possess a certain level of oddity and uniqueness, my home does not smell like cat pee, you will not find a "flat cat" under the sofa, I am articulate, bathed and do not throw random cats at people. I have human friends whom I hang out with on a regular basis. I do wildly "normal" things like go to the movies, shop at Trader Joe's and go on vacation.

The Simpsons - always good for a giggle ;)

The second most common response I get is: "me too!" though sometimes it's a "cat man." One thing I've noticed about us cat people is that we, like cats, can be quite guarded initially. However, once that guard is lowered, you will find that the majority of cat people are personable, trustworthy, kind and fun! Kind of like cats. ;)

Another response I get is 100% pure negativity. People will immediately start verbally disparaging cats in any and all ways, shapes & forms they can think of. On rare occasion, this is because of a horrible first hand experience with a cat, but most of the time it's simply because the person is not familiar will cats and has formed his/her opinion based on the crazy cat lady stereotype. Now, anyone with intelligence knows basing one's perspective of any group on a stereotype is ignorant, and as fellow cat person Mark Twain, once said "never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference." So how do I respond to this sort of response? I don't. Most of the time I'll literally say "I'm walking away" and then leave. Someone who spews such negativity doesn't deserve my time or energy, nor do they merit an argument because I would only be engaging in the negativity myself. Besides, I'm not trying to "convert" anyone anyway.

With that said, if someone is maliciously cruel and physically abusive to ANY animal, you bet your ass I will say something - and do something. There are few things in this life that make me angry (I'm far from being short-tempered) but if you harm an innocent animal, may your God have mercy on you because chances are I will not. You know how mothers are fiercely protective of their young? That's me, except my children are animals. I'm going to interject a disclaimer here: I do NOT nor have I ever actively sought out animal abusers or the like. I'm simply saying that if one crosses my path, enters my life or I see it happening right in front of me - you better run and fast. I'm built like an Amazon, trained in the German broadsword, boxed for a number of years and will put my life on the line to save any animal's.

Alrighty now, let me get back to the topic here. There are, of course, other response that I get, but those are the most common. I am human and there are some times when the negativity will bother me, and that's when I ask myself why is it bothering me today? Why now? Sometimes it can be just because I'm having a tough day and feel vulnerable, sometimes it's because someone who I considered a friend said it, and sometimes it's because I'm just taking it personal when it's really not.

Throughout life, I've found that when someone insults or is negative to me, it quite often has little or nothing to do with me. It really has everything to do with them - I just happen to be the projection screen that day. So how do I deal with that? Well once I get past my fragile, ego-centric reaction and realize that it has nothing to do with me, I energetically blast them with love and kindness! I send them good juju because apparently, they need it! And of course when I go home, I hug my cats and soak-up their unconditional fuzzy love.

Now the stereotypes are there for a reason - albeit not a very fair one, but there are cat people who do embody that unfortunate persona. There are some films/shows that delve into this topic - the documentary "Cat Ladies" and subsequent TV show by the same name, and "Hoarders," explores the psychology and sometimes, psychosis, behind being a "crazy cat lady." Humans are fragile and without care, we break. After this break we have to ability to repair and rebuild, but we also have the ability to remain broken. I've seen this first hand with my Dad. He broke after my parents' divorce - to him, losing his family meant losing his world. He was a cat person too and while he didn't hoard excessive numbers of cats, just stuff, he did have cats that he wasn't able to properly care for - because he wasn't able to care for himself. I love my Dad, do not misunderstand that, and by the time he passed away we had a close relationship filled with love & support but it took him many years to realize that he needed help.

happier days, my Dad and his favorite cat Duke

 While he relied on me and his friend for said help, the months before his sudden death he prolifically shared with me his regrets and his pride in the woman I'd grown to become. He had seen me break in my own life & struggle through it. It wasn't until that struggle, did I (thanks to my Mom's suggestion) begin volunteering at the local animal shelter and discovered that's where my heart felt whole again.  My parents are both responsible for me finding my path in life. My Dad was always supportive of my eccentricities, introverted ways and affinity for felines and my Mom continues to be the wind at my back and shoulder to lean on whenever I need encouragement & solace. I honor where I come from by following my heart - so really, when you think about it, I honor my parents by helping cats.

Dad & me circa 1987

Mom & me circa 1993

I guess what I'm trying to say here is simply to be yourself. No matter what, don't let anyone or anything ever diminish your beauty - inside or out. Raise your flag and fly it! Be a dreamer, be a freak, be normal, be a dog person, be a cat person, be whoever you are when your heart is open and happy. Be you! And do not worry if you're not sure what that is yet! That is what life is for - figuring out what makes you happy and fulfills your soul. So don't be afraid to explore this world and anything that interests you - just get out there and do it. This is not always easy for me to do - I'm a natural introvert and homebody - but I can tell you with 100% positivity that every time I've done something new, and usually by myself, I've had a great time. I've learned so much about myself and realized just how important cats are to me and that I'm damn proud to be a cat lady.

yes, that is Yoda on my head - inspired by the great Colonel Meow
(who, if you don't know, is awesome - look him up on Facebook)

Own your flaws, they can be your best attributes.
Follow your heart, you will never be lost.
Embrace what makes you happy, for it is there you will find yourself.

and above all, "Be Excellent to Each Other!" -Bill S. Preston Esq. & Ted Theodore Logan "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure"

yours truly,

The Cat Advocate, Christina

Bringing Home Fuzzy

A new addition to the family is an exciting event. It can also be one of the most stressful times in that animal's life, and maybe even yours if you're not prepared. Everyone will have a different method of what works for them, but here's what's worked for me.


Are You Ready For Commitment?
 
First things first, bringing home a new fuzzy, or your first fuzzy, isn't a decision that should be taken lightly. This is a commitment that you cannot break. You are responsible for the life of another living being now and you have an obligation to that life to provide a safe, loving home. The very first thing you should consider when thinking of adding a pet to the household is how it will effect the existing humans & animals. Is your roommate okay with it? Is your landlord okay with it? Is anyone allergic? Does the pet you already have get along with other animals? Can you afford the costs (money & time) of caring for a new fuzzy? Is there a chance that you may be moving within the foreseeable future to a place that possibly won't allow animals? These are just a few questions you need to ask yourself and really evaluate before adopting.

Too many times I've seen people adopt an adorable little fuzzy and then months later decide they "just don't have time for it anymore" or "changed their mind" or better yet - "it's not cute anymore" (that one really gets my blood boiling). Animals are not an accessory to add to your wardrobe, nor are they toys to be given away or tossed aside when they get older/bigger. They are souls inhabiting fuzzy (or feathered or scaled) bodies that are willing to happily love you unconditionally 'til their last breath. You wouldn't throw away the baby with the bathwater because the water got dirty, so why would you abandon an animal because they behave like an animal. Adopting means bringing home a new baby, regardless of the age of the animal.

me circa 1989 with the first litter of kittens that I helped care for

The Adjustment Period 

Similar to having a baby, there will be a lot of things you may have to do differently. I call this the adjustment period. In my experience the adjustment period can be as quick as 5 minutes or as long as a year. The adjustment period isn't just the animal getting used to his/her new home but it also includes you adapting to your new life plus one.

Depending on your existing situation at home, the adjustment period may be short and sweet. For example, if you're introducing a new pet to a home where he/she is the only pet, then he/she has no other animal to meet, greet or establish rank with. On the other hand, if you're adding to a home with existing animals then you need to be prepared for the introductions. Animals naturally establish a hierarchy within their "packs" but the most important part of this hierarchy is that YOU are the Alpha.

You must be the leader of the pack, you must earn the respect of the pack in order for them to allow you to be the leader. Now, with that said, establishing yourself as Alpha can be a different process depending on what kind of animal you are working with - for cats, it's an ongoing process. The key is to be consistent - if they're not allowed on the counter, don't let them get away with it. They may understand this right away or they may not - it's all personality driven (kind of like dealing with a teenager). Give praise for good behavior, reprimand bad behavior and be patient! They're learning from you just as much as you are learning from them.

I've heard it said before that "Dogs have owners, Cats have staff" - I couldn't agree more. However, this doesn't mean that cats don't respect you nor do you work for them. It simply means that cats will consistently test your boundaries to see what is allowed. Once you establish boundaries, it's up to you to keep them - again, consistency is key. Just don't forget that you are not only physically bigger than the cat, their livelihood depends on you, and though at times they may act aloof - they're merely basking in the privileged life they live. A life that would be impossible without you - without your love and care.

The adjustment period also means house training (using the litter box, don't scratch the furniture, whether or not they're just indoor or indoor/outdoor, etc). I've never had problems getting a new kitten or cat to use the litter box. Make sure the box is easily accessible, preferably in a place where there's low foot traffic and no risk of the cat ever being shut off from it. Then, put the cat in the litter box, take their paw and gently dig into the litter with it. Basically - that's it; cats innately want to bury their waste (it's in their DNA from years as predators, covering their waste is how they ensured no other animal would be aware of their presence). If you find that your new cat is repeatedly missing the litter box or just flat out not using it, this is often a sign of a larger issue. It could be behavioral (was this cat a feral? is he upset about something? maybe she's stressed out about a recent change?) or it could be medical (is he struggling to produce any waste? this is a common, yet serious issue and should be addressed by a medical professional immediately).

Okay, so far you're Alpha and you've told them where they're going to relieve themselves. How do you introduce the new one to the old one/s? It all depends on personality. I've found that the transition goes most smoothly when I prep my existing animals ahead of time. I will literally have a conversation with them about a new kitten/cat coming home. I'll talk to them just like I'd talk to a fellow human, and I do this from the get-go, as soon as I decide to adopt a new fuzzy. When I do bring the new addition home, I like to have a special area for them set up AHEAD of time (you don't want to be scrambling around trying to set up a litter box, food bowls, toys, etc when the new fuzzy arrives).

Don't discount the unexpected but be sure you can handle it! I brought Yoda home without any planning. Luckily,  I had a lot  of experience from my 5 other cats. 

Right now I live in a small, one bedroom apartment so I've used my bathroom as the transition room. It's safe & small which reduces the intimidation factor of a foreign, unknown space to a cat. It's also easy to locate the new fuzzy if he/she has decided to seek comfort in the corner. There isn't a crawl space for them to get stuck in, no fridge for them to wedge themselves behind, and no dangerous items they could unintentionally hurt themselves with. (If you're thinking that this sounds a whole lot like baby-proofing, you're right - it basically is, except kittens' & cats' bodies are much more resilient and durable than a human baby's.)

I also recommend borrowing a toy from your existing animal and putting it with the new fuzzy. This will help them get acquainted with the scent of the other animal and when they meet for the first time, things won't be a complete shock. I'll shut the bathroom door if necessary (definitely if the new fuzzy is scared/ skittish) and more often than not, my existing cats have come over to sniff the door. They know there's another animal there (my cats also just hate closed doors) and want to investigate.

When I brought home Caerus (who was impounded from an abusive hoarder) he was terrified so I sat with him for a couple hours, comforting and holding him. He was still extremely stressed after a couple hours though - I knew he would need something special to lure him out of his shell before we progress onto full introductions to the rest of the family. Low and behold, that something special turned out to be shoelaces - magical, wonderful, chewable shoelaces! After that, he turned into a bounding, playful kitten - I had earned his trust and he was comfortable now. I figured I'd give him one more day solo in the bathroom but to my surprise he wouldn't let me shut the door. Instead, he strutted out into the middle of the living room, sauntered past the other 5 cats, stopped, sniffed the air, looked around, plopped down and stretched out.

Caerus playing tug of war with his fleece string toy

I stood back and watched. Loki (my oldest) approached, hissed and stood over Caerus. Caerus bowed his head and his ears went back. Loki sniffed him, mouth agape, and walked away. SUCCESS! Loki had established his dominance (he's my 2nd in command) and Caerus accepted his place in the hierarchy. From there, everyone else followed suit - except Wynnie, she's never liked another cat (and probably never will) but she just keeps to herself and everyone's happy.

monkey see, monkey do - baby Caerus mimics big brother Loki

Be Patient

Caerus was the one who I prepped for most since I knew he had endured severe trauma and was only 3 months old. I was ready for a much lengthier transition than what happened. As for bringing home my other cats, Loki didn't give me one problem and neither did Wynnie. With Lula & Wicket, the adjustment period was over just a quickly as it started (they were fortunate enough to be in excellent, loving foster care before I adopted) and Yoda seemed like he was ready to come home and play with the whole pack from the moment he saw me at the shelter.

Loki & Caerus (about 9 months old) pose for the camera

I've been very lucky with my cats - they all have their distinct personalities but all cohabit peacefully under one roof. The adjustment periods weren't difficult for me or them and I believe that is largely due to patience. I cannot emphasize enough just how important patience is. We as humans, do not naturally speak "cat" nor do cats naturally speak our language. It is during the adjustment period that we learn one another's language. Once we have broken that language barrier, we are able to communicate and from there things go smoothly and the transition moves forward. Keep in mind though, not everyone learns the same - some are quick studies, some are slow learners. Just be patient, don't give up, and honor your commitment to this animal.


The Really Fun Part

this is not my bed anymore, and I'm okay with that

Congratulations! You've all made it through the adjustment period. Now the really fun part begins. The part where you get to wake up to a myriad of paws on you, the part where you can never leave home without being somewhat covered in cat hair, the part where you open cans of food and scoop the litter box in exchange for unconditional love. Okay okay, those aren't necessarily the best parts but it all comes with the territory. Bottom line is to listen to your cat - they will speak to you with non-verbal signals. Learn from your cat - they will teach you more with one tail swish than some college courses ever will. Love your cat - and they will love you, no matter what.

to have a sweet little fuzzy rest happily in your arms - makes it all worth it

Sincerely,

The Cat Advocate, Christina


Have more questions? please comment below, check out my Facebook page The Cat Advocate, or email me at thecatadvocate@gmail.com.

my story

From the day I was born, we always had at least 2 cats at home - Smokey and Fluffy were the first two. I remember rescuing kittens, finding kittens, and adopting cats constantly (or at least to my childhood memories, it felt like it was constantly). They were a normal part of the family.

one of my first cats, Smokey, checking out a couple tiny humans
(my curly haired self on the left, my cousin on the right)

On the night of my 7th birthday, I was awoken by an emaciated fluffball jumping into my bed and burrowing under my sheets. My uncle had brought over 2 Himalayan cats that he found abandoned in a dumpster and the skittish female sought refuge in my room. She was the first cat who was ever "my" cat - and being the astute seven year old I was, I aptly named this Himalayan cat, Himmy. The 2nd cat my Dad named Max. Himmy and I played and snuggled all the time, she would even howl outside my window when she wanted to come in. I was so proud to finally have a cat who adored me (up until now, I coveted my sister's bond with her cats). Himmy lived a luxuriously, happy life with us, ultimately staying with my Dad after my parents' divorce, and eventually passing away in her sleep when I was 17.

picture of Himmy courtesy of my 7 y/o self

Shortly after Himmy & Max, we adopted Duke from a family friend. He was true royalty and definitely the KING of our house. I'd even go as far to say that he was my sister's first love and definitely my Dad's best friend.

me with Duke & Max on one of their favorite spots, atop the washer

me and a less perturbed looking, Duke

Several years later, my 6th grade science teach told my class about a couple kittens she rescued that were in desperate need of a home. It was all I could think about for the rest of the day, the first thing I told my Mom about when she picked me up from school, and in under 24 hours, two little Calico kittens - Ginger and Chamomile - were home with me.

fun fact: Chammy was the first polydactyl cat I've ever had, with 7 toes on each front paw.
When she walked, she worked the runway like a supermodel!

After Ginger & Chammy, came Venus & Mars (two silver tabbies - the first two in a long line of silver tabbies I've rescued). Then came Bear, an all black alley kitten, my high school boyfriend rescued and gave to me. Then came Dory - a puppy! Yes, that's right, I rescued a Dalmatian/chow/lab mix puppy from the pound. After Dory gained 20lbs in less than 3 months, we quickly realized how massive he would be as an adult and keeping him in our townhouse was just not a wise choice. We found him the perfect permanent home with a close friend who had 3 hyper children and a very large yard. The oldest child, a pre-teen boy, and Dory quickly bonded and became inseparable - the kid even got sent home from baseball practice because he refused to leave Dory's side. As heart-breaking of a decision it was for me to re-home Dory, little did I know it would lead me to the love of my life - Loki.



I was 17, angst ridden and angry at the world. My boyfriend just dumped me, my Mom and I were constantly at each others' throats, and I hated everything about high school. I had one friend and she and I pretty much lived at each others' homes. One day, she adopted two sweet little kittens - Milo & Zoe. They were adorable and lovable and that's when I realized that's what I was missing - unconditional love. It had never dawned on me before how important having animals at home truly was, and by now all my animals had gone away in one form or another. So, one fateful Sunday, I drove down to Petco where I knew the local rescue group would be holding adoptions.   

Walking in, I knew technically I wasn't old enough to adopt - yet that didn't stop me. I perused the crates of cats and kittens, trying to ignore the handful of obnoxious children poking and prodding at the animals, and that's when I saw two giant ears trembling in the corner of a crate. He was the runt of 5 kittens, his brothers & sisters were all bounding about playfully. I zeroed in on the little guy, asked if I could hold him, and before I knew it, I had the sweetest little grey tabby fuzzball in my hands. He burrowed into my arms, his body relaxed, and in under 10 minutes he fell asleep purring and I fell in love. That's when I turned to a rescue volunteer with misty eyes and said I was only 17 1/2. She smiled kindly, looked at the blissful Arnold (his name at the time) and said the best 4 words I've ever heard: "I'll make an exception."

baby Loki with his giant ears

13 years later, Loki and I have been through a whole darn lot - my high school graduation, 5 moves, 2 roommates, my college graduation, 3 devastating breakups, the death of my Dad, the near-death of Loki, a handful of foster cats, adoptions of 5 more cats, my 20s, and the start of my 30s. No one knows me like he does and vice-versa. I am his and he is mine and we'll be together forever, across all directions of space and time. He is my heart and the love of my life - he is Loki.

about 5 months old - the runt of the litter is growing into his ears

no one can call him a runt anymore - Loki is a healthy 14lb, 13 year old

Next to be adopted was Eowyn, aka Wynnie. She came from a little that my sister's cats had - which she rescued. Before we were able to spay/neuter, Apollo had his sister, Akasha, pregnant. These are cats - just to remind you - where inbreeding is not that uncommon (how else would there be purebreds?). My sister found excellent homes for the rest of the litter & re-homed them (of course after ensuring mama, daddy and all babies were spayed/neutered). I've been with Wynnie, literally, since the moment she was born and let me just tell ya, a cat giving birth ain't the prettiest thing, but Akasha and I have had a very special bond ever since (me being her human mid-wife and all).

newborn Eowyn - just opened her eyes

princess in training, Wynnie and her littermate Chloe (left)

Wynnie these days is a prinCESS! She has no time for your baby talk or cat toys - she is royalty and commands the respect that comes with such a title. She cannot stand my other cats, and it's a rare occasion when she even likes another human (aside from me). Her Royal Highness enjoys sitting atop the highest tier on the cat tree and basking in sunshine. In fact, I have to bring food to her most of the time, for princesses do not eat with commoners according the Wynnie. She's a handful and can have quite the temper, but she's my handful and I love her. 

Wynnie today (9 y/o) - atop the pillow fit for a queen

 In December 2008, I adopted a bouncy, flouncy, hyper, little snug-bug. She was named Snugs at the time, which I still call her on occasion, especially when all she wants to do is kneed my stomach and snuggle on my lap, but most of the time she's known as Lula. 

little girl Lula - unfamiliar with a camera

She's my ninja kitty - whom you will rarely see, unless she decides she likes you. Feathers are her favorite toy and she loves to eat cardboard, string and whatever else fits in her mouth - she has pica. Pica, for those who don't know, is when you have the irresistible urge to each inedible things. This has given me some serious worry throughout the years (especially when objects only partially pass and I have to pull the rest out - oy!), but nothing I can't handle and the older she gets the less she does it.

all grown up, Lula is 4 now

About a year later I was in the local pet supply store when they happened to have adoptions from the local shelter. I held one of the kittens, but reluctantly left without him - thinking I'd be crazy to adopt a 4th cat. The next day I woke up and knew I had to go back - that's when I saw Wicket again. He had stared at me the whole time the day before, and I b-lined it right to him this day. The moment I opened the crate, he walked into my arms and nuzzled into me. That was it - he was coming home with me. He continues to be the most loving, tender-hearted soul I've ever met. We snuggle every night and more often than not, I wake up to him asleep on the pillow beside me. I like to think a big part of his sweet personality came from the care he received at a young age from his foster parents - who I'm still in touch with today. 

baby Wicket

Wicket - all grown up, but still mews like a kitten

Shortly after Wicket, I started volunteering at the local shelter. It took all of 3 weeks before I adopted Caerus. He was rescued from a hoarder - and was 1 of about 70 cats who lived in an abusive home where food and water was scarce. Though he was only 3 months old when I adopted him, he had endured a trauma that most cats wouldn't ever see. I knew he would be special needs when I brought him home and I was prepared. I had him set up in my bathroom so he could adjust at his own pace, comfortably. Well, after he discovered shoelaces and his very own bowls of food & water, he decided on day 2 he was done with the bathroom and sauntered into the middle of the living room, plopped down and stretched out. He and Wicket bonded VERY quickly and continue to be absolutely inseparable. 

Caerus still remains somewhat special needs. He is an extraordinarily sensitive soul and gets stressed and spooked easily - which he lets me know by peeing on my bed. About a month ago, I began sitting with him a little bit every day - even though every time I pick him up he flinches, as soon as I'm hugging him he's purring like a motorboat and nuzzled into my chest. It will be a lifelong process for Caerus and I am happy to help, protect, and love him in all the ways he needs. 

            

                                    scared baby Caerus

today Caerus relaxes on his favorite pillow

Last, but certainly not least, is Yoda. This little ball of light and love showed up in my life completely unexpectedly. I was volunteering at the shelter, prepping to clean the cages when I heard a little creature screaming at the top of his lungs. I turned around and saw what appeared to be a kitten - though at the time he looked more like a little alien bug covered in a coagulated mess of hair, litter and feces. 

My work was cut out for me. I grabbed a stack of rags, cleaner, gloves and got to work. From the second I picked him up, he was purring and trying to lick me. I couldn't set him down without him howling like banshee so I cleaned his cage with one hand, and held smelly, messy Yoda in the other. Once his cage was clean, I asked my good friend & fellow volunteer to help me bathe him. After bath #1 I put him back in his cage and about 30 minutes later it looked like he had never been cleaned. Lather, rinse, repeat. About another hour later... again, lather, rinse, repeat. Finally after bath #3 he calmed down and stayed clean. As I brushed him out he fell asleep in my arms and I certainly couldn't put him down now, it would disturb him and he looked sooooo happy. Flash forward to 2 years later, I still haven't let him go. 

Yoda asleep in my arms at the shelter

baby Yoda claiming his toy at home

He's the light that helped me through the sudden death of my Dad (I adopted Yoda 2 months before my Dad passed), he keeps 13 year old Loki active with plenty of play/exercise, and is an eternal source of entertainment for my whole pack. Life would not be complete without my little Yodi Fu. 

Yoda today - my little bug

These days I no longer volunteer at the shelter, but recently started volunteering with a low-profile group that cares for the feral cats at the Movie/TV studios in Los Angeles, CA. Funny how that came about - basically I got recruited by one of the ferals (maybe I'll share the whole story another time - yes?).

So that's my story - or my pack's story, of how we all ended up together. I have 6 cats and could not imagine life without any of them. Each one has given me endless amounts of joy and love, along with invaluable experience in animal behavior and communication. If there's one topic in life that I can confidently say I'm an expert in - it's cats.

Sincerely,

The Cat Advocate, Christina

the first one

So, this would be my first blog post ever. I have a bunch of ideas swirling around but not quite sure where to start. Obviously, this blog is dedicated to all things cat, but what do you want to hear about? got any questions? send 'em to me! ideas? send those too!

Here's a picture of the youngest in my pack, my little minion Yoda - a rescued 2 year old persian, and kind of a perma-kitten. Believe it or not, he eats at least 4 cans of food a day and still says between 6-7lbs (the rest is fluff) - probably because he runs around like a bat out of hell through all hours of the night, or maybe, he's so appropriately named that he's using "the force." Who knows - but dang it if he ain't the cutest cat in the world!

so send in your questions and ideas about anything cat related and I'll do my best to help or at least give you some advice based on my experiences.

-sincerely

The Cat Advocate, Christina