[LINK: PacificaRiptide.com]

Hey, evrybuddy, Skeezix heer.

Today, I’m interviewing Gordy, the reigning World’s Wettest Coolest Cat. Last year, Gordy won the “Wet Cat” category in the World’s Coolest Cat Show. He was the Grand Prize winner in 2007, and a finalist in the Sleeper category (photo at right) in 2006. As we enter the final days to enter and vote in the World’s Coolest Cat Contest, I’ve asked Gordy to share with you what goes on behind the scenes when a winning photo is born.

Skeezix: First off, Gordy, I wunt to congratulate yoo on yer teem, the grate Noo York Yankees, bringing home da Werld Series Trophy. Whut did yoo do this yeer to cheer them on to viktery?

Gordy: OH WOW! Yes! I was, and still AM so excited about the Yankees winning the World Series! I’ve never seen that before and they did it at home in their NEW Stadium too! Couldn’t have been a better season for them!

Since this year they played in a new home, I had ALL NEW stuff to do. Before any game that I got to watch, I wore my Yankees jersey of course, and did the “happy dance” – something I have become secure in doing now that I am a mature 4 years old. Dutchie is also allowed to share the couch with me now so I can ‘high paw” her when they score. I think it really helped this season! (I also sacrifice a fur mouse out the window to the vishus deer out back if they should lose.)

Skeezix: Gordy, last yeer yoo wun the Wet Cat Category in the Werld’s Coolest Cat Contest with the toylet foto below. What was the inspiration for yer foto? Did yoo plan it owt for weeks ahed of time?

Gordy: Well, when mommy found me living on the streets when I was 3 weeks old, I was immediately introduced to water let’s say for “pest control”. After my first week living with my mommy and perhaps 10 baths later, I LOVED water. AS I grew older (and bigger), I started to share showers, sit in the sinks and play in the small jacuzzis in the bathrooms. Mommy and dad would usually put down the jacuzzi lids in the house but occasionally, when a guest might be over, they would use the jacuzzi and leave the lid up and I would then splash all the water out. If it was in the summer time, I might splash as much water out of it until I could sit in it because it was so nice and cool.

On this particular occasion, mommy set ME up- BUT ONLY on the day the picture was taken- she didn’t plan the idea (at least that’s what she told me). SHE left the top up and sat around with her camera waiting for me to play in the water not knowing I was going to empty the jacuzzi out.

Skeezix: So you reely were wet? It wuzn’t all smoke and mirrors?
Unlike my previous year’s entry (see photo, right), there was no smoke and mirrors in this entry, I was IN the jacuzzi and I was really wet. So was the floor … and the walls … and the toilet paper!

Skeezix: Did yoo hafta git high on nip or sumthin, to akshully jump in the toylet?

Gordy: Oh no, I SINCERELY LOVE water! I used to sit with mommy in the shower, I sit in the kitchen sink and drink from the faucet, I have learned how to turn ON the bar faucet, I used to stand with my front pawn IN my dog-brother Gonzo’s water bowl while we both drank from it. — HEY! why do you keep calling it a toilet???

Skeezix: Cuz it’s a toylet, Gordo! How many fotos did yer mom take to git the winning shot?

Gordy: I think mommy took about 10-12 photos of me. Most of them she snuck because when I see her with the camera now and I think I’m NOT supposed to be doing something, I RUN! I KNOW I’m not supposed to be in the jacuzzi so she had to sneak them.

Skeezix: How long did yoo sit thare?

Gordy: I may have been there about 5-10 minutes. Had mommy not taken pictures, I might have been there longer. I thought I was in big trouble.

Skeezix: How do the ladies react to that photo? Did it tern yoo into a chick magnet, or do they go eeeuuuwww!?

Gordy: You know, the ladies didn’t really react either way. (getting a bit paranoid) I have my friends who all thought it was funny, I was just sad that they didn’t have a jacuzzi too. I made some new fiends as well but I don’t remember any kitties being “ewwwww’ed out. [nervous chuckle, grabs picture dictionary]

Skeezix: Some cats thought you should have been in the Daredevil category instead, because diving into the toylet scares the bejeebers out of just about evry cat I know. I’m in awe of yer feerlessness. Will yoo stop at nothing to get an award winning shot?

Gordy: [Looks up "toilet" in the picture dictionary.] Um… [chuckles] WELL, I would have to say that I would TRY to take a winning photo if it made my mommy happy. SHE’s really the one behind the ideas you know- if I had it my way, I’d be a pirate sailing the high seas in search of treasure everyday but I’m just little Gordy.

Mommy’s thing is to break out the camera and photograph me and Dutchie when we are doing our usual kitty things. THOSE are typically the best shots- when we run around, play jump, whatever. Sleeping shots are easy that way- playing shots get the good action stuff like daredevil stuff. The BEST photos come when there’s no agenda. So yes, I would stop at nothing at being myself- HELPING mommy get an award winning shot.

Of course, SOME photos need to be posed but you’ve shared that lesson with EXPERT advice.

Skeezix: Will yoo be entering the contest this yeer, or are yoo retiring wile yer still at the top of yer game?

Gordy: I have, for lack of a better term, retired. Most kitties know that my mommy doesn’t live with me anymore, so I don’t have any new photos to enter. Mommy isn’t around to snap away the way she used to be or come up with her crazy ideas preventing me from becoming a pirate. I am not ripped up and torn apart about it but mommy is. She enjoyed the contest very much I know. Many kitties have asked me to submit something though, so mommy placed one photo for Dutchie and me from our old photos just to keep our paws in the contest.

WE wish EVERY kitty MUCH LUCK and even MORE FUN with all your entries!!!!

Skeezix: Thank you so much Gordy for being so jeneruss in sharing what goes on behind the seens with my reeders. I hope yoo don’t stay retired too long!

• Visit Gordy on Catster.
• Enter the World’s Coolest Cat Show.

Ginger and Mocha are a plus-sized pair of cats who were surrendered to the Marin Humane Society (north of San Francisco) when their guardian could no longer care for them.

Tipping the scales at over 23 lbs. each, these two plus-size pussycats have hearts to match, and have spent the majority of their time snuggling together since they were surrendered to the MHS.

Ginger and Mocha require an extra special adopter who will keep them on a restricted diet, and monitor Mocha who is in the early stages of kidney disease.

“Ginger and Mocha are big cats with big hearts to match,” says Carrie Harrington, Communications Manager. “Adopting a senior pair with health issues takes a very special and committed person. We’re confident that Ginger and Mocha will find the loving home that they deserve.”

The Marin Humane Society (171 Bel Marin Keys Blvd., Novato CA) will begin accepting applications for Ginger and Mocha on Tuesday morning (11/10/09). Shelter hours are 10 am to 5 pm. The adoption fee for Ginger and Mocha is $130 ($65 each as members of the MHS Senior Partners Program). For more information please call Adoptions at (415) 506-6225 or visit their website.

About Ginger

Handsome Ginger can work off calories by chasing toys and dining on a lo-cal diet. He will also benefit from regular grooming to keep his fur free of mats.

We think this friendly gentleman will happily bond with a new family who can give him the things he needs most in life: a sunny window with a cat perch (he’ll need a lift up initially!), some toys for entertainment and exercise, and plenty of grooming and petting sessions from you.

About Mocha

A perfect day for Mocha would include lazing in the sun, but she could certainly benefit from some active play time to help her with her figure.

Mocha enjoys playing with feathery wand toys, a great way to get her moving about.

Mocha is in the early stages of Chronic Renal Failure (CRF), a progressive, incurable disease that affects the kidney’s ability to function. CRF cats can live for many months and sometimes even years without having major problems. Unfortunately, there is no way to predict how long it will be before Mocha begins to show clinical signs of CRF, like increased water drinking and increased urination. A low protein diet and subcutaneous fluids can keep cats in more advanced CRF reasonably comfortable for a period of time.

About CRF (Chronic Renal Failure)

CRF is a progressive, incurable disease that affects the kidney’s ability to function. CRF cats can live for many months and sometimes even years without having major problems. Unfortunately, there is no way to predict how long it will be before cats begin to show clinical signs of CRF, like increased water drinking and increased urination. A low protein diet and subcutaneous fluids can keep cats in more advanced CRF reasonably comfortable for a period of time.

For more information please call Adoptions at (415) 506-6225 or visit their website.

For many tourists, a trip to Bermuda isn’t complete until they’ve sighted Flea, St George’s resident celebrity feline. Skittering from shop to shop, they ask, “Have you seen Flea?” until their queries are rewarded by an appearance by the big orange and white tabby.

“He is so well liked among the tourists,” said Belinda Tartaglia who runs her own gallery on Water Street. “He has repeat guests that stay at the St. George’s Club and go looking for him.

“One of the cruise ships actually tells their passengers about Flea so they can look for him.”

Six-year-old Flea hits all the hot spots each day, wandering from Ms Tartaglia’s art gallery to Vera P. Cards and finally to the Island Shop where he curls up in his purrsonal cat bed to nap.

During balmy summer evenings, he can be spotted on one of the island’s glass-bottom boats, gazing longingly at the fish.

“He’s the official town cat,” Ms Tartaglia added. “He has us all wrapped around his little paw. I tell the tourists he should be the next mayor.”

It’s not just the tourists who flock to see the orange tabby. He’s also popular with the local children who seek him out after school and on weekends.

Four-year-old fan Bailey Boyd visits Flea with her mom as often as she can.

“I like Flea,” Bailey said as she stroked his head. “He’s a happy cat and feels really soft.”

One of the perqs of the job for hard-working Flea is an open invitation to sample St George’s finest cuisine from restaurants that include Café Gio and Tavern by the Sea.

Flea wasn’t born with a silver spoon in his mouth, however. When he was only a few days old, Suzanne Hollis found him and a sibling clinging to life, starved and “eaten alive by fleas” at the site of the old Club Med. His sibling didn’t make it, but Flea was nursed back to health.

“He was so small he used to fit in the palm of my hand!”

Four years ago, the Hollises brought home a rescue dog from the SPCA, and Flea said “Adios!” to the family, unwilling to share accommodations with a lesser species. The Hollis family continues to provide Flea with medical care; he returns home if he’s not feeling well. A few months ago, he was hospitalized with a bacterial infection, the consequence of too many raw shrimp handouts.

Ms Hollis describes her pet as “street smart” and “independent.” He’s also well-traveled, hopping into cars before people drive away from St George’s and ending up elsewhere on the island.

Ms Hollis added: “When we bring him back to St. George’s he is so excited to be home – back on his turf.”

Click here to track Flea’s antics online.

[LINK: Bermuda Sun]

Calvin the King of Hearts (need to grab a hankie??)

Jacob as a Hairdresser

Baker the Beach Cat

Bonnie the Jester

Jack Kayden the Groom

King Louis the Sun King

You have until 11:59 pm on Halloween to enter. Grand prize includes a $25 gift card (to Petco, PetSmart, Amazon or Shutterfly), 50 zealies and a trophy (trophy for US and Canadian cats only).

There is a gaping black hole in the Catster universe today as everyone’s best friend, Calvin, made his journey to the Rainbow Bridge this morning after a six-week fight with stomach cancer.

His arresting green eyes suggested an old soul of a cat, wise beyond our knowing and as loving, cuddly and affectionate a cat as you could ever hope to meet. He was the heart and soul of Catster, always there to help, to comfort, to make your day with his gentle good humor. We will long remember his pawmails which always closed with his signature “Knead On.”

His mom, Laura, was his second caretaker. His first was Laura’s aunt. She passed away, and the day after her funeral her husband loaded all of her cats in the car and took them to the pound. Hearing this, Laura went to the pound and “bought back” the four cats, one of whom was Calvin. Laura found homes for the other three and kept Calvin. She’s had him for the last seven years.

Calvin was 18, and leaves behind Samoa, Violet, Gleek, Sugar, and Newman. He joins Spunky, Autumn and Rocky at the Bridge. Please drop by his Catster page and leave a big hug for his family, especially his mom and pop, Laura and Ted.

One lucky orange tabby expended a few of his nine lives this week when he was trapped inside an SUVs engine compartment while the SUV traveled across town.

The driver, Wilfred Rodriguez, heard a strage rattling sound when he was driving in the Bronx. When he stopped, he got out to investigate, only to see a floofy tail and paw poking out from beneath the hood.

His first reaction was, “Oh my God! I killed a cat.” He was relieved when the paw moved.

The NYPD’s Emergency Services Unit responded and freed the oil-covered cat by removing the SUV’s battery and a few other vehicle parts.

Richard Gentles of New York City Animal Care & Control reported that the stray cat appeared to be in good physical shape However, the cat was suffering from fleas and severe fur-matting.

David Ziegler of the Center for Animal Care and Control told the New York Daily News, “He seems pretty calm, like he’s not in any pain,” Mr Ziegler said. “But he’s mean. He has been growling.”

Animal Care and Control said it would hold onto the cat for three days, although hope seemed dim that an owner would come forward to claim him.

[LINK: Telegraph.co.uk]

George’s owner, Chris Jackson, registered George with the British Board of Neuro Linguistic Programming (BBNLP), the United Fellowship of Hypnotherapists (UFH) and the Professional Hypnotherapy Practitioner Association (PHPA). Each accepted a certificate from the non-existent Society of Certified Advanced Mind Therapists as proof of George’s credentials.

The UFH later admitted the mistake, which it said has since been corrected.

A PHPA spokesman said the organization makes great effort to ensure every applicant is a fully-qualified hypnotherapist.

The BBNLP said it exists only to provide benefits to its members, not to check or certify credentials.

George could not be reached for comment.

[LINK: BBC News]

Believe it or not, he’s dead asleep in this position.

[SOURCE: redbubble.com]