Tales for the Pet Lover’s Heart™ is a TV special exploring the theme that people and pets make better lives together than apart. Here are the details:
Everyone has a tale to tell. Tales for the Pet Lover’s Heart™ is a celebration of our love for our four-legged friends. Pets. Partners. Companions. They answer to many names, play many roles. But whatever we call them, one thing’s certain – they have a special place in our hearts and lives.
Last year’s show included the tales of seven individuals and their four-legged companions. We shared the stories of Debi Stevens and learned how she is honoring Buff’s legacy… Larry King, Jr. and his 40-pound cattle ranching partner Mercy… Veterinarian Curtis Brandt and Taylor… Officer Tony White and his 2 ½ year old partner, Recon… Leesia Teh whose love for Becks led to a new career… World Champion Melissa Heeter’s seven flying dogs… and traveled across the country with Greg Matulionis and his dog scout cadet, Koda.
So far this year, we’ve captured Tales in Atlanta, Seattle, Cincinnati, San Diego, Las Vegas and Phoenix. We’ve met surfing dogs and feline showstoppers; elephants and arson dogs; racing greyhounds and revved up bassets.
More than just a TV show
“Tales for the Pet Lover’s Heart™” is a lot of things, including a television special, activities for kids and families, Kroger shopper giveaways and special offers, all centered on the theme that people and pets make better lives together. Purina is sponsoring the program again this year throughout the 16 Kroger divisions around the country.
And this year, Purina and Kroger are doing even more! In 2009, they will contribute $150,000 to animal welfare organizations located in Kroger communities to help them feed pets waiting for their opportunity to share a better life in a permanent home
We wrote about Rescue Ink earlier this year, and since then they’ve scored not only a book deal, but a National Geographic series as well.
National Geographic just premiered their TV show, Rescue Ink Unleashed, on Friday, Think Animal Cops with a twist: it’s a group of bikers with more than 1700 pounds of muscle, over 80 tattoos, and one unlikely mission: to rescue helpless, abandoned and abused animals. These tough guys are not afraid to go anywhere or confront anyone to save animals in danger.
Each one-hour episode of Rescue Ink Unleashed takes viewers on “ride-alongs” as members follow up on leads in the New York metro area.Taking an average of 100 calls a week at their headquarters on Long Island, they jump into their cars — or on their “hogs” — and confront alleged animal abusers, investigate stolen animals and firmly encourage owners to give up their pets if it’s in the best interest of the animals.
Our favorite is “Des,” known as “The Cat Man.” Des is a friend to all felines. Although he grew up in the tough neighborhoods of Jamaica, Queens, where survival included hanging with a gang, Des’ cat friends have given him a new purpose in life. Des gets called in anytime there’s a cat-astrophe.
The series is on the National Geographic channel on Fridays at 10pm.
Michele’s name was chosen at random from all entries using random.org.
Skylar’s Mom asked this: Skylar is a little fellow, only about 7 lbs, but he seems to have the ability to leap tall buildings in a single bound. Actually, he has the bad habit of leaping from the floor to your shoulder to perch there; usually when your back is turned and you least expect it. I’m worried that he will do this to an unsuspecting house guest. We try putting him firmly back down on the floor and telling him “no” and it works for a day or two and then he is back to his old tricks. Should we stock up on shoulder pads and bandages or can this problem be fixed?
Thanks to everyone who entered. You described a lot of behavioral problems, and I’m working on getting your questions answered in coming weeks. In the meantime, you should contact Purina and ask a Cat Chow mentor for suggestions on resolving your cats’ issues.
What’s Housecat Housecall?
Housecat Housecall is the reality-based TV show for cat lovers.
Presented by Purina® Cat Chow®, the show is about real people, real cats, and real answers.
Each week, Dr. Katrina visits cat loving families and, with the help of the Housecat Housecall® mentors, Dr. Karen Sueda and Dr. Rich Goldstein, she’ll try to make some sense out of a wide range of feline puzzlers. Whether it’s just a quirky behavior or something more complex, Dr. Katrina and her team work out real solutions that help bring peace, harmony, and well-being back to the homes of cats and owners.
When’s it on?
Housecat Housecall airs Saturday at 10:30 am E/P and Sunday at 8:00 am E/P on Animal Planet.
Are you as addicted to Housecat Housecall as we are? Did you just start watching this season and wish you had watched Season 1? If you are, you’re gonna be rockin’ this week’s giveaway on The Cat’s Meow: You can win a Season 1 DVD of Housecat Housecall, and it couldn’t be easier to enter.
How to Enter
Just leave a comment in the comments field of this post, describing one feline behavioral problem you’d ask Dr Katrina about if you had the chance. If your cats are purrfect, tell me what makes them that way.
Deadline
All comments entered before midnight PT, Sunday July 26 will be eligible for the drawing.
Drawing
The names of those who have submitted a comment, and who entered a valid email address will be entered in the drawing. The winner will be drawn at random from all eligible entries.
Restrictions
Only one entry per household, please.
What’s Housecat Housecall?
Housecat Housecall is the reality-based TV show for cat lovers.
Presented by Purina® Cat Chow®, the show is about real people, real cats, and real answers.
Each week, Dr. Katrina visits cat loving families and, with the help of the Housecat Housecall® mentors, Dr. Karen Sueda and Dr. Rich Goldstein, she’ll try to make some sense out of a wide range of feline puzzlers. Whether it’s just a quirky behavior or something more complex, Dr. Katrina and her team work out real solutions that help bring peace, harmony, and well-being back to the homes of cats and owners.
When’s it on?
Housecat Housecall airs Saturday at 10:30 am E/P and Sunday at 8:00 am E/P on Animal Planet.
Episodes of Housecat Housecall will air over a 12-week period on Saturdays at 10:30a.m. E/P with weekly “encores” each Sunday at 8a.m. E/P beginning June 6th.
Cats have once again solidified their position as America ’s favorite pets by proving that a show dedicated entirely to their well-being can successfully break through the canine-dominated television world. Housecat Housecall, one of the first feline reality-based programs, is returning to Animal Planet on June 6 for a second season after capturing the hearts and minds of cat-loving audiences around the country.
The weekly show, presented by Purina Cat Chow, profiles cat-owning families as they work with host Dr. Katrina Warren, BVSc, and her expert team, which includes Purina Cat Chow Mentor and Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist Dr. Karen Sueda, DVM , and Dr. Rich Goldstein, DVM, to resolve their most pressing feline matters. From unruly behavior to lifestyle adjustments, Housecat Housecall features real cats, real people and real veterinarians working through a wide range of common cat behaviors.
“Housecat Housecall provides cat owners with valuable cat care information that they can apply to their own relationships with their feline friends ultimately helping them live a more connected life together,” said Dr. Katrina Warren, BVSc. “For the series, we profile twelve families dealing with a broad range of real-life kitty concerns in an effort to relate to as many cat owners as possible. We are excited to bring the show back for a second season and provide even more cat owners with actionable solutions for bringing harmony back to their households.”
Episodes of Housecat Housecall will air over a 12-week period on Saturdays at 10:30a.m. E/P with weekly “encores” each Sunday at 8a.m. E/P beginning June 6th. In each episode, Dr. Katrina visits two cat-owning homes, observes the cats in their natural environment and recommends appropriate plans of action for improving the situation.
Covering everything from quirky cats with a lot of energy to more complex matters like helping a once outdoor cat adjust to its new indoor lifestyle, Housecat Housecall gives cat owners the knowledge and tools they need to create a well-balanced home life for the whole family, including the cat. The show recognizes that cats can exhibit lots of behaviors that add to their unique charm, but when the antics move from endearing to challenging, then it’s time to bring in the professionals. Led by Dr. Katrina, the seasoned team of cat experts on the show relies on tried-and-true methods for enabling cat owners to work towards the solution that’s best for them in the long-term, and not just the one that will offer the quickest resolution.
“The second season of Housecat Housecall really takes an in-depth look at very important questions that current and potential cat owners face on a daily basis,” said Dr. Katrina. “Life-changing experiences like having a new baby or being diagnosed with cancer can have a huge impact on cat owners, but these events can also mean big changes for their cats. Our goal for Housecat Housecall is to help cat owners work through any perceived challenges, so they can realize the true joy of having feline companions and experience the power of unconditional love. We know that cats and their owners can help each other live a better life if given a chance.”
For cat owners seeking even more credible advice beyond the show, they can visit www.housecathousecall.com to find practical solutions for their individual feline situations. The website allows cat owners to share stories about their own quirky felines and gives them access to Purina Cat Chow Mentors, cat care specialists who are available to share helpful advice any day of the week, at any time. The site also provides show information, bios on the families and episode air dates.
Last week, a vary special Catster was feechered on Animal Cops Philadelphia in a segment that demunstrates the healing power of love. Millie is a terrific orange tabby who neerly didn’t make it past her ferst year. Heer is her arrival story from her Catster profile:
Millie was dumped at the city shelter with a grapefruit size tumor, pregnant and losing hair. Her former family told them to ‘kill her’.
They contacted Mommy’s work to report it as cruelty/neglect case. Millie had mammary gland hyperplasia, and an infection all through her. She had sepsis, her complete torso area’s skin ‘peeled off’, leaving her with the last layer protecting her. Millie wasn’t expected to live. At 1.5 years old, she only weighed 4 lbs. Mommy hand-fed her (b/c she wouldnt eat) and stayed with her at night when she thought Millie wasn’t going to make it. After weeks of intensive medical treatment, we were able to take her home for foster. By this time, Millie and Mommy were in love and the whole family was invested in her getting better. One night, Mommy noticed that the area where her top right nipple WOULD have been, was leaking what looked like Elmer’s glue. She had emergency surgery to remove strings of mammary glands (at this point, she could sustain being under for surgery).Our family kept extensive medical logs, charting Millie’s progress. Millie has made a FULL recovery, more than doubled her weight, and is friends with every kitty in the house!! She is playful and sweet and talks to everyone who wants to have a conversation!
Skeezix: How it is possible that someone treeted yoo so badly? Why wood they do such a thing? Millie: Mommy says people that do these things are missing pieces of their hearts. She says that people who actively hurt animals are evil but that people who just don’t care of their babies are dumb-dumbs. I have to agree with her. I don’t know HOW the people could have acted like they didn;t see the tumor on me. It was the size of a grapefruit and I only weighed about 4 lbs.
Skeezix: Yer story is vary hartbraking. Were the peepul hoo were so awful to yoo ever charged with animul cruelty? Millie:My mommy went to the court hearing, just to give them the stink eye! They were charged with failure to provide veterinary care, charged court fees and given 25 hours of community service. Not enough, if you ask me.
Skeezix: How long is it sinse yoo were rescued frum that bad sitchuation? Millie: I was brought into the PSPCA hospital on February 27, 2008 and came to live with my family as a foster the end of May of that year. I was adopted officially about 3 weeks later.
Skeezix: Have yoo recovered fully, or do yoo still reqwire daily care?
I have fully recovered, after having a second surgery (they showed the first surgery on air).
Skeezix: Yoo have a huge famly! Do yoo have a best frend, yet? Millie: We do have a big family, but the house has 3.5 floors, not including our basement, so it doesn’t seem so big (that is, unless you are cleaning the litterbox, Mommy says!!)
My best friend in our home is Mommy, for sure, but my best sibling is probably Jake Oscar Beckett, our Jakey. He’s an orangie like me, ‘cept he has CH (cerebellar hypolplasia), which makes him move a little funny. I helped him when he came into out family. I also am very fond of Flurry, my other CH brother. I don’t mind when he pecks my nose with his, even if sometimes, its a whole lot harder than I would like. I hold his head still with my paw and clean his face and ears for him. I like everyone and get along well with all! My brother Rosey has a particular fondness for me and always kisses me!
Skeezix:Did yer mom know whut she was getting into when she took over yer care? Millie: Mommy says she never once gave it a second thought. She said it wouldn’t have mattered what needed to be done. She said she was glad that she was asked to help me while I was still in the hospital.
Skeezix: What’s the long-term prognosis for yoo and yer helth? Millie: I have no long term effects from the tumors now that they have been removed. Once they combatted the sepsis through me, I was good to go.
Skeezix: Whut was it like being filmed for animal cops? Millie: I don’t remember too much of the filming when my tumor burst or during surgery, but while they were here in my house, it was neat! At first, I wasn;t too crazy about that camera thingy, but you get used to it after a short time and you forget the crew is there. They didn’t clip a mic to me, only Mommy and Daddy, so that was good, too!
Skeezix: Can yoo tell us a little about the PSPCA? Millie: The PSPCA has been around for over 140 years! There are lots of good people there who really want to make a difference for all animals. They have the largest single Humane Police Department in the country. My mom is the special events coordinator there and she take adoptable animals to different events and activities in the greater Philly area. She’s taken dogs and cats to the PA Ballet, Phillies games, and even the Animal Planet Pet Expo. There is an animal hospital, including an ICU and ER care along with a general vet service at the shelter. They offer dog obedience classes as well as Good Canine Citizenship training and testing.
Skeezix: Is it troo that orange cats rool? Millie: I think orangies rule, of course, but I have so many different brothers and sisters, I think we’re all cool! And judging by the great friends I’ve made on Catster, I’d have to say CATS RULE in general!!!
Skeezix: How’d yoo git yer name? Millie: My name used to be Consuelo. Mommy changed it to Millie while I was in the ICU. She said that I needed to NOT have the name associated with the people who allowed this to happen to me. She chose Millie because it means “Mild Strength” but also because it is short for Emiliana. Emiliana is in honor of Beloved Angel Amelia on Catster.
Skeezix: Yoo were SO sick! What was yer secret to surviving evrything yoo went through? Millie: Mommy says the one story that makes her eyes wet everytime is when I had turned the corner with the infection, one of the vets told mom: “You know, Millie is nothing short of a miracle. You had everything to do with that.” Mom replied, “No, Doc, that was her fight. It was always up to her.” The doctor touched mom’s arm and said “You gave her love. You gave her a reason to fight.”
Skeezix (dabbing his eyes with a hanky): Oh, my goodness, whut a way to end the interview. Thank yoo so much Millie, for taking the time to talk to The Cat’s Meow. I hope yoo have a long and happy life. Millie: Thank you for the interview, Skeezix! For those of you who missed seeing me on Animal Cops, here’s the segment!
In a reader? Click here. See related Cat's Meow entries:
I was lucky enough to get a preview copy of “In the Womb: Cats,” which will be broadcast on the National Geographic Channel tonight (Sunday, Jan 4th) at 9PM ET/PT.
The opening sucks you in with a description of the painful reality of feline mating. For the females, the pain is excruciating. You see, the male’s sex organ is barbed with more than 100 hooks made of the same fibrous protein of which nails and claws are made. Ouch! Upon exiting the female, these barbs scrape the inside of the female, not unlike someone keying a car. It triggers ovulation by releasing a hormone. Despite the discomfort, lionesses will mate up to 100 TIMES A DAY, and both partners can end up bloodied. Fascinating stuff once you stop shuddering at the site of the barbed male member.
The technology used to produce this show is extraordinary. They combine state-of-the-art visual effects and real-time 4-D ultrasound imagery to vividly trace the journey of a feline fetus in the womb. Showing both a house cat fetus and a lion fetus, they exploit the similarities as well as differences between the two. (If you’re a Tribe of Tiger fan, this show is for you!)
The 4-D ultrasound technology shows the fetuses at Day 38 appearing to run and chase imaginary prey — for the first time ever on television. The lion fetus is shown swinging in a hammock-like structure in utero — scientists speculate that this acts as a shock absorber for the fetus while the mother hunts actively throughout her pregnancy. You’ll observe the birth of cat behaviors we know well: grooming, stretching, scratching. (I even think I observed the cat fetus’ paws moving as if typing a little pre-birth blog.)
I give In the Womb: Cats a five-star must-see recommendation (9PM Sunday Jan 4th on the National Geographic Channel). And if you’re a dog lover, tune in an hour earlier for In the Womb: Dogs, in which the development of embryonic dogs and wolves is followed.
Hey evrybuddy, Skeezix heer. I’m so ixsited, I cood wet my pants! One of my best frends and Catster, Goma, is going to be on Animal Planet’s Cats 101 this weekend! Goma is a hard-werking kitty in Vermont hoo not only has his own blog, but also makes videos and deezines snowbords (FUN!) — all this, and he’s not even 2 yeers old! (And, he is impressively furry. I bet yoo cood make 100 cat hair handbags out of his furs!)
Goma (whooze name meens “Sesame” in Japanese) gets assistance in his endevvers frum his mom, Sachie Tani, hoo admits to being a crazy cat lady. On her blog profile, Sachie says, “Imagine your typical cat lady and multiply her to 100.” Sachie is a talented grafik deeziner hoo introdoosed Goma to the werld with her grafiks on Burton snowbords and children’s wear, and even a Goma cartoon on the Flip Mino camra (see right). How cool is that?
For the Cats 101 segment, the TV crew spent 12 howrs watching Goma and Sachie at home and at werk. They even filmed Goma bike riding in a backpak to work with Sachie at the waterfrunt. Imajine riding a bike! Goma duz EVRYTHING!
When Sachie first met Goma, it was love-at-ferst-site. He was the ugliest in the bunch and the runt of the litter, “a little ugly duckling,” she says. (Hmmm, I wuz an ugly runt, too!) Born in Japan, Sachie says that if her visa expires and she needs to return to her homeland, she could never leeve Goma. “He is my baby,” she purrs, with a crazy cat ladey sparkle in her eye.
Eva Sollbergerger profiled Goma and Sachie in the popular “Stuck in Vermont” series, wich yoo can watch heer:
Currently, Goma is giving away orijinal Sachie-deezined teeshirts on his blog! Heer are two of the GRATE deezines:
Hop over to his blog for deetales on how to enter! (And hoo notist that my speshul frend Daisy is playing the keybords in the top deezine???)
I can just tell that Goma is going places! Watch his nashunul TV daybyoo on Animal Planet Saturday nite at 8pm so that yeers frum now yoo can say yoo saw him win he wint on TV for the vary ferst time!
If you watched Cats 101 on Animal Planet last Saturday, you probably saw the segment on the Cat Groomer who makes purses from the fur she removes from her clients — usually done during the course of giving Persians the coveted Lion Cut.
She cards and felts the fur and makes “yarn” from it using a loom. Then she knits handbags with it. And those handbags sell for up to $300.
Now, making kitty toupees from cat hair is one thing, but handbags? Hubby and I kinda looked at each other and went, “Eeeuuw!” just before she pointed out that there are two responses to cat hair handbags: Eeeuuw! and Ahhhh! Obviously, the second group is the target market.
In trying to convert the “Eeeuuw”s to “Ahhhh”s, she points out the following:
All pets are washed and groomed PRIOR to collecting their hair. The hair fibers we use are cleaner than your dog or cat that is currently running around your house and sleeping on your bed. Unless it has been bathed within the last 2 minutes.
Felting requires running the product through a washing process anywhere from 2-6 times. The pet hair handbag is generally cleaner than your own clothing. Unless, of course, you have just washed it 6 times in a row and not worn it yet.
Do you ever wear wool? Dog and cat hair fibers are no different from sheep hair fibers. Except that dog hair and cat hair fibers are much cleaner. After all, sheep do not usually visit their groomer once a month for a nice bath and blow dry after rolling around in the mud, muck and sheep pie (is that what it’s called?).
Alpaca, Angora, Llama, Camel – are just a few examples of other natural animal fibers that are spun into yarn and used to create sweaters, purses, scarves, blankets, socks, etc. Many of the yarns made from these animal fibers can be very expensive and are quite beautiful.
One of her clients was thrilled, and said she would especially cherish the bag once her cat was gone, because she’d always have a little piece of Fluffy with her. Others said the concept, “kinda creeps me out.”
…Skylar’s mom, Michele, in Pennsylvania! 
Cats have once again solidified their position as America ’s favorite pets by proving that a show dedicated entirely to their well-being can successfully break through the canine-dominated television world. Housecat Housecall, one of the first feline reality-based programs, is returning to Animal Planet on June 6 for a second season after capturing the hearts and minds of cat-loving audiences around the country.
“Housecat Housecall provides cat owners with valuable cat care information that they can apply to their own relationships with their feline friends ultimately helping them live a more connected life together,” said Dr. Katrina Warren, BVSc. “For the series, we profile twelve families dealing with a broad range of real-life kitty concerns in an effort to relate to as many cat owners as possible. We are excited to bring the show back for a second season and provide even more cat owners with actionable solutions for bringing harmony back to their households.”
“The second season of Housecat Housecall really takes an in-depth look at very important questions that current and potential cat owners face on a daily basis,” said Dr. Katrina. “Life-changing experiences like having a new baby or being diagnosed with cancer can have a huge impact on cat owners, but these events can also mean big changes for their cats. Our goal for Housecat Housecall is to help cat owners work through any perceived challenges, so they can realize the true joy of having feline companions and experience the power of unconditional love. We know that cats and their owners can help each other live a better life if given a chance.”
Hey evrybuddy, Skeezix heer.
They contacted Mommy’s work to report it as cruelty/neglect case. Millie had mammary gland hyperplasia, and an infection all through her. She had sepsis, her complete torso area’s skin ‘peeled off’, leaving her with the last layer protecting her. Millie wasn’t expected to live. At 1.5 years old, she only weighed 4 lbs. Mommy hand-fed her (b/c she wouldnt eat) and stayed with her at night when she thought Millie wasn’t going to make it. After weeks of intensive medical treatment, we were able to take her home for foster. By this time, Millie and Mommy were in love and the whole family was invested in her getting better. One night, Mommy noticed that the area where her top right nipple WOULD have been, was leaking what looked like Elmer’s glue. She had emergency surgery to remove strings of mammary glands (at this point, she could sustain being under for surgery).Our family kept extensive medical logs, charting Millie’s progress. Millie has made a FULL recovery, more than doubled her weight, and is friends with every kitty in the house!! She is playful and sweet and talks to everyone who wants to have a conversation!
Hey evrybuddy, Skeezix heer. I’m so ixsited, I cood wet my pants! One of my best frends and Catster, 
Goma (whooze name meens “Sesame” in Japanese) gets assistance in his endevvers frum his mom, Sachie Tani, hoo admits to being a crazy cat lady. On her blog profile, Sachie says, “Imagine your typical cat lady and multiply her to 100.” Sachie is a talented grafik deeziner hoo introdoosed Goma to the werld with her grafiks on Burton snowbords and children’s wear, and even a Goma cartoon on the 
If you watched 
In trying to convert the “Eeeuuw”s to “Ahhhh”s, she points out the following:
