Welcome to our Home Page for the Cats we have known
Those we have heard of or shared time with -
This area is reserved for cats, about cats - just cats!
For those not yet in the know, cats have .....
"Cattitude"
Yes, they certainly do have 'Cattitude' - image sourced from icanhascheezburger.com
St. Gertrude of Nivelles - Patron Saint of Cats
Did you know that Cats have their own designated patron saint? Yes, they do and she shares 17th March with St. Patrick as their official celebration date.
Unattributed portrait of St. Gertrude mice) circa 1530
An Irreverent 'Ode to Cat'
On the first day of creation, God created the cat.
On the second day, God created man to serve the cat.
On the third, God created all the animals of the earth
to serve as potential food for the cat.
On the fourth day, God created honest toil
so that man could labour for the good of the cat.
On the fifth day, God created the sparkle ball
so that the cat might or might not play with it.
On the sixth day, God created veterinary science
to keep the cat healthy and the man broke.
On the seventh day, God tried to rest, but he had to scoop the litter box.
1871 - The inaugural Championship Cat Show
Cats were viewed as pest-controllers by Victorians until cat shows were started to show breeds, pictured Fulmer Zaida, an early champion cat born in 1895 that won over 150 prizes! Read full article here
Hug your Cat day - 4th June
Didn't know about this one - so thank you Simon Tofeild!
International Cat Day - 8th August
New Prime Minister Boris Johnson salutes Larry on International Cat Day 2019 - sourced from BoJos Twitter feed
Happy National Cat Day - 29th October
Every year in the month of October (Oct 29th), National Cat Day is celebrated in the United States of America and the United Kingdom. Canada celebrates the National Cat Day on 8th August every year. The basic purpose of celebrating this day is to create awareness about cats and encourage people who love cats.
The History of National Cat Day
The founder of National Cat Day is Colleen Paige. She is a Pet & Family Lifestyle Expert. She is also an Animal Welfare Advocate. She is the founder of many national holidays like National Pet Day, National Dog Day, and National Puppy Day. She told about her mission: "To help galvanize the public to recognize the number of cats that need to be rescued each year and also to encourage cat lovers to celebrate the cat(s) in their lives for the unconditional love and companionship they bestow upon us." Cat Day was adopted very fastly in the United States of America and also an organization was set up to adopt pets against cruelty to Animals. This organization works very hard to bring attention to the rescued animals. And also try hard to solve the growing problems related to feral cat colonies.
According to the University of Rome scholar Claudio Ottoni; ancient sailors brought cats along them to protect food storages from rodents. Through this way cats spread across the world. Also according to National Geographic; Cats' DNA suggests that the cats lived alongside humans for thousands of years before they were domesticated and their genes have changed from wildcats. Cats can act according to our moods and emotions. They have given up their natural cravings to live in human homes and apartments (Specially indoor cats). On National Cat Day We should appreciate all the love that they bring for us.
National Black Cat Day - 27th October
In an attempt to dispel the myth that Black Cats are unlucky - 27th October (annually) is designated National Black Cat Day
Nothing is quite as elegant as a black cat—like a miniature Amazonian jaguar, they doze atop the highest point in the area, waking for several hours daily to prowl around hunting for a tasty morsel. But black cats and kittens are often overlooked when animal shelters are looking for new homes, and can be at the shelter much longer than they should be. So why is this?
The History of Black Cat Day
Interestingly, cats in ancient Egypt were revered highly, partly due to their ability to combat vermin such as mice, rats. Cats of royalty were known to be dressed in golden jewelry and were allowed to eat right off their owners’ plates. The goddess of warfare was a woman with the head of a cat named Bastet. These days, however, black cats are often are seen as unlucky or mischievous, but not everyone knows why that is. In Celtic mythology, it was believed that fairies could take the form of black cats, and therefore their arrival to a home or village was seen as sign of good luck. Unfortunately, the Pilgrims that came after them were devoutly religious and fearful of anything remotely related to the pagan beliefs of their ancestors, and it was because of that fear that black cats went from being seen as the vessels of fairies to the vessels of witches and demons. At that time it became common practice to severely punish those who kept black cats as pets, and even kill the animals themselves. Although these days nobody really believes black cats are witches or demons in disguise anymore, they are still often seen as signs of bad luck by many people in the West. (Continued on sidebar)
Source : Days of the Year
23rd August 2021 - BBC's Broadcasting House reveals a secret!
Unfortunately there's very little more about this story that I can currently find, but I will continue to try and discover more!
Broadcasting House Artwork created and © of Tim Davies
4th June 2021 - Bagpuss is still 'wow-ing' his public
Bagpuss - ever popular with the public makes his appearance in the 29th May - 4th June 2021 edition of the Radio Times
february 2021 - PURR-litical diaries of the decade:
-Ten years ago Larry the Cat arrived at Downing Street. Three PMs, one pandemic and a whole load of cat-fights later, JAN MOIR reveals the moggie's greatest moments
-Playtime with Boris, cuddles with Cameron and clashes with May are just some of the moggie's memories after ten years at Downing Street
-From meeting Donald Trump to clashes with neighbouring kitties, the decade has been full of drama for Larry the Cat
By Jan Moir for the Daily Mail |Published: 14th February 2021 | Updated: 15th February 2021
Midnight. Not a sound from the pavement. Has the moon lost her memory? Not if I have anything to do with it.
For I am here to remind you all of a very special anniversary, my ten years in office, serving this country to the best of my ability. My name is Larry the Cat, but most of you will know me by my official title — Chief Mouser To The Cabinet Office.
Dressed to the nines in patriotic red, white and blue for Prince William's wedding to Kate Middleton - image as it appeared in the Daily Mail article - © Getty Images
This week marks my decade of service prowling the gutters and sewers of Downing Street. That's nearly 4,000 days and nights seeking out pests and cuffing rodents, while giving vermin and parasites no mercy. Yes, my job description does indeed vary very little from that of the Chief Whip, whose job it is to discipline and sometimes even exterminate disobedient MPs. In my time here, I have loyally served three prime ministers —David Cameron, Theresa May and Boris Johnson. I have bonded with them all, in very different ways. For example, there isn't a corner of this building where I haven't sat and lovingly groomed myself for hours, just like David. There is barely a sofa cushion or a tea towel that I haven't shredded in rage and frustration, just like Theresa. And there isn't a comfy chair where I haven't stretched out, scratched my fluffy bits and snoozed away many afternoons, just like Boris. During my tour of duty in the corridors of power I've seen it all, I've heard it all, I've sniffed it all.
I've watched great and powerful leaders come and go — from other countries, of course. Our lot are a complete shower, as you all know. I've come to understand that in life, as in scratching posts, you have to take the rough with the smooth. One day you are the cat's pyjamas and the next day you are Nadine Dorries. And that is not all I have learned. Ears up! Backs arched! This is my story.
December 2020 - 'Peyton Place' re-visited
l to r Mia Farrow (in her role of Allison Mackenzie) against a backdrop of the 'Peyton Place' shopping area of the green and Ryan O'Neal (Rodney Harrington) off-set during the filming of 'Peyton Place - images sourced from and © of Getty/Walt Disney. Images Provenance : Mia Farrow Appearing In 'Peyton Place' Unspecified - 1964: Mia Farrow with cat appearing in winter / holiday Christmas episode of the ABC tv series 'Peyton Place', episode #33 and #34. (Photo by Walt Disney Television via Getty Images) and Ryan O'Neal At Home During The Making Of 'Peyton Place'
Unspecified - 1964: Ryan O'Neal at home with his cat, behind the scenes during the making of the ABC tv series 'Peyton Place'. (Photo by Walt Disney Television via Getty Images
Well sort of, it's actually a case of me revisiting 'Peyton Place' as I fill my time during self-isolation, lockdown and the rest, awaiting the joys of a limited Christmas even though there is still plenty to do before the actual day. I was intrigued to see that both Mia Farrow and Ryan O'Neal are cat-lovers. It's no secret that I am a big fan of 'Peyton Place' the television series, and whilst watching it for the fourth or fifth time around I am working on recreating the setting for the series (for my own amusement of course) and whilst doing so I discovered that two of the original main characters are feline fans themselves! (There may be more - watch this space as time progresses)
5th December 2020 - It's Alfred Hitch-cat!
The article as it appeared in the Daily Mail
Image courtesy of Daily Mail on-line
It's Alfred Hitch-Cat! Director makes his most unexpected cameo yet in a moggie called Daisy (but does she play with the birds?)
- Famous film director Alfred Hitchcock's cameos became ever more inventive
- But one cat owner from New York noticed these mysterious markings on his pet
- Others saw the uncanny resemblance to Hitchcock and the picture went viral
By Daily Mail Reporter |Published: 5th December 2020 | Updated: 5th December 2020
His unmistakeable profile would suddenly appear in his thrilling tales of mystery and suspense. From peering out from a photograph in Dial M For Murder to winding a clock in Rear Window, Alfred Hitchcock's cameos became ever more inventive. But surely even the master film director could not have conceived this twist.
Look closely at the mysterious markings on this moggie and you will see the familiar jowls and long nose of the director. Daisy's owner Sam Horowitz, an accountant from Brooklyn, New York, posted the image on Twitter. Others quickly saw the uncanny resemblance to Hitchcock and the picture went viral, with 150,000 likes and counting. The director also used his silhouette to great effect in the opening titles of Hitchcock Presents, his television series of mystery stories. As for Daisy, after starring in an internet thriller she probably went to play with the birds.
29th October 2020 - A Bletchley Park Cat Secret!
Image of Vera (with enhancements by me) - sourced from Bletchley Park Fb page
Happy National Cat Day!
- What do cats and Codebreaking have in common? Here are some feline facts...
- There were German Air Force keys called Civet, Jaguar, Leopard, Leveret, Lion, Ocelot, Polecat and Puma.
- The registration and sorting process in Hut 6 was called called 'Kittening'.
18th October 2020 - The Nazca Cat revealed
The ancient cat that was hidden for 2,200 years: Geoglyph is uncovered etched into a hillside at site in Peru that was home to mysterious desert-dwelling civilization
'Archaeologists made the discovery while work was being carried out to maintain the path to a natural look-out point which allows visitors to see other Nazca line designs in the nearby area' - strapline and image courtesy of the Daily Mail - image copyright EPA
- Researchers have discovered new geoglyph etched into hillside in southern Peru
- The Nazca lines design appears to depict a giant cat and measures 120 feet long
- Archaeologists made discovery while work was carried out on public view point - read more here
2nd October 2020 - A Cat called 'RAFA'
Sebastian Korda, son of Grand Slam champion Petr, is the last American man standing at French Open and faces idol Rafael Nadal in the fourth round... and the 20-year-old even named his cat after the Spaniard!
By Mike Dickson for the Daily Mail | Published: 2nd October 2020 | Updated: 2nd October 2020
-Sebastian Korda faces great Spaniard Rafael Nadal in French Open fourth round
-Korda beat Pedro Martinez in straight sets in previous round at Roland Garros
-Ahead of Korda's meeting with Nadal, he labelled the Spaniard his 'biggest idol'
Sebastian Korda's father was a Grand Slam champion but his hero was Rafael Nadal, who was idolised so much he named his cat after him.
'He's my biggest idol,' said the world number 213. 'He's one of the reasons I play tennis. Just watching him play, unbelievable competitor. Whenever I'm on court, I try to be like him. Growing up, I named my cat Rafa after him. That says a lot about how much I love the guy.'
Image sourced from TennisNow with thanks
Sebastian Korda told reporters how he is a massive fan of the King of Clay after he reached the round of 16 in Paris with a straight set win over Pedro Martinez. "I mean, he's my biggest idol," the 20-year-old American said. "He's one of the reasons I play tennis. Just watching him play, unbelievable competitor. just from him I have the never-give-up mentality. Whenever I'm on court, I try to be like him. Growing up, I named my cat Rafa after him. That says a lot about how much I love the guy." To prove it, Korda posted a picture of the cat on his Instagram.
17th August 2020 - Black Cat Appreciation Day
Black Cat Appreciation Day as seen through the eyes of Simon Tofeld, best known for his portrayals of his own felines and usually referred to as 'Simon's Cat'
August 2020 - What's in a Name? Ask Dennis Quaid!
'I just had to': Dennis Quaid, the Hollywood star, adopts Dennis Quaid, the black cat, from Virginia animal shelter
By Rachel Mcgrath For Dailymail.com | Published: 14th August 2020 | Updated: 14th August 2020
Dennis Quaid has made headlines by adopting a cat called.... Dennis Quaid. The actor, 66, learned about the black rescue kitty available at the Lynchburg Humane Society in Virginia thanks to a local TV news segment featuring the pet as part of a 'clear the shelters' campaign. 'I just couldn't resist. I had to,' Quaid explained in an interview with 10 News in Roanoke on Wednesday. The Hollywood star added: 'I'm out to save all the Dennis Quaids of the world.'
News travels: The actor learned about the cat, which has been waiting for more than a year for a forever home, thanks to a local TV news station's 'clear the shelters' campaign
August 2020 - A Politicat retirement without a hint of scandal!
A letter sent to the Foreign Office's top mandarin, Sir Simon McDonald - who is himself standing down from his job - said Palmerston had enjoyed 'working from home' in the countryside during lockdown - image source Twitter
July 2020 - Cat that got the (Holy) cream!
Hilarious moment Tiger the cathedral moggy drinks the Dean of Canterbury's milk while he livestreams morning prayers.
- Tiger the cat dipped his paws into the milk jug at Canterbury Cathedral
- He arrived as Dean Dr Robert Willis was distracted by a livestream of prayers
- Comes after fellow cathedral cat Leo walked between the Dean's robes
By Luke Andrews For Mailonline | Published: 8th July 2020 | Updated: 8th July 2020 | Watch the video on YouTube
Images sourced from YouTube as screenshots
16th June 2020 - R.I.P. 'bob the Cat'
Mr Bowen said that his relationship with Bob gave him 'a direction in life' and that his death means 'the light has gone out in my life'
26th May 2020 - Iga Swiatek - Grand Slam Tennis Champion-in-Waiting
During Covid-19 Iga Świątek (surprise 2020 French Open Champion) reveals her love for and hugs her cat 'Grappa' - image sourced from her Twitter feed
July 2019 - A film is announced
Not only 'adorable' but an 'iconic' image heralding the new biopic of Louis Wain starring Benedict Cumberpatch and Claire Foy two outstandingly popular members of the British acting profession.
April (1st) - 2019 - R.I.P. Sir Toby Toblerone
"This is the hardest post I will ever have to make. Our beautiful boy Toby passed away just before 10am this morning. He was fine 1 minute and then just died. Me and Steve are in shock and completely heartbroken. I don't really know what else to say right now but our lives will never be the same again. Thank you to every single 1 of you for your love and support and for being Toby's friend. He was a very lucky boy to have you all care about him so much. I'm not sure when I'll be back on the page to reply to comments.... we just need some time to grieve. We loved him so much and we were honoured to be his mum and dad." - In his Mum and Dad's own words.
April (1st) - 2019
Yes we did!
february 2019 - The 'Anna' Card
A business account 'like no other' they say!
'Absolutely No Nonsense Admin' (ANNA)
But here's a dilemma - should this feature on this Cat page, or should it be part of 'About me' or even in the Arts section? Or maybe all three? Watch this space!
february 2019 - A book chronicling A History of Art in 21 Cats: From the Old Masters to the Modernists, the Moggy as Muse
December 2018 - A Book dedicated to Authors & their cats
Nice to see a book about Authors and their cats - I introduced a dedicated page to this subject some time ago on discovering the numbers of authors who favour cats! Their esteem and standing in the literary world is legion!
October 2018 - Is it a Cat or a Crow? Another viral Internet conundrum
This photograph has gone viral on Twitter as users struggle to work out whether they are looking at a crow or a cat - dialogue and image sourced from the Daily Mail
September 2018 - Postman Pat & Jess - 'You filled my childhood with so many happy memories'
By Lara Keay and Chris Dyer For Mailonline |Published: 27th September 2018 | Updated: 27th September 2018
Mr Cunliffe lived in Kendal, the Lake District, for much of life, which served as inspiration for the villages Postman Pat (pictured with cat Jess) served - dialogue and image sourced from the Daily Mail
- Postman Pat and Rosie and Jim creator John Cunliffe dies aged 85 sparking wave of heartbreak from children and adults
- Writer John Cunliffe created Postman Pat which debuted on the BBC in 1981
- Wrote and starred in children's TV show Rosie and Jim who lived on a canal boat
- He died last Thursday in his home town of Ilkley, West Yorkshire, aged 85
- Tributes have flooded in with many fans saying he was 'part of their childhood'
Image courtesy & © of Dreamworks Animation
September 2018 - 'FUR-NOMENAL!'
Cat that balances dice on his paw … and other bizarre record breakers
Daily Mail 6th September 2018 by David Wilkes
So here's Bibi the 'fur-nomnal' record-breaking cat balancing 10 dice on his paw! "The most dice stacked on a cat's paw is 10, and was achieved by Bibi and his owner L C Siew (both Malaysia) in Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia, on June 18, 2017" Source : Daily Mail - image sourced from mogaznews.com
Forget the first four-minute mile, the fastest car or even the world's longest beard. To get into the record books today, you have to stretch the boundaries of the human imagination as well as physical endurance. So the latest list includes a fire-eating acrobat, a speedy sausage maker … and a cat that can balance a tower of dice on his paw. All make it into Guinness World Records 2019, alongside a skipping dog, a rocket man and a six-legged robot. Bibi the black and white moggy triumphs in what is surely one of the most bizarre categories – most dice stacked on a cat's paw. He managed to balance ten. His owner apparently discovered the three-year-old's talent by accident. Bibi became an internet star after videos were posted online of him barely batting a whisker while the dice were stacked on his rear paw as he reclined on a bed at home in Selangor, Malaysia.
July 2018 - World Cup
Gladstone, the resident Chief Mouser of HM Treasury at Whitehall, sports a tweed waistcoat in support of England
Image of Gladstone courtesy of Twitter and dialogue as used in the Daily Mail
May 2018 - Sitting Pretty!
To read the remarkable story behind this picture visit the Daily Mail
The eight cats pictured in near-perfect symmetry as they feast on their supper on each step of the stairs - image sourced from the Daily Mail article © Lorraine Playle
March 2018 - LittleJohn!
Littlejohn, the man who lampoons the world mercilessly (including the NDPA when we came into being) picked up on the, shall we say slightly imprudent, comments made by the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home when a prospective fosterer was refused a cat 'because his home was considered too small'. Apparently the absence of a separate room for the cat was the obstacle. The fact that the fosterer took pains to explain that there was a secluded and fenced off sizeable garden was not deemed appropriate. In all this is such a sad indictment of our times, Littlejohn is right and wrong to poke fun as charities, especially animal charities which have difficulty enough in surviving and helping all the animals that need help. He is right to highlight and ridicule the ruling but he is wrong on so many levels to state "But since when have cats needed their own room? Most of them spend all night on the tiles, so why would they care?" which is completely against the guidelines of responsible charities such as Cats Protection and is just an old wives tale when all is said and done - but then personally, I'm not sure you can call this man a champion of cats as he finishes the article but referring to a cartoon cat, namely 'Top Cat' being so unfussy he lived in a dustbin - obviously Littlejohn has not been watching the recent Halifax Building Society adverts for mortgages!
Stills from the Halifax advert as promoted in the Daily Mail (Littlejohn's paper)
March 2018 - Cats only upstairs!
Owner keeps her dog away from her beloved moggy by creating an elaborate system of ramps that's too tricky for the German Shepherd
Simba resting after her exertions - images courtesy of the Daily Mail
Pet lovers across the world will be familiar with the problem of their cats and dogs not always getting on. But one clever animal lover has come up with an ingenious solution to keep his warring pets under control – by installing a cat flap on his home's second floor. Marcin Telus, 47, cut a hole in the wall of his property in Edinburgh for the plastic flap and made a cat ladder out of shelves and wooden jumping blocks. Read the full story here
2018 - Chimera Cat
Image courtesy & © of Caters News Agency / Pictures by Jean-Michel Labat
Meet the adorable two-faced cat
This adorable cat can be forgiven for being two-faced thanks to her perfectly split facial fur, which is thought to have different DNA on each side. The striking moggy has a light grey and black face separated down the centre with an almost flawless line. Her unique markings are extremely rare and are thought to be the result of two embryos fusing together – the merging of two nonidentical twins. Source : Caters News | Read more
2017 - Wartime Police Station Recreated
Contender for 'Shed of the Year'
Barry Anscomb-Moon, from Cambridgeshire, poses for a photograph inside his shed, which is based around the idea of a war-time police station - image courtesy & © of the Press Association
What I liked about this is that puss had her own mat in front of the 2-bar electric fire in this recreation. For more about the story visit the Daily Mail website but I shall be keeping my fingers crossed that this is the winner!
Here are some stars of history, ('famous owners' have moved to their own page) and not so famous owners, literature, stage, screen and internet who have made their (paw)mark on their own merit:
2014 - Children's TV Favourites feature two cats on Royal Mail stamps
Royal Mail’s Special Stamp programme kicks-off 2014 with an issue that celebrates over 60 years of Classic Children’s TV.
RIP - 'Rubble,' oldest feline in world at 31 - the equivalent of 150 human years
Full story - Daily Mail | Published: 3rd July 2020 | Updated: 3rd July 2020
World's oldest cat dies aged 31 as heartbroken owner, 52, who was given him as a kitten for her 20th birthday pays tribute to her beloved Rubble
- Rubble became oldest feline in world at 31 - the equivalent of 150 human years
- Geriatric moggy lived in Exeter, in Devon, with his owner Michele Heritage, 52
- The pet had no specific health issues but became 'very thin' and died of old age
- Maine Coon beat the record of 30-year-old Scooter who died in Texas in 2016
Rubble beat Scooter's record, a 30-year old Siamese Texas cat who died in 2016. The fluffy moggy died just before reaching 32 - image sourced via Daily Mail as shown in their article © Michele Heritage and SWNS
The 'world's oldest cat' has died at the age of 31 as his heartbroken owner, 52, who was given him as a kitten for her 20th birthday pays tribute to her beloved Rubble.- Rubble, a fluffy Maine Coon became the oldest feline in the world after reaching 31 years old - the equivalent of almost 150 in human years - in May last year. The geriatric moggy had no specific health issues but passed away from old age, becoming very thin, and went across the road 'but never came back', said his owner. She puts his incredible longevity down to the fact she never had her own children and pampered him like her child.
Rubble beat the oldest living cat record of Scooter, a Siamese Texas, who was named as a record breaker at the age of 30 by the Guinness Book of World Records before he died in 2016. The oldest cat of all time according to the record books is Creme Puff who was born on August 3, 1967, and lived until August 6, 2005 - an amazing 38 years and three days.
Henry is 137 - Is he the world's oldest cat?
Full story - Daily Mail
A devoted pet owner is trying to have her cat officially recognised as the oldest in the world. Sally Brown, 48, of West Earlham, Norwich, claims her beloved short-haired cat Henry is 30 - four years older than the current record holder, a tabby from Oregon called Corduroy. The self-confessed 'mad cat lady' has launched a campaign to have Henry named in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Ms Brown added said she is throwing herself into the record race to raise awareness of the animal groups she work with, and to encourage people to be responsible cat owners. A Guinness World Records spokeswoman said Ms Brown would need a vet to prove the age, along with pictures and videos taken throughout the decades, before Henry can be officially recognised. The average life expectancy for cats is 15 years. The oldest cat ever recorded was Creme Puff from Texas, who died in 1967 aged a stunning 38.
Record breaker? Owner Sally Brown with pet Henry, who she claims is the world's oldest cat at 30 years old
Image courtesy of © of Archant via Daily Mail
Corduroy (holder of the Record) begs to differ!
Title holder: 26-year-old Corduroy, who lives with his owner in Oregon, is the current record holder -
Image courtesy of © of Guinness World Records via Daily Mail
Let's not forget Spike!
Although the Daily Mail link no longer exists, the Daily Telegraph did do a follow-up which lists most popular species of pet as well as Spike
Spike, a ginger and white tom, died two months after his 31st birthday in July 2001 - making him the world's oldest cat. He was bought for two shillings and sixpence in London's Brick Lane market in 1970 and nearly died at the age of 19 when he was attacked by a dog. Spike's owners, from Bridport in Devon, used to put aloe vera gel into his cat food. Source : Daily Telegraph
Neighbours everybody loves good neighbours ........
The famous street sign heralding the start of Australian soap opera 'Neighbours' accompanied by the globally known signature tune.
How lovely to see screen heart-throb Scott McGregor practically chewing his cat's ear off in a show of affection (which he posted on Instagram)! Puss also shared the limelight in the image taken when Scott announced his engagement!
NCIS's Tony diNozzo - Rumbled!
In an episode entitled 'Charade' from Season 13 of the popular NCIS series - Abbi Sciuto rumbles Tony's secret passion or is it? We haven't had the episode over in the UK yet (07.04.2016) but I have been told it is a 'chick magnet' ploy - well done Tony you never change!
Image courtesy and © of CBS
Cats - on their own merit
Atchoum - Internet Sensation
Atchoum states he's ''hairy not scary' - most people just find him adorable. Thank you to Atchoum's Fan for the images on his Fb page
From Atchoum's website : "Soon after being adopted it was discovered I have a very rare congenital condition called hypertricosis (also known as werewolf syndrome). It's less scary than it sounds. It means I have a hormonal condition that causes fast and continual hair growth and the thickening of my claws. My claws were growing so large and fast, it was unsafe and I had to be declawed. I also have tiny teeth but that doesn't stop me from eating well. I'm well cared for by a veterinarian who will monitor my health. Since I am the only cat known to have this condition, is unknown how it will progress. Life is good. I feel good and I believe we need to enjoy every day."
Bagpuss - 40th Anniversary - 2016
Image courtesy and © of Caters News Agency
Bagpuss has now retired to the Rupert Bear Museum in Canterbury, part of the Museum of Canterbury, together with other characters from the show and Emily's shop window. Most of the stories and songs used in the series are based on folk songs and fairy tales from around the world. In 1987 the University of Kent at Canterbury awarded honorary degrees to Postgate and Firmin. In his speech, Postgate stated that the degree was really intended for Bagpuss, who was subsequently displayed in academic dress.
In 1999 the series came first in a BBC poll selecting the nation's favourite children's show. It also came fourth in the 2001 Channel 4 poll The 100 Greatest Kids' TV shows.
Bertrum Thumbcat
Star of Facebook (Fb to those in the know). This cat has thumbs! Did you know that cats have thumbs? That they might develop thumbs? Blame Cravendale for this discovery! I'm not afraid of the end of the world predicted sometime soon (today being 21.05.2011) but I am afraid, very afraid of Tinkerbell ever developing thumbs!
Back to Bertrum - from the Cravendale site 'Bertrum is a cat with thumbs. And plans. Big plans. He uses his thumbs to post daily updates, photos and general musings on Facebook and Twitter. He's a pro-active genius, trapped in the body of a cat. His interests include chess, cricket, martial arts (traditional), and world domination.' - Off course he is!
Importantly his birthdate is 10th March 2006 and his personal biography states 'My forebears have helped sailors navigate their the Atlantic and been companions to great thinkers, politicians and writers, like, Isaac Newton, Winston Churchill and Earnest Hemingway. Hemingway, in fact, was a true friend to many polydactyl cats, an evolutional leap to which I am proud to belong. Yes, I have thumbs. And plans. Brilliant plans.' On a personal level he thinks of himself s a 'Domestic cat, adopted at a young age by (and still living with) Helen, a delightful woman of some intellect and very pleasant character, and her boyfriend, who is a recent acquisition. Has a name. Not sure what it is.'
That will do for Bertrum, but he will feature in several images as he obviously has a very clever and imaginative IT contact!
The Bletchley Park Spy cat
You may have also spotted this lovely lady slinking around Bletchley Park. Vera's hobbies include: Leaving mice on doorsteps, following the team to the office and chasing pigeons. - Image sourced from the Bletchley Park Fb page (sans embellishments by me)
Surely these are no mere hobbies? These must be special powers granted to a 00-first class agent!
The Bookshop Cat
From the Shakespeare& Co. on 8th September 2015 - "We are very, very sad to announce that Kitty, our much-adored big white cat, passed away this morning. The shop will not be the same without him. Thank you for all the love you've shown him over the years." - Photo by Laura Stevens
A beautiful venue sharing a tragic moment at the start of January 2015
Not any old shop let me tell you but the world-renowned 'Shakespeare & Co.' in Paris (France). The shop has always had cats who look after the premises and find the best seats - yes, it's a bookshop where you can sit down and browse books - yes browse books, it's a description that came way before the internet grabbed it for its own use! (Smiley face!)
Cat(s) in Space
Yes, seriously - another not such nice topic, but happily Félicette survived. A full and comprehensive record of her life and eventual sacrifice can he found here
"La carte édité par le CERMA porte l'indication suivante : Merci pour votre participation à nos succès du 18 octobre 1963." (From the website which remembers 'France's forgotten heroes')
The British press of the time called her the 'Astrocat'; but at some point and from an unknown source — possibly journalists — she gained the name Félicette.
Death Row Cats
I
I know how that sounds but the Death Row refers to inmates who are given cats to look after - details to follow in the meantime some information can be found here and here and here
The Downing Street Cats & Battles & New Incumbents!
Humphrey & Larry at No. 10
We'll Start with Humphrey. Who else could knock on the door of No. 10 and gain admittance?
Then there's Larry who likes to walk the corridors of power or should that be tables of power?
Wearing his swanky Union Jack Bow-Tie to celebrate the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
Checking everything is in order - proper order and taking the opportunity of a photo shoot of course!
Thanks to the Daily Mail for the story of Larry's patriotism and image © of Steve Back
Felix - A 'Railway' Cat
Felix in her hi-viz uniform and official name tag to safely perform her duties - image courtesy & © of Charlotte Graham/Guzelian
'Among a litany of feline stars emerging in 2016, on the slate-grey platforms of Huddersfield train station, a new panjandrum emerged: Felix. The ‘senior pest controller’ has become a global sensation; fans from as far away as China have visited the West Yorkshire station in a bid to take a selfie with the black-and-white moggy, and she now has some 100,000 devoted Facebook followers to her name.
“I’ve just seen her, she’s asleep on the photocopier tray,” Andrew McClements, a former team leader at the station, tells me from Huddersfield’s platform one. “We’ll not bother her for now. She’ll come out when she’s good and ready.” In her six years of employment, Felix has risen to become not only the most popular staff member on the TransPennine Express (TPE) team, but arguably the town’s most famous draw. Her success is so vast that she has now been given a book deal. McClements describes Felix’s success as “pretty mad”; he is one of around 10 people in Felix’s support team, who have recently been fielding interview requests from the likes of the BBC and Japanese television networks.'- what an introduction! - read more here or on-line
Ship's Cats
Not some 1930s secret weapon ‘Cat-a-pult’ but the Captain’s cat in one of the 8 inch gun barrels of the cruiser HMS Cornwall. The question is, how did she get there – and how did she get down again?
In 1941 Winston Churchill is photographed petting the ship’s cat aboard HMS Prince of Wales, after which the cat was renamed Churchill. Picture: Getty Images
More about Ship's Cats : Cats at War: A History Of Felines On The Ocean Waves
Ship's cat on HMAS Encounter during World War I
'Convoy' was the ship's cat aboard HMS Hermione. He was so named because of the number of times he accompanied the ship on convoy escort duties. Convoy was listed in the ship's book and provided with a full kit, including a tiny hammock in which he slept. He was killed along with 87 of his crew mates when Hermione was torpedoed and sunk on 16 June 1942 by German submarine U-205 - Images courtesy & © of howlingpixel.com
From howlingpixel.com : 'The ship's cat has been a common feature on many trading, exploration, and naval ships dating to ancient times. Cats have been carried on ships for many reasons, most importantly to catch mice and rats. These vermin aboard a ship can cause damage to ropes, woodwork, and more recently, electrical wiring. Also, rodents threaten ships' stores, devour crews' foodstuff, and could cause economic damage to ships' cargo such as grain.* They are also a source of disease, which is dangerous for ships that are at sea for long periods of time. Notably, rat fleas are carriers of plague, and rats on ships were believed to be a main spreader of the Black Death.' - read in full here
*Think 'The Trouble with Tribbles' - classic 'Star Trek' episode!
Simon's Cat
Simon's Cat has his own web-site and features in a series of short videos which 
are recognisable to everyone who has ever 'owned' (sorry that is probably a bad word!), lived with or known a cat. Simon's creator Simon Tofield is a very talented and imaginative individual who, through his humour has reached thousand of people. All the videos are available to view through You Tube or his own site. Please visit and enjoy, certainly their content enriches this web-page dedicated to our feline friends in the spotlight!
Simon's cat gets up to all sorts of capers and adventures and I particularly like this image - to find out what it's all about you should visit the Daily Mirror and follow his cartoon adventures! There's a lot about this cat that actually reminds us of Tinkerbell!
Artist, author and creator of 'Simon's Cat' Simon Tofeild is also a big supporter of Cat Rescue charities - seen here at Stray Cat Rescue
Sir Toby Toblerone - the Railway Mascot
There's a little tune in my head which is playing 'Skimbleshanks, the railway cat, the cat of the railway train' (see sidebar for the full T.S. Eliot poem) one of my favourite songs from 'Cats - the Musical' which sets the poems of T.S.Eliot's 'Old Possum' to music - well here's a real railway mascot, meet Sir Toby Toblerone.
Image copyright of Swins/RealFix as featured on their web-site
Seriously, who could resist this lovely boy, those pale pale sky blue eyes, the gleaming white coat, the wistful expression saying 'Cuddle me' and that 'too cute' pink nose? But looks can be all too deceptive can't they? This gorgeous little creature is a quadriplegic, alive today, thanks only to the dedication and devotion of his guardians. Their daily routine to keep this little chap alive, let alone looking stunning is a full-time plus job!
Much of Toby's story can be read on the internet and he, like Atchoum (see below), is now an Fb sensation. When he was first found in November 2013, Toby still had the use of his forelegs and could do some things for himself, despite having to drag his rear legs along behind him. Before finding his 'forever home' with Julie and Stephen, much was debated about the pros and cons of keeping an apparently healthy, but paralysed, cat alive when it is unlikely he would otherwise have survived. There appeared to be no logical reason for his paralysis - x-rays confirmed a good healthy bone structure, and further examinations were unable to identify any nervous tissue damage. It was even thought that chemicals used in dog flea treatment might be to blame, but whether they were administered deliberately or as an economy measure is impossible to tell. There was even speculation of a 'neurological' ailment being to blame. All in all, only Toby really knows what happened and he's keeping that close to his chest! Today, his daily routines include being groomed by his carers, and the limited movement in his neck allows for some restricted but personal grooming; he is hand fed but also encouraged to eat from a bowl. He communicates by a series of squeaks when he has toiletry needs and accidents are, amazingly few and far between! And so it goes on - Toby gets to look out of the windows to see the world outside to keep him stimulated and is warmly dressed when taken out for walks, in the safety of his carers arms. This cat is cuddled most of the, day every day - best feeling in the world cuddling a cat!
However, the world does not revolve around him 24/7 - Toby is lucky to have a sister who is healthy and doesn't appear to be bothered by being in the shadows of her more famous sibling and they have both, recently been joined by a part-feral step-brother who is slowly, but surely starting to trust his new family. He even made it into the house the other day. - Result!
For more about Toby see : Lancashire Evening Post, Lancaster Guardian
Mop & Smiff (Smiff is the real Cat)
Portrait of the real 'Smiff'
I came across these animations based on real animals Mop (the English Sheepdog) and Smiff (Moggy) when, in the 1980s I was recovering from surgery and discovered day time (well Children's actually) television programmes. Here I got to know about Mike Amatt and his relationship with his animals. Each programme contained an animated segment and an original song, always with an educational message, written by Mike. There is very little on the internet about him these days and all that I can find is on the 'Cats on Tv' page
A rare article from the Radio Times featuring Mike and Mop as they contemplate a seaside romp!
Sockington
Sockington - the cat with his own logo!
The first Twitter star who even has his own logo! Not to mention his own web-site (which he has to share with they mysterious PennyCat. And, he even has his own Wikipedia entry ......
A Tudor Cat?
The Tudors television series is a little whimsical, but nice to see a portrait of one gorgeous feline with an acceptable backdrop of Henry VIII and his Queen, Anne Boleyn. Can't see it as being a historical fact somehow .... although allegorically this is pointing to Henry's 'enchantment' or 'bewitching' by Anne.
The Illustrated Cats
Garfield
Looks like he's been around for a few years now and evolved into a slicker version of himself. And quite a makeover it is too!
Image courtesy of www.zarqun.com
Kliban Cats
I absolutely adore the red boots as worn by all Kliban Cats!
I have been a fan of Kliban Cats for as long as I can remember, somehow those red bootees always made me smile - the small splash of colour against black and white drawings. The website for Kilban is a derivative of 'Eat Mousies' - perfect!
Mog
Mog is a well-known children's favourite literary cat created by Judith Kerr and more recently the 'face of' Sainsbury's Christmas advert based on 'Mog's Christmas Calamity!'
"Mog was our first cat back in 1970 and so many things about her surprised me I thought I’d do a picture book. She used to sit on my lap as I was working and nudge the pencil with her nose, but only if I was doing books about her, otherwise she’d sit on a chair and look at me reproachfully. Now she’s in the Sainsbury’s Christmas advert in 3D with me and seeing her go from my drawings to an animated cat has been very exciting – but I think Mog would probably have disapproved!" - Judith Kerr
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