International Cat Video Film Festival Coming to Your Neighborhood!

Since 2012, the year that Walker Art Center launched the first ever International Cat Video Festival in Saint Paul, the Festival has become so wildly popular that it has gone on tour!  In 2015, the International Cat Video Festival schedule included no less than 48 stops throughout the U.S. Scotland, Greece, Australia and Sweden!  A quote from The Associated Press on this groundbreaking event:  “Game over. Cats have won the Internet. At least that was the conclusion among the many attendees of the Internet Cat Video Festival on Friday. Decked out with cat ears and painted-on whiskers, they lined up around the block to do in a group what they already do in front of their computers: Watch amusing cat flicks.”
—Associated Press

To see when this great event is coming to your neighborhood in 2016, click here.

Photo from the Walker Art Center website.

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It’s National Cat Day!

It’s National Cat Day!

Celebrate October 29th in a number of great ways.

  • Watch an internet cat video (or two, three or four)
  • visit a local Cat Café, if you’re lucky enough to have one in your town
  • Adopt a cat from your local animal rescue organization or shelter
  • Have some serious quality play time with your own cat!

Here’s a video we thought you might like.  Enjoy!

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Cat Legend Tama the Divine, dies at 16

Tama Tama, stationmaster of Kishi station will live forever in the hearts of the Japanese train patrons.

Tama, a tortoiseshell by Japanese standards, and calico by American, rose through the  ranks to become one of the world’s most endearing celebrity cats.

Known as Tama-chan (“Little Treasure”), she started her life as an outdoor stray, fed by a local grocer near the Kishi train station.  She frequented the station, endearing herself to passersby.  One fine day in 2006, she was appointed stationmaster by an official at the Wakayama Electric Railway.   She was given her own station cap in her own size; a stationmaster’s badge, and her own office with bed and litter tray.  Tama’s presence there attracted increased ridership and revenue to WEC.  In recognition of that, she was honored with her own train in 2009, designed with her image on the outside and interior of the train.

Tama was promoted from stationmaster, to super-stationmaster and honorary division chief.  From there, she became an operating officer and a company vice-president.  Not bad for such humble beginnings!

In June of this year, Tama passed on, honored by a funeral attended by thousands.  She was honored as a goddess  and buried in a shrine.  Her successor Nitama, “Tama the second” has now assumed her duties at the Kishi station.  I’m sure Nitama is discovering that “Tama-chan” is one very tough act to follow!

 

 

 

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Texas Former Shelter Cat Sheds 22 Lbs., Purr-sonality Blooming at 19 Lbs!

A former 41 pound cat dubbed Skinny has lost more than half of his weight to become the darling of a Dallas based veterinary clinic.

Skinny admits he's a much happier cat these days.
Skinny admits he’s a much happier cat these days.
It's all in a day's work. Skinny sails through his exercise routine.
It’s all in a day’s work. Skinny sails through his exercise routine.

Dr. Brittney Barton says the orange tabby she adopted in 2013 has slimmed down to 19 pounds with exercise and a special diet.  Barton calls Skinny the “resident cat” at her practice, HEAL Veterinary Hospital.

Barton said last week that Skinny spends weekdays roaming the clinic.  The ex-fat cat’s weekends are spent at home with Barton and her family.

Skinny was founds abandoned near Dallas in 2012 and ended up at a shelter.  The vet says Skinny just had his annual checkup and is healthy.

Source:  Associated Press

 

 

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