A couple of things this morning.  First of all, it’s a Monday.  Ugh.  Normally I’m not bad on a Monday because I have no job.  But considering my post on Friday,  I’ve got a bad feeling about this week.  No.  They’re not telling me specifically if I’m going to the vet - nor is my carrier out - but I’ve got a feeling.  A sixth sense, you might say.

Second, not a bad weekend, overall.  Got a little bit of outside time last night, but certainly not enough.  I won’t go into all the details here, but AH was making dinner and FP thought she might take me out since I was squawking about something.  AH suggested it was a bad idea, but she took me out anyway.  True to form, it was a bad idea since I showed her up and took off.  She had to track me down, and took me back inside immediately.

I don’t know why I do that.  No, not taking off.  But proving AH correct at FP’s expense.  Maybe I’ll learn not to bite the hand that feeds me.  Heh.  Who am I kidding.

Speaking of having a sixth sense, check this out.  Now to be honest, my BS detector is perking up just a bit … but why would good humans like this make up these stories?  They wouldn’t.  So, enjoy.  If everything they say is true, it’s amazing.

Nine lives, sixth sense: Cat at veterinary clinic seeks out ailing cats
By Diana Samuels - Daily News Staff Writer

All cats may have nine lives, but Christopher, an orange and white tabby who lives at a Redwood City veterinary clinic, also has a sixth sense.

Dubbing him a “guardian angel,” “wonder cat” and “miracle kitty,” the staff and volunteers at the Nine Lives Foundation’s Feline Well-Care Clinic say Christopher can tell when other cats need help. He will sit outside the cages of sick felines until someone lets him in, and last month, the clinic says, he saved the life of a kitten in need of a blood transfusion.

“It’s weird, it’s really true that he seems to understand things,” said Monica Thompson, Nine Lives’ chief veterinarian and founder. “He knows when he can help. He alerts us when things aren’t right about a cat.”

Now, I’ve heard - and written about cats - who have this knack when it comes to humans.  But with other cats?  That’s awesome.

Christopher, who is about 3 or 4 years old, was found on the side of a road by a group of bicyclists in March. He arrived at the clinic unable to stand, his pelvis fractured.

He recuperated, and one day simply jumped out of his cage while it was being cleaned.

Since then, Christopher has lived at the clinic. On Wednesday morning he snoozed in his favorite cat bed on a desk, ignoring the hustle and bustle around him.

As is typical for Christopher, he was napping next to a terminally ill cat.

“He’ll often paw at a cage door to be let in so he can clean and comfort a cat in there,” said Robert Lowery, a San Ramon resident and volunteer at Nine Lives.

He even became known as the “feral kitten tamer” last month, when he asked to be let into a cage with two feral kittens that were “untouchable, just hissing and growling,” Thompson said.

Christopher taught the kittens all about being a cat, and within a couple of weeks they were tame. One has since been adopted, and the other is still available.

“The kittens were so excited to see (Christopher) that when he left the cage they would sit and cry,” Thompson said.

I can’t confirm rumors Christopher wears a cape and has a large ‘S’ and ‘C’ on his chest.  But it wouldn’t surprise me … especially if this is all on the up-and-up.

But Christopher’s biggest claim to fame is likely saving the life of a tiny black kitten that came to the clinic July 11 with severe anemia. She needed a blood transfusion immediately, and Thompson couldn’t draw enough to even determine her blood type.

“I didn’t know what I was going to do,” Thompson said.

Christopher kept jumping up on the operating table, rubbing on Thompson and nuzzling the kitten. So Thompson grabbed Christopher and used his blood for the transfusion.

Thompson didn’t know it at the time, but the kitten had a rare “B” blood type found in about 20 to 25 percent of the cat population. It’s also a blood type usually found in purebred cats, Thompson said, so she wouldn’t have expected to find it in the black shorthair kitten.

As it turned out, Christopher also has Type B blood. The kitten was standing up within about four hours of the transfusion, Thompson said, and has since gone back to Humanimal Connection, the rescue foundation that was caring for her.

“If I hadn’t paid attention to (Christopher) I probably would have lost the cat,” Thompson said.

Though many people have inquired about adopting Christopher, Thompson said, he “serves a purpose” at the clinic.

“Who knows how many cats he’ll save in the years ahead,” Lowery said.

Now, I’m not sure why the vet jumped to the conclusion of tapping into Christopher’s blood because it does seem a bit far-fetched.  But you know what?  I have no idea why humans would make this up … especially since they have no interest in adopting him out.  And you know what again?  Let’s just take them at their word and enjoy a great story about an amazing cat.  I mean, who knows?

That’s it for a Monday.  Have a great day, and I’ll see you tomorrow.

The Wumpus

Did you know this?  I sure didn’t.  And I apologize for being late with the news, but it’s a good reminder and it doesn’t have to be done this week.

It’s “Take Your Cat to the Vet Week!”

If your cat is due for a check up, there’s no better time to make an appointment than during “Take Your Cat to the Vet Week,” August 16-22.

The annual event was created in 2009 by Feline Pine after a survey revealed that fewer than 50% of cat owners took their cats to the vet unless they were sick.

Cats have a reputation for being “low-maintenance” pets, they still require regular vet care to keep them happy and healthy. It’s recommended that all cats have annual check ups, and for senior cats (10 years and older) the American Association of Feline Practitioners recommends twice-yearly visits since many diseases can arise in middle age and problems in older cats tend to accelerate more quickly.

Regular vet visits are also a cost-effective way for owners to take good care of their cats becasue many health issues require less extensive — and less expensive — treatments when diagnosed early enough. Some of the common illnesses that affect felines include:

* Lower urinary tract disease
* Stomach inflammation/gastritis
* Renal disease
* Diabetes
* Colitis
* Ear infections
* Upper respiratory tract infections
* Hyperthyroidism

Since most pets aren’t particularly keen on vet visits, here are a few tips for getting your cat to cooperate:

* Bring out the carrier several days before the appointment.
* Place treats or catnip in the carrier to make it more appealing.
* Never force or push your cat into the carrier.
* If you need to offer a helping hand, stand the carrier on its end and gently ease the reluctant kitty inside, hind legs first.
* For very stressed or timid cats, scheduling a house call may be the best option.

For more information about “Take Your Cat to the Vet Week,” click here.

OK.  I heard AH telling FP about this earlier this morning.  Especially this part: “and for senior cats (10 years and older) the American Association of Feline Practitioners (also known as Satan’s Helpers - TW) recommends twice-yearly visits”. Twice a year?  Twice?

Let us recall the last time I had to go to the vet.    And now they think they’re going to do it twice?  Riiiight.

Oh, and I just love the list of things suggested in order to get me to ‘cooperate’.  Bring out the carrier several days before?  Suuure.  If you want to see me disappear for ’several days before’.  Place treats or ‘nip in the carrier?  You’ve GOT to be kidding me.  Never force of push your cat into the carrier?  That’s a great idea.  Too bad AH doesn’t adhere to it.  And they tried to do the hind-leg thing before, as well.  Pffffft.

Trust me.  There is no good way to get me inside that carrier, simply because I’m not going in unless I’m forced.  And even then, it’s a fight.  Big fight.  With bites, scratches and broken doors.  In any case, if your cat hasn’t been in to see the vet, now would be a good time.  I know I’m going, so if I have to do it … everybody else better be on board.  Or else.  Or something.

OK.  Deep breath.  Getting all worked up over something I need not be worried about on a Friday!!!  Whoo!  Hoo!

Have a great weekend, and I see you on Monday.

The Wumpus

As promised, a picture today.  Yes.  Just one.  Seems AH decided to break his main computer, so now I’m working on the old laptop.  And it doesn’t have the same stuff on it that allows me to edit my pictures.  So, I could spend the better part of my morning fussing with that?  Or, I could give you a look at my best side and head back to bed.

Yeah.  It was a tough decision.

Have a great day, and I’ll see you tomorrow.

The Wumpus

So, I’m having my typical afternoon snooze.  Sleeping on the upstairs bed.  Not a care in the world.  Dreams of chasing birds, chinrub on the railroa…..BOOM!!!!

What the $(#@)!!_? was that? I sit up.  Look around.  Peek outside to the yard in fron…….BOOM!!!!

Now what what in the *)*%$&*() was that?!!!

The house is still anchored to the ground, so it wasn’t something AH did to blow it up.  I hear him on the phone downstairs talking to FP … asking her if she’s OK.  She is.  He then comes upstairs to check on me.  My eyes are wiiiiide open, as I’m half sitting up and half ready to Wumpus Biskit my bed.  He comes over to give me a rub on the head and tells me everything is fine.

Not buying it, dude.  The entire house just shook.  Twice.  You don’t think I still remember the earthquake nearly 10 years ago?  When the house shook for nearly a minute?  Tell me ‘everything is fine’ one more time, and I’ll provide you some smelly, physical evidence it isn’t.

So, he stayed with me a bit longer and I settled down.  And admittedly, I played it off a bit longer than I should’ve because I was scoring some serious scratch and rub.  (Oh, spare me.  You would’ve done the same thing.)

So, he goes back downstairs and starts checking his sources - or whatever he does - to find out what’s going on.  See, he still fancies himself as some sort of ‘news director’.  I guess it has something to do with the fact that’s what he actually used to do.

Anyway.  Come to find out, it was this.

Now, I admit.  I’ve never heard a ’sonic boom’ before.  And I sure don’t want to hear one again.

He gets back on the phone with FP, and shares a few more details of what’s going on.  She’s fine.  He’s fine.  I’m still on edge for awhile, but settle down and grab some shut-eye.  Emphasis on the singular.  The other one stayed open … just in case.

That’s it for a Hump Day.  Got outside last night, and posed for a few pictures.  It’s been awhile and I suspect you’ve forgotten just how good looking I am.  I’ll remind you tomorrow.  See you then.

The Wumpus

Not much of a day yesterday.  Hot, again.  In addition, AH hiding out in his basement + FP coming home late from work = no outside time for me.  AH just told me I’ll be going outside this evening, so I’ll take that as a promise.  The weather’s supposed to cool down today, so it should be a nice trip out.

Found a great bit of news this morning while scanning the wires.  The only bad thing?  I don’t recall reading anything about this before it happened.  If I did - especially since it’s in my area of the country - I would’ve put the word out to my local peeps.  As it is, great, great news.

116 Kitties Adopted at Catapalooza!

An incredible 116 cats and kittens were adopted this weekend at Seattle Humane Society’s Catapalooza, our 5th annual celebration of cats! The event also found homes for 7 dogs and 3 critters.

Cat-loving families from around the region flocked to our feline festival to visit with kitties, learn about feline behavior, create homemade cat toys and more! Kitties ranging from 2 months to 14 years were placed into loving homes, thanks to the efforts of our staff, volunteers, and partner organizations.

Adopters worked with personal adoption advisors to find the perfect cat for their lifestyle and six animal welfare organizations joined in on the fun. Seattle Humane placed 93 pets and MEOW, Purrfect Pals, Everett Animal Shelter, South County Cats, KCACC, and Seattle Himalayan/Purebred Rescue placed 33 felines total.

We thank the community for opening their hearts and homes to animals in need this weekend. If you couldn’t make it to the event, stop by Seattle Humane in Bellevue to meet the hundreds of cats, dogs, and other critters still waiting for families of their own. We’re open seven days a week from noon to 6 p.m. For a sneak pet preview, visit us online at seattlehumane.org.

That’s fantastic.  Homes for 116 kittens and cats - and yes, even a few dogs and other critters.  Ya’ all know there’s no love lost between dogs and me, but I’ll tell you straight up no matter what I may think of dogs, we’re all in the same boat when it comes to finding good homes.

And this part got to me just a bit.  “Kitties ranging from 2 months to 14 years…” Somebody took in a 14-year-old cat.  That’s amazing.  I’m 14 and I’d like to think if something happened to my humans, I’d be taken in as well.  But let’s be honest - not many humans would choose a cat of that age over kittens.  But they did.  And that’s cool.  Hats off to all involved.

That’s it for a Tuesday.  I hope your week is off to a fine start, and you’re in for a great day.  Also, a ‘Hello’ to my new readers and I’ll see you tomorrow.

The Wumpus

Quick post today because it’s already getting too hot in my office.  Well, it’s AH’s office, but let’s be honest … it’s my house, so everything inside and out is mine, right?  Right.

Anyway.  A very, very hot weekend.  Too hot.  I know I complain about the weather during the winter months - you know, October to June - but when it’s 62 degrees one weekend and then 98 the next?  Is it too much to ask for some moderation?  I’ve been busting AH’s chops for some air conditioning, and I think he’s finally ready to bite the bullet.  I don’t know what pushed him over the edge.  Maybe because he’s tired of camping out on the basement when it’s hot.  In any case, it’s about time.

I had a decent weekend.  Decent because I got outside.  Not great, because I only got out once and was on a short leash at that.  But, it’s better than nothing.

Have a great day, and if it’s too hot where you are?  Find a way to stay cool.  See you tomorrow.

The Wumpus

Hey.  It’s Friday!  Whoo! Hoo!

Let’s wrap up the week with a feel-good story, OK?  OK.

Group Gives Comfort to Shelter Cats

Operation Blankets of Love offers warm towels and blankets to shelter cats and dogs. The blankets comfort the cats and take one item off the budget list for shelters, allowing them to spend money on needed medication and food.

Eileen Smulson began OBOL after seeing shelter dogs outside in crates on a rainy day. A shelter worker said they were on display for an adoption event, and couldn’t be inside. When she asked why there were no blankets for the dogs, one worker said their budget had no room for that.

“I couldn’t imagine my dog Ginger in that situation,” Smulson said of her former shelter pet.  She decided to do something about it.

Smulson started in January 2008 with a simple cardboard box and some flyers. to collect comforting cloths for shelter cats and dogs. In five months, she had collected 7,000 donations. Now, Smulson says, the organization is an even stronger and more recognized presence, reaching 1,000 cats and dogs a month.

“I made it into a nonprofit,” she said. “Now we have one of the biggest nonprofits.” Smulson shares with other charities, such as Stray Cat Alliance. “I give this group cat trees, cat scratchers – this is one of the many groups I give to.”

The shelter cats and dogs benefit from the donations in several ways. They receive bedding for warmth and comfort, allow shelters to allocate more funds to medications and food and give potential pet owners a chances to see dogs and cats in a more relaxed and happy state – thereby increasing their adoptability.

“If they see a cat snuggled inside a blanket, that cat will be picked up to be adopted,” Smulson said. “One that’s shivering in the corner with plain newspaper won’t.”

“It brings me joy to see a cat comfy in a little spot,” she added. “Everyday I know I save the lives of homeless cats.”

A great idea, no?  Now, here’s some more information here. They also provide volunteering opportunities, and donation options.  And keep in mind, there’s nothing stopping you from going to your own local shelter to see if they need donations directly.

As you may or may not know, I wasn’t a shelter kitty but a rescue kitty.  Not much difference, I know, but I do have a soft spot for those who started out in a rough patch like I did.  And if I can help just one cat - or yes, even a dog - have a better life with a loving family by putting the word out there on things like this, then let’s do it.

Have a great weekend.  Do try to stay out of the heat, and I’ll see you on Monday.

The Wumpus

First, the good news.  I got some outside time last night, and thus ended the Six-Day Fast.  Got some grass.  Got a bit of some natural sunspot.  And best?  The thing I missed most?  Got some railroad tie chinrub.  Yep.  I missed my creosote fix more than my grass fix.  Go figure.

Now, the bad news?  I was out for only - maybe - 10 minutes.  Why such a short time?  I don’t know.  I didn’t go where I wasn’t supposed to.  I didn’t do anything wrong. But something was up with AH and he couldn’t stay outside any longer, so back in I came.  Feh.  Maybe a longer trip today.

OK.  A bit of house cleaning today.  According to some of the comments I received regarding yesterday’s post - most notably, FP - the general response was, “Ewwwww!”

First of all, don’t blame the messenger.  I report.  You decide.

Second?  I think we can all agree Mr. Cat Eater is more than a few fries short of a Happy Meal.  Not just because he wanted to eat his cat, but think about this for a second.  Not only was he marinating a cat, but the cat was alive and had all his fur.  So, just what exactly was being marinated?  Right.  The coat.  So, if Mr. Cat Eater was itching for an oily hairball seasoned with crushed red peppers, chili pepper and salt?  He was spot-on.  Yum.

Third point - AH made me read a little bit about humans in the past regarding my mention of, um, ‘a fine red wine while munching on Uncle Fred’.  He didn’t think that was in very good taste - no pun intended.  I pointed out humans eating cats wasn’t exactly shooting to the top of the charts on things most popular with me.  We agreed to leave these subjects for others to write about from now on.

Lastly, some of my newer readers have contacted AH - apparently their search foo is strong - about how to write to me directly.  Now, long-time readers know of my prior e-mail address … and it still works fine.  So, some are wondering why I don’t post it anymore like I did on the old site.

Simple.  It got spammed.  Big time.

Now, I don’t mind getting notes from readers.  In fact, I love it.  But I don’t need any blue pills.  I don’t have a special lady in my life, so there’s no need for ‘it’ to be larger.  And regarding breastesus enhancements?  Thanks, but no thanks.

So, here’s what we’ll do instead of me posting the link here.  You can write me at Pozo@ … and you can figure out the rest of it.  Hint.  It rhymes with therumpus.com.  Got it?  Good.  Flame me with a nasty note?  You’ll get a Wumpus Biskit delivered directly to your door.  C.O.D.

That’s it for a Thursday.  Have a great day, and I’ll see you tomorrow.

The Wumpus

Day Six.  That’s right.  Day. Six.  The excuse yesterday by He Who Shall Not Be Named?  He was eating dinner.  Uh-huh.  Apparently if I come downstairs and request to go outside as he’s just sitting down to dinner?  It’s a no-go for me.  Can you believe it?  Me, neither.  And FP is no help.  With her going back to work, she’s staying a bit later to get caught up … or something like that.  So, by the time she comes home, I’ve already abandoned hope of going out and am back napping again.  And when I get up later?  It’s dark out.

I tell you.  This blows.  But I suppose it could be worse.  Like if AH decided to hit two targets with one stone …

There’s More Than One Way to Cook a Cat
Paul Wachter, Contributor
AOL News Surge Desk

A cat named Navarro was rescued Sunday in upstate New York after being found in the trunk of his owner’s car, marinating in “a mixture of oil, crushed red peppers, chili pepper and salt,” Gawker reports. Gary Korkuc’s car was searched after police pulled him over for ignoring a stop sign, and he told them he no longer wanted the cat since it was “possessive, greedy and wasteful.” So Korkuc, apparently, was going to eat it.

OK.  Let’s take a brief trip to The Wumpus Soapbox.  Is it me, or is my irony meter pegged when I read about a human - that’s right, a human - complaining about something else being ‘possessive, greedy and wasteful’?  Um, dude?  You and your cohorts corner the market on greed and wasteful.  And possessive?  Really?  A cat is possessive?  Well, I can’t speak for all cats but personally?  I don’t give a biskit enough to be possessive about anything.

But yeah.  The cat was greedy and wasteful … said the human.

Korkuc, 51, was arrested on one count of cruelty to animals, while the cat has already been adopted by another family and renamed Oliver. But left unsaid by Gawker and the Buffalo News was just how Korkuc planned to cook his pet. It’s a taboo subject in many cultures - an Italian food writer recently was fired for offering his preferred method (a three-day spring water soak before stewing) on an Italian television show - but not all.

There are some instances of consuming cat as a stew or as meatballs in China and Korea. A town in Peru holds an annual festival in which cat is the main culinary highlight, and several cooking methods are employed. In parts of Switzerland - where cat pelts are put to a variety of uses - it’s common to eat the meat, fried up in a pan with thyme. Some indigenous Australians roast cats over an open fire or alternatively cook them as part of a stew.

While Americans were horrified by Korkuc’s actions, it’s likely that this was his first attempt. For if he really wanted to enjoy his meal, cat cookers would recommend he kill and skin poor Navarro before applying the marinade.

That’s nice.  It’s his ‘first attempt’, and if he really wanted to enjoy it … skin the cat first.  But on the bright side, there are places where dog is considered a tasty treat.  But then again, why stop there?  I know of places where humans serve a fine red wine while munching on Uncle Fred.

By the way, how was your breakfast?  Heh.

Anyway.  Day Six.  Could be better.  Could be much, much worse.  See you tomorrow.

The Wumpus

Well, I did it again.  I said yesterday I wouldn’t, but I did.  I slept through my outside-time window.  And not just by a little bit, but by several hours.  So, we’re going on Day Five without any outside.  Day Five without any grass.  Day Five without any ’sploring, or chinrub on the railroad ties.  Day Five without …

You know, it just came to me.  Why am I the one who has to initiate outside time?  Why can’t AH wake me up and take me out?  Huh?  You’d think he’d find it in the goodness of his heart (no. stop laughing.  work with me here) to recognize my schedule is out of whack - no thanks to him - and take me out.  Wouldn’t you?  I know if the roles were reversed, that’s what I would do.  Yes.  I know.  I know.  It goes against every fiber of his being to do something nice, but come on.  Just once?

Not much of a day yesterday.  After a weekend of fitful sleeping because FP was gone, I used yesterday as an opportunity to catch up.  And obviously, I caught up too much.

Oh.  One more thing before I head off.  Mouse update.  During the week-long hiatus a couple weeks ago?  We caught a mouse in the trap every day.  That’s right.  Every. Day.  There was quite the colony living off my vittles.  Key word there being ‘was’.  AH stopped keeping track, but we caught at least - at least - 12 mice during that run.  Now, some humans might get freaked out there were that many mice living inside the house, but we live in the woods and having critters is all part of it.

The trap has been set for the last few days with no new captures, so it appears we got most of ‘em.  I suspect there’s a few stragglers wondering where Ma, Pa, Uncle Mickey, Aunt Minnie and the rest of the family went, but that’s not my problem.  I’ll suggest to AH we pull the trap for a week or so, lull the rest of them into a false sense of security and then reset it.

That’s it for a Tuesday.  Wish me luck on my outside time today … or at least hope AH finds a heart somewhere.  Anywhere.  See you tomorrow.

The Wumpus