Zina’s cat, Arwen’s, namesake is Arwen Evenstar, after the half-elf in Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” because of the kitten’s huge elf-like ears.  Her mystical kitty has magically singled-pawedly dispelled myths that cats are: aloof, like to be up high, don’t play fetch and refuse to come when called.

“Most cats love being up high,” explains Zina, “Not Arwen! Instead she purr-furs laying on the floor dozing by our hedgehog’s heat lamp. She is not independent either! She follows me everywhere, demanding attention and she meows nonstop, until I give her some or pick her up.

She thinks she is my dog and her most dog-like feature is that she plays fetch! Well, sort of! Arwen will chase a tossed toy, pick it up in her mouth, and carry it back to me; but as soon as I reach out for the toy, she runs off and puts her ‘prey’ in the closest shoe or basket.

As much as Arwen is similar to a dog, she’s still a cat. She pounces on anything that moves, and will run up to us, jump on us, and run away purr-ouldy like she has tackled prey. Her favorite toy is her poor stuffed cat. She beats it up in ‘their’ fights and always thinks she is the winner. 

My cat is crazy! She licks the rims of my parents’ wine glasses, and then tries to lick inside!  We don't let her drink any though. She also runs laps on our couch for her and our entertainment.

Her all-time favorite thing is going outside. She is only allowed outside with supervision where she loves hunting bugs, squirrels, chases birds and pine cones and attempts climbing trees.

Sometimes when I try to pick her up to take her back inside, she runs away. Fortunately, we trained Arwen like a dog to come when we ring a bell or shake a bag of treats.  She is an occasional troublemaker; but she is the cutest, snuggliest, loving, most purr-fect cat I could ever wish for.”

Raise a fun kitten into a happy cat. Never roughly rub a cat's belly, especially when it is on its back. This type of wrestling is not "fun" for a cat. It makes them feel defensive and vulnerable and teaches them to play aggressively.  You are teaching them that playing with you is not fun and that your hand is an attack toy which will make future grooming difficult.

Yes! Cats get bored just like we do.  Their favorite activity and stress release is hunting and chasing a toy at the end of a fishing line like the Da Bird.  Cats instincts are geared towards stocking, pouncing and biting into their prey.  When a cat "captures" the Da Bird feathers or mouse on a string let them sink their teeth into it as a reward.  Do not pull the toy out of their mouth, this can pop out or break their teeth.

Jumping from cats to horses, Pet Tips ‘n’ Tales biggest fan, 95-year old Bea recalls her neighbor, Grandpa Rucher, “who went everywhere in his horse and buggy.” She was five years old he decided to buy a Model T car so he built a garage. 

“In those days, they did not have driver’s licenses or lessons, so the car dealer would give you a brief demonstration on how to handle the new fangled thing,” said Bea.

“Well, I watched him proudly drive by our house, waving, then turn and go towards his new garage.  As he approached it, Grandpa R. stood up, still holding the driver’s wheel shouting, ‘Whoa! Whoa!’ but that darn car never stopped like his horse always did!

He drove that car straight through the front door and out the back wall! He kept the car, learned to use the brakes, and never again drove through the garage that he had to mend.”

I found the Must Love Cats link of my swimming cats incase you missed it!

Mary Ellen's Silver Persians swam their way into readers and viewer's hearts! They have appeared in International magazines and newspapers around the world. (France, England, Canada, China, Germany, USA, etc.)

Also, several National and International TV shows featured the swimming felines teaching pet-water-safety. And their furry faces appeared on a line of shirts and on Animal Planet.