Yes, it’s true!  This week the cat nation (and people, too) celebrated the greatness of cat-hood. The official date was October 29.

                                                 DOGS DROOL – CATS RULE

Quickly, I must add – the above statement is not mine, but meowed recently and very sweetly by my little kitty, Miss Sarah Bell.  At least it seemed this is what she meant, but maybe I’m wrong.

According to the founders, National Cat Day was formed to celebrate cats for their unconditional love and companionship as well as to encourage humans to rescue these sweet pets from animal shelters. It is estimated that approximately 4 million cats enter shelters every year, and 1 to 2 million of them are euthanized – so sad. The primary goal of this special day is to facilitate 10,000 adoptions of shelter cats nationwide on October 29. This will be the first year that the Animal Miracle Network will attempt to trace the numbers of cats adopted. Similar initiatives for dogs in the past have exceeded their goal of 12,000 dogs adopted. Colleen Paige, Founder, National Cat Day stated. “We put a lot of manpower into communicating with our affiliate event promoters and shelters around the country that signed to participate.”

There are many other organizations dedicated to the welfare of shelter cats/dogs. One is Tailwaggers For Life, Waynesboro, MS. Take a look at their web site: . It was in 2005 that this 501(c) 3 nonprofit began offering canine sheltering services. Their latest fundraiser is a very nice hardback cookbook entitled “Look Who We Found In The Kitchen.” It is a cookbook filled with special recipes donated by celebrities. To name a few:  Vanna White, Alan Jackson, Glenn Close, Gov. Haley Barbour, Arnold Palmer, Betty White, Jo McDivitt, Paul Ott Carruth, Jamie O’ Quinn, and Anne McKee (that’s right, ME!). There are a total of forty “Celebrity Recipes.” I’ve listed my granny’s pecan pie extravaganza – you don’t want to miss that one. The wonderful cookbook will make a lovely Christmas present and the funds will go to a great and needed cause.  Check with these fine people: Tailwaggers For Life, POB 1008, Waynesboro MS 39367, phone no. (601) 735-3779.

One more thing … the second edition of a cute collection of pet stories “Pets Across America” published this month.  The first volume did very well nationwide. Even our Lauderdale County Animal Shelter benefited. The series of stories were written by authors throughout the US, and compiled and edited by Pam Uher, Gabriel’s Guardians, Rowlett, TX. With each book sold, 30% of the proceeds are donated to designate animal shelters throughout the nation. The authors of the stories selected the shelters.  The first volume included three of my stories, “Hi-Ball, The Coon Dog,” “We Buried Lady Bird Today,” and “Killer, The Cat.” I have two stories included in the second volume “Orange Kitty, The Part-Time Cat,” and “It’s a Dog’s World.” With both publications, I’ve selected Lauderdale County Animal Shelter as the recipient of the 30% proceeds, and the books are available there as well. 

Okay, I thought it most appropriate since this week we celebrated National Cat Day to conduct a few interviews with Mississippi cats – a few comments or meow-ments, if you will.

 

My name is Lucky Mutziger.  I am about 1 1/2 yrs old.  My name is Lucky because I am Lucky.  I was born out in Decatur and when I was a cute gray stripped kitten I happened to stop and rest on the back door step of Dr. John Mutziger’s Medical clinic.  I was there when he came to work and he happens to be a cat lover.  He picked me up and I went limp in his big arms and started to purr.  I was sweet and irresistible because I am.  He carried me into his clinic.  It was mutual love at first sight.  He didn’t want to put me down and I wanted to stay right where I was in his arms.  He called his wife Sarah and asked her if he could keep me and would she come get me.  She told him that I had better be a really good cat and he said that he already knew I was.  So she said ok and named me Lucky on the spot.  The rest is history.  I am a good cat, and I am Lucky.  Best of all, I am The Only Cat, and between me and Sarah, we both know it will stay that way. She doesn’t just fall for any Cat but she did fall for me.  I don’t have any flaws or bad habits, except for sweeping things off Sarah’s desk and chewing on her papers and walking on her computer keys.  When I do those things, she knows I just want attention and I always get what I want.  There is a dog here too but we usually manage to get along.  She is a Labrador Retriever, also about 1 1/2 yrs old.  Sometimes she forgets that she is a lot bigger than me and I have to remind her to take it easy.  I have fun watching her, from a safe distance.  I am glad I am not a dog.  She can be exhausting to watch. She loves to chase balls at a high speed and bring them back, over and over again.  I can’t see the point.  There is nothing exhausting about me.  I will lie in a lap, any lap, for as long as I can. in any position you put me in, and you may touch, pet, or scratch me anywhere for as long as you want.  I can purr for unlimited amounts of time.  I am Lucky.  I know my name, and I know it is true.

  

Dr. John Mutziger, Meridian, MS    



My ragdoll/Maine coon cat, Charlsie, is very discriminating. He performs his irresistible limp as a ragdoll flop and rollover for nine out of ten guests. His record would be ten out of ten if everyone would fish out a cat treat reward for his ‘A’catemy’ Award winning antics.



Meow,

Jo Mc Divitt, Hattiesburg, MS

 

Smokie, the eternal office cat:

Considers the computer mouse his; likes to lay across the keyboard to make sure I get my work done correctly. I’ve found several new keys thanks to him!!



Kim Gianakos, Meridian, MS

 

The final “meow” as purred by Harley, my Grandcat:

It’s about time that the humans recognized the feline population with the greatness and grandness due our beautiful selves – so there!

 

Thanks, dear readers, for allowing, perhaps some would say, silliness in today’s column, but, the main

thought — There is a real need to assist animal shelters. As elegantly stated by National Cat Day Founder, Colleen Paige, “As humans, we need love … period. In every heart there is an empty space. In every animal shelter, there is love just waiting to fill it.”

 

Anne McKee is an author and storyteller. She lives in Meridian. Anne is listed on the Mississippi Artist Roster, sponsored by Mississippi Arts Commission, as a dramatic and literary artist, storyteller, and as a Teaching Artist. She is active with the arts and educational communities throughout Mississippi.