Catapalooza 2012

Catapalooza 2012: a Valentine’s Day adoption open house and celebration of all things feline at the Washington Animal Rescue League (71 Oglethorpe Street, NW, DC 20011). More than 50 cats for adoption. All cats spayed or neutered, vaccinated, examined by a veterinarian and a behavior specialist, and tested for feline leukemia and FIV. This day only the adoption fee for all cats is a “just the two of us” $2. Free mimosas, cake and cookies, cat-themed grab bags, children’s Valentine card making. Admission is free. For information call 202-726-2556 or write warl@warl.org.--via WARL

GG's editor, a cat nerd, looks forward to Catapalooza with a somewhat disturbing enthusiasm (according to a few friends, ahem). Even if you're not in the market for a new family member, you should make plans to stop in. Check your local shelter for similar goings on because a quick search showed 'Catapalooza' events.

ciao-♥-meow/GGCM

(Andy Warhol illustration via Warhol Museum)

Trick-or-Treat for Big Cats

For ways to celebrate a feline-themed Halloween, check out National Geographic Kids. They have printable masks, costume ideas, labels for collection boxes, & a cat o'lantern for their worthy Cause an Uproar initiative. Of course, there are Halloween ideas that are non-cat related. Eyeball deviled eggs, anyone?

ciao-rawr-meow/GGCM

(photograph via funnycatsite; lion cub mask via National Geographic)

Tigers Among Us

We are devastated by what happened in Ohio yesterday. But we do not blame the legal authorities nor the lovely Jack Hanna. We blame people who buy & sell wild baby animals.

It is shocking to read about tigers in captivity in backyards around the States. We had no idea. Please click over to the World Wildlife Fund to look at an interactive map with captive tiger population statistics. Follow the links to see what you can do to get this outrageous conduct under control. If people want a wild animal, they should adopt a little cat. We assure you, that is wild enough!

ciao-meow/GGCM

(Mama tiger & cub by Michael Nichols for National Geographic)

Knit a Penguin a Sweater

No, we are not kidding. Look how people are helping the penguins affected by an oil spill off New Zealand. Thank you to Lori for tweeting a link to the story this afternoon. We're rushing so text below is directly from the etsy blog:

A recent oil spill on New Zealand’s coast has left the environment and wildlife in shambles — including the local blue penguin population. While volunteers are working hard to rescue and clean the animals in the region, they require a little bit of crafty help: tiny sweaters, or penguin pajamas, for the rescued birds. These woolen sweaters keep oil-soaked birds warm until they’re well enough to be cleaned and prevent them from ingesting oil from their feathers.

If you’re interested in donating a penguin sweater, New Zealand yarn store Skeinz has provided a handy how-to and is organizing the donation efforts.

ciao-meow/GGCM

(photograph by Leila Nargi)

Running Late

We'll be at the café soon to begin our day. While we're sure to be running late, you can check in at the Itty Bitty Kitty Committee, meet Charlene Butterbean & learn how you can help little kitties & big ones, too. While you're at it, be sure to add Charlene as a Facebook friend. Giulia urges, neigh demands that you check the committee out. We always listen to Giulia (you should, too). *whisper...she made us type that & she's not even here!

ciao-rush-meow/GG Central

PS: It's Saturday morning & we're still running late. This coffee shop blogging is for the birds.

(photograph by Stefany Alves)

A Kitten Shower

You are cordially invited to a baby shower. For kittens.

Yes, that's right. The wonderful folks at Washington Animal Rescue League (WARL) are holding a kitten shower on Sunday, June 12 from noon to 2pm.

June is the height of “kitten season” for animal shelters, and the League is seeking help in caring for the scores of kittens they will take in, raise, and find homes for. Please click the link to see what you can bring if you'd like to attend (& learn how to care for the little ones).

If you want to see some darling kittens & learn about caring for them, visit the amazing Charlene Butterbean & her Itty Bitty Kitty Committee.

ciao-meow/GG Central

(image via French Twist D.C.)

Olivia's Birds: Saving the Gulf

We posted last June on young artist Olivia Bouler's inspiring project to save birds on the Gulf Coast during & in the aftermath of the BP oil spill disaster. On the year anniversary, much remains to be done; frankly, things are just a mess. Read about Olivia's new book here. Starting today, read the Audubon Society's one-year update on conditions in the Gulf. You can sign a petition there to urge Congress to act on Gulf Restoration now.

ciao-meow/GG Central

(image via Barnes & Noble)

Celebrate Hallowe'en with a Black Kitten

Pssst. Do you live in the Washington, DC-area? There's a wonderful idea on the Washington Animal Rescue League's website (in italics, below). Also enjoy artist Tina Tarnoff's Audition for a Black Cat. It's very funny. (photograph by Ralph Crane via LIFE archives)

ciao-meow/GG Central

In the spirit of Halloween, if you adopt any of our kittens with black hair on them, you will receive 50% off the adoption fee (only $25)! From now until the end of October 31, when you adopt a kitten (under 1 year old) that has any black fur on them, the adoption fee will only be $25. As always, if you adopt a cat that is over 1 year old, the adoption fee is waived. Come in to see the spectacular kittens we have available at the League who are awaiting their perfect, forever homes!

Buy a Book, Help an Animal

It's a deal. We hang our head in shame for using an lolcat, but at least he/she looks like Giulia. This cat looks like it needs a good book to dig its claws into. The following is via our favorite bookstore's website. GG is low energy these days. Giulia would like to add that WARL cats are as nice & cute as can be...it's not all about the dogs. Don't forget about Thursday evening's fall fashion event to benefit the Washington Human Society (& Hope for Henry, here).

ciao-floopy-meow/GG's town crier

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Politics & Prose is delighted to support the local community with Partnership Fridays by joining with area businesses, government agencies and nonprofits, and the schools or literacy projects they support. On September 24, the Washington Animal Rescue League (WARL) is holding its Partnership Friday on September 24. As part of their event, the League will be hosting a "puppy playpen" in front of the store from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Take this opportunity to talk with WARL staff and learn about adopting a pet. For more information about WARL, call 202-726-2556 or visit their website.

Clunkers for Cats, Paws in the Park, & Certified Pre-Owned Cats

OK, it's Clunkers for Cats & Dogs...see here for the Washington Animal Rescue League's program for donation of wheels to benefit the League. Also, while GG will be on holiday, there are two more opportunities for dogs to take their people to a cocktail party at the Park Hyatt. The dates are 4 August & 1 September, 6-8pm. The low cost of this hilarity is $12.00 (includes 2 drink tickets). You just never know who will show up, so mix & mingle, people!

Here is the complete list of events listed so far, for the rest of the summer. There will be a dog adoption event at the Whole Foods near us this weekend, 31 July-1 August. (GG thinks it's her Whole Foods but it really is for everyone.) Also, note there will be another dog adoption event the same weekend at the Legg Mason Tennis Tennis Classic, nearby.

Finally, a very worthy program & it's GG approved (well, that is important, after all)--

This Summer the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, Animal Welfare League of Arlington, Washington Animal Rescue League and Washington Humane Society are teaming up with local car dealers Don Beyer Volvo, Lindsay Lexus, Jack Taylor’s Alexandria Toyota and Mercedes Benz of Alexandria to bring love into your life. Throughout the summer find great adoption specials on certified, pre-owned cats at any one of these “showrooms.”

All adopted cats come complete with a “five point inspection” including all basic vaccinations, testing for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus, sterilization and microchip. What’s more, their value actually increases when you take them home!

Special features include:

* A lifetime of love & companionship
* Loaded with adorable features
* Standard 4-paw drive
* High-performing engines (up to 9600 purrs per minute)
* Automatic lap warmers
* 100% loveable, guaranteed

Specs:

* Spay/neuter surgery
* Feline leukemia/feline AIDS test
* Distemper vaccination
* Personalized I.D. tag
* Microchip
* Information packet

We have a variety of models to choose from at all of our showrooms.
Click on our different locations to find just what you’re looking for!
http://cpocats.org/

[image via WARL website]

Catapalooza II

If you're in the Washington, DC-area (or will be on Valentine's Day), you might want to stop by the Washington Animal Rescue League (WARL) for the Second Annual Catapalooza Celebration. See here for last year's (longish) post. It was so much more fun than we thought it would be--it was very funny. Maria Caterina di Perugia, a friend of GG Central, even won the gift basket raffle. A great time was had by all. It's during the day, so you can attend to your Valentine later. Ahem. [photograph by Ralph Crane via LIFE Archives]

ciao-meow/GG Central

PS: There will be more than black cats at Catapalooza but we love this photograph of cats awaiting their film auditions.

Athletes for Animals

We interrupt our tiresome complaining about the cold weather to tell you about a great new program; it's starting in Washington, DC but will be expanding nationwide (perhaps worldwide--wouldn't that be great?). GG collage of Chip & Dale, Lily, Taylor, Floyd, Hazel, & Zoey (with their humans) via Athletes for Animals.

ciao-cheeky-meow/GG's editor

Athletes for Animals Mission:

Raise funding and awareness for humane education programs that connect kids with animals to teach kindness, compassion and respect for all living beings. The program is starting in Washington, D.C. with the Washington Redskins' Chris Cooley, the Washington Capitals' Shaone Morrisonn, DC United's Clyde Simms and the Washington Mystics' Nakia Sanford. The charitable beneficiaries are The Washington Animal Rescue League and The Washington Humane Society. Nationwide expansion is coming soon.

The Cupboard is Bare

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Did you see this on NBC Nightly News in December? Zach Wilson's mission to help people feed their dogs & cats during these tough times is an inspiration. When people have to give up their animals, everyone suffers. Bravo & congratulations to Zach & his mother Erica on the smashing success of Central Florida Animal Pantry . Please contact your local animal rescue leagues to see what you can do. Dropping off a bag of food is a great start. We're cooking up something here in the DC-area. Stay tuned.

ciao-meow/GGCM

[photograph by generous D Sharon Pruitt/Pink Sherbet Photography's Free For All Creative Commons]

Lila the Burro

It's been donkey's years (sorry) since we came across Marianne Perdomo's lovely portrait of Lila. Since it's the Christmas season, & donkeys play quite a role in the story, we'll share it. Burros are so helpful--to our friends in Darfur, to Santorini & other Greek islands...all over the world. They are very smart & sweet, too. Since they work so hard, you'd think they'd be well-treated. Oops. Not always.

Here are two links for wild burro rescue in the States. Here's another link to Bedlam Farm's Journal. They have cute donkeys there, too. Of course, now GG wants a burro of her very own. Um. No. But she can ride one if we go to Greece or Italy next summer. (And if she asks-meows nicely!)

ciao-meow/GG Central

Felinity on la Côte d'Azur - Week's End

[altered post from 24 August 2008; stripped of some extraneous html & 5,000 all rights reserved notices; it is all rights reserved but obviously we didn't know what we were doing last year. Thanks again to Jilly, who is so very generous & has given the go-ahead again for these 2 great pix. Please do visit her Menton, Riviera Daily, & Postcards from Milou photography blogs. We do, every single day. Lovely sites with excellent prose as a welcome bonus. More information about her life is in the post below. We hope you have a wonderful weekend & we hope to be back next week.]

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A breath of fresh Mediterranean air from GG Central.

Earlier this month, we had heaps of basil bestowed upon us by the munificent Maria Caterina di Perugia, Hermione the Cool Cat’s human-maman). GG’s editor dragged out an old recipe for Soup menton. Then, choses Menton (and all things southern French—from west to east) began to pop up.

A few days ago, one link led to another, to the Menton Daily Photo, & we just had to go. A beyond-adorable cat was the Thursday, 21 August 2008 Daily Photo. GG was entranced, as was her editor. The tabby-tiger resembles our late, dear Teddy & Oliver in their mischievous-but-sweet, pink-nosed splendor. Beyond the cuteness factor, note the elegant shot & the colors in both photos; anyone with thumbs can take a photo of a cute cat. This is different….and all due to the skill & empathy of photographer/hotelier/writer Jilly Bennett.

Also in the MDP, meet Woolite the Swimming Sheep (yes!) & Manon, the baby donkey at the Fête Patronale de la Saint Barthélémy.

Jilly’s main website is Pension Milou, “…PM... is a 5-star 'pension familiale' for dogs on the Côte d'Azur. The dogs who come to stay, live in the house with me - no kennels or cages. Here you'll read stories of their lives and mine on the French Riviera."

To round out her empire, Jilly publishes Riviera Dogs & Monte Carlo Daily Photo. They are lovely--a mini-holiday. It is well worth a drop-in for a smile, a recommendation to friends, & a thought about our friends–human & animal–across the sea. Read here about Jilly's life & work with animals in the South of France in Real Life Stories from Provence. She's an inspiration.

We plan to visit Menton Daily Photo every day to maintain our sanity in a world gone mad.

Cheers & ciao-meow to all!

© 2007 - 2009 · Jilly Bennett · Menton Daily Photo · All Rights Reserved/photos used by permission of photographer

Catapalooza! Valentine's Day Cat Appreciation Day

The progressive Washington Animal Rescue League (WARL) is having a special adoption/open house event on Saturday, 14 February 2009 (Valentine's Day for the forgetful!). Catapalooza Day is dedicated to all things feline. Herewith essential info. (And for those unattached, ahem, there's a wine & cheese social hour.)

Ever since WARL opened their new open shelter a few years ago, adoption rates are up for both cats & dogs; the length of time until adoption is shorter, too. There are special rates & available health care for the Silver Whiskers Club for Cats program; a similar program, Hope For Dogs, helps those who adopt older dogs, those with manageable disabilities, & chronic health problems. There's a special place in heaven for people who are willing to adopt these little ones. Please try to help even if you cannot adopt. WARL is very active in animal rescue & became well-known nationally during Hurricane Katrina's aftermath Whenever there is a disaster, anywhere, WARL shows up. Always.

On GG's Adoption Day (4 February 2006!), we were surrounded by "Katrina dogs." So.many ended up here in the DC-area. This was one of the first events in which those pups unable to be reunited with their families were available for adoption. It was simultaenously heartbreaking & uplifting. We saw a few pups & people that we'd met while volunteering at the Washington Armory directly after Katrina. What horrible days those were (& for many have not ended, BTW).

On GGAD, we sat amidst what can only be called a circus. Hundreds of people poured in to the adoption event (which was not at WARL but many animals had been medically treated -- or initially rescued -- by WARL) ready for the challenge of adopting traumatized animals. GG (aka Julie) watched all of this with an openness & equanimity that was impressive, not only to us but to professionals & would-be adoptee families, too. "What a calm, funny little cat" was pretty much what we heard over & over for the next few hours. She had been worth the wait. During this terrible time of economic meltdown, there are many people who need help with their animals; they shouldn't have to give up their dogs & cats (& bunnies, & other lil creatures), too. GG's editor is not ashamed to say that her friends are helping her. Not everyone is so blessed. Please help those who are not so fortunate in your area.

So, we're thinking that this Catapalooza thingy looks like a lot of fun. Even if you have big plans on Saturday, the event is from 11am until 5pm, so drop by! You never know who will be there. (And of course, you can check out the cute dogs, too!)

ciao-woof-meow!
GG's editor

PS: And why post one ridiculously cute photo, when you can post several? It's Catapalooza, people! Also, go to Small Expectations for drawings to squeal over, no matter how cool & hip you (think) you are. No one has the nerve to tell you what we will: you aren't that cool.

(photos via Cute Overload:) & The Daily Kitten/(collage made from GG Hangs Out & 2 Daily Kitten photos)
1-Next week on the Guiding Leash (this is hilarious)
2-There's a Sale at KITTENDALES - we think this is rather Matissean, non?

Weekend Update: The Daily Kitten

The Obama's are adopting a puppy in the spring. We've heard. We're delighted. We love dogs. However, we're annoyed with reporters fixated on the "pet" story who immediately segue into "dogs/puppies" when it comes to the wider viewing/reading audience. As in "adopt a pet," "there are so many puppies & dogs in need." What?

In a lame-o attempt to even the field, we offer the following. Please go to Petfinder.com, The Daily Kitten, & here, especially for those in the DC-area, the Washington Animal Rescue League. There are so many cats & kittens who need a home. GG would like to remind everyone that she, a magnanimous feline, loves dogs, too. GG was "found" on petfinder.com. Her adoption photo is her profile photo above. As imperfect as it is, it reminds us of that time nearly 3 years ago when she was looking for a home. Sniff.

Now ciao-meow & back to our weekend!
GG & her editor

PS: Enough with the Bush twins. That letter will soon be shopped around as a potential musical /play. The first few "listenings" -- cute, sweet. Now? Stop the madness!

[Photos from The Daily Kitten via Cute Overload:)]

As I was saying: ¡Hola!

Time constraints, so the chatty Blanquita will do the talking this morning. (Eli in the background is thinking, "Do we have a choice? Sigh.") Here's their humorous human mom's flickrstream [Marianne Perdomo, animal whisperer & rescuer extraordinaire].

NB: This is a feline-approved photo, bien sûr (GG likes dogs).

ciao-meow!

Christmas Cat Party

Two wonderful photos from photographer & animal rescue heroine Marianne Perdomo of Gran Canaria. She of the Alvar cat photo (A Blue-eyed Snowflake Cat), here. Marianne captures a funny scene which we imagine as holiday party gone a bit wild. (GG claims the dog started it; we're not buying it because GG is an instigator extraordinaire.) In the second photo, we imagine the after-party floops. {Follow the story about Peque, Susi & Robyn, the floopy kitties in the basket, here.)

Computer trouble & GG's antics this a.m. make us late...not the lovely, but quite tame, holiday party we went to last evening. Check out Marianne's photostream at flickr. [Some photos also available via animalphoto, another great resource.] Have a great Saturday.

bisou, ciao-meow,
GG's harried editor

Grace the Nurse Mouse to the rescue

GG & her editor are both under the weather. So a little preview of the The House of Mouse on Etsy. This is Grace the Nurse Mouse & we need her services. We feel better just looking at her. The charming Anna of The House of Mouse in Amsterdam creates scads of adorable mice characters (including 'occasion' mice); the mouse of your dreams is but a few (mouse) clicks away. Visit the THOM, here. [Note: Anna's cut-off date for U.S. holiday orders is Friday, 21 November. If you're in Europe, you have more time. Check the shop profile here for dates.] photograph/image used with permission of Anna Greaves/The House of Mouse

ciao-meow, bisou
GG Central