Attention all pet lovers, it will be raining cats and dogs once again this October when the American Kennel Club® (AKC) and the Cat Fanciers’ Association® (CFA) return to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City on October 16th & 17th to host this year’s second annual Meet the Breeds.™
Sponsored by PetPartners, Inc. a leading pet healthcare provider, Meet the Breeds is the world’s largest showcase of cats and dogs and offers pet lovers a unique opportunity to play with some of the country’s rarest dog and cat breeds while educating themselves about responsible pet ownership and choosing the right pet for their lifestyle.
"Meet the Breeds is an entertaining way for friends and families to enjoy quality time together while learning how to become responsible pet owners," said Meet the Breeds Spokesperson and AKC Assistant Vice President Gina DiNardo. Giant Mastiffs in a Medieval castle, Siamese cats depicting a scene from Lady and the Tramp, Norwegian Elkhounds on a Viking ship, and Russian Blue cats set in an Imperial Palace are just some of the more than 200 dog and cat booths that were at last year’s event."
More than 200 dog and cat breed booths, individually decorated that allow doggie devotees and feline fans to interact with dogs, cats, puppies and kittens.
"We are pleased to join forces with the AKC again this year to co-present Meet the Breeds," said CFA Director of Marketing & Public Relations Roeann Fulkerson. "This event is a great opportunity for animal lovers all over the tri-state area to play with cats and dogs they have never seen before, while learning more about the pets that share our lives."
More than 200 dog and cat breed booths individually decorated that allow doggie devotees and feline fans to interact with dogs, cats, puppies and kittens and learn about their history and unique attributes directly from the experts.
Top experts in every pet-related field including breeding, training, grooming, nutrition and first aid. Get to know some of the cat and dog specialists who will be available to answer your questions and help you identify the best breed for you.
More than 100 vendors selling unique dog and cat items so you can spoil your favorite Fido or Fluffy. Every imaginable canine and feline product will be available.
Demonstration rings allow attendees to watch dogs and cats race against the clock in the fast-paced sport of Agility, see dogs show off their Rally, Flyball, and Frisbee skills, observe simulated hunting tests and view law enforcement K9s in action.
Games and giveaways at vendor booths including free samples and a wii pet agility game for kids, among other activities.
Last year’s event hosted a few "boldface names" including fashion designer Michael Kors and famed columnist Cindy Adams who brought along her dogs Jazzy and Juicy to greet the huge crowds at the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America booth. Whoopi Goldberg, co-host of "The View" and Mario Lopez, host of "Extra" also attended to tape segments for their respective programs.
The majority of cats are inquisitive about something new in their environment. What about yours? Take part in our poll - and let us know what your cat thinks about a box.
Part of keeping your feline companion happy is providing environmental enrichment--activities for them to do each day other than sleeping or eating. Surprisingly, many adult cats still enjoy playing with toys in addition to a few other activities owners may not think of that can significantly enrich a cat's daily life.
"One of the biggest discoveries in the past five years is the realization that cats really enjoy novelty," explains Linda Case, an expert in the field of animal behavior who teaches companion animal behavior and training at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in Urbana. She also has authored numerous books on the topic.
Along these lines, one of the easiest steps an owner can take is to rotate toys in and out of the "lineup." For example, leave out two or three toys for your cat to play with and hide the rest. Then, once a week, bring out a new toy. You'll be surprised how excited your cat will be to see a toy it has not seen in a few weeks.
As for selecting toys, walk into any pet store and it is easy to see that there are hundreds of choices. Many pets enjoy the kind where an object is tied to the end of a stick and the owner can move it across the floor or make it bounce. Other cats prefer carrying stuffed toys around the house and lay on their backs to play with them.
No matter what toys you do choose, remember to watch your cat with them in the beginning. Although it is rare, "Cats may become so focused on playing with a toy that they may consume it," notes Case. Laser lights are also another toy that owners should be warned about before using. Some cats may be so interested in following the light that they become obsessive compulsive about light chasing, a problem which could easily spiral into a serious disorder.
In addition to rotating toys on a weekly basis, Case also recommends moving the location of the item. For example, if it is an object tied to a doorknob, move it to a different door from time to time.
Playing with toys will provide some much needed exercise to most cats, but another way to keep them mentally stimulated is window watching. Providing an area near a window for your pet to watch the birds or other dogs walk by can really enrich their day. Something as simple as arranging your furniture or installing a platform window bed can be beneficial.
If you think your cat is up for a real adventure, cat halters and leashes are available for walks. It's an activity that allows your cat to go outdoors, yet still remain safe from harm.
On a final note, many owners who feel their adult cat may benefit from having another feline around may be asking for trouble. "You can pick your cats and you can pick your friends, but you cannot pick your cat's friends," notes Case, alluding to the fact that selecting a cat that has a personality compatible with your current pet is often challenging. In the end, it may cause more stress for both cats, rather than providing them companionship. Though it does not mean it never works out.
For more information on ways to keep you cat active, contact your local veterinarian.
The loss of a cat is the loss of a trusted friend and family member. The experience can trigger overwhelming feelings of grief and sadness that affect us both emotionally and physically. It's important to find ways to express your grief for the adored cat that is gone from your life, but never from your heart.
As you move forward to work through your grief, your first step is to take care of yourself, get enough sleep and watch your diet. You may not be able to concentrate very well at first, so pay extra attention when you are driving, operating equipment or walking outside. Think about different ways you might want to best remember your cat, whether it's keeping a locket of their fur, contributing to a memorial fund or planting a special tree in your yard.
Here are some suggestions (originally developed for pet owners by The AKC) to help you better cope with your loss:
Grief should be expressed freely so the healing process can begin.
Make a conscious effort to be thankful for the joy your feline companion brought you through the years.
Spend time with people who can appreciate the significance of your pet's impact on your life and who are empathetic to your loss, including other pet owners and your breeder.
Seek out pet bereavement groups through your local veterinarian, animal shelter or online. Your veterinarian or local animal shelter may also be able to recommend a pet loss hotline.
If this is your child's first experience with death, make it clear that the cat is not coming back but emphasize that it is now free of pain. Let your child know it is okay for him or her to express grief over the loss.
Other pets in the house may also react to the loss of their companion. Give them extra attention during this time.
Memorializing your cat can help you celebrate their life and begin the healing process.
Consider a donation to a pet-related charity in honor of your cat
Create a photo album with snapshots of your cat, or write down some of your best memories in a journal.
Consider having a memorial service for your cat in an area that holds special meaning for you. You might disperse your cat's ashes in a favorite location or keep remains in a specially crafted urn with their photo.
If you participated in cat show events, consider placing a tribute ad in a cat show catalog, pet publication or Web site.
Realize that it may take time before you are ready to bring a new pet into your home. If you feel that you might not be ready for a new cat but want to spend time with animals, consider volunteering with a local club, rescue group or animal shelter.
Discuss the idea of bringing a new cat home with your entire family. Whether or not you choose the same breed, be certain to appreciate your new feline companion for his own distinct personality and character traits.
Remember that grief is a natural process and that time does heal the feelings of hurt and loneliness. Although death is a difficult process at first, the pain of missing your cat will eventually turn into happy memories.
The CFA Foundation was established on June 22, 1990 by the CFA Board of Directors as a forum to educate the general public about the existence and history of the cat.
THE COLLECTION
Harry Winston Advertisments (1948-left; 2006- right) - Enlarge
NEEDS
The Foundation, like it's counterpart The Dog Museum of America, has as it's mandate "the collection, preservation and exhibition of works of art and literature related to the cat." Each passing year sees more material destroyed because breeders and their heirs do not consider it as having value or interest. We welcome the opportunity to make that determination.
What are we looking for? Many of us have
collected cat memorabilia over the years. Some valuable, very valuable only
to us. Works of art, paintings, sculptures and other cat collectibles
(ceramic cats, cats as toys, cats at Christmas and other festivals, wooden,
metal, glass cats, and cats in advertising are a few examples) are all needed
to build a comprehensive collection of cat artifacts.
In each future issue of Fanc-e-Mews, we will showcase a particular piece from the foundation's collection. If you are interested in contributing to the history of the cat fancy maintained by the CFA Foundation, please email foundation at info@FelineHistoricalFoundation.org
As you savor these last few weeks of summer, you (and your pets) may be trying to get in as much outside time as possible before the chill of winter sneaks up on us all. But perhaps your pet, like mine, tends to eat anything and everything, edible or not. The backyard is full of what your pet may think as tasty treats, but, you may wonder, can anything out there be poisonous?
Dr. Tina Wismer, adjunct professor of toxicology at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine and senior director of Veterinary Outreach and Education at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center in Urbana, says that there are many dangers for our four-legged friends lurking in the great outdoors.
The first thing that may come to mind, of course, is plants. Your dog may feast on grass and flowerbeds, but that could result in more than just a high landscaping bill. Various plants and mushrooms are poisonous to dogs and cats, with consequences ranging from mild vomiting to death. Some of the most toxic plants are more common in certain regions of the country. Yews, azaleas/rhododendrons, water hemlock, poison hemlock, and castor bean are among those highly toxic plants which are very common in the Midwest.
Because of the danger to your pets, it is extremely valuable to learn the names of the plants in your yard and take proper precautions to prevent exposure, even if that means removal or blocking the plants off. If your pet ingests part of a plant or mushroom you cannot identify, Dr. Wismer suggests first contacting your veterinarian. Bringing a sample of the plant to your veterinarian or a local nursery or even doing a simple Google Image search can aid in identification. Identification is very important, as it will aid your veterinarian in providing the appropriate treatment to your pet.
Other potentially harmful substances lurking in the backyard include products you may use to keep pests away or to beautify your garden. Products like snail and slug baits (containing metaldehyde) and insecticides can result in toxicity. The key, Dr. Wismer says, is to be sure to "follow all label directions before using around any pets. Many products have a specific time frame that pets need to be off the treated areas."
Many pet owners are also aware that chocolate is toxic to animals, but may not realize that things like cocoa mulch would present the same problem. Just like chocolate, cocoa mulch contains the methylxanthines that cause problems with the heart in animals and can be fatal at high doses.
If you compost or have fruit trees in your backyard, you should be aware that decomposing material and fallen, rotten fruit may be growing mold. If mold is ingested by your pet along with that juicy apple or banana peel, it can cause tremors and seizures in the animal.
For general backyard safety, Dr. Wismer suggests taking the following steps:
Identify plants present and determine their toxicity level;
Remove or block off plants that may be toxic;
Before using any product, read the label and contact the company with questions;
Supervise your pets in the outdoors, especially in new environments.
Many resources, including a toxic plant guide, are available on the ASPCA website: ASPCA.org. If your pet has been exposed to a potentially toxic plant or product, you can also contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 (a $65 consultation fee may be applied to your credit card).
For further information on pet-proofing your backyard, contact your local veterinarian.
Once, I held a lion cub in my arms
And felt his latent power
Surge beneath my hands.
And when his gentle face
Smiled into mine,
I saw in his eyes
Faraway continents
And mountains
He would never rule.
Betsy Stowe is an award-winning freelance writer and photographer. Betsy is a member of the Cat Writers' Association and the Dog Writers Association of America. She is the author of CALICO TALES AND OTHERS, a collection of her poems and photos of her beloved adopted stray cats, who have lived with her on farm and in town.
ABOUT THE CARTOONIST: Cartoonist Loren Fishman currently resides in Minneapolis, and is a graduate
student at the University of Minnesota. Since a young age, he has possessed a
fondness and facility for doodling in school, and making inane observations in
social situations. His cartoons were first published in 2009 in The Minnesota
Daily newspaper, and his cartoon panel "Humoresque" appears in several online
publications. In addition to comedic pursuits, Loren works as a classical
pianist, and as an instructor of piano and music performance for university
students. For information about using his cartoons, please e-mail Loren at
lorenfishman@hotmail.com
ABOUT THE CARTOONIST: Stephanie Piro is an award winning cartoonist, designer and illustrator. She is one of King Features' "Six Chix" team of women cartoonists, and
author of "My Cat Loves Me Naked". Her cartoons appear in newspapers, magazines, books and on greeting cards. Her popular cat designs are available on t-shirts and other gift items through her Strip T's Design Company website . E-mail Stephanie for info about using her cartoons or illustrations. See Stephanie's ad in the Fanc-e-Classifieds!
ABOUT THE CARTOONIST: Steve Langille, a resident of California, is the creator of a hilarious, single panel cartoon called "STRANGE BREED". Steve's cartoons are published regularly in the Sierra Star and Santa Cruz Mountain Times newspapers and he is doing the cartoons for a new book by Thomas Peacock. To see more of Steve's cartoons, visit his web site at www.strangebreedcartoons.com
ABOUT THE CARTOONIST: Award-winning cartoonist Jerry King is one of the most published, prolific and versatile cartoonists in the world today. His work has appeared in thousands of greeting cards, magazines, Web sites, books, newspapers, newsletters and children's books. His client list includes Disney, American Greetings, The United States Golf Assoc., and many others. Visit Jerry's web site at www.jerryking.com.
Attention all pet lovers, it will be raining cats and dogs once again this October when the American Kennel Club® (AKC) and the Cat Fanciers’ Association® (CFA) return to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City on October 16th & 17th to host this year’s second annual Meet the Breeds.™
