RIP Moneypenny

I knew she was on the downhill when she started losing weight.

In retrospect I should have known something was wrong when her left eye showed signs of discolouration.

It was the saddest day of my life.

RIP Moneypenny, my beautiful, proud, loving, Tabby Tiger. My gorgeous Asian Silver Ticked Tabby.

August 1997 to May 26, 2012.

Former Alley-Cat

Who'd have thought. Female cats have two uteruses.

You might ask how I discovered this fact, and if you did, I would tell you a professional told me. Dr Carrie, a vet at Nate's Place, was relating the story of Sophie, a cat looking for a home.

Sophie was semi-feral, meaning that she wasn't part of a feral cat community, and was being fed by a human. Someone noticed that Sophie was pregnant, but didn't ever give birth.


Caught by the folks at the Honor Sanctuary, the Doc had to conduct an emergency c-section. The result was the birth of one kitten (Samson, since adopted) and the removal of Sophie's infected uterus.

(Sophie, by the way, had been quite busy, having at least five litters of kittens to her name. No longer. She's been a mother for the last time.)



All in all, Sophie is fortunate to be alive, and luckier still to have received the first-class veterinary treatment that saved her and her kitten's life. But she needs just a little more luck - someone to take her home and keep her off the streets.




As you can see, Sophie is a very pretty white and silver tabby. Still somewhat shy from her life outside, I can see her reciprocating human love very quickly. In the thirty minutes I spent with her, she was purring and nuzzling with abandon. She's a beautiful little cat.

So if you live near Tampa Bay, and are looking to give a sweet cat a home, please think of Sophie. And if you are interested in keeping your house safe from the bad effects of mass-market cleaning products, have a think about changing to a more green lifestyle. Even if it's only for your pets. And hopefully, Sophie.

Black and Beautiful

Once upon a time there were four black cats. Their names were Bigboy, Kitty, Blacky and Blacky II.

They were all rescued by Sally and the folks at the Honor Sanctuary in December of 2008, which makes them the longest-staying guests there. If any of the cats deserve a nice home of their own, it is these four, because this isn't their first stay at an adoption home, it is their second. The first one just couldn't cope.



Apart from being young, healthy, and all-around wonderful cats, these four come fitted with extras - extra toes, to be precise. They're all polydactyl, meaning that they have more than the standard number. Another name for them is Hemingway Cats, after the author's famous brood on Key West.


The four of them are well looked after at the Honor Sanctuary, but if you live on the Suncoast of Florida, and are looking for a housecat (or more!) please consider the four Black Beauties.



And if you are interested in doing the one percent things that make the smallest, and sometimes most important differences in our lives, then consider turning your household green by changing to more natural products. For your cats.

It is easier than you imagine.

cleanfloorsforyourpaws@gmail.com

Creamello

Vacuum cleaners and cameras are the two mechanical items cats hate most, at least that's what I thought until recently. Maybe it's just my girls.

Meet Flop. Flop is not at all camera-shy, but his reaction to the dreaded vacuum-cleaner is unknown. What we do know about Flop is that he was rescued by Lilia of the Honor Sanctuary in Sarasota, and he's now looking for a home. If you're looking to adopt a calm and happy cat, Flop's your guy. (Even though he's not a full guy any more, if you know what I mean.)

Flop is so named because his first action upon being taken to the shelter was to flop down in the entrance-way and greet everyone arriving there with....a big lie down. That's so unlike a cat, right? So it's Flop by name, and flop by nature.



The folks at the adoption agency keep an eye on some feral colonies around the place, and that's where they found Flop. He was obviously not a feral cat by his looks, and his manner around people. So rather than leave him fend for himself, they took him in, hoping to find more caring owners this time around.


Have a heart. Adopt a cat. And look, when he's not flopping, he fits into a very small box!

If you already have pets, please consider keeping them safe from household toxins, by making your place a Green Place. It's simpler than you might think. I can show you how.


Thanks to Flop for his patience being photographed, and thanks to Lily and everyone at the Honor Sanctuary.

No Homeless Pet Community

There's no escaping it, cats are wonderful.

Which makes it hard to believe how people can give up their pets after years of them being part of the family. I would give up everything before I gave my two cats away.

Which brings us to Snickers. I found Snickers at the Honor Sanctuary Animal Rescue facility in Sarasota. The Sanctuary does noble work looking after abandoned and unwanted cats and dogs, doing as much as possible to make our town a "No Homeless Pet Community".

Walking into the Sanctuary is a slice of heaven for a cat person like me. This morning when I was there, over seventy cats were in residence. But this isn't a cage-and-feed kind of place. The cats are free to walk about, there's furniture (cat and human) on which they can lounge, and visitors are encouraged to be affectionate. With the animals, not each other.

And so I was introduced to Snickers. Snickers is an altered long-haired female around four years old. Her story is that she didn't fit her owners' life any more, and she's looking for a home. The pictures tell you everything you need to know.





If you live anywhere between Bradenton and Venice (in Florida) and are looking for a sweet pet, please visit the Sanctuary, and consider Snickers. She will only be an adornment to your home, elegant beauty that she is.

And if you have enough pets already, consider doing the entire household a favor by going green with your cleaning products.

Being the best parent you can be

Is there anything as good as knowing that your pet is happy and healthy because of your care?

Peace of mind comes from being mindful of your pet's needs - good food, regular exercise and quality veterinary care. I went one step further by changing my household over to a family of low-toxicity, more natural products. They don't cost me any more than other brands, but the peace of mind I get from knowing my girls are in a safer house is immeasurable.

Protecting our babies from harm and doing the right thing by them is a big job, but a rewarding one. If you're interested in learning how I make that job easier with the right pet-friendly products, email me. Or click on the links in the margin to the left for more information.

Tim

Want to watch a YouTube video on this?

The Neighbors' Dogs

Time to take Clean Floors for Your Paws to the world. I think I'll start small, and begin locally by meeting as many neighbors' dogs as I can.
 
Here is My Neighbors' Dogs #1.

I don't know where he lives. I don't know his name. I don't know if he's a he. 

But he ain't heavy, he's my neighbor. 



The way he was bouncing around, it's possible he's half rabbit.

I might call him Thumper.







Technorati: Clean Floors for your Paws, Yorkshire Terrier, Dogs, My Neighbors' Dogs, Safe for Pets.

Pippi Pit Bull

Tom and Ruth have a child star - yes, their daughter is a star of course, but so is their dog, Pippi. Abandoned as a puppy, Pippi had a dislocated or broken shoulder, and wasn't in good shape. Lucky for Pippy, she found a family to care for her, and now look - no-one can resist her charms.

As you can see, the shoulder story didn't end well. Pippi's front right leg had to be amputated because of infection. Three-legged dogs remind me of the story about a dog called Lucky, but that's for another time.

Meanwhile, Pippi is fêted wherever she goes, particularly by the folks at O'Leary's Tiki Bar.

If love your pets as much as Tom and Ruth (and everyone else) loves Pippi, I hope you'll contact me about making your house less dangerous for your favourite cat or dog. 


cleanfloorsforyourpaws@gmail.com

Or check out this YouTube video.

Technorati: Clean Floors for your Paws, Pit Bull, Dogs, Green Your House, Safe for Pets.

Don't Kill Bill

On fine Sunday mornings in my coastal town, folks are out drinking coffee, walking their dogs. This is the story of Bill, or Mr Bill as everyone around here knows him, a Husky living in Florida, by way of Kansas City.


What a sweetie. Bill is such an individual that he stops traffic. He looks kinda out of place here in Florida, what with the big coat and the paws designed for snow, but he's so placid and happy, I think Jimmy Buffett is playing in his head. 

....wastin' way again in Margaritaville....

Bill is one cool dawg.



There is the idea that owners take on the personas of their dogs...or is it the other way around? In either case, Bill and his boss and buddy Rai are a perfect match.

Nice meeting you both, I hope it's not the last time.

Technorati: Clean Floors for your Paws, Husky, Dogs, Green Your House, Jimmy Buffett.

Fun with dogs

Some dogs are camera shy.

Here's Bowie, a supremely well-loved chocolate labrador.


Bowie is a well traveled dog, a family member like all the humans. 

Here, Bowie! Would you mind if I took your photo?

Okay, fair enough. Hopefully I'll catch you next time. 
 

Communicating what I'm trying to do with Clean Floors for your Paws isn't always easy. 

But that's fine, I'm still learning that the message of making your house safe for your pets (and, coincidentally, yourself) by lowering the toxic baseline is an idea whose time is coming. 

That's something I'm sure Bowie knows.  

Technorati: Clean Floors for your Paws, Chocolate Lab, Dogs, Green Your House, Family Pets.

A real Pearl

Sweet stories sometimes fall into your lap. This sweet story stars Pearl, a doberman pinscher, and her owner, Jim.

I found Jim and Pearl by sheer fluke, but we quickly became acquainted. Pearl is training to become a service dog, to spend her life helping a human whose life will improve by having her. Jim will spend six months with Pearl, ensuring she's accustomed to being in all kinds of situations, keeping the best interests of her owner in the front of her mind at all times.

Pearl is a very calm and disciplined dog, in beautiful condition, clearly very well looked after. She attracts lots of attention, but despite that you can see that she's focussed on what she needs to do.

I am hoping that owners of all dogs - service dogs like Pearl, family pets, or household mutts - decide to use my products to keep their houses as safe and non-toxic as possible. They're totally worth it.



Technorati: Clean Floors for your Paws, Doberman Pinscher, Service Dogs, Green Your House, Dogs.

Roger and Me

Meet Roger. Roger's a really sweet twelve-year old golden retriever mix...mixed with pussy-cat if his nature is any guide. He's a cute old fella.

His owner, Sue, didn't want to be photographed, and was quite dubious about me even taking some pics of Roger. People are so weird about this. All I'm doing is highlighting how nice it is to see well-cared-for dogs and cats, and how, if you want to, you can do a little more for them and for you.

Even Roger got bored with me at that point.




Technorati: Clean Floors for your Paws, Roger and Me, Retriever, Green Your House.

Rocky, the Miniature Poodle

Say hello to Rocky.

Rocky is my friend Tommy's miniature poodle, a feisty wee full-of-life pup.

Like many folks, Tommy found Rocky at an animal shelter, and instantly knew what had to be done. Rescue complete, Rocky now lives in a loving household. And all he wants is to have 24/7 fun.

Bounder the Stealth Watchdog

It's a dog's life.

This RV and its owner I see around town all the time. I didn't know he or she had a pet dog as well.

Thinking I could have a chat, I knocked on the door. But no-one was home. They might have been swimming, being, as we were, at the beach.

So I don't know the dog's name, but he's very trusting. Not a bark from him. Perhaps he's a stealth watchdog. I think I'll call him Bounder.

My lens for dogs.

Technorati: Clean Floors for your Paws, Dogs, Watchdog, Pets.

Mouseover

There's a new pet in my life, and it's not furry. It's black and chrome-coloured, about the size of a nice atlas, (without the weight) and connects without wires to the internet.

It even has a mouse, although not the regular one Moneypenny is familiar with. That doesn't stop her wanting to play with it.

Very smart, my cats. I am sure yours are too.

Technorati: Clean Floors for your Paws, Cats, Mouse, Pets.

Dachshund

Behind every pet there is a story, often one of unexpected love or a surprise family addition.

This is Zoey. She was lucky enough to find her owner, Kim, who saved her from the pet store short-legged and cute aisle. Zoey lives with two cats (and Kim), has rottweilers for neighbours, and fancies a pint of Guinness at the bar.

Okay, one of the above facts is incorrect, and it involves alcohol.

In any case, Kim has a thriving pet-sitting business in my small Floridian town, which I shall promote relentlessly when she creates a web site.

Oh, and we'll be talking about keeping floors safe for paws in the near future.

Nice to meet you, Kim and Zoey.

Lost puppy

I think the picture says it all.

Cirrus and Sophie

Days are just all around better when we have pets around.





I delivered Cirrus to his Aunt's place, where he was really pleased to see Sophie, his look-alike cousin.

Or maybe that's the other way around. In any event, I think Robin has a fun few days ahead.

Can cats smile?

Of course they do. Just ask any cat lover.

Cat acne

Who forgets about one's acne-marred years? Not I. Which is why I find it kind of amusing that cats too, suffer from a certain spottiness.

Not that I think Moneypenny is overly concerned with the odd outbreak. She is blessed with enough beauty to overcome something as minor as a few chin pimples. In truth, I didn't even know she suffered until a vet pointed it out. When she did, I was surprised, and set about finding how to cure it.

In the end, she just stopped getting them, exactly the same as me.