Get Them Off Death Row Now

Please watch this video and share. These cats are about to be euthanized and need people to help save them, even if it is only to temporarily foster.  Who wants to save a cute baby off death row? I have two shelter rescues myself and they are the bomb!

Here is a link with more pictures of the cats that need your help and more information on how to help, https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.273643025980870.80487.155925874419253&type=3

Please at least watch and share with others.

-Cara

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Day 126 – Toy

Toy

I am not going repeat what I already wrote here. A quick synopsis, starting August 1st, 2010 I will publish a picture I take that day everyday for a year (well to be exact I will do this everyday until July 31st, 2011). This is the 126th of those photographs. Also, there is a Flickr collection called “The Awesome Leftovers” where I put the daily shots (if any) that didn’t make the cut.

Here’s one of Jeffe’s favorite toys, orange plastic thing. The rest of the shots, Day 126 – Cat and Stuff.

-Cara

Day 88 – That’s Right

That's Right

I am not going repeat what I already wrote here. A quick synopsis, starting August 1st, 2010 I will publish a picture I take that day everyday for a year (well to be exact I will do this everyday until July 31st, 2011). This is the 88th of those photographs. Also, there is a Flickr collection called “The Awesome Leftovers” where I put the daily shots (if any) that didn’t make the cut.

Angie came into town and we went to Our Hit Parade starring Bridget Everett, Kenny Mellman and Neal Medlyn at Joe’s Pub, then ran around the East Village. Here are those shots.

Great times.

-Cara

Day 56 – The Boot

The Boot

I am not going repeat what I already wrote here. A quick synopsis, starting August 1st, 2010 I will publish a picture I take that day everyday for a year (well to be exact I will do this everyday until July 31st, 2011). This is the 56th of those photographs. Also, there is a Flickr collection called “The Awesome Leftovers” where I put the daily shots (if any) that didn’t make the cut.

I live above this place called the Vudu Lounge. It is a bit rough around the edges for the Upper East Side, but that’s fine as it gives this part of the hood some character. Reminds me of my Harlem days, nothing wrong with that. Almost ever Friday and Saturday night around 4AM some crazy, drunken fights break out. Big girls in Pink spaghetti strap dresses, snapping that strap while swinging at some dime whose lost one of her pumps high kicking some girl looking at her man earlier that night. Boys swinging at each other who do not have any clue how to fight. People stumbling into First Avenue, cars honking, people screaming, laughing, crying, falling, running until finally 6 to 10 police officers arrive to do the job Vudu’s small fleet of security can’t seem to do. That’s why cops have guns I suppose.

This last Friday there was a few epic fights and so the cops show up to bust things up. While people were trying to figure up from down I noticed there was this one guy pacing under my window who kept chanting, I’m here to make money man… that’s all…not for all of this not all this.. and on and on…and back and forth. He was ranting to himself in this frantic heightened state. It just so happened that during one of the many fights someone lost one of their new Timberlands. They abandoned it on the sidewalk next to some jackets tossed down in the heat of the moment. This particularly upset man, while still chanting, attempted to throw the boot up on the fire escape next door and missed two times till finally on the third try he threw it up three stories and it stayed. I could feel his mood change right then, even with everything else that must have happened to him that night, this time he did not fail. He got that heavy ass boot up there. He stared at it for another second in silence and walked away.

Today’s picture is proof of his success and how one small accomplishment can change everything.

-Cara

Go here for other shots of boots and such.

China – 1

Three days later China scores a point. I just realized on September 24th I bought Petstages Mightie Mouse toys for my cats when I was picking up their food.  Their food by the way is made in Pacoima, California not China so that is good. I didn’t even think about checking when I grabbed it.

I am lucky up till now that this is the first time this has happened as I keep remembering after the fact. Then when I check I have been relieved each time. I need to train my brain. I said it!  This time I did not even realize it till a few minutes ago when I was picking up their toys and thought man this stuff is totally made in China…whoops. :]

Listen, I’m on it.

-Cara

Day 50 – Looking

Looking

I am not going repeat what I already wrote here. A quick synopsis, starting August 1st, 2010 I will publish a picture I take that day everyday for a year (well to be exact I will do this everyday until July 31st, 2011). This is the 50th of those photographs. Also, there is a Flickr collection called “The Awesome Leftovers” where I put the daily shots (if any) that didn’t make the cut.

This Sunday Marine came over to hang out for a bit.

Here are the rest of the photographs from that day, Day 50 – Marine and the Babies.

-Cara

Day 34 – Cat in a Cat

Cat in a Cat

I am not going repeat what I already wrote here. A quick synopsis, starting August 1st, 2010 I will publish a picture I take that day everyday for a year (well to be exact I will do this everyday until July 31st, 2011). This is the 34th of those photographs. Also, there is a Flickr collection called “The Awesome Leftovers” where I put the daily shots (if any) that didn’t make the cut.

Jefferson Brooklyn is very aristocratic in hues of red. :]

No extras today.

-Cara

Day 15 – Thinking

Thinking

I am not going repeat what I already wrote here. A quick synopsis, starting August 1st, 2010 I will publish a picture I take that day everyday for a year (well to be exact I will do this everyday until July 31st, 2011). This is the 15th of those photographs. Also, there is a Flickr collection called “The Awesome Leftovers” where I put the daily shots that didn’t make the cut.

Once I get up in the morning there is no room for me to ever go back. :\ Those cats are always chilaxing. Here’s some more action shots, Day 15 – Those Two.

Meow.

-Cara

Day 14 – Jo and Zoe Look Away

Jo and Zoe Look Away

I am not going repeat what I already wrote here. A quick synopsis, starting August 1st, 2010 I will publish a picture I take that day everyday for a year (well to be exact I will do this everyday until July 31st, 2011). This is the 14th of those photographs. Also, there is a Flickr collection called “The Awesome Leftovers” where I put the daily shots that didn’t make the cut.

This is a shot of Joanna and Zohara, both tired of me taking pictures all the time, showing me their disapproval. Not really…maybe. :]  Here are the seconds of the day, Day 14 – Jo and Zoe.

This taking and cataloging pictures for everyday turns out to be a lot more work than I thought!

-Cara

This Day of Five – Zohara Lurlean and Jefferson Brooklyn

Zohara Lurlean and Jefferson Brooklyn

I am not going repeat what I already wrote here. A quick synopsis, starting August 1st, 2010 I will publish a picture I take that day everyday for a year (well to be exact I will do this everyday until July 31st, 2011). This is the fifth of those photos. Also, there is a Flickr collection called “The Awesome Leftovers” where I put the daily shots that didn’t make the cut. Here’s just today’s, Day 5 – Nope but Close.

These two gorgeous beings are, up front the diva Zohara Lurlean and looking ever so handsome in the background is Sir Jefferson Brooklyn the 1st. Chilling out in their Upper East Side digs.

The red light district.

-Cara

Ban the Gas Chamber for Animals in Michigan

I just received this petition from Care2.com and thought I’d spread the word. See below…

Target: Michigan House
Sponsored by: American Humane Association

Michigan House Bill 6042, the Humane Euthanasia of Shelter Animals Act, and House Bill 6043 both would ensure that when the state’s unwanted, sick or unadoptable shelter animals have to be euthanize, the procedure will only be done by injection of sodium phenobarbital. This method is called euthanasia by injection.

The American Humane Association considers euthanasia by injection to be the only acceptable and humane means of euthanasia for animals in animal shelters.

Even though a majority of the shelters in the state use euthanasia by injection, 10 still use outdated, inhumane gas chambers. Shelter workers overwhelmingly wish to hold and comfort a frightened animal in its final moments of life. That act may be the only kindness the animal has ever known.

In contrast, even with vigilant oversight, euthanizing any animal by means of a carbon monoxide or dioxide gas chamber is both severely inhumane to medium and large animals, and demoralizing to the workers who have to euthanize. Such outdated practices also create public outcry and demean the purpose of an animal shelter.

HB 4263 is sponsored by Rep. Rick Jones and was drafted by American Humane Association and the State Bar of Michigan Animal Law Section. And HB 4803 would amend the bill entitled, “Dog Law of 1919.” Please sign today to support these bills.

Figure out a way not to kill animals at all.

I said it.

-Cara

Going To France

Here is a collection of pictures from my first trip to France (the one in Europe).  Marine (who is French from France not Canada) and I traveled together.  We were in Praz-De-Lys for 7 days (March 7th to the morning of the 14th), then spent two days in Paris (March 14th and 15th).  A shout out to Marine’s mother Suzanne for hooking us up with her superb Air France connection, making it possible for us to travel in a more bourgeoise fashion than usual.

We traveled from New York City (our home) to the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, then off to the Geneva Cointrin International Airport, next a bus to Taninges, then a cab to Praz-De-Lys, France. It took over 24 hours to complete the trip (March 6th).

We slept most of Saturday and Sunday we truly began our snowy, winter wonderland trip in the French Alps. A week later,  we flew to Paris to spend our last two days in France. It was awesome. :]

Here is the link again of this amazingly fresh vacation.

-Cara

A Little Self Promotion Never Hurt

With that said…

The Day After An Inconvenient Truth via e-mail, a gift from me to you.

You’re Welcome. :]

-Cara

Alley Cat Allies

I don’t know how these organizations get my name and address, but they do, and every few days I find what seems to be a good organization. This time it is Alley Cat Allies.  Don’t get crazy, this is not turning into a pet blog, but I covered a lot of dog stuff yesterday, so I thought this would be fair… Plus, you all may not know that October 16th is National Feral Cat Day, nor did I till today.  You’re welcome.

Their mission and vision are clear and concise.

Mission

To end the killing of cats and lead the movement for their humane care.

Vision

Society living non-violently with cats and all animals.

According to their site,

“Alley Cat Allies is the only national advocacy organization dedicated to the protection and humane treatment of cats. Alley Cat Allies has charted a course set on animal control and shelter industry reform and humane treatment through activities including:

• Advocating for pounds and shelters to keep public records of animal intake and kill rates, for public and mandatory government oversight, and for increased pound and shelter accountability;
• Mobilizing and educating the public and leading the national movement to end the killing of cats and to protect and improve their lives;
• Supporting the efforts of, and acting as the national voice for, thousands of individuals and groups across the U.S. who provide humane care for stray and feral cats.

Alley Cat Allies was founded in 1990 by two women who recognized that stray and feral cats’ needs were not being met by the animal control pound and shelter system. They realized that when well-meaning citizens called pounds and shelters about feral cats, their only response was to kill them. “

They are doing a really good thing I think. I am not sure about the catching, neutering, clipping their ear and releasing, but I am also ignorant to what happens if there are thousands of cats reproducing all over the world with no monitoring. I would think the same thing that has occurred with the humans on this earth. It would be crazy if someone just decided to euthanize or terminate people due to an overpopulation problem. Very THX 1138. It really does seem to always come back to THX 1138. :]

One thing I might suggest to Alley Cat Allies, is with their mailings, instead of using shinny paper to print their brochures on, they use recycled, colored if they wanted, flat paper. That way it is easier to recycle, better for the planet, and for super nerds like me, I can use it to make my own paper (a little fact: you can’t use shiny, glossy paper in the paper making process). What used to make a company seem more legit, like nice glossy brochures, now shows an organization’s oversight on how they impact the planet as a whole, including cats. I think e-mails are also a good idea, but I understand first you need to get people’s e-mails through marketing practices like mailings. I might not have heard of them and written this entry without receiving said mailing. It is a catch-22 perhaps.

Nevertheless, they are doing something to end the destruction and inhumane treatment of cats, so they are heroes in my book. Here is where to go to become more involved with the organization’s plight.

:]

-Cara

What Good Two Broadway Divas Do

Mary Tyler Moore and Bernadette Peters Broadway Barks 2008

I picked up “City Tails” the other day, it’s this NYC local free pet paper. You may find this at most pet stores here in the City (and other major cities). Anyway, I was reading this interview with Bernadette Peters, who was talking about this program that she and her fellow diva, Mary Tyler Moore partnered up to form, called Broadway Barks. Broadway Barks hosts an annual star-studded animal adoption event that benefits animal shelters throughout the New York City area. They hold it in the famous Shubert Alley (A famous theatrical thoroughfare between 44th and 45th Streets, just west of Broadway, it was created by the space between the back of the Astor Hotel and the Shubert and Booth Theaters. The alley was fenced off for many years, used by actors in the two theaters as a cool place to spend intermission and, at one end, served as a terminal for a New Jersey bus line. To hide the unsightly alley from pedestrians on the sidewalks, a row of large theater posters were put on the fence. The posters stayed even after the buses left and the walkway was open to pedestrian traffic. After the demolition of the hotel and the erection of a skyscraper in its place, the famous alley was widened and, still featuring a row of posters.) With the help of this umbrella organization, shelters work together for the common good of these homeless animal, instead of euthanasia, there are placed with people who will love and nurture them.

The article focused on Peters’ new book entitled, Broadway Barks. The story is written by Bernadette Peters, with mixed-media collage illustrations by Liz Murphy.  Broadway Barks, is “a warm and appealing story of loss, reunion, and nurturing“, according to Amazon.com. It also includes an exclusive CD featuring a reading of the story and an original song written and sung by Bernadette Peters. All the profits from the book will go to helping shelter animals.

That’s cool.

-Cara

Let’s Take A Break

Stuff on my cat, today’s green activity. Let’s just have an entry that makes you smile, and it’s almost a carbon free activity. If you have a cat, maybe you might want to participate. Good times.

I will update with pictures of Zohara Lurlean and Jefferson Brooklyn. What to put on them, that is the question.

I love it.

-Cara

Cute Eco Cat Stuff

I have two cats, Zohara Lurlean and Jefferson Brooklyn and I think it is time I start to green up their lives, so here are a few cute green objects of art.

Turtle for Cat has a soft, eco friendly shell created from environmentally friendly fabric made of 85% re-engineered recycled IntelliLoft™ fibers and filled with USDA certified Organic Catnip. Turtle for Cat measures 6 inches, has a sewn-in jingling bell, and is made in Montana, USA for a smaller carbon footprint.

I can only say one thing, these are my cats’ dream lounges by Marmalade. Stop it! Constructed of multiple layers of laminated cardboard and hardboard end-panels, and all natural materials, 35% minimum recycled content. The adhesives used in their products comply with ASTM-D 4236 non-toxic materials for consumer products and made in the USA. Renewable and recyclable materials are used and they are ascetically pleasing…nice.

Last but not least it is Eco-Me cat products. Make your own natural Flea and Bug spray, Litter Freshener and Cat treats (we give you 3 recipes), plus organic catnip and natural pillow. DIY cat stuff is fun. I said it.

Spoiled cats.

-Cara

The Cat Cocoon

I am all wrapped up in this cat condo business. In doing some research today I found this attractive cat, functional, object of art, scratching post, cat tree, a hiding spot, and condo all in one. It is on the pricey side for something my cats will drool on and destroy, but I still think it’s hot. It’s designed by Warren Lieu for One Form Design.

Specs

Dimensions:

Exterior: approx. 28″L x 21″W x 15″H

Interior cavity: 25″L x 18″W x 13.5″H

Materials: 83 laser-cut double wall corrugated cardboard shapes, hand-laminated into the final pod.

Scratch it up.

-Cara