Lithuanian conductor and composer Mindaugas Piecaitis and Nora The Piano Cat perform his CATcerto. The world premiere took place on June 5th, 2009, with Nora and the Klaipeda Chamber Orchestra in the Klaipeda Concert Hall in Klaipeda, Lithuania, under the direction of Piecaitis. You can find the CATcerto Web site here.

Back in the days when I was a useless drain on society (re: college), I visited an academic advisor for general education requirements. Unlike Major advisors, general education types got shoved into windowless corners like a shameful secret. In the sub-basement of one of the Humanities buildings I met with this woman to discuss the progress of my education, only to find myself surrounded with cat paraphernalia in frightening density. The wall was lined with cat mugs, snow globes, photos, plush dolls and office supplies. For some reason, this behavior still isn't considered a sign of mental imbalance.

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When I used to hear about talking pets on TV or through friends, I would always scoff. I’m usually open to pretty much everything, but I figured that these people had to be making this stuff up. If a cat or dog can talk, why can’t all pets talk, I thought.

It turns out that these people must be onto something. A few weeks ago, our cat, Fuego, a very handsome tabby, surprised us all with a little bit of cat chat of his own. Fuego is about six years old, but we’ve only had him for two of those years, since we adopted him from the Humane Society. Since then, he’s proven to be a rather stereotypical lazy boy, and we adore him. But he also did something that made me scared out of my mind.

He talked.

At first, when we heard this strange, ungodly sound—a very guttural, groaning, “Nonononononono!”

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My Emo CatI don't know how I didn't notice it as it was happening, but now I see clearly that my cat is an EMO. At first I thought it was the heat that was making my kitty moody, but it's been weeks now and he only seems to have gotten worse.  I found cd of My Chemical Romance in his stereo, and he's growing increasingly wimpy. 

I feel terribly guilty for not stopping this before went too far. Is there any chance that I can get my happy kitty back? Or is it too late? I need help!

 

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Whether or not it's scientific, most pet owners would say their quality of life is better for the presence of their pet. In fact, I suspect most pet owners would laugh at the idea that there's even any question.

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Setting: late at night, in the dark bedroom, in the dark apartment Enter Ten, the opinionated tortoiseshell cat. Loudly. Stomping.

Translation of cat-conversation as follows:

Ten: Oh, garçon? I need some of those delicious little chicken-shaped cat treats.

Me: Mmm-hmmm. I'm sleeping, cat. Stop swatting my nose. What are you howling about? And what did you just call me?

Ten: Whatever. Get up. I'm bored. Also, I'm hungry. Those little chicken-shaped cat treats should do nicely, I think. Right away, please? Chop-chop!

Me: Do you understand what time it is? I was asleep. Some of us work, you know, to pay for those kitty treats you like so much. And we didn't get the chicken treats, this time. You said you didn't like them anymore. Here. Have some nice salmon-flavored kitty treats.

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Manipulative Cat?This is an entirely brave and quite possibly stupid thing that I am going to do on a site famous for Cat Lovers the world round. I am about to warn you about your cats. Yes, they are adorable and cute. Yes, they are much more independent than dogs (though maybe not as intelligent), but did you realize that it has been clinically proven that house cats are manipulative?

I know, imagine that, a manipulative feline.....How do our whiskered friends do it? According to Karen McComb of the University of Sussex, the cats hide "an urgent cry" or "otherwise unpleasant meowing sound" underneath a usually pleasant purr. Aha, now you know the secret language of cats.


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San Francisco is considering a ban against declawing cats, and they have a valid point. Without their claws, cats can be virtually defenseless—especially if left abandoned by their owners.

San Francisco Commission of Animal Control and Welfare Chair Sally Stephens says that it’s a barbaric practice used for cosmetic reasons only, so people won’t have to worry about shredded furniture. She also says that the procedure includes cutting off the last bone in a cat’s paw, which can cause long-term pain and even behavioral changes—even if anesthetic is used in the surgery.

De-clawing is already banned in West Hollywood and several European countries, though exceptions can be made if the cat’s health is in danger.

Some changes that a cat may experience following de-clawing can include:

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Hello Kitty

Source: the 3786 cups of water via Flickr

We've covered a lot of interesting facets of Japanese culture. However, I noticed that one of the most influential cultural good from Japan has yet to be featured – the incredibly cute Hello Kitty!

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