Welcome to How To Make A Cat Window Perch

How To Make A Cat Window Perch Questions and Answers

Resolved Question: Is this well/ or decently written?

(Its a short story called the, "Riddle troll") “Are you sure you’ll be okay, staying here alone?” Grandmother Vanessa asked me, worry written all over her face as she stopped at the front door. “I’ll be fine, grandma,” I reassured her. “Of ‘course he will!” Grandfather Albert boomed from behind me, clapping me so hard that I nearly stumbled from my perch on the steps as he strode to the front door. “Well, okay…,” Grandmother Vanessa said uncertainly. “But remember, if you get hungry there’s left-overs in the fridge. We’ll be back later on tonight so don’t stay up late watching cartoons!” Grandmother Vanessa gave me a quick, tight hug while Grandfather Albert ruffled my hair roughly. Then, their good-byes said, they departed out into the night. Hearing the door shut, I dashed down the stairs, peering out the living room window as the old Volkswagen rumbled down the gravel road that leading out of the farm and disappearing into the night. Once it was gone, I sat down on the over-stuffed couch in the living room, staring silently at the empty room. Grandma and grandpa had said that they were going to some sort of “party” for old people. At first, I had died-out laughing, thinking of a bunch of old people square dancing to some cheesy country music. I thought it would be cool to have the whole house to myself. But, sitting there all alone with only the silence for company, I suddenly wished Grandpa and Grandma were here instead of some party. After a bit of personal “to-do” thinking, I decided to grab some left-overs and watch some TV to pass the time. I ate my mashed potatoes and chicken in front of the television and watched cartoons until I was too sleepy to keep my eyes open. But, as I dragged myself into the guest room and onto my bed, I got kind of freaked out when the realization dawned on me. I was in my grand parent’s old farm house with tons of miles between me and civilization. I was all alone. Suddenly, as I sat staring at the ceiling, a gray paw shot up right next to my face. I let out a yelp, almost rolling off the bed. I let out a shaky sigh of relief when our old, grey tom cat, Merlin, peeked his face above the folds of the covers. His intelligent yellow eyes looked my face up and down the hopped onto the bed right next to me, rubbing his soft body against me and purring loudly. Sometimes I thought there was more to this old tom cat. Something about his eye told me so. I know this sounds funny, but sometimes when he meows, I think he’s literally talking. I don’t know if it was the soft purring of Merlin’s voice in my ear or the soft pat, pat of the sudden rain, but soon enough, I had drifted into a dreamless sleep. At first when I had woken up I didn’t know why I had woken up. Merlin was looking around the room, his ears perked up in a silent look of caution. The room seemed surprisingly cold, despite that it was in June. “What’s wrong, merl?” I asked, picking him up. But Merlin, with a small growl, pulled away irritably, his ears pinned down. Rain was still pouring outside, splattering against the window in bursts. But there was another noise; the sound of something sharp scraping down a window. I leaped off my bed-almost falling on the floor- then listened, straining my ears to catch the noise. It came again, sounding from my grandparent’s room across the hallway. My heart was racing impossibly fast as I slowly stalked across the hall, followed by a cautious Merlin. I opened the door, and then screamed. Or, that was what I was intending to do. My throat seemed to constrict in fear, stopping my scream short. A monster glared through the slits of the shades on the window, it’s yellow, beady eyes glowing sinisterly. It had a long, pointed nose, almost as distorted as its gnarled fingers that pried and pulled at the lock on the window. Bushy, black eyebrows hung over its evil eyes, and it’s tangled, thin strands of hair hung limply around its grotesque face. Then, with a screech of glass-against-metal, the window rolled up, letting in a volley of rain that pelted me and Merlin. Merlin let out a hiss and took off out the door, leaving me with the hulking monster. I flicked on the lights. The monster shuffled away from the window, but it could still be seen, standing in a puddle of muck. “What are you?” I yelled over the scream of the wind, but to my annoyance, my voice quavered. “Troll,” was its hissing reply. I had no idea what a troll was. No clue at all. “The lights will burn out,” the troll said with a voice full of whispers. “And then I will come in.” “I’ll turn on another light,” I said, just as a line of lighting boomed in the distance, the light glowing off from the silhouette of the troll. “In a storm like this, your light could die. Anything could happen.” That soft, persuasive voice made me shudder. It was true. But I didn’t say anything. I didn’t do anything. “Let’s play a game while we wait,” the troll said. “I’ll tell you a riddle, and then you tell me one.” “What happens if I Its a little "lengthy", but I really hope someone reads it through. :) It didn't fit it all in, but just tell me what you think about some of it.  more

Voting Question: What do you think of my Poem?

THE STRAY CAT Look as the cat crawls out from the open drain, Its fur is matted, wetted in the recent rain. Watch as its blunted claws reach for the rotted carcass of a pigeon, Which portrays its horrid life, scavenging carrion. Mark your thoughts, as it flattens its ears, And hisses at a rat it’s pursued over the piers, Hark the sound of its painful screech, As a stray dog catches and tries to kill it on the empty beach. Observe as it claws, its way up a tree, To find a restful place where all will let it be. You glare, at a band of street urchins, Who throw rocks at the sleeping cat where it perches. Now see as the cat, it flees from this place, To find a quieter area sleeping space. Notice, how it lays, by the overturned bin, And its paw, trying to find food, reaches in. You witness, the cat is disturbed by mice, They nibble at the waste by which they were enticed. Follow the cat, as it limps away, To find a place where it can safely, see the coming day. Now REMEMBER THE CAT, who haunts your dreams, It watches you come to your window and it screams. You pick up the cat, and take it home with you, So it be nursed back to health, and the day will be new. MEMORY is the cat, who follows you to this day, But not as a ghost but as your pet who you rescued from the streets’ fray. MEMORY rubs, its back at your legs, As you hang out the clothes on the line with the wooden pegs. On-look as the cat lies down at the night, Readying it self to go with the moon, and DIE. I know its really bad, I have another 12 or so about cats lol. yea i know its dramatic its supposed to be...  more

Resolved Question: Help with poem for class?

I have to read a poem in class an analyze it but the poem is completely hard to understand. I read it so many times. Could someone maybe give me an idea of what the poem is about and maybe lists some literary devices? Thanks to those who can help. Domestic Mysticsm In thrice 10,000 seasons, I will come back to this world In a white cotton dress. Kingdom of After My Own Heart. Kingdom of Fragile. Kingdom of Dwarves. When I come home, Teacups will quiver in their Dresden saucers, pentatonic chimes Will move in wind. A covey of alley cats will swarm on the side Porch & perch there, omens of warm blood, portents with quickened Heartbeats you will feel against your ankles as you pass through. After the first millenium, we were supposed to die out. You had your face pressed up against the coarse dyed velvet Of the curtain, always looking out for your own transmigration: What colors you would wear, what kind of jewel, How it would be cold, if your legs would be tied down, If there would be wandering tribes of minstrels Following with woodwinds in your every step. This work of mine, the kind of work which takes no arms to do, Is least noble of all. It's peopled by Wizards, the Forlorn, The Awkward, the Blinkers, the Spoon-Fingered, Agnostic Lispers, Stutterers of Prayer, the Closet Weepers, the Flatulent, The Charlatans. I am one of those. In January, the month the owls Nest in, I am a witness & a small thing altogether. The Kingdom Of Ingratitude. Kingdom of Lies. Kingdom of How Dare I. I go on dropping words like little pink fish eggs, unawares, slightly Illiterate, often on the mark. Waiting for the clear whoosh Of fluid to descend & cover them. A train like a silver Russian love pill for the sick at heart passes By my bedroom window in the night at the speed of mirage. In the next millenium, I will be middle-aged. I do not do well In the marrow of things. Kingdom of Trick. Kingdom of Drug. In a lung-shaped suburb of Virginia, my sister will be childless Inside the ice storm, forcing the narcissus. We will send Each other valentines. The radio blowing out Vaughan Williams on the highway's purple moor. At nine o'clock, we will put away our sewing to speak Of lofty things while, in the pantry, little plants will nudge Their frail tips toward the light we made last century. When I come home, the dwarves will be long In their shadows & promiscuous. The alley cats will sneak Inside, curl about the legs of furniture, close the skins Inside their eyelids, sleep. Orchids will be intercrossed & sturdy. The sun will go down as I sit, thin armed, small breasted In my cotton dress, poked with eyelet stitches, a little lace, In the queer light left when a room snuffs out. I draw a bath, enter the water as a god enters water: Fertile, knowing, kind, surrounded by glass objects Which could break easily if mishandled or ill-touched. Everyone knows an unworshipped woman will betray you. There is always that promise, I like that. Kingdom of Kinesis. Kingdom of Benevolent. I will betray as a god betrays, With tenderheartedness. I've got this mystic streak in me.  more

Resolved Question: Kitten got fixed today but he wants to run around still?

So my little man got fixed today, and they said to keep him calm for the next day or two (of course) but since he's been home, he's been himself. He is still running around and chasing after our other cat, jumping on his perch by the window...everything he would do on a daily basis. Is this a normal thing? The last time I had an animal young enough to fix, I was only a kid myself, but I remember my dog being kind of lethargic. He was at the vet for several hours to recover, but I was expecting him to still want to sleep it off...anyone have this happen? I'm just worried he'll hurt himself because maybe the pain meds they gave him are still in his system and he can't feel anything....  more

Resolved Question: How do I weatherproof plywood?

I am building a window perch for my cat, with a ramp. This will be done on the interior and exterior of the window. The sliding part of the window will be taken out and I will use 2 pieces of plywood sandwiched to replace it. Once this is done, a cat door will be put in. I'm not concerned with the plywood in place of the window, since it is vertical. I can use oil base primer and latex paint. What I am concerned with is the flat outside perch and ramp. It will be more exposed to water, for sure. For this, would oil base primer and latex paint work, or do I need something stronger? I will be putting indoor/outdoor carpet on this part of the job. I live in Phoenix, where it's hot and once in a while it rains. When it does rain, it can be 1,2,4 days or a week straight, so there will be some water damage if left bare.  more

Resolved Question: Story Ideas! Some Opinions?

Suki is walking home from her boyfriend’s, Zenshiro’s, house, and sees a sign on the familiar pole in front of her house. ‘Lost Cat’, it states. When she gets home, she eats a single-pack of popcorn, watching her favorite movie, “_”. But for some reason, she feels like she is being watched. She notices that the window in her den is open. She lives in a bad neighborhood, and everyone was permitted to have a special gun, assigned to them when they turn 15, that can only harm the “beasts” from the Demon Region, which is another dimension only prey of the beasts can get to, which are usually humans (particularly adolescents), besides the beasts themselves. Suki, home alone, was getting frightened. She heard a noise outside, and the window was open (of course it had a screen, but it was still open). She ran into the kitchen and went through the drawers until she finds the special pistol which could only rid the lives of the beasts. But, to her relief, it was a pure-white cat perched on her windowsill outside. It meowed, and Suki fed it a little of her leftovers from the night before. It must be the lost cat, she thought. She let the cat in, and let it drink and sleep in her room. The next day she went to the bottom of her lawn, which was on a big hill, and read the paper notice on the pole. “Pure white cat, male. Reward: $500” $500!? Suki thought. There’s gotta be something with that cat, maybe a show-cat? Oh well, I’m getting me some big bucks! Soon Suki figures out that the cat’s owners were very strange, and ends up not returning it! But that’s not a good idea, because in the middle of the night, the cat tries to drag her to the next dimension- the Demon Region. After escaping near death, she grabs the beast pistol, and decides to kill the cat. But, instead of killing it, she actually saves it by pushing it out of the way from a speeding car, a drunk driver. She has a concussion, and dreams of a 16 year-old boy with silver hair and gray eyes. “Thank you,” he says. “Now wake up.” She wakes up in a hospital bed, and her parents looking at her. “Thank God! She’s awake!” her father exclaimed. “The only way we found you was this cat- he lead us to you, and wouldn’t stop meowing until we followed him!” When Suki got home, she was confused and frightened at the sight of the cat. It wanted her as a meal, but ended up saving her? How confusing. But, she was being hypocritical. She wanted to kill the cat, it being a beast, and she saved it. But why? Because it was in danger, and couldn’t let it die. The cat was sitting on her bed, which Suki was bound to for a week, and was not allowed to go to her school, Satomi High School. Her head hurt, even though she was on pain killers. She had a conversation with the cat that saved her, even though it was kind of one-sided, it was fun to talk to someone who wouldn’t side with the other person. After a while, Zenshiro went to see her, and to ask her if she was okay. But he faints at the sight of another’s blood, so he had to go, leaving only the cat and her. The cat licked where she hit her head, and it felt better, and she immediately fell fast asleep. She dreamt of the same silver-haired boy. He said it was fun to talk to her, even though he couldn’t answer. “Also, call me Haru. I don’t like being called ‘it’ all the time. And scratch under my chin, it feels so good!” he laughed, and she awoke with the cat- erm, Haru, at the end of her bed. When she got to go back to school, Suki and Zenshiro went on many dates; he felt he needed to make it up to her for the way he left at the sight of her blood. Zenshiro w  more

Resolved Question: I need help with my cat?

I have a kitten she is about 11months old and I love her so much but I do not have my own place right now I am living with my sister and she has 2 dogs that are not cat friendly at all so my poor kitty has to be stuck in my little room all the time and it kills me but when I got her everyone said she would be fine and in time they would get along but I am too scared to even chance it if they hurt her I would die and I hate having her stuck in a room all the time especially since I work and go to school so she is alone alot but in such a small room i cant get her a "friend" its too small they wouldn't have enough room to get away from each other.. Any advice I did get her a window sill perch so she can sleep in the window and lookout at the birds I just feel so bad and i no it wont be like this forever but still  more

Resolved Question: Can someone tell me or link me to a site on how to build a window perch.?

I don't want a cat perch I want a window perch so I can set my jewelry on it and take pictures of it in the daylight coming through the window. Any ideas on how to make one or where to buy one?  more

Resolved Question: Have you ever seen a creature that looked like a flying cat?

Many years ago, I saw something during the night, looking out the window while in a dark room that looked like a cat perched on the top pole of a swing set, and it was at eye level with me. I stared at it, thinking it strange that a cat could balance itself so well. The eyes glowed as any cat's would at night. It stared back at me for a minute or two, then suddenly took off by running down the pole. I expected it to jump down but instead, it flew up and away. It wasn't an owl. In answer to one of the answerers below: This was in Indiana and I was wide awake. I was completely aware of what I was seeing. I had just been watching a VCR tape of my sister who had just married and who had been diagnosed with cancer right after she married. I was deep in thought, thinking to myself, will in a year from now...will she be dead? Is that possible that it can be terminal (at the time there was still hope). I had such a strange feeling as the cat looked at me but I wasn't afraid because I just thought it was a cat. I still wonder why I was sure at the time that it wasn't an owl. It was definitely not a large bird of any other type. It sat upright like a cat. No hind tail wing. Answer to another answerer: The next day, I was questioning people if there's flying squirrels in this area because this thing didn't make sense and I thought it had to be something real. But flying squirrels don't exist in Indiana.  more

Resolved Question: The great stray debate........?

Why do we feel such a responsibility for strays in our neighborhood? I have this beautiful orange boy that comes to my back door for food (which I of course give him) and I just made an appointment (well with a TNR program) to take him in and get him fixed. Why do I feel such a sense of responsibility for him? He's not my cat, I haven't even given him a proper name, but yet I feed him and care for him. He's not my cat, and I don't plan on adopting him (he snarls at Dexter when he perches up on the window). But yet, most of us cat lovers still feel like its our job to care for them. How did we get to this point? And does it make anyone else angry that it feels put on us, even tho we chose it? I could let him wander, hungry, dirty, unfixed, but I just can't. Ugh. I wish people would just neuter and spay and save these poor cats the heartache of being alone. Am I alone in this?  more

Resolved Question: Is this any good and also need some help?

I love writing and hope to make it big someday. But we all know the odds to that. Here is what would go on the back of the book Its not perfect but its good enough. I would like to know honestly if this is any good, I have not gone into detail as this is my creation and would like to keep it that way. If this concerns you: Many of us in the world are kept hidden from you. Many of us are so secretive, not even the FBI have us on their data basis. That is how secretive we are. And we prefer to keep it like that. Many of you would think that just because we’re girls, means we’re not as physical and determined as guys. If you believe that, that means we have done our job correctly. Our secret has not been blurted out to the world. Even though it gets frustrating being compared to guys, it saves and protects our image. We don’t have to hide our faces from the public. And that is how we like it. This group of ours is very confidential and classified to those of the public. We care not for power, but for the lives we save, and making the world a better place. To get into this classified group, you must have talent, and determination. If you lack these basic skills, you will be wiped of your memory, and to you we would only be a flash in a dream. That is right. We are dangerous to those who do not care for the common good. We are deadly to those who persist in making our lives a living hell. But most importantly, we can be dangerous to each other. If you are still keen to join our quest to dominate the world for pure good and keeping our secret hidden, reading this book will give you a better understanding of what we do. If you are still convinced, if you are a true spy, you will discover the hidden message within this text. I say good luck to those who want to change the world. Happy adventures Alice Coleman The main character, Alice Colman will start off at a new school. I don't know what the experience feels like but can only assume. Can I please have some help? This is also what I wrote for the experience of walking into a new classroom filled with rich future Paris Hiltons. I have already got the experience of the new school entrence, but am having trouble with the part of the new classroom with her peers. HELP! Walking down and through the hallways, I felt like I was a cat. Not like I imagined myself with fur, or had a tail; I just felt the need to spot all the exit points around the school. I looked down every hallway and out all the windows down the halls, looking for a potential way out. Was I afraid? Me? Alice Colman afraid of starting off at a new school? I could hardly believe myself, the way I was feeling frightened me. Not the completely new school experience, but that I was afraid. Afraid of what the school population thought of me. I’m blonde, I’m pretty, and I’m different. That is as basic as it gets. The ‘Different’ part is what separates me from my peers, making me to them like cat and dog. I clung to my shoulder bag and timetable like it was the only thing keeping me from slipping into the afterlife. I clung to them so tightly, that I hardly noticed the marks I was leaving on my timetable, with little red dots coming through the paper I had created with my nails digging in. If only I stayed in Yulankton. If only. But it’s too late to turn back. Mike with the company, Janet with the clothing line, and me, the new school. That’s when I realised that it was too late. That’s when I realised how stuck I was to this 2 dimensional world. Money and social status, it overruns their life. To them, the outer appearance makes all the difference. Money and Fame takes a strong hold to their personality, leaving them like an empty magicians hat. Their nothing until you stuff a rabbit in it. Every eye was on me. Every conversation was talking about the new girl who stepped in through their territory. I was like a rodent to them, an outsider. I wore no clean cut unchipped nails, no foundation or eyeliner, nor lip-gloss or lipstick, or the latest in jewellery accessories. I wore no nail polish or took much notice of my hair on how it sat on my head. I was just your average girl walking in through a classroom filled with the future Paris Hiltons. I had every intention that this, was going to be my hardest assignment yet; fitting in with the royals of tomorrow. Its one thing to be bitched about behind your back, but to your face is something completely different. It was as if time itself had stopped in the classroom. They all froze, eyes widened and mouths open in amaze. Was I that bad looking? I suddenly felt self-conscious of the way I looked. I never felt this way of my appearance. I then suddenly stopped at the front of the classroom where the teachers desk sat, with a perched middle aged, short dark haired woman with black squarish modern glasses stared me up and down on my entrance to the class I will be spending the rest of the term w  more

Resolved Question: Conflicted on my cat...advice?

I adopted a stray that was wandering around in my grandparents' yard. He has all shots, is neutered, etc. etc. etc. However, we also have a small dog that uses a doggie door built into the living room wall, and Gizmo (my cat) will try and escape through it every chance he gets. The doggie door leads outside to a small fenced-in area where our dog does her business, and Gizmo will jump the fence and run around the yard. To solve this problem, I keep him in my room and his stuff is in my walk-in closet that I never use. He has his litter box, food, water, and I just recently bought him some toys. He gets to wander freely between the two rooms and has a window perch in my bedroom so he can look out the window if he wants to. However, I have people getting on me about keeping him in 2 rooms of the house because "he needs to go out or he is going to get mean." If I am playing with him, feeding him, regularly scooping his box, etc. are they still right? He loves being outside, but I don't have money right now to get him a leash, right now it's necessities (food/litter) until my birthday in August. Would he "get mean" being cooped up in here another month and a half, roughly? Could I compromise by carrying him outside when I get the mail? I don't want him to be mean, but I don't trust him to not go out the doggie door, and I know if he's not in my room or my walk-in closet, he will go out through the doggie door and be unattended outside. I have heard this isn't advisable. Am I being a mean cat owner, too overprotective?  more

Resolved Question: Have someone successfully hid the 2nd cat in cat-friendly apt?

My landlord already know I have a cat in the apt and I already paid a ridiculous $400 nonrefundable pet fee. I will be rescuing other cat this week and I will not tell her about this 2nd cat to avoid paying pet fee which I could use it to buy something they need like food and neutering surgery! Both are young kittens not cats, I mean. Both are white except the first one with torbie points so people can be dumb enough to think they are the same cat perching by window. Tell me your past experiences about hiding cats in apt and advices.  more

Resolved Question: Apt and high cat deposit fee- can I hide 2nd cat?

I have a problem about my apt and high cat fee. I paid $400 for a cat fee, $200 unrefundable and $200 refundable which I'm not happy about. I think it's a rip-off. If I want to adopt one more cat, how can I avoid from getting caught and what will happen? Forced to pay 2nd pet fee or sudden eviction? I will use tinted thing on the windows so people can see them perching by the windows. Personal experiences? Advices? Suggestions? Ideas? Thank you... I mean can't not can People, Have you hid your cat in an apt before? How did you do it?  more

Resolved Question: Can you remove cat nappers/ kitty perch from windowsill?

I have a Lazy Pet Kitty Window Perch. I'm moving in August and I need to know if I can remove the velcro strip. Is there an easy way to remove it and clean up any residue that's left behind? Oh I forgot to mention, the windowsill is made of cheap ceramic tile.  more

Resolved Question: Are cats comfortable in small apartments?

I live in a 1 room apartment. Is it OK to have a cat live in such a small space? I heard they do fine living in apartments and such. Would it be OK as long as I give the cat somethings to play with, a window perch, scratching posts, etc? Or would it be too claustrophobic for the cat?  more

Resolved Question: Would you like to read something funny?

This is from an email. The Dillard's Shopping Bag (This is just too funny! This could only be true; you simply can't make this stuff up!) Clutching their Dillard's shopping bags, Ellen and Kay woefully gazed down at a dead cat in the mall parking lot. Obviously a recent hit---no flies, no smell. What business could that poor kitty have had here?" murmured Ellen. "Come on, Ellen, let's just go..." But Ellen had already grabbed her shopping bag and was explaining, "I'll just put my things in your bag, and then I'll take the tissue". She dumped her purchases into Kay's bag and then used the tissue paper to cradle and lower the former feline into her own Dillard's bag and cover it. They continued the short trek to the car in silence, stashing their goods in the trunk But it occurred to both of them that if they left Ellen's burial bag in the trunk, warmed by the sunshine while they ate, Kay's Lumina would soon lose that new-car smell. They decided to leave the bag on top of the trunk, and they headed over to Luby's Cafeteria. After they cleared the serving line and sat down at a window table, they had a view of Kay's Chevy with the Dillard's bag still on the trunk. BUT not for long! As they ate, they noticed a black-haired woman in a red gingham shirt stroll by their car, look quickly this way and that, and then hook the Dillard's bag without Breaking stride. She quickly walked out of their line of vision. Kay and Ellen shot each other a wide-eyed look of amazement. It all happened so fast that neither of them could think how to respond. "Can you imagine?" finally sputtered Ellen. "The nerve of that woman!" Kay sympathized with Ellen, but inwardly a laugh was building as she thought about the grand surprise awaiting the red-gingham thief. Just when she thought she'd have to giggle into her napkin, she noticed Ellen's eyes freeze in the direction of the serving line. Following her gaze, Kay recognized with a shock the black-haired woman with THE Dillard's bag, hanging from her arm, brazenly pushing her tray toward the cashier. Helplessly, they watched the scene unfold: After clearing the register, the woman settled at a table across from theirs, put the bag on an empty chair and began to eat. After a few bites of baked whitefish and green beans, she casually lifted th e bag into her lap to survey her treasure Looking from side to side, but not far enough to notice her rapt audience three tables over, she pulled out the tissue paper and peered into the bag. Her eyes widened, and she began to make a sort of gasping noise. The noise grew . The bag slid from her lap as she sank to the floor, wheezing and clutching her upper chest. The beverage cart attendant quickly recognized a customer in trouble and sent the busboy to call 911, while he administered the Heimlich maneuver. A crowd quickly gathered that did not include Ellen and Kay, who remained riveted to their chairs for seven whole minutes until the ambulance arrived. In a matter of minutes the curly-haired woman emerged from the crowd, still gasping, strapped securely on a gurney. Two well-trained EMS volunteers steered her to the waiting ambulance, while a third scooped up her belongings. The last they saw of the distressed cat-burglar, she disappeared behind the ambulance doors, ................ The Dillard's bag perched on her stomach!! This just shows that, God does have a sense of humor. (AND once in awhile....He allows us to witness it.)  more

Resolved Question: i want to make a cat perch?

ok i want to make a cat perch but i need ideas for one. my cat are declawed in the front but not in the back. they would mainly just look out of the window by sitting on the perch so it doesn't need to have to much climby stuff on it. it needs to be about five feet high by maybe three feet long at the most. i want to put carpet on it too. also i want like a hiding box toward the bottom so they can sleep in it. so, i want you to find and post some pictures of cat condos/perches that you like or use. they could be from a store or your own perch. thanks to everyone in advace! ps the one i like best gets the ten points! will them being declawed in the front matter in building this? thanks for the answers btw!  more

Resolved Question: *Gravity* How come I can fall 12 feet and get severely hurt and a cat can fall 15 feet and be okay?

Ina related anecdote, this got me to thinking. My bird flew off his perch today and lightly banged into the window at which point he fell to the floor. I picked him up and he chirped it up the rest of the day with no noticeable injuries or discomfort. So he probably fell the human equivalent of 15 stories based on related sizes. How is this possible? Does it have anything to do with gravity? I also saw a show which talked about a cockroach sprinting the human equivalent or 95 mph. Also the ant being able to lift Xamount of his own weight. Are these gravity things again?  more

Resolved Question: What does it mean when a bird flutters against your window?

I have heard that spirits often embody birds. There are three times when a bird has come to my window and flapped it's wings against the windows. You should know that twice it was dark out and the only light in the room was from the tv. The third time was in the day, but i know the window wasn't being hit by any direct sunlight and wasn't very clean at the time. The birds never hit the windows, just perched by them and flapped their wings around. They are always finches. My mother had this happen to her after her friend and housekeeper died in my parent's house. The first time it happened to me was after my grandmother died. She was very fond of birds, yellow canaries in particular. The bird that came to my window was a goldfinch. The last two times i have seen a house finch outside my window and perched on the ledge looking in. Once right after my cat died and just tonight, almost a year after my cat was diagnosed with fibrosarcoma (cancer). Does anyone have any more information on this subject? Or other similar stories? the window did not have any reflection - it was dark out or the window was dirty. the bird did not hit the window ever  more

Resolved Question: Comments on my writing/story, please?

I know it needs a great deal of tweaking (this is just the first draft), but I have a sneaking suspicion that my friends are refusing to be totally honest with me. This is the prologue to a story I've been working on for a while. Most of the rest of the book doesn't focus on the boy; it focuses on a girl. The boy's name is Luke, and the creature's name is Delilah, just in case you're wondering. Constructive criticism is very much appreciated. If you like my writing style or the story, please tell me why; if you don't like my writing style or the story, also tell me why. Feel free to be as harsh as you like (I know I always am on here), and I can answer any question you might have. Here goes: The day was still and cool, but the trees were shifting restlessly in the windless morning. A pillar of black smoke was rising against the sky, fuelled by the gold and crimson flames that were dissecting the ancient building below. The smell of burning books and wood was heavy in the air. A boy was watching the flames, his eyes a little unfocused as he stared into the fiery depths of the burning Library. Even as he looked on, a pane of intricate stained-glass window exploded into a thousand glittering shards that were sprayed onto the grass below. The tree he was leaning against gave a shiver; he pushed himself away from it, discomforted. “This has gone too far,” said the creature that was perched upon the boy’s shoulder. Her long, lithe body was pure white in colour, with cat-like ears and a very long, very bushy, tail. Only her deep blue eyes and tiny, coal-black nose stood out against the snowiness of her fur. “What can we do? There’s nothing for it but to wait around for Dragoneyes,” the boy replied, his eyes distant. “I don’t like waiting,” murmured a low, feminine voice behind them. The boy did not turn around. “What do you propose we do, then, Amalia?” “That’s Mistress to you, boy,” the woman said softly, a cool smirk on her perfect red lips. “What do you want from us, then, <i>Mistress</i>?” The woman lifted his chin with her long-nailed and delicate fingers. Her skin was icy against his own. “Impudence, boy, is a quick route to death.” Her cold smile broadened. “However…I think you will be very useful…yes, very useful….” The boy glowered at her, and the creature upon his shoulder tilted back her ears ever so slightly. “Just tell me what you want, Amalia.” The woman smiled so that her gleaming white teeth sparkled in the morning sun. “I want you to bring me Dragoneyes.” Okay, that "Mistress" with the things around it was supposed to be italicised, but I guess I mixed something up.... Oops, I guess I should have explained about the trees. Yes, they are alive! Sorry, I should have mentioned that. It'll be explained later, I promise. By the way, I'm 17, almost 18. I'm going into college this autumn to become an English teacher. I'm hoping having summer's off will be conducive to my writing. Oh, yeah, I know "Dragoneyes" sounds a bit cliched, but it makes sense when you know the story behind it. Besides, that's not what she's called for most of it; she does have an actual name. It's just kind of...a title, I guess you could say. I know my opening line is kind of crappy...I've always had trouble with first lines, even in essays. I keep going back and checking what the first lines in my favourite books are, and it's helped a little. Still, though, they're definitely a problem area for me. I've been working on it.  more

Resolved Question: What do you think of my story?

I know alot of people have been writing stories. But i just had an idea. and alot of inspiration. im only 14 so its not that good. what do you think? its also really long but give it a chance. :D Prologue It was very dark and I was scared. The only light shone from the lovely moon above. The cold grasp me in its arms and I felt my legs fading away. The never-ending rain poured through the streets, falling on me as I ran. I had to escape, if not she would get me. I didn’t know where I was going I just kept running. I knew I had done something horrible but what. I kept seeing pictures in my head. A girl crying and screaming, the full moon above, and blood lots and lots of blood. The water stirred as I ran through the many puddles. I knew I was slowing down but I couldn’t lose hope. I could hear her loud footsteps through the alley. I turned at a right. But just ran into a brick wall. I cried into it. However, I just had to face her, putting my back towards it. I knew this was the end. She appeared in front of me. Her grim face, white as a sheet. She held out her hands. She didn’t have to aim at my chest. We both knew she would never miss. With one blast, it was over. I threw myself at the ground. Blood spurred out of me. I slowly closed my eyes and it all went dark once again. When I opened them, it was in my bed. I awoke with a silent scream. I was sweating as usual with a nightmare. I wept into my hands then I placed one of them on my chest. I could feel the pain hidden beneath my skin. However, as much as I tried I had no memory of it. Like it never happened. Chapter 1 “Let me tell you a story, Sophie” I said as I perched her on my bed. Yesterday, Sophie had turned eight. I figured I would tell her since my parents told me at eight too. It was then I noticed I was staring into her big green eyes. “Serena!” she whined. “Yeah?” I asked snapping out of my thoughts. “You said you would tell me a story!” she groaned. “I am,” I said ruffling her light brown hair. “Yay!” she clapped in happiness. I walked over to her, clasped her hands in mine, and sat by her. I noticed the black covers of my bed already messed up. I turned to her just to see her starting at me. I hesitated then sighed. “16 years ago on August 17, 1992, 4 babies were born into St. Maria’s Hospital at the same time.” “You mean like you, Max, and Sam” she commented. “Like I was saying, they were 2 of each gender. The doctors realized that the four babies had an extra organ near their shoulders. They needed to investigate so they held the babies in a month more than usual. They tested and tested but couldn’t come up with a conclusion for this medical mystery. A meeting was held with the four pairs of parents, in which they discussed their children were special. The extra organ absorbed sunlight providing the kids more energy than needed. The effect was incomprehensible, that they just needed to wait and see the outcome. If the organ were to be removed, it could lead to their deaths. The parents couldn’t believe what these doctors were claiming. It was such a shock and unprepared for. The doctors insisted they all be together growing up, at the same school, even houses nearby. As he said that, a pair of parents stood up. They wiped their eyes and scooped up their baby girl. They didn’t want anything to do with this ludicrous statement. According to mom and dad, they moved out of California. I guess they couldn’t handle the truth about their child being different. As, for the other kids, their parents agreed and moved next to each other. Today the kids, I mean teenagers are attending Los Santos High School.” “Isn’t that where you go to?” she asked looking up at me as I stood up. “Yes, yes I am,” I said smiling. I didn’t expect her to comprehend the story; she was still a little kid. Things weren’t taken as seriously. “Wait, so what does the organ thingy do to you?” she asked. “Well” I gulped in shocked. “I know this is really like cliché but we have abilities,” I explained. “Like superpowers!” she said loudly. It hurt me that she couldn’t understand what I was saying. Superpowers weren’t the words I was looking for. It’s not as if we were flying through the skies in capes saving old ladies and cats. We didn’t save people we just try to live a normal life. “No, because we don’t save people or do any of that stuff” I said turning away. “What happen to the other girl” she said getting off the bed. “Like I said I don’t know,” I said rubbing my hands on my arms. “Then, what can you do?” she asked standing in front of me. “Why don’t you go get ready for your first day of third grade?” I asked leaning down towards her. “Fine” she said scampering down the hall to another room. I walked to the door and closed it. I went to the window and pushed aside the black curtains. They revealed a dark night with just the glowing moon shining from afar. I admired its beauty and was mesmerized. I shook my head and walked away from the win from my glass desk and sat on my bed. I opened and took the pen attached to it. This notebook was like my journal. I thought and began to write. After writing a page, I glanced at the time on my phone. It said 11: 07 pm and I yawned. I put my stuff away and turned off the light. I snuggled in my covers and lay there. Drifting into my dreams wasn’t soothing but weakly frightening. The reason was I could see the future in my dreams. They were always unclear and I could not tell when it was going to happen. I never told anyone of this ability. Not my parents and not even my best friends, Sam and Max. I wondered what tonight would be and gently closed my eyes. My head cleared up and I saw endless space of clouds. The sun showed brightly on my face. I walked a few steps to only see something floating in the air. I covered my forehead to see clearly and saw a symbol. There and then, the floor disappeared and I was falling through the air down to earth. I quickly thought of what to do but I I just panicked. I woke up and rose from the bed. I found myself sweating and panting for air. I closed my eyes as I swept the water off my face. I concentrated and saw a heart pierced with a knife. I opened them again and thought what it could mean. Chapter 2 “BING BING” yelled out my alarm. I reached for my EnV and turned the alarm set for 6:45 a.m. off. “First day of junior year here I come,” I moaned as I slipped out of my bed. I walked over to my closet and skimmed my wardrobe. I stopped and smiled at my black body-hugging shirt. It had red roses and a grey lace swiveling around as a design. I picked out my favorite black skinny jeans and a stud belt. When I was dressed, I put on my black low converse. I walked over to my dresser with a mirror and brushed my medium sized black hair. I sighed and ran to the bathroom to brush my teeth. I grabbed the rest of my stuff like my black Jansport backpack and headed downstairs. My mom was already downstairs sipping some coffee and looking at a magazine. My mom was exactly like me in height, black hair, white skin color except I got my dad’s green eyes. “Hey Mom” I told her as I stuffed a granola bar into my backpack. “Hello, why don’t you sit down and have some breakfast” she said glancing up. “Mom, I don’t have time, Sam is going to come pick me up any second,” I groaned. “Ok Honey” she said “Beep Beep Beep” my phone rang. I opened the text message labeled Sam. It read, “Hey I’m outside your house! Haven’t picked Max yet” I opened my phone to type with the keyboard. I text “ok I’ll be right there” “Bye Mom Sam is outside” I said kissing her cheek. I ran outside to see his blue Silverado truck. It was an ok truck but it only had three seats in the front. I ran up to it and tapped the glass. A tall man with brown fluffy hair, cream skin and brown eyes peered at me. He was wearing a green shirt and jeans. He stepped out and opened the door for me. I sat near the window then leaned toward towards him and kissed him on the cheek. “Hello Serena” he said smiling showing his perfect white teeth “Hey Sam” I said while buckling my seat belt. “Beep beep beep!” my phone rang revealing a text from Max. I opened it while Sam drove. It read, “Are you guys going to pick me up or what?” I laughed opening my phone. I responded, “We are like 1 block away”. “Tell him we are 1 block away,” he told me Oh yeah Sam can read minds. Max can too but they work the differently. Sam’s doesn’t work if you do not want him to be in your mind. However, since people don’t know of his abilities only our three families can keep him out. I usually never let him read my mind. Max can’t read Sam’s or my mind since we have the organ. “I did but I guess you already knew that” I said He slowed down until we passed a red house with a beautiful garden. A medium sized man with spiky black hair, white skin, and blue eye stepped out of the house. He was dressed in all black like me. He ran up to the car and opened the door. I scooted over to the middle seat as he got in. I kissed him on the cheek as he buckled up. “Hey Max” I said “Hey Serena your looking wonderful today” he said “Thanks, you too” I said returning the compliment. “Well you guys are we going to have fun this year or what?” I said starting a conversation. ““I guess,” they both said as the same time. We all laughed as we pulled into the student parking lot.  more

Resolved Question: What do you think of this short story?

I am tooling around with different story ideas, and would like any constructive feedback you can give on this little one... Who knew my kitchen could be such a dangerous place? NOW, someone hears me? Now, somebody finally looks up? I couldn’t help the smile creeping across my lips, even as the hood of the parked red car loomed closer into view. People were looking now, huh. Were screaming now. Grabbing their children. Running away, even. Now, when two and one-half songs ago, they could have looked up and helped me. I wonder who’s calling? This must look absolutely ridiculous to Mrs. Martha in 201-B, who I am sure has dropped that ridiculous ladybug coffee mug by now. At least my fingers don’t hurt anymore, though they’re probably still bleeding from grabbing that windowsill for so long. Banged my knee really good on the faucet too. Guess I’ll never know how the cat food got all the way up there on top of the snack cabinet… still doesn’t make sense. Bet nobody’ll think to ask later anyway. Heck, who would even answer, Mitzy? “Meow, Meow. Meow!” Yeah. Heh. Poor kitty’s gonna be lonely now. I hope she finds a kid with really gullible parents before they try to stick her in a shelter. No one else in the condo has a cat. Maybe that little freckle-faced kid at the park where we usually walk after dinner? Sirens now. What good will all that do? Better be the Mop-Up-Crew. If Mr. Stick-in-the-Butt downstairs in 1408-F hadn’t made the noise complaint, this would all be going down quietly. Well, except for the smashing glass, my screaming, and whatever noise this car is about to make. The CD sort of set this whole thing in motion, though… I couldn’t help being excited, it being release day and all. So, I dropped my bag and ran straight to the stereo when I came in from the store. I turned the stereo all the way up and started singing along. I couldn’t believe all the greatest hits were there on ONE CD! Not to be ignored, Mitzy had wrapped her orange cream-sicle body around my legs until I gave in and went to her empty bowl. The second track started up as I rambled through the cabinets searching for her food. I think Mitzy liked that one; she seemed to be meowing along with me. Not finding any cans in the regular places, I kicked off my heels and used the brown bar stool to check the top shelves. Track three kicked in just as the phone started ringing. Ignoring the phone, I stepped up on the counter to peek over the flour bags and coffee cans, knowing Mitzy had at least three or four cans of food left. Walking around the edge of the counter in my stockings, I shuffled through the tops of all the cabinets for the maddening little cans. Just as I wrote it off as a lost cause, I reached the top of the last set of cabinets being careful not to hit the drying dishes. There, in a neat little stack balanced on top of the canned hotdog-snack-things, was a lonely little can of Mitzy’s cat food! Thrilled at my diligent success, I turned to my cat and threw my hands in the air in triumph, singing along with the fourth track of my new favorite CD. At that exact moment, a barrage of loud, sharp thuds came crashing in against my front door. Completely unprepared for this attempted burglary on the 15th floor of my doorman-staffed condominium at 4:38 in the afternoon, I did what any sane person, standing behind a locked door in a kitchen full of knives, having graduated self-defense class, would have done. I panicked. Every muscle in my body seemed to briefly lock in place; except, apparently, the ones controlling my jaw, which fell open. My right foot, perched so precariously on the edge of the sink in the first place, began to slide forward away from my body. Powerless to control myself, and expecting to simply slide down the sun-warmed window and crumple into the sink as the robber burst through the door, I felt my body tip backwards. I heard the crash. Felt the glass. Pinching. Bumping. Slicing. Meowing. Dripping. Twisting. Track four must be a remix. Screaming. Grabbing. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I registered the sound of running water and the rough, stiff texture of concrete under the tip of my left hand and right forearm, and the absence of a place to rest my feet. I guess my knee had turned the faucet on. I was still screaming. I opened my eyes. Willing my jaws shut, and channeling all the air-punching arm-power Turbo-Jam ever gave me, I tried to pull myself up onto the five inch windowsill. Guess I skipped too many sessions. There was a brief, but rather effective, musical interlude between track four and five; during which, I heard the voice at the door yell, “…down now, or I’m calling the cops!” OK, it was time to scream. I gave it all I had, in thirty second bursts of all out screaming, hollering, yelling, begging, everything my voice could do. Mitzy even threw in a little caterwauling on my behalf. Unfortunately for me, track f Sorry for the split. This is what's next... Unfortunately for me, track five and six were pretty much dance hits. As the final beats for track seven thrummed on the stereo, I realized these may well be my final moments on the planet, perched fifteen stories over Graham Street, listening to an Old School CD, staring at the “M” on the forehead of my overweight tabby cat. I thought of all the people who would miss me, all the things that would change in the world, and realized it was really just Mom, Dad and the cat. Dang, not much of a mark. If anyone got the wrong idea, they might think I just got mad at Mitzy and jumped out the window. Sure wish I could climb back in this window and do something people would miss before I tried to feed the cat again. Track nine now, I sure have been here a long time. Too bad Mr. Whiner-in-1408-F never actually calls the cops. Loser, I thought as my arms gave out just as the cell phone in the left pocket of my skirt began to ring. …  more

Resolved Question: i got this email from Iams bc i emailed them?

i emailed them bout how they treat animals lol and they email me bk with this Thank you for contacting us. Unfortunately, there is highly inaccurate and misleading information circulating on the Internet regarding our feeding studies, and I’m glad you’ve given me the opportunity to provide you with the facts. We too are passionate about cats and dogs, with a deep commitment to their health and welfare. We are accountable for making sure that our products are wholesome, and that consumers can feed them with confidence. Instead of contracting other companies to conduct our feeding studies, we choose to conduct such studies in the homes of our employee families. Today, over 600 employee families participate in our in-home testing program. Even though the vast majority of our studies are conducted in an in-home setting, there are some studies that require in-depth data gathering in a more controlled environment. We do this type of feeding study in our company-owned Pet Health and Nutrition Center . These studies follow our industry leading research protocol and are the veterinary equivalent of nutritional or medical studies acceptable on people. The studies are monitored by our own staff of veterinarians, behaviorists and independent experts. Our Pet Health and Nutrition Center is a state-of-the-art facility. Our dogs and cats live in a cageless environment, receiving proper socialization in an enriched setting. Because dogs are pack animals, our dogs are housed with a companion. Each kennel has a doggie-door that takes them to an outside run, giving them lots of room for running and playing. Each dog is provided with his or her own toys (rotated on a regular basis) and their very own comfortable bed to sleep on. There is also a dog park adjacent to the kennels where the dogs play and interact each day in play groups. Our cats are housed in compatible social groups. Each room is furnished with beds, toys (to stimulate play) and several perches, which allow our cats to observe things from a higher viewpoint. Each cat room also has a very large window with a platform where our cats can lay in the sun or watch the birds feeding at the outside bird feeders. All of our dogs and cats reach a point in their life when it’s time to leave the Pet Health and Nutrition Center . That is when they are either adopted into a home or placed into our retirement facility. Either way, they will live out their lives in comfort with good food, good companionship, and good veterinary care. In 2007 we had several members of the news media tour our facility. Their reports are available at: http://www.iamstruth.com/iamstruth/en_US... If you are interested in reading more, please visit www.IamsTruth.com. Thank you for taking the time to read this message. If you need further information or have specific questions, please contact us at 800-525-4267. We’re very happy to speak with you about this very important issue. Sincerely, Katie Iams Pet Care Team Member what yal think bout it =O  more

Resolved Question: i got this email from Iams bc i emailed them lol?

i emailed them bout how they treat animals lol and they email me bk with this Thank you for contacting us. Unfortunately, there is highly inaccurate and misleading information circulating on the Internet regarding our feeding studies, and I’m glad you’ve given me the opportunity to provide you with the facts. We too are passionate about cats and dogs, with a deep commitment to their health and welfare. We are accountable for making sure that our products are wholesome, and that consumers can feed them with confidence. Instead of contracting other companies to conduct our feeding studies, we choose to conduct such studies in the homes of our employee families. Today, over 600 employee families participate in our in-home testing program. Even though the vast majority of our studies are conducted in an in-home setting, there are some studies that require in-depth data gathering in a more controlled environment. We do this type of feeding study in our company-owned Pet Health and Nutrition Center . These studies follow our industry leading research protocol and are the veterinary equivalent of nutritional or medical studies acceptable on people. The studies are monitored by our own staff of veterinarians, behaviorists and independent experts. Our Pet Health and Nutrition Center is a state-of-the-art facility. Our dogs and cats live in a cageless environment, receiving proper socialization in an enriched setting. Because dogs are pack animals, our dogs are housed with a companion. Each kennel has a doggie-door that takes them to an outside run, giving them lots of room for running and playing. Each dog is provided with his or her own toys (rotated on a regular basis) and their very own comfortable bed to sleep on. There is also a dog park adjacent to the kennels where the dogs play and interact each day in play groups. Our cats are housed in compatible social groups. Each room is furnished with beds, toys (to stimulate play) and several perches, which allow our cats to observe things from a higher viewpoint. Each cat room also has a very large window with a platform where our cats can lay in the sun or watch the birds feeding at the outside bird feeders. All of our dogs and cats reach a point in their life when it’s time to leave the Pet Health and Nutrition Center . That is when they are either adopted into a home or placed into our retirement facility. Either way, they will live out their lives in comfort with good food, good companionship, and good veterinary care. In 2007 we had several members of the news media tour our facility. Their reports are available at: http://www.iamstruth.com/iamstruth/en_US/jhtmls/landing/IT_Landing_Page.jhtml?li=en_US&pti=PP If you are interested in reading more, please visit www.IamsTruth.com. Thank you for taking the time to read this message. If you need further information or have specific questions, please contact us at 800-525-4267. We’re very happy to speak with you about this very important issue. Sincerely, Katie Iams Pet Care Team Member what yal think bout it? iknow its BS and there lying lol but its funny petcare.im@pg.com is there email address someone as ked  more

Resolved Question: Is my cat depressed because its winter?

I am trying not to be worried. Since the weather got cold here, somewhat overnight, my cat has been "depressed". She was very cheerful and playful. She would sit in her favorite windows and chatter and chase flies. She was very active. Because it is cold out I had to shut all the windows. I put warm blankets and perches in front of the windows (as others have suggested I do), but I'm not sure if its helping because now all she does is spend her life on the blanket and perch. I am glad she enjoys the warm blanket and perch. She is not active. Is she depressed or what? PS. On two occassions I did take her outside for a "walk". However, after being out there for about 2 minutes she started to shiver. She sat like she was trying to conserve heat. So I stopped taking her out.  more

Resolved Question: What do you think would improve this story? (Its short.)?

Something I wrote this afternoon. I want to improve it so give me your worst. "What Happened Between Classes" Outside of the classroom window, the wind whipped the brilliant red and orange of fall leaves through the air. On the other side of the glass panes, Stephan Lenning, elbow propped against his wood desk, chin in his hand, sighed. The professor’s voice faded into a light buzzing against his brain as he watched a red oak leaf fall to the ground. "Like me," he thought. "Brilliant, attractive, and dead… cut off from my life source—" The sound of students shuffling out of the classroom pulled him from his reverie, and he took a last look out the window and grabbed his books. "I have to get lunch before Economics—" He hurried towards the door of the classroom. Stephan hated that door. Its bottom hinges looked like they had been around since The Great Depression, and every time anyone used it, they made a jarring noise, like a yowling she-cat. “Stephan?” Stephan looked away from the door. “Mr. Hastings?” The professor pointed a pudgy finger at the blackboard. “Remember, your essay on the Roman Empire is due Monday.” “I’ll remember.” “Well, don’t be late about it,” Mr. Hastings said his, pasty face screwing into an annoyed expression. He wiped at the beads of sweat on his brow. “Just remember, if you’re late this time, you get a red F.” Stephan nodded, and walked out of the classroom, wincing at the sound that came from the door’s hinges as he pushed it open. He looked at his watch. 12:00. He had thirty minutes until Economics. He grabbed a sandwich at a little shop, and headed over to the park. He walked past the playground full of laughing children, and into a cluster of trees on the far side of the park. That was his retreat. It was quiet there. In his mind he called it “Green Eden.” But he never told the others. How they would laugh… He collapsed in the little patch of grass, surrounded by the strait tallness and tangy sent of the pine trees. How he envied those trees…they never had to sit inside those wretched classrooms, and listen to tired teachers drone on and on about the value of X and Y. They where free. The way he had once been free… Childhood… He had practically lived outside with his books and notepad…listing to the birds and feeling his whole body vibrating with the sweet wonder of life… and writing…always writing…trying to capture in a page of dead words, that elusive, quiet ecstasy he had felt in the woods, trying to imprison it in a paragraph… Oh, he had known then that he would do it. There was no way he would fail… But he had failed. Stephan leaned against an oak tree and sighed. The Robert Frost poem about two roads dividing ran though his mind in fragments. He had taken the easy road... the grassy wide road… the road that everyone around him said would make him happy. After all he would be rich, and successful— And miserable. Stephan shook his head, trying to chase away the thought as he had chased it away many times before. This time it wouldn’t go away. He stood up and pushed a lock of brown hair from his face. He shouldn’t have come here. It was too painful to be surrounded by life, pulsing in the trees, and grass, and to not be able too embrace it as he once had; with total abandon, overflowing joy. He looked at his watch. His Economics class was in ten minutes. He looked at the red and gold leaves spinning through the air. A lark in the tree above him sang out joyfully. She seemed to him to be mimicking the old stir of his soul… "I am, I am, I am…" Stephan paused, listening to the lark until she flew away in search of another perch. His heart sank. The beauty of the lark’s song was gone forever. Unless… His fingers brushed against the notepad in his pocket. Words ran through his head. He could capture that song forever...he could capture the aloof scent of the pine trees; the coquettish dance of the red and gold leaves drifting in the air… In a page, or a poem…They would be his, forever. He looked at his watch. Five minutes until his economics class. He looked up at the pines. They where not afraid of what people thought of them. They grew strait and tall… so tall that if people laughed at them, they wouldn’t hear it anyway. Stephan looked through the trees at the huddles of students rushing back to class. They where all dressed alike, all nervous, all dependent on each other for their soul’s song… He looked back up at the pines. His green eyes flashed with a savage light, and he hurled his textbooks as far away from himself as they would go. His fingers grasped his worn notepad. He sank to the ground, took out an old pencil from his pocket, and began to write. He never pushed open the squeaking door of the old classroom again.  more

Resolved Question: Ideas for a new and improved cat room?

I foster cats and I have had a horrible layout in the upstairs of my house. I need a cat room (I foster orphaned kittens and momcats, so they need a space of their own). I have had one, but we just found out that it's not heated in the winter (I've only been fostering since this summer). In order to foster orphaned kittens and momcats, I'm going to need a cat room, so our family is changing the entire upstairs. We're adding hallways and extending the rooms, and now they'll be a small cat room connected to my room. In the time being, I'm getting my last two kittens adopted this Sunday and I'm only fostering adult cats. Do you guys have any ideas for the cat room? They'll have two litter boxes, a cat tree (about 8 ft. tall), linoleum floor, cat beds, big window with comfy perch, toys, ect.) The color scheme will be white, light blue and electric green. What do you think? What ideas do you have (I'm open for anything)? Most of the time the cats will be out and running around, but the rescue requires that I have a cat room, and it is very handy. Thank you so much!!! Yeah, no... human family! I am known to my friends as the cat lady... lol!  more

Resolved Question: good toy to keep my cat occupied?

I have a 4 month old kitten... at least that's his approximate age. Lately he's been pretty crazy. He has gone exploring on cupboards that i thought were safe and as i live in an apt, and don't have a lot of storage space, there is some stuff on cupboards just cause i have no room to put stuff in. Anyway, i have a lab and they play sometimes but not all the time. And some days i take my lab to day care so he's all alone for like 9 hours during the day. I can't have small toys due to the lab. So i bought him a small perch that has a toy hanging from it, but he doesn't play with that as much, just uses it as a perch. He'd rather play with something he can push around. So when i come home i do play with him for about a half hour, but he just won't leave me alone to get stuff done. I know it's cause he's bored and wants to play, so i want to address this issue. I'm considering buying a larger cat condo, thinking he might be really interested in that cause he can climb really high in it, but the only place i have is the corner of a dining room, and my boyfriend is afraid he would rather be by the window (he does spend a lot of time on the window sill). I'm willing to invest in something that could be pricey as long as it would keep my cat occuppied. I did buy him one of those "boogie mats" that you put cat nip in but he pretty much ignores it... even when i put a ton of cat nip in it. I just think he's not a cat nip type of cat. I'm really thinking of buying the kittie condo. What are ur guy's experience? Or anything else that is a toy. Like i said no small toys (small balls, mice etc) cause the lab will not leave it alone and i don't want her to choke. Thanks!!!!! and i can't have another cat (limit in apt is 2 animals). Otherwise that would have been my first option!  more

Resolved Question: What do you think of 'Ten Deer Walking In January Rain' poem?

Tonight. One deer crosses the third, field road. Tonight. January sprinkles her footsteps in darkness. It is midnight. No challenge. Silence. Soft rain mists her eyes, Rivels down eyelashes onto her lips. She shakes away the drops, crosses well-known fields... To the second road... House lights. Street light. Still no challenge. Silence. Tonight. A ceramic, Egyptian cat perches on my Window sill, filled with bath crystals from India. Shiva visited my home this morning. A gold necklace glitters in the backyard light Hung under the oak. Rain on the tin roof, drops bead the glass panes... Shattering refracted gleams from garnets, Sapphires...rings on the arm of a pottery elf. Christmas dances, sparkles. Silence. (How many times did I say the word, 'No'? How many echoes from a sleeping wolf?) Tonight. No moon. Tapestry-fog shrouds the Field rows. Five deer tip-step...following their leader's dance. Out of the woods, to the third road. One has gone before...the buck sees her Tracks. Senses flame. Caution. He halts. Smells. A predator scent...one day old. Silence. Lights. No challenge. Odd. New. His five come abreast. Ghost-drift through green Sprouts. Tonight. Eagles and hawks are asleep. Midnight. Tonight. I bathe away Eternity. Set my hair for Tomorrow. Victoria Magazine tomorrow. Everything tomorrow. Tonight...food for my animals. Quiet. Rain. Cold air. My bedroom window...a shadow plays. Tonight...owls do not fly. Tonight...raging winds. Leaves hang straight. Tonight...Dorothy does not go home to Kansas. Tonight...Mars falls into the Earth. Shadow. The first deer halts beyond my backyard light. Something. The wolf is not there. Lifting, turning her head, she sees the buck, his group. No challenge. Midnight. Three more, from the back woods, to the second road. A fawn, prints no bigger than birth. Tonight...ten deer cross the last field road behind the House. Tonight...January sprinkles their footprints in darkness. There is no challenge. Cold blackness. Crack of a twig. There are shadows out my window, Through soft rain unexpected. My wolf...shaking away the drops, running with the deer. Making, leaving...no prints. Away from the light, away from my arms. Into midnight. Silence.  more

Resolved Question: How to stop groups of cats caterwauling?

Samson the muscle cat has just moved in the house two drives down my street with his new neighbors. He cuts a handsome figure, it cannot be denied. . dressed in fetching beachwear fashionably styled from the halcyon days of the French twenties. But, it's two in the morning and he is perched on my bird bath as a podium of sorts and going through several poses and is surrounded by a gaggle of admiring Felines, including my own Russian Blue. Every time he spins around to unleash yet another striking pose, a caterwauling roar of approval erupts, rendering me awake. It all seems harmless fun, and I don't really want to throw any boots out of the window as they always scamper off with them and covert them into little houses for mice.  more

Resolved Question: How can I make a cat perch for double hung windows?

I am looking to create my own cat perch for my double hung windows, similar to this: http://www.thefind.com/pets/info-cat-window Can anyone help me figure out what I would need to do? I can't find any building instructions on-line. It needs to not mar the windows and close tightly to keep the apt insulated. I am confident I can create the cover with ease; I am more curious about the (bracketed?) structure itself. Thank you in advance! Thanks, that's awesome! Just what I was looking for, and my searches had come up without anything.  more

Resolved Question: Cat Window Perches???????

I'm looking for a cat window perch. It has to be the kind that is caged in and that hangs out the window. So that the cat feels like its outside. Can someone please give me websites that sell them??  more

Resolved Question: What say to "Beloved Cat...Merlin" poem?

. Last night, when Merlin lay curled on the rug, twitching Claws and ears in memory of some sparrow, I adjusted the quilt, sighed. Merlin opened an eye, saw it was only me, and walked To nibble on a dish of Mackeral...then lay by the fire Too softly, ignoring the windows too innocently. Each dusk, I closed the flowered curtains to keep Treetop shadows out of Merlin's eyes. But in the mornings, robins scouted the yard...and Merlin's whiskers quivered against the screen. Last night, I picked Merlin from the rug, scratched his Chin, ears, and whispered acres of woods and dripping Perch years from the city. Insensitive drivers kept the door locked...and children Who liked black cats...and city toms who fought their Blocks. Early this morning, before the world flamed again, a Scratchy noise and padded steps crept into my mind. I knew the torn screen behind that window kept a particle Of Merlin's fur for me when I fully awoke. A particle of fur from that window that only Merlin Knows why I opened sometime last night.  more

Resolved Question: funny stuff, star if you like :D lol?

A turkey was chatting with a bull. 'I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree' sighed the turkey, 'but I haven't got the energy. 'Well, why don't you nibble on some of my droppings?' replied the bull. They're packed with nutrients. The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree. The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch. Finally after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the top of the tree. He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree. Moral of the story: Bull Shit might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there... A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field. While he was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on him. As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realize how warm he was. The dung was actually thawing him out! He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy. A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate. Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him. Morals of the story: (1) Not everyone who shits on you is your enemy. (2) Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your friend. (3) And when you're in deep shit, it's best to keep your mouth shut! Why it's important to understand English! I had a bunch of Canadian dollars I needed to exchange, so I went to the currency exchange window at the local bank. Short line. Just one lady in front of me. . .an Asian lady who was trying to exchange yen for dollars and she was a little irritated .... She asked the teller, 'Why it change?? Yesterday, I get two hunat dolla fo yen. Today I get hunat eighty?? Why it change?' The teller shrugged his shoulders and said, 'Fluctuations'. The Asian lady says, 'Fluc you white people, too!'  more

Resolved Question: Should I get another?

I am getting my cat back Friday and I am so excited. He has been with my parents since May...because I was moving. **Actually he wasn't even suppose to be my cat he was my roommate's last year and she was going to take him to the shelter, and I just couldn't let that happen, so I gave him to my parent's because I was moving to a place that wouldn't let me have pets. However after doing some pleading they finally agreed.** However now I am wondering since he has been with my parents so long and they have two dogs and another cat if he will be lonely? Should I try to talk my landlords into letting me adopt another? I mean I have toys and a play tower for him, and also a window perch but is this enough? Also how do you train cats to walk on leashes? My cat loves to go outside but I live in the city...  more

Resolved Question: Blackbird behaviour? Hiding in the trees but still chirping to get my attention?

I have a treee facing my window - one of the garden blackbirds today was hiding perched on the tree but he seemed to be hiding - he was trying to hide behind the leaves but was chirping faintly looking at me as if trying to get my attention. Usually he's very proud and stands tall and exposed. I saw the local cat walk by - they had previously had a face to face confrontation a few days before - I'm assuming that he's trying to hide from the cat - but why was he still trying to get me attention? Thanks in advance.  more

Resolved Question: Is it hard to build a window perch with stairs?

I am looking to build an extra large window perch for my dogs and they need stairs to get up to the perch so they can look out the window. Is this hard to do? I am looking for something basic - nothing real fancy. I already checked out all of the cat perches and they are not wide enough. I have pretty large windows and I would like something that is 30 to 36 inches wide so both dogs can be on it at the same time. If you have any links for me - that would be GREAT! Thanks!  more

Resolved Question: What message do we get from this story??????

• Princess September, like each one of her numerous sisters, receives the gift of a parrot in a golden cage on her father’s birthday. • The parrot dies, and by chance a singing bird comes in its place. • The princess shows off her pet to the sisters who advise her to put it in a cage. THE King and Queen of Siam had many daughters, and the Queen said that it confused her to have to remember so many names. One day the King decided to call them January, February, March (though of course in Siamese) till he came to the youngest whom he called September. The King of Siam had a peculiar habit. Instead of receiving gifts on his birthday he gave them. One year on his birthday, not having anything else handy, he gave each of his daughters a green parrot in a golden cage. The princesses were very proud of their parrots and they spent an hour every day in teaching them to talk. Presently all the parrots could say ‘God save the king’ and some of them could say ‘Pretty Polly’ in no less than seven Oriental languages.But one day when Princess September went to say good morning to her parrot she found it lying dead at the bottom of its golden cage. She burst into a flood of tears, and nothing that her Maids of Honour could say comforted her. She cried so much that the Maids of Honour, not knowing what to do, told the Queen, and the Queen said it was stuff and nonsense and the child had better go to bed without any supper. The Maids of Honour wanted to go to a party, so they put Princess September to bed as quickly as they could and left her by herself. And while she lay in her bed, crying still even though she felt rather hungry, she saw a little bird hop into her room. She wiped her tears and sat up. Then the little bird began to sing and he sang a beautiful song all about the lake in the King’s garden and the willow trees that looked at themselves in the still water and the goldfish that glided in and out of the branches that were reflected in it. When he had finished, the Princess was not crying any more and she quite forgot that she had had no supper. “That was a very nice song,” she said.The little bird gave her a bow. “Would you care to have me in place of your parrot?” said the little bird. “It’s true that I’m not so pretty to look at, but on the other hand I have a much better voice.” Princess September clapped her hands with delight and then the little bird hopped on to the end of her bed and sang her to sleep. When she awoke next day the little bird was still there, and as she opened her eyes he said, “Good morning!” The Maids of Honour brought in her breakfast, and he ate rice out of her hand and he had his bath in her saucer. He began to sing again so beautifully that the Maids of Honour were quite surprised, for they had never heard anything like it, and Princess September was very proud and happy.“Now I want to show you to my eight sisters,” said the Princess. She stretched out the first finger of her right hand so that it served as a perch and the little bird flew down and sat on it. Then, followed by her Maids of Honour, she went through the palace and called on each of the Princesses. And for each of them the little bird sang a different song. But the parrots could only say ‘God save the king’ and ‘Pretty Polly’. At last she showed the little bird to the King and the Queen. They were surprised and delighted. “I knew I was right to send you to bed without any supper,” said the Queen. “This bird sings much better than the parrots,” said the King. “I should have thought you got quite tired of hearing people say ‘God save the king’,” said the Queen. “I can’t think why those girls wanted to teach their parrots to say it too.” “The sentiment is admirable,” said the King, “and I never mind how often I hear it. But I do get tired of hearing those parrots say ‘Pretty Polly’.”“They say it in seven different languages,” said the Princesses. “I dare say they do,” said the King, “but it reminds me too much of my Councillors. They say the same thing in seven different ways and it never means anything in any way they say it.”The Princesses were vexed at this, and the parrots looked very glum indeed. But Princess September ran through all the rooms of the palace, singing like a lark, while the little bird flew round and round her singing like a nightingale. Things went on like this for several days and then the eight Princesses put their heads together. They went to September and sat down in a circle round her. “My poor September,” they said, “we are sorry for the death of your beautiful parrot. It must be dreadful for you not to have a pet bird as we have. So we have all put our pocket-money together and we are going to buy you a lovely green and yellow parrot.” ‘‘Thank you for nothing,” said September. “I have a pet bird which sings the most charming songs to me and I don’t know what on earth I should do with a green and yellow parrot.” “Well, my dear,” they said, “it’s absurd to talk of your bird when the little fellow flies in and out just as he likes.” They looked round the room and raised their eyebrows.“Do you mind our asking where your bird is now?” they said. “He has gone to pay a visit to his father-in-law,” said Princess September. “And what makes you think he’ll come back?” asked the Princesses. “He always does come back,” said September. “Well, my dear,” said the eight Princesses, “if you’ll take our advice you won’t run any risks like that. If he comes back, and mind you, if he does you’ll be lucky, pop him into the cage and keep him there. That’s the only way you can be sure of him.” “But I like to have him fly about the room,” said the young Princess September. “Safety first,” said her sisters ominously. They got up and walked out of the room, shaking their heads, and they left September very uneasy.• Princess September loves the bird far too much to take chances, and acts upon her sisters’ advice. • The bird cannot overcome the loss of freedom. • Princess September decides to put the bird’s happiness above her own. It seemed to Princess September that her little bird had been away a long time. Something might have happened to him. What with hawks and with snares you never knew what trouble he might get into. Besides, he might forget her, or he might take a fancy to somebody else. That would be dreadful. She wished he were safely back again.Suddenly September heard a ‘tweet-tweet’ just behind her ear and she saw the little bird sitting on her shoulder. He had come in so quietly and alighted so softly that she had not heard him. “I wondered what on earth had become of you,” said the Princess. “I thought you’d wonder that,” said the little bird. “The fact is I very nearly didn’t come back tonight at all. My father-in-law was giving a party and they all wanted me to stay, but I thought you’d be anxious.” Under the circumstances this was a very unfortunate remark for the little bird to make. September felt her heart go thump against her chest, and she made up her mind to take no more risks. She put up her hand and tookhold of the bird. The bird suspected nothing and he was so surprised when she carried him over to the cage, popped him in, and shut the door on him that for a moment he could think of nothing to say. But in a moment or two he hopped up to the ivory perch and said, “What is the joke?” ‘‘There’s no joke,” said September, “but some of mamma’s cats are prowling about tonight, and I think you’re much safer in there.” “Well, just for this once I don’t mind,” said the little bird, “so long as you let me out in the morning.” He ate a very good supper and then began to sing. But in the middle of his song he stopped. “I don’t know what is the matter with me,” he said, “but I don’t feel like singing tonight.”“Very well,” said September, “go to sleep instead.” So he put his head under his wing and in a minute was fast asleep. September went to sleep too. But when the dawn broke she was awakened by the little bird calling her at the top of his voice. “Wake up, wake up,” he said. “Open the door of this cage and let me out. I want to have a good fly while the dew is still on the ground.” “You are much better off where you are,” said September. “Let me out, let me out,” said the little bird. And he tried to slip through the bars of the cage, but of course couldn’t, and he beat against the door, but of course he couldn’t open it. Then the eight Princesses came in and looked at him. They told September she was very wise to take their advice. They said he would soon get used to the cage and in a few days would quite forget he had ever been free. The little bird said nothing at all while they were there, but as soon as they were gone he began to cry again: “Let me out, let me out.”“Don’t be such an old silly,” said September. “I’ve put you in the cage because I’m so fond of you. I know what’s good for you much better than you do yourself. Sing me a little song and I’ll give you a piece of sugar.” But the little bird stood in the corner of his cage looking out at the blue sky, and never sang a note. “What’s the good of sulking?” said September. “Why don’t you sing and forget your troubles?” “How can I sing?” answered the bird. “I want to see the trees and the lake and the green rice growing in the fields.” “I’ll take you out every day,” she said. “It’s not the same thing,” said the little bird. “The rice-fields and the lake and the willow trees look quite different when you see them through the bars of a cage.” The bird wouldn’t sing a song and he wouldn’t eat a thing. The Princess was a little anxious at this, and asked her sisters what they thought about it.“You must be firm,” they said. “But if he won’t eat, he’ll die,” she answered. “That would be very ungrateful of him,” they said. “He must know that you’re only thinking of his own good. If he’s obstinate and dies it’ll serve him right and you’ll be well rid of him.” September didn’t see how that was going to do her very much good, but they were eight to one and all older than she, so she said nothing. “Perhaps he’ll have got used to his cage by tomorrow,” she said. And next day when she awoke she cried out good morning in a cheerful voice. She got no answer. She jumped out of bed and ran to the cage. She gave a startled cry, for there the little bird lay,at the bottom, on his side, with his eyes closed, and he looked as if he were dead. She opened the door and putting her hand in lifted him out. She gave a sob of relief, for she felt that his little heart was beating still. “Wake up, wake up, little bird,” she said. She began to cry and her tears fell on the little bird. He opened his eyes and saw that the bars of the cage were no longer around him. “I cannot sing unless I’m free, and if I cannot sing I die,” he said. The Princess gave a great sob. ‘‘Then take your freedom,” she said. “I shut you in a golden cage because I loved you and wanted to have you all to myself. But I never knew it would kill you. I love you enough to let you be happy in your own way.” She threw open the window and gently placed the little bird on the sill. He shook himself a little. “Come and go as you will, little bird,” she said. “I will never put you in a cage any more.” “I will come because I love you, little Princess,” said the bird. “And I will sing you the loveliest songs I know. I shall go far away, but Ishall always come back and I shall never forget you.” He gave himself another shake. “Good gracious me, how stiff I am,” he exclaimed. Then he opened his wings and flew right away into the blue. But the little Princess burst into tears, for it is very difficult to put the happiness of someone you love before your own, and with her little bird far out of sight she felt, all of a sudden, very lonely. When her sisters knew what had happened they mocked her and said that the little bird would never return. But he did, at last. And he sat on September’s shoulder and ate out of her hand and sang her the beautiful songs he had learned while he was flying up and down the fair places of the world. September kept her window open day and night so that the little bird might come into her room whenever he felt inclined, and this was very good for her; so she grew extremely beautiful. And when she was old enough she married the King of Cambodia and was carried on a white elephant all the way to the city in which the King lived. But her sisters never slept with their windows open, so they grew extremely ugly as well as disagreeable, and when the time came to marry them off they were given away to the King’s Councillors with a pound of tea and a Siamese cat.  more

Resolved Question: Kitty Problem?

Hi - I have a cat that is almost a year old. She is home alone most of the day because I am at work. I feel like she is lonely because she acts out alot when I do get home from work. I bought her alot of toys and a window perch to keep her busy during the day, but she still has these behavior issues. She climbs the curtains, attacks me, will bite sometimes pretty hard, plucks the furniture. I try to distract her with toys and play with her but the moment i stop, she starts acting crazy again. Then she will be fine afterwards and come sit with me. I am also worried because her eye will start twitching when she gets excited. She will sit and stare at me and one of her eyes will start twitching. It happens often. Should I be worried that something is wrong with her and thats why shes acting this way?  more

Resolved Question: Cat Eye Twitching?

Hi - I have a cat that is almost a year old. She is home alone most of the day because I am at work. I feel like she is lonely because she acts out alot when I do get home from work. I bought her alot of toys and a window perch to keep her busy during the day, but she still has these behavior issues. She climbs the curtains, attacks me, will bite sometimes pretty hard, plucks the furniture. I try to distract her with toys and play with her but the moment i stop, she starts acting crazy again. Then she will be fine afterwards and come sit with me. I am also worried because her eye will start twitching when she gets excited. She will sit and stare at me and one of her eyes will start twitching. It happens often. Should I be worried that something is wrong with her and thats why shes acting this way?  more

Resolved Question: Need Help with a Dream, Including a Yellow-White Fluffy Cat.?

I'm a 31 year old male who had a vivid dream and I'm hoping someone can provide guidance beyond the stock “cats are bad luck” answer. In my apt. appeared a light-yellow, fluffy cat. He was neither aggressive nor sweet; he just perched on a shelf looking and smelled me on the nose when I approached. I have no aversion to felines, btw, but have not lived with one since 1995. I looked around but found no door or window opened. I looked at his tag: his name was Raphael and it had a phone number (including a 9, 4 and 5 in some combo). I called and got a recording with a message from an Indian woman (Hindu/Asian) saying that I "received the cat for a reason, for we do not chose them but they chose us.” She assumed the caller would be a woman. I looked at his tag again and noticed a message I cannot recall save for the word “purpose.” The phone rang (a creditor) and I woke up. Let me add I'm between jobs jobs (I’m an attorney) and have been dealing with serious financial pressures.  more

Resolved Question: plz read an excerpt from my short story?

Scythe took in a breath of what he called fresh air. It was the scent of fresh blood and it made his bloodthirsty mouth water. He finally felt alive after five years of rituals that had been preformed for this very day. The day his God once again became powerful and ruled the world! Scythe hadn't felt the warmth of a drop of blood in years, so today he felt totally controlled by his bloodlust. He just had to quench his thirst. His instincts told him to climb the city's walls to get to his calling. He took a bit of a running start and rammed his spear into a crack in the wall. He pulled himself up and then balanced on the spear. He jumped up and caught grip of the top of the wall. He sprung up, landing like a cat on the wall. He took a leap from the wall to the roof of a Candy Flower shop, landing softly. He spotted a woman below who was worriedly rushing her children indoors. They obviously knew about the attack. Scythe jumped down silently behind the woman and silently sliced her neck. He could not resist his vampire instincts and began to drink the flowing blood. The blood dripped down his chin as he greedily drank all the blood out of the woman. After finally quenching his thirst, he went back to what he was in this city to do. He jumped back onto the rooftops and made his way over the buildings to the castle. He sat, perched on the roof of the nearest building to the castle gates. He could hear the guards talking among themselves. "Darn the King! 'E knew of the attack the 'ole time!" complained one of the guards, "Now we must get slaugh'ered in war by some 'ellish beasts tha' I never knew existed!" The guards all began to make their way to the city front gates, trembling at the name of death. Scythe jumped over the fence that was blocking off entrance into the castle. He swiftly climbed up a tree and flew from tree to tree until he was a leap away from the the main tower's top windowsill. This was the window to the king's room. He jumped heroically through the window and landed without sound. King Charles was watching the nearing army of demons, dragons, Satin's Goblins, and Hell Warriors. These ugly, foul smelling creatures were being led by the Dark Warlock and his hand-picked army of twenty Fiery Paladins. These furious creatures rode on Three Horned Rhinophants. They carried long, Hell Snake Whips. The heavy whips let out trails of flames behind them as the paladin's began to crush and poison the poor Centroville guards. Scythe slowly began to creep up on Charles. He closed in slowly and quietly like a tiger in the woods. His dragon tooth dagger, that had been dipped in venomous demon blood, was clenched tightly in his hand. His Deadly Hood covered the nasty scar that brought hideousness to his face. As he got closer to his goal his heart began run a marathon. "Finally my god will be released and I will be entitled to the position of King of the Upper World!" he thought. Scythe was within a good distance now and decided to do it. He raised his dagger and jumped up planning to leap over Charles and out of the window, while at the same time stabbing him in the head from behind. He had pulled this off many times against some of the thousand light priests, and it had a certain success rate. Suddenly the king turned around, withdrawing his long sword from it's scabbard. TWWANNNG! He sword smashed against Scythe's chest plate, throwing Scythe off balance. Scythe landed on his back; his dagger sliding across the marble floor. He attempted to get up and dive for it, but the king kicked him back down. The king pointed his sword down at Scythe's now uncovered face. He caught a glimpse of Scythe's strange scar and squinted at at curiously. "H...Henry?" he stuttered. Do u think i have potential? i am only 15 years old.  more

Resolved Question: How to stop cat from jumping on piano?

Its an electronic keyboard, and it sits by the window so the cat loves to use it as a perching spot. But he gets dirt on it, and even half broke one of the keys. I could cover it with a blanket so he can't damage it, but that would make it even more appealing as a cozy spot. I'm not home all day, but when I am home I always try to teach him its bad to go up there. I can't use a water bottle because the water might get in the keyboard. Also he isn't afraid of sounds, growing up around band practices.  more

Resolved Question: This is the grossest thing ever but i have to ask. My car..its in bad shape. It broke down on me?

about 8 months ago. Since i wasnt working at the time and it needed parts I couldnt fix it until recently. My husband parked my car a couple acres away in the backyard, tucked away until it could be fixed. HOWEVER, he stupidly left the window down the whole time. Luckily there wasnt too much mildew/mold damage, and I had protectant seat covers that were easily removed. With some shampoo and fabreeze it cleaned up well. HOWEVER, i have alot of stray cats where i live. As i sat in the car, it seemed ok. As i drove it, i got a wiff of cat urine. Rolling down the window made it worse. I dont know if its in the vents somehow OR maybe it sprayed on the window (while perhaps perching on it) But i dont know what to do now..HELP..it STINKS!!!!! rancid! ps could it have gotton into the doors from the window? How can i clean this?! Not much money to get it detailed and i dont even think they cover that.  more

Resolved Question: How should I treat my cats?

So my husband and I got separated and so the cats (2 of em')had to stay with my brother for about two months in CA while I got a job and set up in a new house in NV. So they have been 'out of their element' for a while now and they have probably felt a huge stress with this separation. They are coming back here to live with me for good now and I want to do something special for them when they get back. I was thinking about buying maybe a window perch or maybe a water fountain thing for them...does anyone have any other suggestions? These cats are like my children and I love them to death!  more

Resolved Question: How can you create a cat window perch?

Hey everyone. Instead of buying a window perch, I thought it would be fun to make one for my cat. Anyone have any suggestions on how to do that?  more

Resolved Question: My female cat is horny.. what to do?

She is making annoying booty call noises at the window. Whenever I pet her, she perches her vagina in the air and growls. Until I can get her fix, I rub her tail on her every now and then to release some of her tension. What else should/can I do?  more

Resolved Question: how much do kittens cost???in surrey?

Purchase Price Food Spay/Neuter Litter Box Cat Litter Window Perches Cat Door Scratching Post Food Bowls Grooming Tools Hair Removing Tape Stain Removers Flea Control Heartworm Prevention Training Aids Vet Bills Vaccines Ear/Dental Care Vitamins/Fatty Acids Treats Toys  more

Resolved Question: Do you really think you're in charge.?

Human beings are large, clumsy animals with extremely poor night vision that make a lot of noise. However, they live in weather-proof homes, and are easily trained. CHOOSING YOUR HUMAN: Humans don't realize this, but we choose which humans to live with, and which ones to avoid. Avoid humans who start sneezing when we get close. They are allergic to us. Also avoid ones that try and kick us. A good human will bend down and reach out to scratch an ear and start saying something stupid like "nice kitty kitty." The trick is to get inside the human's home to see if they have a suitable environment for one of our superior species. GETTING CARRIED AROUND: While walking to one's destination is preferable, it is nevertheless fun to be picked up and carried around by a human, because this provides a much loftier view of things. Female humans are more likely to pick you up. They will try and scratch your belly, so arch your back and they will reach under you. For some reason, most humans instinctively pick us up at that point. GETTING FED ON TIME: Humans are somewhat erratic in their eating habits, but this must not be allowed to conflict with our getting fed exactly on time every day. Pick a time, usually at 5 in the morning, and insist on being fed. Vocalize your hunger, and if necessary, wake the human up. Initially, the human will throw you outside, thinking you've received a call from Nature. But in a week or two they will catch on and get the food out on time. GETTING THE RIGHT FOOD: Unfortunately modern humans are inept at hunting, thus they purchase all their food. Generally, they buy things in cans, bags or boxes to feed us. They should eat this stuff. As long as you have an adequate supply of naturally obtained food (i.e. tasty little mice) the appropriate training regime is to walk up to the bowl of this awful processed food, sniff at it, walk around the bowl a few times, and then decamp to your favorite perch for a nice little nap. A few days of this, and the human begins to feel guilty about you starving. Eventually they will produce something moderately edible. If, by chance, something really good turns up, make sure you let the human know this is preferred to the dry crunchy stuff. NAPPING SITES: Human dwellings are just full of nice little places to nap, such as window sills, the tops of dressers, inside closets, under couches, whatever. Many of these places, however, will initially be places the human thinks they have control over. You must disabuse them of this territoriality as soon as possible. Typically, if the human finds you in a place they think is theirs, they will grab you and toss you. An exciting moment of flying through the air. Go back. After awhile the human will mutter "stupid kitty," and leave you alone. OTHER CATS: Some humans are excessively fond of our companionship, and thus attempt to bring more than one of us into their home. Remember, first one inside is king (or queen). Humans don't like the sound of our displeasure being voiced at an intruder, but they will rarely do anything about it. It is nice to have a few companions around, provided the human increases the food supply. THE LITTER BOX: Most humans are fairly conscientious about cleaning out the litter box with adequate frequency. However, some humans will accidentally lock us in a room, or forget to clean the litter box often enough. We all know what we do to the human on that occasion, don't we. GIFTS: Humans don't think they are animals, so they don't understand gifts. Don't bother. Keep the mouse for yourself. EXPRESSING AFFECTION: The deal is we get a free place to live that is dry and warm, and adequate food, in exchange for once in a while recognizing the human exists and letting it touch us. Humans like to hear us purr, because they think that is our way of saying we're happy. They have no idea. Don't get too stand-off-ish as the human will not understand, and become anxious. A calm human is a reliable human when it comes to dinner. NAMING: Humans immediately give us stupid little names. If you don't like the name, act deaf. Once they pick a name you like, then respond. If the human is really nice to you, and understands our language, then tell them your true name. CONCLUSION: Humans are much easier to train, then, for example, their stupid dogs.  more

How To Make A Cat Window Perch News

University study opens window on bird-strikes - Vancouver Sun

... than those showing birds that had hit a window and died. Caitlyn Andres, a student in Baynes' class, said the nature of the images seemed to make ... hitting windows but might come in after that because they were then grabbed by a cat. (

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Small Bites capsule restaurant reviews for Jan. 15 and beyond - Cleveland Plain Dealer

The capsule reviews are based on full reviews by Plain Dealer restaurant critics. We also include capsules of older reviews of some of the region's more prominent eateries. The critics make at least two anonymous visits to each restaurant and do not ...

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How To Make A Cat Window Perch Links

Letter To My Cousin: About Danny the Dog

Danny Boy Fuller March 17, 1996-January 16, 2010 Just wanted to tell you our little Scottie died last night about 6 PM. I was thinking (dreading that) we would have to have him put to sleep after Art got home. Though he had been failing for a couple of months, he was diagnosed with cancer only this ... more

Bay Weekly: My Friend Mr. Boy

A tale of a cat born to the Bay by Sandra Olivetti Martin, Bay Weekly editor Bay Weekly gave Mr. Boy his happy home. Not that we were happy to see him. He came at a bad time, and his arrival was bad news. The neighbor who delivered him has not lived down his bad name, though 161⁄2 years have passed ... more

My HDHolidays 2009 fic!

Author: enchanted_jae Recipient: jordanneleigh Title: Peeping Tom Pairing(s): Harry/Draco Summary: Harry has been assigned to keep surveillance on Draco Malfoy, the person whom he has secretly been dating. Rating: R Disclaimer: All Harry Potter characters herein are the property of J.K. Rowling and ... more

Balloon Clip

Sometimes, cats and furniture just do not mix. One of the most frustrating aspects of owning a cat can be the possibility of having your furniture ripped! But you do not have to simply accept as a fact of life. There are things you can do to reduce your cat's desire to put his claws on the couch: De ... more

Understanding Things From A Distance

One of those sleepless nights again, I guess it didn’t help I drank a Starbucks DARK CHOCOLATE mocha frapp around 10 pm. My room mate and I went cat hunting tonight since Juno slipped out of the house when I came to get some things before Christmas, sad day indeed. I think what I miss most is our ra ... more

Are you okay?

Okay so maybe it's something about the beginning of January? I've been somewhat moody and angsty all week. This year, at least, there's some kind of reason: grad school apps. They've just not gone as well as they should. I'm making stupid mistakes. I don't generally have problems with organization, ... more

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Ceiling detail from the Library of Congress, Washington, DC Wednesday, January 6, 2010 Waning Moon Mars Retrograde Mercury Retrograde Twelfth Day of Christmas Epiphany/First Night of Carnivale Sunny and frigid I wrote “fridge” the first time. Is my Freudian slip showing? Yes, the Twelve Days of Chri ... more

Waltz #2 @ Starbucks

Last Monday, I was camped out at the Starbucks on Broadway and West 75th Street, working on my laptop for hours. My perch near the window -- a round table small enough for no one else to consider joining me -- was perfect. Well, it would have been perfect if not for the weird woman seated inches awa ... more

Most of it was all happening at the zoo...

Sunday afternoon. Sunny weather. Need to get out and walk. What to do? Go see The Hogle Zoo. Why? Because it was there! More specifically, because I have been wanting to see Baby Zuri since she was born in August. (Now how Mom Christie got mixed up with a guy from Pittsburgh...well, I think it was a ... more

Enjoy an eyeful of migrating eagles in the Quad Cities

ONE-TANK TRIP: QUAD CITIES, IOWA-ILLINOIS About 70,000 bald eagles exist. Nearly half live in Alaska and a large concentration also resides in British Columbia. So the Quad Cities offers a rare opportunity to watch the species in the wild. (Photograph provided.) Watch eagles perch, preen and soar in ... more

Make: Online : Kitty cot, window cat perch One of our readers sent us a link to this commercial product, the Kitty Cot, a cat window perch, and writes: Window + suction cups + cloth + PVC = So MAKE-able. Kitty Cot: World's ...

Cat Window Perch Find a cat window perch ,a cat hammock, or cat bedding to meet every need, budget and ... are one of the most finicky pets around, which is why you have to make sure that the cat ...

Cat Bedding Considerations to Help You Make a Choice | Cat Window ... The place where your cat decides to hunker down is a very important place for your cat, and it is your task as a responsible cat owner to find the perfect cat bedding. Get it right ...

Cat Window Seat Perch: Lazy Pet Kitty Window Perch at PETCO Please test to make sure the Window Perch is solidly mounted before allowing your pet to use ... A unique cat window seat perch that features a sturdy platform, resilient polyurethane ...

Cat Perch, Cat Window Perch at guaranteed lowest prices Cat Perch, Cat Window Perch At Guaranteed Lowest Prices ... Scratcher also comes with mounting screws so you can make a tree-like perch for your cat.

A cat window perch without screws or velcro? | Ask MetaFilter I’m looking for a cat window perch similar to this one. The problem is I want a perch that ... and I shut both twine ends in the window (after tying them together to make one big ...

Tips for Creating a Favorite Cat Perch Consider a window perch for your cat. Cats love to ... is at window height to the window and offering a comfortable bed for your cat. Before you finalize your window perch, make ...

Cat Window Perch, Cat Perch A cat window perch is a simply a high area with a view or vantage point. Cats love to climb and high places make them feel secure. From a high spot, cats can watch their ...