Vicky Halls Newsletter – October 2010

Transcription

Vicky Halls Newsletter – October 2010
‘Men and Cats’ Extravaganza!
As regular readers of our Newsletter will know, Vicky and her team have
been trying to encourage men everywhere to be more open about their
feelings for their cats! We’re convinced that there are a great many men
out there who are passionate about their feline friends, but might not
want to admit it!
However, one man who is more than happy to show the world how well he
understands cats is Simon Tofield, the author of the world famous
‘Simon’s Cat’ cartoons.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0ffwDYo00Q
(If somehow you’ve missed the ‘Simon’s Cat’ cartoons, please click on the link above to enjoy the first in
the series!)
As big fans of his work (and to celebrate the release of the second ‘Simon’s Cat’ book)
we thought we’d try and find out more about him and his special relationship with
cats.
© 2010 Vicky Halls - Cat Behaviour Counsellor
So, Especially For You, Simon Agreed To Be Interviewed By Vicky!
SIMON TOFIELD
Interview by Vicky Halls
“Hello Simon,
First of all thank you very much for taking the time out to chat with me. As you know I‟m a great fan of your
cartoons and books, so this is a real pleasure for me.
V
The appeal of your character, Simon‟s Cat is that all cat lovers can relate to the character. Have you
always been a cat lover or is this something that‟s come to you more recently?
S
No, I’ve always been a cat lover; I love them more than any other animal. I got my first cat at the
age of 9, which I rescued from the back of a stable. I then pleaded with my mum until she finally
gave in and said I could keep it.
V
I‟ve always assumed that Simon‟s Cat is male? Am I right?
S
It’s funny, even though I haven’t given Simon’s Cat a sex, I always think of him as a boy, probably
because he is so mischievous. I know from fans that people either see it as their own cat, or girls
think it’s a girl cat and boys think it’s a male cat.
V
Is Simon‟s Cat based on a cat that you‟ve known and loved, or an amalgam of many?
S
The first film was inspired by my cat Hugh’s antics as he was climbing over me, but the others
contribute enormously. As time has gone on, with more films and now two books, I tend to find
inspiration from all of my cats. Living with 4 cats, you can’t help but notice and remember the
funny little things they do!
V
I‟m sure our newsletter readers would love to hear about the cat(s) you share your life with now...
S
I have four cats and they are all quite different in character. The eldest is called Jess, a meek little
tortoiseshell, who is ten. She is a real lap cat and doesn’t like to go far from my side when I am
home. Next there's gi-normous Maisy, who is a rescue cat from Stray Cat Rescue. She looks like a
Scottish wild cat and continues to grow since I took her home and is now the size of a small bear
with an appetite to match. She’s grumpy but very loving. Hugh, who is the original inspiration for
Cat Man Do, is no longer a kitten as he was in the film, but instead a chunky full grown black tom
who weighs a lot. He was a rotter as a kitten and terrorised the others with endless hunting games.
He’s calmed down a lot now. Last, but not least, there's sweet Teddy, who is the youngest and
another rescue cat. I got him recently when I became Patron of Stray Cat Rescue. I think he's got
a touch of Maine Coon in him as he's become very fluffy, very vocal and likes to sit in the rain.
Thankfully, they all live together harmoniously.
V
Are your cartoons based purely on your own observations, or have your cats inspired you to learn more
about cat behaviour, and really „get inside their heads‟?
S
I do a lot of reading now about cat behaviour but in the beginning, I
just observed. I was working at home and the cats were my
company and inspiration, not only for the animation, but also for the
Simon's Cat books. Just being with them made the ideas flow. I’ve
developed a talent for capturing nuances and mannerisms in my
drawings and because I’ve grown up with cats all my life, it’s been a
natural process. I’ve actually got a couple of Vicky Halls’ books too!
V
Was Simon‟s Cat a doodle that came to you in its current form, or did it
progress to what we see today?
S
The first film came about by me trying to learn a computer animation
program called Flash. I thought it would be easier if I gave myself a
Simon with Teddy
project to work to, so I came up with the idea of creating a short film
to learn the software. I’d just got Hugh and that morning he’d been
climbing all over me, trying to wake me up for his breakfast. It didn’t take me long to think of an
idea for a short film, thus Cat Man Do came to be.
V
What do you think it is about Simon‟s cat that makes people laugh out loud?
S
I think it’s just the mischievous and cunning ways in which the cat gets what it wants. It’s so
popular, as the cat mannerisms result in well-observed comedy. People enjoy identifying with
them and are reminded about their own cats and their own quirky behaviour.
V
The appeal of Simon‟s Cat appears to be global. How did this process occur - is it all down to You Tube?
S
The original film was never meant to be seen by other people. But I put it on my animation
showreel, and next thing I knew, someone had taken the video without asking me and put it on
YouTube. Now Cat Man Do has been viewed almost 18 million times and the total number of
views across all the films is a staggering 82 million!
It’s been incredible and a complete surprise! I am honoured that other people who love cats also
like Simon’s Cat. It’s like we’re one big happy cat family.
V
What were your plans for Simon‟s Cat prior to this?
S
Well, as I said, I didn’t think anyone would ever get to see it at all so I had no plans for it.
Simon’s Cat has taken on a life of its own and nobody knew who I was before. It has been a
blessing in disguise.
V
I often end lectures by playing one of your films, (as a reward for those who stay awake!). I usually pick
Cat Man Do. Which is your favourite animation?
S
I'm most proud of Snow Business, because as an animator that was technically the most
challenging film to make, and I was pleased with the end result. But my favourite I’d have to say is
Cat Man Do. It was the original film, and through its success, Simon's Cat was born. It has that
extra bit of magic about it.
V
Is there any chance that another long term cat character will be introduced to the Simon‟s Cat
animations? How about a „Tom Cat‟ next door neighbour, who robustly defends his territory against other
cat intruders, or could Simon‟s Cat experience the pitter-patter of tiny paws at home?
S
There are lots more characters in the books. I absolutely adore wildlife and I’ve found that this
element has been creeping into both the animations and books. For example, we have the
hedgehog, gnome and bird who I think will become an ongoing part of the Simon’s Cat world.
V
I‟m very excited about your new book, can you give me a little taster of what we can all expect from it,
or would you prefer to keep it as a surprise?!
S
It's called 'Beyond the Fence'. This is because most of it takes place outdoors. So it's an imagining
of what Simon's Cat and possibly all cats do when they are out of sight and on their adventures.
It's another fun book, with some surprising locations for Simon's Cat to visit. I really enjoyed working
on this one because it gave me a chance to include my love for wildlife and the outdoors. I'm
very happy with it!
V
Does your success mean you are able to work exclusively on Simon‟s Cat or do you have other projects?
S
Success with the films and now the books has enabled me to concentrate exclusively on Simon’s
Cat. Whereas before I had to animate and direct commercials, I can now put all of my efforts into
my own creation. Apart from this, my life still remains very much the same; the cats haven’t
noticed any change.
V
What‟s the future for Simon‟s cat – does Hollywood beckon?!
S
Well, that's mostly up to the Simon's Cat fans, who I am very grateful to have supporting me and
allowing me to do something I love for a living. I think the future will be me continuing to share my
love of cats with other cat lovers.
V
Finally (and I have to ask) .... have you ever had a cat with a behavioural problem?!
S
I had a bit of trial with Jess, who is getting old now. When Teddy came along, I think his presence
upset the balance of the house. He was so boisterous that poor Jess just kept out of the way. All
cats have their territories, so it took a bit of time to adjust, I bought separate litter trays and I had
to read up on the subject too. It all worked out in the end; Hugh and Teddy absolutely love each
other, Maisy is Queen of the House and Jess just minds her own business.
Thank you very much for taking the time out to have a chat with us. I know I speak on behalf of all our
newsletter readers in wishing you and Simon‟s Cat every success.”
You can catch the latest adventures of Simon’s Cat in his new book
Simon’s Cat: Beyond the Fence
...the second book about an intrepid little cat
Simon Tofield returns with a charming follow-up book which sees the
adorable but incorrigible cat embark on a series of adventures beyond the
garden fence and out of sight of his owner. Sharply observed and beautifully
drawn, this new book is guaranteed to be an even bigger hit than the first.
The delightful illustrations and warm humour are once again brought to life
on the page and the antics of Simon’s Cat resonate with cat lovers all over
the world. The first book hit the Sunday Times bestseller list in 2009, was
released in 25 countries and has sold over half a million copies to date.
With over eighty-two million hits on YouTube in little over two years and
collating a large and loyal fan base, Simon’s Cat is a genuine word-of-mouth
phenomenon. Fans from all over the world have fallen for this adorable but anarchic feline who will
do just about anything to be fed.
Simon Tofield is an award-winning illustrator, animator and director at Tandem Films in London (and
an owner of four cats - Hugh, Maisy, Jess and Teddy); Simon has always drawn cartoons from an
early age.
Simon’s Cat: Beyond the Fence, published by Canongate Books on 7 October 2010.
Check out the NEW films on www.simonscat.com.
Would you like Simon to draw your cat? For further details just follow this link:
http://www.simonscat.com/competition.html
And Here For Your Further Enjoyment
Are Some Of The Fantastic Men and Cats Photos
That You’ve Sent Us!
Craig cuddling up with Mylo
Andy and Tigga
James and Oscar
Dad Micky makes a great
nurse for Hubble
Zora Clinging on to Daddy Bart
Cat Naps All Round!
Roy with Max and Millie
More Of Your Photos Later In This Edition!
And Guess Who Else Has A New Book Out This Month?!
The Secret Life of Your Cat: The Visual Guide to All Your Cat's Behaviour
Throughout the past year Vicky has been working very hard to bring you her latest
book.
Well, it’s finally ready and will be Released On 4th October!
Here’s a little synopsis to wet your appetites!
“Who knows what's going through your cat's mind when he does the things he does?
Why does he dart from room to room for no real reason? Why does he hiss at empty
spaces? And where does he go when he disappears for days on end? Cats are curious
creatures, but with "The Secret Life of your Cat" you'll soon be able to decipher his
actions and gain a greater understanding of his world.
Written by the most popular cat author in the UK, Vicky Halls' affable and insightful
prose analyses every situation and reveals your cat's inner-most thoughts, unveiling the
mysteries of his behaviour and helping to build a better bond between you and your pet.
Fully-illustrated throughout, with in-depth explanations for all feline habits and a quickreference section allowing you to quickly locate any issues, „The Secret Life of your Cat‟
ensures that you'll no longer be bemused by his peculiar antics.”
Would You Like To Win A Signed Copy Of Vicky’s New Book?
If so, you don’t have to do anything!
As long as you are a subscriber to our newsletter as at midday on Thursday
25th November 2010, you will be entered into the prize draw!
Good Luck!
Cats Protection, Bredhurst Branch
Opening of New FIV Unit
A great time was had by all at the opening of a brand new FIV Unit at the
Bredhurst branch of the Cats Protection - and Vicky was on hand to cut the ribbon!
Here’s a report from Centre Manager Adrian...
“As the leading Centre in the country for rehoming FIV+ cats, we decided that our existing pen
needed replacing as it was not fit for
purpose, therefore, I asked my deputies
Debra and Stacey to consult the rest of
our staff and draw up plans for what
would be the „perfect‟ pen.
Once drawn up these plans were
submitted and agreed and funding was
sourced from the Friends Of Bredhurst
(FOBS).
The build started earlier this year on a
bespoke basis by a building company
Romack and although they had worked
Vicky Cuts the Ribbon with Centre Manager Adrian (left)
for Cats Protection before, this was the
and Chief Executive of the Cats Protection, Peter Hepburn
first time they had built an animal pen. My
staff and I were consulted on every step of the build which was a tremendous benefit and the final
outcome was fantastic, just ask Vicky!
The main reason for building the new pen is that we will be able to help many more cats suffering
from FIV. We can achieve this by homing more cats as strictly indoor, which means we need to target
people who live in flats and apartments who may think it‟s cruel to keep a cat indoors, where in fact it
could be a win, win situation.
So, I am now looking for some volunteers to
carry home visits in the South East London
area as there must be thousands of potential
adopters for our FIV‟s who live in flats and
apartments there. The bottom line is that the
more cats we can home the more we can
help!”
http://bredhurstkent.cats.org.uk/
Hector, one of the FIV+ residents of the new Unit
Rehoming Stories From The Cats Protection
Introducing Willow, Puss & Tigger and Sandy who are current residents of the
Cats Protection’s National Cat Adoption Centre. Here are their stories...
Puss & Tigger
Just look at these two adorable little faces and those pleading eyes! They belong to Puss and
Tigger, 9 year old sisters who have been waiting patiently for quite some time now to
finally find their 'forever' home. Unfortunately their previous owners had
to part with Puss and Tigger when they moved house.
These lovely, undemanding girls would make a
wonderful addition to a home that could offer them a
warm welcome, a calm environment and lots and lots of
Tigger
love and cuddles (and a few nice treats if possible!).
Puss
Sandy
A few months ago, this gorgeous 9 year-old ginger boy was
rehomed alongside his friend. After a few weeks, however, their
new owners decided to part with Sandy as he was too nervous
and it was taking him too long to settle down. So, sadly, Sandy
was returned while his friend stayed put and, consequently, he
found himself in a very traumatising and confusing situation,
being a very sensitive and quiet cat by nature anyway. You could not hope to meet a
friendlier and more affectionate cat. Sandy does not have a bad bone in his body. You can
tell by looking into his soulful eyes! In times of emotional upset Sandy tends to overgroom
which is simply his coping mechanism. He is a cat with a very big heart who needs a human
with an equally big heart to take care of him for the rest of his life. It would be best for this
beautiful cat if he did not have to share his home with any other pets or children but could,
instead, lavish up all the love and attention he so needs. If you are looking for a calm,
friendly, loving lap-cat please look no further and give this lovely cat the chance of a happy
life.
Willow
We are very honoured to have this rather ravishingly handsome young
man in our care. Willow is a bit of a star and he knows it! At only one
year old his previous owners brought him into our care when it became
clear that he is unsuitable with children. The type of home Willow needs
is one that gives this young boy the space he needs and owners who will
be happy to share their life and home with a highly intelligent cat that
loves and needs to interact with 'his' people (or shall we call them
'staff'?). Willow loves being around people and adores his 'play-time' but
his owners will have to get to know his boundaries and accept the fact that Willow wants
affection on his terms.
Willow's ideal new home would have plenty of room, toys, activity, no children or other pets
and servants (sorry, owners) who are willing to give this wonderful young cat a new chance
in life and accept him for the cat that he is!
Florida & Oregon
Two very special cats are hoping for someone kind to finally
show them how nice life can be.
Life has not been easy for these 2 year-old cats. Florida
(female) and Oregon (male) came into our care from a
multi-cat household and, just like their friends, required
plenty of veterinary care and treatment and socialising with
humans - something they had never experienced before.
Sadly, none of the cats in the household were vaccinated.
This led to Florida suffering from chronic eye damage and becoming blind in both eyes,
most probably from an infection caused by the feline herpes virus. Unfortunately it turned
out that both eyes were unresponsive to treatment and, as a consequence, they have been
removed. However, Florida manages very well without sight and is very happy in herself.
Her lovely brother Oregon looks after his blind sister so well and it is heart-warming to see
these two together. Both Florida and Oregon are nervous little cats, which is not surprising
given their history.
It would be wonderful to find that 'special someone' who is willing and able to offer these
two very deserving cats a new, happy life in a loving home in which they can feel safe,
secure and loved. Ideally, they are looking for a quiet home without children, dogs or other
cats (as they carry the feline herpes virus). It might take them a little longer to settle down
but, over time and with lots of patience, these two youngsters will undoubtedly pay you
back tenfold. If you feel you could offer Florida and Oregon a new 'forever' home please get
in touch with us!
For more information on Puss & Tigger, Sandy, Willow, Florida & Oregon or any of the cats at the
National Cat Adoption Centre, please call 01825 741330 or visit their web site www.ncac.cats.org.uk
Interesting Videos!
The New Mum ... and the Baby Squirrel?
(to view the video please click on the link beside the picture)
http://bit.ly/aDg8JZ
Elderly Cat Course Comes to Birmingham!
Practical Feline Medicine: Focus on Elderly Cats
Aimed at Veterinary professionals, this course covers both medical and behavioural aspects and
is a complete A to Z of everything you need to know to provide 'Gold Standard' care for this
special patient.
Attendees will be empowered to revolutionise the care of older cats in their practice
through health screening programmes and improved advice to cat owners. Hot Topics To Be Covered Include:
* How can I set up geriatric clinics that really work?
* How can we help arthritic older cats with renal failure or other concurrent illnesses?
* Is there any point in diagnosing cognitive dysfunction? Can it be treated?
* How can I diagnose and treat those frustrating triaditis cases?
* What's the best diet for a diabetic cat that has renal failure?
Find out the answers to all of these questions and much more!
Book now at the Early Bird Discount price of just £475! Offer ends 13th September.
Aimed at Veterinary Surgeons but also open to VNs.
This 2 day seminar accounts for 12 CPD hours.
Register or view the full lecture program at www.catprofessional.com/events.html
Speakers
Dr Sarah Caney BVSc PhD DSAM (Feline) MRCVS
Sarah has worked as feline-only vet since 1994. She is internationally recognised as one of only
eight veterinary specialists in feline medicine working in the UK. In addition to her successful
website www.catprofessional.com and books, she has published widely in prestigious
international journals and is an invited speaker to veterinary conferences worldwide.
Professor Danièlle Gunn-Moore BSc BVM&S PhD MACVSc MRCVS
Danielle is currently one of only three professors of feline internal medicine globally. Since 2000
she has been based at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies where she founded the
Feline Clinic and is Head of Companion Animal Sciences.
Vicky Halls RVN. Full Member Of The Association Of Pet Behaviour Counsellors and
Best-Selling Author.
Vicky consults UK wide as a feline behaviour specialist and is a member of the FAB Behaviour
Expert Panel, formulating 'best practice' information for the veterinary profession, breeders,
cattery staff and pet owners. For more information on Vicky's work visit www.vickyhalls.net
Can't attend our Elderly Cat CPD? View our upcoming courses here
www.catprofessional.com/events.html
We look forward to seeing you there!
When: 19th & 20th October 2010.
Time: 9 am - 5 pm
Venue: Holiday Inn, Solihull, Birmingham
Cost: 2-days* £475 Early Bird Discount 1 day* £255 Early Bird Discount
Discount for online registrations. Payment by credit card and cheque also available.
Download a registration form here.
*1 day attendance is available, or if delegates from your practice prefer to attend 1 day each, just
state the name and attendance date when booking.
FREE book from the 'Caring for a cat with...' series by Dr Sarah Caney with every registration.
Recent course feedback...
'Very good hand-outs, very practical approach, nice speakers, knowledgeable and
approachable'.
'...the event I attended was one of the best I have ever been to. The set up in the room and
the group size were perfect and the lectures were great too'.
A Dedication
Our lovely reader Myriam, sent us in the following photo as a tribute to a friend of
hers, Ann Borms, who recently died of Leukemia. Ann was only 44.
This is what Myriam says: ‘Ann loved cats as much as you and I do. She looked
after street cats and took wonderful photos of them. So it would be a very nice
surprise for me and a lot of our friends who read your newsletter every month to see
the photo of the sweet cat on her bike which we’ve dedicated to Ann”
Zita and Boots ... and the cat on the bike
An Ode to a Cat
One of our talented newsletter readers recently sent us in this beautiful little
poem and we thought you might like it too …
“Fohat, Fohat, my wonderful cat,
I wish you spoke English so we could chat,
I often wonder what you're thinking now,
& how great it would be to speak fluent miaow,
the thoughts would flow from you to me,
as we'd sit there purring contentedly.”
Martin
Tip of the Month
Each month, in our Newsletter, we offer a new tip covering some of the more
practical elements of keeping your cat. Here is our latest tip...
Preparing Your Cat for Your New (Baby) Arrival
(extract from ‘The Complete Cat’ Vicky Halls)
“Now is the time to address any existing behavioural problems that your cat
may have, even if you have tolerated them before. The upheaval and
disruption caused by the arrival of a baby may make the problems worse.
Make the decisions about where the baby is going to sleep at night. If the cot
is initially going in your bedroom then start denying access to your cat early
in the pregnancy. Spray synthetic pheromones („Feliway‟) against the door
frame if your cat reacts to the closed door and seems distressed.
Ensure that the designated nursery is also made out of bounds at this stage so that it doesn‟t
present another change once the baby has been home for a few months.
Introduce all the baby accessories such as buggies and cots over a period of time to avoid a sudden
burst of challenging smells and objects. A pheromone spray can also be applied to these items to
minimize their impact. You may also want to purchase a cot and/or pram net. This will deter your
cat and any flying insects.
Bear in mind that the baby‟s arrival will have a greater impact on your cat if he is kept exclusively
indoors. House-bound cats are more sensitive to changes in their environment.
If your cat is used to having your undivided attention it‟s important to withdraw gradually from him
during the pregnancy. No matter how much you love your cat, it will be virtually impossible to
sustain the same degree of attention once the new baby arrives. Start to plan the gradual
withdrawal from your cat as soon as your pregnancy is confirmed. Provide more stimulation for
him eg more time outside or more activity indoors that will give him an outlet and interest beyond
his relationship with you. Imagine what your new responsibilities will be with the baby and create a
timetable and new cat routine that will slot in nicely, including feeding, grooming and playing. If
this routine is adopted as soon as possible, it will reduce the impact of baby‟s arrival.
Encourage friends with babies to visit so that your cat gets used to their presence. Take care if small
children are also present at these times as cats can find them overwhelmingly noisy and persistent.
Always supervise encounters and ensure that any handling is gentle and appropriate. It‟s important
to make the experience pleasant by using the positive reinforcement of food treats when children
are around. If, however, your cat chooses to hide at these times, don‟t worry and don‟t pursue him
or force him to interact.
Do not comfort him if he appears frightened of children; this is an inappropriate fear that should
not be reinforced.
Plan ahead and ensure there are plenty of high resting places where your cat can retreat away
from baby when he or she starts to crawl.”
Cats of the Month
Would you like your cat to appear in our Newsletter as ‘Cat of the Month’?
Then please send a photo of your cat, along with their story (in no more than 150 words) to
[email protected].
Our October Cats of the Month Are “Al Pacino” AND “Merlin”
Al Pacino’s Story Is Told In The Words Of His Owner Elsa...
“A little cat was brought by a woman in the Veterinarian practice where I was working. It was
found along the Highway in Amsterdam South! I never had a cat in my life, but when I saw
this little creature I immediately loved it. So I took it into my
care.
I told my boss that I wanted to keep it. And I had already a
name, it turned out to be a male and his weight was only 200
grams. I named him Al Pacino because the real Al struggled in
his life to become what he is now, a great actor! I fed Al with a
bottle every two hours also during the night. I took him with me
wherever I was going in the train and metro, to my work where
there were two of my boss‟s cats, they got along fine. Al gained weight about a 100 grams
a week, so that went ok.
The fact that I never had a cat in my life and I knew so little about cats, gave him the
chance to become "Capo di Capi" ( boss of all bosses). He
attacked me from underneath a chair and scratched my
whole arms open! Then I knew I had a big problem and I
even didn‟t enjoy his company and he obviously wasn‟t
enjoying mine.
So I decided to take another kitten, a female named Roberta de
Niro in real life (as the two actors) they get along, fine so a
thought maybe it will work for these two cats too. And it did! Al
wasn‟t aggressive towards me anymore and not towards the little
one who was well educated by her mother.. So we were all
happy. Elsa”
Al and Roberta
Merlin’s Story Is Brought To Us By Her Owner Claire ...
“Hello. My name is Merlin and I live with a vet and vet nurse and two other cats
called Perci and Minnie. I am 13 years old and I have just been diagnosed with
diabetes mellitus - I felt very poorly and lost lots of weight even though I was
eating and drinking lots, so my Dad took me to work with him and took a blood
test and found out I was diabetic. I now have to have daily insulin injections
which I don't mind too much and I feel MUCH better!
Recently 3 chickens came to live with us
- Henrietta, Maltida and Delilah -when
they first arrived I was a little unsure of
them as they are quite big and clucky, but
now I am friends with them and we all
spend time together in the garden.
Attached are two nice photos of me!
Yours sincerely. Merlin Wilson”
Merlin, doing what cat’s do best!
Magnificent Merlin!
Cats Around The World
Regular readers of our newsletter will know that every now and then we feature
some of the traditions, customs and practices relating to cats from all corners of the
planet.
In this edition we thought we’d share with you an article sent in by one of our
regular readers, Sonja from the Netherlands. The article tells the story of a week that
Sonja and her daughter Elise spent helping out at the Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary
in Rome, Italy...
Monday, July 12
Spay Day: 6 females and 7 males.
Today we welcomed Sonja van Leeuwen and her twelve
year old daughter Elise who have come to help out in
the shelter this week. Their home is in Dronten, the
Netherlands where Sonja is a cat and dog behaviour
specialist and more; she also grooms cats and we were
very happy to find that out! She started by clipping nails
of the cats in the
nursery, competently
assisted by Elise. Then
she finished grooming
Meringa, who was
walking around half
groomed because
Daniele had not found
the time to finish the task he had started. We would like to keep
our Dutch friends here to help us out in these special task!
Wednesday, July 14
Sonja and Elise continued working on the hairy cats. Today also Sky’s fur got a good clean up, he
was freed of much dead fur on his undercoat and his topcoat looked nice and shiny when his
beauty session was over.
Sonja is also hydrating Eutropio and she managed to do it twice today. Eutropio did not expect
this, he thought it was a stroking session and let Sonja and Elise pick him up. Before he knew
what happened, he was being hydrated. The second time he was distracted expertly again and
he underwent the second hydration session. It will do him good.
On Wednesdays we only have Elisa on duty, it is Daniele’s day off and the other member of the
vet- tech team, Luana, goes off duty at three o’clock.
Elisa had a call that her apartment was flooding and had to rush home. Luckily she had seen how
competently Sonja handled hydration and she felt relieved she was able to leave Luke and
Nicoletta’s therapies to Sonja.
When Sonja started on Nicoletta, Andy wanted to give a hand and he really did although not in
the sense he had intended! Nicoletta bit and scratched him in the hand when he got her in the
wrong hold. We rushed to help Andy disinfect his wounds especially the bite wounds and made
him take antibiotics. It was one of those days where one thing happens after the other!
Friday, July 16.
Spay Day: 4 females and 3 males.
On their last day, Sonja gave Eutropio a special beauty treatment, his ears and eyes were
carefully cleaned and he got eye drops, he was hydrated twice again and Sonja said that he is
much better about that now.
This extremely hot day, unexpectedly, a little kitten was adopted.
At closing time, when cats are invited to leave the office,
Carla and Stefania invited one inside! They were carrying
in a cat shop table and had not noticed Tau Fu resting
among the items for sale!
“This is a small part of the week we spent in Rome and
we wanted to share this with you because of the great
work they are doing there for all the cats of Rome.
It’s a good way to spend your holiday and help cats that
really deserve it. We were there for 6 days and will go
back for a longer time next year. The money they receive is all from donations, and no
support from the government. They take care of around 200 cats, and 200 kittens every
year.
Take a look at the website for more information to see what you can do for them:
www.romancats.com. Sonja van Leeuwen, cat and dog behaviour specialist from Holland.”
A Special Story From
Battersea Cats & Dogs Home
Tinky
Tinky is a tabby domestic short-haired cat and is aged approximately 12 years.
She was handed in to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, Old Windsor as she did not get along
with the new puppy in her former home.
She is a sweet, but independent girl and may take a bit of time to find her feet and settle into
a new home. Once adjusted and bonded she will make a friendly and affectionate addition.
Tinky has a strong character, she does like things to be on her terms, and can be a little
unpredictable, so she will let you know if you have over stepped the mark!
She ideally needs experienced owners used to rescue cats or feisty types. She can be
anxious around strangers or in new environments at first, so new owners will need to be
patient with her and allow her to take things at her own pace.
Tinky enjoys peace and quiet, so she is looking for a calm home without children or other
pets. She is happy to amuse herself, so can be left while her owners are at work. Tinky is
rather anxious about entering the outside world as was previously terrorised by
neighbourhood cats, so her new owners would need to be around to keep an eye on her
when she ventures outside to ensure that her experiences are good ones.
For the experienced owner Tinky will make a cheeky and friendly companion once settled.
If you are interested in rehoming Tinky, please contact Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, Old
Windsor on 01784 494460.
Tinky
Vicky Halls Newsletter Turns Into a Magazine!
In response to many comments from our readers who believe that the newsletter
has become more of a ‘magazine’ we’ve decided to rename it!
From December onwards The Vicky Halls newsletter will be called:
‘Cat Confidential Magazine’
Look out for it in your inbox on Wednesday 1st December!
And As Promised.... Back to Men and Cats!
Ray with Horatio and Bonnetti
Dicko and Indy
Gerry and Foxxy
Peter And Hollie
(Rest in Peace Hollie)
Grandad Charles with Sandy
“Will somebody tell these cats I’m not part of
the furniture!”
Michael with Jasper, Freddie and Dylan
Michael and Shadow hard at work doing
‘boys stuff’
Ever seen the film Alien? Hector
with his Daddy Mark
Thank You For Reading Our Newsletter!
Bella can even read in German!

Vicky Halls Newsletter – October 2010

Transcription

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