Catsparella

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Angry Laser Kitten Tie Says, "Pew, Pew, Pew!"

Looking for a way to dress up your cat loving man (or woman) for a night on the town? I'm kind of in love with these Laser Kitten Ties ($30.00 each) by Cyberoptix Tie Lab. Described as being perfect for "The internet cat-obsessed coworker, brother, uncle, dad or any other awesome guy in your life," the ties come in juicy colors like lavender, hot pink, and fuchsia, but you can also request one in a "less shocking" shade, if you'd prefer.

Heroic Kitty Saves Baby Birds From Certain Death

Bella looking (rightfully) proud of herself, after the incident

I've had a lot of cat owners tell me that their kitties sometimes bring them unexpected dead gifts, but I've never heard a story quite like this!

The Daily Mail, which has become my go to source for unusual British cats stories, is reporting that a 5-year-old cat named Bella gave her owners quite a surprise when she dragged an intact bird's nest into their home, complete with a baby chick!

The story also claims that while the owners were inside trying to figure out what the nest was, the determined tortie went back outside to retrieve two more baby birds!

Her owners tell the Mail:

"While we were looking at it Bella had gone out again and she came back with the two other birds in her mouth and just dropped them on the floor. She looked at Wesley as if to say, 'that's my nest, what are you doing with it?!' I couldn't believe it."

Wildlife experts are also confounded by the incident, saying, "I've not heard of a cat doing anything like this before but that's not to say it hasn't happened."

The baby goldcrests, as they were identified, were brought to the local RSPCA, where sadly, two of them didn't survive. However, the remaining chick is reported to be doing well, no doubt in thanks to Bella's heroic efforts.

Via The Daily Mail

Cat Cupcake Tuesdays

Super yums! This week Amber of Freckles and Fences writes in to share these cute cupcakes she made for her cat-loving friend Steffie's birthday back in May! Not only are they precious on the outside, but she also reveals there's a surprise hidden in the middle: They're filled with amaretto!

Want to whip up a batch for yourself? Amber used the Meri Meri Kitten Cupcake Kit ($11.95) that comes complete with 24 colorful yarn inspired cupcake liners and matching pink ribbon embellished kitty toppers, to get the look!

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Have you created or spotted any kitty-themed baked goods (or other foods) lately? If so, please submit your sweet tips for Cat Cupcake Tuesdays to catsparella@gmail.com!

Monday, August 1, 2011

Fancy Feast to Donate $1 to Adopt-A-Pet.com for Every TasteMakers Contest Vote!

Now here's a campaign where every vote really counts!

Back in May, I posted about how Fancy Feast teamed up with Bravolebrity chef Carla Hall for the TasteMakers contest, designed to help discover the newest Fancy Feast Elegant Medleys entree. Well, the top five finalists in the culinary competition have finally been announced, and now it's time for the public to cast their vote in the epic battle for cat food supremacy!

Every day from now until August 8th when you visit fancyfeast.com/tastemakers to vote on recipes such as Gussy's Grill, Purrrfect Sushi, Spencer's Delight, The Best of Land and Sea, and Flavors of Italy, the Fancy Feast brand will automatically donate $1.00 (up to $25,000) to Adopt-a-Pet.com, a non-profit adoption charity that helps shelters, humane societies, SPCAs, pet rescue groups, and pet adoption agencies advertise their homeless pets to adopters for free.

So what you're saying is, I vote once a day, Adopt-a-Pet.com gets moolah, and one lucky finalist walks away with their own Elegant Medley's entree, 10 grand, and a year's worth of free noms? No kitten!

Spooked Kitty Does His Best "Thriller" Impression

Oh, hey I'm just a cool cat hanging out here being videotaped..wait, whaa..WOAHHHHHH.

Via The Daily What

Kitler Kitten Adopted, Not Really Named Kitler After All

Luminus, the "Kitler" kitten

An adorable kitten who no one wanted because of her supposed "uncanny resemblance" to Adolf Hitler has now found a forever home.

"Kitler" as she was dubbed by the media (her real name is Luminus), was found near death on a busy street on July 22nd, and brought to Wood Green Animal Shelter, where staffers initially thought she was only four-weeks-old because of her small size.

The "furry Fuhrer" made headlines last week after a spokesperson from Wood Green told The Daily Mail:

"Kitler is an adorable little girl who will make a wonderful addition to the right family. She is really playful and a typical sweet kitten. We rehome five and a half thousand animals every year but we cannot find a loving owner for Kitler. We think her unusual markings are putting people off."

Has no one ever seen catsthatlooklikehitler.com?

Naturally, the story went viral, prompting over 500 calls and emails to the U.K.-based shelter from around the world expressing interest in the kitten. However, just as quickly as the story spread, Wood Green posted an update on their website to share the following good news:

"We are delighted to say that we have now found a wonderful, loving home for Luminus and we hope this will be the start of a long and happy life for her, now that she has a second chance."

Via Wood Green / The Daily Mail

Nico Cat Hair Brooch by Melanie Bilenker

Nico Brooch (2005), Melanie Bilenker

Artist Melanie Bilenker creates stunning pieces of jewelry, amazingly using her own hair to draw memories from her life.

She writes on her website:

"The Victorians kept lockets of hair and miniature portraits painted with ground hair and pigment to secure the memory of a lost love. In much the same way, I secure my memories through photographic images rendered in lines of my own hair, the physical remnant. I do not reproduce events, but quiet minutes, the mundane, the domestic, the ordinary moments."

I asked her about this gorgeous cat brooch, and she confirmed that it was made out of cat hair. She tells me, "As long as there have been portraits of people there have been portraits of their pets, recording Nico seemed appropriate."

Via Melanie Bilenker Jewelry found through Must Have Cute