Catsparella

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving from Charlie and Priscilla!

Turkey Charlie

Pilgrim Priscilla

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Matilda Kicked Meowt of Algonquin Lobby, Health Department and Aggressive Guests To Blame

Matilda III

Over the past 80 years, New York City's Algonquin Hotel has played host to ten different feline residents, but now a new guideline from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has threatened to end the tradition, first started by then-owner Frank Case in 1932.

The kitty in question is Matilda III, a four-year-old Ragdoll cat who went from rags to riches when she was rescued by the North Shore Animal League and brought to live at the Algonquin late last year as the "Directfurr of Guest Relations." The hotel even celebrated her arrival with a Debutante Ball and cat fashion show that were held over the summer (You can read my full coverage of the event here). Instead of being given free range to wander throughout the hotel like the kitties that have come before her, Matilda was recently banned from the lobby, and relegated to being on a leash behind the front desk, or out-of-sight on a higher floor.

Algonquin General Manager Gary Budge suggests that the Health Department isn't the only culprit in the move, telling The New York Post, "People seem more aggressive toward her, and she's responded in a way that's not helpful." However, he also admitted, "The Health department in the past months suggested to us that pets in food-service facilities are no longer commingled."

Matilda could often be found napping in the hotel's lobby, which also doubles as a lounge called The Round Table Restaurant.

The move is a disappointing turn of events for fans who enjoy visiting with the iconic kitty, and count her as part of the Algonquin experience. I first encountered Matilda last February, shortly after she took up residence, and enjoyed sitting with the fluffy cat in the darkly lit lounge, while sipping on glass of her signature cocktail. While I'm happy to hear that she hasn't been evicted entirely, it's hard to say that it's not the end of an era for all of the cats whose presence is so ingrained in the hotel's history.

Via The New York Post / Image credit: Matilda the Algonquin Cat Facebook Page

Simon's Cat In Catnap, Interrupted

Simon's Cat in 'Catnap'

The last time we caught up with Simon's Cat, he was having a tough time adjusting to his new kitten housemate. In the latest installment of the animated cats' adventures, we see that things have taken a turn...for the worse! Will this precocious pair ever get along?

Cat Balloons of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Since the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade's inception in 1927, seven different cat balloons have floated their way through the famous turkey day tradition. From the first giant balloon to ever appear in the parade (Felix the Cat, 1927), to the most recent addition four years ago (Hello Kitty, 2007), here's a list of the larger than life kitties that have delighted parade goers over the past 85 years.

1927, Felix the Cat

Felix, the cartoon cat who was created in 1919, has the distinction of being the FIRST giant balloon ever made for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade's maiden voyage in 1927.

1964, Linus the Lionhearted

Linus the Lionhearted was created in 1960 to help promote Post Cereals such as Heart of Oats and Crispy Critters. In 1964, his popularity was parlayed into an animated television series (and a balloon) that ran original episodes on CBS until 1966. The show continued in reruns on ABC, but was eventually cancelled in 1969 when the FCC ruled that children's show characters could not appear in advertisements run during the same program.

1984, Garfield

The first Jim Davis Garfield comic strip appeared in newspapers on June 19, 1978, and less than three years later, the popular comic was appearing in syndication in 850 newspapers, and raking in $15 million in merchandise sales. Macy's came calling shortly thereafter, and in 1984, the first Garfield balloon appeared, with a second version debuting nine years later.

1988, The Pink Panther

In 1997, the Pink Panther was one of two balloons that were taken down (i.e. stabbed) on the parade route by NYPD officers who were concerned over high winds. The balloon was then banned the following year due to strict new size regulations.

On a more fun pop cultural note, Alf, the cat eating alien cum 80s sitcom star, who was on hand to provide commentary during the 1989 edition of the parade, remarked that the Garfield and Pink Panther balloons were big enough to feed his whole planet.

source

1994, The Cat in the Hat

The Cat in the Hat balloon had a short run due to an unfortunate incident that occurred during the 1997 parade. While other balloons (including the Pink Panther) were deflated due to concerns over high winds, the Cat in the Hat continued to fly - straight into a lamppost, that fell into a crowd of spectators. One unlucky bystander who was hit by falling debris spent a month in a coma, and went on to sue the city, Macy's, and the lamppost manufacturer to the tune of $395 million, that was later settled for an undisclosed amount. The classic character was retired from the parade the following year, having enjoyed only a brief, three year stint.

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2003, Garfield #2

Cementing his superstar status, Garfield's balloon got an update in 2003. However, it wasn't just his looks that changed. This time he was also joined by his best friend, Pookie the teddy bear.

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2007, "Supercute" Hello Kitty

The newest feline floater appeared four years ago in the form of Sanrio's Hello Kitty balloon. "Supercute" Hello Kitty, as she was dubbed, is clad in a cape, tiara, and her trademark red bow, and is set to return this year in the 85th anniversary of the parade. She will appear alongside old favorites such as Kermit the Frog and Snoopy, and new balloons such as an updated Sonic the Hedgehog, and Julius (the Paul Frank Monkey).

Image credits: Macys, Inc. Photo Gallery, unless otherwise noted.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Jane Lynch Says Goodbye To Her Beloved Cat Greta

Greta with Lynch's wife, Lara Embry

Her character Sue Sylvester may not be known for having a sensitive side, but Jane Lynch, the actress who portrays McKinley High's tyrannical cheerleading coach, had no problem openly expressing her grief as she and her family said goodbye to their beloved cat, Greta over the weekend.

On Sunday, the Glee star tweeted, "My sweet kitty Greta took her leave from us. We loved her so. Kiss your own kitties and pups right now."

After an overwhelming response from fans on the social networking site, Lynch followed up to thank fans for expressing their support, writing:

"Thank you so much for your most comforting words about sweet Greta kitty. Boy, they get into our hearts. My grief though painful, is clean."

"And I LOVE the pix you're sending of your little loves! Thank you all so much for sharing."

Jane and her wife Lara Embry are both huge animal lovers, with the actress telling Larry King that the couple has five cats and two dogs at home. She also made headlines last year when she refused a line on Glee that had her character threatening to skin a cat.

Via @janemarielynch / StarPulse

Pint Sized Cat Burglar Leaves Residents With Cold Feet

Are these your socks?

Move over Dusty the Klepto Cat, there's a new cat burglar in town, and this young kitty only has eyes for one thing: Socks!

Tosca, an 18-month-old shiny black cat from Greenford, UK has collected nearly 50 pairs in the past month, and her owner Dave Griffiths is worried that the cat's mischievous habit will leave area residents with chilly toes.

Griffiths' tells the Ealing Gazette, "It started in my house, collecting my socks from around the house, then I realised they're not all mine. They're all clean so she must be getting them from neighbours' laundry baskets." (I hate to think how he knows they're all clean.)

With the icy kiss of winter nearly upon us, Griffiths has turned to the newspaper for help in reuniting the orphaned socks with their owners, after a door-to-door campaign proved fruitless. Individuals who recognize any of the socks in the picture are urged to contact the reporter through her email address.

Via Ealing Gazette

Cats Vs. Dogs Rivalry Dissipates In 50 Second Kitty Massage Video

Cat Massages Dog

Puss the cat and Captain the dog have an unusual daily ritual where they singlehandedly shatter stereotypes on interspecies relationships. Also, I'm wondering if Puss hires himself out, because my neck gets really tense after being hunched over the computer all day, and a cat masseur could go a long way in easing my aching muscles and providing inspiration for upcoming posts.