Here in southern California we've had to deal with a rash of brush fires over the last year. The latest one erupted last night, southwest of the city of Cabazon. Now, less than 24 hours later, it has grown to more than 10000 acres. We have very high sustained winds whipping and driving the...

Rant mode on/ Why do so many people find it necessary, not just on, but for days before and after, the 4th of July, to set off incredibly loud fireworks in crowded neighborhoods? Don't they consider the risk of setting someone else's home on fire, injuring animals, children or themselves, giving...

Had to share this portrait like pic I managed to snap of Laku sitting by the window: http://tinyurl.com/6swzo I have a big version of that pic as my computer wallpaper. His eyes are green this time, but sometimes they're yellow and sometimes close to a coppery hue. -- Christine in Vantaa, Finland

Took Bonnie in for her follow-up vet visit today and the vet tells me I should get my cats off dry food entirely and switch to canned or a raw food diet. Turns out the vets have been wrong for the last 30 years or more and now recommend a canned only diet. What? When did this movement start?

So the company that Dennis works for is refusing to renew our Thai visas. They say that Dennis works in Burma now and it's not their problem that we live in Thailand. Technically it's true but do they have to be such jerks about it? Anyway, my visa expires on Sunday, so yesterday I drove to the...

Took our sweet little guy Scooter to the vet yesterday. He had been loosing some weight, but lately he appeared to have breathing difficulties also. Vet said his heartbeat was badly irregular and lungs did not sound good. X Rays revealed fluid around his heart and lungs as well as a partial...

Many thousands of years ago when I was young (well, it feels like it anyway) a friend of mine had a Siamese cat named Sophie. She and Sophie were living in a house where there was a dog, also named Sophie. The two animals got along pretty well, but Sophie Cat would occasionally torment Sophie Dog...

Hi group, Okay, I have a question for you. Why do cat's writhe? Sometimes when Chloe gets outside she immediately heads for concrete, she lays on her back and starts to writhe around. Any ideas? Flippy in Melbourne, Australia. My Cats: http://www.flippyscatpage.com

I don't care what you say, Rob is NEVER OT. Rob was ready to go in for chemo at 8:30 am. Chemo was scheduled for 11:30 and we were asked to be a half hour early to clear up some of the information. YIKES! One of the worst side effects for the type of chemos that Rob is getting is diarrhea. ...

I don't know if I'm being ultra paranoid because of her recent illness, or if there's still a problem. Natasha isn't really eating again. Last week, a few days after I brought her home from the emergency vet's she'd finally started to eat a little - as long as it was tuna people-food. She was only...

After worrying for the last few days about Gizmo swallowing the thread, it appeared in her litter tray this morning (among her BM matter).....so, (this is gross) I pulled it out (gloves on) and it was the length of what she had swallowed....luckily..... no ill effects..... Again, the purrs you all...

Warning. If you get home late after an evening out with friends, and find three of your cats sitting in a close triangle staring intently at one part of your rowing machine, do not reach down blindly with your hand to see if you can feel anything, because a pair of invisible incisors will bite...

.... and gave cause to the Battle of the Box. See http://tinyurl.com/28a8p and click next to see it unfold. Nikki sems to have won round one and two, and that's just as well because Frank would hardly be able to squeeze into the box. As you can see, it's hard enough for Nikki (the lid is on the...

Basho was being very sweet a while ago, constantly rubbing against me and wanting attention. I noticed he was shedding a lot of hair, so decided to give him a brushing to take care of it. I started brushing him and in no time, his brother Issa joined us and demanded some brushing for himself. So...

I've been wondering why Vino has been such a food hound lately. Finally clued in that he wasn't eating his dry food at all. I put him in front of the bowl and tried to get him to eat, but he stiff-armed the bowl and backed away from it. I dumped it and tried another flavour. He devoured it! ...

Knowing the power of "Purrs" I am asking for some for my father who had a major heart attack today. I am going to visit him and will update you when I know something. Any purrs you would care to send his way would be appreciated. Thanks! Diane

Here's some new pics of the babies at 9 weeks old. Still no luck finding them homes. Look at this pic and tell me, how can anyone NOT want them? http://thumb0.webshots.net/t/64/464/5/24/95/2935524950101618540vpzDcj_th.jpg Sherry

Am I crazy for wanting to get Oliver one of those kitty walk cat strollers? http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=9183&N=1+113133&in_merch=1 I always think he looks so sad when we take Boone out for his evening stroll and Oliver is left behind. I am trying to convince...

When my neighbours have a BBQ (cook out) that other neighbours are invited to and I am not I put on a Frifot CD at full volume and open my door. Scandanavian members will appreciate what I am saying. My lovely friend Bob Tarte, from the USA sent me it. It is so dire it should shut them up. Tweed

My cat's motto is "Breakfast 10 times a day works for me!"