Catblogging - Hot News and Toasty Weather

You would think it's been bitter cold here they way these cats have been seeking warmth. Jax above spent his first 7 years as an outdoor alley cat, so he very much appreciates being indoors and under the covers even when it's 60 out like today (tomorrow it will be 70)

But the cool evenings have been a good excuse for using the fireplaces, and Henry, senior citizen of 15 that he is, loves to see how close he can get to the fire without getting curly whiskers. And speaking of geriatric cats, check out this article on cats getting Alzheimer's:

(HealthDay News) -- Cats can develop a feline form of Alzheimer's disease, say U.K. and U.S. researchers who identified a protein that can build up in brain nerve cells and cause mental deterioration.
[...]
"Recent studies suggest that 28 percent of pet cats aged 11-14 years develop at least one old-age related behavior problem, and this increases to more than 50 percent for cats over the age of 15," Gunn-Moore said.

Good diet, mental stimulation and companionship can reduce the risk of dementia in cats, the researchers said.

Our four are ages 10, 11, 15 and 16. Duncan below thinks that people shouldn't worry so much about cats acting nutty. He and all the boys had a nice bit o' the 'nip today, followed by some really nutty behavior.

And in further cat and catnip-related news, check out this story:

Police Apologize to Man Suspected of Carrying 5 Pounds of Marijuana in His Car After Determining It to Be 100% Catnip

Jan 3, 2007 -- Two Los Angeles police officers, coming out of a convenience store, observed a suspicious looking bag in the back seat of a car. When the owner of the car returned, the man was asked to open the car and "step aside." The two officers then searched the car and analyzed the content of the bag. After realizing it was catnip, the officers chuckled, apologized and let the man go.

It turns out that the owner of the car is none other than Adrian Martinez, founder of DogCatRadio.com, a radio station that caters to pet lovers. He had just received the catnip earlier that day to be featured on an upcoming broadcast.

"My first thought was to run," says Martinez, jokingly. "We get a lot of products from companies and I carry anything from pet food to catnip in my car, however, I don't think I will be traveling with catnip anytime soon."

And on that nightcap for a slow cat-news day, Jax begins to zone out.

Tags and links: Friday Ark - Carnival of the Cats - This week's carnival is at Leslie's Omnibus - Cats - Catblogging