Is Your Cat afraid of the Big Bad Vacuum Cleaner?

Are all cats afraid of The MONSTER??? The Vacuum Cleaner? Turns out many pet households also label this loud, moving appliance as the unfriendly alien.

In general cats are frightened by sudden or loud noises. Even dogs can be spooked by these upright, mobile, metal/plastic objects with roaring noise. Our family of felines exhibit a range of reactions in response to the bright yellow "transformers".

Hansel & Gretel immediately scamper and run under the bed. Helio will watch at a distance but once the machine comes within a few feet, he races off true to his name sake (race car driver Helio Castronoves).
Jean Pierre and Geisha will awaken from a nap and give a perturbed look "Do you have to vacuum now mom? It's nap time".  As the monster comes within inches, the "man of the house" and "supermodel" jump out of their pet beds and seek refuge in the next room. I apologize for interrupting their beauty sleep.

We also know there are exceptions. Meet Johnny Walker who is more curious than scared of the vacuum cleaner.  He is one cool cat! See the video below.  And he's an all black cat--just further proof that black cats are intelligent and special!

Stress is unhealthy for humans and cats. It's important to announce to your cat of the incoming intrusion. At our household, the sound of the wheels of the vacuum cleaner signals that the Monster will rear it's roaring self.

We'd like to know if your cat is scared and how they react.   Tell us! Also what do you call the vacuum cleaners? Do you call it "The Monster" or some other label? Leave a comment below and take our poll to the right.

Prison Inmates Socialize Cats

Just came across this  news headlines.  It's absolutely brilliant and an easy solution.  A win-win-win-win for cats, inmates, taxpayers, and the shelters. Watch the news video below. These cats have perches, natural light, fresh air and constant attention.  


KPTV - FOX 12


Since the program began last year, the inmates have helped nine cats get adopted. They also raised six kittens, bottle-feeding them every four hours until the animals could eat solid food.

To work with the cats, the inmates must have a history of good behavior with the Department of Corrections and no violent crimes or animal abuse in their history. The application process also includes an interview with prison staff.

While other prisons have foster programs for dogs, this is the only program involving cats in the Washington State Department of Corrections, according to prison officials.

This is a model example of a solution that works!

Who Let the Dogs Out?

WHO LET THE DOGS OUT? 

 by Elizabeth Andrade 

Hallmark Channel--that's who! So what is the commotion about? "The Heart of TV" has aired a segment that shows dogs of different breeds and sizes and their talents!  Yes dogs are pretty smart too. (We feral cats warmed up to a dog before we rubbed against the leg of owner who feeds us.)

So what does this have to do with cats? Excellent question! In this episode, Natural Balance followed these famous dogs to Blog Paws--a social media conference for pet bloggers.

What Do We Like in General about Who Let the Dogs Out?
We loved this show as we see two heroes together in action, Snoopy the Therapy Dog, and Tillman the Skateboarding dog dazzling attendees of Blog Paws.

What Did We Enjoy about the Blog Paws part of the Episode? 
Our favorite part was the highlight on tripod dogs (dogs with three legs). You see we recently rescued a kitten, named Sophie, that had her leg amputated at two pounds. So four legged, three legged, special needs, and pets of different species (ie. cats, ferrets) are all welcome at BlogPaws.

What Would We Like to Learn at BlogPaws?
We would love to learn basic SEO to more advanced if possible, graphic design, and html coding to tweak or make minor improvements to our blogs...we have a list!

This conference is for anyone with a desire to write about pets and animals.  Whether you want to start a humorous blog covering the antics of your ferret, or you're a trainer that can help pet owners with a host of pet behavior issues, or a nonprofit animal rescue that recognizes the power of social media to help with fundraising and finding permanent homes for dogs and cats...this is the conference for you!

 See you at Blog Paws 2013!

Love Saves the Day

It's finally here! "Love Saves the Day", the second cat book by New York Times bestseller Gwen Cooper and author of the memoir "Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned About Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat". Christine reviewed the latter book years ago which inspired her to champion for black and disabled cats.  Hence our black cat logo and the Black Cat gala.  Today we received an email from Gwen Cooper asking us to share the news of her latest book release with all of you, to keep educating and uplifting the world with cat love! See the video below for a preview. 

 ABOUT THE BOOK

News of this book release is music to our ears. As a nonprofit for cats, we often receive calls from individuals who are trying to find a home for a pet cat that once belonged to a deceased parent. Often the son or daughter or relative state that they can not keep the cat. "We just can't" or "It would not work in our household because of the dogs..." Excuses pile on. We encourage the person to give it a chance and ease their mind by offering some tips and guidance for bringing in a new cat.

We are so excited about this book and highly recommend it to any person who has taken in a cat from a parent or friend who passed away. "Love Saves the Day" is a story of hope, healing, and how the love of an animal can make all of us better humans. There's a wealth of scientific evidence that shows that cats and dogs and other pets make us better humans.

It’s the story of a mother and daughter divided by the turmoil of bohemian New York, and the opinionated, irrepressible feline who will become the bridge between them. It’s a novel for anyone who’s ever lost a loved one, wondered what their cat was really thinking, or fallen asleep with a purring feline nestled in their arms. Prudence, a cat like no other, is sure to steal your heart.

ORDER from AMAZON and help Riverfront Cats

Order your copy now of  Love Saves the Day from Amazon and Riverfront Cats receives a small percentage*.




Let's keep educating the world about the unique essence and personality of cats.

*Riverfront Cats receives a small percentage of every Amazon purchase from this website an affiliate of Amazon. Neither Amazon nor Gwen Cooper or Random House Publishing directly endorse the activities of Riverfront Cats/Pawsitively Humane,Inc.

Henry & Hobart the famous duo...

 Henry & Hobart

Kittens for Adoption

Introducing Henry & Hobart!

While they're not the next Batman & Robin fighting crime in Gotham Miami, or Penn & Teller- dismembering and putting together a lovely human, blonde volunteer in a magic show... Henry & Hobart are famous--or will be famous as the famous snugglers!  Not smugglers silly. It's snugglers with an "N".

Nuzzle, nuzzle, wet nose, droopy eyes...they have their act together and will melt your heart!

These two brothers were rescued at 3 months of age in October 2012.

Henry at 3 months

Hobart at 3 months

Both kittens love to be held, purr like little motors, and give kisses. Super sweet.  Right on time for Valentine's! Light blue blankie included!

To meet Henry & Hobart, contact foster mother Christina at cdm1580@bellsouth.net or. 305-338-4534 (Miami, FL).
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Our Resolution is Not to Lose Weight!

A Review of 2012, Hope for 2013

The ball has dropped, the fireworks are bursting in the air, the clinking of glasses, the hugging and kissing and well wishes encircle the globe like a giant wave. It lasts only minutes. Then suddenly we return to routines, the daily grind and the dreaded.....Resolutions!  What's our resolution? Well, it's definitely not to lose weight. That would be too easy!

Before we share our resolution at Riverfront Cats, first we reflect on the past year. The reality is the mountain soars high and along the way naysayers dart out attempting to knock you down, coming from all sides like in a video game. But we don't have a console with laser beam to zap them instantly.  Often in the rescue and pet education world there are bitter battles and tragic times. Some people will say "why bother?". Then we are reminded of a saying:

When the world says, "Give up,"
Hope whispers, "Try it one more time."
~Author Unknown


So we try it one more day, one more week, one more year. It's all worth it. A dying kitten is nursed to health, an abandoned cat is rescued and placed in a new home. It may not be thousands, but we made a difference!

A weekly routine consists of walking outside, feeding and checking on the Riverfront Cats and other community cats, trapping new cats, rescuing kittens, shuttling back and forth to vet clinics, attending all-day adoption events,  answering daily phone calls, visiting potential adopters, writing, blogging and leveraging social media...below are some lows and highs that stand out in 2012. And along the way we try to have some fun.

January 2012
Christine learned about the Loews Hotel cat crisis in Orlando December of last year and announced it January of this year.   Christine was amazed at the immediate response and instant unification and support from cat bloggers and cat lovers around the country.  These were complete strangers who came together for a common good. While cat advocates may have lost the battle to keep the cats at their "home", we kept moving forward and never gave up. We turned to Plan B. Heroes like CARE Feline TNR (an organization in Orlando) painstakingly rescued the cats from the kill-shelter and relocated them to new "adoptive" backyard homes. Relocation is a risky process. Some run away. Thankfully most of the Loews Hotel cats have accepted their new homes.You can follow their stories at www.facebook.com/SaveLoewsCats.

Spring 2012
Several new cats were discovered here at the Riverfront Cat site. Two were clearly dumped (it is illegal to relocate any cat--pets or strays), others were strays.  The two strays were very ill and one losing his eyesight. Both feral.  Both had to be put to sleep. Others like Charlie, while initially skiddish, warmed up to us. Fanny, another dumpee, we discovered was spayed as evidenced by her ear tip. She also appears tame. But we are still waiting for a volunteer to take her inside to socialize her. Her chocolate milk mustache is so endearing.

Fanny is extremely clean and tame for an outdoor cat.
We would love to bring her indoors and socialize her

June 2012
Attending conferences like Blog Paws introduced new ideas and opportunities to raise awareness for homeless cats and pets.Christine was thrilled to meet some famous Cat Ladies and start writing for Pet360.com, a national pet website aimed to help pet parents.

August 2012
Charlie was fostered and adopted by Nina, one of our volunteer caretakers. A big HIGH. Then Nina and Charlie moved to the Middle East.  This was a huge loss as dedicated volunteers like Nina are rare. But the silver lining is that Nina and Felipe are model examples of pet parenting and planning. Charlie was now their pet, a lifetime commitment and they went to great lengths to finalize travel arrangements for his safe transport to the United Arab Emirates.  Nina and Felipe spent close to $2,000 for customs, airfare and cattery fees. There was no question. It had to be done.  Now we enjoy following the adventures of Charlie and his big move to Abu Dhabi. This is a peak high and a story we will continue to spotlight.

Nina gives Charlie a kiss

October 2012
Christine receives a call about a kitten with a bad leg residing up the Miami River. Little Sophie dragged a leg out of hip socket. She bravely underwent a first surgery weighing one pound in an attempt to save the leg and a second surgery to amputate her hind leg, weighing only two pounds.  The vet bill is astronomical and we are still collecting donations to pay off the credit card bill.  Thankfully little Sophie is recuperating nicely and has adjusted to her missing leg.  Her zooming hops across the room is a match for Speedy Gonzalez and her constant purring is a sign that all is well in the world for this once stray kitten. Another small victory.

Sophie post hind leg amputation

Christine also attended BarkWorld, another pet conference in Atlanta, GA. Here she added to her knowledge of writing and blogging and had a chance to wear cat ears all day long! Even the hotel staff wanted to wear ears.  It was a great opportunity to reconnect with fellow bloggers and have a rare moment of fun!(Note: Christine paid for the trip with her personal funds).

Deb Barnes, hotel staffer, Christine, and Debbie Glovatsky

Ingrid King, Deb Barnes, Christine Michaels

December 2012
The new cat feeding stations we installed in October suddenly disappeared on Christmas. Our hearts were broken. This was not the way to end a year.  However just days later...

Figaro & Luciano were adopted!  Kittens grow up fast and it's very hard to find homes for them beyond five or six months.  Both brothers were adopted together by a loving family in Hialeah.

Other milestone:
At Riverfront Cats our specialty and passions are feral cats and black cats--the most misunderstood of the cat family. Adult black cats are the most difficult to find homes for. Therefore we are thrilled to report that several adult black cats were adopted. Tiffany, Evie, Peter Peter, and Sweetie & Berrie. 

Evie adopted at 3 years old

What We Need, What We Hope For in 2013

and it's not losing weight!

While the negative may outweigh the positives in our daily struggles, these words come to mind:

Once you choose hope, anything's possible.  ~Christopher Reeve

At Riverfront Cats, we choose hope!

Like all nonprofits, Riverfront Cats  requires the usual donations of funds and cat food and supplies. But what we really need is human capital. Not much. Just an hour a week. Yet finding volunteers has been our biggest challenge, more difficult than collecting donations or losing weight! It's true!  We have hope. Here is our wish list for 2013:

1. Writer- an eloquent, strong writer to write posts for our big brother blog site www.pawsitivelyhumane.org. Education is the key to reversing the trend of homeless pets of both dogs and cats.  Both educational and humorous content is our goal for balance. A weekly post is all we need.
2. Graphic Designer--If you take an average photograph and tweak the coloring, the shades, add some clip art, a catchy phrase or title, one can attract more readers, more followers to learn about cats, take an interest in cats, adopt or foster cats, and spread the word about cats. This is our biggest need of all.
3. Excellent Photographer--Cats are mystical, exotic creatures. Their expressions and body language speak volumes.  A photographer will help capture the essence of cats and carry it over into our communications, marketing and education efforts and to teach "cat".
4. Foster parents--this job is more demanding but also very rewarding. Whether you like dogs or cats, or both, foster parents are needed to save healthy pets from being dropped off at county shelter and euthanized.
5. Moral support--this is easy. In the world of rescue and education, the obstacles are exceedingly high, frustrations mounting that it's easy to feel defeated. The biggest boost and what keeps us going daily, are your thoughtful comments.  Please continue to leave comments on this blog (you can register to the right), on our Facebook page and Twitter.  Your encouraging comments uplift our deflated spirits in difficult times. We could not do this without your moral support!

Alright so these are not resolutions. Such a "do or die "word. We prefer "wish list". It gives us hope! Please contact us is you have any interest or questions in helping.  riverfrontcats@yahoo.com

Here's a to a brighter 2013!

Architects for Animals

At Riverfront Cats we specialize in feral cats. We find them (or they find us), feed them, get them spayed/neutered/vaccinated, shower them with attention and affection, and when possible provide cat houses. One of our goals is to build more cat feeding stations for the rainy season. Why not? Feral cats are cats too! They are the neighborhood pets and deserve to live humanely. Sadly our two new stations were taken this past Christmas. But this story gives us hope for something bigger and better this New Year!

In New York City,  a city of forward-thinking ideas, animal lovers and architects are coming together for the

It's a feral cat initiative. How brilliant! You too can help cats in this innovative event. Read on!

For the past three years, some of New York’s most prestigious architectural designers, through an inventive project called Architects for Animals, have been helping these cats by creating imaginative winter shelters to provide feral cats with a refuge from the bitter cold. A new collection of unique, inspired Architects for Animals winter shelters will be displayed for public viewing before they are placed in locations throughout the city to provide comfort for the cats. Just look at the range of creativity in the photos below (taken at the December 2010 and 2011 event).

Doesn't this  "Cat SH3LTER" look like an indestructible bunker? Winters can be brutal up north.

Photo by Lucio Santos

 This is one of our favorites. I wonder if the architect is simulating a tree with  cubby hole? Cats love to perch. Genius!

Photo by Christine Rangel

This one is the white house with moat, bridge, columns, birds and a Christmas tree!

Photo by Dana Edelson

We'll take two sunshine yellow cat houses please.  Do you see those tire wheel feeding bowls? Love them! We feed our cats on empty lots. Those would tie in nicely with loose car parts and other empty lot accessories.

Photo by Dana Edelson

No home is complete without  yarnball.

Photo provided by MayorsAllianceNYC

And the big daddy of them all--rocket boosters. At least that's what it remind me of. Now I can envision those around my hometown near the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Photo by Lucio Santos

So which do you like the best? 

[Leave a comment below]

This year’s participating architectural firms include industry giants H3 Hardy Collaborative Architecture; Francis Cauffman Architects; M Moser Associates; Callison Barteluce; Stonehill & Taylor Architects, with a team of students from City College; Zimmerman Workshop; Kathryn Walton of The American Street Cat (TASC); and Pilot Projects Design Collective, to name a few. At the end of the evening, the shelters will be donated to community cat caretakers around the city.

So head over to the Steelcase Showroom at 4 Columbus Circle on Thursday, January 10 to view the newest collection. Meet the architects, feral cat caretakers, and also the one and only Tamar from I Have Cat!  If you can not attend, you can still donate to this great cause by clicking on this link. 

Admission is a $20 donation ($10 for Certified TNR Caretakers) and includes the exhibit, hors d’oeuvres, and drinks. You may RSVP in advance online. Be sure to drink a Cat-tini for us!

We welcome ideas and efforts to start a similar program in Miami. Contact us at riverfrontcats@yahoo.com

Photo by Dana Edelson

It is More Fun to Give than to Receive

"It is more fun to give than to receive". Here at Riverfront Cats, we not only believe in this phrase, we live it everyday. Thanks to our dedicated team, (Sabrina, Christine, Mollie and Liz) the Riverfront Cats are happy, healthy and living humanely. Coordinating the feedings, taking an hour each day to feed 21 outdoor cats no matter the day of week or if it's stifling hot or pouring rain, driving once or twice a week to load up and buy pet food, visiting and petting the cats, and ensuring there are no injuries is no small task. We wouldn't change a thing.

Riverfront Cats/Pawsitively Humane goes beyond to help other people and neighborhood cats through education and hands-on contributions.   Thanks to the efforts of the founder, Christine Michaels. By giving up her entire weekend or days off to rescue stray cats or kittens, climbing fences, camping out and waiting in extreme weather conditions to trap unsterilized cats, shuttling back and forth to veterinarian clinics, answering daily calls of people giving up their pet cats or finding strays, attending community meetings and pet adoption events to educate the public about the homeless pet epidemic and staying up to 2am to write updates on this blog, creating flyers...All for no pay and on top of a full-time job. This is typical not just for Christine but countless other animal advocate volunteers--quiet soldiers wanting to make a difference and asking nothing in return for themselves.

Along with this tremendous responsibility comes great expenses.  You'll recall little Sophie had her leg amputated at two pounds. Thankfully the surgery went smoothly and she's recovering nicely.  Sophie's surgery cost $1,300.  Then there's the cost of food and litter. It adds up fast when caring for several kittens and cats. One bag of Royal Canin kitten food is over $20. Add in the litter, and it doesn't stop until they are adopted. And that generally takes months if not over a year.

We receive calls and emails daily requesting help to take in or help cats for various reasons.  We do what we can. Volunteers and donations make all the difference.

Many people think we receive free vet care. Absolutely not. While Riverfront Cats/Pawsitively Humane does receive a small discount, bringing in three kittens, for example, in one visit for exam, bloodtest and vaccination, and microchip costs close to $100 total per cat WITH the discount. That's before spaying/neutering and other medical treatment that may be required if the vet detects a medical problem or condition.

 Like most small nonprofits, time spent on fundraising is very limited. The priority is the care and welfare of the cats.

Therefore we turn to animal lovers like you for help.  Perhaps you would consider donating the cost of something you buy or do regularly -a week's worth of Starbuck's coffee ($25),  the price of a cocktail ($15), that shirt or blouse or tie you never wore that still hangs in your closet ($50),  a manicure/pedicure ($45). Do you really need another handbag or pair of shoes that costs $100 or more? Do you really need the latest iPhone of iPad or flat screen LED TV?

If you enjoying giving as we do, please consider a donation* to Riverfront Cats/Pawsitively Humane.  Three different ways to donate:
1. Go to right column under "Make a Difference" and click "Donate".
2. Or you can go to our Facebook page and click "donation" button.
3. Send in a check to PAWSITIVELY HUMANE, INC (90 SW 3rd Street, #3905, Miami, FL  33130)

If you can not donate money, please consider volunteering in some capacity. We are in need of graphic designer (couple of hours a week), online fundraiser, help feeding the cats one night a week, social media postings, foster parents for kittens or cats, puppies or dogs. Our biggest need is feeding the cats and foster parents.

On behalf of all the homeless cats, that went from raggedy conditions to a good life, whether indoors or outdoors, we thank you for all your well wishes, morale and financial support throughout the year.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, and many blessings for you and your families.

Liz Andrade, Treasurer

UPDATE: December 27: So far we raised $300 and our goal is $2000. Help us help rescued cats and kittens! Many thanks!

Hemingway House Cats Face USDA Regulations

Harry Truman (the cat) inside the Hemingway house

On every visit to Key West, the Ernest Hemingway house is a must-see destination.  Granted Mr. Hemingway is a famous author, but my inspiration for visiting is to see the polydactyl cats, the cats with more than five toes. Not just one or two or three, but fifty cats.  They live in the house like any other pet cat--basking in the sun on a window sill; lounging on the cool wooden deck; curled and napping on a pet bed, stretched out on the terrace...This is their home and the cats live peacefully on the property accustomed to the hundreds of daily tourists passing through, the stares, the ooohs and aaaahs.

You see, Ernest Hemingway left his house to his cats, not his wife. Theirs was not a happy marriage. One learns this nugget of information when you take the guided tour. The cats all have names, usually named after actors or actresses, like Audrey Hepburn who my cat Jean Pierre actually fell in love with (yes I took my cats to Key West and to the Hemingway House--I like to think I'm a cool cat mom).

 

When I read the headline "How the Ernest Hemingway Cats became a Federal Case" my heart sank. "What now?!" I exclaimed.  It turns out a visitor was concerned about the "cats' care" and took his or her concern all the way to the federal government, the USDA. Seriously?

Sadly this is true.  Since the cats are part of a museum, a commercial business, and are live animals, they fall under the federal law of "exhibition animals". So the museum needs an exhibitor license as mandated by the Animal Welfare Act. Well that does not sound so horrible and filing some forms could solve that administrative issue. If only it were that simple.

Apparently pets cats at Hemingway House must be treated as exhibition cats which also means

"Federal officials advised the museum that it also needed to take action to: Confine the cats in individual cages each night, or construct a higher fence around the property, or install an electric wire atop the existing brick wall, or hire a night watchman to keep an eye on the cats."

Confine cats and deprive them of their born freedom to move around? Install an electric wire atop the existing brick wall?  These are not dangerous, untamed, wildlife animals! These are non aggressive house pets! I understand the Animal Welfare Act is intended to protect animals. But these solutions go against the nature of these cats.  I can understand constructing a higher fence around the property so the cats do not leave the property and risk getting hit by a car. But cats know where their home is and return. The grounds are expansive, a heaven for outdoor cats. However the other solutions are not humane and lack common sense in my opinion. Hire a watchman? Whoever proposed that must have drowned their coke in rum at the movie theater when watching a Night at the Museum. What will a watchman do? Say "Halt Humphrey [Bogart]--you are not allowed to climb over that wall!"

The bottom line of the court case is that the USDA has the authority to regulate the cats since it's part of a business that draws customers from outside of Florida that do come to see the cats. (Interesting, in my experience as a tour guide operator in Miami in talking to tourists on their way to Key West, most do not know that the main feature of the Hemingway house is the cats ).  As a pet educator and rescuer, I appreciate the laws intended to protect animals from abusive situations or scenarios that place them in danger.  However I also believe the law must recognize the unique nature of each animal.  In other words, use some common sense.

My burning question is who was this concerned visitor? What is his/her background and expertise in working with pet cats?  I'm miffed that my tax dollars are spent on this issue when the cats are well taken care of, pose no threat, and are clearly happy and healthy and bring tourism dollars to my state.

Here is the complete story.  What do you think?  Is the law interpreted too broadly?

Below is a one minute video that briefly introduces the Hemingway House cats.

The Threat of a Shopping Bag

Decorating for Christmas and gift wrapping is fun for people and pets too! Adults, children and especially pets love it when you bring out boxes of decorations and pull out rolling Christmas bulbs, shiny tinsel and ribbon, and glowing strings of lights. Especially for new pet owners and those adopting puppies and kittens, there are a number of precautions to remember during the season. 1. Switch out glass bulbs for plastic bulbs. The cats, and some dogs, will knock them off the tree and shattered glass is not a shiny decoration but lethal. 2. Never leave your cat or dog unattended and alone with a Christmas tree because they can knock it down and cause a fire if lights are lit or they get mangled with all the strings of tinsel and lights...3. Ribbons, tinsel and mistletoe are capable of causing blockage in the esophagus, stomach, or intestines, so keep pets well away.

While fostering kittens, I was reminded of another danger--shopping bags.  While Figaro and Luciano, two active (gangster) kittens,  have proven their abilities as expert paper shredders,  they also enjoy playing hide-and-go-seek (more like bad cop chasing bad guy) inside paper shopping bags. What cat doesn't like cardboard boxes? Well the cousin, the paper bag, is just as appealing to a curious kitten. But beware...

One evening while diligently working at my desk, Figaro (aka Gambino) and Luciano were playing as usual in the same room I settled into for the evening.  As I focused on the computer work before me, I tuned out the tornado of fur buzzing by, above and around me, knowing they are nearby.   But then at the corner of my eye, I noticed a stop-and-go motion. Luciano attempted to dart but couldn't move. He was stuck.  It turns out Luciano looped through the handle but did not completely exit, and continued turning in circles to play, that the handle of a shopping bag was tightly twisted around his midsection.  He feverishly wiggled  like a demonized cat and complicated matters that the cord-like handle was hurting him. Luciano mewed distress. Not able to visually assess how badly he was tangled, in seconds I had to decide do I use scissors but then risk stabbing him if I can't  hold him with both hands and he jerks around, or can I calm him down and untangle his body? Fortunately he remained still as I grabbed him with both hands and untwisted his four pound lithe body from the death grip of the Macy's shopping bag handle. The entire episode lasted less than 20 seconds but to a mother it's an eternity. Thankfully my experience in solving problems under pressure from the corporate world to animal rescue helped me resolve this potential catastrophe with a clear head, calm and ease. Now all I needed was an eggnog with plenty of rum and brandy!

So this year no large Christmas tree. I'm postponing setting up the table top one until the kittens are adopted.  Or maybe I put it away in the closet every time I step out.

So have you encountered a potential holiday threat or disaster from other pretty things?