People Magazine's Sexy Cat Men 2013

 by Christine Michaels

As I was reading other cat blogs which I follow,  I came across a very special post from my good friend Tamar's blog I HAVE CAT ( a fellow single, sexy cat gal living in the city). The more I read, the more I researched, and swooned and ...(this is a family-friendly blog). So what has me in a catnip induced- like craze?

People magazine's issue of Sexiest Men Alive 2013 hit the stands.  The difference with this issue is that some men were surprised and a bit shy of the idea of  a "sexy" photoshoot. But what put them at ease? Unlike some individuals who need a glass or two or more of alcohol to help them overcome any inhibitions, one actor wanted his cat!

 According to Ian Somerhalder (actor from Vampire Diaries) he would do the photo shoot with his cat  Moke.  "He's my valium. He sedates me... I wake up every morning with him on my face."  replied Ian. What impressed me the most was how Ian spoke candidly about his relationship with his cat and referred to him as "my kid".
 See his video below. Now that is a sexy cat man! 





ALERT Black cat fans!! Below is a video of actor Norman Reedus from the Walking Dead and his black cat Ian the Dark.




People magazine listed other Sexy Cat Men and my favorite?? Gilles Marini! I fell in love with him on Dancing with the Stars.Who are the other lucky men? You'll just have to buy the issue! Let us know who is your favorite?

Now why can't I find one? Shouldn't a sexy cat lady have a sexy cat man?

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Blackie Wants a Third Chance, the Charm

If cats have nine lives, then Blackie is fighting for a third chance.You can make his wish come true!

Blackie in carton box with blanket and heating pad

Before I continue, I must warn you, this posting sheds light on the dark side of our city. These pockets exist not just in Miami but across our country and it's a constant struggle for government officials, law enforcement, and residents to combat crime and violence.  In the meantime, animal welfare advocates do what they can to help the stray dogs and cats of the neighborhood live one more day without hunger and injury.

Blackie's story is special on many levels.  He lives in a depressed area of south west Miami infested with crime and acts of animal cruelty.  Community cats are often targets of BB guns, serve as "play toys" for unleashed pitbulls aggressively chasing these harmless cats (residents train these pitbulls as attack dogs); and targets for speed demon automobiles, their lifeless bodies visible in the middle of the road the next morning.

Blackie is a Survivor

During a very cold spell last winter, our angel volunteer Maria, brought in this tom cat that she trapped, neutered and released four years ago. Her decision was further prompted by the fact that three other community cats went missing.  Most likely victims of the neighborhood crime wave. She couldn't bear the thought, the possibility that her beloved "BigHead" (his outdoor name), would become another deadly statistic. Once indoors, Blackie never looked back. He beat the odds!

It is estimated that Blackie is anywhere from 7-9 years old.  He has survived the worst and has lived longer than most cats in that neighborhood.  No sudden loud noises from gunshots or screeching tires. No rimmed wheels or two legged and four-legged monsters chasing him. He's made it this far which for a black cat, is extraordinary.

Are You a Black Cat Angel?

This weekend he became very ill. His symptoms are dehydration and weakness. The vet is recommending hospitalization, IV fluids and antibiotics. The initial assessment indicates he should survive.  But animal hospitals also require prepayment based on estimates ($345 - $496) before they begin treatment.  Therefore we are asking for your help. A donation of any amount is appreciated and no amount is too small. $25, $15 even $5. Simply click on the Donation button on top right. 

Tom Cat turns Sweet Cat

We want to give Blackie that third chance, a  peaceful life to make up for the hell as a stray. He is now a sweet cat-- a sign that he recognizes the love of his guardian, the safety of an indoor environment, and the chance to live like a normal cat--toys, uninterrupted naps and lots of TLC.

On behalf of  Blackie, Maria and all stray and black cats, THANK YOU!!!

A Review of Minted

by Christine Michaels

Another favorite time of the year is upon us. Creating Christmas cards! As a marketing professional, "image is everything" and so it's important to our organization to create a card that conveys our message of elevating community and black cats, in a distinct, memorable way.  While some women spend hours shopping in a mall, I lose myself scrolling through pages galore picking pretty colors, shapes, fonts, images, etc..  Custom creating holiday cards is so much fun and now it just got easier.  With so many online programs available, the only talent you need is decisiveness--something I sorely lack!

Here's one that I just created using my own black cat photo

This year I discovered Minted. Based in San Franciso, CA, Minted offers hundreds of styles for holiday cards.  Their unique designs are a result of design competitions where customers select the winners.

With a seemingly endless selection, it's hard to choose. There are the old-fashioned fonts, the contemporary blocks, the traditional scrolls, etc..  However! Minted offers a special feature to simplify the decision making called Find It Fast.  Just upload the photo you would like to use, regardless if it's horizontal or vertical format, click on the "Find it Fast" header, and your photo is automatically added to every design template! So now when you scroll through 10, 20, 30 pages, you save time from clicking the template, adding your photo and clicking to preview.  This is brilliant!

Once you select your design, that's only the beginning. Then you can choose the shape of the card--rectangular, rounded, oval... color of font, the thickness of paper, and a free digital proof.  Need help on the spot? No worries a "Live Chat" button will save the day.

Minted is not limited to cards. Invitations, mini card books, and paper ornaments are other Minted offerings. Known for their fresh unique designs, luxe paper, and customization features,  your audience will be impressed and wonder if you hired a professional stationery connoisseur.

Minted is great not just for your family holiday cards. We use them for our nonprofit organization to stand out from the pack.  Don't have a clear, quality photo? No worries. Just use photos already provided by Minted. Cody below is a pro at posing. So visit www.minted.com and let us know what you think!

Got my cup of cocoa, toes wiggling in fuzzy slippers, Christmas tunes streaming, settling in my comfy office chair, and now I'm ready to go shopping and create the Riverfront Cats Christmas card!

Disclaimer: I was offered Minted merchant credit  for sharing my experience through this blog post.

Cat Women Claw their Way to Dallas

Deb Barnes, Angie Bailey, Janiss Garza, Christine Michaels
(photo by  Glogirly)

Hissing, back stabbing, cat fights...Those are the sights and sounds of the every day Housewives of New Jersey, Miami, Atlanta. Not in Dallas, TX! The cat women I'm referring to clawed their way to the top of their talent--the Cat Writer's Association (CWA). But not in the literal sense.  The members of CWA have filed those fingernails to type away on the keyboard and honed their writing and marketing skills to educate the world about all things cats.  Many of them are pioneers in this field--Joan Miller, Amy Shojai, Marion Lane to name a few. I know the level of difficulty today, as I walk, talk and write about cats attempting to trigger a conversation, to open that door, in hopes people will listen and learn and care. I can only imagine the challenges, the closed minds, the odd looks that long-time CWA members faced 10, 20 years ago. They have my utmost respect.

However the CWA is not open to any Tom, Dick and furry Harry.  Membership is exclusive and in order to join, an applicant must demonstrate published writing works and at least one third of the content should cover cats*. My sponsor, Karen Payne, approached me four years ago when I was a fledgling member of the Cat Network. I was determined to find a solution to help homeless cats and writing/blogging was my weapon of choice. So much has happened since 2009.

I started trapping and feeding one neighborhood cat, then 3.
Now I manage 21 neighborhood cats and write about it!

So I know you are wondering if there were any cats at the conference. Of course there were! Silly goose.

My heart leapt with glee at the first sight of a cat--a blind gray tabby.  This is Spirit. She's only two years old  and Spirit is also a service pet for her owner who suffers from PTSD. I'll be sharing her story in an upcoming feature story. 

Spirit a Blind Cat sits on lifeguard chair by outdoor hotel pool

There can never be too many cats and within minutes I came across Zeki.

Zeki is a stunning Turkish Van, her fur like angora, and the only cat in the country certified for assistance in pet first aid. Her story is remarkable. She was found as an older kitten, her fur knifed away on the lower half. Luckily Zeki escaped and a good Samaritan found her help.  Today she travels around the country and serves as a model during presentations. Zeki sits calmly on a table and allows her guardian Arden Moore to wrap her in a towel, check her pulse, assess her gums, and attach a safety muzzle. Despite a traumatic beginning, Zeki is a fighter, a survivor and now a teacher! Follow her on Facebook  www.facebook.com/ZekitheCoolCat.

Deb Barnes petting Zeki

The cats attended seminars along with their human guardians but you would not see them or hear them. They are purrfectly trained cats. Who said cats are hard to train? If only kids today behaved as well-mannered. Back to our program...

CWA AWARDS CEREMONY
On Saturday night, the conference culminated into the Award ceremony. Several of my friends and colleagues won Muse Medallions including Debbie Glovatsky, JaneA Kelley and Angie Bailey for various categories including photography and blog posts. As the evening progressed, the coveted Purina Cat Writer of the Year Award was presented to  Deb Barnes, Board member for our nonprofit Pawsitively Humane, Inc.! Deb's reaction said it all. She did not expect it. Deb is so deserving of this pinnacle award and we are so proud of her.  Deb has a genuine heart and has developed her skills and devoted her energy and talent to creating awareness about the unique essence of cats. Dedication and perseverance. No clawing required!

Angie Bailey, Dusty Rainbolt, Deb Barnes, Christine Michaels

Deb Barnes beaming with her Friskies Writer of the Year Award
(Photo by Glogirly)

As I nestled in bed that night, I reflected on a smaller achievement. My  CWA "Certificate of Excellence"  arrived in the mail a couple of weeks prior.  It was unexpected which made the acknowledgement all the more special. It was for the blog post about the decision to end the suffering and say goodbye to a Riverfront Cat, Lion King. Entitled "The Circle of Love", the posting was symbolic on many levels. By leading by example and giving selflessly, we succeed and are loved in return.  That love may come from humans or a former scared cat. The latter, that unconditional love is the greatest of all.

To lead, I must continue learning. I'm grateful the yellow brick road has led me to CWA --a fountain of knowledge and wisdom and the support of like-minded cat advocates and writers.  No clawing required.

* At the time of this posting, the CWA launched a new website. The CWA membership requirements are not yet posted to the new website.  However, please visit my personal blog by clicking here and scrolling to the end of the posting to learn more about the guidelines for joining.

Pink Panther Investigates Swag Bag Pilfering

What is this? Who's pilfering the swag bag?

"I don't know I'm just minding my business", replies Geisha

 The Pink Panther was called to investigate!

Suspect #1; orange marmalade

Suspect #2; Black pants, white socks

Suspect #3; gray with black stripes

Pink Panther:"You two must have seen something?"

"Truly it was not I", says Geisha

[Suspect #4]

Gotcha! Twas the dog!

Thanks to the Pink Panther for solving the case!

Bringing Sexy Back!

The most important date is upon us!

It's National Feral Cat Day!

For National Feral Cat Day, our founder Christine is like a kid at Halloween--brainstorming creative ideas, weeks of planning, culminating into one hot mess--a music video.  That's because Christine admittedly can not sing! The lengths she goes to, to raise awareness and trigger a dialogue about homeless cats, feral cats, black cats and cat women!

Take it away Christine...

Hello followers, fans and first-time visitors!  In my mission to overturn misconceptions about stray cats and cat women, and to elevate and celebrate them, this year I donned my black cat costume and kicked it up several notches by orchestrating a quirky but fun music video to show:

1) Feral cats are cats too. Community cats, whether friendly or feral, exhibit the same range of emotions and need for food and affection as indoor pet cats. They have a special place in my heart. Stray cats are thrilled with a scoop of food and  head scratches and do not make demands. They have taught me valuable life lessons, yet society remains largely unaware of their plight and suffering.  To know them is to love them! I have my work cut out for me.

Cosette is a 5 year-old feral Riverfront Cat who never lets us pet her.
But she smiles, meows and does her happy dance when she sees or hears caretakers.

2) Cat women are sexy on the inside and out. Stereotypes surround cat women. In reality we are single, married, with kids, grandchildren, and work as doctors, lawyers, teachers, models, actors, bankers...Cat women come from all backgrounds and professions. We're Sexy and We Know It (hey that's a famous party song --hmm I sense next year's video), although we may not dress sexy while feeding cats. We're also practical when making our rounds. Cat women are not crazy. We are compassionate and passionate. It's what's on the inside that matters most.

This is Midnight. One of three black Riverfront Cats.

3) Cat women know how to have fun.  Lord knows I can not sing.  Have you ever sang in the shower when you're in a great mood thinking no one can hear you?  I feel good about the work I do and wanted to let that exuberance shine through a-la-Christine style, clean fun (no twerking necessary).

"What was a I thinking?"

"Wind blown hair is not all that glamorous"

"Can you tell I'm cleaning and grooming my face after eating?"

[For those that may not recognize the music, it's inspired by Justin Timberlake's song "Sexy Back"]

So sit back, grab your beverage of choice, and please laugh with me, not at me.
CHEERS to Feral Cats and Cat Ladies!



To learn more about Christine, visit her personal blog. www.aboutchristinemichaels.com

So how did you honor National Feral Cat Day? Was it like any other feeding day? Or did you indulge your colony with special treats? (We served lactose-free milk--healthy and yummy!)  Did you host a special event? Anyone else humiliate themselves like Christine?  Let us know! Share your comments below.

CAT WOMEN & MEN, BRING YOUR SEXY ON!

Whether it's wearing your favorite tshirt and jeans, or wearing fuzzy slippers while drinking glass of wine or your rendition of sliding across the room in socks and briefs lip synching...

Send us your sexy self photos 
--and/or--
 sexy cat photos and stories! 

Special appearances by the Riverfront Cats: Romeo, Cosette, Tabitha, Samantha, Fannie, Sinbad, Bobbie, Gabriel, Mama, Midnight, Cali, and Tomcat.  Indoor rescue cats: Johnny Walker, Ninji and Gretel.

Cat food or monetary donations are always needed and welcomed! 

Contact us at riverfrontcats[at]yahoo.com or click the DONATION button on the right column. Thank you.

 Note: This is not a paid sponsorship by Purina for Friskies. We feed the cats Friskies dry and moist canned food and therefore used the brand name in the lyrics.

Blessing of the Pets, Oct 6

October is one of our favorite months because many important dates in this tenth month celebrates cats.  This weekend is the blessing of pets throughout churches in the U.S. in honor of St. Francis of Assisi who devouted to a life void of material things, helping the poor and homeless animals.

Francis saw animals as his brothers and sisters because they were God’s creatures, just like people. He said of animals:

“Not to hurt our humble brethren is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission -- to be of service to them wherever they require it.” 

So Francis prayed that God would work through him to help animals as well as people.

His Saint Day is observed October 4th and therefore the Blessing of Animals is observed on or near October 4th.

In downtown Miami, Riverfront Cats is volunteering and celebrating at Trinity Cathedral beginning at 4pm.

TRINITY CATHEDRAL
 464 NE 16th St  Miami, FL 33132

(305) 374-3372

Have you had your pet blessed? Tell us about it in the comments below.

Check local listings in your area. You don't have to be Catholic to attend. All are welcome!

Can Indoor Cats Get Fleas?

Simple logic would suggest that house cats are immune from fleas, as long as they are strictly indoors and never step outside.  There’s nothing wrong with this theory, except that it’s completely wrong. Unfortunately, even house cats are susceptible to fleas (and the other risks of being outdoors,) the only difference being there is a little more you can do about it. Here are a few of the things to help explain why:

How are cat fleas different? 

To understand what the fleas are capable of, it’s first important to understand why they are different to other kinds of fleas. Firstly, they have massive jumping capabilities. They can cover up to seven inches vertically and thirteen horizontally, that would be the equivalent of 250 feet up and 450 feet across for humans – a pretty long way. Indoors they tend to live and hatch in carpets, floor cracks and in the creases of furniture. While they need to eat (you/your cat) to breed and lay eggs, they can survive in a dormant state for any time up to a year.

How do they get inside? 

Excluding the instance of your indoor cat making its way outside, in which case the cause is obvious, the cause comes from the fleas’ ability to jump those huge distances. Outdoors they tend to live in muddy and sandy areas, as well as long grass, so fleas can jump on to humans or other animal residents in your house. They can also get in via windows. If you regularly leave your window open, fleas can jump onto your cat either from another cat coming up to the window or by long grass near the window giving them a close enough area to jump from.

Highrise condo cats are still susceptible.  Let's say your neighbors have cats or dogs that regularly go outside.  Fleas travel! If you feed or manage a colony of community cats, then you are a carrier for fleas.  Outdoor neighborhood cats carry many fleas and those pesky fleas will jump onto your clothes and food bags and thus get inside your home. 

How to get rid of them? 

While the contractions of fleas may be different for indoor cats, getting rid of them is always the same. There are plenty of different kinds of medication to help remove fleas from the cat. Solutions like Advantage or Revolution are applied on the top of their back on the shoulder blades where they can’t reach with their mouths and tend to be really effective. If you’re house is infected with fleas it can be a little more difficult. Flea powders are effective if applied thoroughly throughout the house, but they really do need to be applied to all areas rigidly if you’re to avoid any return of the fleas.

Summary 

While cat fleas may be slightly different biologically to other fleas, the main point of this is to highlight how flea prevention should not be avoided or treated any differently when you have indoor cats. Prevention is much easier to handle than removal, so being pro-active is always the answer.

Wordless Wednesday -Romeo a Natural Leader

On a hot, summer day in Miami in Station One of the Riverfront Cats

Since Lion King passed away, Romeo has risen to the occasion as leader of the Riverfront Cats. He's a strong leader--quiet but observant, kind but firm and protective. He loves attention from humans more than food. He is a lover at heart. A black community cat.

Cosette, a feral community Riverfront Cat, is never far.
She is the first to welcome feeders.

Midnight,  from Station three, is full from dinner.
He casually turns around to watch our antics.

For Adoption: Daisy, Chrome, Tiger and Eddie

Introducing Daisy, Tiger, Chrome and Eddie! These four siblings are being  fostered by Dennis and Janice, who rescued them from their neighborhood after their mother died. Let's get to know them a little bit and maybe you can pick your favorite or maybe end up falling in love with one or two or all of them.

Daisy
This sweet little girl has lots of love to give. She loves to play with her brothers and graciously accepts their protective catitudes, always keeping her in their sights. Hey--she's the only female in the bunch. She has all her shots and is already spayed. Daisy is ready for a new home. If you are interested in meetings Miss Daisy, please contact Dennis Nadeau at dennis@ptnsoft.com.

Tiger

Don't be scared by his big cat name.  He is a "Tiger" when it comes to playing, but he will entertain you for hours just so you'll know what a romp 'em, stomp 'em boy he is. He is neutered and has all of his shots.  Tiger is good with kids and and with other cats.  If you are interested in adopting Tiger, please contact Dennis Nadeau at dennis@ptnsoft.com.

Chrome

Strong as the metal, Chrome, is not shy at all. He loves to play and getting his head rubbed. He has been an excellent guardian to his sister Daisy,  watching over her since they were kittens. (Maybe we should have named the boys the "Dukes of Hazard"!)  Just look at his soft gray coat! He is neutered and has all of his shots. If you are interested in adopting Chrome, you can contact Dennis Nadeau at dennis@ptnsoft.com.

Eddie

Named after the character “Eddie Munster” from the TV series “The Munsters”. He has white patches behind his ears, just like his Grandpa Munster. He loves to sit on peoples laps and get his head and body rubbed. Eddie is real purring machine and loves to entertain everyone.

Update: We are happy to announce that Eddie just got ADOPTED! We are so excited for Eddie and we are sure he is going to make his new family very happy.

We hope Eddie's brothers and sisters have the same luck as him and find a new home who will love them and take good care of them. Every homeless kitten or cat deserves a second chance to be happy.

Remember--it's always better to adopt two kittens versus one. There are many benefits for you and the kittens, especially if they are siblings.