Cats and Cat Toys For Our Feline Friends By Chris Robertson

They say that the world divides into cat people and dog people. While that may be so for some, I believe it's more a matter of loving animals in general and wanting them in your life. Whether it's a cat or a dog, or some other critter for that matter, what counts is having animal companions.

That said, I freely admit that I am a cat person who's been enchanted with feline friends for many decades. As far as I am concerned, there isn't a more perfect creature on the face of this earth. I currently have three cats and I never tire watching them play and do their thing. Each has a different personality and style. Each has their own cat toys, and each has little quirks, likes and dislikes.

What's interesting about cats is that unlike humans, they never seem to get tired of playing. One of my cats is three and the other two, siblings, are seven or eight. You'd think the three-year-old kitty is still a teenager and playful whereas the other two are adults, but they all seem to enjoy playing equally. And no matter how many times I put their cat toys in the basket where they belong, the cats think differently and drag them all over the house.

Sometimes it seems that cats love to play with just about anything. Socks, wads of paper, cardboard boxes, string and, of course, anything they can bat and roll around. I also buy them presents and so there's a whole bunch of cat toys all over the house. My two older cats are small and you'd swear they were still kittens. They absolutely love to run after balls, and so they have an assortment of colored balls, some with feathers on them, and some with bells and other noisy things inside them.

Stitch, my three-year-old cat, is a large Russian Blue (or at least he looks like one) who's aloof and aristocratic. You'd swear he were the elder statesman of the house, and not the baby. His one weakness is catnip mice and other fluffy little cat toys that he can chase around. They almost inevitably end up under a sofa or behind the fridge, and then he tries for hours to reach them.

All three absolutely love to chase after a laser pointer. When they first came out, laser pointers cost a fortune, but today you can get them for a few dollars in cat toy stores. If there's one toy cats never seem to tire of, it must be a laser pointer. A close second are what I call "cat teasers." That's the fishing rod kind of toys that have feathers and fur balls attached. My cats just love to go after them. When Stitch was a kitten, he used to do back flips trying to get at the feathers.

Another category of cat toys is cat scratchers and gyms. If your kitty is a scratcher, there's no better investment than an assortment of things where he can sharpen his claws on instead of shredding the sofa!

Cats are wonderfully entertaining creatures to begin with, but watching them play with toys is even more fun. I make sure they always have something new and challenging to play with. Cat toys don't cost a lot, so reward and challenge your feline companion(s) with something new to play!

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Learn more about Cats and Cat Toys.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Robertson

Stuffed Animals - The Difference Between a Gift and an Amusement Park Toy

With the cold winter season coming up we're all bound to miss the warm days of summer. No longer will we be able to do anything or go anywhere just be slipping on a pair of sandals. When we brave the cold, we'll have to bundle up in our coats, scarves, mittens, hats, and boots. Things are much more difficult. Not to mention there are a lot of places we just plain can't go during the winter, like beaches and amusement parks.

In fact, amusement parks are a big part of the summer experience, and they are lots of fun. Some people are thrill seekers, and are there for the rides. They are happy waiting in lines all day for the big roller coaster. Others are there for the boardwalk and the games contained within. Those people are easy to spot, dragging around giant stuffed animals as their prizes. You know that there is no way they are able to take those massive prizes along on the rides, and they certainly won't fit in any locker available at the park. To them, the prizes, and the road to the prize, are much more fun than any roller coaster.

This is probably something you consider when getting some plush toys as Christmas gifts for family and friends. After all, some of these people probably already have big collections of stuffed animals from their amusement park prizes. What's the difference between an amusement park plush toy, and one that you can give as a gift? You'll be surprised to hear that the difference is quite substantial, with the gift being the far nicer stuffed animal.

Here's one example. The piles of stuffed animals you bring home end up stacked up in a closet somewhere, out of sight and out of mind. However, a stuffed toy that was a gift has much more meaning. It reminds us of the occasion when we received it, and the person who gave it to us. It's a memory. We don't put these plush toys in a closet somewhere to collect dust, because they are meaningful.

It's also true that most stuffed animals from amusement parks are not high quality. After all, the people who run the games are trying to cut costs wherever they can! In fact, these plush animals are often very cheap looking, almost goofily so. But stuffed animals that are given as a gift, or even ones that we buy ourselves, are of much higher quality. They're soft and fluffy and expertly made from higher quality materials, and they are more realistic. For example, take this story. I once won a plush cat at a carnival. I love cats, but was very disappointed once I got it. The stitching was loose, and by the time we got to the car the cat was already losing its shape. I fared much better with the stuffed cat my sister gave me that Christmas. It was of much higher quality, and very natural appearing, and I still have it to this day.

Plush toys are always good, but there is definitely a difference in quality available. Plus, stuffed animals given as gifts have a great deal more meaning than anything that you could win. It's like the difference between giving a gift card and taking someone out yourself. Taking them out for a nice dinner and paying for it has so much more meaning than just sending them out by themselves. This way they will always remember the time they spent with you.

So remember, even if you know that someone already has a lot of stuffed animals, know that there is no such thing as too many plush toys. After all, they don't have one from you!

Go ahead, start looking for the best plush cats, plush stuffed animals and other great presents. You can find a wonderful selection at of all of them KCPlush.com so come and take a look.

Stuffed Animals - How to Take Good Care of Them

It's wonderful having plush toys around, and most of us have a quite a stuffed animal collection. However, taking care of these toys can sometimes be a real bother. When they're out in the open they can get dusty and dirty, and then what do you do? Many people just wind up boxing their stuffed animals away and locking them in the closet to avoid the hassle. But there are better ways. Read through this advice and you will find great ways to take care of your stuffed animal collection. You can keep your plush toys displayed and still keep them clean, just follow this advice!

One of the easiest things you can do to consistently keep your stuffed animals clean is to occasionally dust them off. Dust mites accumulate all over your house, so when you're dusting as part of your regularly scheduled cleaning, why not also clean off your teddy bears? You can dust them using a regular duster or even baby wipes. Baby wipes are sometimes even easier to use on fur because the wet surface gives the dust mites something to cling on to. Remember to dust regularly, and you will find that your teddy bear's colors will remain bright and sharp.

If you have larger plush toys, another great idea is to use a hand vacuum. This will get dirt and dust off of your toy more thoroughly, better even than a plain duster. Still, if you are planning to use a vacuum, be very careful. Some stuffed animals aren't sturdy enough to withstand a vacuum, especially if it's suction is extra powerful. Make sure the material it's made from is not too fragile. You don't want your teddy bear to lose a nose or a button from its clothes just because you rushed.

Also, if it's an option, the most effective way to clean a stuffed animal is to machine wash. You can decide if this is an option or not be reading the label. Just like food labels or clothing tags, a plush toy label will let you know if the animal is machine washable. Still, even if it is, make sure to use a gentle cycle with softener, which will make sure to maintain the softness of your toy. In addition, you can learn from my example. I once washed my favorite plush cat, only to find it looked rather worn out when I finished. Luckily, I had the bright idea to use a hair dryer, and soon it was nice and fluffy again. I did the same thing with a stuffed lion's mane, and it looked as good as new after the magic of my hair dryer. Blow-drying definitely works to fluff up any toy's fur.

These tips for stuffed animal care should make your life easier, and keep your toys happier. Dread dust no more! There is no longer a reason to lock your adorable plush toys away in the closet, show those teddy bears off! Just incorporate a small dusting into your cleaning routine regularly, or use the washer if you need a more thorough cleaning. Remember, it's not nearly as difficult as you'd think to keep your toys looking fresh and new.

Corina Volegna's advices have helped many adults and children take care of their stuffed plush toys .To make your life easy find lots of machine washable stuffed animals, including teddy bears, plush bunnies and stuffed leopards, at http://www.KCPlush.com

Are Dogs Man's Best Friend?

Man’s best friend. That’s how we know them. Our canine pets that we let in our house, to sit at our feet by the warm fire or just keep us company as we work the night away. Who knew that this tame animal was once descended from wolves? But that’s how the story goes, and that’s what DNA research and fossil evidence say.

As recently as 15,000 years ago, dogs were domesticated from wolves. More recent genetic fossil evidence also shows that they might even be domesticated earlier than that. In one study, it is said that dogs are domesticated from wild dogs, which had diverged from wolves.

Where Dogs Come From

It is said that canines originated from East Asia. Specifically, evidence points to China and Japan as the first places where people domesticated dogs. When the first peoples entered North America, they took the dogs with them.

According to genetic research, there at least 14 breeds of ancient dogs and among the oldest are the Chow Chow, Shar Pei, Akita Inu, Shiba Inu and Basenji. Considering that many of the 14 ancient dog breeds come from China and Japan, it is most likely that the theory that dogs come from Asia is true.

Interactions with Humans

Dogs, like humans, are highly social animals. It is because of this distinct behavioral pattern that they are highly trainable, playful, and generally good companions. Moreover, this ability of dogs to fit into human households and social situations puts them in a unique position among interspecies relationships.

Dogs, being descended from wolves, have pack instincts. These instincts are humanly interpreted as loyalty and devotion, which are close to the very human emotions of love and friendship. This is the very reason why so many dog owners consider their canines as full-fledged family members. Conversely, many canines seem to consider their human companions as part of their packs.

Intelligence

Both anecdotal evidence and scientific research reveal that dogs have reasonably high intelligence. In fact, many dog lovers especially value this intelligence. However, not all dogs exhibit their intelligence in the same manner. While some breeds are very good at obeying commands, others are not so keen on obeying. Instead, they display their cleverness by devising ways to escape the yard or steal food.

Because of their intelligence, dogs have come to fill a variety of roles in human society. Some breeds are especially trained to recognize dangerous situations and avoid it, and this ability is very useful for blind or deaf people. There are other canines that are very useful in law enforcement, including attack breeds, sniffers, or search-and-rescue. There are also those that serve as guards for livestock, work as herders, or as arctic exploration sled pullers.

Jeremiah O'Connell has put together 10 Gourmet Dog Recipes, 7 Dog Health Tips, A Dog Training Video and 7 Ways to Spoil Your Dog for Absolutely Nothing! So head on over to http://ChummyDog.com an pick-up Free Recipes for Your Dogs today - before he comes to his senses :)

Amazing Pets and Animals - Wonderful Stories

Christina Jussaume is the Christian author of the following books: My Walk With Jesus (2007), Joseph's Star of Eternal Promise (2008); and Spiritual Living Waters Flowing in Words (2008). She is an excellent author of Christian poetry and has received many accolades and praises regarding her poetry. She is the inventor of the famous Christ-in-a-Rhyme poem and various other poetic forms. She is to be complimented for all her poetic efforts and inventions.

Christina is a real lover of pets and animals. Kitties are close to her heart. She has favorite name for them such as: Fluffy, Tamatha, and Mitten her first of the litter and real mischievous ones. Cocoa is the cool cat always relaxing. Jake is the one who stole the cake with the black tuxedo; Joshua the apple of her eyes in black and white; and Magic is just a precious soul. Magic has disappeared recently and hopefully by now has been found. Christina has written a special poem for Magic for magic.

Her love for Magic is like a mother's love for her child. I also recalled the loss of a cat as a child and it was like I lost my best friend. Her kitties' tales as just adorable and will bring joy to the hearts of the readers. Christina also mixed special spicing to this book just like she is baking a special cake. The Fables give the book a special touch. I like the storyline in each, beginning with The Rooster and the Hen, to The Farmer, The Peacock and the Fox, and The Giraffe Family, the Fables are like spices in a special cake. The moral of these stories are also very touching.

This book is very pleasing to the eyes with the variety of pictures she has included. The pictures have a thousand words regarding the poems they go with. These pictures are very touching and bring a sense of pride to the pages. As always, her special friend Pat Simpson has performed marvelously for her in setting up the pages as her publisher.

One aspect that is always special and stands out in Christina's book is her parents. Tributes are always given to them for their love and nurturing. Additionally, her children are next to her heart, and accolades are rendered upon them by a precious mother. The love of family certainly has a special place in her heart. Christina is truly amazing in the way she brings Tinniesville, a rural small town, into her poems. Her articulation is wonderful regarding the story of this town. This is an excellent short story taken apart and written as a poem for everyone to enjoy in a different style of reading. This is so brilliant! Once again this creativity speaks of her excellent style of writing.

This book is also a teaching tool. Reading about the Australian Kookaburra is a lesson in itself. I was under the impression this was a relative of the Kangaroo until I finally read the page and saw the picture. How amazing! Additionally, Denny the Dolphin is such fun to read about. Wait until you see Donna who is teasing Denny to take a leap with her. They are so fantastic and are attached to each other. The variety of poetry forms used in this book is an education to the reader. I like how the Tanka form describes the hawk, and the Nonet form the eagle. The Quatrain form gives deep vision to The Doggy Tales, The Bunny Rabbits, Bear Family, Tiger's Plight, The Flying Squirrel, and others. I also like the pictures used with each poem.

Her articulation of the haiku and senryu poems is just amazing. Her bifurcated string of these poems is excellent in describing animals and their relationships. The pictures of the Sly Skunk and Prairie Dog are neatly positioned with each page and corresponding poem. This is certainly another wonderful publication by Christina in her series of book and poetic collection. She is certainly building a library for her readers. Having known Christina for many years, being familiar with her creative poetic style, and having read all four of her book, I can attest to the fact that she is an awesome poetess.

Getting and reading her books is certainly a blessing in itself. Her articulation of poetic verses is certainly touching, moving, and uplifting. More information may be obtained about Christina at the following sites: http://www.Poetesscrjussaume.com, and http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2740826.Christina_R_Jussaume. Please check out her sites and her book for great poetic verses.

Joseph S. Spence, Sr., is the co-author of two poetry books, A Trilogy of Poetry, Prose and Thoughts for the Mind, Body and Soul, and Trilogy Moments for the Mind, Body and Soul. He invented the Epulaeryu poetry form, which focuses on succulent cuisines and drinks. He is published in various forums, including the World Haiku Association; Milwaukee Area Technical College, Phoenix Magazine; and Taj Mahal Review. Joseph is a Goodwill Ambassador for the state of Arkansas, USA, and is an adjunct faculty at Milwaukee Area Technical College. He has completed over twenty years of service with the U.S. Army.

Better Than Snake Oil - How Animals Can Truly Improve Your Health

If I were to tell you that I can offer you a product with the following benefits, what do you think it would be worth? It can:

Reduce the loneliness of residents in long-term care facilities

Increase the activities of daily living of seniors

Increase social and verbal interactions in nursing homes

Reduce, in a statistically significant way, everyday stress, loneliness and isolation

Lower blood pressure, especially at work

Reduce the number of physician visits

Lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels

Increase survival rates following coronary heart disease

Decrease medication costs by more than 50%

Cause its owner to exercise more

Help adults be more resistant to stress and have fewer health complaints

Reduce depression and stress in people with autoimmune disorders

Help people feel less afraid of being a victim of crime

Help children adjust better to the serious illness and death of a parent

Develop nurturing behavior in children

Increase empathy and prosocial orientation for young and adult humans

Increase the self esteem and cognitive development of children

Increase family happiness and fun

Decrease stress during a child's visit to a doctor or dentist

Increase the activity level of children in sports, hobbies, clubs or chores

Improve the prosocial behaviors of autistic children and

Reduce the frequency of allergic rhinitis and asthma.

What do you think? Would you see this product as a sound investment? Well, all of the claims above have been documented and supported by more than one study. And the "product"? Companion animals - family pets. Yep, Rover and Fluffy. But you knew that already. You knew the creature waiting for you to come home, and who delights in going for a walk with you, is your dedicated dog. You knew the critter that can be counted on to curl up with you when you have the cramps from Krypton is your mellow minou.

So why isn't a dose of doggie and a case of cats being prescribed by every Nurse Practitioner and dispensed by every Pharmacist? Actually, increasingly, it is. Hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, prisons and schools in North America are continuing to welcome non-human, vet-approved animals. It isn't just that the pets provide a more comforting environment - though this in itself is enough for pastoral people like me.

Animal-assisted therapy is also economically beneficial - people who have had the opportunity to interact with good-natured creatures during their recovery, improve more quickly - both physically and psychologically.

Colleges and Universities are unleashing a variety of new pet-related programs. Concordia University (Nebraska) offers Pet Therapy - a chance to play with pets - as part of their Student Services. The University of Alberta is offering an "Animals and Society" course (AN SC 120). It takes an in-depth look at the relationship between companion animals and human health and wellness.

But me, I like the way U of A health education co-ordinator Judy Hancock puts it. "If you're sitting on the floor with a big old golden retriever on your lap, you're not thinking about anything else. Your worries and concerns just vanish for a minute; it's a break. It's important and it doesn't take that much time."

Jan Carrie Steven, MA, RSW, is Chaplain, Volunteer, Counselor and Small Business Person.

Visit her websites and columns:
http://www.smallthings.ca - http://www.basic-counseling-skills.com

Jan has a passion for small churches, shelter pets, counseling or visiting with lonely people, and her arts, books, crafts and delights shop called "Small Things." Her mission statement and store name is borrowed from Mother Teresa who said: "We can do no great things. Only small things with great love." Jan is a wife to one and mother to five.

Contact her at jan.carrie.steven@gmail.com