Dusty’s Favorite Stocking Stuffers (& Cheap Gifts) for Cat Lovers

Posted on December 7, 2011 by DustyCatWriter

WARNING: Not for the Easily Offended

Christmas and Hanukkah are quickly approaching. Have you finished your shopping yet? If not, here’s my Recommended Giving List for the over-the-top cat lover (with a sense of humor). All of these items make great and affordable stocking stuffers.

Any of the products below can be purchased at Amazon.com. If you shop online, why not benefit your favorite animal charity by shopping at www.AdoptAShelter.com? This shop-to-donate website is easy and free to both you and the charity. AdoptAShelter.com donates a portion of your purchase to the animal charity of your choice. You don’t have to fill out a form, join up or remember a password.

Happy Shopping! And have a Merry Christmas or Happy Hannukah!

Cat-in-a-Can Inflatable Cat
If you would like to have more kitties around the house without having to scoop more often, Cat-in-a-Can is for you. The vinyl inflatable cat comes in a 2.5-inch tall tin. A manual inflator allows you to blow up the calico to her full 12.5-inches in a minute or so. She’s easy to care for and doesn’t scratch the furniture. You’ll pay $12.90 at Amazon.com.

I gave my husband an inflatable calico last year.

Crazy Cat Lady Cat Food-Scented Soap
Bathing with this pungent soap will ensure that you are constantly in the company of cats. Each pink bar comes in a fancy gift tin. This soap really does smell like cat food. Believe it or not, it received five stars from Amazon reviewers. You can get it for $3.29.
I washed my hands with it a few minutes ago.

Crazy Cat Lady Action Figure
There she stands—ratty bathrobe (like mine), checkered pajama bottoms (mine are leopard print), headband (nope), wild hair (pony tail), and a fanatical look on her face (not me.) And she’s surrounded by six cats of different breeds that own her heart and soul. Two additional kittens hide underneath her hair and inside robe pocket. The poseable action figure stands 5.25-inches tall.  Warning: Choking Hazard! Contains small parts. Not for kitties or children under three. You’ll pay around $12.18.
I have this action figure on my fireplace mantle.

Crazy Cat Lady Game
This is a board game that has “cat ladies” of all genders collecting and giving away kitties. Just roll the dice to acquire and lose kitties as directed by board squares and player cards. Gain more cats by landing on spaces like “Save a Cat Stuck in a Tree” and “Rescue Grumpy Old Cat from Pound.” But watch out for spaces that take cats from you like “Beware of Dog” and “Kitten Distracted by Bit of Fluff.” It comes with a game board, spinner, four game pieces with plastic stands, 50 plastic cats and four Wildcat cards. Manufacturer says it’s for players 12 to 16 years of age. Don’t know many teens that would like it, but both adults and little kiddoes had a blast. Expect to pay around $16.75 from Amazon.

Wanna play?

Crazy Cat Lady Mini Milk Bottle Drinking Glasses

If you’ve ever had fresh milk delivered to your doorstep you know firsthand the undeniable appeal of a classic milk bottle. These sleek Mini Milk Bottles capture that same appeal in a 10-ounce drinking glass size. Fun artwork and the unique shape make these a great addition to your table setting. Each set includes two 6.25-inch tall glasses. You’ll pay $9.84 at Amazon.

I’ve ordered one. It’ll be here in a few days.

Cat Butt Coasters

These are cat butt coasters for drinking glasses. Everyone needs coasters. What’s the big deal? You know the cat drinks out of your glass when you’re not looking! It’s $5.00 from Amazon.

I’m planning to order a set for special occasions.

Cat Butt Chewing Gum
This gum doesn’t smell or taste like a cat’s butt (not that I know what it tastes like. Eww) You get eight pieces of peppermint gum per box. Give it to someone you either love or loathe. A little pricey. $5.24 for eight gum squares.

Used it as a stocking stuffer a few years ago.

Mark Grace Bad Bill Butts Ornament
This three-inch porcelain snowflake-shaped ornament is perfect gift for grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends. Commemorate each holiday season with a new ornament. The adorable anal image is printed on both sides. Comes with a golden hanging cord. Only $12.75 from Amazon.

Don’t have it, but would love to hang it on my Charlie Brown Christmas tree.

Edna, Crazy Cat Lady
This Chronoscope series figure by Reaper Miniatures is entitled “Edna, Crazy Cat Lady.” It’s an elderly human lady holding a walking cane in her right hand and a cat in her left hand. It includes six separate cat figures.  Some assembly may be required. Pay $5.91 at Amazon.

Don’t have it. Don’t want it.

Cat Butts Magnets & Field Guide
Just watch your cat-loving friends connect with this charming, magnetic mini kit! Five popular breeds immortalized on die-cut magnets with a bonus hairball piece, too! The Educational North American Cat Butts Field Guide rounds out this epic gift. It costs $6.95 at Amazon.

Don’t have this one. I know what a cat butt looks like

Crazy Cat Lady: A Magnetic Sculpture Kit
The Crazy Cat Lady is an icon in America. This kit celebrates that brand of kindhearted, single-minded devotion with a magnetic Crazy Cat Lady figure and 12 metal cats that will jump on her the first chance they get. Amazon’s asking $2.57 for this one.

Don’t have it.

Emergency Meow Button
Missing your cat? Caring for a kitty with laryngitis? You need an Emergency Meow Button! Just press the button and you’ll be treated to the reassuring sound of a cat’s “meow.” Great for teasing the dog. Each plastic device has a hole in the back so you can hang it on a wall. Requires two AAA batteries (not included). Pay $11.98 at Amazon.

I don’t need this one, as someone’s always talking to me.

Zombie Pet Shoppe Play Set
After a hard day of relentless pursuits and brain-eating, it’s always comforting to come home to a cute little rabid zombie pet. That’s why many zombies are shuffling over to the Zombie Pet Shoppe to find a companion. Inside, they can choose from all sorts of decaying undead pets that are looking for a home. Each set includes five 1-inch to 1.5-inch tall, hard vinyl zombie cat, dog, bird, fish and bunny. It’s an Amazon bargain at $10.99.

Not yet.

Zombie Dog Handler
This 5.5-inch tall piece is a companion piece to Edna, the Crazy Cat Lady. Buy it through Amazon for $6.66.

Nope.

Cat-Opoly
This is Monopoly with cat breeds replacing real estate names. If you like Monopoly, you’ll like it. The tokens are a milk bottle, mouse, sardines, cat food, fish, and ball of yarn. Buy it from Amazon for $26.47.

It’s okay. Not as much fun as the Crazy Cat Lady Game.Christmas and Hanukkah are quickly approaching. Have you finished your shopping yet? If not, here’s my Recommended Giving List for the over-the-top cat lover (with a sense of humor). All of these items make great and affordable stocking stuffers.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“My Cat From Hell” is a Winner

Posted on June 10, 2011 by DustyCatWriter

Jackson Galaxy with his everpresent guitar case containing cat toys, treats and everything Galaxy needs for cat consultations.

When I first heard about Animal Planet’s new show, My Cat From Hell, I cringed. Just what we needed was another show reinforcing negative kitty stereotypes! But I kept an open mind, and I’m glad I did. Despite the off-putting title, the show’s a winner and so is the behavior advice from the show’s star, Jackson Galaxy. His message: Your cat isn’t bad. He’s a cat.

Galaxy, who wears a shirt with “Cat Daddy” embroidered over the pocket and sports amazing cat tattoos on his arms, drives a super cool 1964 Chevy Nova during the show’s intro. By day he’s a cat behavior consultant, but by night he’s a rock musician. The plotline sounds like it came straight off the SyFy Channel or MTV. But Galaxy really is a musician who also works with frustrated cat owners to overcome behavior problems.

“A lot of people come to me because vets tell them to euthanize their cats,” Galaxy says. “It’s my mission to keep cats from being euthanized, out of shelters and off the streets for reasons that are preventable.”

The first episode I watched featured Duff, an aggressive cat who was constantly biting his owner and the guy’s girlfriend. Like so many cats with “behavior problems” Duff was destined for the pound if the attacks didn’t stop. Galaxy’s prescription: create vertical space for the cat and exercise (not just flopping the toy around, but hop-till-you-drop running and chasing). He also taught the couple the difference between appropriate play and inappropriate play.

Over the next three weeks, the couple completed their assignments and supplied the appropriate trees and climbers. Instead of exile to an animal shelter, Duff developed into an affectionate, enjoyable member of the family.

Galaxy didn’t pull a magic solution out of a hat. He simply observed Duff’s surroundings and family interaction, and educated his clients (and his audience) about natural feline behavior.

Galaxy drives home the point that people must provide outlets for natural feline behaviors like climbing and hunting.

“From my show people are getting the concept of vertical space,” Galaxy says. “If you look at it the way the cat sees the world, it makes sense. Let’s get a catio (a cat patio). Let’s get some cat shelves, condos, and hutches. Provide some “ via points,” (furniture that allows your cat from point “A” to point “B” without having to get on the floor.)

Galaxy started his behavior career working at the Humane Society of Boulder Valley scooping poop at six in the morning. He observed that more cats were being killed than dogs. That’s when he took on the mission to help these feline victims of circumstance. Around the shelter he earned the reputation as a “cat guy” eventually going by the moniker, “Cat Daddy.”

At some point his bosses realized Galaxy could not only rehabilitate frighten felines, he could educate the other shelter workers, too.  When people contacted the shelter with “problem cats” Galaxy would counsel with them to keep the cat in the home.

“I want cat guardians to know that by and large their cats aren’t doing this thing to spite you,” he says. “The idea of them getting even or mad at me is all nonsense. Your cat isn’t doing acting up intentionally, except his world is upside down. He feels threatened. Get the human drama out of it. You have to change your brain.”

People have to go from an unsympathetic approach, where the owner basically says, “I hate you Kitty for what you’re doing to me,” to a sympathetic approach in which you understand that the problem is caused by something stressing the cat.

Kitties acting out are no different than the Grimm’s Fairy Tale about the lion with the splinter in his paw. He was mean until the thorn was pulled out. In reality, he wasn’t mean; he was in pain.

“People are learning to look at things from the cat’s eye view,” Galaxy says. “This not only prevents problems, but it increases your empathy and appreciation of all cats. Arm yourself with what your cat wants. And, of course, spay or neuter your cat.”

Jackson wearing his Cat Daddy duds

Animal Planet hasn’t placed an order for new episodes of My Cat From Hell, but I hope they do. Until then, you can enjoy encores of the two episodes of the three finished this Saturday, June 11. Get more information about Jackson Galaxy and My Cat From Hell at Galaxy’s website or Animal Planet. If you want to see more episodes, Animal Planet. Or leave messages on the Animal Planet Facebook page.

Posted in Cat Products, Entertainment, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lilian Jackson Braun crosses the Rainbow Bridge-A Personal Perspective

Posted on June 9, 2011 by DustyCatWriter

June 4, 2011 dealt cat lovers across the globe a devastating blow.  We lost a friend. Lilian Jackson Braun, the wit and wisdom behind the Cat Who series crossed the Rainbow Bridge to join her cats, all of whom were named KoKo and YumYum after the Siamese cats in her books.

Earlier I posted an obituary. But now it’s time to speak from my heart.

I had never heard of a cat mystery until after I was involved in a near-fatal wreck in 1993. One of my friends brought a copy of The Cat Who Read Backwards to my hospital room. That was more than appropriate since the brain injury made it near impossible to even read forwards. With Jello® for brains I must have read the first two paragraphs 20 times. I couldn’t concentrate longer than that. Once my comprehension improved I was determined to make it all the way through that first chapter. It took a titanic effort, but I did it. After finishing the first chapter, I had to know what happened next. Suddenly, I was done with the second chapter. Tada! Finally, I finished the book.

Qwilleran, KoKo and YumYum (and of course, Lilian) helped me retrain my brain. In time I was able to go back to work as a reporter. I continued to read the rest of the Cat Who adventures.

Some time later I was at my very first cat show and bought a copy of The Cat Who Read Backwards from a white elephant sale that benefited a cat rescue group. (I don’t normally buy used books because, resale hurts the authors, but this benefited the kitties, and I already had a copy.) To my delight the book had not only Lilian’s autograph, but KoKo’s too. It remains one of my prized possessions.

Lilian blazed the trail for those of us who now call ourselves cat writers. I will always be grateful for her imagination and humor. I also find it inspiring that she continued to author her books at the age of 97 without a partner or ghost writer. It breaks my heart that her last story will never be told.

Thank you for everything, Lilian. Your passing  has left a cat-sized hole in the hearts of ailurophiles everywhere.

I think it’s time to dust those old Qwilleran books off and give them another read.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Cat Who Said Goodbye-Lilian Jackson Braun

Posted on June 9, 2011 by DustyCatWriter

Cat mystery writer, Lilian Jackson Braun, died on Saturday, June 4 in hospice in Landrum, S. C. just 16 days short of her 98th birthday.

Just ask any cat-loving mystery reader and they’ll be happy to recount their favorite Lilian Jackson Braun novel regaling the adventures of journalist-turned-detective Jim Qwilleran. His mere presence brought death and mayhem to those around him. But with the help of his Siamese cats KoKo and YumYum, Qwilleran always pinned the killer. Ms. Braun’s groundbreaking series created an entirely new genre when the first book, The Cat Who Could Read Backwards, premiered in 1966. Although she wrote up until the end, her career in cat mysteries concluded after 41 years with publication of the 29th and final novel, The Cat Who Had 60 Whiskers (2007.) According to her husband of 32 years, Earl Bettinger, Braun was working on her 30th Cat Who book at the time of her death. Sadly, The Cat Who Smelled Smoke, has been cancelled.

The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern (1967) and The Cat Who Turned On and Off (1968) quickly followed her first novel. However, the publisher wanted mysteries with plenty of sex and carnage. Ms. Braun’s GP-rated cozies didn’t fit in with the lusty late 1960s.

“By the time I had written the fourth one, tastes in mysteries had changed,” Ms. Braun once said.  “They wanted sex and violence, not kitty-cat stories. Gore was not my style, so I just forgot about The Cat Who.”

With the encouragement of her husband after her retirement from The Detroit Free Press (1984), she again tested the water bowl with The Cat Who Saw Red (Berkley Publishing Group, 1986.) G. P. Putnam’s Sons and Berkley went on to publish twenty-one more Cat Who novels. She wrote every one of her books in long hand and then typed them herself.

Ms. Braun’s books became staples on The New York Times bestseller lists. They have been translated into sixteen languages and are distributed worldwide, allowing readers everywhere to follow Qwilleran, his quirky friend and his feline companions. Ms. Braun often said her characters and settings were composites of people and places she knew. She created a male protagonist with a moustache so that people would not think her fiction was autobiographical. She described Qwilleran’s Moose County as “400 miles north of everywhere.” Often asked where the fictional Moose County really was, Ms. Braun would say, “In my head. It can be anywhere you want it to be.”

After a working less than a week as a waitress, Ms. Braun went to work for Detroit department stores, beginning as a copywriter and eventually becoming the director of public relations. She took time off to write her first three books and then accepted a position with The Detroit Free Press, where she wrote feature articles on interior design, art and architecture, as well as reviews of kitchen gadgets and other household products, for 30 years.

Toward the end Ms. Braun didn’t have cats of her own, according to her husband because she was losing her eye sight and nearly fell three times over her new kitten. The couple had about five cats over the years, all Siamese and all named either Koko or Yum Yum, he said.

Lilian Jackson Braun was preceded in death by her first husband, Louis Paul Braun; sister, Florence Jackson; and brother, Lloyd Jackson. She is survived by her husband of thirty-two years, Earl Bettinger.  No memorial services will be held.  Donations may be made to Hospice House, Landrum, SC, or the Polk County Public Library, Columbus, NC.

Posted in Obituaries, Odd Animal News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week!

Posted on April 14, 2011 by DustyCatWriter

This isn't Streamer. Meet Fred. Animal services rescued him and his siblings Lucy and Desi from the side of the road when they were just two weeks old. I raised them and now they are in very happy forever homes.

Streamer. I called him the Houdini of dogs. Back in the late 1970s, in those ancient days before I understood the importance of spaying and neutering, that Doberman could scale a chain link fence with the grace and skill of Mercury.

Leonard Judd, a compassionate animal control officer ahead of his time, would pick up my prodigal son and put him back in the yard. He’d even transport Streamer in style, sitting in the front seat of animal control pickup truck.

Magically, after Streamer said goodbye to his “little friends”, the wandering ceased and I never saw officer Judd again. But I’ll always be grateful for his kindness. He led the way for a new generation of animal control officers. New and improved. Caring. And like Mr. Judd, animal lovers.

Following in his wake were Lewisville Animal Services manager Pat Jackson, and officer Robin Mangum. Mangum gave me very helpful and lifesaving  advice when my cat became trapped inside a neighbor’s roof (again, in the days before I learned how important keeping a cat inside is.) Thanks to his counseling I got my cat back and immediately initiated a closed door policy.

I’ve been in rescue for a long time. I really appreciate the dedicated ACOs who show up on my doorstep wielding a carrier full of bottle babies to raise. Hey, in my community, animal services delivers. These folks have learned to play unfairly. “If you don’t take them, I guess I’ll have to put them to sleep.” It’s a lie. I know it’s a lie. (If I say no, they just make some more calls.) But the fib is for a good cause if it saves a kitten’s life.

My buddy Mangum complains it bothers him when he hears, “That guy couldn’t get elected as dog catcher.” In most cases, the “dog catcher” is on a level far above most politicians. And the “dog catcher,” he’s a thing of the past. He’s been replaced a guys and gals who risk rabies and snake bites to protect people and their pets. They’re the ones who pull kittens from dumpsters and curse when they see a dead animal in the middle of the road. They fight abuse and neglect and still manage to maintain their sanity.

I know there are some bad people in the industry. And to them I say, “Shame on you.” But to the thousands of dedicated, caring ACOs around the country, thank you. Especially thanks to: Mellonie, Robin, Virgina, Debbie, Jeniffer, et al. You’re the best. There’s a special place in Heaven for you.

Posted in Holidays | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mr. Whiskers Eats

Posted on April 5, 2011 by DustyCatWriter

When last we met, Mr. Whiskers who was suffering from advance hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease), had voluntarily taken a couple of licks of turkey baby food. The next day he managed to get an entire tablespoon of baby food down. (In addition to regular feedings of Hill’s a/d syringed down a feeding tube, which looked like a red antenna sticking out the back of his neck.)

Mr. W had been so good, I gave him a break from his Trimline Veterinary Recovery Collar. Even as soft and comfortable that particular clown collar is, you could see how much he was enjoying his break. A short time later I noticed Whiskers looked…different. Different in the wireless sense. No more antenna. *sigh*

Somehow Mr. W (or should we change his name to Houdini?) had managed to remove his feeding tube. No blood. Clean incision. No problem. Except he still needed to be fed five or six times a day in order for his liver to heal. If he wasn’t agreeable to syringing food into his mouth, I’d have to take him back to the vet and have another tube surgically implanted.

Fortunately let me feed him 30ccs of a/d five times that first. Oh, yeah, he let me know he wanted some baby food too. The following day I caught him standing by the dry food bowl between forced feedings. (Oh yes. In today’s politically correct world, the term “force feeding” has magically transformed into “assisted feeding.” I guess it sound more gentle.) Then,  he reached in and munched a mouthful of cat food…and another and another. And then he wanted more baby food. Success!

Today Mr. Whiskers' skin looks nice & pinkThat was four weeks ago. Today Mr. W’s sallow skin has turned the loveliest, most normal shade of pink. His blood values now read textbook perfect. Only the shaved area on the side of his neck betrays his once dire condition. I’ve been trying for days to get a good photo of Whiskers’ ear with a Post-It note for reference, but he’s certainly feeling well enough to adopt the Mohandas Ghandi practice of non-violent non-cooperation. It looks like you’ll just have to appreciate his nice pink nose for now.

A month ago Mr. Whiskers skin was yellow

Now comes the hardest part of being a foster. I will take some brand new photos of Whiskers looking adorable, write up bio and, with the help of Animal Allies of Texas, find him a new home. Not just any home. Mr. Whiskers needs a stable, loving forever home. No more shuffling from nutcase to nutcase. He needs to go to someone who will value him for the gregarious, talkative lap cat he is. I’m not in a hurry. Neither is he. No more speed dating for this handsome boy.

Mr. Whiskers (called Twinkie by AAT) needs to go to a home in the Dallas-area. If you’re interested,  go to Animal Allies of Texas and fill out an application.  In the spirit of full disclosure, he has one fault. He’s addicted to turkey.

Posted in Hepatic Lipidosis - Poor Mr. Whiskers | 3 Comments

My Kitty on Ebay!

Posted on April 5, 2011 by DustyCatWriter

Woohoo. I won the bid on a vintage Lowell Hererro mug on ebay! The kitty on the painting looks just like my little model Nixie. She’s the one at the top of this page with her mouth open.

Nothing like starting the morning with my kitty’s mug on my coffee mug.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Ahoy Kitties – Captain Dave’s Pig Tail Cat Toy

Posted on March 25, 2011 by DustyCatWriter

Rainbolt Test Kitty Rating

Chester loved the Pigtail Cat Toy and a good game of soccer

I want to make a few points about seafarers. Point #1: Few things go together as naturally as sailors and their cats. In ancient times, cats sailed as valued members of the crew, and were well-respected for their ability to control the ship’s rodent population. Point #2: Sailors know about knots. Understanding knots is the backbone of a mariner’s knowledge. I also know knots indicate speed on the water, and you get them in your stomach.

In true maritime tradition, Captain Dave loves cats and he knows his knots. So it’s not much of a stretch that he put the two together to create Island Time Pets and a line of all-natural cat and dog toys. No chemicals. No dyes. Just 100% cotton rope toys handmade in the Marion, Massachusetts, USA, Planet Earth by a real live U.S. Merchant Marine. Who couldn’t love that?

Now I have to admit, any cat toy made of string sends a shudder down my spine. I don’t, in good conscience, recommend toys with string except when used under human supervision. String can be a cat’s best friend and worst enemy all at the same time, rather like the sirens luring the sailors to their death. But when I had a chance to inspect Captain Dave’s Pigtail Cat Toy I changed my mind, at least in this one case.

The Pigtail Cat Toy is new take on an old classic, the cat ball. It’s a six-strand monkey fist knot of three-strand 100% cotton twine that’s tied around a 1” jingle bell creating a 1¼” diameter cat ball. Do you know what that means? Neither do I. Just look at the photos. Bottom line: I tried but couldn’t get any of the knots to give or the string to come lose. And the Rainbolt Test Kitties loved it.

This toy appeals to many of your cat’s senses. The monkey fist creates an intriguing tactile texture and an interesting pattern for humans to ponder. The bell inside the knot jingles a “come-and-get-me” sound nicely muffled so as not to drive a nearby human insane.  I did trim a string back to 1” danglies for safety reasons. The cats still enjoyed it.

Chester, a foster kitten recovering from a broken hind leg, immediately picked it up by the one of the ¾” pigtails carried it around the house in his mouth. Once he dropped it, that was the signal to let the games commence. The Rainbolt Test Kitties batted it and chased the Pigtail across the floor. Instant soccer game. The Jaguars vs. the Cougars. Scooooooooooooore!

This toy is so well-made, so well knotted, despite my justifiable cat/string phobia, I would not hesitate to let my guys play with it at any time. As a matter of fact, the test kitties will be putting in an order for a couple more. (Paranoid alert and one final warning: should you notice this or any string toy unraveling or fraying (and this one hasn’t), toss it and order another.)

At the time of writing the Pigtail Cat Toy costs $7.99 plus shipping. You can order the Pigtail Cat Toy and the captain’s other cool cat and dog toys at directly from Captain Dave himself.

Posted in Cat Products | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Human Hero Saves K9 Heroes

Posted on March 14, 2011 by DustyCatWriter

On March 13, 1942, the U.S. Army established the K9 Corps. In honor of the courageous war dogs who served alongside our soldiers, March 13 has been designated K9 Veterans Day.

My father, Lt. Rainbolt, experienced a different kind of war dog in WWII. Dad’s war dogs weren’t combatants; they were victims. Abandoned, hungry and frightened, these one-time family pets wanted the same things our soldiers wanted: a full stomach and someone to comfort them.  A half a world away from their own family and pets, American soldiers shared their rations with starving strays. In return  the dogs offered affection and emotional escape from the horrors of war.

But, pets in combat weren’t sanctioned by the military. Even today soldiers conceal the dog or cat who travels with their units. If discovered, orders are often given to shoot the animal. A terrible idea from the morale perspective.  However, some officers turned a blind eye to the illicit relationships, for the good of his people and the animal.

Lt. Rainbolt was one of those officers. An avid dog lover since childhood, my dad never took notice of the soldiers’ canine companion, or at least never officially.

Dad served in the Signal Corps as a communications scout in France. He commanded a small unit of 30 men. During the course of the war, his men would feed or rescue starving strays they’d find along the way. These dogs didn’t sniff out the mines or walk sentry. Their job was to lick war weary faces and to offer a comforting snuggle. These devoted mutts fulfilled their mission perfectly.

The day finally arrived when Dad and his men would be shipped back to the states. One of his guys approached Dad and asked. “What do we do with the dogs?”

Dad told the soldier, “Find local families to give them homes. You can’t bring them on the ship.”

The next day when they boarded the troop transport ship for the U.S., Dad said he couldn’t see a dog for miles. He just assumed the locals had a lot of wonderful new pets.

Several hours after weighing anchor, pooches appeared on deck. A few at first. Then more and more. Before long Dad bumped into dogs no matter where he went on the ship. Dad learned that the smugglers had fed their dogs sedatives, stuffed them in their duffle bags, then carried them onto the ship.  Dad’s men weren’t the only ones to disobey the dog abandonment order. Most of the dogs onboard had traveled with combats units. Over 100 French mutts found themselves bound for the United States.

The no-nonsense admiral in charge ordered my dad to shoot every dog on the ship. Dad replied that wasn’t wise. “These men have been killing Germans for months.  The dogs are part of their unit. If you start shooting dogs, there will be a bloodbath. These men won’t hesitate to kill to protect their dogs.”

How would they carry out this mutiny, the admiral wanted to know. All of the weapons had been stowed in the bowels of the ship.

Only the military issued weapons were locked up. The same duffle bags that smuggled in contraband dogs, also (legally) toted captured guns, ammos and knives. (Even Dad came home with eight captured German bayonets.) Before the admiral could enforce his dog destruction order, he’d have to take up the captured weapons. Each piece would have to be logged in, labeled and stored it so it could be returned to the men before they left the ship. The confiscation process continued well past mid-voyage, at which time they had to start returning arms to the soldiers. After all, with an immediate turnaround, they couldn’t waste valuable dock time messing with souvenirs. The admiral conceded, and both mutts and men openly strolled the ship.

These dogs may not have carried messages or located mines, but they certainly helped maintain the spirits and morale of exhausted soldiers a long way from home. In their own canine way these scared and lonely dogs did as much to fight the war as the highly trained tactical dogs.

Dad no longer recalls the details. The admiral and the ship’s name have been lost to time. And while these dogs saved the hearts and souls of his men, Dad just returned the favor. And for a few days at the end of World War II, Dad “had over 100 dogs.” That made Lt. Rainbolt the happiest dog lover in the world.

For more information visit the K9 Veterans Day website.

Posted in K9 Heroes | 7 Comments

The Yellow Cat of Texas

Posted on March 6, 2011 by DustyCatWriter

The tube feeding continues. Fortunately, Mr. Whiskers hasn’t have any more problems holding his food down. Yea! I’m so excited. He’s standing up and greeting me with a little chirp when I come into his room.

He also let me know that he loves a good chin scratch.

One the downside, his ears are still Post-It Note yellow. Actually, I took a photo with a Post-It Note and to my horror realized that the skin inside his ears was a darker, more vivid yellow than the note pad. However with the improvement in his attitude I’m optimistic that a complete recovery awaits him.

Posted in Hepatic Lipidosis - Poor Mr. Whiskers | 1 Comment