February 24 is World Spay (and Neuter) Day

 

World Spay Day, held annually on the last Tuesday of February (Feb. 24, 2026), is
a global campaign dedicated to promoting the sterilization of pets and community animals to reduce overpopulation and suffering. It encourages veterinarians and pet owners to spay/neuter, preventing unwanted litters, reducing shelter overcrowding, and improving long-term health, such as preventing certain cancers and reducing behavioral issues.

Mr Kozmo goes into the vet around 3 times a yearforchecks on his Thyroid. On his last visit I asked some of the questions about Spaying and Neutering Ihear frequentily.

 

Shouldn’t a female cat/dog have a litter before being spayed?

Allowing a female cat or dog to produce a litter does not have any benefits to the animal. Animals who go through heat cycles and pregnancy are at higher risk for uterine and mammary problems, including mammary cancer, which can be fatal. There are health risks to the mother during the pregnancy and when giving birth. Proper pre-natal care, emergency care for birth complications, and proper newborn care are expensive and time-consuming. 

 

Will my pet become fat and lazy once he or she is fixed?

No. Your pet will actually benefit from spaying or neutering, because he or she will lead a healthier and longer life. Pets become fat and lazy as a result of overeating and a lack of exercise, not from spaying or neutering. Furthermore, spaying a female eliminates the possibility of her developing uterine and/or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the chance of breast cancer. Neutering a male eliminates the risk of testicular cancer. 

 

 Will spay/neutering change my pets personality?

Generally, spaying or neutering your pet will not change its personality. If there are any effects on behaviour, they tend to be positive (reducing unwanted behaviour). Spaying or neutering will not change your pet’s affection level or playfulness.
For females, there is typically no change at all. For males, there may be a reduction in some aggressive and roaming behaviours. If you have more than one pet, you will find they often get along much better if they are all spayed or neutered.

 

February 14 is Valentine's Day

 

Valentines!

It is Valentines Day!

I, Marvelous, am out spreading 

LOVE 

 

 

 

I am out Sprinkling Love Dust!

Furrst Kozmo and Katie Isabella 

!

And here is their 

Marvelous touched Photo!

 

Precious and Jo Jo had a Valentine's Tea Party!

 

 And Lastly NUTMEG (& ME)!

 

 

 

 

 

 

February is BUSY!

Happy Love Month! And Boy oh boy is it ever busy!

Cat Health Month

 

Cat Health Month is celebrated every February and I think that is PURRFECT!! It's a dedicated time for you Peeps to focus on our (your feline friends') physical and emotional well-being through vet checkups, making sure we get proper nutrition, exercise, grooming, and play time. It's the opportunity to schedule wellness exams, update our vaccinations, ensure our teeths are in great shape! Mr Kozmo is looking forward to seeing Dr Ruth! 

Pet Dental Health 

Taking care of the teeths is important! Did you know that 80% of Dogs and 70% of cats have some dental disease? And this can cause health issues. We don't get our teeths brushed everyday, but our Peep buys us dental treets. Nutcase er Nutmeg DOES get her teeths brushed by Mom and she LOVES it! How are your teeth?  

Spay Neuter Awareness Month

Is your pet spayed or neutered?

This month is an opportunity for us all to remember the importance of these procedures for preventing animal overpopulation and advancing overall pet health. Animal Shelters see the impact every day of failure to spay or neuter. Cats and dogs are brought to shelter after being found homeless or abandoned. 

Spaying and neutering has positive effects on your companion animals and your relationship with them. Animals that have been spayed or neutered are less likely to be aggressive. Female cats, who can go into heat every three weeks throughout most of the year, will frequently escape during this time, sometimes becoming lost or injured. Spaying makes them calmer and more content at home.

Animals that are not spayed or neutered are at risk of uterine, ovarian or testicular cancer and other afflictions.

Up here, where we live in the Great White North our annual dog license fees are even lower when your pet is spayed or neutered!

Breaking News!

I caught Kozmo practicing his dance moves! 

Katie Isabella - He's getting ready for a Valentine's Blowout! 

 

 

January 2, Pet Travel Safety Day and Happy Mew Year

 

Traveling with pets in the mountains (and almost everywhere in winter in the Northern Hemisphere) requires focus on safety, warmth, and hydration, using secure crates or harnesses for restraint, bringing blankets and extra food/water, keeping trips short if needed, protecting paws from road salt with booties/coats, and crucially, never leaving pets unattended due to rapid temperature swings and the risks of hypothermia or frostbite. 

Always have an emergency kit with essentials, and ensure your pet is comfortable and secure, even for short stops.

During the Drive

Secure Them: Use a secured crate or a safety harness/seatbelt tether; never let them roam loose or sit on your lap.

Stay Warm & Hydrated: Provide water at stops, bring blankets for warmth, and ensure the car's heat is adequate.

Paws Protection: Use pet booties or paw wax to protect against ice and salty slush; avoid letting them drink from puddles. Especially near the roads! Most road clearing now uses chemicals too and these are poisonous.

Short & Sweet Breaks: Take frequent, short potty and exercise breaks, but keep them short to minimize cold exposure.

Never Leave Unattended: A vehicle's interior can quickly become dangerously cold or hot, even in winter. 

Emergency Preparedness

Stuck in Traffic: Pack extra food and water, plus blankets, in case of unexpected delays or getting stuck.

Know the Signs: Watch for shivering, lethargy, or disorientation, which can signal hypothermia.

The above tips are from the BC SPCA, BCAA (BC Automobile Association). 

This is a TERRIFIC Video about cold weather travel!

AND it's MEW YEAR!

As far as I'm concerned, EVERY DAY is My day! And I don't know too many cats that don't think that!

 Happy Mew Year on January 2nd makes it EXTRA SPECIAL for me! After all yesterday - New Year's Day - seems to be all about the Peeps! Mom says on Mew Year we get 3 wishes each!

Today, I expect my Peep to make the day ALL ABOUT ME! And I want:

A NEw Nip Nanner!

A nice box of Oat grass from the health food store

And Kozmo to feel more like his happy-go-lucky self! I miss my play buddy! I can't remember the last time we played "Great Thundering Herd" or "Bed Monster"!

The new medicine he got from the vet for his joints has not been successful. He can't have pain meds as they react with his Thyroid meds and He has found the cold and wet purrticularly hard this winter. He spends his time sleeping on the sofa or on the bed...

December 26, Happy Box(ing) Day!

 

Mr Kozmo did NOT let Mom down! She put out boxes, she stuck boxes together, she "seeded" them with Catnip! All in a vain attempt to get any of us to sit in them so SHE could get a photo! 

This CHRISTMAS Morning, Mom came out to give Koz his Meds and could not find him.

THEN she saw Jo Jo!

Can you see his right white paw?

 Our work here is done...Maybe Mom will let us sleep now.

Thanks so very Much for ALL of you thinking of us on Christmas! 

We loved all the Christmas Cards and your comments and visiting you! 

 

We laughed!

 

 We bounced around the room and we decimated the Christmas decorations! 

 

Thanks for the Joy and Love this season! 

 

You are AWESOME! Marvelous Marv (and Mom Barb) 

 

 

November 27, Thanksgiving Day

 Furst! It is my Mom's Sister's Birthday today! 

I, Marvelous want you to know that we all LOVE you!

Us cats (Me-Marv, Jo Jo and Kozmo) wanted our Peep to know how thankful she should be for us this year!

Mousing Ability

Our mousing ability is prized out here in the middle of nowhere! Even our neighbor, Mr F is grateful for our pest control skills. Mr Kozmo loves to line up his catches in front of his side door so he KNOWS that we work hard! Mr F even buys our favorite freeze dried salmon treats!

Conversation

Mom says that most cats are NOT as vocal as us 3. We want to talk about EVERYTHING. Mom says that we are Siamese Cats masquerading as tabbies and a tuxi! want to chime in about everything. I believe everything I say is totally charming.  

Purrs

Our purrs are special! This wonderful power is from vibrating at the special frequencies that  promote healing. My purring is especially powerful if I sit on your chest!

Entertainment

I will never stop making YOU laugh. My totally adorable expressions, the way I fling cat toys, my presenting you with live game and over-the-top PURRsonality mixes together to one loving bundle of joy! Just watch out for my murder mittens.

Inspiration

I know my life goal is to spend as much time sleeping, eating and chasing mice but I believe I am the PURRfect role model! I get plenty of rest, I don't get stressed, I speak my mind, I take time to have fun and I LOVE to show Mom how much I lover her! I think these are the most important things in life. 

Sleep Aids

Snuggling up with a purring cat is PURRfect for winding down. (Kozmo is also the bestest alarm clock, but that’s another topic.)

Love And Cuddles

All 3 of us are extremely affectionate, and we have some the PURRfect ways of showing it. Even Jo Jo (who is kind of standoffish) shows her love by just hanging out (even if it is inside the sofa Alex is sitting on in the Man Cave!) Apparently her (very LOUD) purring can be extremely soothing!

And these are ALL reasons for Mom to be thankful for having us 3 amigos in her life! 

Blog4Peace Reminder

 Are you getting ready for the BIG DAY?

 Nope! I'm not talking about Halloween! I'm Taking about the Blog

I have been getting Kozmo to work on our Peace Globe! for Blog4Peace day!

The Cat Blogosphere and Many Cat and Dog bloggers have supported this movement in the last 20 years of peace blogging. 

Let's see if us Pets can go to Mimi's blogs and pick up Peace Globes, or make our own for the 20th anniversary of Blog4Peace, and see if we can make this year the BEST EVER! 

Please visit Mimi's sites for more information on November 4th! 

Here's the announcement link in Mimi Writes

https://mimiwrites.blogspot.com/2025/10/blog4peace-2025-dona-nobis-pacem-join-us.html

 

Here's the one for Blog4Peace 

https://peaceglobegallery.blogspot.com/2025/10/announcing-blog4peace-2025-dona-nobis.html

The Blog4Peace site has many graphics and examples to see as well, especially good for first time peace bloggers.

This Year's theme is SPEAK LOVE!

 

 

Please Feel Free to post either of the badges in today's post on your site!

 

Now excuse me...I gotta go work on my Halloween Costume! 

 

 

 

 

is October 20th Tockober 2025

 

 FURRST....Mom has been following me and Koz and Nutmeg and Jo Jo trying to get TOC shots and has failed!

You want to take a picture of my WHAT! NEVER!

I'm kind of busy napping right now...maybe tomorrow

Nuts...Ignore Mom, she does NOT need pictures! Lets get back to our nap! 

If she succeeds before the end of the month, we will have a belated Tocktober!

We can't wait to see your tocks!  

Don’t forget to leave your daily link over at The Cat Blogosphere for a chance to grab an entry for the end of the month drawing.  Oh, and please remember to visit our stores at CBWhiskersandPaws.com and Etsy. You will find unique items in each store and sales help support the operation of The Cat Blogosphere. Okay, that’s it for now!  Remember, adopt cats, we deserve it!!!!! More Forever Homes More Often! Purrrrr! Zip! Later!

National Veterinary Technician Week

Hi Guys! Kozmo Here.

Me dictating to Mom

I'm talking about Vet Techs and Vet Techs week because I, Kozmo, am lucky to spend lots of time with all of the staff at our Vet's office. I LOVE our vet, the vet techs and the vet assistants! I have been visiting our vet for all 15 years of my life. And I visit a lot, I have thyroid disease and I go in for blood tests at least twice a year. 

Me and the Dr.

When I come to visit, I feel like a ROCK STAR! All the Techs, Assistants and the Vets (and the wonderful office people) ALL WANT Kozmo hugs! (yes I hug and I purr/talk when I am being cuddled). I go from arms to arms and Mom has a tough time getting me to leave. 

My major question has been, "What is the difference between a veterinarian, veterinary technologist, veterinary technician and veterinary assistant?"

At The National Vet Tech Association website I learned, that people with different educational experience staff the hospital. The veterinarian is responsible for diagnosing, prognosing, prescribing medication and performing surgery. They are responsible for all patient care and outcomes. Most veterinarians are like Doctors! They apply to a veterinary medical school admission while getting a bachelor degree first. After 4 years of medical school, they have to pass a licensing exam. Successful candidates are given a license to practice veterinary medicine. 

The veterinary technicians and technologists are educated to be the veterinarian’s nurse, laboratory technician, radiography technician, anesthetist, surgical nurse and client educator. Most veterinary technicians are graduates of an accredited associate’s or bachelor’s program and have passed the VTNE exam. The term “Veterinary Technologist” is specifically designated for bachelor’s program graduates. A veterinary technician or technologist specialist has met the same requirements as above plus spends about 75% of their time doing a specific task and has passed a specialist certification exam administered by a Specialist Academy. Currently, there are eleven academies offering specialty certification. 

 

The veterinary assistant may have training through a high school, college certificate program or through a distant learning program over the Internet. Most, however, are trained on the job by the veterinarian or the veterinary technician. Their role is to assist the veterinarian or the veterinary technician in their daily tasks as well as some basic duties such as setting up of equipment and cleaning of key areas in the clinic like the surgery suite. Some may be asked to do kennel cleaning and janitorial work as well. NAVTA has recently created a Approved Veterinary Assistant program. 

 

I AM impressed!

Talk (MEOW OR BARK!) Like A Pirate Day! - The Whiskered Wraith Part IV - Booty, Brotherhood, and the Big Reveal

Are you ready for Part IV? We sure are!

Booty, Brotherhood, and the Big Reveal

The crew stood before the final cave on the Isle of Fishbones, its entrance shaped like a yawning cat mouth. Inside, traps ticked, puzzles pulsed, and the air smelled faintly of herring and secrets. Marvelous raised his sword. “This is it, mates. The treasure of Admiral Claw awaits.” 

Kozmo adjusted his cravat. “Let’s hope it’s not just a pile of soggy tuna.” 

Nutmeg sniffed the air. “Something’s fishy,” she muttered. 

Blinky growled. “I’ve seen things, mate. This feels like one of ‘em.”

 

Together, they navigated the cave’s riddles—Kozmo deciphered the ancient Gorbelatin runes, Precious boiled a sardine a stew that revealed hidden paths, Erin excelled at casting moonlight arrows that froze all traps mid-snap, Nutmeg and Blinky worked in tandem, they dodged swinging skeleton bones and barked at shadows!

At last the crew reached the deepest darkest depths of the cave... and there, gleaming in the glow worm light they found the treasure: a chest carved from driftwood and dreams. 

They all gasped and watched as Marvelous opened it slowly… 

Inside was no gold, no jewels—just scrolls, songs, and stories of pirate cats past.

After they carried the chest to the cave mouth, the crew stood around a campfire. Marvelous smiled. “This is the real booty,” he said. “Tales of courage, friendship, and fur.” 

The crew gathered around, tails twitching, eyes wide. Kozmo dabbed his eyes with a silk pawkerchief. Blinky muttered, “I’ve seen things… but this? This is beautiful.” Erin purred softly. Nutmeg leaned against Blinky, just for a moment. Precious passed around celebratory stew. 

 

 

And as the sun set over the sea, the Whiskered Wraith sailed on—its crew united, its legend just beginning! 

We thank our special guests - Precious and Erin (the cat Princess), The Kracken and especially Jo Jo for dressing as Binky!

Did you miss any of the chapters? 

The Whiskered Wraith Part I - The Whiskered Wraith Sets Sail

The Whiskered Wraith Part II - Barks and Bandanas

The Whiskered Wraith Part III -  The Cook, the Princess, and the Kraken

 

 

 

 

 

 

 We go back to our regular posts tomorrow, we hope you liked our story. 

 

The Whiskered Wraith Part III - The Cook, the Princess, and the Kraken

The Whiskered Wraith glided into Meowdao, a floating market where cats traded secrets for sardines and yarn for spells. The air smelled of fish and mystery. Kozmo sneezed dramatically. “The humidity is offensive,” he declared, fluffing his fur. Marvelous ignored him, eyes locked on a stall where a gray cat stirred a pot that hissed with magic. “That,” he said, “is the cook we need.”

It was Precious, a Maltese Cat! She was the market’s top chef, known for her sardine soufflé and tuna tacos. Marvelous stood in front of her--she didn’t look up. “I don’t do litter box jokes,” she said flatly, ladling out soup that shimmered like moonlight. Blinky slurped it and blinked twice. “I’ve seen things,” he whispered. “But never soup like this.” Nutmeg wagged her tail in approval. 

Marvelous asked and Precious agreed to join the crew—on the condition that Kozmo stop calling her “Madame Ladle.”  He didn’t, but she came anyway. Marv offered her the title of Chief Cook and Bottle Washer, and she accepted—on one condition: no litter box jokes.

Just as they stocked up on enchanted anchovies, the sea roared. Tentacles rose from the deep—the Kraken of Catlantis had awakened! Kozmo fainted. Nutmeg barked. Blinky bit a tentacle. Precious hurled hot stew. 

And then, from above, descended Erin the Cat Princess, riding a moonbeam and wielding a wand made of starlight. With a flick of her tail, the Kraken vanished. “I’ll join you,” she purred. “But only if there’s tuna.” Marvelous bowed. The crew was now magical, messy, and magnificently feline!

Stay tuned for The Whiskered Wraith - Part IV - Booty, Brotherhood, and the Big Reveal

did you miss The Whiskered Wraith Part I - The Whiskered Wraith Sets Sail

or The Whiskered Wraith Part II - Barks and Bandanas

 

 

*** A couple of Second Mate Nutmeg's Litter Box Jokes! ***

Riddle 1: What do you call a litter box that’s full of surprises? 

Answer: A “claw”-some treasure chest for the cat!

Riddle 2: Why did the cat bring a map to the litter box? 

Answer: It wanted to mark its territory like a true explorer!

 

August 22, International Take Your Cat to the Vet Day

 Vet visits are absolutely essential for all cats, and this national day reminds us to make those important annual appointments. With regular check-ups, you help keep your cat healthy by catching signs of illnesses early and keeping them updated on their vaccinations. Vet visits can be stressful, but they’re essential for your cat’s overall health.  

Jo Jo goes to the vet for a check-up about every 12-18 months. She is very healthy and up to date with her shots. She does not like the trip but she is ALWAYS a good cat! 

Mr Kozmo has a Thyroid problem. Because of this, he goes to the vet every 6 months for blood tests and he gets all his other shots when they come due. Some are once a year and some are once every 3 years. Kozmo does NOT like the trip to the vet. He often sings the songs of our people not only the whole 45 minute trip to the big city, but the trip home too! Funny though, once he is at the vets, he purrs... LOUD! The staff all love him to bits and he loves all the treats and the attentions (and our vet! He loves her to bits). 

I, Marvelous don't go to the vet. I BITE! I Claw!! I SCREAM!!! When Mom gets out a cat carrier, I disappear! Our vet calls and stops by when she comes out to help the local farm animals. I am a pretty friendly guy and I know how to use my Persian charm! I do come out and visit and rub and purr and be the sweetest cat EVER! And before I know it, the needles go in, the bumps are checked and the blood gets taken!   

Do you like your Vet?