March 13, K9 Vets Day

 

Click for more about Navy Seal Dogs

 

 

February 17, Chinese New Year, Year of the Horse

 

Chinese New Year, Year of the Horse

2026 is the Year of the Horse—a powerful symbol of vitality, bold leaps, and good fortune for those ready to take on new challenges. 

Horse and the 12 Zodiac Animals (Origin Story)

Chinese culture has an origin story that explains why the 12 zodiacs are represented by these 12 animals, and in this order. Horse is 7th of the zodiacs because that’s its place in the celestial race.

The race was organized by the Jade Emperor, who ruled over the heavens in Chinese legend. By his imperial decree, the first 12 animals that made it across the river would receive this eternal honor.

Horse was a crowd favorite, but because it was dawdling for the onlookers’ adoration and fanfare at the starting line, Horse didn’t start the race until it was too late to win the way everyone expected. However, it still beat the Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig to the finish line. 

Horses are some of the most passionate and charismatic leaders, performers, and activists the world has ever seen. Here’s a list of famous Horses:

  Joe Biden: November 20, 1942, Water Horse

    Mike Tyson: June 30, 1966, Fire Horse

    Jackie Chan: April 7, 1954, Wood Horse

    Kobe Bryant: August 23, 1978, Earth Horse

    Emma Watson: April 15, 1990, Metal Horse

    Clint Eastwood: May 31, 1930, Metal Horse

    Greta Thunberg: January 3, 2003, Water Horse

    Cindy Crawford: February 20, 1966, Fire Horse 

Mom has spent a lot of time living in cities that have large vibrant Chinatowns and Chinese New Year is always a humongous celebration. She worked in a Chinese Restaurant for a while and worked a couple of New Years. She said it is a major Spring Festival, It is a time for family reunions, honoring ancestors, and rituals to attract good fortune, featuring red decorations, fireworks, dragon dances, and traditional, symbolic, festive meals. A

One of the things Mom says she misses the most is the Dragon and Lion Dancers as thy parade EVERYWHERE!

Here is a YouTube Video teaching Kids about Dragon Dancing!

 Tonight Mom will make some traditional Chinese dishes and she says she will make us some stir fried salmon and broccoli! 

 

Now, I'm off to practice doing a LION Dance!

May the colorful celebrations drive all the dullness away from your life. Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Today we are pawticipating at Comedy Plus at HAPPY TUESDAY! THNX SANDY!

Animal Shelter Appreciation Week November 2-8

 

Animal Shelter Appreciation Week is a time to celebrate the unsung heroes who rescue, heal, and rehome animals in need. These shelters are often stretched thin—short on funds, space, and hands—but they never stop showing up for the voiceless. Whether it’s a warm blanket, a bowl of food, or a second chance at life, their compassion makes all the difference.

"I was rescued from a plastic bag and brought to a shelter where a kind vet worked on my lungs for five whole months," says Marv. "I didn’t get along with other animals, so I waited... until someone in Vancouver read Queen Nellie’s Blog. They thought, ‘If Marv’s new mom could turn Nellie into a wonderful pet, maybe she could help him too.’ So I flew across the world to start again. I’m still a work in progress, but I love Kozmo, I’m learning to trust people, and I only hiss at Jo Jo and that dog, Nutmeg, sometimes."

 

This week, honor the shelters that never give up. Volunteer your time, donate supplies, or open your heart to adoption. You might just change a life—like mine.

Oh Yes! For those that asked, we published the Beef Roll Recipe on the blog!

 

 

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!

 

Dreamin' on Tuesday Evening!

 Marvelous was snoring beside me (Yes! He SNORES!)  

His paws twitched and a soft "ARRGGG ME MATEY!" passed his lips (do cats have lips?)

Marv! What ARE you dreaming about! I asked... 

Marv shook himself and looked at me and said, "I, Marvelous was standing on the weathered deck of my pirate ship, the Whiskered Wraith. Beside me is my first mate, Blinky!" He's a scrappy beagle mix with a red bandana and he has a look that says, “I’ve seen things, mate”! 

"My cutlass was in my paw, my pirate coat was billowing in the sea breeze. Our a magical compass, was pointing to a hidden island shaped like a pawprint—I’m ready to chart the course!" 

🏴‍☠️🐶🐱🌊 

"I bet, if I go back to sleep, I can find it before Meow like a Pirate Day!"

Good Luck Marv! Purrhaps you can bring back the Treasure on the BIG Day!

 

Thanks for sharing your Dream! (And I can't wait to hear more)!
 

 

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?

 

Marv's Imaginary 9th Birthday Trip!

Are you wondering why you came to MY BLOG to celebrate MY BIRTHDAY and you see a terrified June? 

I came to whisk her away to MY CASA and guess what...

Nutmeg did not get the coordinates quite right...

AND this is what June saw!

 

I apologized profusely...

 

 

And June said I could fall on her out of her ceiling anytime.

 

 

So She came back to our house for Cake (but mostly the ice cream)

 

I am so happy to have such wonderful Furrends! 

 

Oh Yes! Stop by June's Blog for some of the festivities!

 

 Don't we make a GORGEOUS couple?

July 10 is Kitten Day

I was born in Tehran's Laleh Park. Here is a video where I lived before I was rescued brought back to health and sent to Canada. 

Tehran has many feral cats.  I was only one kitten of very many. 

“A feral cat's behavior can be quite different from that of a domesticated cat. They are not used to being handled or petted, and may not respond well to attempts at socialization. It is important to give feral cats space and time to adjust to human presence,” explains a wildlife biologist.
Feral cats often form colonies, with multiple cats living together in a social hierarchy. These colonies serve as a form of protection and support for the cats, allowing them to share resources and watch out for one another. While feral cats may seem solitary at first glance, they actually have complex social structures within their colonies.

Us feral cats often are not be easily domesticated, with time and patience, some feral cats can learn to trust humans and become more socialized. It is important to approach feral cats with care and respect their boundaries. Though I was found and lived in the veterinary for 6 months, I still have many feral behaviours. I will not let anyone pick me up, I hiss and fight when startled and I am not afraid to scratch and bite. 
I am very lucky that my Peep was OK with that.  

 cute when we are little

National Kitten Day is an unofficial holiday celebrated annually on July 10th. It is a day dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of kitten adoption and to promoting responsible pet ownership. Kittens are adorable and playful, but they also require a lot of care and attention. By celebrating National Kitten Day, we can help to ensure that all kittens find loving homes where they will be cherished and taken care of.

The origins of National Kitten Day are unknown, but it is believed to have been started by a group of animal lovers who wanted to raise awareness about the importance of kitten adoption. The day has since gained popularity, and is now celebrated by animal shelters and rescue organizations across the country. On National Kitten Day, many shelters and rescues offer special adoption events and discounts on kitten adoption fees. This is a great opportunity to find a furry new friend to add to your family.

National Kitten Day is an important day to raise awareness about the importance of kitten adoption and to promote responsible pet ownership.

I was cute when I was little...
 

July 4th is American Independence Day

 

Booms! Bangs! And Music! 

I, Marvelous Marv, partied SO HARD on Canada Day Night...

Mom woke me up and said, Marv! Its Fourth of July! You gotta write a post for your American Furreinds.

  WHAT! 

How did we get to the 4th of July so fast!?!? 

  

I remember dancing to Rockn' Ronnie's Band with the Disco Cats...

I vaguely remember talking to some bird...

I remember playing in the woods... But I don't remember losing Wednesday and Thursday...

HOWEVER, some cat food and water AND 

I'm ready to Rock and Roll to celebrate the Fourth!

 Are you ready for 

International Hug Your Cat Day!

 Mom, Did you know today is International Hug Your Cat Day? Today (which is observed on May 30) is an opportunity to lavish your cats with hugs and pamper them, as they deserve. 

Of course, you should already be doing this, (every day) but International Hug Your Cat Day is the ONE day dedicated specifically to doing this. I Marvelous have a list...WAIT...You WANT ME TO DO SOMETHING?!?!?

 

 

I guess if I can Hug a Frog, I can hug Mom...

You really give good hugz Mom! Were you practising? Purrhaps with that Hairy Slobbery Dog Nutcase? Or Kozmo or Jo Jo or maybe Big Furry across the Street?

No!?! Well, I LOVE your hugz....

WAIT! There is a Rainbow! Purrhaps the Angels are watching and want hugz too!!! I KNOW Angel Nellie Bellie LOVES HUGZ!!!

AND 

I got Kozmo here...He wants his Hugz!

 

And Jo Jo TOO!!!

And I know she's NOT a Cat,  but Netmeg gets hugs too!

Did you get hugs today?