Autumn Art and We Love Memoirs Day #caturdayart

Happy Caturday!

Well, it's cooler than last week but still quite warm. Hard to believe that it's autumn tomorrow. 

From now on you will see a lot more autumn-themed art because it's Mum's favourite season. 

Here are some autumn tones for you today. Both were created with LunaPic. We are not sponsored for mentioning this great editor, we just like to use it quite regularly for our blog art and so we wanted to share.


This is the Geometric and Landscape art filters together but Mum toned them down a bit to create her own artwork.

This one is the Geometric art filter on its own.

Before we go, we heard it's We Love Memoirs Day.

Mum enjoys reading memoirs. She's also written one herself as regular readers of this blog may already know. It's not a new book as it was written some few years back. It's no best-seller but we thought we'd give it a mention. It's called The Cat Years: How My Cat Soulmates Saved Me  No need to tell you what that's about, hey?

Mum has always been a sensitive soul and not very good with humans. She hasn't had much luck in human relationships and she's had a lot of depression and anxiety throughout her life. But her cats have always helped her cope and she truly believes we are her soulmates. It was published in 2013 and there is so much more to tell that she may well write another memoir one day. 

She's gone right off writing though so it might not be for some years yet. 

Do your humans like to read memoirs? If so, what are their favs? They don't have to be animal-related, although they are usually the best!

Caturday Art Blog Hop

Pet photo art using filters.

Cat art (not on the actual cat).

Animal art (not on the actual animal).

Your own drawings or paintings of animals.

Just keep it safe, clean and respectable!

Purrs and peace to you all 😻

Amazon Associates Disclosure Athena Cat Goddess is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Enjoying Some Kitty Grass

You had a great view of my whiskers the other day so now here are my beautiful green eyes close up. Don't they match well with the kitty grass and catnip plant?

Feline Friday 

Hosted by Comedy Plus

Friendly Fill-Ins 

CLICK HERE FOR THE LINK TO THIS  HOP

1. My favorite Peanuts character is _________.

2. I knew I was no longer a child when _________.

3. I was shocked when I learned that _________.

4. I always feel frustrated when I try to _________.


MARIE
1. My favorite Peanuts character is well, I can't remember but I think it was Snoopy.

2. I knew I was no longer a child when I discovered reality.

3. I was shocked when I learned that dairy is scary. Horrified actually what happens to dairy cows and their offspring. For years I was vegetarian, but I thought cheese was OK. I never liked milk and was lactose intolerant, and hated eggs, but I was addicted to cheese for years. I feel so bad and guilty about that now that I no longer eat dairy and have been vegan since 2014. I don't miss cheese one bit!  (And if anyone is wondering, Athena is NOT vegan - cats are carnivores and I would never ever think of putting her on a vegan diet).

4. I always feel frustrated when I try to do anything creative. I'm such a perfectionist and I struggle to believe in myself. I'm never 100% satisfied with anything I do.

ATHENA
1. My favorite Peanuts character is - I've never watched it as I'm too young!

2. I knew I was no longer a child when - doesn't apply to me because I'll always be my mum's furchild.

3. I was shocked when I learned that Mum has taken photos of other cats :(

4. I always feel frustrated when I try to get Mum's attention away from the computer!

Photo Fails

And as it's the last Friday of the month we are also joining Pet Photo Fails, hosted by Melissa and Mudpie 

This photo would have been great if it weren't so overexposed!

Amazon Associates Disclosure 
Athena Cat Goddess is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Whiskers and Wordless Wednesday

Just me enjoying the whiffs on this Whiskers Wednesday

Still awfully hot here.

Hosted by Comedy Plus

Dash Kitten, Bionic Basil and Barking from the Bayou

Today is also Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day.

Check out Mum's blog for her post in honour of Suzy, her cat before me.

Athena Cat Goddess is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Cat Charity News UK and International #charitytuesday

I was rescued and adopted as a kitten in July 2011

💚

Finzi is currently at Wood Green waiting for a special someone to adopt her.

FINZI (Photo: Wood Green, The Animals Charity)

  

This senior lady is 14 years old and currently at the Godmanchester centre of Wood Green, The Animals Charity (not the London branch where Mum adopted me from). 

Finzy is gentle, sweet and chatty and has already won the hearts of the staff looking after her. This affectionate lady loves her food and enjoys a bit of playtime when she feels in the mood. A quiet home without other cats would be purrfect for her. If you're are interested in adopting Finzi click here.  

😺

This adorable kitten is Nala and is being looked after by NineLivesGreece. 

Based in Athens, Greece, the charity is "just a handful of volunteers who dedicate our spare time to the stray cats, we have no office, no shelter facilities, no animal ambulance or transport van, and we receive no state funding or assistance".  

Their main aim is the "humane reduction of the stray cat overpopulation through trap-neuter-return programmes. Each year, we get hundreds of stray cats in Athens neutered/spayed, greatly reducing the numbers of unwanted kittens born each season, and ensuring a healthier adult cat population."

Nine Lives Greece also helps to improve the quality of life for existing street cats through feeding programmes on a daily basis feeding nearly 450 stray and abandoned cats in central Athens and giving routine anti-parasite treatment, and veterinary care for ill or injured cats. In addition, they find loving, responsible homes for as many stray or abandoned cats and kittens as possible.

View this post on Instagram

Nala is a gorgeous golden tabby with emerald eyes and a wonderful personality. She is the friendliest, cuddliest cat you ever met. She has a thing for men and will certainly seduce any guy that comes along her way. She follows you everywhere and purrs 24/7. She is an absolute lovebug and really deserves a home that will cherish this precious young cat. Please help! ——- Η Νάλα είναι μια πανέμορφη χρυσή τιγρούλα με σμαραγδένια μάτια και ξεχωριστό χαρακτήρα. Είναι η πιο φιλική και τρυφερή γάτα που έχεις γνωρίσει. Έχει αδυναμία στους άντρες και θα σαγηνεύσει οποίο αρσενικό βρεθεί στο δρόμο της! Χουρχουριζει και ζητά χάδια συνέχεια, ενώ ακολουθεί τον άνθρωπο της παντού! Είναι ένα αγαπησιάρικο πλασματάκι που αξίζει ένα σπίτι που θα την λατρέψει. Θα μας βοηθήσετε να της το χαρίσουμε; ——- #εφταψυχες #παμεσπιτι #nineluvesgreece #adoptme #adoptdontshop #straycats #rescuedismyfavoritebreed #goldentabby #bengal #lovecats #greeneyes #catsofgreece #ineedahome #catrescue #animalrescue #kittenrescue #tabby #tabbycat

A post shared by NineLivesGreece (@ninelivesgreece) on Aug 26, 2019 at 1:11am PDT

Skiathos Cat Welfare needs your HELP…

From Skiathos Cat Welfare Association Facebook page:

"We have been aware of a situation for some time, we have tried to help with food when we can, however things have now sadly escalated.
In the middle of the island, an elderly local man has been trying for some time to care for numerous cats, and 3 dogs. He has done his best considering his age and failing health. Sadly, he is now in hospital and the situation in his home is critical. We have been given permission from his family to go to the house to try and help the cats there. It's clear that the resident has been struggling for some time and it’s a very sad situation.
There are cats needing vet care, there are kittens, pregnant females, a blind cat. In the day we have seen around 20-30 cats, I imagine when its cooler there are more we just haven’t seen.
Immediate needs are food, new feeding bowls, and general things to try and do what we can to the immediate area to try and improve the situation.
We are very short of volunteers and its hard to try and go everyday which is what it needs. Is there anyone in the local community who could help a fellow resident as this is a long term situation for which at this time we don’t know how the story will end.
We want to try our best, but need a little help.
Can you buy an SOS token for £1 ?"

Each token will go in the pot to get food, water, medical care, and any immediate needs for these cats.

If you are able to help please click here for more info.

Photo: Skiathos Cats

Skiathos Cats Welfare Association Links

https://www.skiathos-cats.org/

https://www.facebook.com/skiathoscatwelfareassociation/

💚

😺

Overlooked cats 

Sadly, there are so many overlooked cats urgently needing forever homes everywhere. Here is a list of UK rescue shelters and charities from the cat rescue resource CatChat.org, with details of harder to home senior cats, black cats, special needs cats, FIV+ cats and feral/farm cats. 

(PHOTO borrowed from CatChat.org)

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ATHENA'S RESCUE STORY

All proceeds from A Forever Home For Athena will be donated to the following charities:

Wood Green The Animals Charity
Greek Cat Welfare Society
Cats Protection

🐾💖🐾💖

💜

More homeless pets looking for forever homes can be found on my Mum's Pinterest Pet Rescue board.
Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post. As a rescue kitty myself I want to help other rescues find their forever home, so each week on Charity Tuesday I share adoptable cats from Wood Green, the Animals Charity (which is where I was rescued) and some other charities dear to our hearts. Mum and I are so grateful to Wood Green because without them we would never have found each other! Please note: We are here to help cats and give our time freely. We also ensure that to the best of our knowledge and research other lesser-known charities mentioned are legit.  

This post contains affiliate links. Full disclosure here.

Green-Eyed Beauty Sunday Selfie for Bank Holiday Weekend

Happy Sunday, everyone! 

And Happy August Bank Holiday Weekend to those of us in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland!
 

We are joining The Cat on my Head for the Sunday Selfies Blog Hop

Feeling artsy? 

There's still time to participate in yesterday's Caturday Art Blog Hop 

The linky will close in 2 days.




Amazon Associates Disclosure Athena Cat Goddess is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Dangling Paw #caturdayart

Happy Caturday!

So here I am posing in my catio. I know how much you all love the dangling paw so here it is for you. You will see the original photo below but first here is the arty version.

Embossed about 50% in LunaPic

And then added Metalic art filter 45% in LunaPic

The original without any filters.

The Cat Blogosphere

Athena Cat Goddess is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Up Close in Black and White Feline Friday Fill-Ins

Catching the early morning whiffs and sniffs...

What can I smell? It's hard to explain to a human but out in my catio I get a whiff of everything. Mum says she does too because she has a heightened sense of smell for a human but Mum, you will never smell what I smell. Frankly, you wouldn't want to because you're vegan :)

I saw a baby mousie in the garden yesterday. I was indoors looking out of the patio door. I got frustrated because I couldn't catch it. 🐁

Mum came into the room and looked out at it and started saying it's cute. Why? I was thinking it would make a good meal and I wanted to gift it to her. 

I know she wouldn't like it. But cute? I'm the only cute one around here!

The mousie ran around the garage wall and probably hid behind the shed next to it. 

A few minutes later I saw a ginger cat from our street on our garden wall. I wonder if he'd got a whiff of mousie too. Then he jumped off the wall into the street. Perhaps he caught mousie when I wasn't looking?

I went to Mum and gave her my bestest loving pining gaze and it worked because she gave me some Bozita Chicken  and I was satisfied 😻

Here's a sweet Instagram video of Mum and me for Feline Friday.

View this post on Instagram

I love my mum and she loves me ❤️😘😽🐾 #cats #catmum #catsoftwitter #catsoftwitterandinstagram #catblogger #rescuecat #rescuecatsrock #tabbylove #furbabylove #furdaughter #lovecats #tabbiesoftheworld #ukcat #meowmonday

A post shared by Athena (@athenawisekitty) on Aug 19, 2019 at 9:10am PDT

Time for the Friendly Fill-Ins hosted by 15andmeowing and Four-Legged Furballs

1. I am a stickler for _________.

2. By the end of August, I plan to _________.

3. _________ is my favorite thing about myself.

4. These days, my biggest priority is _________.

MARIE
1. I am a stickler for cleanliness. I like things clean and tidy and I'm germ-phobic so I dislike touching people. Cats are a different matter I'd touch them forever.
2. By the end of August, I plan to write more blog posts in advance. 
3. Empathy is my favorite thing about myself although sometimes I wish I wasn't so sensitive.
4. These days, my biggest priority is looking after Athena and making sure she has the purrfect life!

 ATHENA 
1. I am a stickler for cleanliness. 
2. By the end of August, I plan to inspire Mum to do more art of me for our Redbubble store. 
3. Everything is my favorite thing about myself. 
4. These days, my biggest priority is looking after Mum and making sure she smiles more.

Click here to see more Friendlies 

Caturday Art

Don't forget Caturday Art tomorrow - my artsy blog hop where all my furry buddies and their artistic humans get together to create art from their photos - or art from anything really, but nothing that involves harming an animal. Animals are sentient and have rights!

We are also joining Comedy Plus for the Feline Friday Blog Hop

Athena Cat Goddess is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Wildcat Whiskers Wednesday

Mum says I look like a wild cat with my amazing markings.

Talking of wildcats, have you seen The Tigers of Scotland documentary on Netflix?

Catch the trailer here 

Mum watched and was shocked to hear that these amazing and beautiful creatures are on the verge of becoming extinct. 

Sadly, their numbers are dwindling fast.

" In just a couple of years ago experts believed that there were between 35 and 100 pure breed Scottish Wildcats and up to 400 hybrids. The latest estimate is that there are up to 100 hybrids with the possibility that there are no 100% pure Wildcats left." - The Tigers of Scotland website.

The hour-long documentary by Wild Films Ltd and narrated by actor Iain Glen, focuses on the wildcats and the conservation efforts currently being undertaken to ensure their survival.

These elusive and magnificent cats, that once inhabited England and Wales and are now only confined to Scotland, are larger than a domestic cat and not to be confused with a domestic tabby. These ‘Highland Tigers’ (the name originates from their stripey fur and the fact that they’re the UK’s only remaining ‘big’ cat) are the UK's rarest mammal.


Even though Mum jokes with me that I look like a wild cat, it's important to note that the Scottish Wildcat is a distinctly different species than a typical domestic tabby house cat. For one thing, the wildcat is around 50% larger than the average moggy. And another thing is they are of stockier build and their tail is bushy with distinct black bands and a blunt tip. They also stay away from humans. Yeah, they may be cute but I doubt they would want you to pet them.

photo credit: Peter G Trimming 'Kendra' via photopin (license)

Urgent action is needed to save our wildcats 

The Scottish Wildcat Action is the first national conservation plan with a vision to restore viable populations of Scottish wildcats north of the Highland fault line. 

They are committed to: 

Working with local people in wildcat priority areas to reduce the risks of hybridisation, disease and accidental persecution;Breeding healthy wildcats for later release to bolster the population through a conservation breeding programme;Gathering extensive data and sharing our findings to improve understanding of this elusive predator."

The main threats to the Scottish Wildcat are:

From the Scottish Wildcat Action website: 

• 1) Hybridisation - Wildcats are very rare, so it makes it difficult for them to find and breed with other wildcats. Hybridisation starts when a Scottish wildcat breeds with a domestic cat, either an unneutered pet cat that is living in the countryside or a domestic cat that is living wild, known as a feral. Their hybrid kittens grow up and go on to breed again. A healthy population of wildcats can cope with some hybridisation on its fringes. However, because numbers of wildcats are now so low, and there are many times more domestic/feral cats, our native cat will soon be wiped out by this genetic introgression. 

•  2) Disease - Ferals also carry a lot of disease and parasites unfortunately because they are often in poor condition. They can pass these on to wildcats including fatal diseases such as FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) and FeLV (feline leukaemia virus), as well as cat flu. Surviving the harsh Scottish winters is tough enough without disease so this contributes to a shorter lifespan and less opportunities for wildcats to produce offspring. 

• 3) Accidental persecution - Some land owners keep game birds, such as pheasants, and feral cats are considered a pest because they eat these birds. Ferals are therefore shot to keep numbers down. This is a legal predator control practice. However, sometimes wildcats can be mistaken for a feral cat, particularly at night when it is difficult to see.

We want to say that number 3 above "this is a legal predator control practice" angers me and Mum. Especially, Mum, who as you may well know is passionate about animal rights and hates all humans who mess with animals and nature.

There is another reason why these wildcats are threatened. They are losing their habitat.
A third of the small number of Scottish Wildcats that remain live in the publicly-owned Clashindarroch Forest in the Scottish Highlands and are in danger from logging by the Scottish Government’s Forestry Commission Scotland. 

"Wildcat Haven have found 13 wildcats in this forest. It is their last and only known major stronghold and breeding site. But logging is taking place in the middle of kitten season, disturbing wildcat mothers, which could make them abandon or even eat their young.The logging will tear the wildcat population apart, and threaten many other rare animals that live in the forest alongside them."

Sign the petition calling on the Scottish Government to immediately halt the logging and exploitation of Clashindarroch Forest to ensure the iconic Scottish wildcat survives. Click here to sign

Scottish Wildcat Links

http://www.tigersofscotland.com/#doc
http://www.scottishwildcataction.org/generationwildcat/
https://www.facebook.com/ScottishWildcatAction
https://www.facebook.com/ScottishWildcatHaven
https://www.wildcathaven.com/scottish-wildcat/


Disclaimer: We are not being sponsored for this post. We are sharing because we want to raise awareness and to help save these wildcats. We also think the information will be of great interest to our cat-loving audience.

The Pet Parade hosted by Dash Kitten, Bionic Basil and Barking from the Bayou

Hosted by Comedy Plus

Athena Cat Goddess is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Charity Tuesday Cat Rescue News

Skiathos Cat Welfare needs your HELP…

From Skiathos Cat Welfare Association Facebook page:

"We have been aware of a situation for some time, we have tried to help with food when we can, however things have now sadly escalated.
In the middle of the island, an elderly local man has been trying for some time to care for numerous cats, and 3 dogs. He has done his best considering his age and failing health. Sadly, he is now in hospital and the situation in his home is critical. We have been given permission from his family to go to the house to try and help the cats there. It's clear that the resident has been struggling for some time and it’s a very sad situation.
There are cats needing vet care, there are kittens, pregnant females, a blind cat. In the day we have seen around 20-30 cats, I imagine when its cooler there are more we just haven’t seen.
Immediate needs are food, new feeding bowls, and general things to try and do what we can to the immediate area to try and improve the situation.
We are very short of volunteers and its hard to try and go everyday which is what it needs. Is there anyone in the local community who could help a fellow resident as this is a long term situation for which at this time we don’t know how the story will end.
We want to try our best, but need a little help.
Can you buy an SOS token for £1 ?"

Each token will go in the pot to get food, water, medical care, and any immediate needs for these cats.

If you are able to help please click here for more info.

Photo: Skiathos Cats

Skiathos Cats Welfare Association Links

https://www.skiathos-cats.org/

https://www.facebook.com/skiathoscatwelfareassociation/

💚

Rosie

And now, closer to home, here's a beautiful cat called Rosie, who is at Wood Green, The Animal Charity (a charity close to our hearts because they rescued me, which led to Mum finding me to adopt).

Photo: Wood Green, The Animals Charity

Rosie is a senior lady of 16 years old who is looking for a loving forever home. This sweet lady is very affectionate and is an amazing purr machine when she receives all the love she deserves! She says she is looking for a quiet home with a comfy bed and a garden where she can enjoy relaxing and sunbathing in. Interested in adopting Rosie? Check out her profile here! 

😺

Overlooked cats 

Sadly, there are so many overlooked cats urgently needing forever homes everywhere. Here is a list of UK rescue shelters and charities from the cat rescue resource CatChat.org, with details of harder to home senior cats, black cats, special needs cats, FIV+ cats and feral/farm cats. 

(PHOTO borrowed from CatChat.org)

💚

ATHENA'S RESCUE STORY

All proceeds from A Forever Home For Athena will be donated to the following charities:

Wood Green The Animals Charity
Greek Cat Welfare Society
Cats Protection

🐾💖🐾💖

💜

More homeless pets looking for forever homes can be found on my Mum's Pinterest Pet Rescue board.
Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post. As a rescue kitty myself I want to help other rescues find their forever home, so each week on Charity Tuesday I share adoptable cats from Wood Green, the Animals Charity (which is where I was rescued) and some other charities dear to our hearts. Mum and I are so grateful to Wood Green because without them we would never have found each other! Please note: We are here to help cats and give our time freely. We also ensure that to the best of our knowledge and research other lesser-known charities mentioned are legit.  

This post contains affiliate links. Full disclosure here.