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Rachel

The Cat with 3 Passports

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Louis approved!

I came across this book on Instagram and being a huge fan of books featuring our feline friends decided to read it. I have been fascinated by Japanese culture since discovering Reiki many years ago, so was intrigued to read about an English woman going to work and live there. 

From the first chapter I was captivated and didn’t want to put the book down. I love the author’s honesty about her anxiety and self doubts in her life, often made harder by living and working in a country so different to other places the author had lived previously.

I admired her bravery for getting stuck in and forming many new and lovely friendships along the way. The author’s feelings about her relationships with family members especially her Father’s resonated with my own life experiences and it was heartfelt. I had no favourite part of the book as I was interested in all of it and it flowed so well.

But let’s not forget the cats! I loved how the author bonded with Gershwin and how he was family and was definitely going with her in the next adventure in Australia.

The trip to Cat Island was very enjoyable to hear about and is now on my bucket list. The cat rescue stories were lovely too.

I recommend this book to people interested in cats or Japan and hope that there is a sequel soon!

Take care and be safe everyone xxx

Love and Purrs Rachel & Mr Ringo

Catnip-what your Cat Needs to Know

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Batman enjoying some nip…..
  • Catnip is a plant that cats are attracted to whether dried or fresh, it is the oil nepetalactone that they inhale that triggers behaviour from your cat.
  • Not all cats are bothered by catnip and its affects about 70-80% of cats including lions and tigers too and is hereditary.
  • Behaviours include rolling their body around on the floor, dribbling, becoming vocal, highly aroused and sometimes aggressive. If aggression develops then remove safely from your cat.
  • This behaviour normally only lasts about 10 minutes.
  • Kittens are not bothered by catnip until they reach sexual maturity.
  • Catnip is a member of the mint family, which explains why Mr Ringo loves to remove my mint tea bag from my cuppa.
  • It is non-addictive and harmless.
  • When a cat eats catnip it can calm them down.
  • Interestingly there has been recent research suggesting cats roll in catnip not just for pleasure but to protect themselves from mosquito bites, this is extremely useful in the wild when hunting and not wishing to move when stalking due to insect bites. Catnip contains chemicals that protect the plant from aphids.

So just watch your cat when you next have a cuppa of mint tea!

Love and purrs Rachel & Mr Ringo xxx

Paws for Thought Cat Cafe Romsey

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Rachel chatting with Nala

After waiting many months during lockdown, I finally made it to Romsey to have High Tea with all the cats! Paws for Thought Cat Cafe is a really magical place and a must for all cat lovers.

I know cat cafes can often be a bit controversial and I have sometimes worried that all the people visiting would stress the cats and make them unhappy and ill, but I have visited a few now and this one is very special. Its important to remember that yes these cats live indoors but indoor cats can have happy and fulfilled lives given enough mental stimulation and some cats that have outdoor access don’t always have good lives. The moment I walked in I was welcomed by friendly and efficient staff. Staff that have to currently deal with all the covid restrictions and rules, and ensure both customers and cats are happy.

All the cats looked very chilled and totally at home, considering they haven’t seen many people for months, it was lovely to see. Everything in this cafe is designed with the cats welfare and needs in mind. There was lots of environmental enrichment going on with cat shelves, beds, hiding places, scratching posts, a cat wheel and even their own catio! Lots of toys for the cats and people to play with and everything was spotlessly clean and I felt very covid safe. The staff could not do enough for me and my friend and we had a really enjoyable time.

The high tea was delicious with sandwiches, cakes, scones and tea and other hot drinks.

The manager Emma is very passionate and knowledgeable about cats and is very keen to promote rescue cats and pet bereavement in the cafe.

Some of the cats are related which helps socially and they all seemed to get on with one another anyway and there were 7 cats in total. I cannot recommend this lovely cafe highly enough and I’m already planning another cat lady tea soon!

You can find more details at their websitehttps://www.pawsforthoughtcatcafe.com/

Paws for Though Cat Cafe Romsey

Funny Things That Could only Happen To A Cat Sitter Part 2

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After I blogged a few months back, many of you have asked for more funnies, so here’s a few laughs……

I was once asked to pet sit for a house that had many different animals including a wallaby! When I was first approached I just dismissed it as a joke, but it wasn’t. I looked after the lovely menagerie for a couple of weeks, they got used to me and I enjoyed my visits. The house was next door to a pub and could be a bit noisy at times with lots of merry drinkers. One evening while I was putting the animals to bed for the night, a very drunk man climbed up the very high pub wall and watched me with the wallaby,  to the amusement of his mates, he fell back down and shouted very loudly that there was a Kangaroo next door!! After I had popped Mr Wally into his hidden enclosure for the night, I finished up in the garden but another head appeared over the wall and asked “where’s  Skippy?”  I just looked at him and replied ” Skippy ? I think you guys have had too much to drink, we are in Portsmouth not Australia!”

I once entered a home and called “Hi gorgeous boy! Auntie Rachel is here for a cuddle!” to be greeted by a red faced builder!

A remember a funny but scary at the time moment when I was upstairs in a house and could hear someone in the room downstairs. No one had a key apart from me, so it had to be a burglar! I went downstairs and heard more noise from the room and so I knocked the door and asked “who\’s there! I\’m calling the police!” No one answered and the door was locked on my side, so I nervously entered……..I found to my surprise a room that did indeed look like it had been burgled, by a very large bird. The poor bird had fallen down the fireplace and was obviously frightened. I opened the door to the garden hoping the bird would just fly out, which it did but only after the resident cat appeared and tried to catch it!

I once had a white cat climb up an open fireplace and come down covered in soot and walk all over new carpet! The owners had shut her in the room in error…… vet trip for a bath was in order as she wouldn\’t let me wash her…

Lastly I once looked after a very nimble pawed cat, who could open the lid on the fish tank to drink and try to catch fish. The same cat could also open a locked cat flap! Little monkey!

I hope that has given you a few laughs and I hope to be cat sitting again soon, when we are allowed to travel.

Love and purrs Rachel & Mr Ringo xxx

Feline Senile Dementia- yes it exists….

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Many people are surprised when they hear about Feline Senile Dementia or Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS), it is similar to human dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Cats not only show signs of aging but can develop symptoms such as:

  • Increased vocalization, especially at night.
  • Litter box issues, such as not getting in it or forgetting where it is.
  • Becoming disorientated and confused, often wandering , pacing and restlessness.
  • Constipation and incontinence.
  • Mood changes and sometimes aggressive.
  • Avoid human contact (if this is out of character for them)
  • Relationship changes with family (both human and animal)
  • Sleeping longer and sleep patterns changing at night.
  • Staring blankly at nothing.
  • No interest in food.
  • Becoming nervous, fearful and clingy.
  • Grooming issues, too much or not at all.
  • Difficulty in learning new things.

If you think your cat maybe showing these signs it is best to get them checked at your vets to rule out any other health problems seen in older cats before a diagnosis of CDS can be established. Other health issues with older cats can be hyperthyroid, kidney disease, brain tumour, heart disease, sensory decline or joint disease. There is no cure for CDS but early diagnosis may help to slow it down and give your cat a better quality of life by making a few changes.

Changes can be made to the cats diet, environment and sometimes in severe cases medication maybe prescribed by your vet. Playing with your cat and providing puzzle toys for cats, can help with keeping the brain active and help to slow down cognitive decline.

It is really important to remember that its not just a case that your cat is “just getting old” but a case of identifying if your cat could be suffering from a health issue that can be helped, if not cured then quality of their later years made as comfortable and stress free as possible.

I will post another blog soon about environmental changes you can make for you cat in their later years.

Love and Purrs Rachel and Mr Ringo xxx

Mr Ringo Zooms Rooney the Southsea Model Village CEO!

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Mr Ringo zooms Rooney, Southsea Model Village CEO

Mr Ringo was very honoured to be allowed to recently interview a local celebrity. Rooney the cat and CEO of Southsea Model Village. Here’s the transcript of that exclusive scooper!

Mr Ringo- “Hey Rooney Dude! How you Purring?”

Rooney- “ Meowsers Ringo! I’m feline fine thanks, I’m really busy supervising the two legs getting the village in purrfect shape for the summer season. I’m looking forward to seeing all the two legs and their human kittens again. It’s been a long old winter and hibernation for most of the two legs”

Mr Ringo- “Meow, that’s fab! Yeah I’m busy neow too, ensuring the cat sitting biz is ready to visit all of my people, when the two legs can go on holiday again, staycations are GO!”

Rooney- “What do you do all day then Ringo?”

Mr Ringo- “well my two legs runs Portsmouth Cat Sitting, so I keep a check that all is running up to my high standards and then sleep on the laptop all day, catting the phone and spying on the neighbours. I also do quality inspections of the treat supplies. I have to do scent inspections too, I need to know which cats Rachel has been to and if enough treats and fuss has been given out! It’s exhausting and I need to sleep a lot to keep my energy levels up”

Rooney- “Yes I bet Ringo, all those scents to smell and you need to leave your mark too, it’s very labour intensive! I need to always be inspecting the village, especially when it’s quiet, keeping the foxes and local birds in check and the dogs when the village is open”

Rooney- “the seagulls are the worst, always around making that loud noise! Mine, mine mine!”

Mr Ringo- “much mouse action Rooney?”

Rooney- “a little but I keep it all in check, I get my snacks from the two legs who visit and sometimes from the yummy café’s delights!”

Mr Ringo- “Rooney you really are a rags to riches story! Or in your case a cardboard box to king of the village story! Meowsers, wowsers!”

Rooney- “you have done well too Ringo, from rescue to living with your own purrsonnal slave, to being CEO of Portsmouth Cat Sitting!”

Mr Ringo- “plans for the future Rooney?”

Rooney- “to be King of the Village and maybe run in the local elections in the Cat Purrty?”

Mr Ringo- “so cool dude! I’m going for world domination, after a nap of course and promotion of mandatory microchipping of all cats and free catnip to all feline!”

Rooney- “ you know Ringo, sometimes it’s just nice to just sit and watch the sea, with my beautiful view from the village and knock a few trains over in the village too”

Mr Ringo- “ok nice mewing with you Rooney! Meowsers out!”

Rooney- “bye Ringo, Purr on dude!”

Lots of love Rachel & Mr Ringo xx

Mr Ringo Interviews Larry the Downing Street Cat via Zoom!

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This is not a filter, I am a cat!

Earlier this year, Mr Ringo had the wonderful opportunity to interview Larry the 10 Downing Street cat, who recently celebrated 10 years in power and has seen off 2 Prime Ministers. He currently lives with PM Boris Johnson. Due to Covid restrictions they chose to zoom call and besides Mr Ringo didn’t wish to invade Larry’s territory. Read the full mews here…..

Mr Ringo: ” Meowsers! Larry, can you hear me? I can’t see you? Can you see me? Can you smell me?”

Larry: “Hey Ringo! Yes I can see and hear you but you can’t smell on zoom silly!”

Mr Ringo: “Hi Larry! How’s it going up there? Congrats on 10 years in power!”

Larry: “Not too bad dude all things considered, what with living with the two legs with Mad Hair, a baby two legs, that cries more than me and a DOG!”

Mr Ringo: ” How is Mad Hair these days?”

Larry: “ok but he changes his mind more than us cats, and he really needs a good groom, why can’t two legs groom themselves like us cats?”

Mr Ringo: “Oh meows! Tell me about it, some good whiskers coming on in this house too”

Larry: “Word on the street dude, is the price of organic catnip is going to rise with all this Brexit stuff, might even be a shortage!”

Mr Ringo: “Oh Neow!!!!”

Larry: “Yes and my PETition to get free cat flaps in every home, has due to cutbacks, gone out the door with the used litter! Not that I need a cat flap as I have staff to open my front door!”

Mr Ringo: “Yeah but you are making some progress with the plan to make microchipping cats compulsory! Tails up to you dude!”

Larry: “Thanks Mr R!”

Mr Ringo: ” Hey Larry apart from seeing off Palmerston the cat, any trouble from new Moggs on the street?”

Larry: ” Hiss meows yes! One called Rees the Mogg, I’m feeling territorially bothered by him! Can’t put my paw on it, but he’s on my patch and I’m the only Mogg in No 10!”

Mr Ringo: “OH no! You must warn Mad Hair soon!”

Larry: “Latest mews is that the two legs are not all going to get their jabs! They should be so lucky, its free and at least they don’t get it in the neck, like we do!”

Ringo: “Yes its purrfect and we get them out of our house and our territory back to normal”

Larry: “Meowsers to that Ringo!”

Mr Ringo: ” Ok Larry we better finish now and let you get back to sleep or controlling No 10, or the front door at least !

Larry: “Ok meowsers out!”

Mr Ringo: “Meows!”

Have a great April 1st everyone!

Love and purrs Mr Ringo & Rachel xx


International Feline Behaviourists

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International Feline Behaviourists

International Feline Behaviourists was set up in 2019 as an international platform for feline behaviourists, to provide a consistent approach to feline welfare and care. I am delighted to be accepted as a student member of this association…….I’m currently studying an Advanced Feline Behaviour Diploma towards becoming certified to work in feline behaviour along side my cat sitting business.

I hope all of you are keeping well and safe and I hope to be able to be cat sitting again soon, when restrictions allow.

Take care everyone,

lots of love and purrs Rachel & Mr Ringo xxx