Articles tagged with: Debbie Nicholson

Why Knead?

Why Knead?

Sometimes I absolutely dread Sunday dress, only because I know my favourite stockings will be ruined and my nylon dress will get catches in it and my black sweater will end up with fur all over it.  Now why would I be saying this you might wonder?  Well it is because we have a cat and guess what?  Every time she wants to come near me to tell me she loves me, she is going to ladder my stockings, her claws will catch in my nylon dress and sure as eggs she will be moulting on my lovely new black sweater.

That’s how life happens when you own a pet whether it be a dog or cat or some other species – there are always downsides that affect the material you.

Cats love company so when they see you arrive home after several hours, guess what, in they come with claws outstretched – not to hurt you on purpose, but to knead your lap to convincingly let you know that you are the most loved human being in the world.  Trimming her nails might help but really is not good for her so putting up with this great show of affection should be accepted with the good feelings that surround those moments.

If you are quick and have too many pairs of laddered stockings, then have a towel on hand or a blankie of some sort – that way you can just reach for it before she lands on you and there she is kneading and pawing you without any bad things happening to your tender skin or to your precious new clothing.

If your cat had a happy childhood which most of them have, then they might be reliving how it felt to be on mum’s belly – instinctively kneading her to bring about more milk into her welcome teats for nourishment.

Another sign of kneading could be that she is ready to mate, however, I never think of that reason because she doesn’t do that kind of thing anymore since we had her seen to.

Look on kneading as a good thing – you can make it a good thing – all depends on your forethought for preparation BEFORE it happens.

What an interesting life a cat has and what wonderful communication skills they possess.

Thanks for reading my blog.
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Debbie Nicholson

Click here for your Audio link to this blog

Life Happens Volume 1

Life Happens Volume 1 A Collection of Funny Emails and Facebook Messages Dating From The 1980s To 2012

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Kneading

Cathy’s Well Groomed Site

http://debzebooks.com/debbie-nicholson/thenurserywebspider/

Amis de Chat

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Please Rescue Me

Please Rescue Me

Recently I came across a blog from concerned and caring people who lived in Peru – they really wanted a cat for company, and so one day they went out looking for one.  Out of all the abandoned cats they came across they chose one that really needed their help and love – she was so sick and was only a few weeks old, requiring immediate medical attention and some much needed love.

Trust grew almost immediately, I am assuming because she had not been handled by humans before and being subjected to such gentle and kind treatment from the moment she spotted them, she knew these were the ones.

She quickly lost her fear, her inhibitions, her feeling of hopelessness and turned her nose into soft arms. The in-home dog welcomed her – she had a view of the streets below to die for, here was furniture, warmth, food – what more could she want? Father human worked from home, therefore there was no shortage of love and attention. And when Mother human came home – there was more in abundance.

I often come across such lovely stories and use them as a basis for many of my thoughts in new books.  It is nice to read about fairy tale dreams do come true ending stories.  However, I also do not go around with my eyes closed and pretend that such rescues are not necessary.  Many animals are abandoned, drowned at birth, thrown out on the streets to fend for themselves, underfed or badly neglected.

Our purpose in life is to love one another as we would wish ourselves to be.

Thank you to the saviours of kitty kats throughout the world and in our own neighbourhoods.

Thanks for reading my blog.
Please comment below and share my link.

Debbie Nicholson

Click here for your Audio link to this blog

Life Happens Volume 1

Life Happens Volume 1 A Collection of Funny Emails and Facebook Messages Dating From The 1980s To 2012

Our Favourite Links

http://www.lovemeow.com/kitten-who-was-brought-back-from-the-brink-clings-to-her-rescuers-now–2359627565.html

http://debzebooks.com/debbie-nicholson/stayathomedad/

Amis de Chat

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Budget Savers

Budget Savers

Let’s face it – if we can save money we will – it is our basic instinct to do so, therefore when faced with a budget situation, out come our contingency plans on how to do stuff ourselves.

I must admit that having an extra mouth in the family to feed is quite noticeable within a few short weeks of that arrival arriving – now that all might sound like a tongue twister to you, however, I know that when you really think about it down deep – you do know exactly what I am saying here. And I am not necessarily talking about an extra human mouth to feed in this particular case.

No – I am talking about your pets.

There is the food aspect – what does your cat really like to eat?  Have you ever given it much thought?

Well I moseyed around and found some great recipe books on Amazon that will enlighten you as to the best food being home-made food for your cat.  What you need in nutrition is decidedly different when it comes to your pet, therefore reading the labels of what you are feeding him today and what you could be giving him tomorrow is very important.

And herein lies the secret – just because you are switching more and more to home-made for you, then why shouldn’t your entire family including your 4 legged ones enjoy the same benefits.

I know you will save money in this department.

Making your own toys would also help in saving the pennies.  Is it really necessary to go to that wonderful pet chain store to buy something that you could very well make up in the privacy of your own living room?

What about that dreaded of all pests that plague our homes when we have pets?  Did you know that simple salt on the carpet becomes a dehydration agent for fleas and will end up drying out their bodies and eventually kill those that have the temerity to fall off your feline friend onto your carpet?

Countless other ideas are available to you if just think what it is you need and is there a way to make it yourself.

Thanks for reading my blog.
Please comment below and share my link.

Debbie Nicholson
Click here for your Audio link to this blog

Life Happens Volume 1

Life Happens Volume 1 A Collection of Funny Emails and Facebook Messages Dating From The 1980s To 2012

 

Our Favourite Links

http://cats.lovetoknow.com/make-homemade-cat-shampoo

http://www.rapidhomeremedies.com/remedies-to-get-rid-of-fleas.html

https://www.worldsbestcatlitter.com/clearing-the-air/2014/03/the-10-best-homemade-cat-toys/

http://debzebooks.com/debbie-nicholson/kindlefirehdx89/

http://amzn.to/2oSWDPA

The Well Groomed Pet

Amis de Chat

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Matts And Tangles

Matts And Tangles

I often wondered what was behind all the matting on our cat and until I read what Cathy has to say about it, then I would still be in the dark about it.  Thank goodness I have found her site so that we can keep up with the care of our cat which until I did come across it – I did not in the least bit realise how so important it is to our dear pet.

Rubbing and petting your cat can cause matting believe it or not and even just the act of your pet walking around will also cause similar problems under their legs.  Naturally they get into situations themselves that will result in severe matting, therefore care that this does not become a regular trip to the Vet can be taken by you at home.

I remember my own mother brushing my  hair during my youth and honestly she was never kind and if I winced she would beat my head with the wooden brush, therefore it was better to just put up with the pain and hide the tears as best I could.  So if you find matts and tangles in your pet’s hair be certain not to tug or pull at them as it hurts them tremendously.

Hold the matt in one hand and the brush in the other and gently tease it out as best you can, doing your best to keep your hand as near to the skin as possible.  If that doesn’t work, then use your fingers and gently try to pry it apart that way.  As each piece becomes free then you can gently brush it away until it is again smooth.

It is very handy that I have grandchildren who pamper themselves with sprays and oils, because I have had a lot of hints from them as to how to look after their long hair.  Did you know you can get similar products for your pets, therefore make use of them as it does make the job a lot easier for you and far less painful and unpleasant for them.

I do not recommend cutting the matt or the tangle out unless VERY desperate as this could lead to unnecessary injury to your cat. Be patient and tease them out as best as you can with your fingers and the brush.

Frequent treatments will mean less matting of course so take the hint!

Extreme cases I would advise a trip to the Vet pretty quick smart.

Thanks for reading my blog.
Please comment below and share my link.

Debbie Nicholson
Click here for your Audio link to this blog

Life Happens Volume 1

Life Happens Volume 1 A Collection of Funny Emails and Facebook Messages Dating From The 1980s To 2012

 

 

Our Favourite Links

http://debzebooks.com/blog

The Well Groomed Pet

Amis de Chat

New Product Launch

Bath Time

 

Bath time

Everyone loves a bath only the first time it might be scary for some things. You, of course, don’t remember your very first bath, but I have watched a few grandchildren with their first bath and every one of them took to it like water – pardon the pun!

As to bathing your animal, in particular your cat, it just might take a little getting used to for you both.  Sometimes it is even better to have someone helping you those first few times, just in case things get a little slippery – oh excuse me, I am in a fun mood today!  The washhouse tub would be a great place to start I should think, unless right from the start you are going to make room in your house for the cat’s very own bath tub.  Being firm with your touch would be the next thing – don’t let the cat think that you are the least bit nervous – he is too, don’t you worry – so the last thing you need is for 2 people taking part in the event feeling jittery.

Cathy suggests that, “you don’t let the cat turn over or face you and always keep his paws on the sponge you are using, starting at the neck and then moving down his back.”

  • Think about how you wash your own hair in the shower – do you make sure your hair is wet first? Then do the same for the cat.
  • Do you like turning your face up to the shower nozzle and feeling drowned in it? No, therefore do not let this happen to your cat either.

Shampoo once his hair is completely soaked and don’t miss areas where you know he will need cleaning like his bottom and his belly.  That belly drags along the ground a lot as he crawls under your house and I don’t need to say anything about his bottom I am sure.  If he happens to have fleas, then this is a good time to go over his fur with the fine toothed flea comb.  Not all fleas will fall out into the water, but as he dries later, more will come off then.  As with ourselves, he will flake and dead skin will come away easily during the bathing and towelling process.

Enjoy this time together – another great bonding moment for you both.  And in time both of you will look forward to the event and he will come out smelling so clean and cuddly – your entire time will not be wasted in carrying out this part of his grooming.

Have fun with your cat.

Thanks for reading my blog.
Please comment below and share my link.

Debbie Nicholson

Click here for your Audio link to this blog

Life Happens Volume 1

Life Happens Volume 1 A Collection of Funny Emails and Facebook Messages Dating From The 1980s To 2012

Our Favourite Links

https://thewellgroomedpet.com/

http://www.our-happy-cat.com/cat-fleas.html

http://debzebooks.com/debbie-nicholson/learningtotrust/

Amis de Chat

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Brushing Your Cat

 

Brushing Your Cat

Did you realise just how important it is to groom your cat properly?  I didn’t until I came across a friend’s website that is so educating in all aspects of taking care of your furry friends.  And this does not only pertain to your cat but also to your dog as well.  She graduated from the New York School Of Dog Grooming doing 800 hours of dedicated, loving service to herself for her career and of course to all the animal species brought in to practice on, therefore, her advice should really be heeded.

I guess because you are so used to seeing your cat constantly at its do-your-best-to-always-look-nice routine instilled in it by generations of mother cats stretching back to Day 1 of Life, that you should not be thought remiss in thinking “well, why would I want to take on that responsibility as well?”

And this of course is where you are just a tiny bit wrong in your attitude.

Your animals needs your help.

As with your own hair and body which you spend countless hours grooming with gels, creams, mitts, loofahs, masks and exfoliates, it is so noticeable by the benefits of which can be seen in your glowing youthful appearance.  Essentially what you are doing is stimulating growth, removing dirt and loose hairs and just like you, your own cat needs that type of constant attention as well.

They love being brushed.

Try it if you haven’t yet – and you will see just how much they cosy up to some undivided kindness.  Plus there is the added benefit of a bonding that can only take place when you are one on one with someone or something that you love so much.  I have found that when a cat or even the dog is brushed, you are not only lessening the sight of animal fur all over the house, you are also helping to relieve them of unnecessary fur balls, which of course, gather inside their stomachs from the constant cleaning they spend so much time doing on themselves.

All you need is some patience and a genuine feeling of love for your pet and really, you will always find the time and the space to keep it up on a regular basis.

Thanks for reading my blog.
Please comment below and share my link.

Debbie Nicholson
Click here for your Audio link to this blog

Life Happens Volume 1

Life Happens Volume 1 A Collection of Funny Emails and Facebook Messages Dating From The 1980s To 2012

 

Our Favourite Links

http://debzebooks.com/debbie-nicholson/pumpkinseverywhere/

The Well Groomed Pet

http://pets.thenest.com/rid-hairball-cats-stomach-11436.html

http://www.instyle.com/news/5-steps-correctly-washing-your-face

Amis de Chat

New Product Launch

Scene Stealers

Scene Stealers

I was scanning the paper to see what I could write about today and came across a very interesting article that occurs every Friday written by Nick Barnett and today’s is all about our furry friend the cat.  Of course, this topic is right up my alley at the moment with the release of my latest book Amis de Chat so naturally I decided I would follow Mr Barnett wherever he is in the world.

Today’s article focused on how cats tend to steal the scenery and I thought about it long and hard and realised that he is right.  They do such cute things and get into the cutest positions and most certainly they become the focus of the picture when they are around.  You will notice from some of Nicks photos I have included here just how prominent they become in our lives when we’re (or they’re) up for a photo shoot.

Yesterday I watched a Ted’s video featuring a model who said that what you see is not always what is really there.

So you see that picture and think that cat is truly surveying the beauty of God’s earth, however, you most probably do not realise he is a million miles away from those thoughts – He is probably watching the birds in the sky and is far more interested in the point of landing as to whether his prey is within his reach. And as for distant mountains, lakes, forests – whatever you have captured them seemingly looking at with great awe? They are probably really thinking about what territory they can claim by just a small walk or run and perhaps a few leaps. So don’t be deceived.  They think alright but not anything like you might think they are thinking.

Thanks for reading my blog.
Please comment below and share my link.

Debbie Nicholson

Click here for your Audio link to this blog

Life Happens Volume 1

Life Happens Volume 1 A Collection of Funny Emails and Facebook Messages Dating From The 1980s To 2012

 

Our favourite links

http://debzebooks.com/debbie-nicholson/thestormthatwasnt/

http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/four-legs-good/91556749/furry-friday-when-cats-upstage-the-scenery

Amis de Chat

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Siblings

Siblings

 

Our markings are interesting, our colours are more so

Our status of siblings also keeps you in the know

Siblings can be interesting individuals  – some going through life seeing eye to eye, and others  going through life constantly at each other’s throats.  They say that you only hurt the one you love the most but I wonder at the wisdom of that saying sometimes.  As children we could be our worst enemies – I know I was to my sister which I regret so terribly in my later life – not knowing any better and being brought up with cruelty and hatred from a new stepmother inflicted upon us both at all hours of the day and night and more recently being constantly reminded by my sister – “we were only babies  – we didn’t know any better.”

They say the older you get, you grow closer to your siblings – well in my case, I am still waiting to find that inner peace and connection.  We all live hundreds of miles apart – and silence is usually a friend I guess.

  • “poor sibling relationships in childhood could be a predictor of depression in adulthood.”
    how sad but how very true in many cases.

Even the Chinese children brought up in a 1 child family enforced upon them by those in authority over them are now being found as to be less able to endure competition in their lives; they are less likely to trust or be found to be trustworthy themselves, and most certainly are not keen risk takers.

We did have an older sister who was stillborn and I often think about what life might have been like had we had her in our moments of trial.  What wisdom would she have been able to teach us?  And had we had an older brother – would we have learned to accept men in our lives better.

It is always interesting to ponder upon things out of our control and now way back in the past but then I guess that is just how Life Happens.

Thanks for reading my blog.
Please comment below and share my link.

Debbie Nicholson

Click here for your Audio link to this blog

Life Happens Volume 1

Life Happens Volume 1 A Collection of Funny Emails and Facebook Messages Dating From The 1980s To 2012

 

Our favourite links

http://debzebooks.com/debbie-nicholson/werenotsafeyet/

https://mic.com/articles/105202/6-reasons-to-hug-your-siblings-this-thanksgiving#.80B0Sqf2l

Amis de Chat

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It’s Monday

It’s Monday

Its MondayAh, it’s Monday again, that dreaded day
That’s placed right at the start of the week

My human calls out with a voice that’s designed
To break hearts at each sound of her shriek.

Monday comes along and what did this person do in this story that accompanies this cat? They dreaded Mondays.  However, Monday is going to come whether you like it of not and being prepared for Monday has to be a good thing – No?

How about today making an extra effort to smile?  You already know that everyone you come in contact with or expect to spend the rest of the day with are thinking the same thing about Monday as you, therefore someone has to change something and why shouldn’t it be you?

A smile does so much for anyone – even for yourself.

Try standing in front of the mirror and smiling – very difficult to continue on your grumpy way when there is that beautiful person smiling back at you and saying I love you.

And what’s more – remember there is always tomorrow.

And what would that day be?

Tuesday, correct.

Do what you can on Monday and relieve the pressure for the next day – then you can look back on yesterday and think of all the great things you accomplished on Monday.

The goal is to “focus, plan, and stay calm.”

Thanks for reading my blog.
Please comment below and share my link.

Debbie Nicholson
Click here for your Audio link to this blog

Life Happens Volume 1

Life Happens Volume 1 A Collection of Funny Emails and Facebook Messages Dating From The 1980s To 2012

Our favourite links

Our favourite links

https://www.businessinsider.com.au/what-successful-people-do-on-monday-mornings-2015-6?r=US&IR=T

http://debzebooks.com/blog

Amis de Chat

New Product Launch

Cats

Cats

I look at your eyes, your nose, your mouth, your ears, the pink that matches my own

I feel the moon upon my back and feel your love like a precious stone

The words here match one of these images – can you tell which one?  This is an excerpt from my book Amis de Chat Book 1.

To get your own copy click on Amis de Chat.

To become part of our Kitty Kat community click on my name at the bottom.

This book has been a long time coming – my first idea to write about them was way back in 2012 when I wrote my first 2 books on cats and the care of them.

Just this month it was time to take action and complete my mission to bring into the world the first of 2 books sharing this idea with you all.

Thankyou for reading my blog.
Please comment below and share my link.

Debbie Nicholson

Click here for your Audio link to this blog

Our favourite links

http://debzebooks.com/blog

Amis de Chat

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