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Fluffy’s 2023 Highlights
January 1, 2024
Happy New Year! And, to our feline pals, Happy Mew Year! (Cats celebrate the new year on the 2nd.) As we roll ahead into 2024, humans are busy reminiscing about the last 12 months, with news outlets, entertainment platforms, and social media abuzz with year-end reviews and top picks. As it turns out, our feline friends had their fair share of noteworthy moments in 2023. In this article, a local Ellicott City, MD veterinarian highlights some of Fluffy’s big moments from the past year.
Mews Of Joy
Fluffy and Fido shared one particularly heartwarming event this year. According to CNN, a shelter in Pennsylvania was delighted to announce that all of their cages were empty for the first time in 47 years! The shelter called it a ‘True Christmas Miracle.’ We’re inclined to agree! We hope that all of the newly-adopted pets are receiving plenty of love, affection, and treats. And, hopefully we’ll be able to share some similar moments from the coming year.
Two Kittens Are Thrilled With Their New Digs
Two charming kitties from Indianapolis made headlines in December. Shelter kittens Ruby and Opal captured hearts all over the internet when a video of them settling into a new cage went viral. The heartwarming moment showed the felines jumping around with glee, clearly very grateful for the upgraded space. The clip was shared by Pepperspalrescue on TikTok and quickly gained popularity. (We hope that Ruby and Opal are now happily scampering around in their forever homes.)
Cattitude
TikTok didn’t just melt hearts for Ruby and Opal this year. Booboo, another feline, also got his fifteen minutes of fame last year. Booboo’s owner couldn’t figure out why his water dish was always empty. The solution? Film the feline. Booboo was caught red-pawed in the act of tipping the bowl over and spilling water into the rug. Deliberately. Of course.
The Year Fluffy stole Christmas
One frisky feline made Santa Claws’ naughty list this year. A furball named Walter was caught on camera stealing his owners’ holiday decorations while they slept. The kitty, who belongs to TikTok user angelwingswalter in Kentucky, stole a Christmas stocking in the middle of the night. Possibly the cutest Grinch ever!
A Beautiful Tribute To A Beautiful Animal
Americans aren’t the only ones who love cats. A prime illustration of this is the image of a kitty napping in a Thai rice field. The cat was intentionally “planted” there by farmer Tanyapong Jaikham. Inspired by a traditional saying about abundance, a farmer named Tanyapong strategically planted different colored seeds to create an image that could be seen from above. He hoped to attract thousands of visitors to see his creation, which he used GPS technology to achieve. If there was ever a purrfect piece of art, that may be it!
The World’s Cutest Serial Killer
Many people have joked about cats being cuddly murderers. Actually, there is some truth to it. A recent study published in Nature Communications found that Fluffy hunts 347 vulnerable species, such as Newell’s shearwater, green sea turtles, the northern bobwhite quail and the little brown bat. Our feline friends are also responsible for at least 60 extinctions and have consumed over 2,084 animals and insects.
This, of course, is just one reason to keep your feline pal safe and sound inside. It’s also safer for Fluffy! Cats that are allowed to go out face some very serious threats, such as weather, traffic, predators, parasites, and even other cats. Ask your Ellicott City, MD veterinarian for more information, and for tips on keeping your furry friend happy and healthy indoors.
A Purrfect Pastime
A recent study published in Scientific Reports explored an overlooked aspect of Fluffy’s personality: her fondness for playing fetch. With data gathered from over 1000 cat owners, the study investigated feline play habits and found that many cats naturally teach themselves how to fetch. Surprisingly, 94% of respondents reported that their cats began displaying this curious behavior spontaneously.
While Fetch is typically associated with dogs, it is not uncommon for our beloved felines to also enjoy this game. Certain breeds like Siamese and Bengal cats are more likely to participate in this pet pastime, but any cat may decide to play.
Furever Loved
Although we like to joke about Fluffy being cold, our feline pals are actually very intelligent and capable of very powerful emotions. Thanks to another study, we also learned about Fluffy’s emotions, as well as her attachment to her humans. A study published in the journal Behavioral Processes examined 53 adult kitties who lived in a Los Angeles cat café. It turns out that Fluffy has more than 276 distinct expressions. Of course, anyone who has ever owned a cat could tell you that these furry little creatures are very emotional and opinionated, and can get very attached to their owners. (They also show affection in some odd ways, but that’s another topic.)
Wild Cats Are Wild Again
Scottish cats have been making quite a splash lately. A significant accomplishment is the success of the program Saving Wildcats, which aims to reintroduce Scottish Wildcats into their natural habitat. The organization announced last year that 19 wildcats have been successfully released and are currently being monitored through GPS collars. Additionally, several more kittens are being nurtured in an environment that simulates the wild conditions in the Cairngorms, where they, too, will be set free. This initiative is a promising step towards reviving a species that was once considered functionally extinct.
A Purrfect Celebration
Are you thinking about proposing soon? Perhaps someone close to you is also planning on popping the question. Involving your furry companion could make a big difference. FelixPurrfectProposal.com, a cat insurance company, has created a platform for people to share how their cats will play a role in their proposal. The lucky winner will receive $4,750 towards an engagement ring. (Fluffy will also get a special prize.) The jury is currently in the process of selecting the winner.
Kitty Distribution System
It’s probably safe to say that TikTok is a double-edged sword, providing entertainment as well as controversy. Occasionally, the site really does discover something important. That’s certainly our take on one of the most talked about topics in the cat world this year: the Cat Distribution System. In a nutshell, this is the universe’s process of distributing cats to the right people at the right time. The concept has gone viral, with many users uploading videos of themselves finding their assigned pets. One user found a kitten in a bush at her workplace: another came home to find Fluffy on her stairs. In other words, if you randomly find a kitty, or come home to find a kitty meowing on your step, the universe may have assigned you a cat.
Of course, that doesn’t mean that you’re officially obligated: adopting a kitty is a big commitment. In some cases, you may be meant to help your new friend find her forever home.
Here at Claws N Paws Animal Hospital, your local Ellicott City, MD animal hospital, we wish you a happy new year. Please reach out to us anytime. We are dedicated to providing top-notch veterinary care and great service!
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Fluffy’s 2023 Highlights
Happy New Year! And, to our feline pals, Happy Mew Year! (Cats celebrate the new
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