Meows in movies

Who says it’s just dogs who have all the fun on big screen? A good number of feline actors have so far been acclaimed for their roles in various blockbuster movies. Let’s catch them through a flashback. Little naughty, little cunning, but full of affections in their traits, kitties always go well with wise guy type characters in almost every movie they act. Since the early days of world cinema, feline actors have been recognised for their outstanding roles in drama, action, adventure and animation movies.

Tabby cat in Breakfast at Tiffany (1961)

A small town girl named Holly Golightly arrives in New York City to earn fame, fortune and money. She develops a circle of wealthy and intellectual friends, among them her feline friend, a tabby cat is her true companion. Holly unfortunately gets trapped into a ring of drug and narcotic abused people and gets arrested. All tragedies come to an end when Holly comes out of jail and is reunited with the man she loves and above all, the tabby cat whom she vulnerably left in the rain.

Jake in The Cat from Outer Space (1978)

An unidentified flying saucer from the outer space lands on earth under an emergency situation and the occupant was a cat named Jack who was taken into custody by the US government. With the help of Frank, a space scientist, Jack attempts to repair his spacecraft. In the end, Jack helps Frank accomplish a rescue mission to save some colleagues from a helicopter crash. Jack receives a big applause for his heroic act and happily applies for US citizenship with Frank as his sponsor.

Milo in The Adventures of Milo and Otis (1989)

Adapted from the original Japanese version titled Koneko Monogatari, story of this film opens in a barn with a mother cat who has given birth to kittens, among them is Milo the orange tabby cat, quite curious and known to everyone around for getting himself into trouble. He befriends Otis (a fawn pug) who is tired of running from a young chick who thinks he is his mother. One day, when Milo plays inside a floating box in a river, he accidentally drifts downstream. This is where the adventures begin in The Adventures of Milo and Otis!

Sassie in Homeward Bound (1993)

A group of doggies with a Himalayan cat named Sassie assumes that they are being abandoned by their pet parents who are out on a trip to San Francisco, leaving all the pets at a ranch. All of them head to wilderness. When all the doggies swim across a river, Sassie reaches a path of wood which breaks halfway across. While the dogs manage to swim across the river, Sassie falls into midstream and straight into the waterfall. And the crescendo of the movie is the moment when all the companions are united after a long struggle and are homeward bound.

Snowbell in Stuart Little (1999)

Desired by their son George Little, Eleanor Little and Frederick Little adopt an observant and thoughtful mouse from an orphanage. They name him Stuart Little and introduce to Snowbell, their family tabby cat. Snowbell is extremely jealous of the way Mr and Mrs Little treat Stuart as though their own biological son. But Snowbell has changed heart and become a true friend to Stuart whom he saves from the attack of a local clowder led by mafia don-like Russian Blue in the concluding part of the movie.

Mr Jinx in Meet the Parents (2000)

Greg and Pam visit the latter’s house to meet her parents. Fun and comedy happen at the introduction of Mr Jinx, a Himalayan cat to Greg by Pam’s father as they discuss about kitty care and other topics over a dinner. Though Mr Jinx appears in cameo role in the movie, his short appearance leaves a lasting impression to everyone who enjoys this comedy flick.

The stories continue…

Apart from the real life actors, animated feline characters successfully rule both the worlds of big and small screens. Right from Thomas, known popularly as Tom, in MGM’s Tom & Jerry Show upto Till Davis’ Garfield, animation world has big room for our feline protagonists.

Feline divinity at Hyderabad dargah

Cats have more reasons to be popular than just as pets around our households. Dargah-E-Shareef Hazarath Sayed Suleiman Baba in Hyderabad is a place where devotees offer them milk. Let’s see why!

As though they have been invited, a clowder of cats gathers every Thursday at Dargah-E-Shareef Hazarath Sayed Suleiman Baba in Hyderabad to have a kind of holy feast of milk. Devotees visiting this 600-year-old dargah, located at Suleiman Nagar, offer milk to the cats when their wishes are fulfilled. But many devotees simply feed the feline troupe for their unconditional love of cats.

Unique clowder…

Regular visitors to Dargah-E-Shareef Hazarath Sayed Suleiman Baba are familiar with the feline troupe residing at this serene holy place. They even give them names in accordance with their features or coat colour patterns. Some popular names like Safedi (because the kitty has snow white fur) and Cheetenwali (as per the sprayed black dots all over the body) are common buddies among the feline crowd.

Baba’s care…

It is believed that the generations of cats living in this dargah are the offspring of the ones groomed and cared by Syed Suleiman Baba who lived around six centuries ago. The baba having a miraculous healing power loved cats. Even today many childless women visiting Dargah-E-Shareef Hazarath Sayed Suleiman Baba pray for babies and prosperity. And the people living in Hyderabad and its surrounding areas believe that the holiness dargah can drive evil forces away.

Historical legend…

The childless women visiting the dargah believe that their offers to the feline troupe will in return bless them with the animal’s fertility and devoted motherhood. The women also trust the fact that cats are protector of home as they chase away pests that destroy foods. A historical tale mentions Prophet Mohammed’s love for his cat named Muezza for whom the prophet once cut off the sleeve of his robe where the cat was sleeping because he didn’t want to disturb the pet when he had to move out to attend a prayer.

Gulp with a touch of the tongue

Ever thought how your cat laps up the water or milk so fast? A research by Pedro M Reis and Roman Stocker of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, joined by Sunghwan Jung of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and Jeffrey M Aristoff of Princeton has revealed the secret of lapping.

These four engineers have discovered that the cat’s lapping method depends on his instinctive ability to calculate the point at which gravitational force would overcome inertia and cause the water to fall.

The cat darts his tongue, curving the upper side downward so that the tip of the tongue lightly touches the surface of the water. He then pulls the tongue upward at high speed, drawing a column of water behind it. Just when gravity starts pulling the column down, the cat’s jaws close over the jet of water and swallows it. In fact, the cat laps four times a second — which is too fast for the human eye to see — and his tongue moves at a speed of one meter per second.

Kitty Facts

You have probably heard many interesting facts about cats like they have more bones than humans; they can feel with their whiskers, their urine glows in the dark, etc. Here are a few more interesting facts about your cool felines.

• What’s in a name: A group of cats is called a Clowder, a male cat is called a Tom, a female cat is called a Molly or Queen while young cats are called Kittens and a group of kittens is called a Kindle.


• Snoozing beauties: If you love to sleep for extended hours, here’s competition. Cats conserve energy by sleeping for an average of 13 to14 hours a day. At this rate, a 15 years old cat must have slept for 10 years!


• Sounds for you: A cat rarely meows at another cat…she uses this ability for communicating with humans.


• No sweats: Cats cannot sweat because they do not have sweat glands.


• Dining etiquettes: Ever wondered why your cat eats from clean bowl only? Cats are very meticulous…they like routine…a quiet spot, same time, same place to eat and the bowl clean without any traces of previous meal.


• Not just nose to smell: Besides smelling with their nose, cats can smell with an additional organ called the Jacobson’s organ, located in the upper surface of the mouth.


• No trails behind: Even Sherlock Holmes would be left behind with his head scratching! Cats can be lethal hunters and very sneaky. They can walk their back paws step almost exactly in the same place as the front paws, which keeps noise to a minimum and limits visible tracks.


• Natural pain killers: Cats have an amazing tolerance for pain because they are blessed with endorphins or pain killers.


• Cat with a family: Lion is the only social cat who lives in groups, called prides and has a family life, just like you and me!


• Pseudo-hunting pleasure: Have you ever seen your kitty looking at the bird and then chattering her teeth? This is because she is doing the vacuum activity, where she is performing the killing bite, even though the prey is not in her mouth.

Fantastic five feline fun facts

We all know our kitties are amazing... but here are some facts which would amuse one and all...

• Lion sneezed out the cat: If a Hebrew legend is to be believed, rats were menace and Noah prayed to the God to protect food from rats. The God answered his wish, made the lion sneeze and out popped the cat – the mouser.


• The sleepy heads: We all know our kitties love to sleep but have you ever wondered they sleep almost two-thirds of the day, which means if your cat is nine years old, she has been awake for just three years of her life. Now, that’s another thing that the growth hormones of kittens are released only during sleeping. So next time your mommy calls you a sleepy head, you know who the sleepy head is.


• Cats always get down from a tree backward: Have you ever noticed; whenever a cat climbs down a tree, she climbs backward. It is because all cat’s paws point in one direction, so she has to get down backward.


• World’s rarest coffee comes from cat’s stomach: Amazing but true, Kopi Luwak, the world’s rarest coffee from Indonesia comes from a wildcat known as Luwak stomach. The cat eats the coffee barriers and coffee beans inside through her stomach, which are then harvested from her stool and then cleaned and roasted.


• We are neat and cleanest: Kitties love to groom themselves all the time. But the fact is that cats spend nearly one-thirds of their waking hours cleaning themselves.

The Naming of Cats

The Naming of Cats is a difficult matter,
It isn’t just one of your holiday games;
You may think at first I’m as mad as a hatter
When I tell you, a cat must have THREE DIFFERENT NAMES.
First of all, there’s the name that the
family use daily,
Such as Peter, Augustus, Alonzo or James,
Such as Victor or Jonathan, or George
or Bill Bailey -
All of them sensible everyday names.
There are fancier names if you think
they sound sweeter,
Some for the gentlemen, some for the dames:
Such as Plato, Admetus, Electra, Demeter -
But all of them sensible everyday names.
But I tell you, a cat needs a name that’s particular,
A name that’s peculiar, and more dignified,
Else how can he keep up his tail perpendicular,
Or spread out his whiskers, or cherish his pride?
Of names of this kind, I can give you a quorum,
Such as Munkustrap, Quaxo, or Coricopat,
Such as Bombalurina, or else Jellylorum -
Names that never belong to more than one cat.
But above and beyond there’s still
one name left over,
And that is the name that you never will guess;
The name that no human research can discover -
But THE CAT HIMSELF KNOWS,
and will never confess.
When you notice a cat in profound meditation,
The reason, I tell you, is always the same:
His mind is engaged in a rapt contemplation
Of the thought, of the thought, of the thought of his name:
His ineffable effable
Effanineffable
Deep and inscrutable singular Name.

The Lady With the Lamp

A small pet is often an excellent companion for the sick or long chronic cases.
– Florence Nightingale (1859)

Florence Nightingale also known as the Lady With The Lamp dedicated her life to nursing and raising the operating standards and medical facilities. Because of her invaluable contribution and passion to serve the sick and the needy, she became the first woman to receive the red cross by Queen Victoria in 1883.

Florence had a soft corner for cats and in her lifetime she parented sixty furry felines. She was very particular about the well being of her cats. She also ensured each kitten found a perfect home and went to great lengths in describing the nature of the kitten to the potential adopter. Her homes for her kittens are chosen with great care. They were all a source of solace for to her. She had a soft spot for Bismarck whom she considered to be affectionate and very gentle.

First Feline dies in White House

‘India’, the 18-year-old female cat in the White House passed away on January 4, 2009. The demise of ‘India’ had deeply saddened her pet parents George W Bush, Laura and their daughters Barbara and Jenna. Barbara named the kitty ‘India’ after the former Texas Ranger baseball player Ruben Sierra who was popularly known as El Indio. ‘India’ had been a beloved member of the Bush family for almost two decades.

Cats of yore

Cats have been involved in the lives of humans since the days of ancient Egyptian and Roman civilizations, or probably even earlier. Their mystery has fascinated people through the ages and they have been regarded both as celestial and evil, as protectors and destroyers, and have been as loved as they have been hated. Here are some mythological stories surrounding our cats.

The Egyptian mythology…

The ancient Egyptian goddess Bast (circa 2890-2686 BC) is often depicted as a woman with the head of a cat, lion or desert cat. It was believed that Bast was the protector of the king, pregnant women, children and of course cats. She also came to be associated with fertility (no coincidence, given the cat’s skill at procreation). There used to be a temple of Bast in the city of Bubastis (now called Tell-Basta in Egypt), where the mummifi ed remains or necropolis of over 300,000 holy cats were found.

Egyptian women also set standards of beauty to that of a cat’s and it is believed that they applied make-up to their eyes to resemble felines. It was considered a crime to kill cats in Egypt, one that even invited the death penalty, and families mourned the passing away of cats by shaving off their eyebrows.

The Islamic connection…

Islam too has had a long association with cats. A popular story goes that the holy cat Muezza was Prophet Mohammed pet, and was once napping in his arms when he was called to prayer. Rather than awakening her, the Prophet tore off the sleeve of his robe and let Muezza continue sleeping. It is even said that the marking of ‘M’ found on the foreheads of tabby cats was formed by the impression of the Prophet resting his hand on there.

China and cats…

If you’ve been to any traditional Chinese restaurant or beauty salon, you’re sure to have noticed the manekineko or beckoning cat. Legend has it that a nobleman saw this cat calling out to him from the entrance of a temple and stepped in. By doing so he narrowly avoided a bolt of lighting or trap laid for him just ahead, as versions of the story go. Since then the manekineko has come to signify the bringing of good luck or prosperity.

Feline power in India…

India too has its share of cat legends. The reason why Lord Kartikeya (Ayyappa) never got married in life is given through this story: One day, the child-god Kartikeya was in a playful and naughty mood. He happened to spy a female cat and decided to have some fun. He hurled stones at her, held her up by the tail and dropped her and frightened her. Finally deciding he had had enough, he made his way back home to Kailasa.

He rushed to give his mother Parvati a hug when he stopped short, totally aghast at the sight of his beloved mother bruised and bleeding. On demanding who had committed such an atrocity, Parvati replied, “My dear child, it was you! Didn’t you trouble a female cat today, for no reason at all? Have you forgotten my son, that I am Shakti? I reside in all the feminine forms of creation!” And that is why, Kartik never married. Because that would mean a bit of his mother would be in his wife and it is against the laws of nature to marry one’s own mother!

And finally, Ma Shashti, one of the nine ‘grihas’ that we worship, rides a cat as her mode of transport. Bengalis believe that it is because of Ma Shashti’s grace and blessing that they have children. Therefore, most Bengalis would never harm a cat for fear of offending Shashti.

Herding Cats!

Meow! It’s difficult

Herding cats - This commonly used cat phrase means to bring together many different people together for a common cause… Well! It’s an uphill task, we all must agree. Now you know what it means when they say – ‘Managing a team of professionals is like herding cats’ or ‘Teaching li’l kids is like herding cats.’

Noicy Cats

While we humans may not yet be adept at holding conversations in cat-speak, cats use their language to communicate with us and other animals. Some cats “talk” more than others, but most cats do make noise some of the time, and they expect us to know what they’re saying. We’re all familiar with the meaning of hissing and growling, but there are many other sounds your cat is capable of making, and a variety of reasons for vocalizing.

Medical reasons: If your cat’s behaviour changes suddenly, the first thing you should do is to take her to your veterinarian for a thorough health examination. Cats often hide symptoms of illness until they’re seriously ill; any change in behaviour may be an early indication of a medical problem. A new vocalizing behaviour, in particular, may indicate physical discomfort stemming from an urgent need for medical attention. A normally vocal cat who stops talking is also in need of a medical checkup.

Breed tendency: Oriental breeds, such as the Siamese, are known to be very vocal. If your cat has a pointed face and a long, lean body, chances are she has some oriental heritage, so “talking” may be a part of her character. If your cat’s chatter bothers you, then avoid giving her any attention when she is vocal because this will only encourage the vocal behaviour. Instead, give her attention when she is quiet.

Attention-seeking behaviour: Some cats “talk” because they know they’ll get a reaction. People may talk back, put out some food, pick up and soothe the cat, or even pick the animal up and temporarily “lock” her in another room. All of these responses will encourage an attention-seeking cat. To discourage this behaviour, simply ignore your cat when she does this, and when she is quiet, pour on the love, feed her, or give her some treats. This will teach your cat, which behaviours you would like her to continue.

Your cat wants to go outside: If your cat was previously an outdoor cat and you plan to keep her safely inside, then good for you! Following are some suggestions to help make the transition easier on both of you:

• Spaying or neutering will rid your cat of those hormonal urges to go out and seek a mate. This will result in a calmer, friendlier cat.


• Schedule play times during the times your cat would normally be outside. This will distract her from her normal routine and establish another, safer routine.


• Be sure your cat has a view of the outdoors and a sunny place to lie. Cats like to watch birds, so putting a bird feeder outside a window is likely to make the window a favourite spot for your cat.


• Run a scavenger hunt. Give your cat a game to play by hiding bits of dry food around the house. Hide the food in paper bags, boxes, and behind open doors. This will give her exercise and keep her busy so she doesn’t think of going outside. This is especially good to do right before the family leaves the house for the day.


• Try to give your cat extra love and attention during this difficult transition.


• Try aversives. If your cat still won’t give up meowing by the door, try an “aversive.” For example, leave a strong citrus scent by the door to help make the area undesirable to your cat. Totally ignore her vocalizations. Whenever she is quiet, give her a food treat and encourage her to play or cuddle.

Grief: After the death or departure of a person or animal in your cat’s life, she may vocalize to express her grief. This can be a normal part of the grieving process. The best thing you can do for her is keep her schedule the same (or as close to it as possible) and spend some extra time cuddling and playing with her. With time, this problem should take care of itself. If your cat does not return to her normal self, consult your veterinarian.

Transition: If your cat is new to your home or has just gone through a change—such as a person or other animal moving into or out of the home—and she has just started her talkative behaviour, be patient. It may be happening due to the transition and will stop on its own if the behaviour is not encouraged. Remember, even scolding can be perceived by your cat as attention, and thus encourage the behaviour.

(Reprinted with permission from The Humane Society of the United States, www.humanesociety.org)

Purrfect felines in the show ring in America

The warmth and friendship of the people involved in the cat world is wonderful. Cat shows throughout the world are fascinating and it is a feast for the cat lovers.

Here’s some info about the American cat shows:

• The show is held over 2 days.


• The owners bring their cats to the judging cages and then sit back and watch the judge assess and often talk about their cat or kitten.


• The cages where the cats are held, when not being judged are beautifully decorated with colourful curtains and cushions while judging cages are not decorated in any way.


• There are 6-10 rings, making it a busy day for the judges, stewards, ring clerks, show manager, workers and the owners of the cats.


• There are All Breeds Rings and Specialty Rings. In an All Breeds Ring, the judge has both longhair and shorthair cats to assess against each other. In a Specialty Ring, the judge has All Longhairs or All Shorthairs but never the two groups against each other.


• Cats are judged on the basis of awarding points.


• Any cat or kitten who bites or scratches a judge is marked U.T.H. (unable to handle) and wins no awards and cannot be judged by any other judge on the day.


• The American style show generally awards beautiful Rosettes to the Top 10 cats. The most important thing when entering a show is - win or lose, you always take the best cat home.

(Joan E. Henderson of Melbourne, Australia has judged furry felines in Australia, USA, Bermuda, Malaysia, South Africa, Hong Kong, Philippines and New Zealand. She can be contacted at felines@hotkey.net.au)