Katz And Other Tales

Katz Tales by Ellen Whyte Book front cover image

Logomania by Ellen Whyte Book front cover image

I have two new books out! Click on the images above for free sneak peeks.

Friday, March 05, 2010

Repost Friday: Cat Poo Coffee

Katz Tales is out in The Star, Weekender, print version only tomorrow. Get your copy while it's hot!

This Friday Repost is from 19th May 2007

I thought this was a spoof but it isn't:

The world's most expensive, and rarest, coffee is Kopi Luwak. It is made in neighboring

Indonesia from coffee beans found in jungles.

And guess what, the only beans used are those that have been passed through native civet cats.

The price is a cool $1,000 (RM4000) a kilo.

As Wikipedia reports, "Civets are omnivorous, supplementing a meat diet (both hunted and scavenged) with fruit, eggs, and possibly roots. One of the Common Palm Civet's favorite fruits is the coffee "berry." The coffee bean within often survives, and it is sometimes gathered and sold as caphe cut chon (fox-dung coffee) in Vietnam or Kopi Luwak (civet coffee) in Indonesia."

Anyone for a cuppa? I thought Yuk but apparently the coffee connoisseurs in Oz are digging in happily. See here and here for news articles.

I wonder if Scoop and Au would like to eat a few beans? It might be a whole new cottage industry.

PS This image of the civet cat was originally called "Malaiischer Palmenroller, Paradoxurus hermaphroditus Schreb. 1/5 natürlicher Größe." It was created by Gustav Mützel and comes from Brehms Tierleben, Small Edition 1927. It's copyright is now expired so the image may be used by anyone.

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Friday, February 26, 2010

Repost Friday: Kinky Tails

Want to know why cats have kinky tails? Check out this repost from February 2007...

Friends from overseas (read: non-Malaysians) are always horrified when they see Scoop's tail looks like a corkscrew, and that Au's short little stubby tail waves at a permanent 45 degree angle.

Local friends don't make it any better because they delight in telling the urban legends that say these cats are victims of animal cruelty.

Depending on who's telling the story, innocent tourists are told a local ethnic group believes cats are so beautiful that they disturb the spirits of the dead if they walk over their graves. To prevent spiritual unrest, the story goes, this group go along breaking cat’s tails at birth.

I’ve heard this superstition being attributed to various Chinese groups, Malaysian Indians, and even Sarawak tribes such as the Iban, so it’s hard to know where exactly this story started. One thing's for sure, the teller always blames someone else!

In case you’re worried: local kitties may look like victims of unusual torture but they are born this way. In fact, it’s a local neighbourhood characteristic.

Malaysian, Singaporean and Thai cats have an odd gene that creates a kinky tail. Some kitties have long tails with a knob or kink at the top; others have a variety of shorter tails sticking out at odd angles.

Scoop’s corkscrew tail is unusually complex, and knowing this our old fuzzy is very proud of it. He curls his tail up when he’s interested in something and down when he’s relaxed. It’s a wonderful barometer indicating his mood.

If you see a cat with a kinky tail in the US or UK, chances are you are looking at a cousin of Scoop or Au’s. Please say apa kabar from us!

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posted by katztales @ 8:44 AM (8) comments links to this post | 8 comments

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Repost Friday: The Fuzzy Terminator

Dog Talk is out tomorrow in the print version of The Star, Weekender. And here is a post originally put up on 20th January 2007. Au catches maybe 1 thing every 18 months and most of the time I can rescue and release the victim, so this is unusual stuff!

Here is Au, showing off a captured mouse. Our fuzzy terminator is currently lolling around on the sofa, cleaning his claws, and making plans for the day.

His colleague Scoop has decided one of my plant pots is the best place to snooze the morning away. As my marjoram seedlings died weeks ago, I don’t really mind – except that Scoop’s feet, tummy and chin are covered in bits of soil which he cheerfully dumps on the living room floor when he comes in! But that’s cats for you…

Have a good weekend everyone.

PS To win the Purina Cat Gift Basket, please send your pics to the Star:

Katz Tales
StarWeekend
Star Publications
Menara Star
15 Jalan 16/11
Petaling Jaya 46350

Alternatively, email weekend@thestar.com.my. Please keep image sizes to a reasonable size so that the inbox isn't maxed out.

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posted by katztales @ 4:21 PM (9) comments links to this post | 9 comments

Friday, February 12, 2010

Why There Is No Year Of The Cat - Repost Friday

Gong Xi Fa Cai! Wishing you a prosperous, healthy, happy, lucky New Year. In honour of The Year Of The Tiger that starts tomorrow, there will be an extra article in The Star Weekender. It's a crossover piece that links Katz Tales and Dog Talk. Print version only so if you want to read whether cat people are more intelligent than dog people, you've got the buy the paper.

If you want to look up your Year of the Tiger horoscope for free online, I suggest you check chinese.astrology.com, chinesehoroscopeonline.com, and chinese.horoscope.com.

In the meantime, here's a holiday repost.

Originally posted on Saturday, February 17, 2007

Legend has it that when the Lord Buddha decided to name the years, he summoned all the animals in the land, and told them anyone wanting to have the honour of having a year named after them would have to take part in a race. As Lord Buddha decided on a cycle of 12 years, he announced only the first 12 to cross the line would be chosen.

The cat and the rat who were best friends both decided they wanted a month named after themselves. Discussing the race that evening, the cat reminded the rat he was a heavy sleeper. The cat therefore asked his friend the rat to waken him in the morning in good time for the race. The rat agreed but then had secret second thoughts.

The rat realised that his chances of being among the first twelve animals to cross the finish line would be better if the cat didn’t take part. So the next morning the rat crept away without waking his friend.

The rat being exceptionally clever realised his chances would be even better if he could hitch a ride from one of the faster competitors. Looking around, rat decided to approach the ox whom he knew well.

The kindly ox allowed the rat to sit on his shoulders during the race. When the race started, the ox ran as fast as he could, with the little rat cheering him on all the way. Then, a little before the end of the race, the rat jumped off the tired ox’s back and ran quickly across the finish line. As the rat was first, his year is the first in the cycle, and the ox is second.

The cat slept throughout the morning, missing the race entirely. He only woke up when the other animals came back, celebrating the rat’s win and announcing the ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and boar had also made it into the first twelve.

Looking at the triumphant rat, the cat lost his temper. He jumped up as fast a lightning and ran at the rat who squeaked in terror and ran off as fast as he could. From this day on the cat and the rat were fierce enemies – and the cat never managed to get into the zodiac.

Labels: repost Friday

posted by katztales @ 8:11 AM (5) comments links to this post | 5 comments

Friday, February 05, 2010

Repost Friday: Bad, Bad, Person

When Au asked for biscuits on Sunday evening, I discovered we had none in the house. It was an awful moment. There was Au, sitting on the stairs, saying meow? in a friendly voice. I confessed and apologised. Au smiled, thinking it a good joke. Then, when he realised I really meant it, he drooped.

Au lay on the staircase, looking at me pathetically. How, his eyes said to me, could I have done such a thing? How was he, he said pathetically, a lovely and loving little cat, going to survive the night?

I offered cat food from a foil packet, tuna for people, and his all time favourite ham, but Au wanted something crunchy.

Luckily we were rescued. Our neighbour Umi who lives across the street feeds strays in her back garden. She donated some biscuits to Au who ate them with a satisfied crunch!

Since then we've stocked up on biscuits so the crisis is over. Au has forgiven me but I still feel guilty. I'm a bad, bad person...

That was a repost from Tuesday, May 01, 2007.

Katz Tales is out in The Star newspaper Weekender section tomorrow. Print version only so you have to pick up a copy. We'll also be announcing the winners of the Katz Tales competition!

If you want to keep in touch with updates, here are some simple ways:
Subscribe to Katz Tales in a reader
Subscribe to Katz Tales by Email
Follow Au on Twitter
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Friday, January 29, 2010

Repost Friday: Nicknames

This repost is from Tuesday, September 16, 2008...

Dragonheart and Merlin posted a list of their nicknames last Thursday and it got me thinking about the other names we call Au and Target. It reveals a bit of character - theirs and mine - and our relationship too.

See what I mean by looking at their "other" names. Au's nicknames are followed by an A, Target's by a T, and ones that apply to both with an A and a T.

Fuzz face (A, T)
Squeezlebug (A,T)
Cat-Kur-Squizzle (A, T)
Squeezle-bug-fluff (A,T)
Cat fluff (A, T)
Mr Kitty (A)
Big kitty on the block (A)
You little bugger! (A)
Fuzzily wuzzily (T only because A objects!)
Mr Snizzles (T)
Little tail (T)

Au is a big man cat who's not much into hugs but he tolerates me quite well and let's me hug him every day - not too much though in case I am spoiled. And guess what I call him when he demands a treat to show his power over us and walks away without eating it!

Target is a very soft kitty who adores cuddles and baby talk. He's not at all worried about being called fuzzily wuzzily little tail snizzles sweetie... Mind you, it's early days and when he's older he may be put a limit on that sort of stuff.

Thanks for the great idea Dragonheart and Merlin!

Today is the last day for the Katz Tales competition, open to anyone living in Malaysia.

All you have to do is answer these questions:
1. Who is older: Target or Au?
2. Who was called Mr Snizzles as a kitten: Target or Au?
3. Who has a white tummy: Target or Au?

Also, complete the slogan in less than 20 words:

I like Katz Tales because . . . . .

Email entries to katztales AT lepak.com.

There are 3 first prizes:
1 copy of Katz Tales: Living Under The Velvet Paw
1 rock painting of your pet by Malaysia's pet artist Suzi Chua
Cat treats from Addiction
A 35% discount voucher for any Marshall Cavendish titles under General & Reference Publishing

And 3 second prizes:
1 copy of Katz Tales: Living Under The Velvet Paw
Cat treats from Addiction
A 35% discount voucher for any Marshall Cavendish titles under General & Reference Publishing

The closing date is THIS FRIDAY! Friday 29 January 2010. Winners will be announced in Weekender on Saturday 6 February 2010.

If you want to keep in touch with updates, here are some simple ways:
Subscribe to Katz Tales in a reader
Subscribe to Katz Tales by Email
Follow Au on Twitter
Follow Ellen on Facebook.

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posted by katztales @ 8:55 AM (11) comments links to this post | 11 comments

Friday, January 08, 2010

Repost Friday: Racing, Chasing Kitties

This post was originally put up on Friday, 29th September 2006.

Racing Chasing Kitties

It's been a wild morning. Scoop and Au have been chasing each other up and down the stairs, and round and round Au's cardboard box. As it was before 8AM, the earliest hour I'm willing to get up voluntarily, I pretended to be fast asleep. They took no notice of this, and happily wrestled all over the bed when it suited their game.

N

ow that I'm up and ready to start work, our two fuzzies are sitting on the roof of the Beetle, using the height advantage this gives them to keep an eye on our neighbour 2 doors down who is tending his flowers, and Sam next door who's doing interesting things to his car.

If I have to come back, I want to be a cat in my next life. One who lives in a house like ours....

PS this is an old pic of Scoop having a quiet dinner with Au. Au was about 3 months old when this was taken.

Scoop passed away two years ago and I still miss him. Sometimes I think I catch a glimpse of him from the corner of my eye, or that I hear his loud meow in the middle of the night. Scoop was a wonderful person - and an excellent cat!

If you are in Malaysia, don't forget that there is still time to put in your entry for the Weekender Star Katz Tales competition.

As published in The Star last week, check the last post for entry guidelines.

Remember, participants must live in Malaysia.

If you want to keep in touch with updates, here are some simple ways:
Subscribe to Katz Tales in a reader
Subscribe to Katz Tales by Email
Follow Au on Twitter
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Labels: Au, repost Friday, scoop

posted by katztales @ 4:51 AM (13) comments links to this post | 13 comments

Friday, January 01, 2010

Friday Repost: Hooray for Science

Happy New Year, everyone! May 2010 bring you peace, prosperity, happiness, health, love and luck.

Katz Tales will be out in the print version of The Star, Weekender tomorrow. Buy it to read the latest about Au and Target. There's also a surprise for Tales readers tomorrow... You needn't ask! I'm not saying a word! You'll have to wait and see.... (addition on Saturday: check it out here online)

In honour of our Friday Repost, here is something from Thursday, 24th August 2006. I remember it as though it were yesterday.

Hooray For Science

It's official: Scoop and Au had picked up some fleas. What's amazing is that they were flealess on Friday, and had a bath with anti flea shampoo on Saturday. They must have picked them up on Sunday night or Monday. Me, I blame the Cat With The Dirty Face. Or possibly the black girls at the back.

Good news is that it took less than 5 minutes to rid our fuzzies of those pesky fleas. I rushed over to our local vet, and picked up a bottle of Frontline. This stuff is amazing. You just spray your cat under the pawpits, rub it in, and the liquid penetrates the skin and repels fleas and other pests for 5 weeks.

We used to import supplies of Frontline from Australia ourselves as it wasn't sold in Malaysia. And when we ran out of it a few months ago, I started with the old fashioned controls of flea soap and daily grooming to look for trouble. If I had only popped into the vet to check, I would have known that this miracle spray is now being sold here!

Anyway, my fuzzies are perfectly clean again - but they're not talking to me. After the bath and the spraying, Scoop looks at me as though I'm a devil and Au gives me a theatrical hiss. I've told them it was for their own good, but they're not buying it.

PS the picture from Wikimedia Commons is an engraving of a flea from Robert Hooke's 1665 Micrographia, funded by the Royal Society. Wikipedia says cat fleas are "Probably the most abundant and widespread flea in the world".

If you want to keep in touch with updates, here are some simple ways:
Subscribe to Katz Tales in a reader
Subscribe to Katz Tales by Email
Follow Au on Twitter
Follow Ellen on Facebook.

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Labels: Au, repost Friday, scoop

posted by katztales @ 4:14 AM (9) comments links to this post | 9 comments

Friday, December 18, 2009

Repost Friday: The Alpha Dog Myth and The Perfect Mate

Dog Talk is out tomorrow in the print version of The Star, Weekender section. It's all about how doggy social life and how scientists who thought they had it licked 20 years ago are now saying they got it all wrong. Apparently hierarchy schemes, dominance, and all that sort of stuff just doesn't happen in natural dog or wolf society. Plus, the story features Bushy, my Yorkshire terrier friend from across the street.

As promised, here are some links on this topic:

Click on Alpha Dog Myth

All about new wolf research

Discover more about Mech, the man who studies wild wolves

New thought training tips

Wild wolf researcher blog

And here is a repost from Monday, July 24, 2006 The Perfect Mate...

Lunch with a pal last week turned into a discussion about life, love and loneliness. As he has a nice house with a garden, and is at home quite a bit, I suggested he give a home to a stray - or preferably two!

The discussion quickly turned to the merits of cats versus dogs. A non-animal lover who was no doubt bored witless by my enthusiasm, my pal cut me short after a generous ten minutes by saying,

"I value independence, loyalty, intelligence, and hard work. I want a companion who can look after themselves if I'm busy but who isn't standoffish when I'm in the mood to play games. I also like beauty and I think family are important so it will have to be a pedigree of some kind. But I can't figure it out, should I get a dog for it's loyalty and capacity to work or a cat because of it's independence and brains?"

Stunned by this catalogue I answered before engaging my brain, "No wonder you're single!" I gasped. He bought me lunch, but I don't think he's forgiven me.

PS the picture is Haurvatat or Khordad, the personification of perfection according to Persian mythology. This image is courtesy of Hannah M.G. Shapero whose scholarly specialty is the ancient and still-living religion of ZOROASTRIANISM.

PPS My pal is still single and decided not to take on a pet either. But he has forgiven me!

If you want to keep in touch with updates, here are some simple ways:

Subscribe to Katz Tales in a reader

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Labels: dog talk, repost Friday

posted by katztales @ 7:08 AM (4) comments links to this post | 4 comments