CHOOSING CAT NAMES

It can be fun choosing a name for your new pet.  A lot of people base the name on the appearance such as Smokey, Misty, Blacky, Snowy, Tabby, Ginger etc.

Human names are popular such as Lucy, Fred, Pedro, Dolly, Fanny, Maisie and Chantelle.

Food and drink suggest names like Pepsi, Kahlua, Cookie, Peanut, Sushi, Coffee, Toffee and countless others.

For a posh looking cat there is Princess, King, Czar, Sheikh.

Religious names are Soloman, Sampson, Delilah, Sheba, Buddah, Zen and so-on.

There is plenty of choice in the world of music, Jazz, Opus, Beethoven, Trumpet, Cymbal, Madonna, Jagger, Jacko.

Models spring to mind for delicate princess type cats.   Ellie, Naomi, Kate, Jerry, etc.

If you become the proud owners of two animals, choosing a name can be even more fun.  What about Adam and Eve if they always like to stay together?  Sometimes it is best to wait a few days to see how their personality develops before settling on names.  Alpha and Beta could refer to the first two from a litter.  A pair who keep an exceptionally clean litter tray could be called Spic and Span!  Or what about Yin and Yang for a passive female and active male?  Brahms and List perhaps for a tipsy pair.?

The most popular names are Tigger, Sooty, Felix, Charlie, Fluffy and Lucky (most cats are lucky to get away with some of their antics, so it is an appropriate name.)

Persian cats could take an Iranian name like Atoosa, the name of an Iranian Princess or Bousseh meaning kiss.  Likewise two Siamese cats could be named Si and Am like in the film “The Lady and The Tramp”.

Breaking bones over 60

Supposed to have a day out with stepbrother and stepsister, not seen for 50 years as they were here in London just Tuesday. They live in America, one in Georgia and one in Wisconsin. Also best friend was over from Portland, Oregon for just 4 days and my City job reunion for pensioners was scheduled for the same day in a hotel at Tower Hill.  I was looking forward to a busy week.

Went on long walk Monday, round cemetery, along canal. Found a lively exercise class and a ballroom studio. Was a few yards from home when I tripped on a loose paving slab and broke my shoulder. Kind people got out of their cars to make me comfortable with a makeshift pillow, water and called an ambulance. As it was low priority, estimated time for an ambulance was 2 to 4 hours. I was unable to move so these people rang and rang for an ambulance, saying they weren’t prepared to carry me to their car in case I’d broken my neck. They called my husband who arrived in 10 minutes and eventually the ambulance arrived after an hour. Lovely paramedics gave me gas and air and stretchered me to A and E. An X-ray showed my shoulder was broken. No plaster cast was possible so was given strong painkillers and a sling.  Prognosis is limited movement in 5 weeks. Could have been worse. I am not allowed to swim but they hope I can go on holiday later in summer.

Cat’s Eyes

I am not talking about the ones in the road!  This is Tigi and pet rat.

Cats are born blind.

They are commonly thought of as colour blind but can see, greens, blues and reds.

Their eyes glow as they have the tapetum lucidum, a reflective outer layer.

Cous Cous Salad with Caperberries

Ingredients:

250g of fine cous cous

2 large tomatoes chopped in cubes

Half a cucumber diced

Half a red onion, diced

A handful of parsley, washed and chopped

A handful of mint, washed and chopped

Roughly 15 capers or caperberries

Juice of a whole lemon

A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

Put the cous cous in a pyrex bowl and pour on 300 mls of boiling water or a light stock.  Leave for 10 minutes then fluff up with a fork.

Meanwhile prepare the other ingredients and place in a pretty serving bowl.  When the cous cous has cooled down, add to the bowl and stir thoroughly.

Great as a side salad with grilled or fried chicken pieces.