Stephy Hirst from Australia always knew her kitty Omar was a big guy. Still, she was surprised when Guinness Records contacted her saying he might be the longest feline in the world. “At first I thought ‘is this real?’,” said Hirst. “We thought he might be (the longest cat in the world) but we hadn’t done anything about it because he might not be fully grown yet.” “(Omar) was tiny when we got him but then he just started growing and was at 22 lbs one year old.” Hirst decided to measure Omar and he came in around 3.93 ft weighing 30.86 lbs. Up until now, this Guinness title belonged to UK-based Maine Coon Ludo, who is measured at around 3.88 ft. After the his picture was posted on Cats Of Instagram, Omar became an Internet sensation. However, stardom doesn’t affect his daily routine, which includes waking up at 5 AM, eating kibble for breakfast, napping outside on the trampoline, and enjoying some raw kangaroo meat for dinner. “He sleeps on the couch … because he takes up too much room on the bed and he demands we cuddle and pet him all through the night.” Hirst says her husband always wanted a big cat – well, there you have it! To read more on this story, click here:Couple Is Proud Of Having The Longest Cat In The World
The internet is obsessed with cats. Literally. Cat memes are littered across the internet with a populace that's quite astounding. It's no wonder why this Maine Coon kitten has drawn so much attention. Tatiana Rastorgueva, the owner of a 2 month old Maine Coon kitten (whom she named Valkyrie) merely had to upload a picture on Instagram of her new fur ball before she went viral. Valkyrie, as it turns out, doesn't quite look like your everyday, average Maine Coon kitten. Tatiana took notice of her kitten's minor abnormalities and wanted all her friends to see. She didn't expect that her kitten's human-like face would be an internet sensation. Now, "human-like" can mean so many different things. Usually, when animals are personified as human, they have some specific attributes. Sometimes animals make noises that sound like us talking, or they "smile" like us, or protect us. So, even though Valkyrie undoubtedly looks human, it's a toss up for what makes her so human-like to so many people. In the pictures, which you can check out here, people have noted that the look in her eyes as she puts on a comforting, surreal expression is what makes her so human like. Others have pointed out that the structure of her bones along her face are truly resembling that of a human face.
Valkyrie, it seems, just has the "it" or "wow" factor that draws so many different people in!
Five-year-old Iris Grace Halmshaw of Market Harborough, Leicestershire was diagnosed with autism in December 2011. Since that time, her parents, Arabella Carter-Johnson and Peter-Jon Halmshaw, have been navigating the process of helping their daughter flourish and live her life to the fullest. One of the more remarkable discoveries in this journey has been the blossoming friendship between Iris and her cat, Thula. Arabella tells The Dodo that she and her husband had been considering a therapy animal for Iris after reading several articles about animals having positive effects on children with autism. After an unsuccessful look at Equine Therapy (Iris had little interest in horses), the family thought about a therapy dog. However, Iris and the prospective therapy dog didn't really click, as Iris didn't enjoy being licked and found the dog's hyperactivity to be upsetting. The family even spoke to various cat rehoming centers and tried out a therapy cat instead, but Iris didn't have much interest in any of the cats. Arabella says that "By this point I was getting sick of the idea, I couldn't carry on with trying out different animals, it wasn't fair on anyone and not helping Iris at all." During Christmas of 2013, however, everything changed. A family member's Siberian cat was in need of temporary boarding while her owners were abroad, and Arabella and Peter-Jon opened their home to the furry guest. Arabella noticed that Iris and the cat immediately connected with one another. "It was then I realized that I just hadn't found the right animal yet." Arabella was right. The search for the right cat continued in January 2014, and the family found their feline match soon after: a Maine Coon kitten they named Thula. The kitten was just the right temperament and personality for sensitive Iris. When the two met, it was love at first sight. "Thula just settled right in and it was as if she was always here at home with us." Thula has since become Iris' close companion, serving as a wonderful partner for snuggling and naps. The fluffy feline is also Iris' "faithful assistant" when it comes to painting, one of the five-year-old's favorite pastimes. Iris' parents initially encouraged her to paint as a way of assisting with her "speech therapy, joint attention and turn taking." However, Arabella and Peter-Jon soon discovered that Iris had an amazing natural ability for painting, as well as an "incredible" two-hour concentration span when she worked. Since Thula came into Iris' life, Arabella says that Iris' paintings have indeed altered a bit. "We do see cat faces, imagery of cats in her paintings now, it is subtle but noticeable." Below is one of many dreamy, impressionistic pieces painted by Iris.
When the two aren't painting, Thula and Iris enjoy spending time together playing on the family iPad ...
... relaxing during car rides ...
... and even taking the occasional bubble bath!
But Thula is more than just a playmate. The cat is a source of stability and comfort for Iris during some of her darker moods. An excerpt from Arabella's blog describes one touching instance where Iris, a bit gloomy about practicing her speech, found comfort in Thula's presence: Thula brings a square piece of bubble wrap in her mouth and jumps up onto the sofa beside Iris and drops it in her lap. Iris who was withdrawn and looking exhausted smiles and says "Hi Cat." She picks the bubble wrap up and starts playing and then offers it to Thula. Unusually Thula doesn't want it throwing or dangling, she nudges it back to Iris and lies down and purrs loudly. I watch her from the doorway, amazed at what I am seeing, I was just hunting for something to take Iris's mind off running through her words, a distraction from her current goal. How is Thula doing this? I understand she must be reading Iris's body language but to have the intelligence to find a sensory toy that isn't for her, but for Iris to play with to pull her out of this darker space, is incredible. It is clear that the relationship between Thula and Iris is based on mutual respect and empathy. Says Arabella, "Unlike most children of Iris's age, she doesn't maul, stroke or pick up the kitten constantly. Their relationship is based upon companionship. If Iris wakes during the night, Thula is there to settle her. It's as though she instinctively knows what to do." Though Thula and Iris have received considerable internet notoriety, Arabella is adamant that she doesn't want Iris' life to be affected by the newfound popularity. "For Iris nothing has changed, we are working very hard to keep it that way," she says. "There have been so many requests from news networks, film and chat shows to come and report on Iris, her paintings, and now Thula ... but I know how much it would upset Iris, and she is making such progress at the moment with her speech, so we just want to keep things as they are." It's pretty clear that, regardless of what new skills Iris may acquire (she has recently taken interest in the violin), Thula will be there as a comforting presence, offering the silent understanding that Iris needs. Here's to the dynamic duo's future adventures - there will surely be many. You can read more about Iris' life on her website and Facebook page, and can view and purchase prints of her unique artwork HERE . See the latest photos of Thula and Iris on Instagram.
This is Samson, the largest cat in New York City. Dr. Lisa Lippman, a Manhattan veterinarian, said he is by far the biggest cat she has ever heard of! Samson, a Maine coon, is four feet long and weighs 28 pounds! For perspective, an average cat weighs between 8-10 lbs and is about 2 feet long! It is not unusual, however, for Maine Coon cats to weigh between 15 to 20 lbs. According to his dad, Splurt Zillionz, Samson is a tender, sweet, but tough guy. Samson likes to wrestle and loves to cuddle – only when no one is watching! Samson is now 4 years old and has been living with his dad in New York since November 2013. Even though the apartment in NYC are small, Samson always finds a place to hang out. Samson also loves to go for rides in his green cat stroller. Every few months, Samson gets a $120 grooming session to keep himself looking lush and fluffy! Samson eats six cans of wet food a day and uses four pounds of litter a week. Samson’s groomer, Carolyn Ayala said he is long, broad, strong, and heavy – he is not fat. He is well-proportioned. She called him a gentle giant. Because of his size, Samson has been getting a lot of attention. He is big news in New York and all around the world! Samson has over 34,000 followers on Instagram, his account is called @catstradamus. But, in typical cat fashion, Samson pretends he doesn’t care at all!
The shape of a cat’s face holds valuable clues to its personality — helpful for strengthening your bond with your current cat or determining if a potential new kitty is right for you. “Cat face geometry is one of the best tools for matching a cat to a person,” explains Arden Moore, author of “Fit Cat: Tips & Tricks to Give Your Pet a Longer, Healthier, Happier Life” (Amazon Books, $15.90). “It especially helps with ‘mutt’ cats whose breed cannot be determined.” You can order on Amazon.com below:
Here, Moore breaks down the personalities for the three basic cat face shapes to help determine the ideal human companions for each. Face Shape: Round
Breed examples: Persian, Himalayan Personality: Referred to as “library cats,” these are the quiet felines who “get spooked if the doorbell rings,” says Moore. They’re shy and gentle and they love a good cuddle — and will happily pose for your Instagram. Once you develop a bond, they will never leave your side. Ideal Companion: You enjoy curling up on the couch with your Kindle or Netflix and a cup of tea. You’re a homebody, and likely live alone in a studio apartment on a high-numbered floor, away from the noise of the streets below. Face shape: Square
Breed examples: Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest Personality: Confident and independent, square-faced felines can be mellow and roll with the punches. “They can hang out with dogs, kids — nothing really rattles them,” Moore says. Ideal Companion: You have a social life, but look forward to greeting a furry friend when you return home. You work a 9-to-5 job, and live with your spouse, children and a pup in a Park Slope brownstone. Face shape: Triangle
Breed examples: Abyssinian, Siamese, Burmese Personality: The “jocks” of the cat world, “they’re the perfect cat for someone who wants to teach their pet tricks,” says Moore. Triangle-faced cats tend to be the most vocal and would rather watch birds out the window than sit in a lap. Ideal Companion: You’re the life of the party, hosting frequent soirees and showing off your cat’s latest trick. Your work schedule may be erratic, but you don’t mind late-night meows — and you don’t own another, more submissive cat.
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