Cat Tales with Laura and Inspirations with Laura

Cat Beds

Cats love to curl up in cat beds. Some of my cats want to sleep in a giant cat bed, so they have plenty of room to stretch out during the night, and others like to sleep in a small bed curled up in a tight little ball. You can purchase ones that can be washed, or you have to spot-clean. Some cats want to mark their bed beyond washing unless you buy a special order remover. I wrap my cat’s beds in plastic garbage bags and place a towel on top of the bed, and that way, all you have to do is replace the bags and the towel instead of buying new cat beds. This does not seem to happen unless you have more than three cats.

Cat Towers

All of my cats love cat towers or hammocks. They love to sleep up high and watch for birds or keep a bird’ s-eye view of you. The cats that sleep the highest up seem to have a top place in the hierarchy of the cat pecking order. Peter and Winchester seem to hold that position. Once in a while, Faith will be sleeping up high. Cat towers raise your cat so drafts or cold air from the floor will not affect them. Cat towers are pretty easy to vacuum off or clean any stains off. I buy my cat towers from Chewy.com.

Cat Litter Boxes

For an automatic litter box, I prefer Litter Robot 3. It seems to last a long time, and the company will put a new motor in it after three years for a small charge if it stops working. My cats love using them, and they have never had an accident. I also have several old-fashioned litter boxes that my cats can use. Clean your litter boxes with a solution for cleaning at least three times a year for the automatic models and, more often, for the old-style models. Make sure your cat can quickly enter and exit the litter box. If your cat becomes arthritic, you may need a lower litter box and one on the first level of your home.

Grooming Tools

I buy good-quality grooming tools for my cats. I generally buy them from Amazon or Chewy.com. I check their ratings and purchase stainless steel or surgical-grade tools. I buy cat combs, brushes, nail trimmers, detanglers, gloves, and more. Wash your equipment if possible to keep it sanitary.

Cat Toys

Cats love toys they can interact with, including those that make a noise, like a singing bird or a crinkle toy. Catnip toys are a must for all cats, and circle game toys tend to be a hit with all cats. My cats love catnip mice, tiny baby stuffed animals, and toys on the end of a string. The cart treat balls are a fun way for your cat to simultaneously eat treats and lose weight. Your cat can move the treat ball around until a wonderful treat rolls out for them to eat quickly. Buy top-quality cat equipment, which will last longer.

Tags cat beds, cat Toys, Grooming, litter boxes, Outdoor Cat Totally Enclosed Cat Playpen

God Will Intervene

Jesus Always Helps His Followers

If you have a problem, ask Jesus for help. He will intervene on your behalf if you ask for the right thing. The Lord always knows what you need and when to give it. If you pray for those sick or suffering, He will help them immediately. Please do not ask for trivial things; they allow no one, not even you. Thank God every evening for the many blessings he has given you throughout your life. Everyone wants to be thanked if they help you, and you should offer the same to our Lord and Savior. I have prayed for those I love and those I do not know that are suffering, and God has answered my prayers. If your prayers are not sincere, they will not be answered. Your prayers should come from your heart and soul. I have prayed for people, pets, and more over the years, and I am thankful to God for listening to and answering my prayers.

You Are Not Treated Right By Someone

If someone does not feed or care for you in a care facility, God is watching them and will intervene in his time frame. People must never forget that they will be old too someday, and is that the way they want a caretaker to treat them? I am sure they would say not. Bullies are terrible as they lower people’s self-esteem, and they may damage them for life. Most bullies are cowards; they will run like a scared rabbit if you fight back a little. Lift people and build up their self-esteem, as God would want you to do this. If you see someone being bullied, intervene and stop it. Never make fun of anyone. You have no idea of the health issues and other problems they have had to endure. God notices lousy behavior and attitudes, and he will intervene.

Intervention Is Necessary

People need someone to be their advocate when they are old or sick so they will be treated just and fairly. I have read about people in care centers; no one comes to their aid. People have accidents because they must wait too long to be taken to the restroom. One lady had her clean bed sheets thrown at her and was told to make her bed. That behavior is not acceptable in the Bible or in my book. If no one ever intervened and helped people, we would be in a terrible place in our lives as we would feel as if no one loved us or cared about our well-being. Intervention helps keep people from harm. Intervention centers are necessary for those whose husband or wife or any other person is being abused. They need a safe place to call home, as their home is no longer secure. God will always intervene when things go out of control in your life as he will lead you back on the right path again, which will benefit you and others the most.

Tags Inspirations with Laura, Jesus always helps, Spiritual intervention

A Day In The Life Of A House Cat

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date August 25, 2024
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Cleaning Time

I watched my cat Cali clean herself this afternoon. She cleaned behind one of her ears 28 times before I got tired of counting. Garfunkel cleans his whole face, starting on one side and finishing on the other. If your cat eats one morsel of food, the cleaning ritual begins again. All cats are very fastidious when cleaning themselves. An older cat with arthritis may not be able to clean itself like it did in its younger years. Cats like their litter boxes cleaned regularly. We do not want to go to a filthy restroom, nor do our feline friends. Clean your litter boxes daily, along with fresh water and food. Clean up litter on the floor or cat food, as it will help prevent fleas or other pests that may bother you or your cat.

Picking The Perfect Spot For A Catnap

My housecats love to take turns sitting on my lap while I am in my recliner. They also love to sleep in their cat hammocks or boxes with towels or small cat buildings, old kitchen cupboards that are no longer used except by my cats, and boxes with towels in them. Once in a while, a cat may sleep on the floor or on my couch or recliner. Cats will never sleep in front of a register if the AC is on. In the winter, they want to sleep in a cat bed by the heat register.

Feeding Time

They come running when you feed them dry, wet cat food and treats. Catnip and fresh grass are their favorite snacks. One of my cats loves fresh greens, and when he sees me eating some, he meows and then gets some, too. Some of my cats eat grass the minute they get outdoors, and after eating a little, I put them back in the house. All cats get very excited about cat food. If a cat’s dish is half empty, they think they will stave to death quickly. Putting cats on a diet is a big challenge as some do not eat much and others overeat, so you must reach a happy medium for all concerned.

Bird Watching

My cats love to watch birds eating out of the bird feeders, as it is one of the day’s highlights. They always seem to chatter more at the colorful birds. My cats meow like they are saying, please open the window for just one minute, as I want that delectable, flying, colorful afternoon snack. No matter how old, it is a hobby that no cat ever gets tired of.

Squirrel And Chipmunk Watching

My cats will watch the little chipmunks and squirrels fighting over the spilled bird food. One day, one little chipmunk chased a large squirrel away, and it had lots of seeds to eat that particular afternoon.

Bedtime

My cats love to sleep on my bed at night for at least a while. They pick spots on my bed, and they are content there. In the morning, they are on cat hammocks, a couch, a recliner, or a cat mat. Sweet dreams, kitties, after your long day.

Life Is Like A Roller Coaster

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date August 22, 2024
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A Smooth Ride When You Are Young

Life is like a fine-tuned roller coaster when you are young and carefree. Most days are filled with joy and laughter as you play with your friends. Spending time with your parents is a joy as they teach you something new daily. A young child will ask their parents question after question as that is their way of learning. I enjoyed it when my Mother read to me before I slept at night. Eating at the dinner table was always fun as we discussed our day’s activities. We ate at about 8 or 9 PM since my Father was a farmer. I used to love to ride my trike and later on my bicycle and walk around the farm. I would be followed by some of my cats, our family dog, and one rooster on occasion. I followed my grandfather and Father around the farm and learned much about repairs over the years. I loved going to college as I took mainly all business courses, which came in handy for my work.

As We Grow Old, We Tend To Feel The Sharp Turns And Speed Of The Roller Coaster

Old age creeps up on a person very slowly at first, as you may have a few more aches and pains than you used to have. We discover as we age that we wear out a lot faster from work activities than we used to be able to sail through. As one’s health begins to deteriorate, the roller coaster speeds out of control until we learn how to live with what we have going on at this particular time. There is an old saying that says old age is not for sissies. Oh, how very true that statement is. Our joints ache, and we have days where we feel like we are 100 years old. Time is going too fast, and our roller coaster might jump off the track if we cannot accept the changes that old age will eventually bring to each of us.

We Must Pray To God To Keep Us Safe On The Roller Coaster Of Life

God knows what we are experiencing every moment of our lives. God has a purpose for our experiences in life that will remain unknown to us until we are reunited with our Lord And Savior. Sometimes, we think maybe we did something to deserve being sick or the plight of our living conditions. I say no to that. Everyone has ups and downs in their life, and all of us will experience pain and the loss of loved ones in our lives. The roller coaster of life has many wonderful and unique rides that we never want to forget, and of course, there are moments we would love to forget. Job was tested by God many times, but he kept his faith. We must keep our faith from all adversity that comes our way in life, for it will surely head our way in our lifetime. Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Sing praisees to God every day.

Tags Inspirations with Laura, Life Stages

Cats Add To The Spice Of Life

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date August 19, 2024
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Cats That Curl Up With You

It is comforting to curl up with your feline friend at night. If you have had an exhausting and stressful day, your cat may gently purr away and calm you down. Cats seem to have a sixth sense of how you feel at a particular moment. If you are in pain, your cat will curl up close to you and may lay in the area causing you the most pain. Just hearing a cat purr is very soothing. When I came home from a hospital stay, my black cat Conrad checked on me every hour to ensure I was still breathing. He would meow mournfully if he were unsure about me until I told him I was OK.

Kittens At Play

Watching kittens at play is so much fun, as everything is new to them, and they must explore everything they encounter. Autumn leaves are fun for your kittens to pounce on and roll around in the big pile you have raked up. Kittens love to play with their Mother’s tail, and the Mother cats put up with it because they love their kittens and are learning some hunting skills by playing with Mom’s tail. Kittens are the most curious of creatures, as they will play with almost anything. Watching your kitten grow into a beautiful cat is so much fun as they go through all the different stages of growth and development.

Housecats

Most people become very attached to their pets and consider them part of the family. Some cats eat off of countertops, tables, and more. I do not allow my cats to do this. We all know that cats use litter boxes, and they are full of germs no matter how often you clean them. I do not want to get sick because my cat was on the table after he visited his litterbox. Housecats love to play with catnip toys, circle toys, and many other types of cat toys. I love to watch my cats throw their toy mice in the air and then pounce on them when they land on the ground. Housecats make your house less lonely and catch and kill insects and mice that may sneak in. All cats have their distinctive qualities and dispositions, which make each one of them unique and special. You can never replace a cat that died with one with the same personality. We love our cats unconditionally, even if they are sometimes moody or uncooperative. We humans also have good and bad days and unique quirks, which probably irritate our feline friends at times.

Life With Cats Is A Blessing

Cats are wonderful friends who listen to you no matter what you tell them. Cats will meow back, gently purr, or touch your face with their paws. Cats will put up with a lot from little children as they seem to realize that they do not know that they should not pull their tails or pick them up in a way that they do not like. My cats followed me everywhere as a child, and I loved every one of them. God bless our feline friends.

Tags Benefits of Having a Cat, Cat Antics, cats bring joy, Kittens

Imperfections

Everyone Has Imperfections Of Some Type

Maybe you have a wound that will not heal correctly or a slight limp. No matter what your imperfection is, know that you are not alone. Anyone who makes fun of your imperfection should look in the mirror at themselves before they say anything. Only a cruel person or someone with low self-esteem will notice any imperfection you may have, no matter how slight it may be. If you always see your glass half empty, that is an imperfection. Have faith and remember that your glass is half full instead of half empty. The older we get, the more wrinkles we have, but we have earned those wrinkles, and we have gained knowledge through the years, and the wrinkles remind us of the journeys and good times we have had in life. We may become bent over in our golden years but think of all the good you have accomplished through hard work and discipline to finish what you started. Our hands may have arthritis and not be as flexible as they were years ago, Think about what your hands have accomplished such as caring for people, work, being one of Gods good stewards, baking, cooking, carpentry, doctoring and so much more. Stand tall and proud with these imperfections as they show the true you and your inner soul and that you have helped many people throughout the years.

God Knows We have Imperfections, And He Leads Us On A Path To Eternal Life In Heaven.

God knows that we are all sinners, and God’s son Jesus died for our sins on the cross so that we may live and have eternal life. Read your Bible and know what the scriptures mean and how they apply to today’s living. Enrich your soul daily with prayer and praise God for what he has given you. You will have many blessings in your life. Some will be huge, and some may be small, but they are blessings, and be thankful for them. Help those in your community that are in need. Some may need food, warm clothes, or someone to talk to to know that someone still cares about their well-being. Keep your faith, for stormy days, will eventually pass, and the sun will shine again. Without God in your life, you are nothing.

Imperfections Of Various Types

Your house may have peeling paint, but it is easy to fix: You can repaint it or put new siding on. A windstorm may damage a tree but will still provide shade if not severely damaged. You may drop something on a piece of furniture and put a significant dent. If it is on top, just put a towel over it, and no one will ever notice. Most imperfections only you will notice, and others will not even see them. Life is short, and do not worry about a few minor flaws, as that is part of living. Do good and be kind, caring, and considerate of other people’s feelings.

Tags faults, flaws, Inspirations with Laura, No one is perfect

Cats On The Hunt

Hunting In The Ditches

I have had Cats stalk the ditches for hours. Most of the time, they were very successful and would catch a mouse or a vole. I had one Tom cat named Onyx who lived to be at least 18 years old. He would hunt the ditch in front of my place every morning, afternoon, and evening. He would catch several mice daily. He went blind in his old age but was still a successful mouser. I feed him canned food by the ditch during his golden years. I had a calico sit on a fence post for hours until a mouse emerged under cut grass. She made short work of the mouse and had an afternoon snack.

The Rabbit That Barely Got Away With Its Life

I had a Tortoiseshell calico cat named Trisha. She was an excellent Mother cat and an excellent huntress. In her old age, she wanted to eat a rather giant rabbit. She was on its tail for some time before she got utterly exhausted and had to give up on her rabbit stew, so to speak.

Cats And Birds

Some cats consider birds their friends if they grow up with birds in the house. Once, a friend’s cat came into my home and tried to kill my cat’s pet bird, as she had grown up with birds before I adopted her. My Siamese cat and her Siamese cat fought under a bed in my house, and did they ever fly? The other cat stayed away from the parakeet the rest of the afternoon. If your indoor cat gets outside and you have a bird feeder, chances are your sweet house cat will have a bird lunch. Always watch your cat. A bird may lose its life if you look the other way for a few seconds.

Skunk, Rat, And Cat Fight

One of my cats fought a skunk by the creek, and my neighbor happened to see the whole thing. The skunk ate a small hunk of my cat’s face. She made a full recovery, and thank goodness she had had a rabies shot. Cats catching rats can be dangerous for your cat as they will bite your cat on the face or body.

Garter Snakes

I had a beautiful calico cat named Blacknose. She loved to kill garter snakes and lay the deceased on our doorstep. I think she most likely killed at least 30 garter snakes in her lifetime. She figured snakes were a pest she must rid us of.

Cats And The Thrill Of The Hunt

Mother cats will train their kittens to be great hunters and huntresses if they are good hunters. A kitten not trained by its mother will not be a good hunter and will probably just let a mouse run right by them. Kittens play with the mouse for a long time until they kill it and eventually eat it. Mother cats are very patient when training their kittens, as the mouse will escape many times until they finally learn how to kill and eat the mouse. Cats never seem to give up on trying to kill the prey they are after. Excellent mousers come from mothers who teach their kittens every aspect of the hunt.

Tags Benefits of Having a Cat, Cat Antics, mouse catching

Trials And Tribulations

Trials And Tribulations In Life

All of us will have many trials and tribulations before we leave this world. Our health may get worse, and we begin to wonder why. The answer is, why not you? Because it will happen to all of us sooner or later. We may wonder if God cares about our well-being anymore. I can assure you that he cares about you 24/7. The devil wants you to lose faith and turn to him. Do not believe a thing the devil may say or tempt you with, as he will not lead you to eternal life. The devil will lead you to live in his hell until the flames of hell engulf you and devour your soul. We will have many more trials and tribulations than we ever imagined possible.

Watching A Loved One Die From A Horrible Disease

It is almost more than you can bear to watch a loved one being consumed by a horrible disease or illness day by day. The disease may come on gradually so that you barely notice it. As it progresses, it tears away at your loved one by degrees, and it leaves you helpless as to how to stop it to prevent it. You must pray to God for guidance and direction. Watching them being consumed by the disease breaks you down and tears you apart. They say that a lot of caregivers die shortly after taking care of a loved one. Dear friends are a blessing. Treat them with compassion and kindness; never desert or leave them in their darkest hours.

A Married Couple Loses His Spouse

I have seen many married couples who have lived for only six months after their spouse has died. Their spouse was like their lifeline to keep going and living, and without their lifeline, they could not bear to go on without them by their side. A couple that has been married for many wonderful and blissful years loves their spouse more than anyone can imagine possible. They feel like a man or woman without a country when they lose their better half.

General Trials And Tribulations

You may have worked at a job your whole life, and one day, your boss wants to talk to you. He says he is replacing your position with a person with a higher education, and then you are demoted to a monotonous job. It is a slap in the face to the faithful employee who has worked at their job faithfully for 25 years with no complaints at all. I have seen this happen often because they do not want to pay all the job benefits the older employee should be entitled to. The company will hire a young worker and not pay them as much. One man was told he had to train the new employee before he left the company. Good and faithful workers are very hard to find. Treat all of your elders with the respect and dignity that they deserve. Without them, your business would not be what it is today.

Tags faith, Inspirations with Laura, test

Cats And Feeding Time

Cats Let You Know When They Want Food

My cats have become very vocal, and they may stare at their food dish if they think it is empty, even though the bowl is almost full. If you are taking a nap, your cat will wake you until you fill their food dishes to their desired level. If I have just picked spinach or Swiss chard from my garden, Garfunkel will meow until he gets some fresh greens. Winchester will sneak out the door now and then to eat some grass. I catch him quickly and give him some grass in the house. If you have an empty yogurt or cottage cheese container, most cats will sit and look at you until you let them lick out the empty container. Garfunkel knows when checked or turkey is in the oven, and he meows until I give him some of the meat. Cats love tuna and will delight in licking empty containers if not canned in oil. Wet foods are good for your cats’ kidneys, especially if your cat is not a big water drinker. My cats crave wet foods now and then, so I buy them for them regularly. Cats are very picky; if they do not like a particular brand of cat food, they will not eat it, no matter what you try or do to entice them.

Cats Will Try To Crowd Out Other Cats To Get First Dibs On The Cat Food

The younger cats will try to get the food away from the older cats or any cat that does not feel up to par. It would be best to watch your cats at feeding time to make sure every cat gets its fair share of cat food. If you give your cats lactose-free milk, which is easy for an adult cat to digest, ensure every cat gets to drink some. It is the hardest to distribute wet cat food or tuna because they want all they can eat.

Some Cats Will Share Their Food With Other Cats

Mother cats always share their day catch with their offspring. Addi, the mother of some of my cats next door, always lets her offspring have first dibs on the the cat food. Some cats will push the food dish in front of another cat, and that cat may make it back its way again.

Garden Goodies And More

I had a cat years ago that would dig up fresh potatoes and eat them right out of the garden. Cats also love cooked butternut squash and pumpkin, which help with their digestive issues. Catnip has been a must-have green for cats of all ages. My house cats are not keen on catching mice, but they do. Conrad drowns them in water, Cali eats them, and Garfunkel helps them catch them. At the start of winter, a mouse or two will sneak in. Your cat will be happy and healthy for years with the proper cat foods and regular Vet care. God bless our feline friends.

Tags canned cat food, Cat food, cat treats, What Should I be Feeding My Cat ?

Be Grateful For Family And Friends

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date August 2, 2024
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Time With Family And Friends

Spend quality time with family and friends as much as you possibly can. Time is very precious, so never waste any of it. Take lots of family vacations while you are in good health, for the time will come when you cannot travel anymore, and you will have regrets that you did not go when you were in the prime of life. Take time to visit and go out with your friends often. No one knows what the future will bring for us, which is a good thing, or we would fret and ponder over it constantly even though it would not change a thing. Tell your loved ones you love them because it may be the last time you see them alive. We have accidents, diseases, and illnesses that can take us quickly. If you have a parent that needs to be taken care of, you will never regret doing so as you helped them and got to be with them as long as possible. I cared for my parents, and I am happy I did. You only have one set of parents. Help them and care for them when they need you the most. Your parents may be elderly, have a terminal illness, or a disease that will take their life eventually. Be a caregiver that will love them and help them when they need you the most.

Be Grateful For Days Of Joy And Happiness

I love to go for a drive, sit by a lake, and watch the seagulls, ducks, people having fun in their boats, and the kids jumping around in the water and having fun with their parents. Family picnics are fun for everyone. I remember our family picnics as I played with my cousins, rode bikes, and went fishing. The adults would visit and talk about things that had happened in their families, and there would be lots of laughing and good times. The birth of a child brings happiness as the family will live on through the child and future generations. If you do not have children, you will live on in the memories of others by how you acted and presented the inner you to people. I am very grateful for my parents, who were kind, caring, and loving. I was very blessed indeed to be able to have such outstanding parents.

Friends Can Make A Dark Day Light

If you are feeling a little down, go out with a friend or friends, and you will generally feel rejuvenated when you get back home. The outing with them may inspire you or lift you to a happier place, and you may start a cleaning or repair project you have been putting off. As the old saying goes, Friends are the flowers in the garden of life. Put a little light on someone’s dark day, and you will help out a dear friend or stranger. God bless those who are grateful for all they have and thankful for God in their life.

Tags grateful, Inspirations with Laura