Its Me, Ali Z!

Hello all you Kitties and Pups!  Its been a busy week and we have lots of mail to answer so lets get started!

Kira the Beawootiful and Zoolatry both asked me almost the same question this week.  One asked if I was going to become the new Ann Landers of the Pet World and the other asked me if I was going to be the Dear Abby for pets. 

My answer is this:  it all depends on you felines and canines out there and how much you like coming to me with your questions.  It would make me very happy to be able to help you,  and if you like my help, I am here to stay!  I have been accused of being cross, and being a grouch, but I am really not.  I may be just a tiny bit short tempered, but most of us cats are.  I do my best when it comes to your letters.

Max of South Africa had a complaint about my advice last week.  His original question was How Can a Dog give a Kitty a compliment.  I guess my advice was hastily given.  I said he could stroke the kitty and speak kind words or get her some good sardines.  He wrote back and said he could do NONE of those things.  However, I happen to know that Max is a highly trained, performing dog, so I am certain he could learn to gently stroke  a cat.  Even Stella can do that if I allow her to get close enough.  But chasing the cat, no, Max, no good!  That is not a compliment to a cat, its terror to be chased by a big dog.  Let quiet and gentle be your bywords, Max, and you can perhaps slowly learn to show affection to a cat. 

Mango wrote asking me if  Scary Cat was redundant.  Mango, this made me almost laugh, that you are saying all cats are scary to you.  I happen to know you are a huge Mastiff dog who should fear nothing!  Perhaps you are writing in jest, are you?  Do write again, Mango.

Dennis the Vizsla writes (in his own unique style) if we are going to be "sindikayted like deer abby or doctor fill".  This will take quite a while to determine whether we will be able to do it, legal matters and such, but as soon as I know, I will let you and the rest of our readers know!  Thank you for asking, Dennis.

 Khyra the Siberian Husky wrote:  How would you solve a problem like Khyra? 

Hmmm, Khyra, this was a very difficult question for me, and since I know you are a very good friend of Stella's and our Mom, I asked them what their response would be.  You should be most happy to know that they said You are the perfect You, and shouldn't be changed in any way at all.  So that will be my response to you although it might be nice if you could learn to spell better.  Thanks for writing and do write again.

The Happy Heelers wrote concerning Callie their deaf girl who is a heel biter and does fly-byes and is considered the family pest. 

To the Heeler Mom, I have sent your letter on to Dr. Steve and I hope by now you have heard from him regarding this problem.  Myself, I am just not certain what to say about it, except perhaps  Callie will grow out of this, especially if you find a way to express your displeasure with her behavior, not with herself. Good luck and thanks for writing.

The Army of Four wrote asking: "Why doesn't the new blog header include you?  Hmmmm? Doesn't seem quite fair to me. Play bows, Zim"   Probably Zim, because it isn't my blog, its Stella's and she allows me to post on Tuesday, and I have a nice picture on the sidebar.  I showed her your letter and she mumbled something to the effect of "That'll be the day".  So I may get it on someday, I think thats what she means, don't you?  Thanks for thinking of me, and do write again.

Cloud the Wonder Dog asked me "why don't cats wear clothes?  You never see people dressing up their cats. Why is that?" 

Oh, well, Cloud, you know cats come into this world with beautiful coats that are just right for their bodies. Beautiful fur, beautiful colors.  They are lithe and graceful and clothing would only interfere with their wonderful abilities to leap, climb trees, and even run.  Don't you see dogs who feel limited in movement with clothing?   Thanks for the question, I hope I answered you. 

(Cloud now has his own Question/Answers on Monday on his blog and if you would like a rat terrier's point of view, please go visit him).

This is getting very long!  Thanks for all your letters, I love to read them, and will be glad to help with any problems in any way that I can.

Meow, meow,

Ali Zophia