9.28.2009

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

18 comments:

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

But I khan spell b-e-t-t-e-r

;-)


Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
PeeEssWoo: I knew I khould on woo Stella!

Scout and Freyja said...

Uhm, we know a couple of cats that wear clothes. We don't know if they go out and buy them cuz it's their idea or if their momma's make 'em wear 'em but my gosh, those cats sure are stylin'.☺

Sally Ann and Andy said...

Hello,
You give such good advice. If you found a family you liked better than yours, would you like for the new family to cat - nap you?
Sally Ann

Yas said...

Mommy's got a friend who dresses her cat..You are quite a cat-selor!

Cheers,
Maxx

Cocorue said...

you're quite the celeb and i heard you're even better than that Landers hooman ( no offence meant but she's still around right????)

if we were to meet, would you know how to charm me as i'm indifferent to kitties who somehow don't like moi...

chikisses
coco

Dexter said...

I am not a big giant scaredy cat (hmmm) dog, I am just prudent. Small, quick moving, fluffy things can hurt the Mango! I should know because I was set upon by a couple of attack Bison Freeze doggies who jumped all over my head and tried to bitey me.

Yuh, and what about bugs and snakes and stuff, huh? What about that.... CAT!

Yeah, and don't forget that some things that can't move (like bags of kibbles) could totally attack you in your mastiff mobile. I know these things CAN move because sometimes when I am not looking the furnitures move around all by themselves and I cannot go into the room.

Slobbers,
Mango

Maxmom said...

Hey there Ali-Z - MY FAVOURITE KITTY!!!
Firstly...yes, we love this question & answer thingy - we get our one-on-one time with you and that is simply super!
Ok...Im sorry Im a cat chaser (we cornered one up a tree the other day...eeee, such fun!) This instinct is uncontrollable!(Sorry) But I think if a kitty just simply sat still for me to sniff it, it would be ok...like our new hamster, SCHNAPPS...he sits still, why can't you?
OK...here's a really difficult question which NO ONE seems to be able to answer;
HOW DO CATS PURR? (NOT 'WHY?'...'HOW?')
Just know, We love you LOTS!
Lots of licks

the magic sleigh said...

Wooos! If anyone puts clothes on me, they better watch out!(Mom says I am a cat in disguise)
Wooos I like your advise, we hope that you become a famous writer here on blogger.
My question, "How do the litter box treats get in there?, and why does my Mom get rid of them?"
-Kira The Beawootiful

The 'splorin' Wolfies said...

all very informative. i am begining to like your column Ali-z!

Chester said...

You are a very wise cat, Ali Z and I look forward to your wisdom on Tuesdays.
And to that end I have to ask, "Are you just as wise on other days of the week?"

Dogs can be curious too, ya know!

Chester ;0=)

Cloud the Wonder Dog said...

My goodness, Miss Ali. You certainly are being nice today... it's throwing me fur a loop, it really is. I'm not sure how to react. Is dis a trick? Where is my luvable grouch? I know how crafty you cats are, and how much time you spend laying around doing nothing... Dis is my question - What DO cats think about while they lay around for 20 hours a day? What's going on in that round little head of yours?

Luv,
Cloud

The Army of Four said...

I still say Stella should share the blog header with you! Equal representation!!! Power to the kit-cats!
Play bows,
Zim
Honorary Kitty Cat

Martha said...

Hi Ali Z
As always a very full and informed post!
We know some cats who dress up - we think it is pretty cool although we never dress up ourselves.
Our mum seems to think it would be fun but then she doesnt need to track and follow scents......
We reckon clothes could get in the way!
love
Martha & Bailey xxxxx

Gus, Louie and Callie said...

Thanks for the comment about the pest. We are hoping that she will grow out of it too. Dad gets the magazine out when she is bad but we are guessing since she is deaf she doesn't find it frightening..

Big Sloppy Kisses
Gus, Louie and Callie

Golden Samantha said...

Hey Ali Z,
I think you are very good at this and might be able to help me with Ozzie. In the evening when Ozzie comes in from wherever she's been, and niether of us think the peeps are looking, Ozzie actually rubs up against my legs and I sniff at her and she doesn't mind. That is, until we realize the peeps are looking... then... the hisses etc. Well, that's all for now, except my mom used to dress up the cats in her childhood with her doll clothes.
xo Sammie

Teddy Westlife said...

I don't usually wear clothes but your mum is going to make me a husky fur sweater that I will wear proudly! I hope you don't think less of me, Ali Z.

Huffle Mawson

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

We are going to have to hold your Mom and Huffle to what they say in their comment. Ali Zophia - can you tell us how you got your name?

Woos, the OP Pack

Our verification word is "worrier" - hmmmmmmm.

Steve, Kat, & Wilbur said...

Ali Z, I just posted a prescription for Callie on my blog. I wanted to let you know and now I'm off to tell the Happy Heelers as well.

Thank you for the referral.

Dr. Steve