Scoots
Volume I, Issue 3
The Newsletter all about Scoot Binkerson,
Third Eye/Ace Reporter/Apache Cat
In This Issue:
 
Scoot talks!
&
Book reviews...
 
 
 
 
Scoot Talks!
 
Scooter is turning in to quite a talker--he has a lot to say, apparently! Especially when greeting me in the morning, I've found that he will carry on quite a long and varied conversation with me--as long as I speak Cat! If I start to talk "people talk" to him, he will roll around and purr, but stop chatting. However, as long as I respond with basically the same sounds he is making to me, he will keep talking, varying the call each time. This can go on for six to ten volleys as we keep answering each other! Sure wish I knew what we were sayin', LOL!!!
 
Here are just some of the things Scoot has said to us lately.
In an effort to see what I could find out about these vocalizations (not many specifics, yet!), & about cats in general, I started collecting books to read on the subject. Here's my list so far:
 

Book Reviews

 
We're always on the lookout for good books!
 
Some of these I've already finished, & some I am still working on, but here's an idea of what's on my cat bookshelf currently.
 
250 Things You Can Do to Make Your Cat Adore You, by Ingrid Newkirk, Simon & Schuster, New York, 1998; ~200pp.
A great little book of ideas & info, well written and funny. Haven't finished it yet, but Newkirk has lots of good advice & clearly loves cats. Valuable sections on finding a lost cat, understanding body language, & stimulating your cat; also vegan recipes for those looking for meat-free alternatives to processed food (a controversial choice). The author is also the founder of "People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals."
 
Food Pets Die For: Shocking Facts About Pet Food, by Ann N. Martin, New Sage Press, Oregon, 1997; ~140 pp.
Fascinating and frightening look at the ramifications of mad cow disease and similar food health concerns in the apparently unregulated pet food industry--including the charge that many euthanized pets are making it into pet food, soylent green-style, along with much other unhealthy, unsafe, and inappropriate stuff.  The author went to court after a major U.S. dry pet food made her dogs sick, & did a tremendous amount of research into her subject.  The book includes many interesting references and a useful bibliography. Also included are real food recipes aimed at both cats and dogs, for those that want to feed their pets themselves after considering the alternatives. (Al plans to test a couple of the recipes on Scoot--we'll let you know!)
 
Cat Speak, by Bash Dibra with Elizabeth Randolf, G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York, 2001; ~230 pp.
Great book by a professional animal trainer who has also written several similar books about dogs. Excellent guide for getting your cat to willingly behave the way you want by understanding both the cat and the best training methods. Haven't finished this one yet either, but it looks very promising--will let you know if it really helps me train Scoot!
 
Cat Massage, by Maryjean Ballner, St. Martin's Griffin, New York, 1997; ~130 pp. Well illustrated with lots of b/w photos, this fun book gives lots of ideas for how to pet your cat so that you'll get 'Power-Purring' and 'Mega-Meow-Moments.' Includes 6 basic strokes, 50 techniques from whiskers to tail, and cat body-language reading. Am slowly trying out the various techniques that I haven't been doing already with Scoot, as the author emphasizes the need to follow the cat's lead here & be sensitive to what they like best.
 
Catwatching, Desmond Morris, Crown Trade Paperbacks, New York, 1986; ~135 pp. Very basic but informative cat facts from the famous British zoologist. Short 1 or 2 page chapters make this any excellent quick reference and a very easy read. Great for those who have never had a cat before--would also be good for younger readers.
 
 
Wheew, that's enough for now--I have to go read--er, snooze!
 

Next issue: Cat haiku!

 
 


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