Moscow's Strays Know Subways

Did you really think figuring out to get from point "A" to be point "B" was strictly a human problem? What about our little friends? How else are they supposed to get around? The food isn't just kind to find itself.  In the United States, seeing stray dogs wandering the streets is not such a common sight; however, the same can't be said for other countries where the strays can number in the tens of thousands.

Negligent owners and even poorer animal control has led to exponential breeding and streets swarming with born-strays. This has been going on for decades and the canines, who were born strays have learned to adapt. There are more than a few dogs, who even know how to circumnavigate the Moscow subways.

Have you ever heard that dogs are color blind? However, in Moscow, homeless dogs cross the streets with pedestrians and wait for green light. Researchers assume that these crafty canines are following the movement of the pedestrians. As mentioned earlier, some dogs are street-wise enough to wait for the train like any other commuter. In between stops, these strays even take naps to kill time before their specific stop. There are some many homeless dogs in Moscow that packs of strays have actually started taking to the subways system in search of food, shelter, and means of transportation. Like any other major metropolis, life just went on in Moscow as no one seemed to notice or care to any more. Sharing a subway car with a stray black lab lounging on the bench next to them just doesn't irk any one any more. It's really quite sad.

In most metropolitan Russian cities, there is a near-epidemic of homeless dogs and born-strays running around the cities. It is estimated that there are an estimated 10,000 to 30,000 stray dogs roaming the streets of Moscow alone. About a year ago, the Moscow authorities allocated roughly $76 million to care for these stray dogs in terms of shelters and sterilizations.

"As of September 1, approximately 12,000 dogs are being kept in the city's animal shelters, foster owners were found for 3,300 dogs this year."                                                                         - Anton Velikhovsky, head of Moscow's public utilities

As Russia proceeds to curb their dog population issues, we should learn from their situation. If you see a stray, report them to your local no-kill shelter like Little Friends Foundation in Las Vegas, Nevada. The streets are no place for an animal domesticated by man and bred to be dependent. A shelter will at least administer the necessary shots, spay and or neuter the dog and give the little friend a place to call home, however temporary. It's the humane thing to do.

The Zoolander Of Kitty Cats

The whole allure of cute kitties going viral is nothing new to this blog ("Funny Cat Tricks"). For the past two weeks, we've been on a bit of a kitty kick. This time around, we are breaking out the close-up lens and taking in the fabulous specimen that is Toki Nantucket, the 3 year old Abyssinian, who has been glossing the front pages of internet searches with its chic fashions and en vogue flair for the camera. How did this poseur kitty's rise to fame come about?

Well, much like any industry, it's really about who you know and it just so happens that Toki's owner, Julie Song, is a costume designer, who graduated from Parsons School of Design ("Project Runway"). Last year, Julie wanted to do something special for her Christmas card photos. Tokie, being the handsome devil that he is, was a natural choice for the cover. Julie began crafting a wardrobe starting with an elf hood and the rest as they say was a wrap.

"I wasn't sure how they'd go over since most people assume that cats hate being dressed up...He took to modeling right away and is totally calm during photo shoots. It also helps that I bribe him with chicken." - Julie Song

The Christmas cards were such a hit, the photos of Toki in his wears leaked to the rest of the web. As the hits racked up, demand for Julie's kitty fashions soared. You can see her line of kitty couture at her Etsy shop, CatAtelier, where adjustable collars have been all the rage as of late. Julie Song likes to think the recent success of her CatAtelier line can be attributed to being one of the few designers crafting chic clothing fit for kittens. Maybe so, but give credit where it's due. There is no denying Toki's "it" factor. Is it really that hard to believe that there is such a thing as a feline fashion model? If anything, the "fierce" state-of-mind must surely have been inspired by cats. Why else would they call the stage for showcasing avant garde fashions the catwalk? Think about it...

Is your little friend your muse? What have they inspired you to do in your life? It could be something as basic as helping you become a more responsible individual. I'll share first. In the brief time I had the pleasure of caring after a blue pit by the name of Daisy. She really helped me to open up and not feel to conscious about public shows of affection. To anybody who has ever caught themselves contorting their voice when talking to a dog, you know what I mean. Little friends bring something out of us we sometimes thought no longer existed. 

A Little Friend Can Become a Real Rescue Hero

How often have you heard about cats' heroic deeds? Usually, we hear all over the news about rescue dogs who have saved people's lives. However, there is a great number of cats, who deserve the title of a hero. On August 4, 2004, an angel kitty by the name of Samantha was recognized by the Service Animal Registry of America (SARA) and given the Therapeutic Animal certification, which means this super brave cat is under the protection of law. 

Tia Dawn Jenkins, a disabled twenty-seven-year old young lady from Louisville, Kentucky, shared her story for online "Angel Animals Story of the Week" about her heroic cat, Samantha. On August 4, 2004 her little cat, Samantha saved a life of her lovely disabled owner, Tia, who suffered from four brain surgeries, seizures, and poor vision. Also, she helped not only Tia escape from certain peril of the burning fire, but also her little turtle friend, Shelly.

In the early goings, Samantha was a mischievous kitty, wreaking havoc about the house. Her former owner and next door neighbor, at one point, contemplated feeding Samantha to her pit bull pup. Despite her enfeebled condition, Tia stepped in and took Samantha into her home as her own - a decision  According to Tia, Samantha brought happiness into her depressing life:

"I decided to keep Samantha for myself when I noticed that she brought me out of my depression moods. She would make me laugh by playing fetch with me. I started to train her to bring items that I could not find due to my loss of sight and other disabilities. I trained her to alert me to people and dangers. Samantha also learned how to get help for me, if I went into a seizure."


Samantha not only became a healing natural medicine and animal nurse for Tia, but she also assumed the role of knight in shining armor on the night of January 20, 2004 when a kitchen fire broke out in Tia's apartment. At the first sign of danger, Samantha sprung into action belting out these wicked "meows". Lacking the vision to see where the smoke was bellowing from, Tia was fortunate enough to be able to rely on her little friend, Samantha, to guide her and Tia's pet turtle out of the apartment. Firefighters would later determine that had Samantha not acted in such a timely manner, Tia, most likely, would not have made it out of her smoke filled apartment in time. Thankfully, Samantha's coolness under pressure and strong survival instincts prevailed and tragedy was avoided. Would you like to save one of those rescue little friends? Take an action and check out our website today! www.littlefriendsfoundation.com

Funny Cat Tricks

Seems like one of the sure fire ways to go viral on the World Wide Web is to submit a video of your catnip crazed cat doing something rascally and adorable...and who are we to deny the "IT" factor of cuteness. Here's three videos of little friends gone viral:

1. Such a polite kitty, I wonder what she'd do for a Klondike Bar.



2. This cat's totally ready for the big screen.



3. Don't try this at home, kitties. These are trained professional.



Although not as widely publicized with cats as it is with dogs, felines can be trained to do tricks. The same principles apply. Condition through repetition and reinforce with rewards. Just keep in mind, cats do tend to be freer spirits than dogs. If you are interested in rescuing a little friend of your own, visit the Little Friends Foundation in Las Vegas (address at bottom of post) or visit our official website.

The Cat's Nose Knows What This Smell is About!

       Do u think Cats are more than just pets? You are absolutely right! Let’s take a look at some facts in regards to the cats’ smell senses that hopefully will increase awareness of their natural intelligence. Did you know that cats have a sense of smell 30 times better than humans? 

       Cats have inborn sense of smell functioning, and it is fully developed by about three weeks of age. Cat’s nose considered as its most important organ where the surrounding of a cat could be presented as a world of odors, smells, and scents. Their sense of smell drastically impacts all means of their survival such as:

To Smell Food

Kittens are normally have inborn sense of smell to locate food. However, with age, cats might have troubles with reduced sense of smell and refuse food. You always can slightly warm up the food to enhance its ordor.

To Locate a Mate

Both female and male cats release a powerful sexual pheromone that can be scented in a great distance. Therefore, if you have a female cat, during a mating period, keep an eye on male cats running around your windows.

To Establish Territorial Lines

Believe it or not, but male cats mark their territory with urine or with pheromones not only to put some travel territorial boundaries, but also to establish a status among other male cats.  

To Warn against Enemies and Danger  

Any type of danger cats perceive through their sense of smells followed by hissing or whiskers twitching.

         We can see surely see that cats are not only great pets but also very intelligent animals. They are are naturally hunters in the wild world, therefore, their sense of smell is so strong and picky that they can easily sniff a potential food and rarely eat stale meat or carrion.