Poetry in Motion

I am so excited . . . happy, happy, happy!  And not just because I feel so sure my forever family will find me this week!  I'm excited because we've had another contest and we have a winner!  Before I even tell you what our contest was, I'm going to show you a picture of our winner.  Her name is Callie and she is young and beautiful.  Boy is she ever going to make a great kitty for someone who needs a kitty in their life.  So okay, here you go.  Callie!  Oh yeah, this picture was taken right after I announced the winner of the contest and you can see how happy she is!

Told you she is beautiful!  Okay, now I'll tell you what the contest was.  It was best jumper!  And it involved some climbing, too, because Callie climbed up on a big cat tree in order to demonstrate her jumping ability.  I mean creativity is one of the reasons she won.  Some of the cats just jumped up onto a chair.  Come on, guys!  Oh, climbing!  Cats climb sort of like fish swim!  So if you get a kitten don't be surprised if it climbs up your pants leg or your curtains.  Yep, better get those cat trees!  And remember that he is likely looking for prey and that prey might just be your hair!  Hee hee!  Kittens are so cute!

Should I show the pictures first, or give you the info?  Hmmm.  Hard to decide.  Okay, first the info, then the pictures.  Cats use every part of their body to make a successful jump.  First, the tail!  It is a chain of about 20 caudal vertebrae!  Yep, and we cats can use it to help balance ourselves so that our bodies go where we want them to!  Then there are our sharp claws which we can use to grab hold, if we need to.  And did you know that our spines are very supple and that our collarbone is detached, making us even more able to maneuver?!  We can even use our whiskers to orient ourselves to what is around us.  Ha!  I know I shouldn't gloat, but really, human beings?!  You can't touch that!

Okay, now for the pictures taken during our contest.  For these I must thank my wonderful photographer, Vickie Sanborn.  First we have the launch, then the flying through the air part (my favorite!) and then the landing.  I want you to note just how soft that landing is!  Now let's face it, humans, if that were you, I bet there'd be nothing much left standing in the general vicinity of where you landed.  Okay, here you go!

Terrific, Callie!!!  Any questions out there???  If so, write them in a comment!  And come see us!  Maybe Callie will demonstrate her jumping technique for you!  Bye bye!

No, wait!  One more thing!  Does your kitty ride places in the car with you?  I mean cats don't usually like to be as undignified as dogs, but sometimes it does happen.  So . . . please be aware that car travel can be very hazardous for kitties in hot weather.  Just don't leave your kitty in the car, even for a minute!