Another cat story

[jeaniesa]

Sorry to bore those of you who don't like cats, but my cat is cracking me up at this very moment. I have a bit 21" montior and my cat is NOT on top of my onitor - no, she's sitting n FRONT of the monitor and attacking the mouse cursor and the text as it moves across the screen as I type. Sorry for any typos - but I can't see my screen!

Jeanie

[d_kendal]

I've always wondered what makes cats so attracted to monitors. I don't have any animals, but when I've been at friends houses who do have cats they are frequently lying on top of the monitor, rubbing against it or attacking some other part of the computer.

- David

[jeaniesa]

My theory is that they like the warmth of the monitor (when they're lying on top of it - which strangely enough my cats never do that.) Otherwise, I think the cats know that the computer is competing with them for attention. My cats also love to attack my graphics tablet pen - they see it in my hand and think the pen is getting pets instead of them. You should see some of my selections!

Jeanie

[DJ Dubovsky]

I have been told that animals can't see the monitor or tvs for that matter because their eyes can't see the revolutions as a solid picture as we do. But I remember my cats chasing birds on the tv screen and they used to sit and watch tv quite often. Even invited a bunch of alley cats in to watch with them one time when I was sleeping on the couch. That was a big surprise. Thought I was having a cat nightmare. I woke up and said "what the heck" Next thing you know I have 7 strange cats running helter skelter and mine hissing as though they had nothing to do with it. They were all sitting in front of the TV as though spending a night at the movies. The only thing missing was the popcorn. (I had a cat door at the time) I don't even recall what they were watching.

I can't say what it is beyond the warmth monitors generate or the movement on the screen but I believe they do see the screen for sure just as we do and it fascinates them.

Too bad you couldn't have had that on film. You could have won some money on Funniest Home Videos or something.
DJ

[d_kendal]

I think the cats know that the computer is competing with them for attention. My cats also love to attack my graphics tablet pen - they see it in my hand and think the pen is getting pets instead of them. You should see some of my selections!

lol yep cats can get pretty irritated if you give anything else attention. all the cats I've ever known are very weird animals. example: one of my uncles 3 cats seems to think it's a dog. he acts nothing like your average cat and even runs to the door and growls when the pizza delivery man comes.

DJ - thats hilarious! must've been quite a shock to wake up to find a bunch of strange cats watching your TV!!!
- David

[BigAl]

Jeanie, my cats also love to wander around the PCs. My most memorable (??) experience was having one of them delete a rather important file in front of my eyes. I happened to be in Win31's file manager at the time when kitty came marching across the keyboard. The front foot hit the Del key (Do you wish to delete this file? Y/N) and back foot came thru and hit the Enter key before I could swat her!

DJ, that really would have been something to capture the neighbourhood cats watching TV on video!! (funny, you don't strike me as one who'd sleep in front of the TV )

[Ed_L]

I always like to see the posts about animals. They never fail to give me a laugh. Deb, I don't know what the cats were watching, but I'll bet it wasn't Lassie!

Ed

[jeaniesa]

DJ - way too funny!

Our cats don't need to see the birds on the TV to go crazy. My husband has a "birding by ear" CD and when he puts that on, the cats go wild - staring at the speaker and then running to a window. They can't seem to decide where the birds are.

And I say that cats can definitely see what's on the monitor. I remember a few months ago bringing up a tutorial on extracting a cat and the cat being used looked very similar to my cats. Anyway, one of them saw the picture on the screen and promptly looked behind the monitor expecting to see a cat. Then looked back at the screen like, "I did just see that, didn't I?" Kind of like one of those movies where someone walks through a doorway and becomes invisible on the other side...

David - growling at the pizza delivery man? Yes - definitely a dog in a cat costume I think!

Thanks for the warning about the keyboard BigAl. So far I haven't had much more than the Start Menu pop up, but it could definitely be worse than that someday!

Jeanie

[DJ Dubovsky]

Oops, I let my guard down and now you all know I'm a couch potato at heart. Yes, it was a surprise waking up to that many cats. I thought my vision was going bad at first. I eventually had to lock up the kitty door because I was getting more visitors than random cats. Bufo toads figured out there was a feast inside the kitty door and would come in and sit in their dish. Well one would since he took up the entire dish. They're about half the size of the cats, about 5 lbs of flesh and warts. After that I decided it wasn't that much trouble letting them out periodically.

BigAl
Ouch, hope that didn't set you back too bad. What are the odds of hitting both keys correctly?

David,
Are you sure they were house cats? Sounds like a minature tiger.
DJ

[OhThatGirl2001]

After reading this, I thought I would post my cat story! My kitty is an outdoor kitty. We've had a cat door for as long as we've lived in this house (11 years). However, in the past 2 years a stray (very smelly) cat seems to be coming in and stinking up our house and making our cat neurotic. We tried chasing it away, setting a trap - but this was a smart kitty. So, we invested in an electric - not magnetic cat door. I had to order this from the States as Staywell does not sell them in Canada. So, along with the duty and exchange (our Canadian dollar is similar to the Peso).... it ended costing over $100.00. First thing we discovered, it was a little (barely) smaller than the cutout we already had. Smaller was not good! Well, we fashioned a piece of plywood and remounted the door. It was a so so fix... but the real problem was yet to come. Oh, did I say this was going to be a short story?? The electric key my kitty wore would only work when her face was flush against the window. Now how lame is that I ask you? We tried all kinds of things to fix this. Realizing the door had a metal outer frame, it seem to interfere with the electronics. Can you believe that? So, the long and short of this... is that we had to buy a wooden door. Now, are you putting the $$$ together... quite a hefty investment! The door seems to have done the trick... but NO!!! the stray has learned to piggy back my cat and come in just after she has entered. My cat is so afraid of this cat, she runs in a corner while the other kitty steals her food. I once put the latch on the door to trap the cat from going out once it was inside... can you say "mistake". I entered the laundry room to find the cat had riped it apart, stunk it out and it jumped at my face. I opened the door to outside and ran for my life! To this very day the stray lurkes in the shadows...

P.S. My cat's name is Shadow!

Lisa

[OhThatGirl2001]

P.S.

Are you asking yourself now... how is this related to photo restoration? Ahhhh

[BigAl]

Lisa, I can relate to your cat terrorist. I had one of those food thieves once as well. One night, when I'd had enough, I chased him upstairs and downstairs, and finally cornered him in my study and when I tried to grab him, he bit me. This was rather gruesome, as he was a white cat, and the last I saw of him was bolting down the stairs with my blood dripping from his mouth (I still have the scar on my knuckle).

And all the while, my very brave German Shepherd cowered in her room She is very good at chasing strays when she's outside though

Are you asking yourself now... how is this related to photo restoration?

Doug did say "where non retouching talk is encouraged"

[BigAl]

Someone sent this URL to me this morning. Quite topical .

[OhThatGirl2001]

Hi BigAl,

I tried the URL but it did not work.

[Ed_L]

The site might have been down for a while. It worked fine for me. Catproof???? Now I've seen it all!

Ed

[DJ Dubovsky]

Lisa,
It must have been down because I got the same results but I was able to get on it now.

BigAl,
I almost wish I still had cats just to find out how well it works.
DJ

[CJ Swartz]

"a software utility that helps protect your computer from cats. It quickly detects and blocks cat typing, and also helps train your cat to stay off the computer keyboard. "

"When a cat does activate the software, regular computer function can be reinstated by clicking on a large button or by typing "human." The product won't need an upgrade unless cats learn to type. "

What a hoot! BigAl -- thanks for the link!

[CCdesktop]

Hi all,
Just had to send a note on this topic. I have 2 cats - Woody and Archie. Woody thinks he is a person - I am convinced! Archie should have been the velveteen rabbit. He sits up on his haunches when he want your attention...looks just like a little bunny.

Woody comes to work with me every day (in my home office). Most of the time he sleeps on my desk (hard to use the darn thing)..and otherwise he sits on the back of my chair while I am on the computer.

Check it out in the attached photo. He is a real character!

Barb Kessling/ccdesktop

[CJ Swartz]

Barb, Woody is a handsome fella! I'm sure that he is helping you keep your correct posture by making it impossible for you to lean back in your chair. Such a helpful guy!

My newest cat addition is an orange tabby. He sits in my other computer chair and doesn't help me with my posture -- maybe I'll show him Woody's picture...

[OhThatGirl2001]

A friend sent the following picture entitled "find the hidden bird". I think he looks like Woody!

I have to tell you, it puts a little smile on my face each day. I now use this as my desktop wallpaper.

Also, for the dog/cat lovers, read on....
NOTES FROM A DOG'S DIARY

Day number 180

8:00 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!

9:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!

9:40 am - OH BOY! A WALK! MY FAVORITE!

10:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!

11:30 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!

12:00 noon - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!

1:00 pm - OH BOY! THE YARD! MY FAVORITE!

4:00 pm - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!

5:00 PM - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!

5:30 PM - OH BOY! MOM! MY FAVORITE!

Day number 181

8:00 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!

9:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!

9:40 am - OH BOY! A WALK! MY FAVORITE!

10:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!

11:30 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!

12:00 noon - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!

1:00 pm - OH BOY! THE YARD! MY FAVORITE!

4:00 pm - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!

5:00 PM - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!

5:30 PM - OH BOY! MOM! MY FAVORITE!

Day number 182

8:00 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!

9:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!

9:40 am - OH BOY! A WALK! MY FAVORITE!

10:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!

11:30 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!

12:00 noon - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!

1:00 pm - OH BOY! THE YARD! MY FAVORITE!

1:30 pm - ooooooo. bath. bummer.

4:00 pm - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!

5:00 PM - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!

5:30 PM - OH BOY! MOM! MY FAVORITE!


NOTES FROM A CAT'S DIARY



DAY 752

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.

They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal.

The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape, and the mild

satisfaction I get from ruining the occasional piece of furniture.

Tomorrow I may eat another houseplant.



DAY 761

Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving around their feet

While they were walking almost succeeded, must try this at the top of the

stairs. In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile oppressors,

I once again induced myself to vomit on their favorite chair...must

try this on their bed.



DAY 765

Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body, in attempt

To make them aware of what I am capable of, and to try to strike fear

into their hearts. They only cooed and condescended about what a good

Little cat I was...Hmmm. Not working according to plan.



DAY 768

I am finally aware of how sadistic they are. For no good reason I was

chosen for the water torture. This time however it included burning foamy

chemical called "shampoo." What sick minds could invent such a liquid.

My only consolation is the piece of thumb still stuck between my teeth.



DAY 771

There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices. I was placed

in solitary throughout the event. However, I could hear the noise and

smell the foul odor of the glass tubes they call "beer". More importantly

I overheard that my confinement was due to MY power of "allergies."

Must learn what this is and how to use it to my advantage.



DAY 774

I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and maybe snitches.

The dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to return. He is

obviously a half-wit. The bird on the other hand has got to be an informant,

and speaks with them regularly. I am certain he reports my every move.

Due to his current placement in the metal room his safety is assured.

But I can wait, it is only a matter of time...

[CJ Swartz]

The "Notes from a cat's diary" is my favorite piece about cats -- it describes the inner mind-workings of several cats that I have been blessed to live with, including one of my current roomies, Cupcakes. Cupcakes loves me dearly, but has been attempting to assassinate me daily for years by walking in front of me at just the wrong time. She understands geometry or trig (whichever) -- when I start walking one direction and she is across the room, she starts walking at an angle that will bring her exactly in front of my feet.

Cupcakes came through the pet-door once with just the tail of an Inca dove sticking straight out in front of her - I was able to extricate the live bird and release it without a scratch. (although I've since learned that the pasteurella bacteria in a cat's mouth might have killed the bird without it receiving antibiotics.)

I love the "dog diary" also -- it's so true. I love living with both dogs and cats together because of their differences... watching the cats think caustic remarks while the dogs are bouncing around gleefully because I'm back in the room after being gone for 60 seconds...

[DJ Dubovsky]

Barb
Looks like Woody gives you a nice little head rest.

Lisa
That was so funny. I loved it.
DJ

[d_kendal]

Barb - It's interesting how each cat seems to have its own very unique personality. nice cat!

Lisa - Thats hilarious! thats exactly what I'd imagine cats and dogs are thinking. the picture is great!

- David

[CCdesktop]

Lisa - the diaries are great, but that photo is hilarious!!

Thanks for the smile this morning!

Woody send his regards.

Barb Kessling

P.S.
Sending a photo of Archie, didn't want him to be left out.

[OhThatGirl2001]

How sweet. Great shot. Archie color co-ordinates with your furniture. I thought I would attach a picture of my black devil Shadow. It made an interesting artistic picture. I saw her sitting in the sunlight and noticed the shadow she cast infront of her. So... it's entitled "Shadow's shadow". I made the image greyscale and hand colored her eyes. Kind of makes Shadow look like a panther, but she's real pussycat

[jeaniesa]

Barb - I love that picture of your cat on the back of your chair. I don't have to deal with a cat on the back of my chair, but Kira likes to climb into my lap and rest her head against my left arm - making it very difficult to type! (And of course, I don't want to disturb her! ) And keeping my legs level so that she doesn't fall off is not too great as far as ergonomics go!

This same cat likes to climb on the back of my husband's chair (only while he's sitting in it) and stand so that her back legs are on the chair back and her front legs are on his shoulder - then starts licking his head (i.e., giving his head a "bath". )

Lisa - I love that picture - had me chuckling all morning.

Jeanie

[BigAl]

Lisa your Shadow looks just like my Missy. Sorry my pic is so small

It's interesting that everyone's pets help for posture My other kitty Dimple does exactly the same as Jeanie's Kira, but I have the additional problem of my German Shepherd sleeping at my feet, so I can't move my chair forward under the desk. This means I'm probably leaning forward at a worse angle than Barb with her Woody headrest.

[d_kendal]

great photo Al! looks like your cat is having lots of fun.

- David

[CJ Swartz]

BigAl, it looks like Missy has a cat's favorite toy -- a paper sack. Looks like she's gotten it just like she wants it -- with some proper peekaboo holes to use to see who's watching her be adorable while playing.

Hmmm, reminds me, my cats haven't had a paper sack to play with in a while (plastic just isn't as much fun, as well as being dangerous) -- have to go to the grocery store...

[DJ Dubovsky]

Did you ever try a ball of tin foil? Mine loved batting that around. Cats are great for finding cheap toys around the house.
DJ