MSI Press Blog

  Bear and Moo at the water trough, in a better behaved moment Some cats drink from a bowl. Moo sometimes does but usually does not. He prefers the advanced techniques . 💧 Step 1: The Paw Ladle Why lower your face into a communal bowl when you can delicately scoop water out like a tiny Victorian gentleman testing his tea Checks depth Avoids whisker fatigue Keeps an eye on the peasants Creates splashy entertainment 💦 Step 2: The Trough Transformation We once upgraded to a "water trough" for our 6–7 big, thirsty cats -- a large rectangular container where 3-4 of the little guys could enjoy a drink together and where hefty Bear and Moo at least had more space than with a traditional water bowl. Well, after enjoyed a sip with Bear, Moo looked more intently and said, “Ah. A bath prepared in my honor.” Instead of drinking, he climbed into the trough and sat there like a serene, slightly damp Buddha. Because of course he was. And when he got it, he shook himself dry,...

Bear, Moo, Pancho, and Simba   Recently, Pancho, one of our new little kittens, left a surprise in the litterbox: blood. What was going on? He and his brother Simba had been served breakfast together (same food) with the older cats, figuring they were ready to graduate to big-boy status. They were not, and his stomach rebelled.  Why sudden diet changes can cause chaos in the litter box Cats don’t like surprises — especially in their food bowl. A sudden switch, even to a high‑quality food, can leave a cat’s stomach saying, “Whoa, what was that?” Why it happens Cats have sensitive digestive systems. A new food means: Different proteins Different fat levels Different moisture Different texture Different additives or supplements Even one unexpected meal can trigger: Loose stool Mucus A streak of blood from irritation Urgency (not making it fully into the box) A very offended expression How to avoid the chaos If you want to change foods, do it gradually: Days ...

  Precerpt (excerpt prior to publication from the forthcoming memoir,  In with the East: A Mary Poppins Kind of Life  by Dr. Betty Lou Leaver Animals of Acton: Sanctuary, Scavengers, and Sentiment Acton had its share of animals—some wild, some domesticated, all woven into the rhythm of our lives. The deer were the most majestic, but in a humbler way than the moose. During hunting season, they’d gather in our swale, grand creatures with 8-point racks among them. Somehow, they knew our land was safe. It was posted  No Hunting , and so was my uncle’s. But that didn’t stop the out-of-town fools from skulking in the woods and firing into the fields. One year, one of them shot my uncle’s prize Guernsey cow—brown, unmistakably not a deer. My uncle caught the man trying to make off with the carcass, certain that he had just bagged a deer, and grabbed him by the ear. And then the captive had to listen to a tongue-lashing! We paid a price for being a deer sanctuary. The deer...