MSI Press Blog

  The photo says it all. Jack was not happy about going to the vet, and he was not happy about seeing the vet. He quickly found what he thought was the perfect place to wait for the vet to come into the room after the tech left! And yes, this is the same stubborn cat who refused to eat wet food after the surgery and figured out how to get back to his dry food, which he continues to eat exclusively. (Oh, and no, no chasing mice. He runs away from them and leaves that to the other cats.) Learn more about cats. See our many  Caturday  posts. Be entertained. See all our posts about  cats . Be inspired. See posts by and about  Sula , parish cat, and her books. Have a chuckle. Read posts by and about Jeremy Feig's award-winning book (book of the year finalist, Kops-Fetherling Lagacy Award for Humor),  How My Cat Made Me a Better Man . Watch for Luna Norwood's forthcoming book,  Raising Happy Cat Families . Now available on preorder at MSI Press Webstore. Us...

  Our beloved Bobolink; his days were far too short. Every August 17, cat lovers across the country pause to honor one of the most enigmatic and underappreciated members of the feline family: the black cat. Today is National Black Cat Appreciation Day , a moment to celebrate their sleek charm, challenge old superstitions, and advocate for their rightful place in our homes and hearts. 🌑 A Day Born of Memory This holiday was founded in 2011 by Wayne H. Morris in memory of his sister and her beloved black cat, Sinbad. It began as a personal tribute and grew into a national movement—one that invites us to reconsider the myths that have long shadowed these beautiful creatures. In shelters, black cats are often overlooked, their adoption rates lagging behind their more brightly colored peers. But today, we shine a light on their quiet dignity and magnetic presence. 🐾 Why Black Cats Matter Black cats have been symbols of mystery, magic, and mischief for centuries. In some cultures,...

  Jack and Sophia playing on the cat tree. Is It Play or a Fight? How to Tell When Cats Are Just Roughhousing It’s not always easy to tell whether cats are playing rough or heading toward a real fight. The line can be thin, especially when the action is fast, noisy, or dramatic. I’ve seen this firsthand with Bobolink, who used to sprint the entire length of the hallway and launch himself onto Happy Cat—his chosen role model and best friend. They’d tumble together in a flurry of paws, tails, and mock bites, purring all the while. To the untrained eye, it might have looked violent. But to those of us who know cat dynamics, it was clearly joyful play. So how do you know whether cats are fighting or just having fun? Here are some guidelines to help you read the situation accurately. 1. Watch for Reciprocity In play, both cats take turns being the “chaser” and the “chased,” the “pouncer” and the “pounced upon.” If one cat is always on the bottom or trying to escape while the other conti...