MSI Press Blog

    photo from Animal Friends Shelter Two weeks ago, our Caturday post focused on the  plight of animals and their caregivers in war zones .  It focused as the first in a planned series on Animal Friends Shelter in Gaza City.  Animal Friends Shelter Last Saturday, we updated the information available from Tamir and Samir, two selfless cat godparents weathering the war in Gaza City (and, of course, beyond).  This Caturday, we can report that we last heard from AFS yesterday. We know from the news reports that the Internet is not functioning in Gaza right now, but we hope and pray that AFS is able t continue caring for its family of cats, who, yesterday, were squabbling a bit over rationed food.   Animal Friends Shelter is on Twitter:  Animal Friends Shelter (@AnimalFriendsAF) / X (twitter.com) And for those who wish to donate (AFS is a charity) to help -- PayPal.Me . Now, with an invasion going on and the Internet is down, donations may take a...

So many bloggers and tweeters participate in Caturday automatically each week -- most likely, because it is fun! I wonder how many of those people know the origin of Caturday? I did not, so I went searching. Here is the answer: What: rebranding a specific day to a specific topic (happens for lots of things) Where: 4Chan When: 2005 Read the full story HERE . And then, read our previous, fun Caturday posts HERE . Sign up for the MSI Press LLC newsletter  here  or on our  home page . Follow MSI Press on  Twitter ,  Face Book , and  Instagram .   Interested in publishing with MSI Press LLC? Check out information on  how to submit a proposal . Interested in receiving a free copy of this or any MSI Press LLC book  in exchange for  reviewing  a current or forthcoming MSI Press LLC book? Contact editor@msipress.com. Want an  author-signed copy  of this book? Purchase the book at 25% discount (use coupon code FF25) and concurrently...

Simone (middle) and Wooper (right) would like to take Murjan (left) for a walk.   Happy Caturday! I hope you enjoy the picture of two of our cats trying to take a third for a walk. Beloved Murjan crossed over the rainbow bridge last year, but the picture still makes me smile. And, for Caturday, I hope you enjoy this helpful article I came across recently:  12 Unusual Cat Behaviors to Look Out For – and What They Mean! (msn.com) . For more Caturday posts, click  HERE . Sign up for the MSI Press LLC newsletter Follow MSI Press on  Twitter ,  Face Book , and  Instagram .   Interested in publishing with MSI Press LLC?  Check out information on  how to submit a proposal . Interested in receiving a free copy of this or any MSI Press LLC book  in exchange for  reviewing  a current or forthcoming MSI Press LLC book? Contact editor@msipress.com. Want an  author-signed copy  of this book? Purchase the book at 25% discount (use ...

  photo from Animal Friends Shelter Last Caturday focused on the  plight of animals and their caregivers in war zones .  It focused as the first in a planned series on Animal Friends Shelter in Gaza City. This Caturday, we have an update -- reportage from 10 First in Australia. View the video/report  HERE . Animal Friends Shelter is on Twitter:  Animal Friends Shelter (@AnimalFriendsAF) / X (twitter.com) And for those who wish to donate (AFS is a charity) to help -- it seems possible to do that, at least pre-invasion (let's hope there is not an invasion) att  PayPal.Me . For more Caturday posts, click  HERE . Sign up for the MSI Press LLC newsletter Follow MSI Press on  X ,  Face Book , and  Instagram .   Interested in publishing with MSI Press LLC? Check out information on  how to submit a proposal . Interested in receiving a free copy of this or any MSI Press LLC book  in exchange for  reviewing  a current or f...

  photo from Animal Friends Shelter This is the first of a series of Caturday posts about cats trapped in war zones. Cats are not political (nor are dogs or any other animal for that matter--nor, generally, the people caring for them, nor this post). In peace and where people watch out for them, cats enjoy being loved and learn to return love. Yet, cats (and other animals) do get find themselves struggling in war zones. They, just like people who have done nothing to bring harm to anyone else but just happen to live there, suffer the consequences of evil descending unexpectedly from sources external to them. Like people, cats and other animals suffer when they are homeless and without food or winter. And they are often completely forgotten when war (or natural disaster, for that matter -- they drown in floods and burn in fires) breaks out. Like people, they have to dodge bullets, bombs, and other dangers. Unlike people, they are often not calculated into humanitarian outreach effor...

  It’s not every day that Caturday and Flag Day collide, but when they do, there’s no better time to reflect on the shared spirit of independence between cats and the American experience. From the founding ideals of self-determination to the unapologetic autonomy of every feline, both cats and the American spirit thrive on a love of freedom. Cats are masters of their own destiny—choosing where to lounge, when to demand affection (or ignore it entirely), and how best to rule over their human subjects. In much the same way, the American story is one of forging a path, resisting outside control, and declaring sovereignty over one’s own fate. Across cultures, cats have long been symbols of independence: 🐾 Ancient Egypt: Cats were revered as sacred creatures, embodying both protection and autonomy—qualities deeply tied to the nation’s self-governing ideals. 🐾 Norse Mythology: Freyja’s feline-drawn chariot symbolized prosperity and individual strength, much like the enduring Ame...

  We had a cat, Murjan, who seemed to be going blind. He seemed to walk into objects upon occasion that did not have anything to do with motor control. He would look intently at people talking to him. Yes, he was social, but it also seemed like he was trying to make them out. And it was different from cat staring , which is generally a sign of affection. So, I was a bit concerned. Unlike with people, the doctor could not tell if Murjan could see. The physical structure of the eye looked okay, but other than that, there is no visual acuity test for cats -- yet. So, we never did find out. So, recently, when I came across this very interesting and in-depth article about cat vision, it seemed appropriate to share for Caturday since I doubt that I am the only one asking if my cat can see and how well. Here is the article: What Colors Can Cats See? (Note: the article talks about more than just color -- worth reading.) For more Caturday posts, click  HERE . Sign up for the MSI Press...

  We received this note from Network for Animals (NFA), which is doing great work worldwide, and, now especially, in Ukraine to help abandoned, sick, and desperate animals. Perhaps there are others out there, who read Caturday posts, who would like to join us either in donating or in following the suggestions in this note from NFA. While it’s fact that making a difference and saving animals costs money and lots of it,  we are  NOT  writing today to ask for a donation .   The Ukraine conflict is one of the worst crises we have seen since World War II. As people fled the embattled country, many animals were left abandoned, terrified, injured and starving on war-torn streets. These are the smallest, voiceless victims of war, and it’s critical that we stand together as animal lovers and unite to provide as much help to these poor, innocent animals as possible. Today we are not asking for a donation, but for your help with another vital component of our work; it's ca...

Usually, I do not post on the same topic two Caturdays in a row, but this one is urgent. As you can see, the cats (like the humans) in Gaza have run out of food. Not only is it scarce, but what is available is extremely expensive.  The Animal Friends Shelter right now is experiencing discouragement and yet, this week, had a bit of good news. The family of Samir Skaik (one of the two brothers who operate the shelter) has made it into Egypt. Hurrah! Thanks to donations from kind-hearted cat-loving people from around the world.  Tamer has left the shelter in Gaza City (the north) and is waiting with his family in Rafah (the south) to get across the border, but the situation is dire, with an invasion of Rafah expected at any minute. They are still trying to gather the money they need to be able to evacuate from Gaza in time. Should those of you reading this Caturday post wish to donate, it is pretty easy to do here though Go Fund Me . Just $5 will help, and there are $5 contribut...