Later,
Kenaz
This the latest stylish photo of my now 8.5 month old cat Eden.
This is a tribute to my cat Emilly. On March 6,2008 it pained me to have to put her down. After fifteen years of being a great part of my life, so full of energy and spirit, it was tough to watch her struggle each day to even take a single breath, so after consultation with the vet I decided it was the humane thing to end her fight.
She had to many things wrong with her, a thyroid condition that could have lead to diabetes. She was going blind, they found a tumour and she stopped eating and going to the bathroom.
This is a tribute to her spirit and all the wonderful memories.
Here's an excerpt from "Dichotomy of Dallas Black" a story that I wrote that was originally meant as a book but I later decided to turn into a script entitled "BLACK CRYSTAL". Much of Emilly's description was cut from the script due to length issues, so I'm happy to include it here.
As he entered the compound, he took his first tentative steps back into the new world. The first to welcome him was one of the simplest creatures placed on earth. Yet, a creature that provided Dallas an outlet for his most complex emotions to flow. Emotions, up to that moment had been void in his life. Emotions such as love, compassion and kindness. Emotions that had been betrayed or simply let go of.
The still of silence was gently breached with a soft mewing emanating from a Calico feline that had taken up watch just inside the gate. Eagerly awaiting, like some dutiful servant, waiting for their master to return from battle. The sight of his four legged friend, brought a smile to the face of Dallas, something that had been missing for a great deal of time. Dallas bent down and gently scooped up and cradled his feline honour guard. Immediately, the creature began to emit a relaxing purr, a sound one hundred and eighty degrees from the defining roar of the beast, that once roared in the ears of Dallas. This gentile creature moulded by the same hands that created the heavens and earth, had been given the ironic name of Emilly.
Emilly was named after my favourite Canadian painter Emilly Carr. Like Carr, Emilly was a free spirit, at times extremely independant, other times more than willing to share her love.
Here is a video and photo tribute to Emilly.
Many more photos and videos of Emilly can be found at
http://whiteoliphantfamilyphotos.blogspot.com/Goodbye Emilly enjoy your life in heaven, you provided so much joy during your short stay on earth and I'm sure you will be greatly rewarded. Her legacy has been handed down to my 6 and a half month old Calico "Eden"
Psalms 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Peace,
Kenaz
Here's another little time lapse video I made of my three month old Calico, Eden and fourteen year young Emilly. The video is set to the ... all » tunes of "Billie Holiday's" "Sophisticated Lady" and "John Coltrane's" "Anatomy".
Later,
Kenaz
This time lapse video of three month old Eden is set to John Coltane's "Catwalk".
Here are some interesting facts about Calico's
Q. Are Calico Cats Always Female?
Many people are surprised to hear that the vast majority of calico cats are female. Why is this? Is it possible for a calico cat to ever be male? Learn about the genetics of coat color in this feline FAQ.
A. First off, what is a calico cat? A calico cat is not a breed of cat, it is a color pattern. To be called "calico", three colors must be present: black, white and orange. Variations of these colors include gray, cream and ginger. A "true" calico cat has large blocks of these three colors, a "tortoise shell" or "tortie" cat has a mix of these three colors (blended/swirled together more than distinct blocks of color). Be sure to stop by the Calico Cat Gallery on the About.com Cats site to see photos of a variety of calico cats.
Now that a calico cat has been defined as a cat with three colors, the question is: why are they nearly always female? The answer is in genetics. Coat color in cats is a sex-linked trait, a physical characteristic (coat color) related to gender. Female animals have two X chromosomes (XX), males have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome (XY). The genetic coding for displaying black or orange color is found on the X chromosome. The coding for white is a completely separate gene.
Since females have two X chromosomes, they are able to "display" two colors (orange and black, or variations thereof) and white; creating the 3-color calico mix. Since males have only one X chromosome, they can only be orange OR black. It is more complicated than simply having the color genes -- it is a complex process of dominant and non-dominate genes interacting on the X chromosomes, but that is the basis for coat color in calico cats. For those of you interested in the detailed coat color genetics, please see the "Related Reading" articles at the bottom of this FAQ.
Can a calico cat ever be male? Yes, in rare instances. In this situation, the cat has two X chromosomes and one Y chromosome (XXY). Cats with this chromosomal configuration are usually sterile (not able to breed). This is similar to a condition in humans called Klinefelter's syndrome, or XXY Syndrome.
- Janet Tobiassen Crosby, DVM, Your Guide to Veterinary Medicine.
Later,
Kenaz
Catching a little grilling with Matt Dunigan
Shredding some important documents
Trying to shred the wallpaper
