Don't you love this kitten's name? "Amisi" means "Flower" in Egyptian.

This little kitten has a beautiful face and a beautiful name, but a sad story. She was found hiding under a friend's car in a parking lot. It took Christine an hour to coax her out. She was shocked by what she saw ~ Amisi was covered in paint. We think that someone actually tried to drown her!!! Really, if you knew all the nasty things that some people do to pets, it would make you ill. Thank goodness that the vast majority of folks are good hearted....
Anyway, many washing later, Amisi is beautiful again but still scared to death (did I mention the many washings???). I've noted her as Very Friendly because she is in a loving foster home and I know that by the time she is ready for adoption, she will have learned to trust again. Thank you, Christine, for saving Amisi's life. And thank you in advance to the family that will adopt her!!!

11/10 update:
Oh to have the heart of a kitten. Amisi's foster tells me that within 24 hours of arrival, she has gone from hiding under the bed to running out to greet her son when he comes home! Yup, this little angel is going to be just fine!!!

Update: 11/16/2008 All it took was one day for her to feel comfortable in the spare bedroom. She never hissed or growled at us. She was stressed when she came to us but that quickly went away. She is such a survivor! She is so smart and not very afraid of anything. She really has brought joy to our house! She loves all her toys and you can hear her in there playing so you have to go in and play with her and you don't want to leave! She comes running when you open the door and rubs all over you. She loves to play and when you pick her 2.4 lbs up she meows and then try’s play biting so I go "ouch, ouch someone help me! Amisi is so tough" so she continues and then the back claws come out. It is a riot! I am so in love with her and want her to find the purrfect home!

12/21/2008 Amisi is a little monster and loves to play so much that she doesn't want to be held at all! She plays with my big Tom cat (14 lbs) and has no fear what so ever! She amazes me!

Update: 01/17/2009 Amisi came to us scared after someone tried to drown her in paint and has grown from there! She loves to sleep on the bed with us and snuggle in the crook of your leg. She absolutely loves temptation treats or "sweets" as we call them and will paw at the bag as you are pouring them to try to get more out! She is a riot and we all love her so much. We call her shorty for a nick name as she is the smallest in the house but is as brave as a lion!


Are these statements true or false?

Cats always land on their feet.
Cats should drink milk everyday.
The correct answer to both is FALSE.

According to the Cat Fanciers' Association, www.cfa.org, these are common misunderstandings that veterinarians frequently hear from pet owners, according to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). Following is a list of popular myths that AAHA veterinarians and The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) would like to dispel.

Myth: Cats always land on their feet.
Fact: While cats instinctively fall feet first and may survive falls from high places, they also may receive broken bones in the process. Some kind of screening on balconies and windows can help protect pets from disastrous falls.

Myth: Cats should drink milk everyday.
Fact: Most cats like milk, but do not need it if properly nourished. Also, many will get diarrhea if they drink too much milk. If it is given at all, the amount should be small and infrequent.

Myth: Cats that are spayed or neutered automatically gain weight.
Fact: Like people, cats gain weight from eating too much, not exercising enough or both. In many cases, spaying or neutering is done at an age when the animal's metabolism already has slowed, and its need for food has decreased. If the cat continues to eat the same amount, it may gain weight. Cat owners can help their cats stay fit by providing exercise and not over-feeding.

Myth: Cats cannot get rabies.
Fact: Actually, most warm-blooded mammals, including cats, bats, skunks and ferrets, can carry rabies. Like dogs, cats should be vaccinated regularly according to local laws.

Myth: Indoor cats cannot get diseases.
Fact: Cats still are exposed to organisms that are carried through the air or brought in on a cat owner's shoes or clothing. Even the most housebound cat ventures outdoors at some time and can be exposed to diseases and worms through contact with other animals feces.

Myth: Tapeworms come from bad food.
Fact: Pets become infected with tape worms from swallowing fleas, which carry the parasite. Also, cats can get tapeworms from eating infected mice or other exposed animals.

Myth: Putting garlic on a pet's food will get rid of worms.
Fact: Garlic may make the animal's food taste better but has no effect on worms. The most effective way to treat worms is by medication prescribed by a veterinarian.

Myth: Pregnant women should not own cats.
Fact: Some cats can be infected with a disease called toxoplasmosis, which occasionally can be spread to humans through cat litter boxes and cause serious problems in unborn babies. However, these problems can be controlled, if the expectant mother avoids contact with the litter box and assigns daily cleaning to a friend or other family member.

Myth: A cat's sense of balance is in its whiskers.
Fact: Cats use their whiskers as "feelers" but not to maintain their balance.

Myth: Animals heal themselves by licking their wounds.
Fact: Such licking actually can slow the healing process and further damage the wound.