Why is My Cat Attacking Me?

Cat aggression towards owners is a common problem and can be very distressing, not to mention painful! There are a range of reasons why your cat might be doing this. If you can identify the cause, then a solution is more likely to work.

Pain

If your cat has recently become aggressive, he or she may be in pain. No doubt you are pretty grumpy when you have a headache or toothache, and cats can experience these things too. If your cat has a condition like osteoarthritis, it may be more uncomfortable later in the day, and this may be when she becomes aggressive.

If your cat is fairly young, he or she may actually be playing with you. Kittens are most likely to play fight. Theories suggest that it helps kittens to strengthen their muscles, develop eye-muscle coordination and learn gentle social play. As the kittens get older, the amount of play aggression increases and gets rougher, eventually leading to the dispersion of the litter. Owners often find young cats sneaking up, biting and ambushing passing ankles instead.

You will need to redirect the cat's behavior towards inanimate objects instead of you through active play with toys that move. When the cat becomes aggressive, a squirt of water or startle noise can help them learn not to attack you. You might consider introducing another cat of about the same age so that the play occurs between the cats instead of involving you.

Predatory aggression

The instinct to hunt is triggered by the sight or sound of moving prey. Hunting behaviors are instinctive so eliminating them is not possible. They can, however, be directed into acceptable outlets. Encourage active play with moving toys and direct the behavior toward objects that can withstand claws and teeth. If your cat is allowed outside, it can expend some energy hunting insects instead of you.

Redirected aggression

When a cat becomes upset, it would normally direct the aggression toward the source, however, if the source is not accessible, the cat may redirect the aggression towards something closer such as you, a dog or another cat. Unfortunately, the association between a victim and a stressful event can stick for a long time, so that every time the cat is around the victim, it is reminded of the incident and may attack again.

Prevention can be easier than cure. Don't try to calm or handle an upset cat. There are times, however, when this is impossible. The most common solution is long-term separation of the cat from its target, but this can take a long time. Alternatively, your vet can prescribe anti-anxiety medications that you can combine with gradual reintroduction and rewards. If the victim is a cat that has become excessively fearful of the aggressive cat, it can also be treated to reduce its fear and increase its boldness.

Maternal aggression

Mother cats with young kittens are naturally protective of their young. Hormonally-influenced aggression is strongest during the first week after birth and gradually diminishes as the kittens get older. This is normal behavior. If you need to handle the kittens, try to keep a kitten between you and the mother cat. It is unlikely that the new mother will go over a kitten to attack you.

If you have an ongoing problem with cat aggression, it is best to speak with your vet to discuss various behavioral solutions. Medication is usually only for extreme cases, but can be helpful until behavioral measures are working.

Collecting Antique Toys

You may have your favorite childhood toy. Like your favorite toy train that you kept near your bed. These items nowadays can bring back the old memories of your childhood and the happy moments when you were still a kid playing your favorite toy.

These days, you will find antique toy collectors converting his entire basement, room, garage or a part of the living room into a miniature train set with complete resemblance of trees, bridges, and streams. However, this hobby could be expensive because of the set up you will need.

Fortunately, an expensive train set can offer lucrative profits in return. Because of its antiqueness and the memory it evokes, it can be sold at a more expensive price for toy train collectors. In fact, a pre-World War 2 Mickey Mouse collection set was auctioned for the amount of $1500.00.

Usually, a person may purchase a toy because he wants his children to play with toys. Another reason could be collecting and preserving a particular time manufactured only for a limited time.

Enthusiasm is one key element when you are collecting antique toys. You may come to a point where you are more than willing to pay any amount for the last piece needed to complete your toy collection. Others also opt to purchase a particular antique toy that has defined its formative years of existence. For example, the first ever Batman comic book has an auctioned price of approximately $10,000.00.

Factors that you have to look at when you prefer collecting antique toys is the condition and years of existence of the toy you will purchase. A particular antique toy that is still in good condition will certainly become scarce and may have a high asking price in some point in time.

Toys that are still sealed in their original boxes are the most expensive. These are called toys which are in their mint condition. Toys that were already opened and used could be less valuable because they may have lost their quality. Storing toys in a dust free environment is highly recommended.

But if you prefer to handle, clean and display them outside their storage area. Make sure that you use cotton gloves in transferring your toys. This is to prevent any dirt or oil from your hands to tarnish or damage the surface portion of the toys.

Toys that are widely popular and well recognized are safer purchases compared to the items that are only recognized for a limited time. The shortages and fads that made the toys appealing and popular for short periods may not have the same appeal and attraction when you talk about long term.

Those popular Tickle Me Elmo Dolls that were really in demand were selling with an added thousand dollars of its original selling price right before Christmas. The best way to invest on toys, such as in cases like this, is to purchase directly to the manufacturer of these toys.

If you are really into antique toy collecting, you may search web sites for informative guides on the current auction prices of the more widely popular antique toys. The internet is also a great place for sellers and buyers in this kind of market.

That Darned Coke Machine

I've always thought of myself as a person interested in almost everything and may have been born with that trait. Of course Dad was like that and he may have passed some of that along to me - if not through his genes then certainly on the many projects we tackled together.

When I was really small, maybe three or four, Dad told me he could have one of his old cars up on blocks working on something underneath and I would be right there with him watching his every move. He said he would need a tool and turn around to get it or ask me to get it for him and I would have the exact tool he needed in my outstretched hand as if he had communicated that to me telepathically. He said I just seemed to know what he needed without being told.

Several years later I was in the break room at the north end of the first and second grade school building where there was a red pop machine and several kids my age milling around. The machine was the type that dispensed a six-ounce glass bottle of Coca Cola from the top.

Upon closer inspection the mechanism was simple in that it required a dime to be inserted into a narrow slot on top then rotate a large handle to expose the next bottle at the bottom of a recessed opening. The individual seeking the coke would then insert his hand into the five inch hole and retrieve the cold bottle of soda pop then let the handle return back to its home position.

Once in a while, during a recess or before class, a teacher or one of the kids whose parents had money would purchase a coke and drink it while I watched. They would always catch my stare as if to wonder, "What's that kid doing staring at me?" Or to wonder if they should offer me a drink or to question if I was staring at them for another reason, especially if the person was a girl. My stare would have been that intense.

I'm not sure why I would have waited for that particular moment and not have tried sooner. Perhaps it was my first day in school or it was the first time I had been in the break room. I just don't remember. But one day I decided to get closer to the situation and actually climbed up on the machine where I could observe the action then watched closely as a little freckled faced girl came in and stuck a thin silver dime into the slot on top and turned the handle.

From my vantage point I saw the mechanism at the bottom of the hole began to operate and the bottles began to rotate around until one of them was directly below the opening and the little girl reached in to retrieve her bottle of pop.

With the same determination I had displayed helping my dad with one of his old cars, I paid particular attention to the relationship between the lever and the position of the mechanism at the bottom of the hole restraining the next bottle as the little girl removed her soda pop and released the lever.

My interest was bumped to another level when I noticed a small time delay before the opening closed up and also saw another bottle of pop sitting there ready for the taking. But before I could get my hand in there and retrieve the bottle the mechanism closed up, locking the next bottle in place.

Still there was hope. If I could just get my hand in there a second sooner and retrieve the bottle before the lever closed completely then the little girl would not be the only one to have an ice cold six ounce bottle of Coca Cola.

Thinking that I continued to watch curiously as another person, a heavyset kid about my age approached the machine and placed his dime in the slot and pulled the lever. We exchanged glances as he removed his coke and that might have taken up some of the delay time I needed before the mechanism closed on the next bottle. But I didn't think about it at the time and went in after what I thought would be a free bottle of soda pop.

I felt my fingers wrap around the cold neck of the next bottle and was about to pull it free when I heard the dreaded clunking sound of the mechanism as it released and closed on my wrist. My hand was trapped in the space wrapped around the next bottle of Coca Cola and I was stuck like a rat in a mousetrap and just like the rat, there was no amount of wiggling that could free my hand so I just lay there and waited.

Soon a crowd started to gather along with some of my friends. One of them lived across the street from me. He said, "You dumb shit!" Another one insisted, "I'm going to kick your butt when you get out or here." Others just glared at me, not believing someone they had been seen playing with would pull such a stunt - to get caught with their hand in the cookie jar.

Many of them were just like me. They didn't have any money but there were other ways to get a soda pop than sticking your hand in a pair of handcuffs and throwing away the key. Perhaps they were smarter than me, I didn't know. All I knew was they were free and I was not.

By the time the school bell rang, the room was bulging with first and second graders and several teachers. And once the shock wore off, one of the teachers saw my predicament and sensing an immediate danger ran to get the principal.

He showed up in a couple of minutes and squeezed through the pressing crowd packed inside the small room attempting to get a look at the crazy kid with his hand stuck in the coke machine.

When the principal appeared in the open doorway, the first thing he did was to instruct the teachers to get their kids to their classroom. "The bell has already rang," he said, sternly, "and it's time to start your classes."

Meanwhile, as the crowd began to thin somewhat, the principal fished around in his pocket and found a thin silver dime: a coin with Roosevelt's left facing picture on the front side and on the back was a torch with an olive branch on the left and an oak branch on the right. The edge of the dime was serrated with 118 ridges, a diameter of 17.92 mm, a thickness 1.35 mm and is the smallest, thinnest and lightest of all the US coins but I didn't care about all that. He held the coin between his thumb and forefinger and switched his gaze between the thin piece of silver and me as if wondering if it was worth the effort or was trying to decide which was worth the most - the coin or me. All I wanted was to get my hand out and watched attentively as the principal inserted the thin sliver of silver into the same slot the two first graders had used previously and the same slot I would have used if I had a dime in my pocket.

In a couple of seconds I heard the sound of the coin rake the edges of the slot then clank its way past the triggering mechanism to the holding bin, followed by the anxious sound of the handle rotating and the heat of blood rushing to my fingers when the ratchet released my hand and I was free.

I exchanged glances with the principal again as I massaged my wrist then jumped down off the machine and ran past him through the door and down the hall to my first grade classroom. He didn't try to stop me but I heard him yell after me. He said, "you do that again and I'll leave you in there!"

Use Patterns You Don't Have to Pay For to Build a Pretend Home With a Twist!

Children love having their own dream home, complete with all the amenities of the real thing. If you have any skills with word working and carpentry, then the patterns that are available at no cost will provide you with a wide variety of styles to ensure you have something uniquely suited to your child.

Girls have their Victorian homes and princess castles to entertain their friends in but boys are interested in different types of dream homes. For starters, imagine a child-sized house on stilts. Boys will love having a tree house without the tree! It sits several feet off the ground and is made completely of timber. Free-standing and simply constructed, the home is sturdy and weatherproof and you can build it yourself!

You will also find that there are a variety of homes that are designed like forts. These may be one or two stories and either will be a great way to inspire boys to relive the past. Imagine the fun he will have in a two story fort with a balcony where he and his friends can ward off the enemies. This type of building gives you the option of having two levels for the kids to enjoy playing in, making the bottom into a sandbox for the younger kids, or use it as a storage building for yourself.

The Clubhouse is a simple building that provides girls or boys with a hideaway where they will enjoy their own special place. Easy step-by-step instructions make this a building that you can work on with your child. It shouldn't take more than a few days to complete since the design is simple and it doesn't include enclosed doors and windows. The simple backyard playhouse is another option that is simple yet functional. It uses lattice as the main building element and has colorful canvas as the roof.

Instead of building a secret club on stilts so that it feels like it is among the trees, you can find the blueprints on how to build a real tree house and they won't cost you anything either. Nothing is more exciting than climbing a ladder up to a special clubhouse where all his friends can enjoy playing all day. Your blueprints should include instructions on how to choose the right spot for the tree house to make it safe.

Choosing a special design for your little boy will be special but making it yourself or having him help you with the construction will be even more special. As a bonus, when you don't have to pay for the pattern and instructions for the pretend home and you build it yourself, you will be able to create a more detailed structure for a smaller price. If you aren't artistically talented enough to create a design for yourself, then go online and search to see what is available. You should find hundreds of patterns to choose from.

Long Stitch - The Beginner's Dream Stitch

Have you ever wanted to learn needlepoint, but just don't know where or how to begin? If you have an interest in needle crafts, you have probably visited an assortment of websites dealing with the subject. Or, you may have researched the subject the old-fashioned way, through your local library and bookstore. There are numerous sources available on the subject. You've probably scanned through some of the informational resources and found, literally, hundreds of stitches listed. Did this cause you to panic? Remain calm, help is on the way.

For the beginner, I have always recommended Long Stitch as the stitch to learn needlepoint with. The Long Stitch, a member of the Straight Stitch family, is, as I stated in the title of this article, the beginner's dream stitch. The reason this stitch is so easy to learn, is, well, because it is a SIMPLE stitch. The stitch is exactly what both names imply. It is a long and straight stitch. There are no loops to this stitch, nor do you need to worry about crossing the stitch. The stitch is worked from bottom to top. Simply bring the needle and yarn up through the canvas, move straight up over the specified number of canvas threads and bring the needle down through the canvas. You really can't get any easier than that!

Another added bonus to working with, not only the Long Stitch, but any straight stitch, is the lack of canvas distortion. Because straight stitches are worked vertically or horizontally, there is no diagonal pull, the main cause of canvas warping, as is common with diagonal and cross stitches.

There are two basic rules to keep in mind when working a long stitch project. Rule number one: Do not create stitches that are excessively long. A stitch that is too long will snag and occasionally break. If you have put time and effort into a needlepoint project, do you really want to worry about it coming apart at some point in the future? That was an absurd question, no one would want that. It is a good idea to keep your stitches at no more than eight or ten canvas threads in length. This number is based on 10-mesh (gauge) canvas. If you are working on canvas of a smaller mesh, for example 12-mesh or 18-mesh, the stitches may be worked over a larger number of threads. Rule number two: Maintain an even yarn tension throughout the project. The yarn should be taut, but not tight enough to cause the canvas to bend. To help achieve this, a frame should always be used for long stitch projects. By loading your project onto a four-way frame, you will be able to keep the canvas pulled tight in all four directions. A scroll frame is highly recommended for this.

Long Stitch projects are available as kits. With a kit, you get the design already printed on the canvas plus the quantity of yarn you will need to work the project. Lately, I have noticed a decrease in the number of kits available that feature long stitch. I'm not sure why this is so. Fortunately, I design my own projects. Many of them consist of long stitch and other straight stitches. I have found long stitch to be excellent when working details like wrinkles in a face or the fur of a dog and cat. The point where one long stitch ends and another begins will create a distinct line, thus creating the wrinkle in the face or the fur line of a dog or cat. For an example of what can be accomplished with this versatile stitch, visit the Stitchopedia.com page featuring a FREE LONG STITCH design entitled, Boris, the Boxer (He's a dog, not an athlete).

Regardless of which stitch or stitches you choose to learn first, needlepoint can become a lifetime hobby. Some people may even call it an addiction. Hobby or addiction, needlepoint, long stitch in particular, has given me many hours of relaxation and imaginative creativity. Hopefully, it will do the same for you.

Great Birthday Gifts For Boys

Boys can be tough to buy for-especially if you already have "every" action figure ever made! Don't buy another video game, just because you can't think of anything else! Consider one of these kid tested ideas for your next "boy" gift:

1. Storage for cars or action figures: Little boy toys like cars and action figures are great for prompting pretend play and role playing-but the small pieces get scattered everywhere. Your house will look better, and your son will be more likely to play with his cars if they are all in the same accessible place. Look for a storage set specifically designed for cars or action figures, or select and decorate a large tackle box.

2. Sports Equipment: This may seem obvious, but a sports set with equipment of the right size (scaled down for little guys, regulation sized for big kids), will keep your child motivated and moving. Consider a basketball hoop, soccer goal, or for the little ones, a t-ball set.

3. Skateboard, skates, or scooter: Depending on his age, one of these fun and functional transport devices is a great addition, and will be sure to encourage physical activity. If you buy one of these items, be sure to supply the proper safety equipment, and explain the rules for use as well.

4. Fishing gear: Supply your son with his own fishing rod and tackle box. Little kids will enjoy using a smaller sized rod featuring their favorite characters. Kid 8 and up can use a standard sized rod. Depending on where you live, you can go fishing, shrimping, or crabbing-the one on one quiet time you will have together is just as important as the catch of the day!

5. Tent or Tunnel: Offer a pop up tent or tunnel, and allow your son to use his imagination. A tent can become a fort, a spacecraft, or even a play house, all in a single day. Look for a tent or tunnel that folds compactly for easy storage.

6. Visit a zoo or museum: Have some one-on-one time with your child at a zoo or museum. If your son is interested in dinosaurs, check out an exhibit, attend a dino-talk, and have lunch at a local museum, and pick up a souvenir at the gift shop as a reminder of the day.

7. Take in a Sports Event: If you have a local major or minor league team, spend a day together at a sports event. If your child has an interest in a particular sport, attending a "real" match or game can be a very inspiring experience for him.

8. Pottery set: You can buy a kit that comes with everything you need to make your own pottery-this very messy activity appeals to boys with an interest in art, and helps foster creativity. Alternatively, provide art materials like paint, paper, and canvas to encourage creativity.

9. Building set: Choose a building set of some type-depending on your child's age, it can be robotic, including moving parts, or a classic "building" toy like plastic or wooden blocks. Either way, make sure you purchase a large set with lots of pieces, and make some space for your "builder" to work.

10. Remote control anything: Boys of all ages-including grown ups, love to play with remote control toys. From helicopters to cars, and airplanes to boats, you can find a fun remote control toy that your son will enjoy.

35' Parachute w/ Handle and Carry Bag by Pacific Play Tents

Product Details

Pacific Play Tents 35 Foot Parachute With Handles And Carry Bag is a learning and play experience like no other. You ll see the joy that it inspires and you ll soon be able to recognize the positive impact the 100 different Playchute games will have on your kids strength and motor skills and even on their academic cognitive and perceptual abilities. The kind of teamwork that this large institutional parachute requires will enhance their success in cooperative group activities too. The tough tear-resistant nylon folds up neatly into the included mesh carrying bag: Features: Made of high quality durable 210 rip-stop nylon. Over 100 different games a child can play using these Playchutes. Develops perceptual cognitive motor and academic skills. Includes mesh carry bag. With handles. Measures 35 feet in diameter.

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