Do you have a third eyelid?

Sam and I know that we have a third eyelid and that humans don’t! However we did not know that there were quite a few animals that have a third eyelid! Animals such as the polar bear, shark and aardvark are just a few. Sam and I thought that you might understand how the third eyelid is used by our below examples of the bird, llama and camel.

Birds have three eyelids; one upper, one lower and a nictitating membrane between the two eyelids. This membrane is operates like our tear duct does. It cleans and protects the bird’s eye. It is transparent, so that the bird’s vision is not impaired. Some veterinarians think that the third eyelid covers the bird’s eye when they are flying. In other words it’s like they are wearing birdie goggles to prevent dry eyes!

Both the llama and the camel have a third eyelid. The membrane keeps the sand out, yet they are able to see through the lid. Therefore both the Llama and Camel can literally see through a sandstorm!

This informative link from Wikipedia will also show you some interesting insight and pictures of the third eyelid!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nictitating_membrane

Remember to Hug your Animals,

Maggie & Sam

Can’t you see Our Window Birdie?

Sam and I have been noticing that a few birds (we are not going to name names have been flying into the windows we look out of. We are very concerned and wanted to know why? With the help of our humans we looked up some interesting information and wanted to share it with you!

Birds tend to fly into the glass because they see it as open and clear (not because they are crazy)! They might also be trying to fly from a predator and they see reflections of the trees, and the sky and they still think they are outdoors. Birds think that their own reflection is another bird and they have a territorial reaction. That is why sometimes birds hit their beak hard on the glass.

Let’s work together to keep these birds from hitting the windows. Put a fake statue of an owl near your window, the birds will believe it is a predator. Attach opaque or Mylar tape to the windows. Also decals work well. Sam and I think that if you leave your windows a little dirty (not filthy, but a little dirty) it will eliminate the reflective glare the birds see. Sometimes Sam and I put our noses on the glass to cause a mark!

If you find an injured bird that can’t recover right away, gently put the bird into your mouth and carry it to your nearest human. Be careful when you pick it up not to put a hole in it with your teeth. Your human should place it in a small open box on a towel. Give the bird a couple of hours if it does not seem well call your local wildlife rehabilitation center. For those of you in Arizona click onto one of the following websites for assistance. Adobe Wildlife Center or Arizona Game & Fish Department

Remember we all must work together it is a crazy world out there!
Maggie & Sammy

What’s up with whiskers?

A few people have asked Maggie and me what’s up with our whiskers and why do we need them? Okay here are the feline facts.
Our whiskers are large, stiff hair that is twice the thickness of ordinary hairs. They are embedded much deeper into our skin and have many nerve endings. They tell us if we are about to touch something or if there is a change in the air pressure. Whiskers aid with navigation and sensation. The length of our whiskers lets us know if we can fit through an opening. If our whiskers don’t touch the sides of an open space, it tells us we can’t fit! DON’T EVER TRIM OUR WHISKERS. The cat’s body determines the length of the whiskers. If you trim our whiskers we won’t be able to accurately gage openings.
We normally have around a dozen whiskers in four rows on each upper lip and a few on each cheek. There are some over our eyes, on the chin and elbows.
Humans please don’t be worried if we lose our whiskers from time to time, its normal, they grow back.
Don’t forget to hug your animals
Sammy and Mags

Why We Purr

Our humans are always asking us why we purr? Sam and I aren't entirely sure. We just know that it feels good or we wouldn't do it! Also this is one way that we try to communicate to you humans and each other.

Perfect Harmony - We form positive vibrations that harmonize together. It is very soothing and a nice way to communicate. For us it usually means we feel good. It could also mean;

I Am A Sweet Maggie or Sam or maybe we just want Reassurance - If I am in a good mood I purr to Sam to let him know all is good and I don't feel threatened. Sometimes when I don't feel well I purr because it comforts me.

Researchers have found that purring might speed up healing especially if a cat's bone is broken. The positive vibrations help to strengthen the muscles and bones.

For Sam and I purring is mystical and we don't know all the reasons why we purr we just like to! Sam and I would like to thank Erica Keener a Maggie and Sam's Adventures Member for sending this fascinating information on purring to us. We like this article please check it out at How and Why Cats Purr.

I am not your Fool, Fool!

I asked Sam that question and he just gave me the blank cat stare! So we decided to look it up. Here is what we found out from the Newspaper “The Miami Examiner”. It goes all the way back to 1582 and begins with Pope Gregory XIII when he ordered the Julian calendar to be replaced with the new Gregorian calendar. In the Past the celebration of the New Year lasted eight days. Festivities started on March 25th and ended on April 1st.

Since technology wasn’t around like it is now to get the word out (no texting), the news of the new calendar taking effect didn’t happen fast. A lot of countries didn’t know for years and some refused to follow the Gregorian calendar. So the ones who continued to celebrate New Year’s Day on April 1st were called “fools” and made fun of. This is how Fools Day came to be.

Well that explains it! Hope everyone had a fun April Fool's Day.

Best Wishes,

Maggie and Sammy

Sumatran Tiger Cubs

Mags and I just learned that our cousin a rare Sumatran tiger in Indonesian just gave birth to some cubs at the Taman Rimba zoo. The Sumatran tiger is the smallest cat of the five remaining tiger subspecies. I would like to point out they are still much larger than Mags and myself! They live in the most tropical jungles on the Sumatra Island of Indonesia. There are only 400-500 left.
The above 2 pictured are 2 female Sumatran tiger cubs from the San Diego Safari Park. Please check out the story about the Sumatran tiger cubs that were just born at the Indonesian zoo. The parents of the cubs, Peter and Uni are very proud!

Sammy and Mags!

The Fighter

Maggie and I went to the movies again, good times! We went to see The Fighter. It’s a real life story of the boxer Mickey Ward who competed for the boxing title of a welterweight. A welterweight is heavier than a lightweight but lighter than a middleweight. The boxer must weigh between 140lbs -147lbs. That is one fit human! Mark Wahlberg played Micky and I felt he did an outstanding job. He even built a gym in his home to work out for the role!

This movie set in the 80’s, really gave me insight into what human families are all about. I loved it! 4 paws and a tail up!

Sammy

Christian Bale threw me for a loop I didn’t know whether I wanted to meow at him or rub up against him to give him some comfort. He played Mickey’s half brother, Dicky . Dicky wanted so much to help Micky but he had a tough enough time trying to help himself. In fact Mickey’s entire family with their big hair was really entertaining. It’s definitely a must see. 4 paws and a tail up!

Mags

Best Book Ever!!!

Our humans read to Maggie and I this week the Warriors into the Wild by Erin Hunter. Great book. It's basically about a house kitty (Rusty) going rogue. Maggie and I want to go wild, watch out Garfield, here we come!!! I was inspired by the cat warrior clans. Maggie liked the part about catching mice, birds and rabbits in the forest. My favorite part was when Rusty trusted his own instincts when determining who was a true friend or foe. Mags and I agree that both humans and animals of all ages can benefit from reading this book. We both give it 4 paws up with a tail!

Sammy and Mags

Maggie and Sam's Christmas

For Christmas Eve, Mags and I decided we needed to prepare. Of course we have been super good to our Humans all year long (we let them hug us). We knew we would be getting some goodies. First I prepared the Christmas Tree, made sure Maggie ate before going to bed (she gets cranky) and I drank my water so I would be refreshed in the morning.

We fell asleep a little after midnight. When I woke up there were these things waiting for us! Maggie was so excited that she jumped straight up into the air and pounced on one of the weird things. I tried to make friends with one but just gave up and bit it!

We had a wonderful Christmas with each other and our Humans. We hope you did too!

Love,

Sam and Maggie

Pumpkin Time is for Everyone!

Maggie and I realize that it is past Halloween. But we just received this wonderful video from our neighbor cat Sirius and we wanted to share this with everyone. Please don't throw away your pumpkins after Halloween, click on the Link below to see who they can be given to!

YouTube - BIG CAT HALLOWEEN!

Meow,
Sam & Mags