Catnip Cattery

If it wasn't enough that Mum and Dad took me and Lola to a cat breeder yesterday, today we visited a Cat resort! Yes, cats get holidays too, and you should see the rooms they get. There are two 'specialty' rooms (the Zen Den and the Jungle room) and have TVs and everything. All the spaces have two levels and all have a sliding window which lets the cats sit in the sun and get a nice breeze too. I was so impressed, it looks like so much fun. I begged Mum and Dad to let me stay and have a holiday there but apparently I'm not even allowed!

(I got online this morning to see I had an email from a 'Mohamed Hussein' - no kidding - I don't even know anyone by that name so I deleted it - I hope it wasn't in response to my Brighten the Burka message. I honestly think colours are good?)

Catch you later - Jif-Jaf

P.S. check out http://www.catnipcattery.com.au/

What to watch on TV?

Tonight I faced a bit of a quandry - watch the program on Puppy farms, or watch Insight and people debating the Burka. Mum didn't want to watch the puppy farming thing, she says she knows it goes on and doesn't need the visual images burned into her brain. She said she is glad that Puppy farming has been under the spotlight lately though, because there are still a lot of people around who impulse buy at pet shops and they need to know the background story. It's something that gets her mad. But she is not against breeders. Her and Dad have just finished photographing 13 cats! Yes - 13 CATS were in the studio (not ALL at the same time) but 13!! They wouldn't let me help. And she says the lady that breeds them is very responsible and produces healthy, beautiful specimens for people who are prepared to wait months and months because they really want that particular breed. This lady's not living in Sandy Bay on the profits, she loves what she does and after all the food bills and vets bills, she is simply providing an in-demand service - and why shouldn't she? Why should she feel bad, or the people that buy from breeders feel bad because of ignorant, lazy and ill-informed owners clogging up rescue centres with UNWANTED pets? I said to Mum - in a perfect world, all pets would come from responsible breeders (and she said I was very smart).

And so we watched Insight. I said to Mum - if they want to ban the Burka because some people think that in order to be equal, we aught to be able to see everyone's face, then, because you are always carrying Lola around, kissing her constantly, they should ban the Shih-Tzu (and she said I was a smart-arse!) But personally, I don't have a problem with Burkas - except maybe the colour - do they always have to be so black? Surely bright colours, or floral patterns would be a vast improvement. So I say, don't Ban the Burka, Brighten the Burka!

Anyway, what do you guys think?

Jaffa

The Canine Candy Shop

OMG! Have you guys heard about the Canine Candy Shop yet??? Mum and Dad take me there every Sunday. It's all natural, all Australian, has no artificial colours or preservatives and come in all shapes, sizes colours and flavours. It's best to suck up to the nice lady that runs it (her name is Lisa) because she is very nice (if you know what I mean - maybe say you know me and she'll be your Canine Candy Buddy too!!) She has a stall just infront of the indoor market area at the Hobart Showgrounds Sunday market (it's closed during the show though) and on public holidays when the Sorell Market is on she is there too. When I do my little training sessions at the Dog's Home, me and Mum always stop in to say hello to Lisa and she must love me alot, because look what she gave me today!!!

The dirt behind TJ

Craig has sabotaged MY blog with a story on TJ. TJ came to our house, posed infront of the camera for nearly an hour, ate nearly all my treats and Craig never shut-up about him! It was TJ this and TJ that for ages. I'd just like to know - can TJ pretend to die when he's shot with a finger??!!! I didn't think so. Having said that, he is very handsome, so he should give me a call! Jaffa xoxo

This Saturday's Mercury Magazine article 'the two of us' starring ashlee & t.j.

Caring for stray and surrendered dogs is a normal day for me at The Hobart Dogs Home. While working here, I can see more than 20 dogs come through our doors in just one day. Many go back to their owners because they are simply lost, but the others are kept here and hopefully re-homed to new families. The day this 9 month old puppy was surrendered I could tell straight away he was one of a kind.

He soon showed all of us what a lovely gentle nature he had, and I could tell he was really intelligent. I was spellbound by his eyes, and thought he was a bit of a clown bouncing around on his long springy legs. However, months went by and nobody showed any interest in him at all.

I’d already told my mother I’d fallen in love with TJ and that I felt I was ready for another companion after just losing my best mate Tyson. So after 6 months of careful conversation, I finally told her that we should adopt him. Lucky for us all, she agreed!

TJ settled in immediately, like he’s always been here. Besides the unique look about him, the thing I love the most is the way he can make me laugh by just being himself. He’s always got something to say, and can be really cheeky. He’s like a cat in some ways, I often get a swipe to my head when we’re playing.

Some people may say he looks scary but to me he is one of the most gentle, loving dogs I have ever met. By adopting TJ, I’ve given an unwanted dog a new home, but in return, I’ve gained a friend for life and endless love and affection.

Ashlee Jackson, 20, animal attendant from Rokeby with TJ

Official so in love Pet Photography Blog Launch.

Hi followers (& future followers) I've been a little slack with the up-keep of this blog (I have no opposable thumbs)but all of that changes today!! with so in love's new new & improved website comes so in love's official blog launch so stay posted for updates & cool animal stuff like:

animal issues in Tasmania & the World,

animal & pet stories of all varieties,

up-coming events involving so in love & other animal groups,

photos, images & video links,

perhaps most importantly my daily thoughts & philosophies about the World we live in (after all this blog is called what would jaffa do?)

I also want to hear from you, so share your pet stories, pet photo's & thoughts & let's create our own little on-line animal sanctuary!!!

lot's of love: Jaffa Palaffa.