Although most house cats aren’t scary (unless you’re a juicy mouse, small bird or large bug), black cats have a long established role in Halloween. Halloween was originally known as All Hallows’ Eve. This is the night before All Hallows’ Day, also known as All Saints’ Day, dedicated to remembering the dead including saints and martyrs. Some of Halloween’s customs including costumes and trick or treating actually arrive from Celtic Pagan traditions, in a festival called Samhain (summer’s end) that marked the end of the harvest season and beginning of winter. Samhain dates back almost 2000 years.

The witch was originally a benevolent pagan goddess known as “The Crone”. Also known as the “Earth Mother” or “Old One”, she symbolized wisdom, change and turning of the seasons. She was the Goddess of Samhain. Christian persecution of witches during the Middle Ages transformed this positive archetype into something malevolent and tied to Satan.

Black cats’ association with Halloween has origins in the Middle Ages in Europe as well. Elderly, solitary women were often accused of witchcraft, and their pet cats were guilty by association. Cats were thought to be demonic animals, or “familiars”. While a couple cats I’ve met can truly be described as demonic, I mean that figuratively. Another myth describes Satan turning into a cat when meeting with witches. The ignorance of that time was amazing; everyone knows Satan turns into a basilisk, not a cat.  Black cats specifically were associated with bad luck in Europe. The more enlightened British on the other hand viewed it as good luck when a black cat crossed your path. I’m proud my Cornish Rex ancestors came from England.

As a cat I possess naturally heightened senses, including a sense of design. I am a Fang Shui expert, after all.

I was obviously curious about the newly designed RejuventSkinCare.com website. I stopped into Rejuvent to see how the new site was coming along, and whether Claudia and Kerri needed any assistance. I was happy to see there is one Mac amidst all the PCs at Rejuvent. With OS systems named after my larger relatives from Cheetah to Mountain Lion,  I am obviously an Apple fancat.

The new website does have a great design, both from a visual and functional standpoint; they did a fantastic job. It is slightly disappointing there is no category for cat beds or cat toys..…yet.

Hydration is important, especially in the desert. When it is extremely dry here, in May and June, we lose a lot of moisture simply by breathing. We expire air that has a humidity level close to 100%, and inhale very dry air. Although the dew point is higher now during the monsoon (June 15th – September 30th), dehydration is more common than people realize.

Signs and symptoms of dehydration:

• Thirst
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Headache
• Dry mouth
• Dark yellow or amber urine

Tips for prevention:

• Water is the best beverage to consume.
• Drink water throughout the day, not just at meals.
• Don’t wait until you’re thirsty- that’s a symptom of early dehydration.
• Caffeine or alcohol containing beverages increase urination which contributes to dehydration.
  Drink 8oz of water for every cocktail, beer or wine consumed.
• Drink water before, during and after exercise.
• Remind guests visiting from a moister environment to drink more water than they normally do.
• Remember, as with most conditions, prevention is much easier than treatment.

Speaking of hot summer weather, did you know the term “Dog Days” originates from ancient Greece?
It refers to the time of year when Sirius, the brightest star in the sky, would rise with the sun- from July 24th – August 24th. Sirius is the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major (large dog), and is referred to as the Dog Star. The ancient Greeks and Romans mistakenly believed the increased heat in August was due to the heat from Sirius combined with the sun’s heat.

Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and maintaining adequate hydration is essential for your skin’s health and appearance. Under hydrated skin can lead to rashes, itching, redness and irritation by decreasing its barrier function. For added skin hydration consider Hydrating Complex from SkinMedica.

The World Cup was first played in 1930, and occurs every 4 years. It is the most widely viewed sporting event in the world, more popular than the Olympics. Brazil, the host nation this year (under whose soft flag I am napping), has won the most World Cups- 5 times out of 19 tournaments. They are also the only nation to have played in every World Cup.

After a 40 year drought, the US qualified for the World Cup in 1990.  They have qualified every time since, making it as far as the quarter finals in 2002.

Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), is the global governing body.  While soccer and the World Cup are universally adored (much more so outside the US), FIFA itself is not so much  loved and admired.  John Oliver had an informative (and funny ) rant on the corruption of FIFA, that most Americans are unaware of. Well worth the watch (not appropriate for all ages).

Although I normally reserve celebrations for October 29th (National Cat Day), Rejuvent’s 10th anniversary is a definite milestone worth celebrating. The word celebrate comes from the Latin celebrare, which means “to assemble with honor”.

I may even make an appearance myself at Rejuvent this month to honor this achievement. I’ll bring extra mackerel cupcakes with crème fraîche frosting if anyone wants to share.

Someone I’d love to share a cupcake with is the feline hero Tara, who saved a little boy from a vicious dog attack: Watch Tara’s heroic act on the video below.

Like many cats, I enjoy a nice sunbath. However, since I have much less hair than most I am more susceptible to getting sunburns, especially on my ears and nose. Some people aren’t aware but cats can get skin cancer as well.

Fortunately, the windows of our house have a UV protective film applied. This blocks 99.9% of UV radiation while letting in 80% of visible light.

UV radiation from the sun contains both UVA and UVB rays. Both UVA and UVB cause skin cancer.UVA rays penetrate clouds and non-protected glass easily and also penetrate deeper into the skin. UVA causes tanning, which is actually the skin’s response to injury from radiation. UVA also contributes significantly to photo-aging: wrinkles, collagen breakdown, elastin breakdown as well as skin cancers. UVB radiation is more associated with sunburns and skin cancers than UVA, and does not penetrate glass much, but some UVB rays do get through non protected glass.

While there are benefits to sun exposure such as mood elevation, warmth and increased Vitamin D production it is important to take measures to limit UV exposure, especially in Arizona.

Use a broad spectrum (UVA and UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and reapply every 2 hours while outside. Limit time outside during 10AM to 4pm. Wear clothing with ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) when outside for extended periods. This keeps skin looking more youthful with age and decreases the risk of skin cancer.

Don’t know what the UV rating is for the day? Type your zipcode on the EPA UV Index Widget below and be prepared!

(results will appear in a new window)
  

Fish oil has many benefits when taken as a supplement. The active components are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These healthy fatty acids reduce inflammation in the body, bolster the immune system and maximize the softness of one’s fur.

Most cats (and people, too!) can benefit from fish oil supplements, but there are some important issues to be aware of. The best fish oil supplements are pharmaceutical grade that have been purified, or distilled to minimize contaminants such as heavy metals. Make sure cod liver oil is not listed in the ingredients, as the Vitamin A content is too high and may damage the liver.

For most cats, the contents of a 1g capsule added to our food once a day is sufficient. A recent study from the Netherlands confirmed the benefits of fish oil supplements for arthritic felines. If an inflammatory condition such as osteoarthritis is being treated, two or three capsules a day may be required.

Please check with your Veterinarian before adding any supplements to your cat’s diet.

I personally respond better to pharmaceutical grade human fish oil supplements than an increased diet of fish-flavored cat food, which typically does not contain high-quality, contaminant free fish.

I cleanse myself 5 times a day, and Dr. Bomer gives me bi-weekly at home facials and manicures.

Being prone to oily skin, I require daily attention. Fortunately my tongue is vastly superior to a Clarisonic brush, which is traumatic and pro-inflammatory, increasing chances of pigmentation and breakouts.

Sharing your life with a loved one, spending time together with family can do wonders to your happy state as cuddling releases endorphins and decreases cortisol, and keeps you warm…

This is Fulton, my most amazing brother.

When possible, I prefer to sleep under or on top of silk.  The tightly woven, natural fibers in silk sheets and pillowcases are hypoallergenic compared with cotton or synthetic fibers.  This makes silk a great option for sensitive skin like mine.  Silk also prevents moisture loss from the skin while sleeping.

In the morning, your face will be better hydrated after sleeping on a silk pillowcase.  In addition, there are benefits for your hair.  Sleeping on a cotton pillowcase will cause hair to bunch, knot, and develop static electric charges.  On a soft silk pillowcase, however, hair will slide, which is much less damaging.  Limiting bed-head is essential when you get as much beauty sleep as I do.