And one and two,

And one and two, and one and two.....

Gotta keep up the reps, strengthen them muscles and burn that fat!

And stretch up and down, up and down...

Roll over and push and push and jump!

Yeah baby, looking Goooood! Lets burn that fat and fight that flab!

Not that I have much fat to burn, and I totally refute any claim that I have cream lovers handles!

Whats that peep? They're more cream labels you say! Well I don't think you can talk given the state of your wobbly bits!

Hmm you have lost a bit though I see, must be all that gardening, shopping, cleaning, decorating and building I had you do yesterday.

Anyways, I'm doing this because its important to keep fit in this cut and thrust world of modern mousing, a world when you are judged by results and it seems by the size of your.....

Whats that peep? I'm doing it for Valentine you say?

Who?

Oh that Valentine, oh my yes he is gorgeously floofi and quite the gentlecat and man about town. And I do want to look my best for our dinner date, whenever that may be. Tone up the old abs and stretch the muscles, just in case... well you know in case he asks me to.... you know!

You don't, I can tell from the glazed look on your face, and I don't mean from those funny reading glasses with springs on I got from the bargain shop last year.

You know just in case he asks me to..... do IT!

IT. What happy couples do when they get together. The apres meal as it were. Once the fine wine flows and we get the urge.

Look peep, come here and I'll whisper in your ear, I mean I know this is a family blog so we have to keep these sort of things away from the more sensitive reader....

****** Whispering sounds ******

........ and then every one gets to feeling hungry and some even have a smoke of the nip weed.

So now you know what adult cats do you can  not look so surprised next time someone invites you to a meal. Of course you being a peep I hardly would expect you to partake of the post meal mouse hunt, I mean IT is best left to us cats after all we do have the skills.

Anyways, I think we owe it to ourselves to be as well as we can be. To live the lives we have and not to abuse the gift of life.

Hence why I opted for the SNIP after the first lot of kittens came. Believe me I don't want to go through that again.

My own Rescue, the Woodside Animal Centre helped me out big time. They took me in, fed me and tended to my needs, and those of my kittens. What more can a mother ask for her children than that?

And this kindness goes on around the globe every day.  From individuals and small rescues to big charities. They're all there, making an effort for those they do not know, giving a chance of life, to help others in dire situations much worse than mine.

But there's peeps out there that can't be bothered to keep fit or to keep their pets fit too, and won't spay or neuter.

I just hope when folks see the net result, of what I think are selfish actions, and realise the cost in time and resource to deal with all the unwanted kittens and then unwanted adults that could have better spent on other pets in need.

But there's a much BIGGER cost to these actions, and there's no escaping the fact that peoples neglect and actions cause so many of the pets that end up in shelters are killed, needlessly.

Hey peep, did you know last Thursday was Remember Me Thursday?

Well seems like we missed the actual day, again. But the good thing about this is that saving lives, caring, and adopting pets isn't just a one day in a year, or life time kinda thing, it's a 24/7/365 days of the year kinda thing. As they say pets aren't just for Christmas, and neither is caring and humanity too, something that in this fast paced life and oft' me me me style culture, many folks have forgotten.

In an age of uncertainty, of credit crunch, and disaster, it's hard not to understand why the smaller things get put aside, but it shouldn't be us.

Of course our fellow bloggers know all this already, but there's a lot of pet owners and non pet owners that don't, so I reckon we all need to spread the word far and wide and educate where we can.

Seeing all the efforts undertaken by so many to help those pets in need as a result of the hurricanes and flooding across parts of America, showed not only the sympathy and humanity of so many brave people, but also how things are changing and the laws have changed to help pets at time of disaster.

Here in the UK, where most cats live an indoor outdoor life, like me, we have always been considered second rate citizens in the eyes of the law. If a dog was run over it had to be reported to the police.

Not so with cats, and so drivers generally drove with impunity to killing us, unless a private prosecution was brought by a charity for allowing suffering of an animal by not stopping to attend to it.

We became and often still are just considered just another piece of roadkill, and owners of domestic cats that die this way, are blamed for the death rather than a motorist speeding through what is often a residential area. What if that was a child?

Alas, in part this is also true, and many pets die by going out near busy roads where the risks are high, along with the speeds allowed.

But the laws here are hopefully to change too, and a law is proposed to mean any such accidents need to be reported so the cats owner is informed and some help given, if not medically, then being allowed to grieve for a lost pet that might otherwise be left in a gutter far from home.

Education can be as much for the educated as those that don't. And it's about understanding, caring and being cared for, and whilst maybe not now, we all need that at some point.

One of the easy ways will be to encourage peeps to foster and adopt rather than buy. To visit local rescues and shelters if you want a pet rather than buy, and not to look at just kittens and puppies when you do. After all a more mature pet, is a blessing and whilst the little ones are cute and fluffy I'd rather not have to look after one, as I said I've been there and got the T shirt.

And of course you only have to see how us adopted blogging cats and dogs turn out, take me. I'm low maintenance and only need a few ponds of fresh cheese and gallons o' cream and a laptop and a castle to keep me happy!

There are other ways too, and just lending a paw to those in need or contacting a rescue to come and help a sick or distressed animal. Or to report abuse and neglect is as much part of caring as having a pet itself.

I wonder how many folks have thought of volunteer dog walking for a Dog Rescue? Great exercise lots of fun, and great if you can't have a dog of your own at home!

And of course you only have to see how us adopted blogging cats and dogs turn out, take me. I'm low maintenance and only need a few dozen mice, some pounds of fresh cheese and gallons o' cream and a laptop and a castle to keep me in the International lifestyle to which I deserve.

So peep of mine, I've imparted my little gem for the week and it's now up to you to tell everyone you meet.

OK not EVERYONE after all I'm sure whilst I like my ears bending and massaging, not everyone does. Which is OK as I'm fairly certain going up to a police office and giving her or him an ear massage is a fast way to get arrested!

Maybe you could take the Kraken down to the village on Saturday night and hand and tentacle out leaflets, a bit like the Salvation Army do, but with added slime and a degree more arm bending!

And on Sunday you can scale the west wing tower and put up a new flag advising Every Day is Caring Day for a stray in need.

To paraphrase the great Gentlecat himself, Brian from Brian's Home blog, who's a bit of a hero to us, 'Adopt pets, we deserve it!' 

On that note, we are sending lots of purrs and prayers and POTP for Sister Sascha who is quite seriously ill, and also to Brian and his family who are busy dealing with that and some other health things going on at the moment. Get well soon you guys!

Thats it till next week, when I'll be showing you how to claim for damages to tower roofs, and also how to set broken limbs using rulers, plastic wrap film and chewing gum!

Toodle pip and purrs

ERin


                                                   ~~~~~~ The End ~~~~~~

And now for a Sunday Selfie......

I am joining the Sunday Selfies, hosted by the fantastic Kitties Blue: XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo, and Cooper Murphy, from The Cat on My Head blog 

The Sunday Selfies is a wonderful weekly celebration of blogs and bloggers from across the world, and shares stories and pictures for others to enjoy. 

Why not join the fun by adding the code from our hosts, (a link is on their page) and posting your own selfie. It really is that easy....

Every week at the Palace we have a different theme, to expand the mind, and this was modern art week. 

Here my candid camera selfie caught me appreciating the nuances of some modern art, which really did look better upside down..... or had the peep just hung it that way by mistake? 

Thank goodness I had the forethought to keep my ears clean! MOL

To see what all our pals have been up to this week, please click the links/images below, and enjoy the HOP!

The Wind Up?

© ERIN THE CAT PRINCESS

OK. Just need to check everything is in order....

Music phonograph? Yup

On/off switch? Hmmm wheres the on/off switch? can't see it anywhere!

Hang on theres no power lead either, no wonder it won't work. I know it's supposed to have a rechargeable power supply but there should at least be somewhere to plug it!

Bloomin' travelling phonograph salesman swore this was the latest in self contained Eco friendly Mega Woofer sound systems. Will be the envy of all my neighbours he said, come from far and wide to stare, he said. Hah! I'll be the laughing stock more like if I can't turn it on.

Clearly this entails a moment of careful thought and the clear insight of a honed expert in the field of electrical equipment management. If I settle myself down on this nice soft round rubber mat I should have an answer..... *yawns*

Sometime later.....

........ *yawns* in no time. Now where was I?

Ooh the new sound system. Right.

OK, so clearly I need to get a handle on the situation so I shall call in my trusted adviser...

OK maybe not trusted, I mean when it comes to things electrical stuff this peep is as safe to hang on to as a lightning rod in a storm!

Hmm, and maybe adviser is too strong a word too.

I mean I tend to listen, at times, then pick the least offence and most ridiculous option and do the complete opposite. Never fails, in fact why I pay an adviser I don't know!

Whats that ol' peep?

You don't get paid you say?

Well If I'd have known that I'd have given you a 100% pay rise. Still in the current recession I think you should be grateful for having that garden shed roof over your head. Keeps the rain off.

If you're good, Santa may even bring you the walls and floor too! Though I must insist you do extra chores before we splash out on a door. Now you can't say fairer than that!

When I said get a handle on it, peep, ol' dude, I didn't mean get a handle....

Hang on, by any chance is that the starter crank handle from the Bentley? Ive been looking for that for ages. Where did you find it?

In the nip patch you say. Well well well, I wonder how it got there?

ME!

Surely not I, I mean....

Ah. Now you come to mention it, I think I did.

Yes I recall now, I thought it would be a good way to make the nip crop grow quicker. Give them a good start in life is what the gardening experts always say you should do for seedlings and that there is a starter. And if you look at the results I think you'll agree that they've started very well!

Whats that you say ol' mildewy one? They're weeds you say. Mint, and NOT nip!

Well I know they're Mint, I'm not one for buying second hand nip plants. And they did come in a new packet that said Mint on it.

Nope, the travelling mint sales man assured me they were the best quality, MINT Natural Om Tibetan Nip. NOT Nip he said, with super cool relaxing qualities without the side effects. Apparently you can party all night with this NOT Nip and still be fresh come lights out at dawn. I mean what more can a party animal ask for?

You see I'm not just a pretty face! No ma'am, and I got a massive deal and bought the whole lot and planted a few everywhere.

Looks like well be able to corner the NOT Nip market in a couple of weeks for the UK, and maybe the world by........ a week next Sunday!

Anyways, you still haven't explained ol' green fly covered one, why you have the starting handle in your paws. You've not been planning to go shopping on your own for potatoes again. How many times have I told you since the incident with the penny farthing, the Brussels sprouts and the guide dog, and a really tasteless kilt, you have been banned from the village store. In fact I heard tell they're putting up braille posters of you just in case you try to raid the post office!

Whats that you say? It winds the record player? REALLY!

OK well seeing is believing, crank away ol' Palace cranker!

* Clockwork winding sound*

Well I'm waiting, and thus far we have lots of crank and very little action! Are you sure you haven't lowered the undercarriage by mistake?

Look, if you can't sort it I'll have a go. It can't be too difficult if a human invented it.... OK strike that, it is probably way TOO complicated, after all you peeps have opposable thumbs!

Hmm I wonder what happens if I press that little lever there, like thus........ *CLICK*

Ooh, I can feel things vibrating and.... and.... and...

Oh heck the rooms starting to spin, oh my head! Oh my tummy! I swear I'll not touch another drop of that home brew nip wine ever again!

LET ME OFF....... *YEEEEEEOOOOOOOOOOOWW.......THUD*

Oh my giddy aunt, now that was a listening experience I don't ever want to repeat again.

No wonder those radio stations have professional jockeys, but if those machines are like this one you'd have thought a rodeo rider would have been far more apt!

I do feel that this whole music business is just far too dangerous and over rated. I think next time I'll stick with the radio and just phone in my requests. In fact I'll do it now....

Hello, Operator? Yes hello, this is The Palace.

Yes THAT Palace! Is there any other?

Oh well of course her Majesty ER II does have one too, but this is the next Palace on the list. Yes, I know about the rest, but they don't count. Now, my good man, will you put me through to Alexander Palace, home of the BBC.

WHAT! What do your mean they've moved! Hmm bet its all down to the recession and downsizing because of the kids.

Well OK, if you'll put me through to where they have moved to that would be fine.

Thanks......

Moments later.......


Hello, is that the Disc Jokey for the BBC? It is, brilliant. I would like some special requests playing as soon as possible..... like now.

Yup, they are all dedicated to those that fall off record phonographs...... Yes I do realise how strange that may seem, but it does happen.

Anyways if you don't mind, I'd like to hear that excellent hit by the popular beat combo Dead or Alive... you know the one?

You do!

Oh goodie, I think "You spin me round (like a record)" is exactly the track for the occasion!



                                                           ~~~~~ The End ~~~~~

And now for a Sunday Selfie......

This is my best 'hard at work face' whilst I was busy toiling away in the kitchens...... OK so I was only making biscuits on my favourite duvet, but the thought was there. MOL

          

                 
I am joining the Sunday Selfies, hosted by the fantastic Kitties Blue: XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo, and Cooper Murphy, from The Cat on My Head blog 

The Sunday Selfies is a wonderful weekly celebration of blogs and bloggers from across the world, and shares stories and pictures for others to enjoy. 

Why not join the fun by adding the code from our hosts, (a link is on their page) and posting your own selfie.It really is that easy