October 2014
An artist who paints with soul MEET THE CATS IN PRINT!
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Feline tales: CATS in print
Meow: A book of happiness for cat lovers
Cat lover and owner David Cliff, MD of Gedanken, a company specialising in coaching-based support and personal development, gets under the covers of two distinctly feline books.
Meow A book of happiness for cat lovers By Anouska Jones £12.95 hardback
Having spent a fortnight touring various motorhome parks with my cat to find the dominance of dogs in our I was delighted to review the communities, it is often easy for book “Meow”, a book of non-cat lovers to fail to happiness for cat lovers appreciate the quintessential published by Exisle Publishing. nature of a cat.
Publication date: 27th October 2014
This book would be perfect in any waiting room or simply to browse leisurely on a wet Sunday afternoon when one doesn’t want to read anything intense and serious. Its beautiful photographs of our feline friends come with pithy, focused and erudite quotations whose authors offer insight into the very souls of our feline friends.
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The poise, the elegance, the calm and the dignity yet suffused with the fun and the frolic. Cats present to us a creature that is a companion, yet very much its own entity. They say that dogs are highly faithful. The truth is the dogs don’t have much of a chance really. They are totally dependent upon their owners and mirror the desired behaviours ascribed by them.
As Colette is quoted within the book “there are no ordinary cats”.
Dogs effectively are confined to a form of canine “Stockholm syndrome” where the dog has little choice but to upload the values and lifestyle of their owners.
This easily read book is a delight to the senses and philosophically provoking for anyone who has even the remotest interest in cats. It is an object of reflection rather than reading and offers a visual and philosophical smorgasbord of perspectives upon these wonderful creatures, with insight, wit and compassion.
Oh but this is not the case for cats. Page after page of beautiful quotation and photography show again the cat as a superb companion but very much with a mind of its own! No blind loyalty here, when a cat favours you, you are privileged indeed!
I'm sure any cat lover would be thrilled to receive this as a gift, any cat hater needs to view it and reflect upon the error of their ways!
When a cat fails to do that, do not take it as a rejection. It is simply the nature of these wonderful beasts that are affectionate, playful and yet have the potential to be simultaneously aloof and independent. That a paradoxically display the playfulness of kittens and the ruthlessness of killers all wrapped up in one fury bundle.
By Lynne Truss £9.99, hardback Publication date: Out now
Cat out of Hell
Lynn Truss’ book Cat out of Hell (Random House ) can be best described as a “dark” comedy. The plot is cleverly intertwined around two cats who have sacrificed their nine
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lives to acquire supernatural powers, including the ability to speak and indeed, kill.
I would hate to spoil the plot for any reader as it is cleverly put together and constructed around journals within journals. The author quite tastefully sets the whole novel in context with an epilogue that recites her personal experiences of cats real and fictional, mostly the latter through her life. This intriguing, enigmatic piece of work by the author better known for the best seller “Eats, Shoots and Leaves”, brings to mind a whole issue about the quintessential nature of cats and their associations with good and evil.
Meow: a book of happiness for cat lovers
Cats are revered in some societies but in Western European society were associated from the beginning of Christianity with evil often, suffering along with their human witch counterparts through the dark ages and so forth.
primal selves are ultimately powerful and so many of us lose sight of that in these majestic able animals that yes, do talk to us although not in the English dictum of felinecharacters, Roger and the Captain in this book.
Truss’ writing is both flippant and comedic. Yet it has an undertone of poignancy and kindness throughout the book.
I am very pleased that Pets Magazine asked me to review this, it was a very different read and one that certainly would fill Just as history has placed much the winter nights with a blend The book puts one in touch association with cats and evil. of gentle, dark, comedic with the sheer power of the My fear was that this book humour suffused with a primal nature of cats. Our usual would do little to disaffect “whodunit” type of plot. experiences of cats being fierce people from that deeper Just try to make sure you know when frightened and capable of implicit negative connection what your cat is doing before doing incredible feats (non-cat lovers only of course). you start reading …. physically. The book ironically Far from it, the book is set in Dorset where my wife encompasses the evil that recently had the first-hand people do to cats, the experience of the power of our manipulation of the animal own small black cat Lola, when world and ultimately the scared by dogs attacking her as selfless loving act of one of the she was trying to lift her to two feline protagonists in a safety receiving amazing final act of reconciliation and wounds that one would never reclaiming freedom at possibly reconcile with a small moggie. the ultimate cost. Cats are mysterious, their
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Feeling stressed?Take your dog to the office! It’s long been known that owning a pet can lead to lower blood pressure. A study found those who took their dog to work became more relaxed as the day wore on. In contrast, stress levels rose in those who either did not own a dog or chose to leave their pet at home.
However, those with a dog that had been left at home began to feel the pressure. By the time they left the office, they were almost twice as stressed as on arrival, the
length of time away from pets increases.”
Top tips: doggy office etiquette: If your dog is not well trained, leave him at home until he is ready to mingle with both humans and dogs.
The research focused on a company in North Carolina which allows employees to take their dogs into the office. It compared people who brought in a pet with those who had one but left them at home. A third group did not own dogs.
Keep your pooch looking and smelling good. Your dog will spend 8 to 10 hours at the office. Make sure your dog has his own spot. Set up a comfortable bed and toys. If your dog is not occupied , he may find something to occupy himself!
International Journal of The 75 employees gauged how Workplace Health Management Don't forget about fresh stressed they felt during the day reports. food and water. and answered questions about job satisfaction. Professor Randolph Barker, of Take your pet out for Virginia Commonwealth On arrival at work, there was University, said this may little or no difference between “reflect an increase in concern the groups. But over the course about pets at home as time of the day, those with their dogs away increases, missing pets at their sides became more as the day progresses or considerably more relaxed. lessening of a possible stress buffering effect of pets as the
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frequent walks and bathroom breaks. If you are lucky enough to work for a company that allows dogs in the workplace, enjoy it and don't forget your doggy etiquette!
Finding inspiration in an animal’s soul
Sarah Spofforth McOuat seeks to portray an animal’s soul in her paintings. Pets Magazine
Looking into the eyes of an 1,800 pound Highland Cow is not the easiest thing to do when he’s grumpy, has not yet had his breakfast and his fringe is a bit too shaggy. But textual artist Sarah Spofforth McOuat says its the only way to get a glimpse into an animal’s soul which she can then turn into a striking painting.
Sarah, 34, runs McSpoff-Art which specialises in personalised large scale artwork including stunning canvases of the animals who live on the family’s mixed beef and sheep farm in Dunblane.
Hamish the Highland Cow, who Her work has sold as far afield as Australia, Enzo: A very hairy dog Spain and famer husband Tom and their Egypt and even hangs two sons, Jamie and Archie. in a local castle.
Puss in boots
lives in the neighbouring farm, is one of Sarah’s top models. ‘He’s the Kate Moss of the Highland Cow world,’ she says. ‘He always looks good even on a bad hair day.’
She regularly attends the RHS Highland Show and Country Living as well as other countryside festivals. Last month was a record month with more than 20 commissions. She started from humble beginnings – the corner of the cow shed – but now has a studio on the 400 acre Scottish farm she lives on with her
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‘A year ago I painted in the spare room, on the cooker and when I was recreating a full size Highland Cow I used the kids trampoline. ‘Now I’ve got a studio on the farm with the most amazing views across the fields and up towards the ruin where Tom proposed to me in his wellies surrounded by cow pats six years ago. ‘The studio is a twenty second walk from our farm cottage and
is next to the cow sheds, where I sometimes take art classes when the cows are out. I walk past the baby calf’s pen to get to the cabin and always say hello. They all just look at me funnily and keep chewing.’ Sarah researches ideas for new paintings by walking around the farm on the look out for an interesting face and soulful eyes. ‘If I see a really nice cow I will stop and take photographs of it.
Bailey: the chocolate Lab
looking hare who looks like he ‘Highland cows are great needs cheering up.’ because they have so much ‘You need to look into an expression, but I’m also animal’s eyes to see its soul and working on paintings of a really as soon as I make that whiskery pig with lots of connection I know I can personality and a depressed recreate it on a canvas.’
Every painting gets a name – whether it’s Doreen the Cow, Rocky the Cockerel, Doris the Pig, Tyson the Bull or Young Pekin, named after a character in the film Chicken Run. ‘Tom often parks his tractor outside and pops into the studio to see what I’m working on and we will come up with bizarre names together. I love films and often take inspiration from favourite characters,’ she says. McSpoff-Art started when one of Tom’s best friends Alex asked Sarah if she could paint cows. ‘I gave it a go on one of Tom’s Charolias cows and loved it. Then we moved from our flat in Dunblane to the farm cottage and the animal
Hamish the Border Terrier
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to a frog and a chameleon on a hot pink background. ‘Tom and I love going for big walks together with our two lads and bringing them up in the Scottish countryside. ‘I’ve been told that my animal paintings put a smile on people’s Pom Pom the dog faces and that they can see right into their souls art and farm collided,’ she says. burns and not at all my cup of through their eyes. What more tea. could you ask for?’ Sarah, who is orginally from the Wirral and trained as an ‘I’ve sorted him out now and For more information or to interior designer, met Farmer he’s got a lovely beard and is discuss a commission go to Tom nine years ago at a New gorgeous.’ www.mcspoffart.com. Prices Years Eve party in Scotland. start from £130. ‘In my new farm surrounding She says: ‘One of my school painting animals was a friends was going out with the progression. I love Estate manager at a nearby experimenting with different farm and I was invited to the materials like fabric samples party. I was put on the singles and plaster to help me add table with two blokes – a guy texture and character and to with very curly hair and Farmer bring out the pictures from the Tom who was extremely late. canvas.’ ‘When he arrived he looked As well as farm animals, Sarah like an Emmerdale extra back regularly gets commissions for in the old days with shaped side people’s pets and has painted everything from a favourite dog
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Paws & relax at a Scottish retreat Pets receive a warm welcome at Pets are welcome throughout the the beautifully located Four the hotel, except the restaurant Seasons Hotel in Perthshire.
Pets are treated to a complimentary biscuit on arrival, helping them settle in to their new surroundings. The Four Seasons accommodates pets free of charge and is happy to lend the hotel’s resident dogs Sham or Pagne out for walks for those guests unable to bring their own furry friend.
If you are busy enjoying the local activities or a holiday lie in then the Pet Butler at The Four Seasons can be booked to take your dog on a scenic walk, ranging from nearby Munroe’s to beautiful walking trails along Loch Earn.
Pets staying at the hotel not only have access to the specially created canine menu and pet walking service but guests can hire a pet-sitter or A warm welcome awaits you and your pooch at The Four Seasons in book their pet in for St Fillans, Perthshire an appointment at the pooches parlour! Pet which is kept pet free. Your dog Concierge services need to be won’t feel left out however, as pre booked in advance, prices the hotel has a specially for the Pet Butler start from £8 designed Pedigree Dog Menu per day. on offer, including tasty gourmet treats such as Hogs For more information on the and Heinz, a Mean Bean Fritter pet friendly services at The and Hairy Hamish’s Highland Four Seasons Hotel visit http:// Haggis. www.thefourseasonshotel.co.uk /pet-concierge/ Cats, bunnies and other pets can also choose from their very own specially made menus.
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Competition Win a bespoke pendant of your pet by portrait artist Frances Federer – worth over £200! Follow and RT this competition or ‘like’ us on Facebook to enter our fabulous competition Enter our fabulous competition to win a bespoke handcrafted pendant of your pet. The pendant will be beautifully crafted by leading British artist and gilder Frances Federer (www.ffjewellery.com). Frances gilds, engraves and paints small glass panes that are set into silver, to produce a rare collection of jewellery that includes pendants, earrings, necklaces and cufflinks. Portraits of a favourite pet are an integral part of her creative work. These are miniature works of art that can be worn. The jewellery settings are by the goldsmith Justin Richardson, a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths. Their joint work was featured in ‘Who’s Who in Silver and Gold’, Goldmiths’ Hall 2013. Entries will be counted until Friday November 7 at 12 midnight. Each person who follows us @pets_mag and re-tweets or ‘likes’ us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/petsmag.co.uk) will be entered only once. One winner will be notified via social media. No correspondence will be entered into. Facebook: www.facebook.com/petsmag.co.uk Twitter: pets_mag
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