The Zeus Excuse: July 2007

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Kruise kontrol

Dear felines and human pets,

Heed this warning:

Don't f*** with the homo sapien known as Tim Kruise.

(I'd write his real name, but I am fearful of the repercussions!).

(And if you don't know what to fill in for the *'s up above, simply use the word 'mess'!)

This cat has Hollywood, and everyone around him for that matter, under his mighty thumb. The latest scandal involved two men attempting to extort one million dollars from Kruise for his wedding photos. Apparently, Kruise has connections to the FBI since reports say he contacted them to discover who was behind this conspiracy.

Connections to the FBI?

Am I the only feline who finds that almost absurd?

I wonder how the conversation went...

Kruise: "Yes, I need to speak to one of your agents immediately!"

FBI Operator: "Hello, and thank you for calling the Federal Bureau of Investigations. Due to high call volume, your call will be answered in the order in which it was received. Please stay on the line, and a customer service representative will be with you shortly. Thank you."

Kruise: "Screw that! I'm Tim Kruise! I get what I want when I want it!"

FBI Operator: "...Unless your name is Tim Kruise, in which case, please enter the secret Kruise code to overwrite this message."

Kruise: "Let's see...that would be M-I-4...so 6-4-4..."

FBI Operator: "Thank you, Mr. Kruise. We are now directing you to Thom Mrozek's office."

I wish I had a private line to the FBI for when litter hit the fan. It must be nice to not have to wait for justice: Having to navigate the long trails of paperwork, jumping across red tape and through hoops just to have someone pay attention to your pleas. It must also be hugely comforting to the American public that while murderers, rapists, and child molesters run free, the FBI is hard at work on this case.

I know that makes me feel better sleeping at night!

Monday, July 30, 2007

A great big purr to the following...

The following people deserve a round of thanks for helping make my first Blogathon a tremendous success:

Andrew Odlum: Thanks for being a terrific monitor and keeping me inspired when times were tough!

The Meezers: Thank you for being so supportive and encouraging! Every comment you left kept me going!

Beau, The Cat Realm, Simba, and others: Thank you for leaving so many questions! I don't know that I could have come up with ideas to post had it not been for you!

Pablo and Sparky Duck: Thank you for coming by in the early hours and cheering me on!

KC, Hot(M)BC, and Morgen: Thank you for spreading the word and bringing people and kitties to the blog!

Craaky: Thank you for continually texting my human pet so she could keep me awake! Let's not forget the great Waterboy clips either!

And finally...

Thank you to all of my sponsors!

Your giving nature helped make this event what it was, and I could not be happier to have had your support. I could not have done this without you, and so for opening your pockets and giving from the heart, I thank you!

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Zeus has left the computer...

Our grand total raised for Blogathon '07:

My first Blogathon has come and gone, and I can honestly say that I have never been so proud of both myself and my readers / sponsors. I learned a lot from this experience, and I hope that next year, I can do even better. So many fantastic bloggers out there with terrific ideas...have no fear! I took notes!

I have so many people that I would love to thank, but right now, you'll have to excuse me because I am too tired to remember everyone. It would kill me to skip over someone inadvertently. Expect many heartfelt thanks when I wake up!

And seeing as though I had promised my pet her hoodie from Blogathon headquarters, I have placed my order. The pet deserves it for allowing me the use of her computer for 24 hours. I know that was hard for her.

So in short, I believe the following sums up Blogathon '07 for me:

10 cans of Diet Coke..........$5.00
McDonald's for the pet..........$6.79
Purina One for me..........$13.00
48 posts..........Free
Having the chance to make a difference..........priceless

Flea Games, Chapter 10: Assembling the troops

Previous Chapter(s):

Harbali walked up to the crowd which still vibrated of excitement and anticipation. Unsure of what to say, he uttered, "Can I have everyone's attention please?" The crowd continued talking and milling about, not even noticing his request. Taking a deep breath, Harbali boomed, "CAN I HAVE EVERYONE'S ATTENTION PLEASE?"

Had there been a record player, the needle would have slipped off of the edge as the sound came to a screeching halt. All feelers were directed towards him as the fleas gave him their undivided attention.

"Thank you," said Harbali sheepishly. "Tomorrow, as you well know, is our assault on the ginger and silver infidels. Ramzi would like to know how many of you are in for the fight."

Feelers skittishly raised as the fleas whispered and muttered amongst themselves. An uneasiness seemed to sweep through the crowd. After some moments, a voice in the back was heard over the ruckus: "Why do you need our help?"

"Well," responded Harbali, "it's not an assault if it's only two fleas."

Another voice then shouted, "If it's not an assault, then what is it?"

"I believe it's diplomatic relations at that point," answered a flea from the front.

"There is nothing diplomatic about this," cried Harbali. "We're talking about war!"

From the back again: "We're going to war?"

"Oh for the love of Flallah," sighed Harbali. "Yes," he raised his voice, "we're going to war with the infidels!"

"No one said anything about war," came the shout from somewhere in the middle of the gathering.

Harbali's voice brimmed with agitation: "What did you think Ramzi meant when he said 'jihad'?"

His question was met with more mutterings and whisperings. Harbali hadn't thought it was going to be this difficult to get his brothers to form the troops. Throwing his legs into the air, he screamed: "LOOK! You're all coming! That's it! I can't believe this!"

A collective gasp hit Harbali followed by silence from crowd. A few moments later, someone said, "Well, why didn't you just say so?"

Harbali sighed again. No one had told him leading was so difficult.

Expect more of the story to come in the days ahead!

Time is almost up to get your donations in for The HSUS! Click here to sponsor my efforts!

Flea Games, Chapter 9: Expectations

Previous Chapter(s):

As the final cheers died down in the crowd, Ramzi pulled Harbali aside and asked, "Is everything ready for tomorrow?"

Harbali, if he had an eyebrow, would have raised it right then in a questioning manner.

"I'm not sure what you mean, my friend," he said. If there was something that he had been responsible for, he had been unaware. Quickly, Harbali considered the past few days and his conversations with Ramzi and tried to remember some tidbit of significance that he might have forgotten.

Ramzi's face scoured as he said, "Bah! I can't believe you! We have to gather the troops! We have to lay out our maps of this accursed house! We have to devise a plan for entry! We have to prepare our weapons! I can't believe you hadn't done any of this!"

In a small voice, Harbali replied, "Well, I would have if you had but told me to do so, my friend."

"Oh bah!" Ramzi let out an exasperated sigh. "What kind of soldier are you? Must I tell you everything!"

Harbali hung his head. Ramzi's disapproval was more than he could bear. "I will get the troops together, my friend. I will do so right now."

"Good," affirmed Ramzi. "See that you do, and let me know how many strong we are when you are finished."

Harbali sulked deeply as Ramzi took off for his private quarters. With his shoulders low and his feelers limp, he turned and walked off towards the remaining crowd of fleas.

A third fundraiser update!

If you're just waking up, then you need to read this update! I am finally able to see the light at the end of the Blogathon tunnel! With less than two hours to go, we have raised:

A huge PURR to all of our sponsors! We could not have done this without you!

For those who are considering to sponsor: All of your donations are helping the terrific folks at The Humane Society of the United States! It's not too late to make a contribution to this organization! There is no minimum or maximum amount, and Blogathon accepts all types of currencies.

Click here to get those final green papers in to be counted!

Flea Games, Chapter 8: Meeting at the food bowl

Previous Chapter(s):

The human pet bent down to rub Zeus' and Isis' heads. "I missed you two," she said with a smile. She walked into the kitchen, placing her purse on the counter, and looked at the empty plastic blue food bowl at her feet. "I guess this is why you two ran out so quickly," she chuckled. "You're out of food."

As the human pet opened the door to the pantry to grab the Purina One bag, Zeus sat by the food bowl patiently. Isis slinked up beside him and asked, "So you didn't find anything in the garage?"

With her question, Zeus remembered the itsy sneeze, and his mind began to ponder the possibilities. He let out a sigh, observing the human pet measure out his food, and hung his head.

"What is it?" asked Isis.

"It just sounded like...,"

"Sounded like what?" Isis inched closer to Zeus and peered into his eyes.

"A sneeze," replied Zeus.

Isis raised an eyebrow: "A sneeze?"

"A sneeze."

"Very curious if it were a sneeze, but then I wouldn't be surprised considering dust mites could be allergic to dust and what a horrible life that would be if they were," stated Isis as if such foolhardiness were actually fact.

Typically, Zeus would have ignored his sister's inane ramblings, but as she mentioned dust mites, he began to devise a new theory. Saying more to himself than to Isis, Zeus mused, "What if we have new visitors in the garage?"

"That's just silliness," said Isis with a shrug of her shoulders. "Don't critters normally call in advance to let you know they are coming?"

Zeus sighed again. "Shut up, Isis." The human pet had poured the food, and once again, Zeus' thoughts were diverted to his stomach where hunger raged a war of its own.

Lover? No, I'm a fighter!

Dear Zeus,

A question for you: I'm a bit of a fighter, and I'd like to know, what's the scariest fight you've ever been in? Do you fight with Isis?

Pablo

Dear Pablo,

Do I fight with Isis?

Is the sky blue?

Is the grass green?

Are the Pittsburgh Steelers the best football team of all time? (And considering you're Australian, I mean American football!)

OF COURSE, I fight with my sister! Isn't that what brothers and sisters do?

The worst fight we ever got into, though, has to be when Isis first arrived at my previous residency: The Apartment. When Isis was a kitten, she did not recognize my authority, and she would constantly get in front of me at the food bowl. Granted, she was unbelievably small, fitting into the palm of my human pet's hand, but that did not stop her from bullying her way to the very brim of the bowl.

I tried to be patient. Honest, I did, but sometimes, you just have to put your paw down.

And I did.

Right on her.

I pinned her to the tile floor and held her there, listening to her mewings for mercy. She clawed at my leg and bit at my paw, but I did not release her. The human pet came rushing over, yelling at me, screaming, "Zeus! What in the hell do you think you are doing? You're going to kill her!"

Kill her? No.

Warn her? Yes.

Apparently, though, I've needed to warn Isis now 1,617 times to let me eat first. She's one of those cats that believes she can move a brick wall with her nose if given enough time. What more can I say?

As to the scariest fight I ever had, that question is easy. Paws down, it has to be my fight with the Roo of Kung-Fu, Cangura. The match was otherwise known as The Brawl in the Fall. I honestly thought that I was fighting for my life. Don't be fooled by that innocent kangaroo face of her's! She's an all-out bitch!

Have a question for Zeus, Isis, or Blackie? Leave it in the comments! By doing so, you will be supporting our blogging efforts for the next 2 hours!

Want to make a donation to The HSUS? Click here!

Flea Games, Chapter 7: The revolutionary

Previous Chapter(s):

A few days after Harbali had been with Flarul Flislam, he had met the charismatic and electrifying Ramzi. He was unlike any other flea Harbali had met. He considered drinking the blood of hosts to be destroying the temple bestowed to each and every flea by Flallah. He also did not condone the act of consuming feces left by the host as this too was a desecration of the most holy possession one had. The only thing Ramzi would eat were leftover bits of vegetable matter, and these he would harvest from the Black Mountain (otherwise known as the garbage can), returning with a bounty each and every time.

"One must be careful to keep one's self pure from the infidels' persuasions," he would tell Harbali upon his return.

It had been Ramzi who had taught Harbali about the ginger and silver infidels and their mistress, The Gigantess.

One day, The Gigantess had entered into the garage, carrying soft cotton human relics in her hands. She had begun to operate a strange whirring device that filled with water, completely oblivious to the nation under her feet. Ramzi had instructed Harbali from a safe distance in the caves as they both observed her: "If you feel the vibrations of The Gigantess approach, run to the Red Rock Caves. Do not think twice for you will die for your hesitation. Her step has been known to kill hundreds of our kind for she is both cruel and relentless."

And when the ginger infidel had first appeared to make marks in the Oceanless Beach (otherwise known as the litterbox), it had been Ramzi once again to enlighten Harbali: "He is the enemy, Harbali. He is filled with decadence and corruption. Look how he enslaves The Gigantess to clean after his waste. Only a pompous and arrogant fool would command another to do such a horrid act."

So taken with Ramzi was Harbali that he did not require much convincing to join Ramzi in his jihad against the ginger infidel. Ramzi had only to suggest that a holy war was quite necessary under their current conditions: "If we do not rise up against the infidels, our oppression will only continue. The Red Rock Caves cannot hold us forever. Our destinies lay in glorified jihad against the infidels for death in the way of Flallah is our highest aspiration!"

Ramzi's fervor was contagious, and news quickly spread throughout the caves as fleas communed with one another. As more fleas rallied to follow, Harbali stood beside his friend in pride, content in knowing he was second-in-command. Ramzi's revolution would be unlike anything the fleas had ever known, and Harbali mused that this was how his name would be remembered throughout flistory.

You'll never think of tampons the same way again

Dear Zeus,

Where do you think Isis' obsession with tampons comes from?

The Cat Realm

Dear Cat Realm,

The easiest (and most sexist answer) would be because she is female. However, since I know much more is expected of me in terms of reasoning, I would have to offer this theory:

The cotton of the tampon represents the comforting womb from which Isis was born. The cardboard applicator represents the protective lining of her mother, that which she burst through to come into this world. The string, following this logic, is the umbilical cord.

Using Freudian logic, one can then deduce that Isis has a deep loathing towards her mother for birthing her into this world. Hence, she takes out her destructive nature on the tampons, trying to expand the womb from whence she came. It is why she is so obsessed with it for she is continuously trying to return to it.

Overall, though, I think it might be safe to just say because she's female.

Have a question for Zeus, Isis, or Blackie? Leave it in the comments! By doing so, you will be supporting our blogging efforts for the next 3 hours!

Want to make a donation to The HSUS? Click here!

Flea Games, Chapter 6: Flallah's mercy

Previous Chapter(s):

Harbali covered his tube with both of his front feet as Ramzi froze in terror.

Had the ginger infidel heard him sneeze?

Would their secret location be discovered?

The fleas huddled tightly together, mostly out of desperation, as the ginger infidel came closer to the Red Rock Caves. Not a breath was released as they sensed his approach. They could feel his stare upon the human relics, imagining his furry countenance to appear cold and heartless.

The fact that the fleas had no eyes to witness the infidel only added to the heightened sense of heart-wrenching anxiety.

Time seemed to stop as the fleas waited for either death or Flallah's mercy.

As if in answer to their most private prayers, the ginger infidel turned away from them and left the confines of their sanctuary. In unison, the fleas released a collective sigh of relief, but soon after, all feelers were directed towards Harbali.

"You could have ruined us all, Harbali!"

"We could have died!"

"Praise Flallah for saving us from Harbali's misdeed!"

Harbali hung his head in shame. He had not meant to sneeze, but the dust from the Red Rock Caves was overwhelming. His allergic weakness had chosen the wrong time to come forth, and it nearly cost him, not only his own life, but the lives of his brotherhood.

"I am deeply sorry, my brothers. I could not help myself," Harbali uttered in remorse.

Ramzi laid a comforting foot on Harbali's shoulder and said, "No worries, my friend. Flallah has a plan for us all, and in this plan, you were meant to sneeze. Perhaps it was Flallah working through you to send a message to the ginger infidel that he should sleep with one eye open this evening for tomorrow, his world changes forever!"

With that, a clamoring "Ayah!" rang through the air as the fleas cheered. Raising his voice even louder, Ramzi continued: "Yes, tomorrow, the ginger infidel shall know the pain of a million fallen fleas! He shall beg for mercy, but none shall come!"

Once more, a collective "Ayah!" boomed, and while the fleas celebrated the coming dawn, Harbali could not help but wonder if the ginger infidel suspected they were coming for him.

And this is why cats should not drink and dial...

[Ring! Ring!]

Zeus: Pick up the PHONE!

[Ring! Ring!]

Zeus: Godammit, why are you not picking up the PHONE!

[Ring! Ring!]

Zeus: [Sobbing becomes evident] I can't do this damn Blogathon without you! Pick - up - the - PHONE!

[Ring! Ring!]

Zeus: I LOVE YOU! Talk to Meee!

Isis: [Tired and groggy] He-, hello?

Zeus: Oh. My. GAWD.

Isis: Zeus? Is this you?

Zeus: I just...drunk dialed...my sister.

Isis: Wow. You're so never living this one down.

[CLICK!]

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Who's getting drunk dialed at 3 in the morning?

Dear Zeus,

So my Mom wants to know: What are cats really thinking of at 3 in the morning????

Tara

Dear Tara,

Such a fitting question considering the time! Let's see: What am I thinking of right now? For starters, I am wondering just how much more caffeine I can pump into my itsy-bity body. I know I said I was not going to consume any of the stuff, but it seemed inevitable once one o'clock in the morning reared its ugly head.

I am also wondering whether or not Lindsay Lohan is ever going to get her act together. How many more times do we need to see this female homo sapien in the news? Doesn't anyone offer to smack her? I think someone should have done a Blogathon for that charity: The Smack Lindsay Lohan Fund. I'd have definitely sponsored that.

Another thought on my mind is whether or not I could win The Singing Bee. I think Joey Fatone is a fantastic character, and I would certainly enjoy hamming it up on stage with him. I do have some singing experience, after all! Surely, I stand a chance.

Maybe it's time to make some drunk dials. Granted, the last time I picked up the phone while tanked, I ended up in hot water, but hey: You only live once!

Have a question for Zeus, Isis, or Blackie? Leave it in the comments! By doing so, you will be supporting our blogging efforts for the next 5 hours!

Want to make a donation to The HSUS? Click here!

My favorite wild animal

It's the WILD game, direct from Blogathon '07 headquarters! Directions for the game are simple: Post a photo or some rendition of your favorite wild animal. This game was cake as far as I was concerned since the answer seemed so clear:

Deep in the urban landscape, amongst cold steel and paint layered with asbestos, lives an awesome creature so terrifying that even The Discovery Channel is considering scrapping their Shark Week for a week in her honor!

Without further ado, may I present...

MY HUMAN PET!

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Introducing the first nonmammalian feline

Dear Blackie,

What's it like to be from a litter of Squillions???

Beau

Are you serious, Beau?

I have brothers and sisters?

Holy freakin' cow!!!

I can't say I actually remember being 'born'. I recall being 'molded' more than anything, and this has led me to believe that I may actually be the first nonmammalian feline in existence. My lack of hair, reproductive capabilities, and absence of food intake are all clear signs of this status.

Do you know if there's some sort of prestigious scientific award for me? Zeus says there is which is why he does not let me out of the house. I was just curious.

BLACKIE

Do you have a question for Zeus, Isis, or Blackie? Leave it in the comments! By doing so, you'll be supporting our blogging efforts for the next 6 hours!

Want to make a donation to The HSUS? Click here!

Flea Games, Chapter 5: The smallest of sneezes

Previous Chapter(s):

From the hallway, sitting in front of the pet door, Isis whispered, "Do you see anything?"

Zeus walked gently across the cold, cement floor of the garage and let his eyes adjust to the dim light. Though he had first heard the chanting when he entered, he heard nothing now. That did not mean, however, that the room was completely empty.

It meant that whatever it was had simply decided to hide.

Turning to his left, he examined the stack of cardboard boxes lined along the wall. Some still had items from his previous residency while others lay empty on their sides, their flaps in the air. He decided it was best to take a closer look and pawed at the first few boxes he came across, knocking them over as he did so.

"Zeus?"

"Shh!" He poked his head inside a few of the boxes, but found only dust and an occasional spider. After the fifth box, his curiosity satisfied, he decided to examine the washer and dryer located on the back wall. He began making his way in that direction when the tiniest high-pitched sound reached his ears:

"Achoooooo!"

Zeus came to a complete stop and tilted his head. Was that...a sneeze?

"Isis, did you just sneeze?" Though he knew better, he still thought it to be logical not to jump to any conclusions.

"No."

Zeus turned around and made his way to the front of the garage. The diminutive sound had definitely come from that area, but where? Cleaning supplies and tools stood in front of him, but no good ever came from messing with those items. Certainly nothing could live in that poisonous garbage.

He only but briefly glanced at the bricks immediately to this right.

"I could have sworn I heard..."

"Zeus? Isis? Where are you? I'm home!"

Isis cried, "It's the Mama!"

The human pet had come home from her daily adventure, and of course, he had to greet her. So strange, this pygmy sneeze. He knew he had to find the source of it, but as he passed through the pet door to return to the hallway, he looked upon his pet, and with her smile, all thoughts of the curious sneeze left his mind.

Caboose, chartreuse, deduce, footloose, juice, produce, seduce

The latest Blogathon game asked participants to tell how or why they chose their blogs' names.

Considering this is a source of amusement (and private pain) for me, I decided to enter. For all of my worldly intelligence, my accolades, and my bittersweet wit, I could not for the life of me be more saddened at how I arrived at my blog's name.

You see, I had been stumped myself, and I had asked my human pet to assist me in thinking of a clever and unusual name for my blog. She went immediately to a free online rhyming dictionary and entered my name into the rhyme generator. As the words popped up, she said each of those words with my name, alternating which word came first.

When she hit the word, "excuse", you would have thought she had struck gold.

"That's it! It'll be called 'The Zeus Excuse'!"

Sigh...

At least it wasn't called Deuce Zeus, Goose the Zeus, or Vamoose Zeus!

See if I ever ask her for help again...

My only comfort comes in the form of a web generator:

HowManyOfMe.com

There are
0
people with my name
in the U.S.A.

How many have your name?

At least no one else has to suffer this humiliation.

Have a question for Zeus, Isis, or Blackie? Leave it in the comments! By doing so, you will be supporting our blogging efforts for the next 7 hours!

Want to make a donation to The HSUS? Click here!

Another fundraiser update!

We're into the final eight hours of Blogathon 2007, and as of right now, the total amount raised by our efforts is...

Why not make that an even $291.00 and donate $0.98?

Better yet: Why not make it an even $300.00 and donate $9.98?

It's not too late to make a contribution, so click here, and help out The HSUS tonight before you go to bed!

The legend of the lightning bugs

Dear Zeus,

Why are felines so darned attracted to lightning bugs, and why do the big people like to get rid of them?

Lola and Bettina

Dear Lola and Bettina,

Strangely enough, the reason felines are attracted to lightning bugs stems from an old legend my mother used to tell me when I was but a wee kitten:

Once upon a time, there was a precocious kitten who always had his nose into everything. Near to where the kitten lived stood a towering black mountain, its top covered in rings of smoke and cloud. The kitten had always wondered why the mountain was so black, and one day, he decided to investigate.

When he arrived at the base of the mountain, it was as if night had fallen even though he had set out on his journey with the sun high in the sky. The kitten knew that the mountain would not be so depressing if only he could find a way to bring light to its cliffs. Remembering the lightning bugs that lived in the forest, the kitten turned around to seek their aid.

The lightning bugs did not immediately listen to the kitten's pleas for help. They had no interest in the black mountain, and they were content to light up the trees. In order to gain their assistance, the kitten had to swat, jump, and pounce upon them until they cried mercy. Once their promise had been made, the lightning bugs followed the kitten to the black mountain.

The light those bugs brought to the mountain was truly glorious. What once had been dark now shone with brilliance. The clouds parted. The smoke lifted. The kitten knew that he had done something no other had done before him nor would do ever again.

So it is with all felines as they now attempt to coerce the lightening bugs for only felines know the true depth of power these creatures hold. Where darkness lies, so will a cat...only to wait for the promise of the lightning bugs to be fulfilled once more.

As for the humans, they're clueless as always.

Have a question for Zeus, Isis, or Blackie? Leave it in the comments! By doing so, you will be supporting our blogging efforts for the next 8 hours!

Want to make a donation to The HSUS? Click here!

Flea Games, Chapter 4: Sound the alarm

Previous Chapter(s):

Harbali bent over in prayer and raised his legs to the heavens (otherwise known as the ceiling) in humble offerings when a cry of alarm resounded through the masses.

"The ginger infidel approaches! Take cover!"

"Hurry, Harbali, or you'll be sent to Flallah before the proper time!" Ramzi, Harbali's best friend in the compound, swept up his prayer rug as a look of urgency spread across his compressed face. Quickly, Harbali gathered his things and took after Ramzi as they made their way through the thousands of loyal brethren towards the Red Rock Caves (otherwise known as the holes in the bricks).

As he crawled into the cave, Harbali felt suddenly claustrophobic as flea after flea stormed into the shelter. Ramzi pushed his way through the crowd to stand by Harbali who looked out upon the garage. Taller than his partner, Ramzi leaned over and said cautiously, "Careful, my friend. The ginger infidel is extremely intelligent. We must make it to tomorrow's light!"

A silence swept over the caves as the ginger infidel sauntered over the cement landscape, and for the first time, Harbali knew the feeling of fear.

Nike ends ties with Vick; HSUS cheers

As Nike suspended their commercial relations with Atlanta Falcons' quarterback, Michael Vick, The Humane Society applauded the franchise, stating:

"We are very pleased that Nike has today signaled it has a zero tolerance policy for athletes who may be involved with staged animal fights and other forms of malicious animal cruelty by indefinitely suspending its relationship with Vick."

Vick has been allegedly involved in animal neglect and arranging illegal dogfighting bouts. Supposedly, Vick has been the money behind the operation for quite some time. When authorities searched Vick's property on April 25, they found over 60 dogs that had been malnourished and displaying scars and wounds typically seen from fighting dogs. The graphic picture below is of one of the actual dogs found on the site:

Dogfighting is considered to be illegal in 48 of the 50 states. If you suspect dogfighting to be occuring in your area, please contact the HSUS (email: animalfighting@hsus.org) for practical tips and advice.

Want to make a donation to support The HSUS? Click here!

Let's play the blame game!

Dear Zeus,

Did you and Isis manage to get the house cleaned up before the Human Pet came back from her vacation? How did you manage for food and litter changes while she was away?

Simba

Dear Simba,

It's true that the human pet left us for twelve whole days. It was terrible to be quite honest, and if the human pet tells me she is headed off on another excursion any time soon, I may just throw myself off of a cliff and call it a day!

I blame no one but Isis for the heartache I suffered. It might not have been so bad if had she actually a) covered her poop with the litter like any normal feline, b) not used all the water to expand tampons, c) not ripped the innards from my throne and toss them everywhere, d) listened to every single word I said.

Food and litter changes were taken care of by a very nice human friend of the pet. He fed us daily and saw that the box was cleaned regularly. We're indebted to him for his kindness, even if Isis says she owes him nothing.

As for the housecleaning, it was an ordeal! In the end, I decided the only way to make sure everything was done properly was to do it myself. You can't trust Isis for anything. Sure, she seems so willing to help and do what needs to be done, but then you find her sunbathing by the window, bathing herself in the corner, or napping on the human pet's bed. She's completely lazy, and sometimes, I have no idea why we keep her here.

Have a question for Zeus, Isis, or Blackie? Leave it in the comments! By doing so, you'll be supporting our blogging efforts for the next 10 hours!

Want to make a donation to our cause? Click here!

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Don't believe those lies they say about me

Special note to the first-time reader: There is no offense meant by the listing of the following organizations. Mental illness is very real, and those that suffer from it deserve the best of care.

Dear Isis,

I know you're probably not as Zeus says you are, but would you be even LESS crazy if he let you blog once in a while and get everything out, and what about Blackie???????

Beau

Hello Beau,

Personally, I'm not sure where this whole notion of crazy comes from. Just look at what I do throughout the week:

Monday: Meet with Peace of Mind, a Western-Houston organization for those with OCD.
Tuesday: Meet with Schizophrenics Anonymous
Wednesday: Online support group for cyberphobia.
Thursday: Browse through articles on Mental Help Net
Friday: Meet with Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.

Saturday and Sunday are my off-days. I simply try to relax around the house and stay away from that fat ass, Zeus. As for letting me blog: He should just let me have my own blog, but he knows that if he did, all of my conspiracy theories would rise to the surface! He doesn't want to be exposed in such a way which is why he oppresses me so.

And Blackie...I don't even know about him.

ISIS

Have a question for Zeus, Isis, or Blackie? Leave it in the comments! By doing so, you'll be supporting our blogging efforts for the next 11 hours!

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No bebere absolutamente eso!

Dear Zeus,

Has your pet tried the new coffee flavored Coke?

Sammy and Miles Meezer

Dear Sammy and Miles,

No, she has not, and she will not. She says that's blasphemous to combine two elixirs of life into one steaming pile of crap. Clearly, as always, she's a bit melodramatic over the whole thing.

Have a question for Zeus, Isis, or Blackie? Leave it in the comments! By doing so, you'll be helping our blogging efforts for the next 11 hours!

Want to make a donation to our cause? Click here!

Flea Games, Chapter 3: Sing-along

Previous Chapter(s):

A discordant song pounded through the house, and its screeching melody slammed into the ears of the ginger tabby snoring loudly on the loveseat. Zeus languidly stretched and scanned his surroundings. The song sounded familiar, but the brash notes made his stomach lurch.

Leaping off of his resting place, the tabby padded down the hall and immediately was caught off guard on his right as the slamming, shrill voice of his sister screaming in the den smacked him in the face:

"HeY tHeRe DeliLAH,
Don't YOU worry aBouT the DIStance
I'm riGhT tHeRe if you get LOnely
Give tHiS song ANother LiSteN
Close YOur eyeS
LiSteN to MY voice it's MY disguise
I'm BY your SiDe

OHHH it's what YOU do to Meeeeeee"

"Isis, for the love of all that's holy, stop it!"

Jostled from her nostalgia, the silver and gold calico jumped off of the window ledge on which she had been perched and turned quickly to face the door of the den. Annoyed, she snapped, "I'll sing if I want to sing! I can do what I want!"

"You could, but not at the expense of my ears," Zeus replied.

"Oh? You know what you are? You're just a -"

Just then, the tiniest sound waves ruffled the light hairs on the inside of Zeus' ears, causing the fur along his back to stand on end.

"Quiet!" Zeus turned his attention to the door on his left. The noise was coming from inside. "I hear something coming from the garage."

Isis tip-toed towards Zeus and sat beside him, cocking her head to one side as she listened. Lowering her voice, Isis whispered nervously, "Is it me, or does that sound like a chant?"

Narrowing his eyes, Zeus nodded and with a backwards glance at his sister, he pushed the pet door flap forward and entered into the darkness.

I won! I won!

The winner of the I Found A Picture Of You! contest is...

ME!!!

Thank you for donating $10.00 to The Humane Society of the United States, Blogathon!

Here's my entry in case you missed it.

Want to make a donation to our cause? Click here!

I got so much love to give...

Dear Zeus,

It seems I have become a chick magnet. I already have 2 girlfriends, 2 "little sisters" and more wannabes. How does one handle all this, especially being a Christian cat???

Beau

Dear Beau,

I have several thoughts on this question, and among those thoughts would be jealousy. Share the love! Help a brothah out! Don't be so selfish!

Honestly, though, I do not see the big deal in seeing more than one femme feline at one time, even if you are a Christian cat. After all: Didn't God say "to go forth and multiply"? Didn't He also say, "Love thy neighbor as thyself"? And let's not forget the ultimate Bible quote for a situation such as your's: "Hope deferred maketh the heart sick."

Really, Beau: I wish I had your so-called "problem". Let me know if you need me to handle it for you. I'd be glad to assist you.

Have a question for Zeus, Isis, or Blackie? Leave it in the comments! By doing so, you'll help our blogging efforts for the next 12 hours!

Want to make a donation to our cause? Click here!

Picasso, eat your heart out!

The second game hosted by Blogathon headquarters is entitled I Found A Picture Of You! Participants were asked to submit any kind of self-portrait: photos, artwork, or whatever one could imagine. I decided to pick up my set of colored pencils, and while sitting on the counter of the bathroom sink, I crafted my masterpiece:

The winner, chosen at random, wins $10.00 towards sponsorship of his or her charity.

Clearly, that self-portrait deserves highest honors considering I had no opposable thumbs to work with!

Want to donate to our cause? Click here!

Fundraiser update!

As of 6:30 pm CST, we have raised $270.02 for The Humane Society of the United States! That's completely amazing! Thank you so much to everyone who has already donated!

If you haven't made a contribution yet, there's still plenty of time left to get them in for the Blogathon. Simply click here to support our blogging efforts. There is no minimum or maximum donation, so give as little or as much as your heart allows!

Let the games begin!

Blogathon headquarters has launched its first game of the evening: A Pretty Poem For You. Participants are to write a poem about the Blogathon. It can be any form of poetry, and since I love haikus, here is my entry:

Blogathon rocks on.
Posts, comments, and donations.
A win-win for all.

The winner receives $20.00 for sponsorship towards his or her chosen charity.

So what do you think? Should I win?

Want to make a donation to our cause? Click here!

Cheatin' Schmeatin'!

Hi, Zeus!

How's the blogothingy goin? Is it cheatin to type up a bunch of posts, then haf yur pet post them efurry half hour while you nap? Will Isis help you wif sum posts? Purrs!

Victor Tabbycat

Dear Victor,

In special circumstances such as mine where biological functions conflict with the very essence of the Blogathon, my human pet is allowed to post for me. Clearly, it would be speciest to not allow me some accommodation in this regard. I am grateful to the kind people at Blogathon headquarters for being so open-minded.

As for Isis...

Isis is currently stretching on the den's windowsill, observing the squirrels in the front yard. She has begun 'barking' at them, chittering and chippering in a language only the two of them share. I do believe this might mark the end of the only small bit of sanity she has left. I, however, will try to see what I can do since I am known to be so ~~manipulative~~ kind.

Have a question for Zeus, Isis, or Blackie? Leave it in the comments! By doing so, you will support our blogging efforts for the next 14 hours!

Want to make a donation to our cause? Click here!

Grab the Kleenex

Dear Zeus,

Does your human pet know Phil two-timed her by dating someone who had previously been on one of his islands? (Mom was heartbroken too, but decided he wasn't worth it.)

Beau

Dear Beau,

Now she does.

Thanks a lot.

She's bawling her eyes out.

Sigh...

Have a question for Zeus, Isis, or Blackie? Leave it in the comments! By doing so, you will be supporting our blogging efforts for the next 15 hours!

Want to make a donation to our cause? Click here!

Shout out!

Morgen and all of the crew of Purrchance to Dream have been spreading the word about my efforts for The Humane Society for Blogathon 2007. You can check out the post here.

Thank you so much for supporting me in this cause!

Want to make a donation to support my blogging efforts? Click here!

The tools for success

Dear Zeus,

We are wondering how you and the Human Pet are dealing with the lack of concentrated nap time? Good luck and keep blogging.

We love the SPCA as we hypnotized our human pets into adopting us at the SPCA. It just took some eye gazing and purrs.

Mookie and Chaiyah

Dear Mookie and Chaiyah,

Perhaps three photos will suffice to answer your question:

Coffee and lots of it...

Diet Coke for the pet, Coke for me...

Smokes for the pet...

I'd do some catnip by this point, but I think I would pass out for sure. I must persevere!

Have a question for Zeus, Isis, or Blackie? Leave it in the comments! By doing so, you'll support our blogging efforts for the next 16 hours!

Want to make a donation to our cause? Click here!

A pet's broken heart

Hi Zeus,

We are just stopping by to wish you well and say HI! Oh, we has a question: Does Phil Keogan from The Amazing Zeus still have a "thing" for your human pet?

Sammy and Miles Meezer

Dear Sammy and Miles,

I long suspected there was some tension between my good friend, Phil, and my human pet. After all: Every time the human pet saw Phil, she became a totally different person, passing out more often than not. One could not help but notice the way her eyes shimmered or how her cheeks became flush when she heard his knock on the door.

Though there may have been sparks in the beginning, they did not last. Shortly after The Amazing Zeus (see my Links' heading for all of the stories!) was canceled, Phil broke contact with me, and as a result, with my human pet as well. She was devastated! He never called. He never wrote. She had hoped that he would invite her to come along with him on The Amazing Race: All-Stars, but that was nothing more than a pipe dream.

I would be lying if I said I was not hurt by the fact that my human pet was abandoned. However, I know Phil is a busy man with many demands placed upon him, and I am sure he had not meant to intentionally break my pet's heart. It's just sad, though, to see her reduced to such a sniffling, weeping, moaning mess.

Have a question for Zeus, Isis, or Blackie? Leave it in the comments! By doing so, you'll support our blogging efforts for the next 16 hours!

Want to make a donation for our cause? Click here!

Zeus can do eeeet!

[Received via email:]

Wassup Zeus,

I heard you were in need of some encouragement for your Blogathon. I'm sending you this videoclip to help keep you motivated:

Remember: You can do eeeet! You can do eeeet all night long!

Craaky

Dear Craaky,

Thank you for the videoclip! I suppose Adam Sandler's portrayal of an unlikely football hero who overcomes a speech impediment, is faithful to his mama, and wins the girl's heart in the end is just about as motivating as it can get. I feel tremendously inspired now!

Have a question for Zeus, Isis, or Blackie? Leave it in the comments! By doing so, you'll help our blogging efforts for the next 17 hours!

Want to make a donation for our cause? Click here!

Flea Games, Chapter 2: Harbali

Previous Chapter(s):

Chapter One

Harbali had grown up in the usual fashion under the usual circumstances. His mother, being a vivacious flea, had already given birth five times previously by the time of his conception, and as a result, his egg was nothing spectacular. Hatched in the bed of a scruffy and unkempt German Shepherd, his fifteen brothers and four sisters had eagerly devoured leftover bits of feces, growing in fervor, while listening to the teachings of Flallah pronounced by the elder flea scholars. Even as they spun their cocoons, the message of salvation penetrated their every thoughts.

A week had passed in the silken nest, and as the vibrations grew louder, Harbali knew it was time to emerge from his slumber. He fiercely broke through the tender lining and found the ample paws of the unsuspecting canine. Leaping into his transformation, he left his childhood behind and clung to the hairs of the front paw before him, wiggling onto the skin and sinking his tube-like mouth into the flesh. The rich blood passed through him as if it were an elixir of life. Never had anything tasted so good.

When his host decided to run away from home two days later, Harbali was an innocent passenger along for the ride. Tossed to and fro on the back of the German Shepherd, he had clung to both skin and hairs, wondering what mission Flallah had sent him towards, trusting that all would be well. As destiny would have it, he had lost his grip as the canine rushed through a neighboring yard and was flung through the air onto a paved driveway.

Groping about, Harbali pricked his minuscule flea ears, and at once, was met with the sounds of devotion coming directly in front of him. Instinctively drawn to the beautiful noise, he crept along the driveway, sneaking under the garage door, and officially arrived at the headquarters of the radical flea extremist sect known as Flarul Flislam. The multitude of flea brethren welcomed him with open legs, and immediately, a sense of fate washed over Harbali.

Little did he know, though, that this was also the house of one classic American ginger tabby and one officially insane diluted calico, or as Flarul Flislam referred to them as, "the infidels of the West".

Become one with the blog, you must

Hi Zeus!!

Wow 24 hours blogging? I don't think I could do that I nap too much. But I do have a question. When and why did you start blogging?

Pixel

Dear Pixel,

The story of when and why I started blogging is one for the ages. You see, long ago, in a galaxy far, far away on the swamp planet of Dagobah, under the tutoring of Master Yoda, I found I was strong in the ways of The Force. Under Master Yoda's careful eye, I learned how to lift large objects such as blasters, portable missile launchers, and droid starfighters. However, such chicanery was not enough for Yoda, and he proceeded to instruct me in the secret Jedi art of blogging. Though I remain his apprentice eternally, I aim to bring pride to my Master.

Why do I get the impression you do not believe me?

Have a question for Zeus, Isis, or Blackie? Leave it in the comments! By doing so, you'll help support our blogging efforts for the next 18 hours!

Want to make a donation? Click here!

The Cat Blogosphere

If you're new to the world of cat blogging (and yes, I said 'world' as in expansive, gigantic, and even immense!), then you may not be aware of just how many fabulous blogs exist in this genre. There are literally squillions!

Squillion: [skw-ell-yun], noun: An imaginary high number. Can refer to any amount such as five pieces of candy, hundreds of emails, or even a billion friends depending on the user.

To keep up with all of the latest news, check out The Cat Blogosphere. Participants help fellow cat bloggers in times of need, provide advice as to how handle pesky feline problems, and let's not forget to mention all the parties and contests they host! Consider this site the beginnings of Feline World Domination!

A very special thank you to the fine kitties at The Cat Blogosphere for spreading the word concerning my efforts today! I appreciate it! You can check out the write-up here.

Scribblings of tiny ninjas

I have been honored with a sketching by cazzie of Way of the Scribbling Ninja!

I think this is supposed to be her concept of my human pet in the horrid costume I was made to wear for Halloween last year. Is it just me, or does this sketching make my pet look cuter than me? Sigh...

If you would like to encourage cazzie in her Blogathon efforts, simply visit her blog and request your own sketching. I am sure she will be happy to oblige you!

Recovering carbonated kitty water-oholic

Dear Zeus,

Ok so actually, we has like a squillion questions for you - but this one is weighing heavily on our mind - Has Blackie gotten help for his carbonated kitty water problem? If so, what step in the process is he on?

Sammy and Miles Meezer

Hello Sammy and Miles!

Zeus informed me of your question, and I am proud to say the following:

Hello. My name is Blackie, and I am a recovering carbonated kitty water-oholic.

It has taken me some time to get to where I am now. I had to first admit that I had a problem. This was not easy for me, but I think my wake-up call came on that fateful morning when I found myself in bed beside Mom. Talk about awkward moments! She opened a groggy eye and screamed when she saw me laying there. The next few moments after that are a bit hazy, but if I remember correctly, I was thrown clear across the room while shouts of, "How the hell did you get in here?" rang out throughout the house.

I moved quickly into step two of the process: Being willing to seek help from someone outside of my situation. At first, I was a bit unsure of who to ask. I consulted with various online sources, watched several episodes of A&E's Intervention, and I even attempted to speak with Mom about placing a lock on the refrigerator. (That last one didn't really go over well as I don't think she even knew I was speaking to her.) Nonetheless, I realized quickly I had only one feline to turn to in my time of need, and it was this awakening that propelled me into step three: asking for help.

I had asked Zeus if he would aid me in my battle against the seductive forces of the carbonated kitty water, and help me he did as only a true friend could. His brilliant plan of making me consume thirty cans of Keystone Light in one sitting did the trick. There's nothing quite more revolting than "worshiping the porcelain god" (Zeus taught me that line!) and watching yourself degenerate into a worthless pile of ceramic.

Currently, I am on step four: attempting to take inventory of myself with more honesty and clarity. I am working on discovering the source of my addiction and figuring out my strengths and weaknesses. Though I have not come to any tremendous breakthrough in this regard, I feel it is only a matter of time before I do so. Please keep me in your prayers as I need all the help I can get.

Sincerely,

BLACKIE

Have a question you would like to ask Zeus, Isis, or Blackie? Leave it in the comments! By doing so, you'll help our blogging efforts for the next 19 hours!

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Flea Games, Chapter 1: The calm before the storm

Fighting terrorism is like being a goalkeeper. You can make a hundred brilliant saves but the only shot that people remember is the one that gets pasts you.
Paul Wilkinson - British scholar

A pale beam of light underscored the garage door, allowing only the smallest glimpse into the oppressive darkness. In the far reaches of the left corner, behind a stacked pile of red bricks from the previous owner of the establishment, a covert meeting of religious significance was being held. Thousands of fleas had assembled for the daily rites to Flallah, laying down their rugs in proper order and arranging themselves for the initial opening prayers.

In the back of the congregation, two fleas casually approached one another, nodding in recognition of the other. Had fleas been blessed with eyes, their's would have shown with purpose.

Leaning over, the taller of the two whispered, "Is everything ready?"

The shorter one nodded. "Flallah willing, this coup will be a tremendous success."

"Tomorrow then," the taller one stated. "We will light this House aflame."

With that, the two set their prayer rugs on the ground and began their devotions for the mission set out before them.