Who was Julius Caesar?

Did you know July is named after Julius Caesar? What do you know about this man other than being the lover of Cleopatra? (Interesting trivia note: Ma’s second cat’s name was Cleopatra!).

Some people believe that Julius was born by an operation (cutting through his mother’s abdomen whereas he was cut out from his mother’s uterus) hence why today we call this type of operation a Caesarean.

If you did not know that legend, then maybe when you read his name, you think of salad. Let me tell you that the delicious Caesar Salad is NOT named after Julius, but after the Italian-American chef, Caesar Cardini.  This other Caesar invented the salad in 1924 in Tijuana, Mexico.

Julius Caesar did NOT invent the salad nor was it named after him. He did, however, create political and social reform in Rome, although controversial at the time, it had a positive effect.

His reform included: initiation of land redistribution among the poor and land reform for veterans, he improved the calendar (Caesar is responsible for the year as we know it having 365 days, and for the existence of a leap year every four years), he created a police force, and abolished the tax system. Despite all of his good intentions, Caesar was assassinated - stabbed twenty-three times - the result of a scheme by some Roman senators.

After Julius Caesar was killed, Quintilis, his birth month, was renamed July.

We do hope you enjoyed this little history lesson and that your first week of July was terrific. Around here there were firework displays Thursday through Saturday, and I am happy to report that the noise did not scare Pasqua at all. Another first for Pasqua. Because he was so brave, I, too, put up a good front, and did not hide during all of the racket.

Stay safe and happy.

Purr & Paw,

-Stivali.

No one is so brave that he is not disturbed by something unexpected. – Julius Caesar.

Happy July!

Dear Readers, 

We are so happy that it is July. Sunshine means sun puddles. Summer means longer days, which means more light to light our lives! We are so happy!

We are getting along fabulously. On occasion, Pasqua Scheggiare gets a little too rambunctious, but one fine swat of my paw on his head and he behaves again. It is like magic!

We are doing really well with demands. We have purrfected: 

• sit
• jump/up
• paw
• give me five

We are still working on 'fetch' - one which Pasqua did continuously but has recently become less enchanted with it. Haha!

Pasqua is quite the snuggler and he has a permanent spot next to mamma when she relaxes on the sofa. I don't join them very often because it is not fun for me to share mamma with Pasqua. I get envious and angry. 

This week, our country celebrates with fireworks and barbecues. I hope there are not too many fireworks nearby because they scare me. I know we are not under attack, but it sure sounds and feels like we are. I typically retreat to under the bed during such scary times. 

If you are wondering why there are celebrations here this week - it is to honor when the thirteen colonies claimed their independence from England on July 4, 1776.  This eventually led to the formation of the United States, so Americans celebrate this historic event on the fourth of July, also referred to as Independence Day.

Have a wonderful week, Everyone, and Happy Independence Day to all who celebrate it! 

Purr & Paw,

-Stivali. 

“I believe in America because we have great dreams, and because we have the opportunity to make those dreams come true.” – Wendell L. Wilkie.

Stress and Anxiety are my middle names - Stivali.

Today is the day Americans celebrate independence. They use loud noise makers and fire off firecrackers.  They scare the hell outta me.

I, Stivali, have severe anxiety and I get stressed out very easily.

My mamma got me a pheromone collar to wear, and she changed it every 30 days for about a year. My behavior did not change much, so she stopped making me wear it.

My mamma also got me pheromone diffusers. Her friend, Lisa, recommended them as she had great success using them with her kitties.  The diffusers offered some support of my anxiety, and mamma diligently changed all four of them every 30 days for over a year.  She finally gave up on them since my anxiety did not lessen enough to substantiate the cost.

Is your kitty or dog anxious?  What do you do to help ease their anxiety?  Any recommendations you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

If your cat or dog has anxiety, please make sure they stay in doors tonight during the Independence Day celebrations.  Keep all your windows shut, and put your radio or television on to drown out some of the exterior sounds.

Stay safe, Everyone, and be sure to hug your pet tight each day. ❤ 

Purr & Paw,
-Stivali.