One can hardly believe that Frank is 15 years old by looking at him. But he's doing very well, because David has the habits of a responsible caregiver. He watches out for Frank, and Frankie watches out for him, waiting at the front door every night until David comes home from work. Although Frankie, as David calls him affectionately, is not a lap cat, he does enjoy sleeping next to his dad, but insists on a clean towel to sleep on, and will glare until the clean towel is provided. But, oh no, Frank is not spoiled at all.

While Frank's markings are more like a bicolor than a tuxedo, all black and white cats are fair game in the Tuxedo Cats Show and Tell Gallery. Read more of Frank's story, and be sure to click through the links to see a great photo of Frank sleeping on his clean white towel.

More Cat Pictures of the Week | More Tuxedo Cats

Monday, May 28th is the official date for Memorial Day this year, when we commemorate the men and women who have died in the military service. While respecting and honoring the original meaning of this holiday, many Americans have expanded it to include honoring the memories of other loved ones. And for pet lovers, many of us include our dogs and cats in our memories, thoughts, and prayers, not only on Memorial Day, but every day of the year.

Former Contributing Writer on Cat Behavior and now Guide to Puppies, Amy Shojai, wrote a relevant article around this time in 2010. Memorializing Cats, is both touching and timely to this occasion. Amy wrote, "Memorial Day celebrates the loved ones we've lost, and I hope it's not too much of a stretch to include our furry family members. Most pets won't outlive their owners, making the short time we share with them even more precious."

Amy's cat, Seren(dipity), at 15 has already lived more than half of her projected normal life span, which makes their time together even more precious. With these thoughts in mind, Amy shares examples of making a loving decision; ways to memorialize lost pets, and the ultimate means of creating a legacy of your lost cat by adopting another. You may think, "I don't want another cat," but the time will come, I absolutely guarantee.

Read This Article | Read Cat Memorials | Write a Memorial

I'll be working again with the CATalyst Council this month to encourage the adoption of cats during American Humane's Adopt-a-Cat month. As the ASPCA observes June as Adopt a Shelter Cat Month, my primary focus again will be on the adoption of shelter and rescue cats, with an emphasis on senior cats and those with special needs.

In my experience, adopted shelter cats and cats from rescues make the very best lifelong companions. Shelter cats may be facing a death sentence, or languish in a cage for months on end. The odds are in favor of the cute kittens, but while they may readily find homes, the older cats are often left in the shadows. They may be the ones you'll see gazing forlornly from the back corner of their cages, or sometimes thrusting a hopeful paw through the cage bars as you pass by.

If you could not resist one of these cats, and found your own furry bundle of unconditional love, please share your Adopted Shelter Cats Success Story. Let's all pitch in to help make the adoption of shelter cats go viral!
Photo Credit: © Andreana Irvin

Pet Food Recalls foment feelings of fear, panic, sorrow, and hundreds of questions from dog and cat caregivers who are worried about their pets. My heart sinks whenever I get an email notice of a new pet food recalled, not only for my own cats, but from the knowledge that researching to keep on top of it will have to take priority over everything else. One of my fears was realized with the most recent Diamond Pet Food Recalls, when I received three emails from Amazon.com informing me that two cat foods I had been buying online had been recalled: Taste of the Wild Venison and Salmon dry food and Natural Balance Green Pea and Chicken. I had ordered the TOTW twice, which accounted for the three notices. Because I knew of the dangers of Salmonellosis, especially to someone with a compromised immune system, I took all the precautions indicated in discarding what was left of the Taste of the Wild, and double-bagged it in a plastic grocery bag before putting it into the trash. I did not discard the Natural Balance, and my cats continue to enjoy it, as will be explained in the linked article.
Photo Credit: © Franny Syufy

More About Pet Food Recalls

• FDA List of Recalled Pet Foods
• Diamond Refund Protocol
• FDA Preliminary Report: Diamond Pet Foods Factory Inspection