What’s up with grumpy, angry cats?

Browsing through the Internet, I ran across the new sensation in cat stardom: Angry Cat is challenging Grumpy Cat for celebrity status. They are now referred to “animalebrities.” I know, that isn’t a word. It’s a made-up combination of animal plus celebrity. I think that animaleberity spells money, big money.

Tardar Sauce, aka Grumpy Cat, has raked in more than $100 million the past year with merchandise, movies and her latest product, Grumppuccino. The reason cats are billed as grumpy or angry is because cats don’t have the muscles in their faces to smile.

I have to admit that the photos of Garfi, the angriest cat in the world, are pretty cute. He is a beautiful orange Persian cat. You can check out his photo album at Imgur.com/gallery/m6klf. I’m anxious to see if he can unseat Grumpy Cat for the title of most paid animalebrity. I know that Hello Kitty has made $5 billion a year, not exactly chump change.

Growing up in a world without the Internet, I developed a fondness for the characters that graced the Sunday comics, cartoons and comic books. I vividly remember Tom and Jerry, Krazy Kat, Sylvester, Felix, Garfield and Hobbes. Actually, I still enjoy some of the cat characters of my youth. Who doesn’t like Bucky B. Katt?

The thing I find most interesting is the fact that humans cannot resist assigning animals human emotions. From Sylvester and Tweetie to Grumpy Cat, we use our animal friends as a way to express ourselves. Suffering succotash, as Sylvester use to say, we are partners in this dance of life, grumpy or not.

WHO’S WHO AT CAPS?

Teresa Summers has been with CAPS for the past 23 years. I was told by one of the volunteers that Teresa goes beyond the call of duty and takes on many extended duties that definitely don’t fit in her job description. She is a godsend, and we wish we could clone her. When I spoke to Teresa, she just laughed and told me that her love of the animals drives her desire to find a “happy-ever-after” for each and every animal. We salute Teresa for her dedication and love of animals. CAPS certainly found their “happy-ever-after” director.

WHO’S NEW AT THE CAPS ZOO?

This week’s pet personalities are Rizzoli and Isles. Both are beautiful gray female tabbies. They have had their first shots and will be ready to enjoy life with a family in another week. Don’t miss a chance to meet these purrfect girls. (This article was written before Rizzoli and Isles were adopted together. We’re sorry they’re not available for you but so happy they found their happy-ever-after.) However, we also have five kitties: two white, one dark orange and two buff tabbies. They are all adorable fluff balls of fun. Come for a visit and check out the kitty circus. CAPS’ policy, however, prohibits adopting out puppies or kittens under the age of six months to a home with children under five years of age. This is to protect both the children and the animal.

CAPS NEWS AND EVENTS

CAPS will be at Walmart tomorrow with our Kissin’ Booth and Ki. He’s ready and willing to pucker up for his fans. CAPS also has new designs of hoodies, shirts and other items for you or your honey.

Flower Tree Nursery is raffling a 15-gallon Prairie-Fire crab apple tree. The raffle tickets are available at Flower Tree, and they are $1 for one ticket and $5 for six tickets. Be sure to get your tickets soon. The drawing date will be announced later, and the winner doesn’t have to be present to win.

Be sure to mark Saturday, May 9, on your calendars for our annual Bark in the Park 5K walk/run, which will be held in honor of David Martinez. The first 100 to cross the finish line will receive a medal. Bark in the Park will be at the fairgrounds. Complete details are available on the CAPS website.

CAPS’ mailing address is P.O. Box 5128, Fallon, NV 89406. CAPS’ phone number is 775-423-7500. Please visit the CAPS website (www.capsnv.org) and Facebook page (Churchill Animal Protection Society). Be sure to “Like” CAPS on Facebook because we are really likable.

Do you have questions, comments or a great story? Contact me jkwmil@outlook.com.

Kathleen Williams-Miller, a CAPS volunteer, contributed this week’s column.