The ASPCA will be handing out 10 Humane Awards on October 29, reports USA Today. Among the recipients are law-enforcement agents involved in the largest dog-fighting raid ever; a couple whose ranch is now a sanctuary to about 70 animals; and, of course, Nora the Piano-Playing Cat, the ASPCA's 2009 Cat of the Year.
Wait, what? The mewing musician isn't being rewarded for her mad musical skills (although she's better at tickling the ivories than some of us here at Paw Nation), but for the way she's raised the profile of shelter pets. You see, shelter pets aren't just sad, furry faces waiting to be rescued. They're animals with lovable personalities and talents, and Nora is proof. You just never know who's going to steal your heart (and maybe the spotlight) at your local shelter or rescue!
Check out the ASPCA Website for a full list of 2009 Humane Award winners.
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I thought Nora the playing cat was soooooo cute. I have 4 cats and 1 cocker spaniel.
This cat is awesome!!!!!!!!!! there are parts of this video where you can stp and watch the cat listen to whats going on and then jump to the root and look up to say he was happy and excited he found it!!!! That's something like saying that that might be testable proof that animals can develop an ear by matching tones. the cat played short non-sensicals phrases, but the point is is that they are phrases nontheless. this cat certainly deserves the award. rock on NORA!!!
Bravo! Bravo!
What a nice way to awaken people to the value of animals.
I TOTALLY AGREE!!!!!!
I never get tired of watching this video. Cats are truly amazing!!!
That's so cute are 2 orange cats had a total of 9 kittens.
Im coing to teach it play the trombone LOL
This cat is a true treasure...but, we had a true "HERO" with our sweet Gizmo who came with the house my Daughter & Son-in-law had bought one summer. When it came time for them to fire up their furnace little did they know the house was filling up with Carbon Monoxide. Gizmo alerted them by setting on April's chest and needing his paws and licking her face until he woke her enough to where she knew something was wrong. She woke her husband and said Dave something is wrong...they both got up and got the kids out of the house. Meantime they dialed 911 and the Fire Dept. came out. When they got there they used a meter to see how much Carbon Monoxide was in the house. The levels were so high they told them another 10 minutes in there and the whole family would not have made it out alive. From that point on the cat that Dave did not want became his friend...when it came time for the favor to be returned and Giz became sick Dave told April to do whatever it took to save his life because if any cat deserved to live it was Giz. April took Giz to the vet...they gave him a shot and by the next morning he was no better and had worsened. She then took him to the vet again the next morning and they suggested she rush him into a vet in Illinois because his body temp was dropping dramatically. She got him there and there could be nothing more done for our beloved Gizmo...our hero to the end. I will miss this cat...he was my best buddy when he would hear my voice he would come running and you can bet he would stay in my lap for the most of the time I would be at their house. He was not only my Grandkitty he was and forever will be the greatest Hero everknown for saving my daughters family of 4. If not for him they would all be gone from our lives. R.I.P. Gizzy-mo-mo you will be forever in our hearts.
Rest in Peace little Gizmo. If only people realized that animals have hearts and souls just like we do, and if tested are often capable of acts of true courage and compassion. I hope you will open your home and your heart to a new "grandkitty" - there are so many without homes, all with their own little personalities and potentials. I have 5, one of which I "loaned" to my parents to help them get over the grief of losing their cat suddenly to cancer at a young age. My cat, Weasel, was a therapy cat so she was OK with moving about a bit. Well, they fell totally in love with their grandcat and it was reciprocated, so needless to say, they never gave her back and Weasel was just fine having two people doting on her, rather than compete with 4 other cats for my attention! My parents are both well into their 80's now, and loving and caring for Weasel I swear has helped them keep alert and involved and young - even exercised! My dad goes up and down several flights of stairs several times a day to check on the whereabouts of his buddy! We call it the Weasel Senior Exercise Program!! Good luck with your next grandkitty. Who knows what abilities he or she will have? But you know one thing: she will love you back more than you love her.
RIP indeed, sweet Giz. Cats really are truly amazing. A year ago this month, I lost my 4 Babies (Lovie, Ling-Ling, Buddy & Rocky) in a house fire. Not that it was any comfort, but they did not burn, it was smoke inhalation. When my son brought me over to his house for that awful night, there was a tiny, black kitten just sitting there in the driveway. He came right to me, & hasn't left my side since. He is now a very spoiled, beautiful, sleek, long-haired, 20+ lb. Halloween kitty. He doesn't meow, he has always said 'Ma-Ma' when he wants my attention. Truly. Anyway, I have always thought that my Babies sent him to me that terrible night. It was their way of saying 'It's OK, Mom. We will always be here at the Rainbow Bridge, waiting for you. And we love you.' And I agree with Mary.. I hope you will be able to adopt a Grandkitty from a shelter very soon! Irene.
I truly think all animals are GREAT it is some of the owners that are bad . We had a cocker spaniel for about 14 years and in his passing I worried myself into a heart attack , he truly was a special friend . We also had a chocolate lab that grew up with casper and in his passing I think missing casper is what put him down . So keep Giz in your heart and soul and never forget him .
I read this on another web page. This moving story touched my heart then and tears began to flow....it had the same effect on me just now. I love animals. I have 3 cats I love very much. If anything ever happens to either of them...I would truly miss and still love them.
Blessings to your family and to your Hero, Gizzy (he is already in my heart too) forever.
Laura
poor gizmo...ur in all our hearts, and ur prob i heaven right now
SILLINESS, that is what I call my female feline when she is jumping the high jump on the top of the bathroom door, ticking my digits at night by nipping at my toes, or being very good and staying off the keyboard and using the litter box so well. She is a rescue from a Minneapolis florist that would have led a terrible existance otherwise. this is for all the near feral cats that need training and reentry too. Nora, You Rock.
How cute!!! Cat's they always seem to amaze you with the things they come up with.
Let me guess; she's playing ALLEY CAT from the early sixties. It's all piano.
LOVED THIS VIDEO!!! Up until a few weeks ago, I never cared for cats. That all changed when a stray who had roamed the neighborhood for 3 months and lived under my car won over my heart. She is such an affectionate little thing! She loves to sit on our lap at the computer and paw at the keys!!
I was never really a cat lover until recently. A feral cat had a litter of kittens in our pole building and I'm absolutely in love with the little guys. They are so cute and sweet and loving.
Nora should get Nobel Peace Prise for the great achievments in development of piano playing