We recently went to see the Jane Campion film, “Bright Star,” about the short lived and extremely emotional romance between poet John Keats and Fanny Brawne, the girl next door.  While the images in the movie were breathtaking to behold–fields of shimmering blue flowers, white winter days, and butterflies dancing on linen bed sheets rumpled by afternoon sunshine–the surprising hit of the film for me was Jane Campion’s 17-year-old cat, Topper, who stole every scene he was in.

Topper, a black and white tuxedo kitty, was, in the film, featured as a member of the Brawne family, jumping into laps for a back scratch, rubbing his head against hands and books, and generally drawing your attention to his purring feline form every time he entered a scene. I had to laugh out loud at his veiled look of contempt as he was carried by Fanny’s sister, Toots, into their new home. Yes, he would let her carry him in such an undignified manner (not befitting a cat of his status), but he did not have to like it.

The scene with Topper leaping at the window to bat at a butterfly in a room filled with the delicate, brightly colored creatures is just gorgeous.  Abbie Cornish, who plays Fanny Brawne, remarked that her reproach of, “No, Topper,” to stop the cat from killing a butterfly was not written into the script.  Topper jumped for a butterfly and she just reacted, but the scene was left in with Topper again receiving all of the attention. I found I wasn’t even watching the actors when the cat was on the screen.

The funniest part, however, was that Topper was listed in the credits along with all the other performers.  He got his very own line at the end of the film: The Cat Topper.

I love period pieces with the costumes and romantic misty English country sides (I admit to a Bridget Jones’ obsession Mr. Darcy). This movie, with its intense sadness and pathos over a great talent lost too soon, was given some relief from the overpowering emotions by the addition of a friendly feline who lightened the mood by doing what cats do best–just being a cat. Bravo, Topper.

Because I could not find a photo of Topper the cat, I chose a beautiful scene from the movie.

We love Yesterday’s News.  We used it for our one and only rescue rabbit, Jackson Jefferson (aka Bunny Foo Foo), because it was the only litter suitable for a bunny.  After J.J. was adopted, we still had some of the litter left over and the cats would seek out the litter pan with the Yesterday’s News first.

Yesterday’s News is sponsoring a contest for cat owners or any “do-gooder” who cares about the environment.  Simply go to their web site: http://www.YesterdaysNews.com/DoGooder/Contest/ to enter the contest.  All you have to do is a submit an essay of 300 words or less (not so easy to do for us chatter box writers) describing the steps you take and the choices you make to help: 1) Your cat (hey, we know you have tons of these), 2) Your home, or 3) The environment. One winner will be picked from each category.  If you win, a $15,000 cash award will go to your favorite pet shelter/rescue group. You will get $5,000 and a year’s supply of Yesterday’s News.  For each entry, Yesterday’s News will also plant a tree on your behalf from the Arbor Day Foundation.

So go to the web site before October 23, 2009 and enter your do-gooder story.  And hey, we kept this under 300 words, so maybe we will enter, too!!

We recently signed up to be part of the Kroger Community Rewards program.  To help B and O receive funds from Kroger, all you need to do is register online and put in our NPO (84918) or our name.  Follow the instructions below to start helping us!!

TO USE THE KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM:

• Simply register online at krogercommunityrewards.com
• Be sure to have your Kroger Plus card handy and register your card with Black and Orange Cat Foundation, NPO 84918 after you sign up.
• If you do not yet have a Kroger Plus card, they are available at the customer service desk at any Kroger.
• Click on Sign In/Register
• If you are a new online customer, you must click on SIGN UP TODAY in the ‘New Customer?’ box.
• Sign up for a Kroger Rewards Account by entering your zip code, clicking on your favorite store, entering your email address and creating a password, agreeing to the terms and conditions
• You will then get a message to check your email inbox and click on the link within the body of the email.
• Click on My Account and use your email address and password to proceed to the next step.
• Click on Edit Kroger Community Rewards information and input your Kroger Plus card number.
• Update or confirm your information.
• Enter NPO number 84918 or Black and Orange Cat Foundation, select Black and Orange Cat Foundation from the list and click on confirm.
• To verify you are enrolled correctly, you will see Black and Orange Cat Foundation’s name on the right side of your information page.
• REMEMBER, purchases will not count for B and O until after you register your card(s).
• Do you use your phone number at the register?  Call 877-576-7587 to get your Kroger Plus card number.
• Members must swipe their registered Kroger Plus card or use the phone number that is related to their registered Kroger Plus card when shopping for each purchase to count.