New Video with Kit Casanova
Kit Casanova is becoming very popular around the world as more and more people see his videos and comment on his unique abilities to do tricks that are almost "unthinkable." Unfortunately this site will not let me download his latest video, but you can see it
if you go to www.kittytrainer.com. It's fantastic!
As many of you know, I send postcards to our troops in Iran and Iraq, many of which contain reassuring messages written by kids, adults, and me, too, whenever I can! Recipients are delighted with the cards, and yes, I've heard that some troops actually ARE comforted by the antics of this little guy as well as they messages they receive.
Anyone who would like to get involved with this project should send an email to Trisha@pottytalkbytoast.com.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Kit Casanova to be on Animal Planet This Fall!
Animal Planet sent a film crew to our home in Texas in April to film Kit Casanova jumping through hoops for our troops, walking on his leash, and other tricks. Click on following to see new video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLqyAz-kpew
Friday, October 17, 2008
Kit Casanova is making a movie!
Kit Casanova is making a movie!
Kit's talent, training, and personality have landed him a role in a new movie called Code Enforcer currently being filmed in Lakeway, TX. To learn more about the film, go to the following link: www.codeenforcermovie.com.
Kit is having a great time on the sets! He does as many "takes" as required, wears costumes, eats birthday cake, and digs in the dirt with a fellow actor--a dog!
The movie is well scripted and lots of fun!
Kit's talent, training, and personality have landed him a role in a new movie called Code Enforcer currently being filmed in Lakeway, TX. To learn more about the film, go to the following link: www.codeenforcermovie.com.
Kit is having a great time on the sets! He does as many "takes" as required, wears costumes, eats birthday cake, and digs in the dirt with a fellow actor--a dog!
The movie is well scripted and lots of fun!
Friday, August 15, 2008
Excitotoxins are very dangerous for humans and pets!
Excitotoxins: Dangerous additives in human and pet food!
By Trisha Yeager Menke
Trisha Yeager Menke and Kit Casanova
Excitotoxins) are chemical flavor enhancers found in most processed human foods—and nearly all pet foods. In many cases they are disguised as natural flavorings, spices, yeast extract, textured protein, soy protein extract, and other ingredients, Excitotoxins are very harmful to humans and animals. Documented research has revealed that excitotoxins destroy brain cells. ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, brain tumors, depression, and even rages and paranoia have been linked to excitotoxins.
The following are examples of excitotoxins: MSG (monosodium glutamate), Aspartame (Nutrasweet, Equal), hydrolyzed vegetable protein, and cysteine—although there are many more as well. Excitotoxins are added to human and pet foods and drinks in order to enhance the flavor of the food. Anxious to get you to buy more of their products, human and pet food companies often use highly concentrated forms of excitotoxins to enhance the flavor of the food.
Pet foods are highly competitive, and comprise a huge industry! I stumbled onto the fact that excitotoxins were widely used in cat treats when I was teaching Kit Casanova to jump through hoops. Of course I switched him to safe treats immediately!
Because of the huge threat of excitotoxins I never buy processed foods for myself or my family. In addition, I prepare Kit's food myself using raw ingredients supplemented with proper nutrients. I also use natural or homemade treats.
By Trisha Yeager Menke
Trisha Yeager Menke and Kit Casanova
Excitotoxins) are chemical flavor enhancers found in most processed human foods—and nearly all pet foods. In many cases they are disguised as natural flavorings, spices, yeast extract, textured protein, soy protein extract, and other ingredients, Excitotoxins are very harmful to humans and animals. Documented research has revealed that excitotoxins destroy brain cells. ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, brain tumors, depression, and even rages and paranoia have been linked to excitotoxins.
The following are examples of excitotoxins: MSG (monosodium glutamate), Aspartame (Nutrasweet, Equal), hydrolyzed vegetable protein, and cysteine—although there are many more as well. Excitotoxins are added to human and pet foods and drinks in order to enhance the flavor of the food. Anxious to get you to buy more of their products, human and pet food companies often use highly concentrated forms of excitotoxins to enhance the flavor of the food.
Pet foods are highly competitive, and comprise a huge industry! I stumbled onto the fact that excitotoxins were widely used in cat treats when I was teaching Kit Casanova to jump through hoops. Of course I switched him to safe treats immediately!
Because of the huge threat of excitotoxins I never buy processed foods for myself or my family. In addition, I prepare Kit's food myself using raw ingredients supplemented with proper nutrients. I also use natural or homemade treats.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Austin Monthly Magazine Pet Issue
Notice: The Austin Monthly Magazine will be doing a photo-story featuring Kit and Trisha in their July Pet Issue! Look for it on the stands or read the story on the Media Page of www.kittytrainer.com.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Cat jumps through hoops to honor troops
Owner says cats want to be trained and to train their humans
By Sarah Lindner
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFFFriday, February 29, 2008
Trisha Yeager Menke loves cats — she trains them and writes and books and articles about them. And, as the child of a military family, she's also an ardent supporter of U.S. troops. Now, with a little help from her feline friend Kit Casanova, she's combined both of these passions in an unusual service project.
Kit, you see, has a special talent: He can jump through a hoop suspended from the ceiling. Menke turned photos of the feline daredevil into 5,000 prestamped postcards. She's sending the cards to troops in Iraq to make it easier for them to keep in touch with the folks back home. To finance the project, Menke worked a second job.
Menke was nice enough to answer a few questions for us via e-mail. To see more of Kit in action, and follow links to learn more about Menke's work, visit http://kitcasanova.blogspot.com.
How did you get the idea to teach Kit to jump through a hoop?
I thought it would be fun, and Kit enjoyed it, too. I actually started him jumping through hoops when he was just a kitten, and he grew to love it more and more. As he got older, I hand-held the hoops higher and higher until finally I suspended one from the ceiling, and then gradually increased the jump trajectory to over 9 feet. I suspect I could coax him to jump even higher and farther, but right now it's fun for all of us — and anyone watching.
How hard (or easy) was it to teach him to do this?
It was easy. Cats are naturally athletic and love physical activity. They are not hard to train if you remember the basics: close bonding, consistency and respect for their emotional makeup — which is very much like that of humans. If we remember this and treat them as we would want to be treated, they train very easily. Positive reinforcement and treats are important. Homemade treats such as dried jerky are best since they don't contain artificial flavor enhancers and additives that are believed to cause health problems.
How long did it take you to raise the funds for this project?
It took me awhile since my main job is writing, publishing and marketing cat books and products. Since my business is just a little over a year old, it's not really in the black yet, so I took another job doing online tutoring to pay bills. It took me several months to save the money for the postcards and stamps. However, it is worth it. I grew up in a military family and have great respect for our troops and the sacrifices they make for us. I simply did what I could to show them my support for all they do for us.
Could you tell me a little more about Kit's background in general?
Kit was 2 years old at the end of January. He is trained to use the toilet, walk outside on a leash, wear cute shirts, sweaters and outfits, as well as sit and stay. He also rides in the kids' seat of a shopping cart, goes for walks in my backpack and will travel in the car. He's extremely friendly and companionable. I've never known a well-trained cat who wasn't, and I have trained many cats.
What would you tell people about cats that dispels their stereotypes (for example, that cats can't be trained)?
Many people fail to recognize and respond to the humanlike needs and traits of their pets. Cats are extremely intelligent, but to bring it out they need understanding, proper nutrition, play and creative stimulation. Sure, they'll simply sleep and eat when they're bored, just like humans do. They also get fat and can develop health problems from lack of activity. I enjoy physical games with Kit, and finding new ways to stimulate his activity and interest in life. He loves the ceiling hoop, and jumps through it many times a day! We both enjoy outings together, and sometimes I just turn on music and dance holding an ostrich feather or wand in my hand. He dances with me in his own way. My husband enjoys his company also.
I've had an unusual communication with animals since I was a small child. When I was 7, my little Bantam hen would push the door open every morning, walk in, locate me at the breakfast table, jump up and lay an egg in my lap. Nobody understood it. Because I love and respect animals so much, training cats came very naturally to me. Sure, I've developed specific techniques over time, and they work well. But most important, I think, is my respect and enjoyment of Kit has given me real insight. For example, I discovered that his desire to train me is equal to my own desire to train him. Here's just one small example: In the early evening, he will often jump onto my desk chair and nuzzle my neck. If I fail to respond, I will receive a small nip on the neck. Then, if I dare not respond, I get a bite on the fleshy part of my arm. I'm afraid some people would simply punish the cat or throw him into another room. I refuse to do that. I recognize that he respects my right to train him and vice versa!
Owner says cats want to be trained and to train their humans
By Sarah Lindner
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFFFriday, February 29, 2008
Trisha Yeager Menke loves cats — she trains them and writes and books and articles about them. And, as the child of a military family, she's also an ardent supporter of U.S. troops. Now, with a little help from her feline friend Kit Casanova, she's combined both of these passions in an unusual service project.
Kit, you see, has a special talent: He can jump through a hoop suspended from the ceiling. Menke turned photos of the feline daredevil into 5,000 prestamped postcards. She's sending the cards to troops in Iraq to make it easier for them to keep in touch with the folks back home. To finance the project, Menke worked a second job.
Menke was nice enough to answer a few questions for us via e-mail. To see more of Kit in action, and follow links to learn more about Menke's work, visit http://kitcasanova.blogspot.com.
How did you get the idea to teach Kit to jump through a hoop?
I thought it would be fun, and Kit enjoyed it, too. I actually started him jumping through hoops when he was just a kitten, and he grew to love it more and more. As he got older, I hand-held the hoops higher and higher until finally I suspended one from the ceiling, and then gradually increased the jump trajectory to over 9 feet. I suspect I could coax him to jump even higher and farther, but right now it's fun for all of us — and anyone watching.
How hard (or easy) was it to teach him to do this?
It was easy. Cats are naturally athletic and love physical activity. They are not hard to train if you remember the basics: close bonding, consistency and respect for their emotional makeup — which is very much like that of humans. If we remember this and treat them as we would want to be treated, they train very easily. Positive reinforcement and treats are important. Homemade treats such as dried jerky are best since they don't contain artificial flavor enhancers and additives that are believed to cause health problems.
How long did it take you to raise the funds for this project?
It took me awhile since my main job is writing, publishing and marketing cat books and products. Since my business is just a little over a year old, it's not really in the black yet, so I took another job doing online tutoring to pay bills. It took me several months to save the money for the postcards and stamps. However, it is worth it. I grew up in a military family and have great respect for our troops and the sacrifices they make for us. I simply did what I could to show them my support for all they do for us.
Could you tell me a little more about Kit's background in general?
Kit was 2 years old at the end of January. He is trained to use the toilet, walk outside on a leash, wear cute shirts, sweaters and outfits, as well as sit and stay. He also rides in the kids' seat of a shopping cart, goes for walks in my backpack and will travel in the car. He's extremely friendly and companionable. I've never known a well-trained cat who wasn't, and I have trained many cats.
What would you tell people about cats that dispels their stereotypes (for example, that cats can't be trained)?
Many people fail to recognize and respond to the humanlike needs and traits of their pets. Cats are extremely intelligent, but to bring it out they need understanding, proper nutrition, play and creative stimulation. Sure, they'll simply sleep and eat when they're bored, just like humans do. They also get fat and can develop health problems from lack of activity. I enjoy physical games with Kit, and finding new ways to stimulate his activity and interest in life. He loves the ceiling hoop, and jumps through it many times a day! We both enjoy outings together, and sometimes I just turn on music and dance holding an ostrich feather or wand in my hand. He dances with me in his own way. My husband enjoys his company also.
I've had an unusual communication with animals since I was a small child. When I was 7, my little Bantam hen would push the door open every morning, walk in, locate me at the breakfast table, jump up and lay an egg in my lap. Nobody understood it. Because I love and respect animals so much, training cats came very naturally to me. Sure, I've developed specific techniques over time, and they work well. But most important, I think, is my respect and enjoyment of Kit has given me real insight. For example, I discovered that his desire to train me is equal to my own desire to train him. Here's just one small example: In the early evening, he will often jump onto my desk chair and nuzzle my neck. If I fail to respond, I will receive a small nip on the neck. Then, if I dare not respond, I get a bite on the fleshy part of my arm. I'm afraid some people would simply punish the cat or throw him into another room. I refuse to do that. I recognize that he respects my right to train him and vice versa!
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