Between meeting deadlines, taxes, PetExpo and Literary Orange, I was thrilled to finally have a weekend to enjoy relaxation with the cat crew and some beach time.  After my volunteer shift at Blue Bell on Friday, I curled up with Lex and Topper and opened the first issue of Catster magazine, formerly Cat Fancy and devoured its content from the editor’s note to the last feature. 

It’s fresh, full of informative and entertaining columns, articles, and continuous pages of cute cat pics—a must for all cat enthusiasts. My evening ended with a cup of catnip tea then off to dreamland. Seriously, I drink catnip tea. It is very calming and an effective remedy for insomnia. My cats teach me so much!

I awoke Saturday morning feeling rested and relieved to have a day with no itinerary. I leisurely sipped my coffee with the kitties at my side and while reading the local newspaper learned that the Fifth Annual Kelp Festival was being held down on Main Beach that day. I might be a canyon dwelling cat lady, but I also love the ocean and am fascinated with marine life. I had wanted to go to the Kelp Festival for the last couple of years, but it conflicted with working the Blue Bell booth at PetExpo. At last, I was able to partake in celebrating the restoration of Laguna Beach’s kelp forests, a vital marine ecosystem.

Although, it was actually a siren’s call that lured me to the Kelp Festival.

As we wound our way through the tables of vendors, past the stage where a crowd was swaying to the beat of live music, and through a decorative handcrafted kelp bed, Gary said, “There she is!” I caught a glimpse of the turquoise and golden fish tail and forged my way past kids, dogs, and strollers, and was finally face to face with a live mermaid. “Hi! I’m Mermaid Linden!” She cheerfully introduced herself while lounging on her seashell throne and casually snacking on a slice of pizza. I would have expected seaweed salad, but the starfish adorning her hair and very intricately detailed fish tail made the myth appear believable—despite the pizza.   She gave Daryl Hannah’s mermaid in the movie Splash some serious competition. I felt like I was 10 again. Meeting a mermaid brought out my inner kitten.

I wonder if she has a pet catfish…

About Cats and Fish: Domestic cats may like fish and are drawn to its smell, but wild cats don’t eat fish (with the rare exception of the “fishing cat”), nor did our pet cat’s ancestor the African wildcat. Cats, being obligate carnivores by nature don’t hunt fish unless opportunity presents itself (fishermen may want to keep an eye on their catches if a hungry stray wanders by). According to Karen Becker, DMV of healthypets.com, “fish, as it turns out, is one of the most highly allergenic foods for felines. Allergies cause systemic inflammation. Cats that eat allergenic foods over and over can end up with lung inflammation that can also lead to asthma.” Further, fish these days is loaded with mercury and many veterinarian resources recommend being careful about the amount and type of fish you feed kitty—for instance lay off the tuna, but occasional wild-caught salmon or sardines packed in water offer a great source of omega-3.

About the Myth: Professional “Mermaid Linden” makes the myth an almost reality, being a professional underwater model, videographer and avid diver, and can hold her breath for 5 minutes! Through her transformation into a mermaid she inspires and educates children about ocean conservation. Visit www.mermaidsinmotion.com for more about Linden.