BETTER KITTY FILM REVIEW "Catwalk: Tales from the Cat Show Circuit" and "Cat’s Cradl

Note: The show cats in Catwalk are outliers. They have been carefully conditioned, primped and preened, specifically to be show cats. This does not represent most cats’ natural instincts: to avoid leaving their territory and to refuse to be handled in a potentially threatening way. Modern cat grooming derives from this show grooming for beauty vs. health. While it is fun to watch all this cat purrfection, it is not ideal for the average kitty. In contrast, Better Kitty’s grooming methods are only for the health and well-being of housecats.

Rating for both films: 4 of 4 paws up

When most people hear the words ‘cat show’ they picture a bunch of crazy cat ladies and a competition resembling the satiric film Best in Show. In the charming documentary Catwalk: Tales from the Cat Show Circuit, director Michael McNamara takes a light-hearted look at the rivalry between two top competitors and their humans. Kim’s Turkish Angora breed cat, Bobby, rules the Canadian cat show circuit and seems unbeatable. Enter Oh La La, a magnificent red Persian breed cat and his owner, Shirley. As Oh La La goes on a winning streak, Kim and Bobby’s seeming lock on the season is in jeopardy.

This film shows the daily grooming regimen these ‘beauty pageant’ cats go through. But while the grooming methods Better Kitty clients receive are very different, the “we are not amused” look on Oh La La’s face is something every cat guardian can relate to! With plot twists including: a wrestling competition which could cancel one of the cat shows and unexpected kitty competitors which may usurp Bobby’s or Oh La La’s win, Catwalk is a winner for every cat lover.

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The short film Cat’s Cradle, directed by Jonathan Napolitano tells the story of Bruce and Terry Jenkins; a Florida retired couple, who open their home to unwanted senior cats.

A dog owner, Bruce recalls visiting a vet and asking about rescuing kittens. Another client overheard the conversation and asked Bruce if he would consider adopting her late father’s senior cat, which she could no longer care for. When Bruce saw Patches, a sweet senior calico kitty, his heart was stolen.

From their experience with Patches, the Jenkins created “Cat’s Cradle” a hospice and senior living facility for older cats. Based in their home, Cat’s Cradle is a kitty paradise. Its enrichments include: suspension bridges, climbing perches, fountains, quaint mini-houses, and a memorial butterfly garden.

The film’s director Napolitano captures dedication of the Jenkins, who prove what love and compassion can accomplish at any age, of cat or of human.

Catwalk: https://www.siff.net/festival/catwalk-tales-from-the-cat-show-circuit https://www.facebook.com/catwalkdoc/ http://www.markhamstreetfilms.com/ Cat’s Cradle: https://www.siff.net/festival/cats-cradle http://www.cats-cradle.org/ https://www.jonathan-napolitano.com/