Cat eyes inspire safety and games

Hemi is a handsome three-year-old longhaired orange and white male. His coat is gorgeous and he has exceptional markings. Hemi is a big friendly guy! He loves attention and people, but he is not a dog lover. Hemi is looking for the perfect place to curl up and settle in. Do you have room for a big, friendly roommate? Come out and meet him; you’ll fall in love.

Hemi is a handsome three-year-old longhaired orange and white male. His coat is gorgeous and he has exceptional markings. Hemi is a big friendly guy! He loves attention and people, but he is not a dog lover. Hemi is looking for the perfect place to curl up and settle in. Do you have room for a big, friendly roommate? Come out and meet him; you’ll fall in love.

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Me and Ow here. We were just helping with the annual garage cleaning when, ‘lo and behold, a cache of marbles was found. Not just any marbles but cat eyes. A bit of research revealed that cat eyes have inspired more than just marbles. They also led to the invention of road reflectors.

As the story goes, Percy Shaw was driving in the fog and could not see the road. Fortunately, there was a cat on a fence along the edge of the road. As he approached the fence, the cat’s eyes reflected his headlights giving him time to correct his direction.


Shaw, an inventor, capitalized on his observation. He produced and manufactured cat eye reflective devices to line roads and guide drivers in the dark or fog.


Cat eye marbles are another expression of cats’ eyes. They are clear glass with multiple vertical canes of color trapped in the center resembling cat eyes. Originally manufactured in Japan about 1949, many have become collector items.


What makes our eyes so special? Instead of having circular pupils like humans, we have vertical slits, which narrow to a slim slit in bright light and open fully in very dim light to allow maximum illumination.


One amazing thing is the tapetum lucidum, a reflective layer behind the retina. It reflects the incoming light and bounces it back off the cones making more use of existing light. That is why you see shiny green orbs when light shines in our eyes at night. We have natural reflectors.


Another special feature is the nictitating membrane or our third eyelid. This is an extra layer of protection for the cornea. It protects the eye from dryness and damage by removing debris and pollen from the surface and redistributing tears over the cornea. It retracts into the inner corner of each eye.


Well, speaking of eyes, it is time for us to get a little shuteye by taking a catnap.
XOXO
Me and Ow


LOOKING FOR A HOME
We have 18 adorable kittens: 10 boys and eight girls. We also have puppies. All our babies need foster homes. Call 775-7500 for details.


Policy, however, prohibits adopting out puppies or kittens under the age of six months to a home with children under 5 years of age. This is to protect both the children and the animal.


IN NEED OF
Items for the CAPS garage sale. Call 775-423-7500 to have your items picked up.
Help! We need emergency funds to repair our main air conditioning.


Cat litter for our guests’ comfort.


Friskies wet cat food and any dry cat food except Meow Mix.


Aluminum cans. If you have cans to pick up, give us a call (775-423-7500) and we will come get them. You can also drop them off at CAPS.
 
SHOUT OUT TO
Mr. Coy for donating the compact air conditioner, you are helping keep us cool. Wags and kisses to you!


Rebecca and Daryl fostering puppies and helping whenever needed. A big pooch smooch to you!


Julia and Diane for fostering kittens. You are the cat’s meow!


Pauline for giving our tiny kitty extra loving care. You are just Purrfect!
 
COME SEE US
CAPS is now open. We suggest appointments for adoptions, SNAPS, and food pantry. We need volunteers. Call 775-423-7500.


DON’T FORGET
June Holiday: National Pet Hydration Awareness Month.
To mark your calendar for CAPS garage sale Sept. 9 and 10.
CAPS’ mailing address is P.O. Box 5128, Fallon, NV 89407. CAPS’ phone number is 775-423-7500. CAPS’ email address is caps@cccomm.net. Please visit the CAPS website (www.capsnevada.com) and Facebook page (Churchill Animal Protection Society). Be sure to “Like” CAPS on Facebook because we are likeable.
CAPS is open to the public on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Kathleen Williams-Miller is a CAPS volunteer. Email jkwmil@outlook.com.

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