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KEDi Documents the Lives of Istanbul’s Street Cats

Mary Simpson
by Mary Simpson
Published:  February 8th, 2017
The street cats of Istanbul have a special relationship with the city’s residents. A new documentary, KEDi, follows the lives of seven Turkish tabbies as they interact with humans.


The expression “it’s like herding cats” is a term we often use when describing a situation where bringing people or processes together seems insurmountable. So imagine what documentary film-maker Ceyda Torun experienced while capturing images for her latest documentary, KEDi, in his native Istanbul.







Enchanted by the relationship the street cats have with the city’s residents he decided to track seven of the Turkish tabbies including their unique interactions with the humans that look out for them and ultimately meld the story into a documentary. The end result was almost 80 minutes of beautifully shot feline footage that has aired at over 14 international film festivals with public screenings set to take place throughout North America.


Related: How to Care for Stray Cats


According to Torun, the catalyst to this project was the natural constant the cats bring to the rapidly growing city of Istanbul. “Every year that I returned to the city, I saw it change in ways that made it less and less recognizable, except for the cats; they were the one constant element, becoming synonymous with the city itself and ultimately, embodying its soul.”


Make no mistake, these aren’t trained stand-in’s or stunt doubles but genuine street kits who’ve got a story to be told and a filmmaker to tell it.


There’s tenacious hustler Sari, a yellow tabby with young kittens who has earned the friendship of a local shopkeeper. Then we meet Aslan Parçasi, or “little lion”, who is one lucky boy, earning his keep at a famous fish restaurant for keeping rodents at bay. Bold feline Psikopat is a fearless girl who has earned street creds with the humans while tubby little Duman, has become a regular at an upscale deli where he indulges regularly. Socializer Deniz is well known at the Ferikoy Organic Market, while baby-faced Gamsız is a tough little fighter who charms the humans, and affectionate Bengü is loved by everyone in her ‘hood.


Torun aptly describes the film as her “love letter to the cats and the city”. If you’d like to meet all the cats in KEDi, visit the official website for cities and dates. We’ve also included the trailer to the documentary below:

WOW
Mary Simpson
Mary Simpson

Sharing space with three seriously judgy Schnoodles and a feline who prefers to be left alone. #LivingMyBestLife

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Why Do Dogs Burrow in Their Blankets?

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Dog Weddings Are The Latest Trend in China – And It’s Adorable

A lavish tiered cake, a dreamy outdoor venue, white lace, and flowing gowns – it is a sure recipe for a dream wedding. But don’t be surprised to hear that it was arranged for a pair of Golden Retrievers, Bree and Bond. In front of all their friends and family – both human and canine – they “tied the knot” and became newlyweds.This happened in China, where pet weddings are on the rise – a stark contrast to the fast-declining marriage and birth rates of the populace in China. The latest trend of splurging on pet weddings is steadily rising in China as Reuters reports, especially in its urban centers. In fact, spending on dogs has increased by 3.2% in 2023, to a grand total of 279.3 billion yuan ($38.31 billion), a steep rise from just one year before. "People have weddings. Why can't dogs have weddings?" said Rye Ling for Reuters, owner of newlywed retriever Bree. He was emotional after escorting his female pet down the aisle, where she “exchanged vows promising to always share treats and play with her husband Bond”.Bree and Bond’s owners, Rye Ling and Gigi Chen, said to the news outlets that they are in no rush to get married themselves and that they have instead meticulously planned the wedding ceremony of their pets months ahead. They arranged for professional photography, wedding booklets, and a custom-made, 800-yuan (cca $110) wedding cake that even had Bree and Bond toppers!The owner of a Shanghai-based pet bakery, Yang Tao, said that she was initially surprised that someone ordered a lavish wedding cake for their pets."I think there will be more and more dog weddings," she said, adding that it was not the first time she catered for such ceremonies since opening in 2022. "We have already received an order for a few months from now ... and that's for a dog wedding."Rye Ling added that his hope was for the wedding ceremony to give Bree and Bond a “sense of ritual”. He added that he wanted only one child and that he also hopes to welcome puppies soon.

Should I Feed My Dog In a Raised Dish?

The use of an elevated feeder may appear, at the surface, to be a matter of design and aesthetics. But your choice of feeding bowl can significantly impact your dog’s health and well-being more than you might think. The height of your dog’s feeding bowls can influence their comfort and digestion, among other things. Elevated feeding bowls, in particular, have gained popularity among pet owners in recent years.But is an elevated feeder the right choice for your dog? Should you be making a change to your dog’s mealtime routine and setup?In this guide, I’ll share the potential benefits of elevated feeding bowls and what you should consider when deciding whether a raised feeder is suitable for your dog. I will explain how these bowls can improve your dog’s posture, aid digestion, and reduce joint strain. Plus, I’ll address the potential drawbacks of using a raised dish to help you make an informed decision for your canine companion.Are Raised Dishes Good for Dogs? This has long been a debate in the pet world. Why is the discussion of raised feeders so polarizing? The research simply isn’t there to give a concrete answer as to whether they benefit our dogs or put them at risk. Furthermore, with the information that is available, experts say the answer will vary from dog to dog. Some pups will benefit greatly from using these feeders, while others may be at higher risk for trouble. Deciding whether or not to use a raised dish starts with learning the pros and cons of these products. I also recommend discussing your dog’s unique needs and risk factors with your veterinarian. This will allow you to make an educated decision. With that in mind, let’s break down the benefits and possible disadvantages… Benefits of Raised Feeders for Dogs Why should you consider using a raised dish? In some situations, elevating your dog’s dish could make mealtime more accessible, more comfortable, and even cleaner… Here are a few of the most common benefits and reasons people reference for choosing to switch to a raised dish:Reduced Strain When Eating Arguably, the most important reason to consider using a raised feeder (and the reason that leads veterinarians to recommend their use) is how they limit the strain associated with bending down to reach a dish sitting on the ground. Stretching their neck down to a traditional dog bowl may not seem like a big deal for many dogs, especially smaller or toy breeds who are already close to the ground. However, for others, it can put a lot of strain on the body trying to reach down. This benefit is most associated with dogs who are living with: Age-related limited mobility Arthritis Spinal conditions Orthopedic conditions or injuries Joint disorders or injuries Keep the Mess ContainedDo you have a dog that makes a big mess when eating or drinking? We have all met at least one dog that leaves behind a puddle after quenching their thirst. Many raised feeders are designed to incorporate features that keep the mess contained. This includes preventing spills and trapping any food/water to keep it from landing on your floor. Stop Chasing the Dish Whether your dog struggles with eating while their dish slides across the floor or has a habit of pawing at their dish, knocking it around the room, a raised feeder can help to prevent the dish from moving. This movement can complicate mealtime either by creating frustration as they try to eat or by creating a mess (going back to the previous point). There are no-slip bowl designs that can help to address this problem. However, a raised feeder that securely holds the dish in place up and away from your dog’s paws and any slippery floors will eliminate the problem entirely in most cases. Possible Drawbacks of Using Raised Dishes Once believed to prevent bloat by adjusting the position a dog is eating at, further study revealed the opposite may be true. Bloat, or gastric dilation-volvulus (GDV), is a potentially life-threatening situation where the stomach fills with food, fluid, or gas and flips or twists. This rotation cuts off the entrance and exit of the stomach, preventing the contained substances from continuing to travel through the digestive system and cutting off blood flow to the rest of the body (including vital organs). It is a life-threatening emergency. So, the big question is – Do raised dog dishes cause bloat? The answer is maybe.A study out of Purdue University suggested that large and giant dog breeds may increase their risk of bloat when eating from a raised feeding bowl. Of the dogs in the study, approximately 52% of GDV cases were attributed to the feeder. However, many experts question elements of the study, saying it wasn’t an accurate representation as it failed to account for other potential facts. For example, the pet parents feeding with a raised dish in the study were those who chose to do so rather than assigning their use and establishing a control group. This means there could be other related lifestyle factors to consider. Further research is needed to finally answer this question once and for all.

The U.S. Postal Service Just Released Its National Dog Bite Rankings

Not all dogs are friendly and calm, and U.S. Postal employees know this all too well. Just in the last year, incidents involving dog attacks on Postal Service employees have risen to more than 5,800 cases. In an effort to raise awareness of these issues, the organization started the USPS 2024 National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign and is now offering key guidelines on how dog owners can help foster a better environment for safe mail delivery. Starting on June 2nd and running through June 9th, the campaign is running under the slogan “Don’t let your dog bite the hand that serves you.” Supporters can also spread awareness on social media, with the hashtag # dogbiteawareness.“Letter carriers are exposed to potential hazards every day, none more prevalent than a canine encounter. All it takes is one interaction for a letter carrier to possibly suffer an injury,” said Leeann Theriault, USPS Manager, Employee Safety and Health Awareness. “The U.S. Postal Service consistently encourages responsible pet ownership. The national dog bite campaign is an effort to promote dog bite awareness to keep our customers, their dogs, and letter carriers safe while delivering the mail.”Letter carriers are aware that dogs can be unpredictable, and even those who seem docile can bite unexpectedly. This is because doggos are usually protective of their home and are suspicious of strangers, even if they are just postal employees. They are now trying to emphasize the importance of dog owners ensuring safer mail delivery. As most people know the usual time a postman comes each day, it should be easier to secure their pets and minimize the risk of dangerous situations. When a postal employee comes to your home, try to keep your dogs inside the house or behind a secured fence, away from the door, or on a leash. Besides this, owners can now use Informed Delivery, a new and free USPS service, which allows customers to digitally preview any incoming mail and packages from their computer, tablet, or smartphone. Since the service launched in 2017, it garnered more than 52 million customers. Sign-up is possible at informeddelivery.usps.com. All dog owners can now anticipate the arrival of the postman and prepare accordingly. Dog bites can be harmful and costly too. Information from the Insurance Information Institute reveals that the average cost per insurance claim for a dog bite is $64,555. When a postal employee gets bitten, the owner can end up responsible for lost wages, medical bills, uniform replacement costs, and the pain and suffering that the employee endured.Of course, all postal employees are trained to observe an area where they know dogs are present. They have to remain alert and expect dangerous conditions. But also they have to respect a dog’s territory and their natural instinct. Overall, they are trained to never startle a dog, never attempt to pet or feed them, keep their eyes on the dog, and lastly to never assume a dog will not bite. They are also instructed to use a dog repellant if necessary and try to protect their vital areas.“Even though a customer’s dog is friendly to most people, it can always have a bad day,” said letter carrier Tara Snyder. “I know, from experience, even when a dog is in the house, customers need to make sure their door is secure so their dog can’t push it open and bite the letter carrier.”As a stark glimpse into the rate of dog bites on postal employees, a ranking was released as a part of this campaign. This lists the top 20 cities where dog bites occurred in 2023. Leading the list at number one is Los Angeles, with 65 attacks reported, followed by Houston and Chicago, with 56 and 58 attacks respectively. As for the states, the most reported attacks occurred in California, 727 in total. 

Save Big on Ark Naturals Kiss Me-ow Dental Chews and Lickables

Does your cat’s breath make you want to hold yours whenever it gets a little too close? It doesn’t have to be that way.

Can A Dog's Tooth Abscess Heal On Its Own?

Dental hygiene is very important, both for us and for our pets. You might not know this, but a dog’s teeth are very important for their health as dental issues pave the road for all sorts of health problems down the road. The first thing to go is their diet and digestion, and from there, it is all a steep path downwards. It is because of this that every owner’s task is to keep their dog’s chompers in pristine conditions. Fail to do so, and issues can soon begin appearing.Of course, there are various issues that could be the result of subpar oral hygiene, but one of the worst dental problems for dogs is a tooth abscess. If you’ve noticed something that looks like an abscess and wonder if you can do anything to make it go away or heal on its own by yourself, you’ll be disappointed to learn that this issue requires professional treatment. A tooth abscess needs to be looked at and treated by a veterinarian.  What Causes Tooth Abscess in Dogs and How to Treat ItWhile some minor dental issues in dogs can potentially resolve on their own, a tooth abscess typically requires veterinary attention. An abscess indicates a serious infection, and without proper treatment, it can worsen and lead to numerous complications. Your veterinarian can assess the severity of the abscess and recommend appropriate treatment, which may include antibiotics, dental cleaning, and possibly tooth extraction. It's essential not to delay treatment, as dental infections can cause pain and discomfort for your dog and may even lead to systemic health issues if left untreated. However, the question still remains – what causes a tooth abscess in dogs?Dental abscesses are typically caused by bacterial infection, which can spread rapidly if not addressed promptly. Without proper treatment, the infection can affect surrounding tissues, leading to more extensive dental and oral health issues. It goes without saying that one such abscess can be very painful for your dog. It will lead to discomfort during eating, reluctance to eat or chew, excessive drooling, stress, and many other behavioral issues. If left untreated, an abscess can potentially wreak havoc on your pet. Not only can the infection spread to other parts of their body, but the nasty bacteria from the abscess can enter into the bloodstream and can ultimately affect vital organs, such as the liver, kidneys, or heart. Because of this, an abscess needs to be dealt with promptly. But how do you spot a tooth abscess? In many cases, it will be easy to spot that your pet is in discomfort. For example, you can spot changes in their eating habits. They might suddenly chew on one side only, avoid hard foods, or decline eating altogether. Another key sign is if a dog is suddenly pawing at their face as if trying to scratch themselves. Such rubbing and pawing is their attempt to alleviate the pain and discomfort they feel. You can also feel a foul odor on their breath or spot excessive drooling from the mouth. Needless to say, your dog will show signs that they are in pain, and might whimper or seem sad. In either of these cases, you should check their mouth cavity and try spotting the abscess to confirm that this is what ails them.

Dog Who Went Through Three Failed Adoptions Finds A Forever Home

For Muddy Paws Rescue dog Sadie, the fourth time was the charm. After enduring three failed adoptions, the four-year-old pooch was adopted by her foster family.Sadie arrived from Kentucky at Muddy Paws Rescue, a foster-based New York City rescue in 2021. While the rescue searched for a loving family, Sadie was placed with several fosters but spent the most time with the GenilChin family. After helping the canine cope with three failed adoptions, the GenilChins made sure the fourth one stuck. Lizyle GenilChin told the People that she first met Sadie in 2021 when she and her husband Edmond went to pick up Sadie from another foster whose home was too lively for the dog’s comfort. “She was so scared. She was in her crate because that’s her safe space. When they tried to get her out, she peed. Eventually, we got her in the car,” said Lizyle adding, “She wasn’t walking at that point. She was too scared.”The couple brought Sadie home and introduced her to their two daughters and their dog Buko. The entire family, but especially Buko and Lizyle, worked daily to help Sadie overcome her fears. The family focused on getting their new foster dog comfortable with a leash and ensured she got plenty of playtime, which their dog Buko provided. “She was scared of the leash. As soon as I took it out she would go into her crate or cower. So we spent time in our backyard. She loved the backyard,” said Lizyle. With time, a lot of patience, and treats, Lizyle got Sadie comfortable wearing a leash. In 2022, Sadie was adopted for the first time. Unfortunately, the woman and her son weren’t happy with the pooch and returned her to foster care a week later. The GenilChins decided to keep Sadie occupied with hikes, playtime, and bonding to help her cope with the rejection.In January 2023, Saidy got a second chance at a forever home and was adopted again. The dog’s new adopters loved her and lived in a great location. Alas, the new owners realized they couldn’t care for Sadie like they thought and returned the pooch to Muddy Paws three months later. Once more, Sadie was placed with the GenilChin family. The pooch stayed with her foster family from April to October and they continued to train her. In October, Sadie was adopted for the third time, but once again the new owners realized they couldn’t care for the pooch.Through no fault of her own, Sadie ended up with her foster family for the fourth time. This time around the GenilChins decided to make Sadie an official member of their family and adopt her. “Every time from the beginning, we’re always like ‘Should we? Should we? Should we?’, said Lizyle. However, the family didn’t adopt Sadie because of their dog Buko.“We had our dog, and we wanted to keep fostering, If we kept her, I don’t think I could have handled three dogs.”But, Buko diet while Sadie was at her third home. Buko’s passing allowed the family to adopt Sadie and continue fostering with Muddy Paws. Sadie has quickly found her place with her adopted family and has come a long way from the scared dog GenilChins first brought into their home.“She has done a 720, this dog,” said Lizyle. “For a dog that was so scared of a leash, she loves to go out now, loves it.” Sadie also enjoys spending time in the backyard, sniffing out new smells, and practicing obedience commands. Sadie’s family hopes their experience will inspire others to foster rescue animals. “We are a family of four. The kids are scheduled up, we’re working parents. It was nice to bring another energy into the house that broke up the routine and the monotony. It added another dimension to our togetherness, which was really nice. That’s what’s close to my heart about fostering.”Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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