Don't miss this terrific interview with clicker trainer Samantha Martin in the Chicagoist. Samantha works with cats and small mammals, using all-positive training with amazing results. (And if you can't get enough of Samantha, check out our own profile of this dynamic trainer: Herding Cats in Hollywood.) An excerpt from the new interview:
Cats
Circus Cats of Chicago perform October 11!
By Miranda Hersey Helin on 10/08/2008If you live in the Chicago area, don't miss the Circus Cats! These fantastic domestic felines (clicker trained, of course) will amuse and amaze as they ride skateboards, roll barrels, ring bells, push carts, walk the high wire, climb ropes, jump through hoops, and more! The cats finally have a stage to purrform on, complete with lights, sound, and a set-up so the audience can see from any seat in the house. Meet new cast member Neo, as well as all your favorites. These cats even play in a band: The Rock-Cats are a trio of talented felines on drums, guitar and piano.
Samantha Martin's Acro-Cats have appeared on 190 North, WGN, America's Got Talent, CBS and more. Don't miss your chance to meet them live and in purrson. Limited seats available Book your tickets early.
Purrforming live Saturday, October 11 at 4:00 and 6:00 p.m.
1919 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
773-598-4549
If you want to learn more about Samantha and her Amazing Acro-Cats, read our profile: Herding Cats in Hollywood.
Watch a clicker-trained cat band on YouTube!
By Miranda Hersey Helin on 03/11/2008Samantha Martin has been clicker training animals for commercials and films for more than 15 years. One of her special projects is the Rockcats, an all-cat rock band. Now you can help boost these felines' star power!
Samantha writes: "Hey everyone, help the Rockcats get more exposure by clicking on their YouTube video. The more people that see them, the better chance they have at becoming a featured video. Help them get the numbers up by passing it on to all your friends! You don't even have to watch the whole video, to make your hit count. Thanks!"
If you want to learn more about Samantha and her Amazing Acro-Cats, read our profile: Herding Cats in Hollywood.
The Acro-Cats' holiday special, live in Chicago December 9
By Miranda Hersey Helin on 12/05/2007Some of you may remember clicker trainer Samantha Martin from a profile we ran about her last year: Herding Cats in Hollywood. Samantha has been clicker training animals for commercials and films for more than 15 years.
Now Samantha and her Amazing Acro-Cats will be celebrating the holiday season with two special shows at the Mars Gallery, located at 1139 W Fulton Market in Chicago on Sunday, December 9 at 4:30 and 6:00 pm. Tickets are $10 and available at the door.
These fabulous felines will perform such festive feats as jumping through Christmas wreaths, pushing a sleigh, and many more amazing and entertaining tricks. There will be a special appearance by The Rockcats playing seasonal carols such as "Sandy Claws is Coming to Town" and "Oh Catnip Tree." This show will be an unusual twist on what has already proven to be an entertaining and one of a kind show for audiences of all ages. For further details, read more!
Golden retriever nurses stray kitten
By Miranda Hersey Helin on 10/09/2007A golden retriever has stepped up to the plate as surrogate nursing mother to a stray kitten, according to an Associated Press report.
The hungry kitten, found in an old tire at a concrete plant, refused to drink from a bottle and her rescuers feared she would die. That's when Honey, the family dog who hadn't given birth in 18 months, stepped in with her motherly instincts.
"She started licking her and loving her. Within a couple of days, Honey started naturally lactating," said Kathy Martin, whose husband, Jimmy, brought the kitten home six weeks ago. "The kitten took right to her."
