Snagglepuss is a Hanna-Barbera cartoon character created in 1959. This pink anthropomorphic mountain lion is best known for his famous catchphrase, “Heavens to Murgatroyd!” He first appeared in several episodes of The Quick Draw McGraw Show and became a regular segment on The Yogi Bear Show.
Pon de Lion is the most popular mascot of the Mister Donut fast food franchise, which is owned by the same parent company as Dunkin’ Donuts. This character, a lion with a mane shaped like a “pon de ring” doughnut, is one of a set of doughnut-based mascots (marketed as “Pon de Lion & His Sweet Friends”). In Japan, Pon de Lion has become more recognizable than the actual Misdo logo (a moustachioed chef).
The advertising cartoon mascot for Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes (also known as Frosties) breakfast cereal, appearing on its packaging and advertising. Since his debut in the 1950s, Tony has become a breakfast cereal icon. More recently, he started serving as mascot for Tony’s Cinnamon Krunchers and Tiger Power (whatever that is). “They’re grrreat!”
The Brigham Young Cougars mascot is NCAA Division I pixel art mascot #53 of 347. Since BYU has left the Mountain West Conference for the 2011-12 season, this is FBS independent schools mascot #4 of 4. (View reference images.)
One of my three cats. The youngest, smallest and most skittish of the group. Tanuki was rescued from the feral cat colony beneath my old apartment complex. He is part-Siamese, insane and magical. I suspect that he shapeshifts. He was adopted in November 2008 as a kitten. My ex-girlfriend adopted his lunatic brother. They both turn three years old soon. His estimated birthday is September 2, 2008.
P.S. I almost named him Rorschach due to the dark inkblot-like markings on his face. Tanuki looks remarkably like Frankie from the 2010 Animal Rescue commemorative stamps.
Update: Tanuki passed away on November 9, 2019, almost exactly four years after The King. He’s now buried in our backyard. Rest in peace, little buddy. On to shapeshifting in another realm. Eli is our last surviving cat, the only family pet we have left – gone are his father and his loyal, secretive little brother from another mother. Eli will turn 13 years old in March. (Thinking about the diversity of fur colors and patterns in the feral cat colony my cats came from, I’m reminded of the detailed Colour and Pattern Charts page at Messybeast.com.)
One of my three cats. Before being neutered, The King was the alpha male of the feral cat colony beneath my old apartment complex and the presumed father of Eli. He was rescued in October 2008 when I moved from the apartment to a house. This broad-shouldered, 17-pound cat is loyal, tough and possibly shamanic. He wins battles with raccoons. His estimated birthday is May 17, 2005, though he could be older.
Update: The King passed away on November 4, 2015 due to complications from feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), a lifelong condition from his feral past. He had grown thinner and more feeble throughout 2015. One morning he suddenly stopped eating, and it was all over by nightfall. I’ll miss how he followed me everywhere, requesting attention with his broken meow. The King is dead, long live The King. His body will join the previous homeowner’s deceased cat Bhanti (a tiny brown tabby female) in our backyard pet cemetery. Now we are down to two cats, Eli and Tanuki.
One of my three cats. Eli was rescued from the feral cat colony beneath my old apartment complex. More accurately, he showed up at my door on Father’s Day in 2007 as a 12-week-old kitten and asked to come in. He is large (17 pounds), intelligent, affectionate and codependent. My coworker adopted Eli’s brother. His estimated birthday is March 11, 2007.
Update: Eli passed away of old age on August 6, 2021, two years after Tanuki and six years after The King. Dear Eli, good boy until the end, respectfully waited until the morning after our daughter Ramona’s eighth birthday to leave this mortal coil. Ramona was very fond of him. We all were.
The LSU Tigers mascot, Mike the Tiger, is NCAA Division I pixel art mascot #41 of 347. SEC mascot #7 of 12. (View reference images.)
The Kentucky Wildcats mascot is NCAA Division I pixel art mascot #40 of 347. SEC mascot #6 of 12. (View reference images.)
The Auburn Tigers mascot is NCAA Division I pixel art mascot #37 of 347. SEC mascot #3 of 12. (View reference images.)
The Missouri Tigers mascot is NCAA Division I pixel art mascot #27 of 347. Big 12 mascot #6 of 12. (View reference images.)
The Kansas State Wildcats mascot is NCAA Division I pixel art mascot #26 of 347. Big 12 mascot #5 of 12. (View reference images.)
The Northwestern Wildcats mascot is NCAA Division I pixel art mascot #18 of 347. Big Ten mascot #8 of 11. (View reference images.)
The Penn State Nittany Lions mascot is NCAA Division I pixel art mascot #11 of 347. Big Ten mascot #1 of 11. (View reference images.)
I moved to Oregon from State College, Pennsylvania in 2001. Penn State is my alma mater and my primary rooting interest when I choose to pay attention to college sports.
The Arizona Wildcats mascot, Wilbur the Wildcat, is NCAA Division I pixel art mascot #5 of 347. Pac-10 mascot #5 of 10. (View reference images.)
The Washington State Cougars mascot is NCAA Division I pixel art mascot #4 of 347. Pac-10 mascot #4 of 10. (View reference images.)
Token the Cat – No. 260
The cat that accompanies the magical Fog Maiden on her nightly visits to Earth. Token the Cat first appeared in the 1976 children’s book When Everyone Was Fast Asleep and was featured in a second book Songs of the Fog Maiden, both written and illustrated by American author Tomie de Paola.
Today is 11/11/11. And it’s Veterans Day, which honors the 25 million U.S. military veterans. A moment of silence to remember those who have given their lives.