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Whisker me away!
Super Tasty
Pawsome pet
Training Treats! Tender morsels at
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Superstitions surrounding black cats can often hinder their adoption. In honor of Black Cat Appreciation Day, we’re here to remind you that these kitties are purr-fectly wonderful. “There is nothing inherently different, let alone ‘bad luck,’ about a black cat,” says Diane Johnson, VP of operations for North Shore Animal League America. “They are just as friendly as any other felines.”
International Mahjong Day ★ AUGUST 1 ★
In addition to classic mahjong, which originated in China, there are over 40 variations of mahjong around the world, says Annelise Heinz, author of Mahjong: A Chinese Game and the Making of Modern American Culture. If you’re not already an avid player, here are a few factoids about this awesome game to inspire you to give it a try.
THERE’S AN AMERICAN MAHJONG “Jewish American women created this popular form of the game. An organization called the National
W f! LOVE them like family. TREAT them like family.™
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Mah Jongg League changes the winning hands every year.” YOU’LL LOVE PLAYING IT FOREVER “It’s a remarkable combination of luck and strategy. People say that you can learn how to play the game in a short period of time, but it takes a lifetime to master the strategy.”
CAT AND MAHJONG TILES: GETTY IMAGES.
ANYONE CAN ENJOY THE GAME “Many sets sold in the U.S. have numerals and letters in addition to the traditional Chinese characters,” says Heinz.