Happy Birthday Dakota, the BEST Woofie Brother a Kitty Could EVER Have!!

You're manic, wild and oh so loud,

but you also make me quite proud.

You share the same love of food,

when it comes to THAT,

we're always in the mood.

I may tease and taunt,

but there is not a better

woofie brother that

I could EVER WANT!

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY

DAKOTA!!

Don't tell anyone that I said this...but....

I LOVE YOU!!!

LOVE, CODY

Thankful for "I Have Cat" and The Duo Studio

Today is "Thankful Thursday" and I wanted to take a moment to give a THANK YOU shout-out to Tamar from the fabulous blog, I HAVE CAT for the give-away that she had for a key chain designed by The Duo Studio.

It seemed that no sooner did Tamar notify me that I was one of the lucky winners than the adorable key chain that I had selected arrived:

It came attractively packaged in that adorable bag that it is perched on above. Here is a closer view of just how precious it is! I absolutely love it!

Cat Lady - Metal Keychain

From their Etsy Shop:

Made with love using 6061 Aircraft Grade Aluminum - Matte Finish. ~1.75in. Super lightweight.

Each pendant is hand sanded and polished, making every design unique in its own way.

Like them on Facebook
Follow them  on Twitter
Join them  on Instagram

I love my key chain and thanks so much again!

"I and Love and You!" Winner!

Hi all! Thanks to everyone who entered my give-away for:

THE LUCKY WINNER(S)

AS CHOSEN BY RANDOM.ORG ARE

THE KITTIES OF

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THEIR BLOG!!!

CONCATULATIONS!!!

Please email me your

complete mailing address to:

cgittleman at mi dot rr dot com

Cats Love Cuddles and Comfort, THIS Cat Loves Cat Beds from Coccolino Creations!

One of the many joys of being a pet blogger are the people that  I am lucky enough to meet along this wild and wacky journey. The talent that so many of them possess is mind-boggling. I can barely keep up with two blogs, and there are so many talented bloggers who have a myriad of interests that many have turned into lucrative ventures. Today I am thrilled to introduce you to one of them, many of you already know her!

I have been reading the charming blog Coccolino My Mini Pet Pig for quite some time, and find his adventures to be entertaining, humorous and delightful! One day recently I was reading, and learned that Coccolino's Mom, (Katie), was opening her own shop on Etsy, and she was showcasing the most adorable cat beds there!

See for yourself:

From Coccolino Creations "We are huge animal lovers and we want to help them all and since that is impossible we are taking a percentage of the proceeds of EVERY sale to put towards pet beds and pet blankets that we will make and donate. Your purchase will help animal shelter pets be comfortable too."

These beds are MACHINE WASHABLE on GENTLE CYCLE on COLD, TUMBLE DRY LOW and just FLUFF UP!!

I fell completely in love with these beds and contacted Katie and asked if she would be interested in being featured on our blog. To my complete and utter joy, she accepted!

Tonight, while reading the description of her shop, I realized it was only fitting that Cody  was featuring her on his blog!  Read this excerpt about her shop and then I will tell you why:

"Coccolino” means “little cuddlebug” in Italian and is also the name of our mischievous but irresistible pet mini pig. Coccolino is the cuddliest pet we have ever had (we’ve had them all!). He would cuddle – and eat – all day long if he could.

With him in mind, we have named our pet shop Coccolino Creations because we want to emphasize that we hand make every item to be as cuddly as possible for your pet.

We make items for all kinds of pets: pet pigs, dogs, cats, rabbits, etc. We strive to make your pet comfy and warm and we hope our pet products bring you abundant cuddles."

When I adopted Cody, his foster mother referred to him as being a "little cuddlebug" and our Vet also has called him the same thing many times since. To this day, Cody is MY "little cuddlebug". It was meant to be that we feature Coccolino's Mom!

Working with Katie was a complete joy. We emailed back and forth, she sent me fabric swatches to choose from and the entire process was a breeze. Then, Cody's bed arrived!

It arrived beautifully wrapped with a charming card and had information about the bed. When I removed the bed from the packaging I was taken with the superb craftsmanship, attention to detail, the SOFTNESS, OH THE SOFTNESS! (It made ME want to curl up and go to sleep on it!!) Want to hear one of the BEST parts about this bed? It is REVERSIBLE!!!!! There are TWO DIFFERENT SIDES!!

THE BLUE SIDE

Cody found a sunpuddle and began making biscuits, this bed brought out the ULTIMATE sign of CONTENTMENT!!!

I think one of the reasons Cody LOVES this bed is it is reminiscent of his "donut" that he brought with him from his Foster home. This is thicker MUCH thicker than that, but with the lower sides, I think Cody is being taken back to his kittenhood and is loving every minute of it! He loved his old donut bed that he outgrew years ago.

NOW THE GRAY SIDE!!

Bed prices range from $25-$46, depending on the size of the cat, dog (or even a mini pet pig!) 

Cody LOVES the kitties all over the side of the bed!

From Coccolino Creations:

The best thing I have done so far is to make dozens of pet beds that I have donated to Lollypop Farm, a local animal shelter. My goal was - and still is - to continue making beds for these caged pets so they can use them as a source of comfort and hopefully take with them to their forever home.

For each item I sell, a percentage of the proceeds will go towards material for the shelter beds I make and donate. My philosophy is that every pet should have the chance to be cozy and warm, a lesson that Coccolino has taught me.

My goal in opening this shop is to sell the pet beds and pet blankets that I truly take pride in making and also give back to those shelter animals. I love the creativity I can embrace and I love to imagine bringing warmth and happiness to the lucky pet using them.

Thank you for taking a look and thank you for considering us for your pet. We know you have many choices and we know it's an important one.

Pets are part of the family and we hope your family will consider ours with our Coccolino cuddle beds and cuddle blankets!

Katie tries to add new products almost daily, she often hosts give-aways and promotions and LOVES her customers nearly as much as she loves Coccolino!! (Well, maybe not THAT much! Kidding!!) She is also happy to work with you to create a custom project or gift.

Katie also likes to spoil her customers with BONUS SURPRISES every now and then. Check out the bonus surprise that she gave to our boy Dakota!!!

A DOG BONE TOY!!!

That was such a surprise and so incredibly thoughtful! Toy prices are on average about $5-$7. Dakota's has a "squeaker" in it and he has had this toy for a couple of weeks now and it is still there!

As a  treat for our readers, Katie is offering a special 15% OFF DISCOUNT CODE!!  The code is Cody15 and will be valid until MARCH 11th. ALSO: THERE WILL BE A "TOKEN OF APPRECIATION" for the FIRST FIVE PEOPLE who purchase either a BED or a BLANKET!! Click here to visit her shop now!

Now, if you will excuse me, Cody wants to take a nap....

Thank you for my PAWTASTIC BED!! I LOVE IT!!!!!

 Love, Cody

"What Do You Do at a BlogPaws Conference?"

Did you happen to catch the terrific interview with Carol Bryant, (PR and Marketing Manager for BlogPaws) that was conducted by Kimberley of the great blog Confessions of a Rescue Mom?  It is chock full of information about:

• Exactly WHAT BlogPaws is (including their Mission and Vision)
• Conference Info
• and MORE!

If you missed it, click HERE to check it out, it is a MUST READ

If you have been sitting on the fence, wondering if you should attend the conference, ACT FAST....last year was a sell-out and this year is sure to follow suit!!

REGISTER NOW!!! 

You can get a 10% DISCOUNT by mentioning the code

 BlogPaws2014-Caren-10

I WANT TO SEE YA IN
VEGAS BABY!!!!!!

Remember....

"What happens at BlogPaws in Vegas,
STAYS at BlogPaws in Vegas!!

oh and on BLOG POSTS
when we blog about 
BLOGPAWS 2014!

Traveling with Your Cat, A Guest Blog Post By Paris Permenter and John Bigley

We’re going to be the first to confess that we don’t travel with our cats.

As much as we love traveling with our dogs, we don’t vacation with our cats. We’d love to take them to the beach or even for day trips but we know that they would hate it. They’re homebodies, and they like it that way. They have their catio so they can safely enjoy a taste of the outdoors, a house full of toys and perches, and, if we’re traveling overnight, an attentive cat sitter.

"Inca" one of Paris and John's cats

But we also know some people do travel with their cats—and that travel doesn’t only mean a dream vacation. Travel also includes trips to the vet’s office, a move to a new home, and evacuation from storms and natural disasters.

If you’re going to travel with you cats, whether that’s around the block or across country, we’ve got a few tips to make your journey not only safe but successful:

Acclimate your cats to their carriers. Although we only take one cat at a time to the veterinarian’s office, we have a cat carrier for each one of our cats in case we should need to suddenly evacuate. We have the Kurgo Wander Pet Carrier which we like because it’s soft inside, giving our cats something to grip to rather than sliding around a hard plastic carrier; also, it folds up for storage if needed. Two years ago when wildfire danger was especially high in our region, we kept the carriers out 24/7 so they could be quickly accessed. It taught us an important lesson, though: by keeping the carriers out, opened, and filled with a soft blanket and special cat toy, it helped our cats lose their fear of the carrier. It no longer represented a trip to the vet’s office but the carrier became a home base for them. It’s now much faster for us to load each cat into his carrier, making it less stressful for them and far safer in the event of a sudden evacuation.

Research places to stay. Don’t plan on overnighting with your cats? What if a natural disaster means you need to evacuate? It’s a great idea to have a list of pet-friendly hotels in driving distance in case you find yourself in a hotel. If you’re in a hurricane area, maintain a list of cat-friendly hotels outside your evacuation zone.

Prepare for Cleanup. Let's face it: messes happen. We're always ready with our cleanup kit of paper towels and a cleaning product like Rug Doctor Spot & Stain Remover. We're happy to say we've never lost a hotel deposit. Although your cat's litter box use may be flawless at home, the scent of previous four-legged guests and other factors may lead to a mess.

Look at pheromone products. Cat pheromone products like Feliway produce an overall feeling of comfort and safety mimicking the pheromones released by a nursing cat. Sprays you can spritz on a cat carrier are easy to travel with; plug-in diffusers can be a great option for a hotel room or a new home.

Check and doublecheck before opening the carrier. When you arrive at a hotel room, do a sweep of the room—twice—to look not only for anything you don’t want your cat to get hold of but also for hiding places.

Travel with food and litter. While it takes up some space, it’s much easier to travel with your cat’s food and favorite brand of cat litter rather than shopping for it at your destination (or, worse, finding yourself having to buy a different brand.)

Microchip your cat. Even if your cat wears a breakaway collar with a tag, it pays to have your vet place a permanent microchip in your cat in case she should be lost on a trip. It’s also a good idea to create an ID tag with your cell phone number or the address and phone number at your destination.

Carry the scent of home. Your cat’s favorite blanket, added to the cat carrier, is a comforting scent of home in a new place, whether that’s the carrier, hotel room, or a new home.

Prepare for the unplanned. It only takes a few minutes to prepare a list of emergency veterinarians at your destination and along your route. A compact cat first aid kit also helps with minor issues along the way.

A little pre-trip preparation can make your next getaway with your cat a successful—and most importantly—a safe one for both you and your cat.

About the Authors: Paris Permenter and John Bigley are professional travel writers and the authors of over 30 travel guidebooks. The husband-wife team recently authored DogTipper's Texas with Dogs, a full-color guidebook on the most dog-friendly destinations in the Lone Star State. Paris and John publish CatTipper.com; Paris also hosts the weekly Dog Travel Experts radio show on Radio Pet Lady Network.

We're Bringing "Wordless" Back.....

Winner! Black Cats save Christmas in The Case of the Crafty Christmas Crooks, A Buckley and Bogey Cat Detective Caper by Cindy Vincent

Thanks to all who entered our give-away for:

The kitty that won

is REALLY

going to LOVE this book!

The lucky WINNER

as chosen by random.org  is:

SMOKEY!!!!!

Smokey has a blog called:

You can visit

Smokey's blog by

clicking here

CONCATULATIONS 

SMOKEY!!

Please have your human

email your 

complete mailing address to:

cgittleman at mi dot rr dot com

ENJOY THE BOOK!

Love, Cody

Cat Allergy Sufferers:New Study Underway, Participants Needed!

New Study Underway Could Offer Hope for Cat Allergy Sufferers who don’t Find Relief from Current Treatments

With record cold temperatures hitting North America this winter, many people and their pets are stuck indoors for long periods of time. For the millions of Americans allergic to their cats, this can lead to intensified symptoms like sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes and runny or blocked nose.

Photo property of www.catchatwithcarenandcody.com

   Doctors are seeking eligible volunteers for a major clinical research study evaluating an investigational cat allergy medicine to determine whether it can help reduce symptoms for a sustained period with a relatively short course of treatment. The CATALYST Study,  is a Phase 3 clinical research study, meaning that the investigational medicine has been found in previous, smaller studies to be sufficiently safe and well-tolerated in people suffering from a ncat allergy to justify a larger clinical trial.

It is estimated that one-quarter of the population may suffer from cat allergies. American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology   a common and year-long condition in which exposure to cat allergens such as dander (shedding skin cells) provoke unpleasant and often disruptive symptoms. There are 77 sites across the United States and Canada participating in CATALYST, which is designed to determine whether the investigational medicine can effectively treat the symptoms of moderate to severe cat allergies with people who live with cats and have been diagnosed with the condition for at least two years.

Many people with cat allergies try managing their symptoms with prescription and over-the-counter medicines, including antihistamines, nasal corticosteroids and decongestants. Sufferers with moderate to severe cat allergies may undergo a series of allergy shots, also known as allergen immunotherapy, which works by trying to teach the immune system to tolerate cat allergens rather than fight them. Allergen immunotherapy typically begins with once- or twice-weekly injections for several months and gradually tapers in frequency to once monthly, but for as long as 3-5 years. Currently available treatment options are associated with poor patient compliance and high potential for side-effects.

In the CATALYST Study, researchers are investigating a different approach to allergen immunotherapy to determine whether the investigational medicine can provide sustained allergen tolerance and corresponding symptom relief over an extended period with only four or eight doses of immunotherapy.

To potentially qualify for the CATALYST Study, participants must be between the ages of 12 and 65, have a cat at home and have been diagnosed with a cat allergy for at least two years. Participation does not require insurance, and participants will receive all study exams and medication at no cost. Compensation for time and travel may also be provided. To find out if you qualify, please visit www.thecatallergystudy.com, or call 1-844-CAT-STUDY. 

In full Disclosure: This post is sponsored by the CATALYST study, I was paid to feature this content. I only feature topics that I feel are important to my readers, regardless of whether or not I receive payment to do so.

Photo property of www.catchatwithcarenandcody.com

Love and "I and Love and You!" help to make the World go 'round: A Product Review and Give-Away!

Hi my furiends it's Cody! Hoping you had a catabulous weekend of love! The "month of love" continues! I am still floating on air after receiving such catabulous photos from my Valentines, that I still want to paw some love forward!

Come a little closer furiends, I wanna tell you about a superb company that my woofie brother met  and reviewed back in January 

They are called:

 and let me tell you that not only are they a complete and total JOY to work with, but they have some pretty darned pawsome products!!

Mom really LOVES the name of this company, the fact that everything is made in the USA, and the care and attention that goes into creating each and every one of their products! 

Mom said from the moment the nice woman at "I and Love and You" first contacted Dakota, she was impressed. Mom said that the nice woman at "I and Love and You" was super professional, patient and answered ALL of Mom's questions! Mom loves that their products were formulated by a holistic veterinarian and that they are a "green" company, meaning they are good to our planet too!

When Dakota reviewed his products I KNEW I  had to get in on the action!

I was sent two different products to try. As many of you know, I suffer from allergies that the vet and I USED to think were FOOD related, but now, we are certain they are caused by the environment! We just don't know what in the environment specifically is causing the problem, but Mom was eager to try the first product that my furiends at "I and love and you" sent to me:

FROM THEIR WEBSITE:

my skin’s itchy™

homeopathic remedy for dogs + cats

Step left, step right, and shoulder shrug.
If scratching could incite some fresh new dance moves, your pet could be YouTube’s hottest new star.  Calm down itchy, dry skin and hot spots with my skin’s itchy and save that shuffle for the dance floor.

  READ MORE HERE!!

"My itchies DID calm down!!"

Ok Mom and I were super hopeful that we would have a miracle take place and my allergies would COMPLETELY STOP when I used this product, but if you read the product description carefully, it says "calm down" the itching",  NOT ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM and "calm down the itching" is  EXACTLY what it did. 

There were a few times Mom saw a "hot spot" beginning to form and she added a few drops extra of "My Skin's Itchy" to my wet food,  and there were a few attacks that were held at bay! 

The next product I received to review was:

raw bites freeze dried cat food: fish recipe

One of the COOLEST parts about having transitioned from boring allergy cat food to an ENTIRE NEW WORLD OF FOOD AND TREATS is having been afforded the oppawtunity to taste and review this delicious product!

Raw Bites Fish Recipe Is:

Holistic Veterinarian Approved

A Complete and Balanced Meal

Natural

MADE IN THE USA

It is:

GRAIN FREE

MADE FROM WILD CAUGHT FISH!!

YUMMY AS A MEAL, TOPPER OR TREAT!

From "I and Love and You"

Tasty, grain free and packed with fresh meat, veggies and fruit, raw bites fish recipe is a complete (and super nutritious) meal for your finicky pal. 

When I opened the box I will say that at first the fish smell was STRONG, but that is a GOOD THING. Cody came running in. I had set the box down for photos, and he literally put his HEAD in the box and began eating!

 I have been giving these to Cody as more of a treat and he LOVES THEM!

Now YOU CAN LOVE THEM TOO!

Our furiends at "I and Love and You" are offering ONE of my readers who resides in the U.S. the same items that I received to review.  (A $25+ value)

THE GIVE-AWAY IS OPEN NOW AND WILL END ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25TH. THE WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN BY RANDOM.ORG AND WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26TH.

HOW TO ENTER: Just leave a comment telling me you would like to win and be sure I have a way to contact you sbould you be the lucky winner!!

GOOD LUCK!

CAN'T WAIT TO SEE IF YOU ARE THE LUCKY WINNER? CLICK HERE to find out where to purchase "I and Love and You" products in YOUR area!

In full Disclosure:we received the items above in exchange for our honest review, we were not given monetary compensation. For those who may be wondering, YES Cody DID eat the food and LOVES IT!

Happy Valentine's Day! I'm just a mancat that can't say no

Hi and Happy Valentine's Day to all of my furiends!!!

If you remember, back on January 14th I bared my soul and wore my heart on my paw, I told all of the blog-o-sphere that I was tired of being alone, and that I was on the prowl for some feline companionship.

The response was overwhelming!! Completely overwhelming!!!!
I gazed upon these beautiful faces, and well.........how could a mancat choose from such a bevy of beauties?

WHO COULD CHOOSE BETWEEN:
Cheesecake-

 I am just as sweet as my name! I am six and a half year old, siamese tortie! Don't let my breed scare you for I am a cat of few meows and my tortietude only comes through once in a while!!!! I love long naps in the sun and playing with my favorite toy Mrs. PINK. I also enjoy the occasional pinch of cat nip! I would be honored to be your Valentine!"

Harley-

Cody - never mind those children, Mia and Peanut. If you want a good time, a cougar cat like me is the way to go for Valentine's Day. Wink, wink, contact me, Harley, at www.zeezoey.com/blog and if anyone can wake me up from my daily 16 hour nap, I'm your lady cat for the day!! — with Zee & Zoey.

Crepes-
from the blog Cat In The Fridge
Lucy-
Hi Cody, I saw your blog post. I have a dilemma. My daddy says (well yells) I am too young to date. My mom says "Oh Cody is like family...don't worry Marc. He'll take good care of her." And I say "Cody is cute!" so I am sneaking onto my mom's computer to send you a picture of me. xoxo (Lucy's Mom's blog is Feeling Beachie)
Willow-

Dear Cody...
This is your fellow Michigander, Willow up near the Cherry City! Mom said you are looking for some ladycat friends and while I don't know if I'm your dream girl, I'd certainly love to be your pal! We have lots in common, we're both from Michigan, your mom and my dad are ex-Clevelandites, we are both TCC members and...well... that's good for a start. Here's a picture that my mom says shows my torbie-liciousness (whatever that means) I hope you'll consider sharing one of those pretty roses with me! Your (hopeful) friend Willow. (Willow's blog is Cherry City Kitties)

Anya-

From the blog: Life With Ragdolls

Here's a little bit about ME! 
 
Career: Blogger, Fashion Model, Princess. 
Breed: Show Quality Ragdoll. 
Color: Blue Mitted. 
Eye color: Killer Blue. 
Age: 5-years old. 
Date of birth: August 14th, Thursday 2008. 
Born in: Georgia, USA.

Xoxo, 
Anya

Truffles-

Here's Truffles' application to be Cody's girlfriend (using her most come hither pose!)...her blog is www.mochasmysteriesmeows.com

Baby-
from our loyal reader Ann Marie
Ting Ting--
from the blog "Nonnie's Observations"
Peanut-

Dear Cody... Peanut is not shy to go after what she wants, and what she wants is to be your Valentine date! Despite her "go get em" attitude, she is actually an absolute sweetheart and likes to spend the day looking for love, snuggles, and cuddles... But with the most innocent of intentions, mind you... Give a shout out to her at www.zeezoey.com/blog if you are interested. — with Zee & Zoey.

Mia-

Dear Cody - My name is Mia and unlike my uncouth sister, Peanut, I am a refined date who is asking politely to be your Valentine. I do not kiss on a first date and I absolutely insist you shower me with jewels, Temptations Treats, and a basket of cat nip toys. I am a bit aloof, so don't be surprised if we spend most of our date on opposite sides of the couch.... RSVP me at www.zeezoey.com/blog — with Zee & Zoey.

Skeeter- the kitty from Talking Dogs blog, (well Skeeter made it clear that she was already involved in an "interspecies" relationship)

I EVEN HAD A BOY CAT!!! GUESS WHO???

YES WAFFLES FROM GLOGIRLY!!

Deer Coaty,
Um, hi. Waffles here. 
I like long walks by my cat tower and wand toys with feathers.
I'm only 1. I mean 2. I mean kind of 1. But I'm very mature for my ages.  

I’m an orange tabby with Golden Eyes. Like the James Bond movie.

I like stealing treats. 
I like sniffing stuff.
I'm sure I can be a really good boyfriend. I mean girlfriend. I mean – 
Ok, so maybe we have a little too much in common on account of we're boyz and all.
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
love,
Waffles 

"DESPERATE TIMES CALLED FOR DESPERATE MEASURES!!" I CALLED IN THE TROOPS! NO WAY WAS I GOING TO PICK ONE WINNER! THESE CATS HAVE CLAWS!!

My dear furiend from

www.cremedelacat.com 

SAVED THE DAY!!!

SHE MADE ME

THESE ADORABLE 

PRIZE PACKAGES

TO GIVE TO ALL 

OF THE LADIES

(WAFFLES TOO!)

In the bags there are:

SPARKLE FISH

MINI FLUFFY CRINKLE BALL

PENNY CANDY

AND 

ELLIE THE ELEPHANT!

I SNIFFED THEM

FOR QUALITY CONTROL

I GAVE THEM

EXTRA SPECIAL KISSES!

AND NOW I AM

READY TO MAIL THEM

TO ALL OF THE

KITTIES WHO SENT ME PHOTOS!

YOU MADE ME

SO HAPPY!

BE SURE MY MOM

HAS YOUR ADDRESS!

CONTACT HER AT:

cgittleman at mi dot rr dot com

THANKS TO 

CREME DE LA CAT

FOR SAVING

VALENTINE'S DAY!!