It's my Sheltie Brother's Birthday!!!

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!!!

I'm NOT the Kitty Daddy!!! World Spay Day

World Spay Day is an international day of action to promote the sterilization of pets, community cats and street dogs as a way to save animals’ lives. It takes place each year on the last Tuesday of February.  Created as Spay Day USA by the Doris Day Animal League (DDAL) in 1995, World Spay Day is now a program of The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), Humane Society International (HSI) and Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association (HSVMA).

Munchiecat Winner!!

A HUGE THANK YOU to all who entered our Munchiecat Valentine's Day Give-Away! Oh how I wish I could have had more of you win!! I do know of some kitties that are going to be EXTREMELY HAPPY today!

I put the ELIGIBLE numbers/entries into a random integer generator on random.org, here is what was drawn:

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

40
33
36
36
22
31
36
5
21
8
17
6
29
13
31
35
5
8
8
3
21
34
9
7
6
11
24
21
31
31
27
20
3
2
33
7
39
10
33
10
28

Timestamp: 2018-02-25 15:00:44 UTC

 

The 40th comment belonged to:

MAGGIE AT:

CLICK TO VISIT HER BLOG

FEATURING ADORABLE ADOPTABLES!!

HUGE CONCATULATIONS!!

I KNOW SOME KITTIES

ARE GOING TO LOVE THESE!!

18 (Purrfectly) Amazing Facts About Me

Ok Cathy Keisha I'll bite!! Because you asked us to pawticipate, I decided how could I turn down one of my long-long-long time furiends!  I did take the liberty of changing the title of this game. Hoping CK doesn't mind!  Here ya go!

1. Favorite smell—CHICKEN, CHICKEN, CHICKEN!!
2. Last time I hissed— Ready for this? I have only hissed ONCE...ONCE in my almost 11 years of life. I can tell you the EXACT date too. It was October 19th, 2007 the day Dakota moved in. I walked around his crate and sniffed him......I only hissed ONCE.....that's all it took for me to make it clear who is boss around here!
3. Favorite pizza— I have never eaten pizza but Mom says that my Grandpa Bobo used to LOVE eating black olives off of pizza. 
4. Favorite Flower— Mom doesn't bring them in.

5. Favorite dog breed— Why SHELTIES of course!
6. Favorite ice cream—   I have never eaten ice cream and my pawrents rarely bring it in the house.
7. Pet peeve—   People who don't mind their own business. Oh wait!! That's Mom's pet peeve!!!
8. Shorts or jeans—   Are you kidding me? I don't wear either. I prefer being nude.
9. Color of your PTU— Silver gray like me!!
10. Color of your eyes— Same exact color as my Mom's ! Green!! Like CK my eyes were also amber when I was a kitten.
11. Favorite food—   Chicken!!!!
12. Least favorite food.—   Fish. Yep that's right kitties! The only fish I like is the kind the humans eat. None of that commercial fish for me!
13. Favorite Holiday—   Dakota's grooming day ...(what do you mean that isn't a holiday! Yes it is! It gets him out of the house for a few hours.)
14. Night owl or morning person—   BOTH. I stay up super late with Mom (til about 1:30 am) Then I catch a nap for maybe 2 hours, then I start waking Dad up to feed Dakota and I. 
15. Favorite day of the week—   Any day that has food is a favorite day of mine!
16. Do you have a nick name?—   My newest one is "Swedish Cody"   My Mom and Dad named me that cause when they ask me questions I answer by saying "Ya" and they say I sound Swedish.  (My apologies to any Swedish people who might read this!)  My other nicknames are Codester, Jelly Belly, Cuddle Bug, Codalicious, Code, oh and FAT GRAY BASTARD  (yes you read that right, please call the authorities)
17. Favorite music—    "What's New Pussycat" by Tom Jones
18. Tattoos—     what do YOU think?

So that's it!! Thanks CK for this fun game!!! Hey everyone, if you haven't read CK's answers head on over to her blog right meow to check them out and thanks to CK for creating this pawesome game!!! 

Love Your Pet Day is EVERY DAY

"Hear me ROAR!!"

Did you know that PRESIDENT'S DAY WAS  CREATED TO HONOR our FIRST President, GEORGE WASHINGTON? "Washington's Birthday is a United States federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday of February in honor of George Washington, the first President of the United States, who was born on February 22, 1732.Wikipedia "

"Year of the WHAT???!!!"

Visit Dakota's blog to learn more and to see some pawtastic "Year of the Dog" art by our dear furiend Maggie Swanson learn more, and

Cat Toys: A Munchiecat Valentine's Day Give-Away! Because We LOVE You!

 Hi all and Happy Valentine's Day!! Today Cody and I are beyond excited to be having a:

Boy oh boy is this gonna be fun!!!!! Back in late 2017 I had seen the Munchiecat line of toys on the web and I instantly fell in love. Visiting the Munchiecat website I learned that their toys are non-toxic. They are made using  pet-safe materials so you can feel good about offering them to your kitties! Munchiecat makes their toys in small batches to ensure freshness and quality.

I received two different sets, they are the:

    SUSHI DELUXE | 8Pc Catnip Sushi Set

and the

    WINE DELUXE | 9Pc Catnip Wine & Cheese Set

The first set I would like to show you is the Sushi Deluxe, 8 piece Catnip Sushi Set:

When I opened the bamboo-print Bento-style gift box (the packaging alone had me shrieking with delight), I was smitten with how incredibly ADORABLE and WELL-MADE these toys are. They are also unique and extremely clever!!!  Cody is almost 11 years old,  and not every toy piques his interest. THESE (as well as the wine and cheese set) DID! He was immediately attracted to them and they held his interest.

 "Part toy, part decor, this sushi set will stimulate your kitty's

 natural instincts to explore and play."

     Their  nigiri toys are 1.5" x 1.5" x 3" each, and maki toys are 1.5" x 1.5". Your cats will love to pounce on their sushi "prey" and their toys are lightweight and soft so your cats can easily carry them and bat them  around!

Their  sushi toys are made with minky fabric and are filled with polyester fiber, organic catnip, crinkle paper and bells.

The next set we received (Pssst:It's also the one we will be giving away!!) is the:

WINE DELUXE | 9Pc Catnip Wine & Cheese Set

"This 9 piece assortment includes a wide range of sizes, shapes, and textures that can be enjoyed by cats of all ages! The Olive and Fig toys are light and small enough for even the tiniest of kittens to enjoy. Older cats will find the Cheese toys plush and soft so they can easily be carried around like prey. The 8” Wine bottle make excellent catnip kicker toys for those mid-day wrestling matches."

When I presented these to Cody the first thing he went to was the wine!! (of course I have no video because as soon as I approached he took off, but this set is a HUGE hit!) My husband and I commented tonight when he was swatting olives and figs across the kitchen, that we hadn't seen him this energized and active in quite some time! He was having the time of his life!! 

    You know what they say: "Variety is the spice of life",  and this 9 piece assortment includes catnip, crinkle paper, and rattle toys in a wide range of sizes from 2” Olives and Figs toys to 8” Wine Bottles.  The wine bottles are hilarious! They are the perfect size for bunny kicking!! Each toy is made with soft minky fabric and infused with potent catnip to stimulate your cat's natural playfulness while satisfying their sophisticated side! Why not treat your kitty to a set for Valentine's Day? Watching Cody play like a kitten chasing olives and grapes down the hallway has warmed my heart and made me happier than I could ever imagine.   Each toy in this set has a different purpose and engages healthy behaviors like chasing, kicking, jumping, and cuddling. The Munchiecat toys are designed for both solo and interactive play time for kitties with their humans, and offers enough variety that if your cat tires of one, they have another to play with.

o     THE MUNCHIECAT DREAM:

    "Our dream is to make high quality, pet-safe toys that you can feel good about offering to your furry friends. We started with a Sushi set because even the grumpiest and aloofest (yeah, that’s a word) of cats deserve better than cheap plastic balls and rubber mice."

   "As a wife/husband business we hope to continue making fun and beautiful toys for the creatures that continue to fill all our lives with smiles."

I would say the Munchiecat Dream

has been fulfilled!!

I AM IN LOVE WITH THE MUNCHIECAT TOYS!!

   They are DESIGNED FOR CATS AND HUMANS ! Owners are encouraged to always supervise their cat’s playtime so Munchiecat makes toys that can be enjoyed by both cats and their humans! The simple designs are safe and reduce the chances of tears. What I particularly LOVE is contrary to popular cat toys like cat wands, Munchiecat stays away from decorative strings, feathers, or small parts that can break off and get swallowed or cause choking hazards. How many of those types of toys do you as cat lovers see in the store? Far too many. I can't tell you how many toys (made by FAMOUS PEOPLE and FAMOUS BRANDS) contain these hazards.(I once wrote an individual asking them to remove the bells from their toys. I am certain it fell on deaf ears. I was so upset with those toys I am talking about that I chose not to review their products.) You do NOT have those worries with the Munchiecat toys!

 I I could NOT be happier with both of these sets and Cody ADORES THEM! Thank goodness the Kickstarter backers helped bring these incredible cat toys to fruition! PERSONAL NOTE: communicating with Natalie, (part of the husband and wife Munchiecat team), via email has been a complete joy. My eldest stepdaughter had become quite ill in December (she is still ill and is awaiting surgery, hopefully some time in March), which made me have to delay my review. Natalie could not have been more compassionate, thoughtful, kind and understanding. She told me I didn't even have to worry about posting her products on my blog, she just wanted me to take care of myself  and not worry.  Natalie is a special person with an incredible heart and I wish she and her husband enormous success with these superb toys. The Munchiecat line is TRULY SPECIAL, as are the people who created this company.

 WE HAVE A GIVE-AWAY!!

Natalie is offering one lucky reader who is 18 and over

 and who resides in the U.S. a WINE DELUXE | 9Pc Catnip Wine & Cheese Set of their own! (A $30 value!!)  Because I think there is going to be a number of you who are interested in winning, I am NOT going to post a rafflecopter. Instead, IF YOU WISH TO ENTER, SIMPLY LEAVE A COMMENT THAT CLEARLY STATES THAT YOU WISH TO ENTER!!! EASY PEASY!! The give-away is open NOW and will end at 5pm on WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21ST, the lucky winner will be chosen by random.org and will be announced on or around Friday, February 23rd. GOOD LUCK TO ALL AND HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

FOLLOW

MUNCHIECAT ON FACEBOOK

MUNCHIECAT ON INSTAGRAM

THE MUNCHIECAT LINE

IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!!

They are the purrfect gift for

Birthdays, Gotcha Days, Holidays or ANY DAY!

IN FULL DISCLOSURE: We received both sets in exchange for our honest review. I had waived my normal review fee because I love these toys so much!!  There are NO AFFILIATE LINKS IN THIS POST. IF YOU CLICK ON THE WORD "AMAZON" ABOVE I WILL NOT RECEIVE A COMMISSION.

Book: "Real Men Love Cats" by Nic Tatano

Valentine's Day is right around the corner and what better way to kick it off than by reading "Real Men Love Cats" which is the fourth of a series of books written by Nic Tatano.

  

If you are looking for a romantic comedy, it is also a "chick-lit" book (that just happens to be written by a man) that  is a quick read, ( 210 pages,  it took me a mere three hours to read this book on a snowy Saturday night), that is fun, as well as funny, replete with cats, then  this is your book.  "Real Men Love Cats" is loaded with witty banter, and did I mention it has a heavy dose of cat love thrown in?

FROM "REAL MEN LOVE CATS":

Advertising copywriter Rory Callahan is very picky. She thinks Mister Right should check off some important boxes. But if “love me, love my cat” isn’t one of them, that’s a deal-breaker. Unfortunately, the men she’s been dating lately want nothing to do with her playful six-toed tabby, Hemingway. Or any cat, for that matter. Can this classic girl-next-door find a real man who loves cats? Romance moves to the back burner when a terrific business opportunity that seems perfect for her falls in her lap. The CEO of a national cat food company is looking for a new ad agency, and Rory is desperate for the huge account. The one guy standing in her way? A modern day advertising whiz named Will Prescott who seems to be right out of the Mad Men era as far as women are concerned. Or is she reading him wrong? After all, the guy does like cats. How bad could he be? After a horrible first meeting and a series of bizarre misunderstandings she’s keeping him at arms’ length. But when Will and Hemingway cross paths, she begins to see him in a different light. Can her cat show her the way?

Having spent 26 years of my life in advertising (ok, it was newspaper advertising and the main characters in the book  own ad agencies),  it doesn't matter, advertising is advertising.  I was instantly lured in. The competition, the sexual stereotypes. I found myself transported back to my former life. My life as an advertising pro who for MANY of those years, lived alone, with a cat. I lived with a cat who was a wonderful judge of a man's character (sadly, many times I ignored his good judgement). Will Rory Callahan do the same? You will have to read the book to find out!

"Real Men Love Cats"  teaches you that you  can't always believe what you see, what you THINK you see, what you THINK you know,  might not be what is actually taking place. It shows you that if you are in the market for "Mr or Ms. Right" they are sometimes right in front of your face. 

 "Real Men Love Cats"  has romance, humor, misunderstandings, coincidences, interesting lead characters, advertising,  and cats (what's not to like???), I couldn't put this book down. Having been single MUCH longer than most (I didn't marry the first time until I was 40), I also dated my fair share of jerks. MORE than my fair share. When I read the line "love me, love my cat",  I KNEW that this was a book that cat lovers like myself could relate to.

If the above aren't reasons enough to get yourself a copy of "Real Men Love Cats" by Nic Tatano, the book dedication nearly had me in tears:

For Gypsy:

You were a wonderful cat and are greatly missed.

You were my sunshine.

See you at the Rainbow Bridge someday.

Friends, remember, the above dedication was written by a MAN. Hoping that Nic Tatano doesn't think I am a narrow minded female sexist  pig, but a dedication like that in and of itself makes it clear to me that author Tatano truly IS A REAL MAN WHO LOVES CATS.


SIDE NOTE: after communicating with quthor Nic Tatano via email just a few times, I also think that he was writing about himself when he created , Will Prescott (one of the main characters).  Wondering if Nic will admit that to me? He doesn't have to, I know I am right. Personality similarities were glaring in his email communication with me. But it's all good!!!! Nic LOVES cats, and you will LOVE "Real Men Love Cats", written by a REAL MAN who LOVES CATS!!

I give Real Men Love Cats FOUR PAWS UP!! 

Available on Amazon.

In full disclosure: I received a free copy of "Real Men Love Cats" by Nic Tatano in exchange for my always honest review. 

Charity launches International Declaration of Responsibilities to Cats (Guest Post)

Life is tough for many cats all over the world. Those that are un-owned can struggle to survive on the streets, and may face inhumane methods of population control. For pet cats, welfare issues arise when people do not understand or fulfill their needs, or when veterinary care is not as good as it could be. Human desire to create certain looks for cats through breeding has resulted in cats suffering with serious health problems. These are just a few examples of the many ways in which cat welfare needs to be improved.

A number of different entities are responsible for feline welfare, ranging from individual owners caring for their pets, to central governments setting welfare legislation. Although it is important for everyone to play their own part in helping cats, it is also essential that these different bodies work together, if cat welfare is to be improved.

That’s why International Cat Care (iCatCare) has developed the "International Declaration of Responsibilities to Cats." This document defines best practice for all those responsible for feline welfare, and provides a clear framework for a collaborative and coordinated approach to the protection and improvement of cat welfare.

International Cat Care is encouraging everyone to sign the Declaration. The gathering of signatures will achieve three goals:

1)   Those signing will be acknowledging that they have read the document and agree that we need a collaborative way forward to help the global cat population.

2)   The gathering of signatures will act as a petition, helping iCatCare to show the world how many people care about cats and want their welfare to be improved.

3)   Supporting the Declaration will enable organisations to use the document to help convince other parties to work together or develop new laws or responsibilities which can help deliver better cat welfare.  

Once individuals have signed the Declaration, they can declare their support for improving feline welfare by sharing a photo on social media with one of the charity’s downloadable signs, using the hashtag #catdeclaration.

If you believe that the quality of life of every single cat matters, whether it lives in our home or on the streets, please sign the Declaration. To read and sign the document, and to download iCatCare’s Declaration signs, go to: www.icatcare.org/declaration.

About International Cat Care (iCatCare)
International Cat Care is a charity dedicated to improving the health and welfare of cats worldwide.

The International Cat Care vision: all cats, owned and unowned, are treated with care, compassion and understanding.

The International Cat Care mission: to engage, educate and empower people throughout the world to improve the health and welfare of cats by sharing advice, training and passion.

For more information, please visit http://www.icatcare.org or https://www.facebook.com/icatcare

Happy Birthday to the BEST Cat Dad!

Much love from your most favorite kitty in the world! ME!!

Cody

Groundhog Day (Friday Funny)

"And...just for the record.......there is ALWAYS six weeks til Spring whether I see my freakin' shadow or not! Can't  people count the number of weeks from February 2nd until March 20th? Geeze...............as you were!"

Blazing the trail for cats - International Cat Care turns 60 (A Guest Post)

2018 marks the 60-year anniversary of International Cat Care, previously known as the Feline Advisory Bureau, a charity working towards a vision that all cats, owned and un-owned, are treated with care, compassion and understanding.

International Cat Care now is also known for its veterinary division, the International Society of Feline Medicine, its Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, its conferences in Europe and Asia, its Cat Friendly Clinic Program and free nurse membership and Feline Focus magazine. It has veterinary and nurse members in 71 countries around the world and is seeing a rapid growth in interest in feline medicine. But it wasn’t always this way…!

Sixty years ago almost nothing was known about cat diseases, and feline medicine was greatly neglected. Charles Povey, the charity’s first Research fellow has said in an article written for International Cat Care’s 60^th birthday, ‘It is impossible for a veterinary graduate of today to image the ignorance of feline medicine in the veterinary graduate of the early 1960s. Many viral conditions had not even been recognized (eg, feline infectious peritonitis), feline viral rhinotracheitis virus had just been discovered and it would be another decade before the role of caliciviruses in respiratory virus became clearer. The association of virus with feline lymphosarcoma and the understanding of the viral basis of feline leukaemia complex were yet to come. Vaccination for prevention of upper respiratory infection in cats would have been regarded as science fiction, not to mention the prospect of a vaccine for leukemia.’

Things changed because, in 1958, one woman decided that the suffering of cats due to lack of knowledge could no longer be tolerated. Joan Judd, a cat lover and breeder, believed that an organisation should be set up to fund research into feline health, and form a platform for exchange of information and veterinary medical studies. Thus, she founded the Feline Advisory Bureau (FAB), the forerunner of International Cat Care.

Photo Courtesy of International Cat Care
Claire Bessant and Joan Judd

FAB at first consisted only of one or two dedicated volunteers. They were faced with a list of unknowns about cat health that was infinitely long, and an empty money pot, making the task ahead of them dizzyingly vast. And yet they persevered (just how difficult it was is outlined in the longer version of the charity’s history on its website . )Today, the charity’s name reflects its role in feline medicine and feline welfare all over the world, and consists of a professional staff of 22.

International Cat Care’s work has helped to create a different world for cats, where knowledge of health issues has led to vaccines, treatments and a desire to improve the care of cats in ways unrecognizable all those years ago. By providing advice and training on cat health and welfare to vets, nurses, breeders, cat professionals and owners, it is estimated that the charity touches the lives of over 25 million cats worldwide annually. Hopefully Joan Judd would be pleased!

Photo Courtesy of International Cat Care
Helping-cats-for-60-years

Now, the charity wishes to turn additional efforts towards un-owned cats, the welfare of which has not really changed a great deal in those 60 years. International Cat Care has the expertise to help un-owned cats, looking at the underlying causes and collaborating to develop sustainable solutions to overpopulation and abandonment, and has several 60^th anniversary projects with this aim.

The first project is the charity’s new ‘International Declaration of Responsibilities to Cats’. This is an important document defining best practice for governments, local authorities, vets, charities, breeders, cat owners and other individuals working with cats, emphasizing the need for all these groups to work together to improve the welfare of un-owned cats as well as owned. Anyone who cares for cats is asked to sign it online. For more information, see the icatcare declaration.

In February the charity will be launching its new ‘Cat Cocktail Party Packs’ – free packs designed to help cat lovers throw a fun cat-themed cocktail party to raise vital funds for the charity’s 60^th projects. International Cat Care is grateful for every donation, and the more it receives, the more it can continue to help make the world a better place for cats, owned and un-owned alike.