"This Little Light of Mine"...is Shining for Orphan Pets #RememberMeThursday

Hi every furry and human! It's Cody, and I am here to tell you that today is a most impawtant day. It is the day when we honor the millions of pets who lost their lives without the benefit of a loving home, and shine a light on the millions of healthy pets who are still awaiting adoption. Cody and I are proud to have participated in this impawtant day for the past four years.


Remember Me Thursday® is a global awareness campaign that was created by the Helen Woodward Animal Center,  that unites individuals and pet adoption organizations around the world.  The combined influence creates  an unstoppable, integrated voice for orphan pets to live in forever homes and to  not die waiting for them.

I am a rescue kitty

My litter mates and I were blessed to have had an amazing foster mother and I was adopted by my current Mom when I was only 10 weeks old. My Mom adopted me two weeks after her beloved kitty, Bobo, passed, whom she lived with for 18 beautiful years.  Bobo was rescued from the streets when he was about six months old. When Mom adopted me she had a broken heart.

Adopting ME Helped Heal Mom's Broken Heart

Adopting ME helped Mom in many ways. Mom always tells me adopting me was one of the most special days in her life.

I am a Lucky Kitty

 Things could have been different.

I never roamed the streets looking for warmth, water, food or shelter.

I wake up every day to a family who loves me. I have a full belly, sunny perches to sit on, toys to play with, warm beds to snuggle and sleep on. I have regular Veterinary care.

I am loved and I give love

My Mom and Dad love me with all of their heart. I try to repay that every day by showing them my ample belly so that they may rub it. I sit with my Mom every night when she watches TV. I "talk" to my Dad at every meal. My Mom and Dad gave me a home where I am loved, I bring them laughs, love, cuddles and kitty kisses in return.

Today I want to acknowledge animals who weren't as lucky as me and pray for those who are still waiting to be adopted.

The most recent hurricane, (Florence) has  separated pets from their owners, some because their owners can no longer afford to keep them, some because the owners cannot be found, some because the animals were already homeless.  All of these animals DESERVE LOVE, they DESERVE A FOREVER HOME.

It is my deepest hope that  they all find loving homes.

Animal lovers across the planet will honor these loving babies

 by lighting candles on the exact same day.

Help get the entire world talking about pet adoption!

 Tweet, tag, post and share the beauty and life-saving significance of pet adoption on social media. Let’s honor the lost pets who ran out of time and bring awareness to the pets we can still help by working together and using our voices.

"Let’s take social media by storm for orphan pets!"
I want every kitty and doggy to be 
as lucky and as loved as I am.
Love, Cody

"Every animal deserves love,
Every animal deserves a forever home"

Madi Furever

Simple Solution is the PURRFECT Solution for Cleaning Up Nasty Pet Messes & Odors!

First, this is NOT a sponsored post.  Back in May I entered a contest on our friend Emma's blog (My GBGV Life), and I won!  The prize was a sampling of Simple Solution Pet Cleaning Products. Receiving the products in no way made me obligated to blog about them. I CHOSE to blog about them, (one product in particular), because of HOW HAPPY I am with the product that I tested.

The above photo shows the products I won, and boy were they generous! These are full-sized products!!

I entered the give-away because I had depleted my supply of   pet cleaning products and the products I HAD been using I wasn't particularly thrilled with.

I was happy to read on Emma's blog that Simple Solution products are available at Petco, sadly, when I  searched online to see if they are available at my local Petco, (unless the website is incorrect), they aren't. (I DO plan on re-checking at the store to make sure that is correct and if the products are not available there I intend to speak to a Manager about getting them ASAP because I LOVE THEM!)

THE PRODUCTS I RECEIVED WERE:

• Simple Solution Odor Destroyer
• Simple Solution Urine Destroyer
• Simple Solution Hard Floor Stain &Odor Remover
• Simple Solution Extreme Stain & Odor Remover

I was most excited to try the Simple Solution Extreme Stain & Odor Remover because conveniently, after I had found out I won the contest, Cody provided me with two nasty stains (one in my office and one in my bedroom) that I actually saved (as disgusting as that is), for a few weeks while I waited for the products to arrive.

STAIN ONE IN MY BEDROOM

Using the Simple Solution Extreme Stain & Odor Remover was super easy. You just spray the product on the stain, wait a bit and blot off. The below photo is one that I took after just using the product ONCE. (I could go back and use it again, but it worked so effectively that it was not necessary  to repeat the step)

Now it was time to test

STAIN TWO IN MY OFFICE

After once again just using the product one time, here is the after photo....(I used my T-stick to show where the stain had been because I couldn't find it myself!)

I WAS SOLD!!!

Simple Solution Extreme Formula Pet Stain & Odor Remover, USA Made, 32 ounces

• DESIGNED TO HANDLE THE TOUGHEST ODORS & ORGANIC STAINS- Simple Solution pet Extreme stain & odor remover is 3 times stonger (vs. the leading mass brand) to eliminate tough dog and cat odors and stains.
• PROFESSIONAL STRENGTH FORMULA – Extreme Stain and Odor Remover is a professional strength formula of Pro-Bacteria™ and enzymes to break down and eliminate stains and odors.
• WORKS SPECIFICALLY FOR PET ODORS AND ORGANIC STAINS – Safely and quickly removes dog and cat urine, feces, and vomit on carpet, upholstery, bedding, fabric toys, clothing, or other water-safe surfaces in your home
• NEW PATENTED MULTI-FUNCTIONAL SPRAYER – Now designed with a new patented 3-in-1 nozzle sprayer (Foam, Mist, and Stream).
• MADE IN THE USA – Simple Solution Extreme Stain & Odor Remover is proudly manufactured in the USA.

When I was online I noticed they also have this product available for those of you who just have CATS. It is called, Simple Solution Cat Extreme Stain & Odor Remover. In the event I cannot find these products in MY local Petco, Simple Solution products are available on Amazon and a couple of other online retailers.

I didn't review the three other products that I received because as of now, I haven't had a reason to test them For me, the way the Simple Solution Extreme Stain & Odor Remover works so effectively, that is reason enough to purchase ALL of their products! I have yet to have any pet mess cleaning product work after just ONE USE.

I would like to thank my friends at My GBGV Life for having hosted this wonderful give-away and for informing all of us about the great products that Simple Solution has! I would also like to thank:

for sending me all of these wonderful products!!! Now I am completely ready for any "presents" Cody decides to bestow upon me!!

THANK YOU!!! 

International Talk (Meow) Like A Pirate Day!!

It would not be right on

International Talk Like a Pirate Day

for me NOT to repeat the

catabulous photo made for me by

Mr.Puddy !!!
I mean seriously,
why mess with PURRFECTION??

We be so glad you stopped by on International Talk (Meow) Like a Pirate Day! We be goin' t' have so much fun goin' around visitin' all o' you! Can't wait t' see what fun you be havin' today! Are thar certain games that you like t' play today?

 Tell me

about them!

 Love, Captain Cody 

Blind Cat Rescue/Donation Contest! You Could WIN a Visit from New York Times bestselling author Gwen Cooper!!

It is an honor to be presenting to you today, an incredible contest from author Gwen Cooper,  New York Times bestselling author of the memoirs Homer’s Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned About Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat  (and many more!!).

Gwen and her books are extremely sentimental to me, because way back in 2010 Gwen contacted me to do a book review for her, "Homer's Odyssey" which was the FIRST book I had ever reviewed, not only on the blog, but in my LIFE!  Since then I have reviewed all of her books and have deeply loved each and every one of them, as I know that MANY of you have  as well!

Today, I am proud to announce a special contest WHERE YOU COULD WIN A VISIT FROM GWEN COOPER!!! THAT'S RIGHT!! YOU COULD WIN A VISIT FROM GWEN!! (I would die!!!!) The contest is being conducted by Gwen to help kick off  her NEWEST BOOK which was "collected from the "Curl Up With A Cat Tale Series":

Cover Courtesy of Gwen Cooper

MY LIFE IN A CAT HOUSE comes out on October 30th, and Gwen is  donating 100% of her royalties on all pre-orders and first-week sales (through November 4th) to Blind Cat Rescue and Sanctuary in Raleigh, NC.  This contest was planned BEFORE Hurricane Florence, but now, with the damage that has been caused by Florence, the kitties at Blind Cat Rescue need this help even more!!!

PRE-ORDER THIS BOOK

AT YOUR LOCAL BOOK STORE!

Because if you do, 

YOU COULD WIN A VISIT

 FROM GWEN COOPER!!

WHAT YOU MUST DO

 IN ORDER FOR YOUR DONATION

AND CONTEST ENTRY TO COUNT!!

When you  pre-order the book from  your local bookstore,

 you have  to actually go to the store and purchase

 the pre-ordered copy or copies 

between October 30th and November 4th.

IMPORTANT!!! 

 If you pre-order but don't buy the book, 

and the bookstore has to ship their copy back,

 Gwen is  charged for that out of her royalties,

 and it will take money away from

 the Blind Cat Rescue donation!!!

 You do NOT want that to happen!! 

When you have pre-ordered:

Email Gwen at:

gwen@gwencooper.com  

 with your name, your city/state,

 the name of the bookstore you pre-ordered the book from,

 and the number of copies you pre-ordered.

  Each pre-ordered copy counts as an entry

 so if you buy two you double your chance of winning! 

 And, of course, the more people who pre-order in the same town, the likelier that the winner will be in your town--so get your friends to pre-order, too! 

 Online pre-orders from Amazon, etc. will not count for contest entry unless you pre-ordered online September 16th or earlier.  Gwen will, however, make the same 100% donation to Blind Cat Rescue regardless of where the book was ordered/sold!!

ALSO:anybody who pre-ordered the book online BEFORE TODAY (9/17) can also enter to win! Just forward your pre-order email confirmation to Gwen at
gwen@gwencooper.com

WAIT!! THERE IS MORE!!

Gwen is looking for a SMALL group of people to help  her in rallying pre-orders/donations to Blind Cat Rescue.  This SMALL group of people will get her private email address and home phone number (as you will be in touch with her quite a bit), and whichever one rallies the largest number of pre-orders in their area will also get a personal visit from Gwen.  Anybody who's interested in being a part of this (small!) group of Homer's Heroes can contact Gwen at gwen@gwencooper.com

Full Disclosure: I was not compensated for posting this contest. As I mentioned I have reviewed all of Gwen's books, I ADORE Gwen and her writing and if I were lucky enough to meet her in person, I would be a total "fan girl"!!

Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit Celebrate Opening and Dedication of Animal Adoption and Education Center

Dozens of homeless dogs and cats are moving into new digs while awaiting their “forever homes” as Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit (FAMD) celebrates the opening and dedication of phase one of its new, state-of-the-art shelter and Animal Adoption & Education Center (AAEC).

Photo Courtesy of Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit

When: Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018 at 10 a.m.

Where: 16121 Reckinger Road, Dearborn, just off Michigan Ave., near the Henry Ford Centennial

Library

Courtesy of Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit

The AAEC replaces the adoption function of Dearborn Animal Shelter, a 30-year-old shelter located at 2661 Greenfield Road. The new facility will have upgraded, larger housing and improved air systems that will keep FAMD's adoptable animals happy and heathy. The land for the new center was donated to FAMD by the City of Dearborn, and $5.1 million was raised by members of the community through a capital campaign to fund the project. The new 10,000-square foot center will be named after a prominent animal welfare advocate.

FAMD will continue to utilize the Dearborn Animal Shelter for animal services and administrative offices, until phase two of AAEC is complete.

About FAMD

After more than 25 years of nurturing more than 52,000 animals, the Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit has embarked on public phase of their “Our Animals Need A Home” capital campaign to construct a new Animal Adoption & Education Center at the site of the former Dearborn Amtrak station on Michigan Avenue. For more information about FAMD, visit metrodetroitanimals.org

The Complete Cat: a unique and exciting exhibition of feline art (Guest Post)

This winter, a unique and exciting exhibition of feline art will be held in the vibrant and artistic town of Frome in Somerset. 'The Complete Cat' brings together 26 top artists from the Society of Feline Artists (SOFA) and will feature over 120 artworks including paintings, drawings and 3-dimensional pieces. All artworks are for sale and a quarter of the proceeds will be donated to feline charity International Cat Care.

Courtesy of International Cat Care

The free exhibition is running from Saturday 24^th November to Saturday 8^th December (excluding Mondays), and is being held at Rook Lane Gallery in Frome. There will also be a launch party on Friday 23^rd November and a drawing workshop focusing on cats’ eyes on Saturday 24^th November.

Rook Lane Gallery Courtesy of International Cat Care

 Rook Lane Gallery is a beautiful art space within a restored 18^th century chapel, in the heart of Frome. The Somerset town is a charming and vibrant place to visit, packed with historic buildings, beautiful independent shops and creative people. It is the perfect destination for the discerning art enthusiast looking for something just a little bit different, and with a host of Christmas events and markets also taking place in Frome at this time of year, it makes it the ideal place to visit. At just over two hours from London and 14 miles from Bath, it is also extremely well-placed and easily accessible.

International Cat Care and the Society of Feline Artists, who are jointly running the exhibition, are looking to create something truly unique which celebrates all aspects of the feline form. What makes this a must-see exhibition is the exceptional quality and diversity of the art to be displayed. With a whole range of artistic styles and media, the art on offer will leave all preconceptions of the traditional cat exhibition far behind, instead offering a unique, quirky and memorable art experience.

SOFA has a well-established history of successful art exhibitions. Founded in 1994, with the specific aim to promote the work of the best cat artists, the society has held an annual exhibition of cat paintings in London for many years, featuring over 100 artists, some of whom exhibit internationally and show more than 300 paintings in a range of media, making it the largest exhibition of cat art in the country.

International Cat Care, which has partnered with SOFA to organise the exhibition, is one of the world's most respected feline charities and works for owned and unowned cats globally. It is also the charity's 60^th anniversary and the SOFA artists have generously committed 25% of the takings to the charity.

Full details of the exhibition can be found at: https://icatcare.org/the-complete-cat

We Must Never Forget...

Thank you for remembering with us today

hold your loved ones close

Comments have been disabled

I took this photo of a sign that was hanging in LaGuardia Airport in New York City in 2016

Treasure the sweetness around you....Rosh Hashanah

From Chabad.org: "Rosh Hashanah is a Jewish holiday marking the first and second days of the Jewish year. (In 2018, Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Sunday, September 9, and continues through nightfall on Tuesday, September 11). It’s the day G‑d created Adam and Eve, and it’s celebrated as the head of the Jewish year." To click here to learn more about Rosh Hashanah.

To our friends who don't observe this holiday, Happy Monday!! 

Parole Will Soon End for Cat Veterinary Inmate "345"

Hi Kitties, it's Cody and I am here to tell ya,  I just can't get a break!!! It has taken Mom a LONG time to give me computer time so that I could blog about my latest debacle.  A little over a month ago I earned a new nickname, my nickname is now "345."  You also didn't know that I am on parole from "Dr.Smiley" and his evil laboratory. I was put on parole due to good behavior. Kitties, sit back, grab a bowl of kibble,  and let me fill you in on how I got my new nickname and how my "parole" has come to an end. 

Mom was working on her computer and heard a THUD. She didn't think much of it because she doesn't think, she wasn't really concerned. Then, she noticed at lunch time I didn't come when called and normally I am the first in line for lunch deliciousness.

Mom looked for me and found me laying against the wall on the floor of her our "office" (which she never uses, but I digress...) I wouldn't respond when she called me and mom freaked, (mom is always freaking, let's just suffice it to say her freaking was complete frenzy). 

Dad was downstairs waiting to go to the store with Mom, but Mom called him screaming that I had to be rushed to the Vet.

Long story short, when I arrived at the Vet "Dr.Smiley's Evil Laboratory", "Dr.Smiley" even thought something was wrong with me as evidenced by how I was just laying there in my PTU without moving a muscle.  (I didn't even fuss when Mom and Dad put me in my PTU). I also allowed him to  thoroughly humiliate check me in his office without so much as a tiny meow."Dr.Smiley" could find NOTHING WRONG. That led to the laboratory invasion!

 "Dr.Smiley" and his evil assistants checked my butt, they  sucked drew my blood, and strapped me down on their lab table like Frankenstein to take X-Rays.  

All of the tests came out great and...$345 later, (hence my new nickname),  it was decreed that there was nothing wrong and my diagnosis was "extreme lethargy" (you can stop laughing anytime now. I am a CAT and of COURSE I suffer from extreme lethargy! Geeze!!  I knew I was fine!!! Mom now thinks I might have startled myself and that the "thud" she had heard might have been me falling off of Mom's desk). When we got home I ran to my food bowl and started chowing down with gusto!! 

I was proud of myself because I figured now that they got one of my "wellness" exams out of the way,  I wouldn't have to have my usual exam this October. I thought wrong......while pawing around in Mom's email I saw something that made me hiss gasp.

	DePorre Veterinary Hospital 4066 West Maple Road Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301 248-646-1669

	We miss you (a lot)!
	It's time for a visit.
	Please call us today to schedule an appointment for Cody
	248-646-1669
Dear Caren, Cody is due for some important medical care in October: • Feline Senior Wellness Exam due Tuesday October 09, 2018 Please disregard this message if you have already scheduled your appointment. See you soon! DePorre Veterinary Hospital

Kitties!! They "miss me (a lot)", YEAH I BET THEY DO!!! Bet they have had no fresh blood lately and now they are after mine!!

Kitties! I was JUST AT THE VET approximately one month ago! Doesn't that count as an exam? See how it says "please disregard this message if you have already scheduled your appointment"? Well, THIS NEEDED TO BE DISREGARDED!!! My Mom is INSANE and "Dr.Smiley" and his evil laboratory are out for my blood!!!! They said I have to have my annual rabies exam too because a "bat could fly into our home and bite me!!" A BAT FLYING INTO MY HOME ARE YOU SERIOUS??? WHO WORRIES ABOUT BATS OTHER THAN DRACULA?? (and now "Dr.Smiley" and his evil assistants!) I TELL YOU KITTIES THEY ARE AFTER MY BLOOD!!! Mom needed to disregard their email.  But did she? Noooooooooo...........................

My appointment isn't until October 4th (Mom and "Dr.Smiley's Evil Assistant even agreed to have me come in FIVE DAYS EARLY....supposedly due to BATS.....BATS!!!!! Am I the ONLY ONE WITH A BRAIN AROUND HERE????) Kitties can you help me? PLEASE!!!

Love, Cody

FROM "MOM" on September 6, 2018. To everyone who read this post, THANK YOU!! Please know that this was ENTIRELY meant in complete fun!!! We LOVE our Vet (and everyone who works there), and are grateful for how fast they saw Cody when we thought something was wrong. We have been going to DePorre since before Cody and Dakota were ever with us (so maybe 16 or so years?) We have complete trust in them and are blessed to have them caring for our pets. The day that happened to Cody I was terrified, I waited a while to blog about it to be sure he was ok. I am thankful for how thorough "Dr.Smiley" (aka Dr.Lewis) was about running tests and all, and for the extra special care he took to make sure that Cody's legs, etc., were ok. I  completely respect  him and I trust his judgement, we care about him as if he was family! (We also adore a certain Receptionist there who has kitties that reviewed products for us!)  As for the bats, yep, they HAVE gotten into people's homes! That's the truth!!

Labor Day 2018

Cats know how to obtain food without labor, shelter without confinement, and love without penalties.---- W. L. George

Happy Labor Day to those celebrating! 
(to those who aren't, Happy Monday!)

Labor Day in the United States is a public holiday celebrated on the first Monday in September. It honors the American labor movement and the contributions that workers have made to the strength, prosperity, laws and well-being of the country. Wikipedia

In honor of the recent passing of Senator John McCain (whose political views I didn't always agree with, but I admire his courage, his dedication to our country, his way of knowing, saying AND DOING WHAT IS RIGHT, and in honor of all he endured and all he accomplished), I wanted to share this quote that I found on Pinterest.

May he RIP, my thoughts and prayers are with his family.